Merlin was sitting against one of the apple trees and watching the misty lake. The sun was shining bright like the day he had come here with Arthur. Since then it has been like that every day. How different was this place from the dangers and mysteries of these waters. Merlin strained his eyes to see the shoreline across the lake. Even though the fog wasn't that thick, he couldn't see it. Everything here was different and there were so many things he didn't understand.

"Something bothers you," a soft voice brought Merlin back to reality.

He looked up and saw Corelaine smiling slightly at him.

"Is it about Arthur?" she sat down next to him.

"Oh… no, that is not it. I know he is fine," he smiled and turned his eyes at the lake again. "I just… I imagined this place differently. I mean, being here and seeing what it's like. No one ever really knew how it looks."

"How could someone know about Avalon if he's never been there?"

Merlin frowned and glanced at her. "So, we are the first that managed to come here?"

"No, but no one ever returned to tell someone about it," Corelaine smiled and got herself to her feet. "But you certainly will," she looked at the lake as her smile faded.

Merlin rose up to face her. He sensed what she meant. "You don't have to worry. Avalon will still remain a secret, if that is what you wish for."

"It will be better for all of us. And I know you can keep a secret," she smiled at him and walked away towards the garden.

Merlin stood there for a beat, staring at the lake and then he headed to the tower to check up on Arthur. It was a week after they arrived at Avalon and with every coming morning Merlin hoped that his friend would finally wake up. Arthur's state, as fairies have been saying, was getting better. Merlin explained to himself the fact that Arthur was still asleep, is just the time his friend needed to take a break from all of these things that they've been through.

For the four first days Merlin hasn't been leaving Arthur's side, sitting on a chair next to his bed all day and night and barely taking any sleep. Corelaine had to bring him food because he refused to leave the room. Most of the time he's been like a ghost of himself. But he wasn't that easily convinced to get some time to take care of himself, until he passed out once, hitting his head hard on the floor. This made him realise that he won't be any help if he keeps going like that and eventually agreed to get some rest and give his friend time. But Galahad had to assure him that fairies are constantly watching over Arthur and when he'd wake up, Merlin would be the first person to know.

Merlin walked through the entrance door to the tower and followed along the corridor. As he reached the staircase leading to Arthur's room, he ran into someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said and looked up at the person he just hit.

"Walking with your head in the clouds, are we?" Galahad smirked.

"It seems so," Merlin chuckled.

"Someone wants to see you," said Galahad with a grin on his face.

Merlin gave him a puzzling look, but after a moment his eyes widened and he hurried up the stairs almost falling over. Galahad laughed as he saw the boy's rush.

"Take it easy, he won't get away!" he shouted, still laughing, but Merlin was already out of sight.

He ran through the corridor and at its end, swinging the door open, he burst into the room. Inside, he met fairy's and Arthur's confused glares. Merlin glanced from her to his friend. He watched her as she was fixing pillows for Arthur and when she finished, she left the chambers passing him quickly. Merlin gazed after her and then turned back his eyes to the king who was still staring at him, but now his look softened. Without a word, Merlin walked slowly over to Arthur, looked at him and after a beat embraced him into a hug. He closed his eyes in relief that with his friend everything is all right and that finally he can talk to him. Arthur seemed surprised a little, but returned Merlin's hug.

"Uh… Merlin," Arthur gasped as Merlin tightened his grasp; "you're going to suffocate me."

Merlin opened his eyes at Arthur's voice and pulled back looking at him.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly with a little fear that he might have done something to him.

"I'm fine," Arthur replied. "What happened to make you breathe so hard?" he asked, noticing Merlin's panting.

"Oh, I ran."

"Don't tell me you've taken up sports."

"What?" Merlin frowned. "No, I've just found out you regained your consciousness and I ran as fast as I could to get to you."

"I'm glad, because when I woke up I was really confused. Where are we anyway?"

"Galahad didn't tell you?"

"That man in knights' tunic?" Arthur asked and when Merlin nodded he continued. "He just said I was safe here and that he must call you immediately, so I didn't ask, knowing you'll be coming."

"True to his words," Merlin chuckled and sat on a chair beside Arthur's bed. "We're at Avalon. And Galahad and all these people here were the only ones that could save your life."

"I thought I'd die…," he sighed. "I remember those words you said to me…, 'stay with me' and there was something else I don't recall."

Merlin looked down at his hands, his breathing slowly calmed down.

"I was so scared," he said after a beat. "I thought I was going to lose you, that I would not be on time."

"With all your magic, Merlin?" he tilted his head, giving him a warm look, though the boy wasn't looking at him.

"So, you remember that…," Merlin whispered under his breath, but Arthur managed to hear that.

"Of course I do. It is something hard to forget."

Merlin sighed and with no further reply from his friend, he continued. "I couldn't help you," he looked at Arthur. "Mordred's blade was forged in the dragon's breath. I don't possess such magic that would be able to heal wounds like that."

"But you did it," Arthur smiled slightly.

"You should be thankful to them, not me."

"But you have taken me here, Merlin. You do also have a part in this. And I am glad to have such a good friend," Arthur gave him a grateful look.

Merlin looked at his hands again and smiled at what Arthur said.

"Yeah, you really have a good friend," he glanced at him; "who has been waiting for you to wake up for the whole four days, beside your bed, getting no sleep and then hurting himself by hitting his head on the floor because he had passed out from tiredness."

Arthur blinked a few times processing what he just heard. "Well, now I feel really bad," he rose to a half-seat. "Did you want to make me feel so?"

"Maybe," Merlin chuckled. "No, Arthur. I was worried about you and I wanted to watch over you," he paused for a moment. "I want you to know that I would do anything for you," he locked eyes with Arthur.

"I would do the same for you, Merlin," Arthur said without a beat.

There was a moment of silence when Arthur spoke again. "Wait," he frowned. "Did you say 'four days'? So, how long have I been asleep?"

"A week."

"A week?" Arthur's eyes widened in shock. "What exactly happened after the battle? What with Gwen?"

"We saw only Gaius and Percival on our way here, don't you remember? Gwaine was there, too…" he paused and glanced at the king with worry in his eyes.

Arthur gave him a questioning look. "We have to get back to Camelot," he said suddenly, throwing off the blanket.

"Arthur, you're too weak yet to take up a long road," said Merlin trying to stop him from getting up from bed.

"But I'm fine, really," he got up and jumped off the bed leaving Merlin in amazement. "You see?"

Merlin watched him walking through the room and as he stood at the threshold. His eyes scanned Arthur from head to toe and as he did that, he laughed. Arthur frowned not knowing what crossed Merlin's mind.

"What?" he asked, slightly confused. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, you're not gonna go out like this, are you?" said Merlin, controlling a laugh.

Arthur looked down at the clothes he was wearing and came to realise that he had only a shirt and short pants on himself.

"Well…," he looked at Merlin. "Where are my clothes? Because obviously, these are not mine."

"You had only armour when I brought you here."

"That's interesting," said Arthur and then realised about one more thing. "Who changed my clothes, then?"

Merlin shrugged, but smirked after a moment. "Maybe one of the fairies did," he glanced sideways at him.

Arthur gave him a murderous look. "Stop smiling like that, Merlin, and better find me something to wear," he said and sat on the bed.

"From where am I supposed to…," and then Merlin's eyes fell on the large wardrobe on the other side of the room. "Hopefully, we could find something in there," he walked over, grasped the handles with both hands and opened the closet door. "Oh, look what I found."

Arthur was immediately next to Merlin, peering into the wardrobe over his shoulder.

"Your armour," said Merlin, handing it to him.

"You even polished it," praised Arthur.

"Nope, it wasn't me," he replied, digging deeper into the wardrobe.

"I could've guessed because it's been done perfectly," Arthur murmured and put the armour on the bed.

"Here you are!" said Merlin enthusiastically, going out from the closet. "These should do," he showed Arthur a dark red long sleeve shirt with a belt and a pair of black long trousers.

"Anything, as long as I don't look like an idiot," said Arthur, taking clothes from Merlin.

"Oh, and don't forget your boots."

After Arthur dressed himself up, he left the room not waiting for the young warlock.

"Hold on!" Merlin shouted and followed him.

He caught up to his pace when Arthur was going down the stairs.

"What are you going to do now?" Merlin asked, glancing at him.

"We need to prepare our horses."

"But we don't have horses," said Merlin.

Arthur stopped and turned around to face his friend.

"Hey, slow down," Merlin put his hands on the king's shoulders. "We are guests here, why don't we sit and discuss our leaving? We will set off to Camelot as soon as possible."

Arthur looked at him. "You're right," he said after a beat.

"Good, come on," said Merlin and gestured for Arthur to follow him.

They headed downstairs and through the long corridor leading straight to the great hall. Merlin knocked and when he heard a quiet 'come in', he slowly opened the door. As they entered the room, soaked in the rays of the setting sun, they spotted Corelaine and Galahad sitting at the table. When they saw both of them, they got up to greet them.

"King Arthur," Galahad spoke and bowed.

Arthur first walked over to Corelaine, took her hand gently and kissed it. Then he looked at Galahad and bowed his head slightly in return.

"I would like to thank you all," he laid his eyes on them and then looked around thanking fairies the same, who were standing a few feet away; "for everything you have done to save my life," he looked again at Corelaine and Galahad. "I will always be indebted to you and… I am not sure if I will ever be able to repay you for that."

"You don't have to," said Corelaine with a smile. "Every life is worth saving and every life is priceless."

Arthur smiled back nodding his head. They all looked at each other in silence for a beat.

"Shall we?" Galahad gestured at the table, inviting Arthur and Merlin to sit with them.

There was already supper waiting for them on the table.

"Help yourselves," said Galahad and everyone started putting on their plates whatever they wanted.

They ate without saying a word, but Arthur's mind was racing. He took a short glimpse of Galahad and Corelaine sitting across from him and eating peacefully. Then he glanced at Merlin who was sitting next to him. Arthur noticed that the boy barely touched his food. Merlin's head was propped up by his hand as he moved the peas with a fork on the plate. Arthur frowned. Something was wrong with his friend. And suddenly everything fell on him. Merlin is a sorcerer. He knew it perfectly well, but he hadn't thought about what would happen next. In Arthur's head were so many questions, and a long conversation with Merlin would be inevitable. He sighed and looked at his plate, he was almost done.

"I reckon you want to talk," said Galahad, seeing Arthur thoughtfully. He put his empty plate aside.

"Well," Arthur looked up at him. "We…" he glanced from Merlin to Galahad; "…are very grateful for your kindness and hospitality. I didn't realise that we have been here for such a long time and we don't want to impose ourselves any longer."

"Oh, you are not a burden, you are our guests," said Corelaine.

"We're glad, but we need to return to our duties. Camelot needs us."

"King Arthur," Galahad started. "I have a request for you."

Arthur nodded for him to continue.

"I would like to accompany you on your way back to Camelot."

As he said that, Merlin's eyes drifted up at Galahad and now he started to pay attention to the conversation.

"It will be an honour," Arthur smiled slightly.

"I thought you cannot leave Avalon," Merlin spoke up and everyone's stares turned to him.

"So it's time for a little story, then," said Galahad. "Besides, I think you should know," he shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. "Avalon is the place where I grew up and learnt from the finest knights how to fight with a sword. But I was born in Elmet, mostly known now as the Perilous Lands."

"Not long after my birth," he continued; "my father had been badly injured and it seemed that the whole kingdom suffered with him. The lands was no longer fit to live on and at my father's request we had to leave the kingdom with my mother. Soon enough, Elmet was abandoned by its people, too," he paused for a beat.

"Your father was the Fisher King," said Merlin, amazed. Galahad nodded. "But you don't have magic like both of your parents."

Galahad held up his hand slightly for Merlin to wait a little for his answer. "We had nowhere to go," he continued his story; "so we have been wandering all over the land for a long time. No place we've been, felt like home, until we got here. We were in need and the Sídhe offered us their help, but it quickly turned out that they were no friends," he took a breath. "The help they gave us wasn't unconditional. But gold was not what they wanted. Fortunately, their reign in Avalon was coming to an end and after the Sídhe Elder had been killed," he glanced briefly at Merlin; "some of the soldiers from Elmet managed to reach us. And soon, the Sídhe agreed to leave the isle for good and live under the waters of the Lake of Avalon."

"I've been trained to be a great warrior," he looked at Merlin with a slight smile. "And it's the way it is, I don't have an answer why. A sword was given to me, not a gift of magic," he sighed. "When I had become old enough I was asked to find the Grail. A cup, a magical and powerful item, that was once stolen from my father. And after that, it came into the possession of Nimueh, the High Priestess of the Old Religion. When it passed into the Druids' hands, the Grail was almost elusive, but then it fell into the wrong hands again."

"The Cup of Life," whispered Arthur and exchanged glances with Merlin.

"I finally managed to recover the stolen chalice and placed it here, in Avalon," said Galahad; "where it found itself useful by saving your life, Arthur," he looked at the king.

"That's why Avalon must remain a secret," said Corelaine. "We have seen what things can be done with the Grail when it's in the wrong hands. No one must know where it's been hidden. It's for the sake of us all."

"The secret of the Grail is safe, you can trust us," Arthur replied. "We'll tell no one."

"Well," said Galahad, getting up from the table; "I bid you goodnight. There's a long road ahead of us tomorrow," he looked at Arthur.

"Yes, we're leaving at first light."

Galahad nodded his head and followed to leave the great hall.

"I should retire for the night either," said Arthur, glancing at Corelaine. "I guess the sudden burst of energy just after awakening was temporary," he smiled slightly.

"Of course," said Corelaine, returning a smile. "Goodnight to you both."

Arthur bowed his head slightly and headed to the door with Merlin behind him, as Corelaine watched them go. They walked through torch lighted corridors and when they got to the door of the king's room, Arthur stopped and turned his head to face Merlin.

"Why are you following me?" he asked.

"My room is next to yours."

"Is it?"

"Yeah, that's in case you needed my help," said Merlin and stepped to the door of his room. "So, just in case…," he was about to enter.

"Merlin," Arthur cut him off; "what is it that concerns you?"

Merlin paused, not knowing how to answer for that. "Goodnight, Arthur," he looked at him and after a beat he disappeared behind the door.

Arthur looked at the closed door in front of which his friend stood a moment ago. He sighed. "Goodnight, Merlin," he whispered and went to his room, then threw himself on the bed. Merlin's worried look was the last thing he had thought about before he fell asleep.