Thank you all for your responses! I can't reply to some of them for some reason but for those who reviewed, I thank you for your comments! I've decided that I'll continue with this story but I warn you that it may not be updated very often. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, sorry it's a little slow, I felt I needed to vary the characters a little.
Merlin sat there, still alone, still hurt, still broken. He had not only let Arthur die, but he had let his teacher, his friend die too. A single tear slipped down his cheek and fell onto the pale face of Arthur Pendragon. To Merlin's surprise, his friend lifted his arm to wipe away the moisture and groaned as he did so. The warlock had never felt so many emotions at one time, relief, and happiness, hope, wonder all ran through his mind at the sight of Arthur. He scrabbled for the second time that day to find a pulse in the Kings neck and when he did reach it, he gasped in joy and watched as the colour returned to his face.
Merlin looked back at where Kilgharrah had once stood and smiled a sad smile. "Thank you," He whispered.
"My lady?" Sir Leon's voice was careful and understanding. Obviously the Queen was going through so much pain right now. They hadn't heard from Arthur or Merlin for days and Gwen had grown very tired, she looked broken.
The queen slowly drew her eyes from the window that looked down into the castle courtyard and turned, desperate hope lingering in her tearful eyes.
The knight sighed sadly, "I'm sorry to tell you, my queen, but I bring no good news. Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine have returned to Camelot. Sadly, Sir Gwaine is badly wounded and we do not think he will make it through the night."
Gwen stepped delicately over to one of the seats that sat by the table; she placed her head in her hands and cried. How many more lives would be claimed? She didn't dare think of it. All she wanted was everyone to be all right.
"My lady," Gwen turned her tear stained face towards her friend, "I'm afraid we haven't heard from Arthur either. Although we will not stop searching for him, we need someone to lead us."
The queen stood up proudly and wiped her eyes, she knew that she was not the only person suffering; her people were also hurt and needed a confident, brave leader. She may not be Arthur, but she was the queen, her people trusted her. Her people needed her.
It was haunting and chilling. It surrounded and consumed him. But at the same time it was peaceful, it was comfortable. But what was 'it'? Arthur didn't know. He was somewhere, somewhere where there was nothing, yet he himself was there so it couldn't be 'nothing'.
For a while he thought he was dead. He remembered the pain he was in before, and now, as he felt no pain, he realized just how much the wound actually hurt in comparison. It was a wonder he hadn't died sooner. Just this thought made him question whether or not he really was dead, a dead man cannot question, a dead man cannot think.
Yet Uther was a dead man, and he had returned as a physical being, well, perhaps not physical. If he was dead, why wasn't he with his father, or Elyan or even Lancelot? If he was dead, how could he be aware?
He came to the conclusion that he was not entirely dead, but that still didn't answer the question of where he was, or how he would get back, he couldn't stay here forever, could he?
He needed to get back; he needed to get home, back to Camelot, back to Gwen… back to Merlin.
"Where am I?" Arthur asked. No answer. "I am King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot and I have entered this place for some reason I do not understand. Could I be told why I am here?"
Before he could say any more, a small ball of water formed itself before his very eyes. The blue orb slowly glided towards him and Arthur found himself covering his unadjusted eyes from the bright light the sphere released.
"Do not be afraid, dear king, for this place is not something you should fear," spoke a gentle voice within the water.
"What is this place?" The king asked, even more desperate for answers.
"This place is the gate way to life, or death. Your fate is being decided as of this very moment."
Arthur squinted at the orb before him, "Who are you?"
"My name is Freya. I am the guardian of Avalon, I watch over the shores of the lake. I witnessed your death, Arthur. It seems your destiny has been fulfilled." Said Freya, her voice kind and compassionate.
"My destiny?"
"Yes, your death has been written in the path of destiny from the beginning. You were to die by Mordred's hand on the shores of Lake Avalon."
Arthur thought about this for a moment, "If my fate has already been decided, then why must I wait for even more answers? Why must I wait for death if it has already been decided?"
"You're an intelligent mortal, Arthur Pendragon." Freya stated, "Destiny can be changed, it can be rewritten, however it is rare. It takes a great sacrifice to change destiny."
"What sacrifice?" The king asked.
Freya replied with one single word; "Knowledge."
After a moment of thought-filled silence, Freya spoke again, "Your fate has been decided. Your life has been spared. You have been saved Arthur Pendragon, your destiny changed."
Arthur didn't know what to say. His life had been given back to him, why? "I thank you, Freya."
"I am not the one to thank." She replied, kindly. The king stared at the water, confused. If she didn't save him, then who did? "You must leave now, your soul has been called back to your body. Remember, Arthur, you are but one side of a coin."
"But what does that mean?" He cried.
"Goodbye Arthur Pendragon, good luck."
Before he could retaliate, the orb's light grew brighter. Arthur stumbled backwards, his eyes unable to look at the bright mass of energy, he passed out.
"As of today, we still do not know of the King's whereabouts. Until his status is known, we must presume the worst." Sir Leon spoke, his voice strong, as to block out the pain that was reflected in his eyes. He gave a look of sympathy to his queen before passing on the crown that marked her as the official ruler of her kingdom.
"Long live the Queen!" Leon cried.
"Long live the Queen!" The crowd chorused.
If you have any ideas, let me know! Thanks for reading! :)