Two years ago, the Merlin fandom entered a period of utter grief and despair for their beloved children. Otherwise known as Merlin and Arthur and everyone else who experienced suffering and pain in the show. *screams into a pillow* I CAN'T HOLD ALL THESE FEELS; GOODBYE, FRIENDS, I AM GONE.


Return

It was Christmas Eve when Arthur Pendragon returned.

And Merlin was there to see it all happen.

Just as he had watched his king float towards Avalon on a boat, he watched Arthur float back on a humble-looking craft. That alone was enough to force Merlin out of his stupor in seeing such movement in the lake for the first time in hundreds – no, thousands of years. Sprinting into the water, he screamed his friend's name over and over and over again. Tears were springing into his eyes; his heart was practically pounding out of his chest – but such would be expected of him to see his king again.

"Arthur!" Merlin grabbed the edge of the boat and dragging it to shore, allowed one of his hands to cling to Arthur's arm. "Oh, my God – Arthur!"

At that, the blue-eyed man's snapped open. Arthur sat up and for the first few minutes, he stared round in a bewildered, confused silence – and then, once he caught sight of Merlin, it was as if a bright light had turned on in a dark room.

"Merlin," Arthur gasped, reaching over to grab the warlock. Feeling a fresh renewal of tears, Merlin flung himself into Arthur's awaiting arms. "You're back," he choked out, clutching onto Arthur's cape. "Finally." He could feel Arthur give a shuddering, deep breath – and then a hand tenderly holding onto the back of Merlin's jacket.

"I'm back," Arthur confirmed, sounding just as relieved and breathless as Merlin felt. "Back at last."


A/N - Yeah. Basically it. I'm dead. RIP me, someone prepare my funeral. I died by Colin Morgan and Bradley James' last scene in the season five finale.

Reviews are always welcome! Constructive criticism is allowed, but flames are not - don't be a Grinch! Merry Christmas Eve! (...and let's all cry together.)