Prologue.

Merlin had visited the Lake of Avalon ever since that fateful day; he lost the truest friend he'd ever had. People would ask if he missed Arthur and normally had Arthur been hunting or out visiting one of Uther's allies. Merlin would have laughed and joked and said: "That dollop head!! No way!!! I'm glad he's out. It means I can get a day off!"

But now, whenever anyone asked if he missed Arthur. He'd honestly say: "He was like a brother to me. Not a day goes by that I don't wish he'd come into the room and call me an idiot or a wimp." He missed Arthur a great deal. He spent most of his time on the shores of Avalon. Hoping that one day Arthur would return, and that life would return to normal. Everyone missed Arthur but no one more than himself and Gwen.

Merlin could remember the last few words Arthur had said to him in the last few days before he died: "I want you to always be you." "Just...... just hold me." "Thank you." For the first time ever Arthur had thanked him. Merlin had been shocked to hear Arthur thanking him. He could also remember the first time he had ever met Arthur. Arthur was also a prat at the time as well as being Prince. He had grown into a fine king. 'I think the thing I'll miss most is the times I spent with him. Although he was a bossy prat.' Merlin thought to himself.

He stood on the shore for a few more minutes tossing pebbles into the still water. He was hoping to see Arthur sailing or coming out of the water. Sometimes he often thought he saw a glint of armour or a sword under the surface of the lake but it turned out to just be the sunlight reflecting on the water. A tear ran down his cheek. He looked at the darkening sky. A rain drop splashed onto the side of his face. It was starting to rain. 'Depicting my mood.' Merlin thought solemnly.

He couldn't stay any longer night was falling fast and he needed to get back to Camelot before then. Disappointed, Merlin threw the rest of the pebbles into the water and left the shore leaving with it his wishes. Merlin climbed onto his stallion, cast a longing look at the island in the middle of the lake of Avalon, then he left to return to Camelot.