Chapter 6.

The first of January. The year 2013. It was Merlin's birthday. But what use is a birthday if you have none of your friends here with you to celebrate. Out of all things that had stayed the same was the area around the lake of Avalon. The kingdom of Camelot had changed by a major amount.

Where there were castles and fortresses there was now houses and flats. Instead of people riding on horses to travel people now drove huge metal vehicles known as cars and buses and motorbikes. There were schools and restaurants. Bus stations and train stations. The land had changed a lot from what Merlin was used to. He sat on the shores of the lake of Avalon as he had done every day. Even when the land changed Merlin still sat there. He spent his days tossing pebbles into the lake. Tawni was still around but she still hadn't made herself known to the young man who sat on the lake.

Merlin's jeans t-shirt and hair were soaked from the earlier downpour. During the week especially after 3 o'clock school children splashed in the shallows of the lake. Their childish giggling and laughter echoing back to Merlin. He sighed tossing another pebble into the water, it had been years and still Arthur had not returned. Surely he was healed by now. But the blade was forged in the dragon's breath so it could take ages. Merlin would just have to be patient.

He tossed another pebble at the water but instead of sinking with a splash to the bottom of the lake it skimmed the surface of the water. Merlin counted how many times it skimmed the surface: one...... two........ Three......... four.......... five............ six. He stared at the water lost in thought when he heard someone coming up behind him. He sighed. Why did people have to interrupt other people's business? He turned around about to tell the other person to go away and leave him alone. When he realized who it was. His mouth dropped open in shock. The dripping wet dirty blonde hair. The shining blue eyes. The glinting silver armour and the sword, that he had thrown in the lake that very day when the king had died was gripped tightly in their right hand.......

"Hello Merlin." the man said grinning. Merlin was lost for words. He stared struck dumb as he took in the sight before him. "A-Arthur." Merlin stammered, staring at his friend, who he had thought that he had lost forever. Merlin hugged Arthur completely forgetting every single pain and only caring that his friend was here...... his friend was alive.

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled. "Get off!" but Merlin ignored him. "Ok. Ok. Get off me you dollophead." Arthur laughed; he had expected his servant to miss him but not this much.

"Hey that's my word!" Merlin replied grinning, he released Arthur from his grip.

Arthur looked around him. The sky was a clear blue now. He looked at Merlin. His brow furrowed in confusion. "Merlin. What are you wearing?" he asked, indicating towards Merlin's t-shirt and jeans.

"Ah. Well. Err....... things have changed a lot while you were gone." Merlin said.

"Where's Guinevere?" Arthur asked, looking around for her.

"Well you know how I said a lot has changed. That is one of the other things. Camelot owed her and you a great deal. She lived a great life." Merlin said sadly. He looked at Arthur cautiously, he looked distraught and upset. "Arthur if there was some way......" he trailed off.

"How come you're here? You don't look any older than before." Arthur said, he thought for a while as Merlin stared at the floor then replied awkwardly, "Oh right........ The err......... magic thing." Arthur rubbed his neck embarrassed. Merlin looked up at Arthur. He had wanted to tell Arthur long before that time about his gifts. "Arthur I promise I will explain everything to you when we get back to my place."

Merlin took off at a brisk pace leading Arthur away from the lake of Avalon. "Where are we going?" Arthur asked.

"My place."

"Where is it?" Arthur said looking around for Merlin's home.

"Not far from here." Merlin replied, stopping at a road.

"A cart track? I don't remember this being here before now." Arthur said slightly confused. They hear a slight rumbling sound coming down the road.

"Arthur get out of the road." Merlin said, trying to pull Arthur back out of the way of the oncoming car.

"I think I can handle this creature Merlin." Arthur said, shaking Merlin's arm off him and drawing his sword.

"Arthur you can't fight a....."

"You underestimate me Merlin. I am the greatest warrior Camelot has ever known. I will kill this beast and then we can return to Camelot." Arthur said preparing for the attack. Merlin pulled Arthur out of the way just in time as the car drove right where Arthur was standing a few seconds earlier. The passengers staring in shock at Arthur's armour and sword.

"Why did you pull me away?!!!! Did you not see the people that the beast had already eaten?!!!!" Arthur yelled, rounding on Merlin.

"I promised to explain everything when we get to my place and I stand by that promise. Just trust me." Merlin said. Arthur sighed then followed Merlin.