Arthur shifted in the night and reached out for Merlin. He reached and patted the mattress but couldn't find his lover. He forced his mind out of its haze of sleep and reluctantly opened his eyes. He was alone in the bed. He looked over to the digital clock and saw it was only 1:40 in the morning. With a groan he forced himself out of the bed and stumbled into the living room.

Merlin was pacing back and forth speaking under his breath, his bare feet making little thumping noises on the floor.

Arthur scratched his head, "Mrerlinn?"

Merlin didn't notice him.

Arthur shook his head to wake himself up a bit more. His voice came out louder and clearer, "Merlin."

Merlin still didn't notice him, though his muttering did get a tad more frantic.

Arthur stepped forward and stopped Merlin's pacing by grabbing his shoulder. "Merlin."

Gold eyes snapped up to look into his blue ones. Arthur stumbled back at the sight of it. He hadn't noticed the telltale sign of Merlin's magic or the fact that he'd been speaking an incantation. Merlin's eyes faded back to blue, "Arthur! Did I wake you?"

Arthur shook his head slightly, "No, I just woke up to find the bed empty. What are you doing out here?"

Merlin lied reflexively, "Nothing."

Arthur spoke sternly, "Merlin …"

Merlin glanced down, "Right, sorry. No more lies." His hands fidgeted nervously, "I'm hearing that voice again."

Arthur's eyes widened, "What's it saying?"

"My name. Just my name. Over and over again."

Arthur nodded, "What spell were you casting just now?"

"I was trying to track it, but I just can't see the path." Merlin grimaced, "Maybe it is just in my head. It would explain why I can't track it."

Arthur stepped closer, "There could be any number of reasons why you can't track it. Whatever it is, it must not want you to find it."

Merlin spoke frustrated, "Then why is it calling out for me?! What sort of dragon keeps me up all night saying my name like a broken record, but doesn't want me to find it?"

Arthur took one of his hands and squeezed it, "I don't know, but we'll figure it out. Here, why don't I make some tea and –"

Merlin cut him off, "I don't want more tea, Arthur! Chamomile might help with insomnia, but it doesn't silence voices of dragons that should be long dead."

Arthur took a deep breath. He reminded himself that he needed to be patient, he owed it to Merlin. "Okay, what do you propose we do? I'm not going to let you pace out here all night using a spell that won't work."

Arthur could see the spark of an idea form in Merlin's eyes. The warlock spoke, "Get dressed."

Arthur followed Merlin into the bedroom, "Why?"

Merlin opened his drawers and began pulling out clean clothes to wear, "We're going out."

"Merlin, it's two in the morning."

Merlin pulled on a pair of jeans, "Fine, stay here then."

Arthur rolled his eyes and began getting dressed himself.

When he was dressed Merlin looked at him seriously, "Bring Excalibur."

Arthur blinked, confused, "Why?"

"Just a precaution."

Arthur fetched Excalibur from its hiding place while Merlin was distracted with tying his shoelaces.

They got into the car and Merlin drove out of the neighborhood onto the road.

Arthur looked over at him, "Where are we going?"

Merlin kept his eyes in front of him, "Lake Avalon."

Arthur felt his heartbeat pick up speed in his chest. They hadn't been to the lake since Arthur had walked out of it a couple months before. It was a place of memories Arthur preferred not to revisit. "Why?"

"No one's around this time of night and the clearing around it is big enough."

"Big enough for what?"

"A landing."

Merlin soon pulled over to the side of the road. He got out of the car and Arthur followed after him, sword in hand. Merlin led them through the trees down towards the lake shore. Arthur could see the silhouette of the isle tower as they approached. He felt the memory of some vaguely unpleasant sensation.

Submerged in water. Cold. Lifeless. Breathless. Made half. The currents rushing across his skin. Magic all around him. Healing. Slow. Painful. Deep red scar. His hand grasping a sword. Waiting. Endless waiting. Alone.

Merlin stopped a few feet away from the edge of the lake.

Arthur spoke, "Merlin, I need you to stop and explain to me what's happening. What do you mean a landing?"

Merlin looked at him seriously, "I'm going to call it."

"Call what?"

"The dragon voice. If there's a real dragon out there, I'm going to summon it."

Arthur felt panic rising. This was a bad idea. It was impulsive and crazy and exactly the sort of idiot move Merlin would pull. "Merlin, you don't even know this dragon. Bringing it here when we know nothing about it is a very bad idea."

Merlin looked determined, "That's why we have the sword, for insurance. I just need to know if it's real. I am the last dragonlord. If there's a living dragon out there they are my responsibility."

Arthur snapped at him, "You're an idiot."

Merlin spoke back nonchalantly, "Well, you're a prat."

They paused and looked intently into each other's eyes. Some magnetic force pulled them together and they were kissing. It was hot and messy and perhaps a little frustrated.

Merlin pulled away reluctantly. "Whatever happens, I love you."

"I love you, too."

They stood hand in hand at the shore of Lake Avalon. Arthur watched with rapt fascination as a deep powerful voice emerged from the warlock in a strange tongue he'd never heard. The air thrummed with Merlin's magic and Arthur reveled in it for a moment. Only a moment, before Arthur was suddenly blinded by pain.

Color flashed across his mind. Red. Pendragon Red. It was his, he recognized it. It flew in the air like a flag in the wind. No not a flag, nothing like a flag. It soared high above the world. It was life. It was magic.

Through the blur of color and thought, Arthur heard a familiar voice. The other half of his soul was screaming.

ARTHUR?! ARTHUR NO! ARTHUR!

His gentle slip into darkness felt familiar, like he'd done it before. Briefly, he remembered he had.