Arthur only sort of registered the man sitting across from him now. Calvin's voice shakes him out of his head.
"You seem to be thinking real hard about this lad." The man pointed out, Arthur nodded,
"I was just wondering, if maybe there was anything in the legends or the stories about the one he's waiting for." Arthur told him, hoping for an answer,
"Ah, well laddy. There are plenty of theories, but nothin' we can guarantee as fact."
"And these theories are?" Arthur insisted,
"Well, everyone agrees that they were most likely lovers. Soulmates even. Some say that the other half was a knight, others believe he was a prince or a king. Some think that if the Other Half does return that he'll have been reincarnated and won't be able to remember anything from his past life, and that he won't remember until he comes face to face with the man. Others think he'll never return. Some say that the Other Half will return but won't save him." The man said, and Arthur nodded. "But I'll tell you this much, it's best to avoid him. The shore where he usually is seen is maybe a mile into the woods, following the lake." The man smirked, Arthur nodded again. He thanks the man for his time and the four friends continue on their way. They walk into Honeyduke's as well as many other kids, he can see his friends glancing at him worriedly. Arthur spends some money on Chocolate frogs and the friends leave.
Upon reaching their favorite hangout spot, an empty classroom by the astronomy tower, the twins and Lee jump on him.
"Okay, what is going on with you?" Arthur could tell they were serious as it was George who asked that question and the twins weren't doing their twin speak thing.
"Honestly, I don't know."
"Well what do you know?" Lee demanded, Arthur thought about it for a moment, deciding how best to answer the question.
"It's like, for as long as I can remember, I've felt like something was missing. Like there was something extremely important just out of reach, but I have no idea what it is." Arthur began, "When McGonagall first showed up and told me I had magic, I thought that maybe that's what had been missing, but knowing it didn't ease it at all. But when we were on that boat, and I saw the castle it didn't hurt as much. It felt like a huge piece of what I was missing was there. It felt like I knew the place, like I had been here before but just couldn't remember. The great Hall, when we went in there the first time, it felt like everything was wrong. Like when you come home after a few years to find that your room has been completely changed or wrecked." Arthur looked at them, they were staring at him incredulously, "And when that man, Calvin, was talking about the man with gold eyes, it felt like I should know who he is, like he's super incredibly important." Fred and George shared a look with each other,
"That's crazy." They said simultaneously. Lee nodded in agreement. Arthur shrugged.
The conversation turned towards other things. The twins and Lee planning another prank. Arthur couldn't sit still, he stood and left the room. He walked, not paying attention to where he was going. He allowed his feet to guide him as he debated with himself. Eventually he came to a stop in a corridor. He was at the end of the corridor, but there was nothing there. He turned to his right, half expecting to see a large double door. But the wall was well… a wall. Logically Arthur knew that it must've always been this way, but every instinct in his body screamed at him that there was something there. Something he could not remember for the life of him. He turned away and began walking again.
When Arthur stopped walking, he found himself in an empty room. Correction. Mostly empty room. For in the center stood an ornate gold mirror. Arthur approached the mirror, and noticed the inscription at the top. Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. Arthur stared at the inscription for a moment wondering if it was Latin, or what. But eventually facepalmed after ten minutes. I show not your face but your hearts desire. It was backwards. Arthur remembered the ache in his chest, the longing for something he couldn't put into words. He stood in front of the mirror, hoping for an answer. He tilted his head in confusion. There he stood. But older. Maybe in his thirties. He was wearing some type of armor, with a red cloak. But Next to him, stood another man. Wearing plain brown trousers, and a faded blue tunic, with a red neckerchief and a brown jacket. He had dark hair, and blue eyes, and ears that seemed too big for his head. But he had the brightest smile Arthur had ever seen. Arthur watched as king him pulled the man into his arms, and hugged him close. And never let go. The ache in Arthur's chest throbbed, Arthur dearly wished he was the one holding the man, to take the place of his mirror self. Arthur pulled his gaze away, and left. Unable to handle the ache in his chest.
It was curfew two weeks later when George told Arthur what they were planning.
"We're gonna meet up with Lee and check out the forest." He said,
"We're gonna see if we can spot the Mourning Man, wanna come?" Fred continued. Arthur smiled and nodded. And so, with the aid of the map they met up with Lee, and the group of four managed to make it onto the grounds, ducking into alcoves when teachers were near. The four made their way into the forest, Arthur felt as though he knew what they were looking for. He led his three friends through the trees, the four of them walking maybe two miles before they came upon a clearing. It was the shore of the lake. The sky was clear and the moon nearly full so Arthur could see everything clearly. And there right at the water's edge was a figure in black. Arthur stared. He heard his friends hushed whispering, excited at seeing the Mourning Man. Arthur could hear the man sobbing. And he felt, deep in his bones, a desire to go and comfort him. A snap. Arthur was aware of his friends hiding behind bushes and trees, just as the man suddenly leapt to his feet. The man turned to face them, and Arthur wasn't scared. Even seeing the man's sickly skin, with black lines streaking down his face. He met the man's eyes. The man had stopped crying. Arthur couldn't breathe. This man, he knew this man. The man slowly began to walk, arm stretched out in front of him, reaching out for Arthur.
"Arthur!" he heard someone yell. The figure was still twenty feet away.
"What are you doing? Run!" Someone grabbed him by the shoulder, jerking him from his trance. Panic filled him. The man was getting closer. And so he ran with his friends.
They ran and ran. Suddenly Arthur saw the Man just ahead of him, arm outstretched. Arthur skid to a stop, fear rising, before quickly running around the man. He heard his friends call his name, before hearing a thump.
The four friends finally found themselves in the castle entrance hall. The four of them gasped for breath, after shutting the door behind them. Arthur and his friends were shaking.
"And what do you four think you are doing? Are you aware of the time?" The four jumped a mile high at the voice, but relaxed upon seeing Professor McGonagall. Well, they calmed slightly.
The professor, upon seeing the boys, immediately grew worried. The boys were shaking, trembling like leaves.
"Do you boys want to tell me what happened?" Immediately, Lee Jordan launched into an explanation. According to him, the boys had wanted to go see the Mourning Man. And they had found him. Apparently the… thing… had noticed them, and had chased them down. Randomly appearing in front of them as they ran. At one point however, the man had thrown three of them into the trees, without muttering a spell, or even moving his arms. The man had reached out to Mr. Pendragon, but the four of them managed to get away before he could touch the boy.
"Look!" Mr. Jordan exclaimed. He was looking out the door. "He's there! In the trees!" Immediately McGonagall looked where he was pointing. And she blanched. For there in the trees was a man. Hooded, but still visible in the tree line. What on earth is going on?
That night, after receiving a calming draught and a dreamless sleep draught from Pomfrey, the boys were sent to bed with detention every night for a month, and each losing their house 50 points. Arthur laid down in his bed, and closed his eyes. But his sleep was not dreamless.
Arthur was young. Very young. Maybe 5 or 6 years old. He was laying in a large bed, being shaken awake by a kind faced woman.
"Good morning Prince Arthur, it's time to get up now. You have classes this morning with Geoffrey this morning and training with the knights in the afternoon." she told him,
"But Nurse Anna, can't I sleep in today?" Arthur heard himself say, the nurse laughed a bit,
"Unfortunately not my Prince. But tomorrow is your day off. I shall wake you later in the day." Arthur smiled, looking forward to just having fun.
Arthur's dream continued in this way. In fact, every night he would dream of being a prince. When he'd wake, he'd wonder why. All he knew was that the ache in his chest, the longing he had known his entire life, began to settle. With each night of dreams he'd feel a little less lost.
"You alright mate?" George asked him,
"Yeah mate." Arthur lied, "I'm alright." He knew the twins didn't believe him. But they had accepted long ago that he was strange. So they let him be.
At one point Professor Quirrel disappeared. Rumor had it that he had stolen something from the forbidden corridor. No one knew what he'd stolen, only that he had stolen something.
Over the next year Arthur would dream each night of this other life. He would dream of a life where he was royalty. He remembered the first time he saw the man from the mirror. Arthur had been bullying a servant when this common boy got between them. He remembered how the boy introduced himself as Merlin. He remembered admiring the boy's guts, and how he insulted Arthur even after finding out he was the prince. He remembered how Merlin saved his life on his third night in Camelot, and was appointed Arthur's manservant. He remembered so much. Arthur cared for the boy in his dreams. His favorite moments were from when he and Merlin simply talked and spent time together. He also remembered the evil in his dreams. How magic was punishable by death. He remembered Morgana and her descent into madness. He remembered Guenivere who preferred to be called Gwen and how her father was executed for sorcery. He remembered his father's death. But more importantly he remembered falling in love with Merlin. How his dream self never realized Merlin had magic was beyond Arthur. But without fail Merlin would protect Arthur and Camelot with all he had, risking everything to protect others.
Arthur soon saw the similarities between Camelot and Hogwarts, and wondered if it was his subconscious helping to create a layout of this dream world castle. Arthur wondered why they were so similar and yet different. But he eventually decided to put the question aside.
In his last dream, Arthur had just married Gwen, despite the fact that his entire being belonged to Merlin.
Later that evening, Gwen, the new queen of Camelot, stood in front of Arthur in his chambers. He knew what was expected to happen between them that night, but Arthur couldn't bring himself to step closer.
"Arthur," she began, a soft understanding smile on her face, "you needn't worry. I know you cannot feel for me what they believe you do. I know that you have no desire to be with me in such an intimate way." and Arthur could only gape at her, "I know you don't love me in that way. But I also know that you and the one you love could never marry. I knew this, and so when you asked me to marry you, I knew that it would be better in the long run if your wife didn't expect anything you could not give. I knew that the best thing for you was to have someone who you trusted and shared your beliefs with." And Arthur, though he thought he should be angry, or worried that she just wanted the throne, only felt relief. He trusted this woman with his kingdom should he pass. She didn't want relations with him, or anything of the sort. And thus, a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders. He knew she would be a great queen, which is why he had chosen her to begin with.
"Thank you." was all Arthur could say, she smiled and nodded.
"He loves you too, just so you know." She said after a moment, "he loves just as much as you love him. Don't be afraid to tell him how you feel, cause I guarantee he feels the same."
And Arthur was glad that he had had her by his side.
Arthur was now in his sixth year. Voldemort had returned. The whole wizarding world knew it. And Arthur wished, more than ever, that Merlin from his dreams was here. Fred and George were sitting across from him at the table in the great hall. Arthur never told either of them, or Lee about his dreams, knowing that they'd never let him hear the end of it. His father (his real life father) had begun pushing him to think about finding a suitable wife. And made sure Arthur knew that he was expected to go into muggle business school so that he could take over the company one day. Arthur had no desire to take over the company. The twins were looking into how to get a loan to open up their shop and Arthur had made it clear that he was willing to invest into their enterprise. Their adventure in the woods with the Mourning Man had become all anyone talked about, even in the town. The twins and Lee vowed never to go back. But Arthur, he wasn't sure he wanted to stay away.
Arthur had now experienced quite a few more years of King Arthur's life. He had dreamt of Mordred being knighted, of Merlin warning him that Mordred was dangerous. He remembered Morgana putting a spell on Gwen. And he remembered how sometime later, Merlin had returned from collecting herbs covered in mud, and so had washed him. In the morning he had told Merlin how he felt. Had kissed him soundly and Merlin, Merlin had finally come clean and told Arthur everything. Not wanting to begin such a relationship with such a big lie. And Arthur, his dream self, had been upset. Upset the merlin had not told him. But he also understood. It never crossed his mind that Merlin was evil. And hearing Merlin tell him his druid name, and everything he had done for Arthur and Camelot had only made Arthur love the warlock even more.
"I will always love you, no matter what Merlin." He had said, and Merlin, in tears of joy, wrapped his arms around Arthur and kissed him silly.
His dream self had begun plans to legalize and regulate the use of magic, and planned to appoint Merlin as his Court Sorcerer. But with Morgana out there he couldn't do anything. A few weeks later he returned to Camelot and learnt that a woman named Kara, Gwen's maid, had been caught giving information to Morgana, committing treason. He remembered how Merlin told him that Mordred swore vengeance as Kara had been Mordred's lover.
He remembered how Merlin came to him and told him that Morgana had stolen his magic, that he needed to get it back before he could join Arthur at Camlann. And Arthur, understanding the situation, told Merlin that if anyone asked he was out collecting important medical supplies for the battle. Merlin had nodded, and left, though not before making Arthur promise to be extremely careful, saying that this was gonna be his most dangerous battle left and, under no circumstances was he to fight Mordred directly. Arthur had given Merlin his word to do his best.
He remembered the feeling of the enchanted blade piercing his side. Merlin screaming. He remembered Gaius saying there was nothing he could do, and telling Merlin that the only way to save Arthur was to take him to the Lake of Avalon and perform a ritual that should heal him.
Arthur woke up in the woods, by a campfire. He saw Merlin tending to it.
"Merlin." he croaked, Merlin immediately jumped up and hurried to him.
"How are you doing? Are you alright? Any pain?" and Arthur Grimaced and nodded. Merlin used his magic to tend to him.
"How is everyone else?" arthur asked,
"Everyone is fine. We won." and almost like a switch was flipped "You stupid, inconsiderate CLOTPOLE!" he yelled, "You promised not to face Mordred in battle, you knew about the prophecy." He collapsed into himself, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." he finally choked out,
"You won't lose me." he tried to comfort his love, but he honestly wasn't sure himself if he would live.
Later, the lake of Avalon in the distance, they take a moment to rest. Arthur can feel himself fading.
"Avalon. We'll get there." Merlin said, then something spooked the horses and they take off. Merlin got up and tried to stop them, but it was too late. "Whoa, whoa, whoa." and in that moment, Arthur saw Morgana sneak up on them.
"Hello, Emrys." she said, Merlin went to turn around but Morgana threw him with a flash of her eyes. Arthur tried to reach for his sword. Thinking that Merlin was unconscious she turned to the king.
"What a joy it is to see you, Arthur. Look at you, not so tall and mighty now. You may have won the battle, but you've lost the war. You're going to die by Mordred's hand. But don't worry, my dear brother, I won't let you die alone." she talks, not seeing Merlin behind her. He drew Arthur's sword quietly. "I will stay and watch over you, until the wolves gorge on your carcass and bathe in your blood."
"No, the time for all this bloodshed is over." Merlin stated, Morgana turned, stood and faced Merlin. "I blame myself for what you've become...but this has to end." And Merlin sounded so sincere, Arthur wished he could take the pain from him.
"I am a High Priestess. No mortal blade can kill me." Morgana exclaimed, certain she was invincible. And Merlin stabbed her and she when she started to feel the effect of the blade, her expression turned to shock. Arthur watched, helpless to do anything to help Merlin from the ground.
"This is no mortal blade." Merlin told her, "Like yours, it was forged in a dragon's breath." Merlin held Morgana as she died. He lowered her to the ground and withdrew the sword. "Goodbye, Morgana." She took her final breath, and Merlin went over to his king Arthur and helped him up.
"You've brought peace at last." Arthur stated,
"Arthur." Merlin supports Arthur as they walk, Arthur dragging his sword. They made it only a few feet, "Come on. We have to make it to the lake." Arthur dropped to the ground landing on Merlin. He knew he wouldn't make it. And he wanted to die peacefully. He wanted to stop trying to rush someplace when there was no point.
"Merlin...not without the horses." he tried to reason, "We can't, it's too late. It's too late."
"No." Merlin stated, adamant that they keep moving. Arthur sighed,
"All your magic, Merlin, can't save my life." Arthur softly told him,
"I can. I'm not going to lose you." Merlin struggled to stand to help Arthur get up, pleading with him to try harder. Arthur simply grabbed his hand.
"Just, just hold me. Please." he begged, and Merlin stopped trying to get up. Merlin sat and held him, "there's something I want to say."
"You are not saying goodbye." Merlin demanded, and Arthur, with his hand that wasn't holding onto Merlin's reached for a small silk pouch tied to his belt. Removing it, he placed it in Merlin's hand.
"It's for you." Arthur told him, he could feel his life force draining. It was almost time. Merlin carefully undid the pouch and gasped as he picked up the ring. It was silver with gold detailing. And five purple and blue gemstones circling a small diamond.
"It's beautiful Arthur." Merlin stated, he carefully examined the small object.
"Put it on…" Arthur asked, "please." And Merlin did, he put it on his left ring finger. It fit perfectly. "It was my mother's. Her wedding ring." Arthur revealed,
"Arthur, I can't take this." Merlin tried to tell him, he went to remove it but Arthur grabbed his hands to stop him.
"Take it." he begged, "take it and everytime you look upon it, you will be reminded how much I love you." Arthur could feel his energy fading. "My Emrys… My Merlin."
And that was it. Arthur watched through his dream self's eyes as he died. He watched as Merlin, realizing his lover was dead, began to panic. He watched as Merlin called a dragon, who took them to the lake. Arthur couldn't help but notice how familiar the lake was. He watched as Merlin pulled Arthur's body towards a boat on the shore.
"Merlin. There is nothing you can do." The dragon said,
"I've failed?" the warlock asked,
"No, young warlock, for all that you have dreamt of building, has come to pass." The dragon told him, but Merlin couldn't stop himself,
"I can't lose him! I love him! I NEED HIM!" He screamed at the dragon, begging for something to save the man he loved.
"Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny, some lives have been foretold, Merlin…" The dragon said, "Arthur is not just a King-he is the Once and Future King. Take heart, for when Albion's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again. It has been a privilege to have known you, young warlock-the story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of men."
Arthur watched as the dragon flew off. Merlin watched, then lowered Arthur to the ground. Arthur watched as Merlin stared out over the lake, holding dream Arthur's sword. He looked down at the sword, and then raised it up in front of him inspecting it. Merlin then threw the sword into the lake and watched as it was caught by a woman's hand and drawn back under the water while he watched heartbroken.
Arthur watched as his dream self was laid in a boat, his cloak arranged and his hands folded over his chest. Merlin places a hand on Arthur's forehead. Arthur watched as Merlin broke down. And when Merlin pulled himself together, Arthur watched as he set boat off on the lake. Merlin watches, and then breaks down all over again. And that was when Arthur realized. A flash of memory as suddenly Merlin is replaced by the Mourning Man. His eyes are constantly gold as his magic keeps him alive. And somehow Arthur knew that it was his Merlin.
Arthur flew into a sitting position on his bed in the dorm room.
He knew what he had to do.