For a few seconds the air rushed around him as he fell then suddenly it was all gone, replaced with frigid grey waters. They threw Merlin's body around like a rag doll, the swirling waters were impossible to escape, he couldn't tell which was up. By the time he broke the surface he had swallowed a fair amount of water, coughing and spluttering he grasped the empty waters, trying to find something to grab a hold of. It was only a matter of seconds before he was forced back down under the rushing current.

He was bashed against rocks and logs, really anything that had been swept into the river before him, he felt himself get dumped into the main river and washed away from Camelot. He reached around again, desperately trying to force himself above the waters to breath, his lungs burned terribly. His hand found mud, he pulled himself up onto a bank laying on his back, not very far though, he was too weak from blood loss. His legs still dangled in the water, threatening to pull him back in.

"Emrys"

Who was that? He blinked trying to clear his vision.

"Emrys!"

"Talisen?" Merlin murmured, feeling dizzy, somebody grabbed his shoulders. It was Talisen, how was he here?

"Emrys you are dying, you have to save yourself!" Talisen ordered, Merlin was too tried, he just wanted to sleep…

"No! You must stay awake!" Talisen implored, "I will help you, force your magic towards me, I will focus it"

Merlin nodded numbly trying to direct his power towards the man, as he did he felt it returning to him, more powerful, filling his limbs. He gasped as the main in his legs began to numb, he looked down to see his feet being encased in crystal, just like in the nightmares and visions he'd had. However they didn't burn him as they had in the dream, they numbed him, he could feel the crystals slowly healing him as they encased him further, almost completely within a few minutes. Only his shoulder and head were left, he began to feel panicked.

"Do not worry" Talisen hushed, "These will heal you, you will sleep until your destiny find you"

"Arthur?" Merlin asked stupidly, he couldn't focus, Talisen nodded, though it was hard to tell, his vision was swimming.

"He will find you do not worry" Talisen promised letting Merlin go as the crystals encased him fully, leaving Merlin just enough time to close his eyes before the process was complete. The warlock was vaguely aware of his crystal tomb slipping back under the water, sinking to the bottom of the moat, nestling itself in the mud. However he didn't need to breath anymore, he was just tired. So he slept.

…

Nine months. Three seasons. Almost an entire year had passed. For nine months Arthur had felt hopelessly empty without his brother. He still had Gwen of course and thank God he did, without her he would never of coped. In a way he still had his father, but not really. Uther was a shell of his former self. Morgana's betrayal had almost destroyed him, Merlin's death had been the final piece of a terrible puzzle. It had completely broken his father, so much so that he had to take over as regent. His father just sat at his window all day, staring, he barely ate anymore, he was withering away.

They had searched the river straight away, the forests, even the nearby towns; nobody had even seen the lost prince. For weeks, months Arthur searched. He saw the pitying looks of the people as he walked out of the city every day, backpack over his shoulders. Everybody knew he was out looking for Merlin. After three months he had to stop, partly because he had to take care of Camelot as regent, but mostly because he just couldn't bare the disappointment anymore.

He had been in a particularly dark mood all week, barely talking, just working. Trying to drown himself in paper work so he didn't have time to think. It was Gwaine's idea, a hunting trip, just a day one. On the outskirts of the city. Just to get some fresh air. All the Knights of the Round Table wanted to go and they wanted Arthur there too. He had been reluctant at first but Gwen urged him to go, saying it would be good for him. She had been right in a way, it was good to get out, chasing and riding again. He felt comforted knowing the stone bear that Merlin carved for him was around his neck, protecting him.

After a few hours he spotted a prize stag bounding through the trees, Arthur gave chase actually enjoying himself, it was a rare occurrence. He hesitated when he got to the dried up moat. It had taken a month for the water to drain away but even now he found it eerie. In a way he was afraid to enter it, for all he knew, he could trip over his brothers bones. Biting his lip and telling himself off for being so stupid he dove down into the gully, looking for the deer. He cursed, in his hesitance he'd lost it.

He was about to turn around when something shiny caught his eye, an ivy bush, a shining ivy bush. Narrowing his eyes he walked over to it, he carefully pushed back some of the vines and gasped, it was crystal, a huge, clear crystal, it shone like diamonds. There was something inside it too, red and silver, perhaps there were more gems within it?

Quickly he got to work clearing of the vines until it was clear, he stood back to look at it and yelped. It was Merlin! Merlin was encased in crystal, he looked as if he was sleeping, not a single bruise or scratch on his skin. Arthur felt himself shaking, was this the druids doing? A kind of magical tomb preserving his brother forever? No, the druids wouldn't of put him at the bottom of a moat, so why? Trembling he reached out and touched the stone, it was warm and Arthur swore, he could feel a heart beat. After a few seconds of resting his hands on the surface it began to glow, Arthur gaped, shuffling back, watching with a mix of horror and wonder as the crystal began to melt like ice, but without leaving any water behind.

It only took a matter of seconds for the entire tomb to dissolve into thin air. Merlin was still perfectly still, then he opened his eyes. He opened them! He was alive! Arthur felt like he couldn't breath.

"What…?" Merlin muttered blinking heavily, Arthur carefully picked up Merlin, laying him against him in shock. He was alive, he really was alive!

"Merlin?" Arthur breathed still in shock; Merlin nodded dully rubbing his eyes.

"Had the weirdest dream Arthur…" Arthur let out a short laugh; only Merlin would say something so…Merlinsh.

"You're really ok?" Arthur asked checking him over, there wasn't even a scar.

"Yeah…" Merlin replied slowly sitting up, "I'm glad you found me"

Merlin quickly gave an explanation of what had happened, it was very vague however as Merlin had only been semi lucid for the entire experience. Merlin had only just finished when he felt Arthur's arms around him.

"Nine months, nine bloody months Merlin!" He half growled half sobbed, "Don't you ever, ever, do that again!"

He felt Merlin stiffen when he mentioned how long it had been.

"I didn't mean…"

"I know" Arthur interrupted, smiling, "You're of age now you know"

"I can't believe I missed my own birthday" Merlin growled, Arthur helped him to his feet, it took a few tries, Merlin's legs were weak from disuse.

"It's ok" Arthur announced, "My birthday is only a month away, we can share it"

Merlin beamed. God Arthur had missed that smile. That goofy, only Merlin can do it, smile. And for a few moments,

Everything was perfect.

Sorry if this seems rushed…