On the day that Emma, Hook, Regina, and Snow went to the Enchanted Forest to find the lore books, Arthur woke up well.
His eyes popped wide open, and he stared at the sunlight on his roof in shock. It was the first day that he had noticed the sunlight since he had been alive on Earth.
His fingers wandered to his throat. It no longer hurt. Instead, a small chain was draped across it, and at the end of the chain was the broken half of a golden coin, embossed with a Dragon.
Arthur lay there listening to his heart beating. He was suddenly frightened by it. It was the first time he had realized it was beating again.
After a while, he sat up. His hands wandered his body. He was wearing a weird tunic with a hood sewn to it, and stiff blue trousers. He wasn't aware that it was a hoodie and jeans that belonged to Prince Charming.
Arthur hopped up and wandered downstairs to Granny's diner.
"Ah, look who's finally awake. Want something to eat?" Granny smiled.
Arthur stared at her realizing he could understand her. He also noticed strange small glass shapes on her nose. He smiled at her and sat down on a stool.
"Can you understand me? Or did Regina's spell not work?" Granny smiled.
Arthur looked at her intensely.
"I can understand you, milady." He smiled. She set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him. Finally, something he recognized.
Then, he frowned, as Granny sat a black liquid in front of him that steamed.
"Is this magic?" He asked, swirling the substance he did not yet know was coffee.
"For most of us, yeah. Drink up." Granny smiled and patted his hand.
Arthur took a sip of the bitter, hot drink. At first, it made his nose burn, but he found he rather liked the taste of it. It also made him feel more awake. Perhaps it was good magic.
As he processed all this magic, he felt a sudden pang of fear. Merlin. If it had been a long, long time, was Merlin gone?
He had never gotten to see if the magic was reversed. If he had been saved by his sacrifice.
Arthur was trying to save his people, but Merlin was the one suffering the most from Morgause's curse.
He wished he could remember something. Even a tiny glimpse.
"Ah, look who's awake." A man came sauntering up to him. Arthur looked up and studied him. He was tall, looked to be about his own age when he had died, and had dark blond hair. His bearing was one of a royal house. Arthur swallowed.
"Good morning. I fear that we have not been introduced. I am Arthur Pendragon." Arthur stood up and extended a hand.
"Yes, I was told. I am Prince David. Storybrooke is my um...village. I came to see how you are fairing while you live here." David smiled as he shook Arthur's hand. Arthur swallowed.
"I'm still getting used to the whole living bit?" Arthur smiled, sheepishly. He felt odd around all these people.
"No worries. My wife and daughter, you met them last night, have gone to find some lore so we can understand who you were before." David patted his shoulder. He could tell Arthur was fearful, and empty, lacking something to do.
"Tell you what...Why don't you come out to patrol with me today? Maybe stretching your legs and seeing the kingdom you live in now will help you get used to being in your own skin again." David smiled.
Arthur smiled.
"I would be honored to offer you my sword. Or a sword that I can wield, as I've no idea where mine is at the moment." Arthur laughed.
David nodded.
"Happy to have you. We'll find you a sword, surely before the end of the day." David laughed, and said his goodbyes, as the dwarves shouted at him to settle some dispute among them.
Neither of the two men knew that before the day was over, Arthur would find a sword indeed.