↳ Collaboration: excaliburnd & landofmerlin
“For not only do we fight for our lives, we fight for the future. The future of Camelot. The future of Albion. The future of the united kingdoms. For the love of Camelot!” - Arthur Pendragon
↳ Collab: Fanmix/Graphic about Merlin and Arthur's first meeting. Graphic by hobbington, fanmix by deducingclotpoles
smother - daughter | you and me - lifehouse | alive - gabrielle aplin | poison & wine - the civil wars | uneven odds - sleeping at last | all of me - john legend | the scientist - coldplay | all this time - one republic | don't move - marit larsen | in love for a while - anna rossinelli
I don’t remember your smile so well now. And every time I try to see your face … It just slips away. It’s been so many years you see. And I’ve been waiting all this time. I said I’d wait forever. But why does forever last so long? - M.E.
↳COLLABORATION: REINCARNATION
in collaboration with killerliars - graphic and highfunctioning-clotpole - fanfic
// we are broken paramore // eavesdrop the civil wars // somewhere only we know keane // like a star corinne bailey rae // golden slumbers/the end k.d. lang // collar full panic! at the disco // all of me john legend // my fault imagine dragons // song for zula phosphorescent // save me goyte // know me well roo panes //
Arthur was once again back at Lake Avalon Park remembering his time as king. His mind was fuzzy with memories and dreams, the longing to be back there in Camelot ruling once again. Since being washed up onto the shores of the large lake, he had been lost, confused and lonely. The first day when Arthur returned, looking up from dirt to the bright sunshine of a new era, seemed so long ago now. He’d been alive in this new time for a little over a year and as much as liked to disagree, he loved it.
Everything was so different to what he knew. He wasn’t king; Camelot had grown in size to a large bustling city. There were new medicines and new ways to get around. In the year, Arthur had not seen one horse. At first, the metal machines known as cars scared him, but now he was used to it and it was the only way he got around. There was light bulbs instead of candles and no one he had come to know owned any form of armour or sword. There were no small markets but large stores with cupboards that somehow kept food cold. There were tiny machines that played sound from them. Sounds like voices and music. A strange new music that caught Arthur’s attention immediately. There were lyrics that stuck in his mind and songs created on instruments he had never heard of before.
This music changed Arthur’s life. A few days after hearing music for the first time, Arthur had found himself at the nearest music shop buying his first instrument. And now, every Sunday was dedicated to sitting beside Lake Avalon, strumming away and listening to the soft gentle flowing of the water. Arthur leaned up against the trunk of a tree, guitar on his lap playing softly. He had discovered that playing and sitting here helped him remember. It helped his mind recreate the memories of Merlin and Camelot. Of his friends, the knights, Gwen and Morgana. Sitting staring over the lake made him feel more alive.
This Sunday was no different but the memories were. Everything he thought about seemed to come back to Merlin. Every thought was about the raven haired boy and how he missed Merlin more than anyone else. Merlin was always there, always having an opinion for everything, always helping Arthur. He was a loyal servant and to Arthur, he was more than a servant. He was a friend, Arthur’s best friend. Arthur set his fingers upon the strings of the guitar and began to play a mellow tune that rang out over the water. He closed his eyes as he let his memories play out in his mind and the music to play out to the world.
Minutes passed. Then hours. The sun started to dip in the sky but Arthur played on, too content with the feeling to move when suddenly a voice chimed in his ear.
“Arthur?” The voice said again. A familiar, soft and gentle voice.
Arthur peeled open his eyes and froze. He almost dropped the guitar as he looked up and saw the raven haired man standing before him.
Merlin was there, stood right in front of him. Alive and here.
Merlin had been out for a walk along the lakeside when he looked out over the water and paused. He saw a blonde man sat by the tree strumming away on a guitar. At first, Merlin just thought he was seeing things again. It wouldn’t have been the first time he had mistaken a blonde man for Arthur. But as he rounded the lake and got closer the face seemed even more familiar. He was certain it was his king.
Merlin tiptoed his way nearer and gasped. It was Arthur. Arthur was alive and here.
Falling to his knees, Merlin bit his lip and reached out a hand to Arthur.
“Y-you’re here?” He asked quietly.
“Merlin... I.. what?” Arthur sat forward from the tree and furrowed his brows. He didn’t even understand why he was here never mind Merlin too. It made no sense to him at all.
“Arthur, it’s okay.” Merlin spoke softly then looked down. “For when Albion’s need is greatest, Arthur will rise again..” He whispered to himself, remembering what Kilgharrah had told him all those years ago.
“What?” Arthur said anxious to know what Merlin was talking about.
“I knew you’d come back. I knew it.” Merlin grinned feeling elated.
Merlin had been waiting so long for this day. For Arthur to return. He couldn’t stop himself from leaning forward and pulling the blonde into a tight embrace. He squeezed tight as Arthur moved his guitar aside and wrapped his arms round Merlin’s neck as they both reassured themselves that the other was real.
After a moment Arthur pulled back and stared into Merlin’s eyes. They looked different somehow.
“Merlin, what happened? I’ve been here a year and .. I still don’t understand.” Arthur said softly.
“You were meant to come back, Arthur. You died after Mordred stabbed you. But, Albion needs you, so here you are.” Merlin smiled and felt tears form in his eyes.
Arthur lifted his hand to wipe Merlin’s face. “Please, don’t cry. I’m good actually. I mean, I found somewhere to stay, some people who I can almost call friends. I found a job. I’m not longer a king obviously..” Arthur frowned.
“A lot has changed in the years you’ve been gone. I’ve seen it all, Arthur. I’ve been waiting for you. But it’ll all be okay now you’re here.” Merlin said gladly.
Arthur’s hand was still on Merlin’s cheek and he leaned into the touch, smiling at the warmth. Arthur pulled his hand closer, bringing Merlin towards him. He shifted and got comfortable next to Arthur, leaning on the tree.
“Do you... uh, do you still have magic?” Arthur whispered, looking around to make sure no one saw.
Merlin chuckled. “I do, yeah. After you had gone, Gwen made sure magic was free for people to use in Camelot and she made sure it was used for good. It’s been that way ever since, although, many people don’t believe it any more. Magic is just a myth.”
Arthur turned his head to look at Merlin. “A myth? But I know it is real, you know it’s real. Your eyes!” Arthur exclaimed. “When you perform magic, your eyes, they.. glow! That’s why you look different. The last time I saw you.. you were using magic. You were... crying..”
Merlin frowned. “My best friend had just died. I was meant to save you and I couldn’t. You are my destiny..”
Arthur blushed feeling uplifted. “I’m still your destiny? Sometimes, I always thought that I had come back just to find you.”
Merlin looked up, timid and unsure about his next move. He had missed Arthur so much. Merlin had thought about Arthur every single day since they had been torn apart and he had seen how the world had changed around him. He knew what he was about to do was acceptable in the world, but he wasn’t sure if Arthur would accept it. Still, he had to try.
He leaned forward nervously and brushed Arthur’s cheek with his fingers. His skin was warm and soft, his lips looked plush and eyes were full of wonder. Merlin gently brushed his lips over Arthur’s cheek and smiled.
“I really missed you, Arthur.” He whispered.
“I missed you too.” Arthur replied with a smile, his fingers sweeping over the skin where Merlin’s lips had been.
Merlin and Arthur sat under the tree talking, crying, sharing memories and kissing for a few hours. Arthur showed Merlin what he had learnt on the guitar and Merlin explained new things about the world to Arthur. When the moon began to reflect off Merlin’s pale skin, Arthur stood up and reached out a hand. They walked through the streets, hand in hand, once again feeling complete; as if nothing in the world could go wrong as long as they were together. Merlin remembered something else Kilgharrah said and realised how right the dragon had been.
They really were two sides to the same coin, destined to meet again and spend life as one.
