Arthur

Arthur Pendragon

Listen

Think

Watch

Not everything is as it may seem

There are things that you know and the things that you don't

The future's not set on stone

Believe in who you are and what you can do

Believe in those who are around you

Not many souls would get to set things right

You are the Once and Future King

The chance is yours

The choices are yours to make

Choose wisely

Change is coming

Accept Help

Arthur Pendragon

Watch

Listen

You will not be alone

The Voices were eerily calm, echoing in his mind. He didn't know if he was floating or flying. He could see nothing, not even the darkness that one could see when they closed their eyes. There was nothing. He was simply standing, floating in a Void. Strangely enough there was no panic building in his chest. It took another moment to realise he was not breathing.

He waited. There was nothing else he could do. There was no reality, there was no actuality in the place where he was. Where was he? Who was he?

Arthur

Pendragon!

Oh. He has a name. Arthur. He supposed that was a good enough name. Familiar. He would take it. Now, what was he doing here?

Healing.

There was only one Voice instead of a choir of different tones. This Voice was quite familiar, feminine but he couldn't quite remember where he had heard it from. He waited, listening instead of demanding answers, quite the opposite of what he did in his first Life.

First Life? Where is this then? If not Life? Death?

Not Death

You are merely taking a pause from Life

Well, that was enlightening.

Listen Pendragon!

Remember your Life.

If he had a body, he would have rolled his eyes. But he didn't, so he could only make do with sarcasm. If he could remember his Life, he wouldn't be here would he?

Remember your Purpose.

The Voices came back in full force, louder than he was used to.

Remember your Destiny.

That brought his thoughts to a stop. Destiny. Somehow, instead of being reassured, the words brought him a feeling of foreboding. Destiny. There was something that he wanted to connect with that word. Something he was missing.

Destiny was what brought him here. Right?

Destiny was what got him killed.

NO Arthur Pendragon!

It was Fear, Love, Selfishness and Loyalty that got you killed.

It was Love, Loyalty, Mercy and Selflessness that brought you here.

He didn't understand.

You will understand soon, Arthur.

It was one Voice, gentle, eerie, familiar.

Remember your wish, Your Choice to come back.

Things could be different, things could be the same.

The Goddess has been Merciful to grant your dying wish.

Be Pure, as you always have been.

Trust yourself, and trust those around you.

He was still sceptical. What was going on? His Choice to come back?

You must Awake now, Courage.

For, Magic is waiting.

Love is waiting,

Loyalty is waiting,

Wisdom is waiting,

Nobility is waiting,

Honour is waiting,

Strength is waiting,

Bravery is waiting,

Awake now Courage.

"...st exhausted..."

"...sire everything..."

"...awake?"

It was the silence around him that made him realise he was awake. He waited, still trying to recall the last thing he remembered. There were no Voices this time. Darkness surrounded him, but his head was clear. No confusion. He was comfortably warm, and he felt at home.

Arthur slowly opened his eyes to find himself in his chambers that were bathed in darkness. The curtains were closed, no sunlight pouring from the windows, the only source of light came from the fireplace, casting shadows on the walls.

He sat up, slowly, not wanting to disturb the silence that was only broken by the popping and cracking of the kindling, all the while needing to know what happened for him to end up in his bed.

"You're awake" The familiar voice next to him spoke softly, but with relief. It took Arthur a moment to realise it was Merlin, his boyish features showing more sharply in the shadows of the light. Gently, the boy showed a goblet in his hand. "Drink this, it's just water"

Arthur drank gratefully, savouring the liquid in his mouth as it washed away the dryness of his throat. "Thank you." he said, handing it back, and rolled his eyes as he noticed the baffled expression on his servant's face. Had Arthur always been ungrateful? Surely Merlin knew that Arthur valued his opinion more than anyone else, did he not?

"What happened?" the golden haired man asked, gesturing to the darkened room, as he tried to pry the bedsheets off from him to stand up. His companion stood up from his place on the floor and went ahead to light the candles placed around the room, talking softly as he worked.

"You swooned like a right lady at the top of the castle steps is what happened. We had to almost carry you here. Those sausages that you have every morning? They don't do any good for your weight, sire." The joke fell flat as concern overlapped his teasing. "How are you feeling? Headaches? Double vision?"

The younger man made way to his master once he made sure that the room was bright enough to examine him. He gently peered at Arthur's eyes, his fingers prodding up his eyelids. A thorough physician's examination. Arthur realised. Merlin was Gaius's Apprentice. Even with ten years in his service, he hadn't connected the dots.

"I'm fine," he said stiffly, but truthfully. There was no ache in his head, and no disorientation in his mind. Now, if only he could figure out what was happening, Arthur would be fine and dandy. He turned to his servant. The room was still dark enough to not bother his eyes, but he could see the paleness of Merlin's skin and the dark bags under his eyes. "How long have I been out?"

"About ten hours I think. We have a few more hours until dawn. I don't think you would have wanted to miss Morgana's birthday. I'll prepare a bath for you. Maybe a snack if you're hungry?"

Morgana's- huh?

He looked at Merlin, critically eyeing him to see if there was a lie in between the words, because why on earth would the castle celebrate Morgana's birthday? But there was nothing in his expression that gave anything away other than concern and annoyance.

Remember your wish, your Choice to come back.

Oh.

Oh.

It was a good thing that he was still sitting on his bed, because he was sure he would have toppled to the floor now that he had connected the dots. His hand reached for his temple in expiration, simply feeling tired of emotions. Tired of everything.

"Arthur?"

"Merlin?" Arthur looked up to his friend standing before him, looking so young, but still weary. "Can you please tell me what today's date is?"

Maybe it was the way he asked the question, or because he saw the desperation in his eyes, Merlin gently answered. "Wednesday, Third week of Spring, Twenty Eighth Year of King Uther's Reign"

Arthur swore colourfully under his breath as he buried his face in his hands, but he was sure Merlin had heard him. He didn't care, because he didn't know how else to deal with- all this- whatever this was.

"Impressive for a royal" Arthur heard the mocking voice of his servant. "What was it you said the other day about being too disciplined to use such uncouth tongue?"

Arthur didn't rise to the bait, although he really wanted to quip back to keep his mind clear. To realise that he had gone back- what- six years? makes a man go for a bit of a shock for a while.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Merlin. Good gods, what he would give for some good Merlin wisdom this time. He raised his head to meet the eyes of the sorcerer, his friend, who looked young and weary and tired but concerned and determined. Arthur made a decision for the time being.

"I'm fine," he said finally. "The bath can wait until morning. Go home and get some rest Merlin. You look like you're about to kneel over. I can take care of myself." For now at least.

When the dark haired companion opened his mouth to retort, Arthur gave him a look which ended all arguments, that surprisingly shut him up. Which was quite odd. But Arthur wasn't complaining. He wanted time to think. Few hours before dawn seemed like a perfectly good time.

"Merlin," Arthur said softly before the servant disappeared out of the door, his voice just above the popping and cracking of the fire. He was facing away from the door, but he could feel Merlin's inquisitiveness through the door.

"Yes sire?"

"When you want something so much and finally get it to your hands, what would happen if you have no idea what to do with it?"

There was a pause before his friend finally spoke. "I think, you have to think about why you wanted it in the first place, and then go from there"

Arthur nodded, indicating he had heard but made no other acknowledgement otherwise. He listened to the popping of the fire, until he finally heard the soft click of the door closing behind him, the sound of his friend leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Camelot castle always had places with picturesque views. But of course, there are some locations that had the best views at certain times of the day. The view overlooking the castle battlements always was a sight in the evening, just as the sun sets through the horizon. But the forest overlooking the abandoned tower in the eastern end of the castle at pre dawn was what Arthur would call as breathtaking. It wasn't always that he got to watch the sunrise, -mostly because he never liked the mornings- but when he somehow did get the chance, he would get this satisfaction in him that he never thought he wanted.

Back when he was a young prince who tried to escape his strict tutors and training, he used to explore the castle, through servants' corridors and abandoned towers. Morgana used to join him more often than not when he invited her, he being no more than a boy of ten years and she a mischievous eleven year old. It was in one of those expeditions that he managed to find the spot in the abandoned tower.

Those were good days. Neither of them had a weight on their shoulders. Neither of them were forced to choose what they wanted. Those were simpler times. Not like the present. Not like the future. Arthur wondered, as he sat on the stone windowsill letting the chill of the dawn settle into his bones, when had everything had gone to hell? The possibilities were endless.

But now, but now, he had a chance. Not just to help his friend, but to save Morgana, to save his own kingdom however he could. All his life, Arthur wanted to do what was right. But every time he tried, apparently ended up making the wrong choice. Every time he made a choice he ended up being betrayed, or lied to. Morgana, Agravaine, Merlin.

Not that he really blamed Merlin. Arthur was just- hurt. Arthur was hurt that his friend had not trusted him enough with his secret. Arthur was hurt that he was not good enough for his friend. He trusted Merlin with everything in his life. From his emotions, to secrets to insecurities- so why didn't Merlin deem him worthy enough with his own secret? Had he not given him enough reason for Merlin to trust him?

Had he?

Blue eyes stretched to the horizon as he watched red lines streak though the dark sky, heralding a dawn of a new day. Arthur was already exhausted, and he still hadn't figured out how to face this new situation. He was no longer King now, and his father was- oh gods- his father was alive!

Arthur had so many conflicting thoughts regarding his father. Uther Pendragon was a good king. The thing is, now that Arthur had ruled a kingdom for nearly five years, he knew the weight of the people's lives was balanced just by his words. Now that he had died with a revelation that went against all his father's teachings, he can say that his father could be unreasonable.

Well.

Uther Pendragon was a good king before he decided that every man must die for having a lick of magic in them. Yes. Arthur wasn't stupid. His father no longer frightened him, but there was something-

"How can I be proud of a son who ignores everything I taught him? Who destroys my inheritance?"

"I won't allow you to destroy everything I built!"

Arthur breathed, the memory so felt fresh and raw along with the hurt that he felt of his father's disappointment. No! He will no longer look for his father's approval. His father sometimes could be wise, but his own hatred became his own downfall. Arthur was no longer the crown prince waiting to please his father. His father no longer had that hold on him.

He could do this.

He could face the day. Face his no-longer-dead-father, his might-be-evil-sister and his still-weary,-traumatised-best-friend. He could save them this time.

What was the point of coming back if not to make things right?

Arthur walked purposefully back into his chambers. His back was straight, his face showing a façade of confidence overlaying his exhausted and doubtful mind. Pushing open the wooden doors, Arthur was not surprised to see Merlin bustling around his chambers and looking up to meet his eyes as he entered.

"Where have you been, you royal prat? Why did you think it was a good idea to leave without letting anyone know? If you somehow get hurt it'll be on my head like always!"

Arthur grinned, slipping into the easy banter as a duck took to water. "Oh shut up Merlin. Don't get into a frenzy. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Says the one who needs someone's help to dress himself—"

"What was that Merlin?"

"Nothing sire. Your bath is ready."

Arthur hummed, peeling off the tunic he picked up that morning before he decided to go on his expedition to the abandoned tower. Breakfast laid on the table, a small loaf of bread along with some other assortments. It was quite early in the morning, earlier than the usual time when his servant comes to wake him up in the morning in all the years that Arthur had known him. Now he had a warm breakfast on the table and a bath ready behind the screen, curtesy of his usually incompetent manservant. Arthur had an inkling that Merlin may not have slept the night -or the morning- before.

"You're early." Arthur commented disapprovingly, instead of making light of his other observations.

"What! Honestly there's no pleasing you sometimes. Every time I'm late you decide to practise your aim with goblets, but now for once I'm early, prepare you a hot bath -because I am feeling generous- and you decided to be a prat about it?"

Arthur turned his attention to the prattling servant, and didn't fail to notice the hunched shoulders and the dark shadows under his eyes. Cobalt eyes looked back at him with disbelief and amusement, and was that flecks of gold that Arthur saw in his friend's irises?

"Did you get any sleep last night?" he asked, blinking away and breaking their gaze and moving his way towards the screen.

"I— yes"

That was a lie if he ever heard one. Arthur hadn't taken lessons on how Gaius did The Eyebrow, but he had his own way of confronting Merlin in his lies with his very own Blank Stare. That was precisely what he did.

"Maybe?"

Arthur could feel a headache coming his way at the end of the day.

"Just tell me my schedule Merlin" he said with a sigh as he lowered himself to the -still warm- water in the tub behind the screen, -because he didn't want his servant to know that he was worried about him.

"Schedule cleared in the morning because the King needed you in the throne room if you're feeling well enough" so long for trying to avoid meeting his father. "You have lunch with Lord Appleby? Alpebly. I think he wants to talk about the trade routes to his estates" Ahh. He never liked that pompous old bat. "And Lady Morgana's feast in the evening. To which I think you need to get a gift, if you don't want to feel her wrath" Morgana's wrath was not something he wanted to deal with again. But he somehow knew that he would yet to see an end to it.

Arthur never said his thoughts out loud as he listened to Merlin's voice, instead focused on removing the grime on his skin from the day before. On his side, where there was supposed to be a mortal wound, only held a decade old scar that would irritate him for the rest of his life. The bruise on his back felt almost healed and Arthur had to wonder if Merlin had something to do with it.

Actually, he wondered what exactly happened on the day before when he found himself in the Valley of the Fallen Kings. Merlin had looked like he had seen a ghost despite Arthur's own relief to know that his friend was alright. He will have to figure out. But now, he had to face his long dead father, who didn't seem to be happy with how he ruled his kingdom the last time Arthur talked to him.

Arthur didn't doubt his life could get any stranger.

Here is the chap folks! Hope you like it. Thank you for all the positive responses you gave to this story. I literally wouldn't have written this one if it wasn't for your encouragements. Also, you all guessed right. We're currently in S3E5, but don't worry, we won't be recalling the whole episode and the ones to come.

I'm not going to lie, I have some trouble with keeping up with characterizations. If you dear readers find something OOC, please let me know through kind words.

Fun fact, I had no idea how to start this chapter at first, so I started to BSing a bunch of words at the beginning until it would make some sense. Surprisingly it worked.

I love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!

Next Chap. Confronting Uther!