Arthur awoke in darkness. The last thing he could remember was as he lay dying in Merlin's arms. "Mer-Merlin," he managed out through a dry throat.
"Bryne," came Merlin's soft voice and suddenly the room was lighted by several candles.
Arthur felt as if his skin was crawling. "Right," he said in a sour tone. "You have magic." Arthur sighed as he glanced around the small cottage. It was no bigger than Guinevere's former home before she had married him and moved into the castle. The King noticed that he was wearing commoner's clothes. "Merlin? What's going on?"
"Well, you see Arthur… after Avalon Lake, I had to bring you here. You were sleeping." Merlin knew that hardly explained anything, but he was having trouble finding the right words. "Camelot… well it…" He couldn't bring himself to inform Arthur about the fall of his beloved kingdom.
Arthur had stopped listening to Merlin when he noticed someone walk past the window who looked an awfully lot like his wife. He hopped to his feet and left the small dwelling to go after her.
"Arthur, wait," Merlin said in attempts to halt him, but Arthur had already begun making his way towards his beautiful wife. Merlin gave a flustered sigh before hurrying after.
"Guinevere," Arthur said when he reached her. She was wearing the same type of peasant's clothing as he was. Arthur thought that maybe he should have allowed Merlin the chance to explain. "I thought I might never see you again." He pulled her into his arms and held onto her. She was the only thing that made sense right now.
Merlin was at his side. "Arthur," he said sadly.
Gwen was wiggling to be free, so Arthur released her. "I didn't mean to startle you," he tried to explain.
Gwen looked to Merlin with a hint of worry in her eyes. "Merlin? Who is this man? How does he know me?"
Arthur's chest tightened, his breathing all but stopped.
"I was trying to explain," Merlin said helplessly. He looked back and forth between the two of them.
Arthur tightened his jaw. "Then do it. Explain."
Merlin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Gwen can you please give us a minute?" He waited until she had left before saying more. "Gwen doesn't remember any of the things you do, Arthur."
Arthur closed his eyes. "It was sorcery, wasn't it?!"
Merlin scowled. "Really, Arthur? I thought we were past that?" He gave a sigh. "No, it wasn't magic. That is Guinevere…" Merlin raised his hand to silence Arthur as his mouth began to open.
"…she is the remaining descendant of the great Camelot dynasty, named in honor of the very first Guinevere in her bloodline… Queen Guinevere Pendragon of Camelot."
Arthur tried to follow, but what Merlin was saying sounded like madness. "How long do you expect I was sleeping," he gestured at where he had just come from.
"Almost 700 years," Merlin replied solemnly.