After coming back into this story after a billion bloody months, I realized I did not clarify quite a few things. Merlin was 22 when Arthur died and subsequently stopped aging. In addition, I rather breezed over the length of time since Camelot; giving a date to myth is hard. Nevertheless, I decided that a 4-digit number would have to be acceptable and finally decided on exactly 1500 years passing before this story takes place. So, Merlin is 1522 years old. Also, Arthur DID marry Gwen but they did not love each other like THAT. Turns out, they both had their hearts set on somebody else (obvious hint that). I am trying to fill in all those funny little blanks and answer questions as I go. It's hard to do in just one chapter sadly. Also, I wanted to skip the Sidhe all together, but that would mean tossing out Arthur almost eloping and drowning. Instead I just re-purposed them as a kind of babysitter for the human souls in the water. They make sure the living can't come over without permission from Merlin and they make sure the dead can't simply walk into Avalon without being properly "processed". Onwards to the story!

Chapter 4

Merlin wanted to feel smug about his meeting with Arthur, he really did. But having Arthur find out it was him AFTER he had made such a display of himself as Death and then at the same time as it was announced Gwaine had died early for the bloody second time (in this lifetime), made him feel rather guilty instead. He and Ælta were so intent on going to see Gwaine; they had completely forgotten to hide his identity. He felt all of his fifteen hundred and twenty two years come crashing down on him the moment Arthur and his eyes clashed in that room. Really, he should go on vacation or something.

Feeling Merlin's tumultuous emotions, Ælta kept giving him concerned glances as they marched towards the shores of Avalon. Merlin couldn't help but give a gentle smile in response to his servant' concern, despite how horribly wretched he felt. Too soon, they reached the waters and they halted at its edge.

Stopping short Merlin allowed himself to glare at the pitiful sight before him and his entourage. He could see Numerous Fates at the water's edge, dragging souls from its liquid grasp. In the living world, the portal to Avalon was simply a lake, guarded by the Sidhe. In true Avalon, the portal was no lake, but an ocean where the Sidhe held the deceased until their summons. No soul could reach the shore and escape custody of the Sidhe without assistance from the Fates or Merlin himself.

He knew immediately which wildly flailing soul in the water was his quarry without having to scan their faces. With a twitch of his hand and a flash of gold in his eyes, Gwaine was barely crawling out of the lake of Avalon and onto its sandy shores. Ælta and two other Fates moved to give the struggling Knight assistance, but Merlin waved them off. He knew every death and birth of every living creature by heart; he had personally written their fates himself after all. Only magic, the life-blood of creation itself, or suicide could possibly circumvent the web of fate Merlin had spun. Even then, it could only be temporary unless Merlin himself deemed the effect permanent in leniency or punishment.

This however, was not one of those times. Merlin could not see what had caused this unplanned death, but he could practically feel Morgana's hands at work in this and he felt his rage burn through him. After so many years, nothing made Merlin angry anymore unless it involved a certain Prat or involved tampering with Fate. When Gwaine finally lifted his head, Merlin strode forward and crouched before him. "Gwaine," he addressed with an acknowledging nod. Seeing how furious Merlin was Gwaine kept his head bowed in guilt and mumbled his own acknowledging, "Merlin." At this Merlin sighed. He could not bear to unleash his anger on such a pathetic sight as Gwaine, and he did not want to live through Gwaine's previous punishment again.

Of course, Merlin shared the punishments with all his charges in Avalon. He could hardly allow their rebirths without having them learn from their mistakes, lest history repeat itself. However, he felt it was unfair to have them suffer alone. Optimistically, he told himself that feeling their pain allowed him to truly sympathize with them and know whether they had actually understood where they had gone wrong. He went great lengths however to ensure they never found out though. He knew Morgana would have his head for torturing himself along with the guilty. Never mind the fact that he had felt all the pain and suffering of her victims as SHE had.

He winced at that grim memory. Of course, he could not bear to tell any of them that he would refuse to let them suffer alone. They would feel even guiltier then they already did every time Merlin greeted them on the shores of his kingdom. He would protect them from his pain as best he could. It was enough that he played villain as he held court over their lives. His role as judge, jury and executioner was a suitable distancing tool.

"Are you gonna let me explain myself first? Or are we gonna skip right to the punishing act then Mer?" Merlin shook himself from his reverie as Gwaine spoke up. He realized he had been contemplatively staring at Gwaine for a few minutes. "Couldn't stand the silence anymore Sir Gwaine?" Merlin smiled, albeit poorly. He was always lenient with Gwaine and Lancelot, more so than the others because of their past. Seeing Merlin's attempt at a smile lightened Gwaine's mood and he smiled back. "I swear I haven't had a drink since last night in the pub and I took a cab home," he rushed out in one breath.

Merlin chuckled, "I know Gwaine, but you have not told me how or why you have once again broken your web of fate. I went through a lot of trouble writing yours too! I write you a new one every single time you have to be reborn and you always manage to do something to it." Gwaine looked sheepish at that and nervously rubbed at the back of his head. "Well you see Merls," he hesitated and looked almost pleadingly at the Fate's surrounding them. "No Gwaine, they will not help you get out of this mess." Merlin interjected with a snort.

Gwaine smiled and chuckled, "well it was worth a try ya know. Anyway," he sat back in the sand and avoided Merlin's eyes. "Morgana said you did something to Arthur and since I'm always doing something to mess up and accidentally die, she thought it would be okay if I," he held up his fingers in air-quotes. "Accidentally drowned myself. And now here I am, looking a good shade more wet then per my usual dip in the lake." Merlin eyed him seriously then. "Morgana drowned you so you could ask about him? I know I am usually busy here, but I do go back to my flat a few times in the week. Morgana could have just waited to ask me about the Prat when I got back."

Gwaine just shrugged, "well she is a woman so who knows what the hell goes on in her mind besides you know, all those world domination plots and stuff." It wasn't quite a laugh, but Merlin felt a sound rip itself out of his throat at Gwaine's joke that was probably as close to one as he could manage. "Anyway, are you going to tell me what happened to the Princess or what? Cause we haven't seen him since he first died and we kind of miss him." Gwaine prodded while choking off a yawn. He immediately wanted to take it back though when he saw how quickly Merlin's expression closed off and he stood with his back facing the Knight.

"Help up Sir Gwaine, and bring him to his usual accommodations. Traveling between worlds is exhausting for the soul," Merlin commanded to the waiting Fates. "Merlin I didn't mean to make you mad and I'm not that tired, really!" Gwaine burst out as the Fates grabbed his arms and lifted him to his feet. "We just miss him is all!" Merlin stopped and barely looking over his shoulder responded, "You wanted to see Arthur? You will when you wake up." And with that, he strode away; Ælta hot on his heels and acting far too cuddly for Gwaine's comfort. His last thought as the Fates gently caught him as he passed out; If Arthur finds out about that he may kill Ælta in a jealous rage.

Unlike Gwaine, Merlin barely noticed Ælta clinging to him. His Fate always was exceedingly affectionate and caring. Ælta comforting Merlin had become familiar and normal. He would hardly mind even without that normalcy, as Ælta was the only thing keeping Merlin upright. He had not lied to Morgana when he said that he had been unable to sleep for years. He felt it wise to not specify the exact number, lest she sick Guinevere on him.

Unfortunately, his lack of rest was catching up to him quickly as the stress piled on. "My Lord, I will take you to your chambers. You need rest, even more then Sir Gwaine." Merlin looked tiredly at his servant. He felt guilty when he realized Ælta was now practically carrying him to his rooms. "I-I can't Ælta. I have to-have to…" he trailed off, as his own thoughts seemed to slip away from him. "Master, you are far too exhausted. You MUST rest. I will see you to your bed personally and ensure everything you require done. Your every will is my command." Strange, he didn't remember when his face had become cradled in Ælta's hands like that. When did they finally get to his room? He decided it unimportant, his brain was already shutting off from exhaustion and he really didn't care.

"Master? My Lord, can you hear me?" Ælta's worried voice broke through his fading consciousness. "I'm fine Ælta, just tired. I-I give you my consent…" his voice trailed off as he lost the fight against sleep. Ælta looked down worriedly before he gently dressed his master for bed and tucked him in. Hesitating for only a moment, he bent forward and placed a kiss on his master's brow. "I will make sure everything is taken care of. Goodnight…Merlin." He blew out the candles, turned and quietly left the chambers.

Reaching the hall, he gestured for two of the Head-servants to follow him. "Our Lord and Master is sleeping for the first time in centuries, he will not be disturbed for any reason regardless of our guest's requests. Is that understood?" They gave an affirmative and he pushed on. "He wants Sir Gwaine brought to the King's chamber. Have Sir Gwaine brought a change of clothes, tidy the King's chambers and bring them both dinner there. I will arrange for the rest of his friends to be received there as well. Do for them the same as Sir Gwaine." Again the Fates gave an affirmative and with a dismissing wave they left to carry out his orders.

Now he had his own task to complete, informing King Arthur of his guests and bringing the rest of said guests to the castle of Avalon.