Chapter 8 – Remembering

"And why am I not surprised to find you doing nothing Merlin?" Arthur's voice woke Merlin from his sleep and he looked around him in confusion. He was in the armory and Arthur's armor and sword were piled in front of him on the table, he had just finished cleaning them … or had he?

"We have visitors coming today and all I have is a useless servant who does nothing but laze around," Arthur growled.

For some reason which he couldn't quite place, Merlin found he was extremely relieved to see Arthur.

"Well?" Arthur asked expectantly.

"I'm sorry sire," Merlin said hurriedly, getting to his feet and picking up the armor, all the while being nagged by the thought that he had forgotten something, something important.

"Take it up to my cambers," Arthur ordered, "and then go and clean out my stables."

"Yes sire," Merlin said.

"I don't understand Gaius," Merlin said as he sat down to dinner that night, "it's like I've forgotten something really important."

"Maybe it was the washing, you haven't done that for three days," Gaius replied.

Merlin was silent, then suddenly got to his feet.

"And where are you going?" Gaius asked, but Merlin was already halfway down the corridor.

"Something is troubling you young warlock," the Great Dragon said as he looked down at Merlin.

"Do you know what it is that I've forgotten?" Merlin asked.

"You have forgotten many things young warlock, you have forgotten to lock the stable door tonight so Arthur's horses will be escaping."

Merlin stamped his foot.

"It's nothing like that," he said angrily.

The Great Dragon chuckled.

"May I suggest that you turn around?" he said.

And there it was, that blue box. The T.A.R.D.I.S.

"But how?" Merlin gasped, grabbing his hair. It was all coming back to him now and suddenly he found himself on his knees as he remembered. Remembered everything.

"Merlin!" came the Doctor's delighted cry as he opened the door of the T.A.R.D.I.S.

Amy and Rory stepped out behind him and then blinked in wonder at the sight of the Dragon.

The Doctor helped Merlin to his feet.

"Knew you'd remember with a little coaxing," he laughed.

"But … this is strange!" Merlin gasped, "I remember it all and yet … none of it ever happened."

"Don't worry, we've been through it all before," Amy replied, smiling.

"Where's River?" Merlin asked.

"Oh she left shortly after you killed the Dalek," Rory said.

"She's not one to hang around," the Doctor added.

"Are you and her like … married?" Merlin asked curiously.

Behind them there was a sapping noise, a flash of light and suddenly River was standing in the clearing with them.

"Spoilers," she smiled.

Merlin was feeling more confused by the second.

"It's a long story," the Doctor sighed, "and one you probably wouldn't understand."

Merlin touched the console of the T.A.R.D.I.S. and felt the energy running through it.

"So it all happened, but it didn't?" he asked again, still not really able to comprehend it all.

River smiled. "You get used to these things after a while," she said, "it's what happens when you spend time with the Doctor."

"Well," the Doctor said, "I think its time we took you somewhere special."

The sky was so blue Merlin had to shield his eyes to look at it. Large birds soared overhead heading towards distant purple mountains and down below them in a valley, a glittering green lake sparkled in the sun. The ground underfoot was sandy but down by the lake he could see soft fields of green grass.

"It's incredible," he gasped.

"The Eighth World of Count Fredrick the 10th," the Doctor declared, "he got a bit bigheaded and decided he needed to buy some worlds, which reminds me, I've got a bid on Pluto …"

Merlin let the Doctor's chatter become no more than a buzzing like a bee as he took in the splendour of the place.

"Do you ever get used to it all?" he asked Rory quietly, "travelling with the Doctor, seeing things like this?"

"Most of the time there isn't time to stop and look at the view, we're usually being chased by something," Rory replied dryly. "But no, I don't get used to it, it gets me every time."

"And there was that time I gambled Jupiter, the inhabitants weren't too happy," the Doctor talked on but eventually he took one final look around.

"Come along then Ponds, and you two, Merlin and River. Time to head back home," he said.

Back in the forest glade, the Dragon had gone and Merlin stepped out of the T.A.R.D.I.S. with a smile on his face.

"It you need us anytime," the Doctor said, "just give us a call and we'll be on our way."

Merlin however had something to ask.

"You know that with you all being from the future, does that mean you know what happens to me? And to Arthur?"

The Doctor looked at Rory and Amy and smiled.

"Almost every child grows up knowing the legend of King Arthur and Merlin," Amy said.

"So my destiny, I'm going to fulfil it? Will everything I do here have a point?" Merlin asked.

Amy, Rory and the Doctor smiled.

"You know what Merlin," the Doctor said, "you will be remembered."

With that he shut the door and a moment later, the rushing, grating noise started and the T.A.R.D.I.S. faded from sight. Merlin stood back, smiling to himself.

You will be remembered.

Note: And there you go! Finished! I hope you enjoyed reading it. I've loved writing it. Thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting. It means a lot to me :) Thank you! THERE'S A SEQUEL - THE RETURN OF THE DALEKS :) :)