AN: I FORGOT ELYAN! How could I do such a thing! But don't worry he's with them all!

Arthur moved toward the stone slowly. Taking a deep steady breath he griped the hilt of Excalibur and pulled. The sword came free from the stone as if he was drawing it from a simple sheath. The blade glittered in his hand; it seemed to ignite a silent hope in all present.

Merlin smiled widely at the site. Arthur looked every bit the king that he had once been holding the mighty sword. It was almost as though he had never died. The lonely years he had spent were finally over.

"He's not dead anymore" Ginny had managed to sneak up behind Merlin as he stared at his king. Merlin looked over startled and confused

"What?" Ginny just winked and Merlin blushed remembering their talk from that morning. "Honestly Ginny, he's married!" he whispered

"You're a bit behind the times mate"

"What?" Merlin turned to see Lance the handsome man smiled cheekily at him.

"Arthur will always love Gwen but not in the way you think Merlin. Me and Gwen have been together since she came to Avalon and Arthur excepted it; even granted us his blessing." Lancelot looked so happy

Merlin stared at Lancelot then turned to Arthur who was talking with Dumbledore. "I've missed a lot" He whispered softly the pain of all those lonely years coursing through him.

Lance put his hand on Merlin's shoulder "You were never alone Merlin. Arthur never once left your side, he watched you, we all did. None of us could bear the thought of leaving you; after all you were our dear friend, our brother."

Merlin blinked back tears "You mean… the whole time" he felt surprised and happy but that quickly changed to shame. Arthur had watched him abandon Camelot; abandon Leon, Gwen, and Gaius. How could he look Arthur in the eye knowing he had seen him give up on his friends? And then how he had closed himself off from the world. Arthur must think he was pathetic.

Merlin watched Arthur turn to him; he smiled his cocky annoyingly brilliant smile and made to head over. Merlin panicked what could he say! NO He couldn't talk to Arthur, couldn't admit to his failure.

"I have to go" He turned eyes flashing gold and he vanished landing back in Grimmuald Place. The order members that had stayed behind jumped. They were obviously talking about something important papers were spread over the tables.

"Is everyone on their way back?" A tall black man asked, Kingsley, if Merlin remembered correctly.

"I don't know" He said his mind still reeling with guilt. He fled into the room he shared with Harry and Ron and leaned against the door. He couldn't believe what an utter coward he was.

He walked further into the room. He saw his reflection in the mirror; he had forgotten that he still resembled a teenager. Now that his cover was blown there was really no point. He closed his eyes concentrating using his magic to release the spell. When he opened his eyes he was the age he had been when Arthur had died. His appearance didn't change that much he was taller a bit scruffier but just as lanky and gangly as before.

Lance watched Merlin closely paling when he saw the sadness and guilt take over. He had said what he did in order to make Merlin feel better. He was sure Arthur felt the same for Merlin, but his plan had backfired he'd obviously caused his friend some emotional distress.

It was even more of a shock to him when Merlin had fled. Arthur approached with the rest of the knights. "Where did Merlin go? What did you say to him?" The king snapped

"I don't know" Lancelot answered truthfully "I didn't say anything" He held up his hands in surrender.

"Lance seemed upset" Ginny said the false name slipping from her lips on accident "I mean Merlin… sorry" The knights all looked at her confused how on earth could she confuse the two. Ginny blushed under the gazes of the handsome knights and quickly tried to explain "Merlin is a very famous wizard; he was undercover and couldn't very well use that name so he chose Lance du Lac. I've been calling him that for months so the habits hard to break."

Lance blushed slightly proud that Merlin had chosen his name to use. Arthur looked put off. "He should have used my name" Arthur pouted "I am king after all"

"But you're a prat" Gwaine said off handedly "I think Gwaine would have suited Merlin much better" Arthur glared at Gwaine

"Watch your tongue Gwaine or I'll cut it out" Arthur said. The other knights all rolled their eyes.

"Merlin calls you Prat all the time"

"That's Merlin though isn't it" Leon laughed the other knights joined in. Arthur blushed.

"How long have you been here?" Harry asked "Merlin said you were dead"

"We were until last night. We woke up on the shores of the lake and set up camp in the forest." Elyan pointed into the forest they had walked out of earlier. "Last we saw Merlin was leaving to Hogwarts; the old religion stopped us from observing after that"

"Why would it do that?" Hermione questioned. The old religion and talk of it fascinated her.

"Who know, fate and destiny… or whatever else it might be. Either way Dumbledore has caught me up with the recent going ons we'll be staying with you for the time being" Arthur said he looked around "We should head back, we don't have time to waste its likely Morgana is planning her first attack. Right now we have the element of surprise; she doesn't know I'm alive. But we still need to be prepared." Spoken like a true king.

The others agreed and they were being apperated back to headquarters.

Arthur paced in the front hall. Merlin had refused to come down giving some half assed excuse about being tired and worn down.

He had already introduced himself and his knights to the Order and they were fitting in quite nicely. Gwaine was making a fool of himself as he flirted unabashedly with the pink haired woman. Leon was chatting with a man named Kingsley. Lancealot and Percival were getting along well with the red headed brothers Charlie and Bill. And Elyan was helping himself to some food prepared by the motherly witch Molly Weasley.

He was glad that there wasn't any bickering for the time being but couldn't bring himself to enjoy the environment not when his Manservant was being a complete idiot. How was he expected to enjoy anything without the grinning buffoon at his side?

"You have to give him some time" Arthur turned towards the man who had spoken. He had black shoulder length hair and a bit of a beard.

"I don't understand what's wrong with him"

"I've seen that look before and know it well… its guilt"

"What could he possibly feel guilty over?"

"I couldn't tell you that" The man said "I don't know much about your lives or what happened after your death, but I do know what it's like living when you feel like you've lost everything." He had a deep sadness in his eyes and a haunted look that came from years of self-torture.

Arthur looked up toward the room. "I know he went through a lot after my death. I watched him and it physically hurt me to see him that way. Lost in his grief and his anger. I would never wish that for Merlin no matter what he did, he's my dear friend; more than that! And I just want him to be happy"

Sirius started a bit at those words "You should tell him that" Arthur looked uncertain "Trust me it's something he'd want to hear from you" the king nodded

"Thank you for the advice… erm…?"

"Sirius Black" The man introduced himself. The king nodded once more before walking up the stairs.

Sirius watched him go hoping it would work out between the two. Friends coming back to life didn't happen in normal circumstance they had to seize the chance while they had it.

He'd give anything to see James again to apologize. Arthur's words had hit him hard. Was James watching him now as Arthur had watched Merlin? Did he feel the same way only wishing that his friend would be happy? Sirius wanted to believe it but years of Azkaban and unending guilt weighed on him heavily.

Remus watched from a distance. Maybe this would be good for Sirius.