Hey guys! Life has been crazy for me; college is going to be the death of me, I swear.

I had MAJOR writers block when I tried to write this chapter…I hope it doesn't confuse anyone lol

The K.O knight count now is 4/6… I'm not too sure of Elyan yet, he did hit the wall pretty hard last chapter but I may spare him… I like knocking them out apparently. Ohhh well, they'll live. OR WILL THEY? ;]

Thank you very much for your support! I love you guys! :]

~Lthien

Too much pain…

Darkness smothered and threatened to swallow Arthur whole; time and space seemed to distort with each passing moment. His body felt light, almost as if it were floating in mid-air that is if his body still existed…

Arthur wasn't sure if he were breathing, he couldn't feel anything anyway. The darkness held a peace he couldn't explain, he only wanted to be smothered completely, wrapped in the serene silence.

Everything felt so surreal. He occasionally felt a gentle brush of a hand or the warmness of someone's breath on his face but as soon as it came it was gone.

Was that real?

-Does it matter?

No…

The pain that engulfed him was gone, everything was gone; he only was.

Mentally and physically he was drained. He didn't care anymore; he'd accept death with open arms. Camelot had no use of a useless King that much his father had told him…

He'd miss Guinevere, the knights…Merlin.

Merlin; he'd failed him for the last time.

He was soon to join him, the thought alone appeased him.

Death is easy, all he had to do was accept it; life is harder… No more pain, no more emotions…Nothing, nothing but ebony…

Suddenly he felt his peaceful world shake, almost as if he were being dragged, his mind slipping in and out of consciousness. The sounds of broken cries and iron clashing send his head reeling, making him gag in agony; his head throbbed with a pain he'd never felt before…He only saw crimson.

Leave me, he silently begs to the unknown being as his head continues to pulsate violently.

The pain makes him pass out again and he let himself be wrapped in the darkness, accepting the blinding light that beckoned him…

MERLIN

"Arthur," a gentle voice calls out to him almost as if to stir him from a dream.

A breeze rushes past him and the sounds of birds enticing him to join them in their joy.

Birds…? Dungeon…? His eyebrows furrow together, unable to fit the pieces together. Water bubbles around him as his hand wades in cool water.

His whole body floats peacefully in crystal clear water that flows gently over his wounds, licking away the gruesome gash, leaving behind a harsh looking purple bruise but it no longer causes a threat. Color returns to his face and his breathing becomes easier; pain fleeing from his features.

"Arthur," the fairy-like voice calls again, giggling gleefully as he grumbles in his sleep, golden eyebrows arching in acknowledgement of the call.

Who…?

Warmth almost like the sun kisses his skin as a gentle hand caresses his own, urging him to wake up. So he did. He blinks wearily, sunlight burning his blues, making him grunt in discomfort, whist earning a bright laugh from the person above him. He smiles at the gay laughter and lifts his wet hand over his eyes, blocking the sun. Sunlight beams through the gaps between his fingers and he catches a glimpse of brown curly hair and warm chocolate brown eyes that shine with wisdom far beyond their years. He drops his hand as the woman pulls him, easily, to his feet.

"My name is Freya, the Lady of the Lake," the brunette smiles, still grasping onto Arthur's hand. "Call me Freya." She squeezes his hand tenderly before releasing it. Arthur's eyebrows furrow together in confusion as he takes in the beauty of the place. Nature beamed brilliantly at him, as animals, predators and prey alike frolicked gleefully in the crisp green grass. Luscious blossoming trees blew gently in the wind and butterflies circled over their heads…It was a place he'd seen before however, Lake Avalon had never looked so full of life, so…magical. He gulps back the word before he turns towards the woman who watched his reaction.

Arthur only stares at her, taking in her unnatural beauty. Her beautiful brown hair flows elegantly past her shoulders and frames her slim frame. She is adorned with a bright aqua gown that glistens with the water, almost as if it were a part of it… It screamed of sorcery, yet…Arthur felt nothing but peace.

"Where am I, my lady?" Arthur asks quietly, putting his right hand to where his wound should be as he remembers he should be in more pain…or worse. Worse being the more likely of the two.

"You'll find nothing, my King, the water has healed you." The lady smiles at the blonde's confused expression as he saw no blood on his hand.

"I-I was dying…" He mutters, looking up from his hand to stare at Freya. "Why was I saved…?" He murmurs remorsefully. Freya smiles sadly at him but doesn't answer. "Could you save others like this?" Arthur asks, excitement flooding his crystal blue eyes.

"No, my King," the brunette answers, crushing the hope that filled his eyes. Arthur clenches his fist tightly bringing it to his forehead and gasps out in broken sobs. "Only you were to be saved…" The brunette's eyes glisten with tears at the sight of the King.

Why me? Why only me?! He sobs miserably. Was there nothing to save Merlin? Surely he was more worthy than I… He clutches a fistful of golden locks and weeps relentlessly, making Freya gape at him in awe.

"Merlin…?" Freya asks, as if she'd read his thoughts, her words dripping with worry and love, making Arthur look up at her through tears.

"H-how…You know him?"

"Yes," the beautiful woman admits, nodding her head slowly. "My love…in life and in death," her sad smile causing Arthur's heart to ache more than it already was; if that were possible.

Wait- Merlin had a lover? The thought circulates through his head, not making any sense… Why hadn't he told him? Were they not friends? Best friends even…?

"-In life and in death…?" Meaning, she's dead…Merlin's lover died…When…? Wait-does this mean I'm dead? She said I've been saved though…What does this mean?

"What of Merlin?" She asks again, ignoring the growing questions the king held; fear erupting across her fair features as he looks at her through tear-filled eyes, still brooding over the information she'd given him.

"He's dead, my lady."