Merlin was drawn to the water, whether because he was thirsty or for other reasons he couldn't remember. As soon as the warlock touched the cool water to his lips, the fog around his mind disappeared slowly leaving only a dull pain. Some unknown force urged him more, making his legs move on their own accord; and he knelt in the shallow water of the lake. The water surrounded him, leaving a warm feeling of safety despite how chillingly cold the waves about his knees. He closed his eyes in peaceful bliss; until a loud voice echoed through his still aching head.
"Merlin!" Freya's loud insistent voice echoed through his head. The warlock unintentionally hissed, the pain piercing through him once more. "What have you done? Or not done!" Freya called again, her voice sounded angered and worried, "Open your eyes and look at me!" The black haired boy did as told, and found her reflection staring back at him through the rippling waters. He held his head in a pain as another intense pain coursed through his head. What had happened? He remembered the fog, the horrible feeling in his stomach, but what…
"I am healing you Merlin." Freya said more softly, as the pain in his head slowly receded. "I warned you. I told you the consequences would be severe." Merlin reached out to the water, she was real; everything she was saying echoed through his mind. Her voice was soothing now, helping to fight away the rest of the fog and pain that remained from his concussion. Slowly he began to piece together his memories.
The fight with Arthur, blacking out, the dream of Freya, Leon's worried eyes watching him, Gwaine guiding him through the forest. Then he remembered, the reason; Arthur had gone to meet Morgana. Freya's eyes watched him intently from the water, "you can hear it Merlin. We may be too late." She was right; he did hear it now, the low beating. It sounded like the waves against the shore; but Merlin knew better. His tie to Arthur was deeper than friendship, deeper than magic, deeper than destiny itself. And then all at once, the noise ceased, the beating disappeared against the cold wind that carried across the water. Merlin turned away from Freya, his eyes finding his friends huddled on the beach. Leon was staring at him, a mixture of surprise and pain washing his features. And then he was up and running, splashing the water about him-he needed to get to Arthur. Time seemed to slow as he dropped on his knees beside the knights.
"Merlin…" Lancelot whispered; he grabbed the boys arm before he could reach for Arthur. Tears formed in the serving boy's eyes, Arthur was dead. His half lidded blue eyes stared off distantly, his face as white as the clouds above him, and he was still. So horribly still, Merlin shivered; he had seen death before-but this. This was different. Merlin grabbed Arthur's limp hand; the coldness of his skin was overwhelming. "Wake up Prat." Merlin said weakly, a pained gasp escaped his lips. His tears suddenly started to fall, but he was unashamed. He had failed Destiny, he had failed himself, but most importantly he had failed his best friend.
"Please." He whispered. His grasp tightened on his friend's hand. He hadn't even been able to say he was sorry for fighting, sorry for not protecting him, sorry for everything. There had to be something he could do, something to fix this. He couldn't bring people back from the dead with his magic. He didn't know what to do; but he couldn't sit there and do nothing. Arthur couldn't remain dead, he needed the help of the old religion. Then it clicked, Freya. What had she said? He glanced towards the lake. It was the Lake, the Gates of Avalon below; perhaps…just maybe she could help. She had healed him after all.
"Help me." Merlin said suddenly looking at the men about him. He wiped the tears from his eyes, "Help me." They looked at him confused. "We have to get him to the water." Gwaine and Elyan exchanged odd looks. "He's dead, Merlin," Elyan said slowly. Leon suddenly nodded, his pain filled eyes watching the warlock. "The lake has magic. I saw it heal Merlin." Leon said quietly, he gestured the others to grab onto the king; and slowly they carried him to the water. "Magic…it can bring people back?" Gwaine thought, aloud. "Perhaps." Lancelot said, Merlin could almost hear his friends thoughts; Are you willing to show your powers? He had to be ready, he had to save Arthur, he had to save the future he would one day build.