Arthur had been stumbling around the forest for days when he found a small town. It was under the rule of someone else – he didn't care to ask who. He found himself wandering the town in search of fresh water and a much needed meal. He didn't deserve it after letting Merlin, his only friend, die. But he felt he deserved the guilt of his death, more than dying of starvation.

A young man came over to him. His kind face reminded Arthur of Merlin. "Sir, are you okay?" He asked.

Arthur nodded. "I'm in need of a decent meal and a bed for the night."

The young man's smile reminded him of Merlin. "Follow me." The man walked Arthur to the lodge where the prince was given a hot meal in the lodge. Once he had eaten the meal, he felt sick from it because Merlin had not fetched it for him. He walked upstairs to the room that the kind young man had bought for him for a few nights.

Merlin haunted Arthur's dreams. He woke up screaming more than once, harsh sobs racking his body. Arthur got out of the bed and walked to the lake. He climbed in and splashed water on his face. He knew the lake was the one place he could cry without anybody knowing.

Merlin woke up and batted his eyes, trying to remember what happened. He found his injuries were gone. An angelic woman was looking down at him. She was sitting at the bed side, with a smile on her face.

He took in his surroundings; he was lying on a bed, about the same size and shape as Arthur's. Everything else was a shining white. He wished Arthur could have seen this type of magic. This train of thought brought a sudden realization to Merlin, he panicky asked "Where's Arthur?" The women who was the now the centre of Merlin's attentions, smiled sadly as she responded.

"My son is sitting in a lake crying over your death." A light appeared above Merlin, displaying Arthur in a lake with tears streaming down his face. Merlin's heart ached at the scene. So the women continued to explain. "He loves you. That's why you're going back to him, but it will not be of my doing." The woman smiled sympathetically at him. "Your love for him needs to make you fight the light that is coming for you, it's your destiny to shape the future for the better... you dying this way won't achieve that"

Merlin scoffed. "You truly are what Arthur thought you were. Beautiful, smart, and totally bonkers. Arthur could not, and would not, love me. He's a prince. He could have any person in the kingdom he wishes. As much as I hope for it… he wouldn't go for his manservant." A sadness showed itself in Merlin's eyes.

"You're in denial." She laughed. "He was willing to save your life, even with that future in sort for him. He's accepted the most dangerous part about you - your magic. If that's not was love is, then it needs a new description."

Merlin looked away from her. She was too much like her son for his liking; always having a comeback for the argument he thought was foolproof.

Merlin sighed, realizing she was dead. Meeting her meant it was too late for him. If he's dead can hearts break? Because he felt like his was shattered. "It's too late now anyway. I'm dead and he's lost. I just wish I could have told him before I died. Maybe it would have lessened his pain."

She smiled at him knowingly. "If you were gone you would already be in heaven with the loved ones you have lost, my dear child. Your destiny is too great to let you die now. Arthur's pain is part of what is causing you to continue to live. When his love is shown to you, you can't live without him, as he can't live without you. Promise me you'll never let him go. Always stand by his side. Be the other side to his coin Merlin"

Merlin smiled at her and wished that Arthur had had a chance to get to know his own mother. This wonderful woman was just like him. "I made that promise to myself a long time ago." He answered. "I won't back down from it now that I get a second chance."

She smiled and whispered words of magic. Merlin wondered if Arthur inherited any magic. His vision blurred before he got a chance to ask.

"Tell my son I love him." The woman voice echoed as Merlin fell once again into the darkness.