Chapter 1

Merlin put Arthur's body inside a boat and let it float across Lake Avalon toward the Isle of the Blessed. Arthur had died, Merlin had failed. Destiny itself had failed. Kilgharrah had told him that Arthur was called the "Once and Future King" for a reason: that he was fated to rise again at a time when Albion needed him most.

The Old Religion worked in mysterious ways. Here he was, thinking he was its servant, and was going to witnesses the removal of the ban on magic, side-by-side with the greatest king, but because of Mordred, now Arthur would have to rise again, when Albion was in great peril. That isn't going to come anytime soon, Merlin thought to himself, and found himself going back to the Isle of the Blessed, to clear his mind and think about the things he had learnt about himself over the past few days.

Merlin met Kilgharrah for the last time at the Isle of the Blessed, three days after the Battle of Camlann had ended.

"I am dying, Young Warlock." Said Kilgharrah, in the wise way that he said everything.

"No, Kilgharrah, don't say that. I can't lose you too."

"That is the case, Merlin. Everybody grows old, and I'm afraid my time has come to an end". At this, Merlin realised what a great friend the Greatest Dragon has been to helped him in every step of his journey, and now he would have to say goodbye to him.

"At least give me something to remember you by." Merlin said sadly.

"Well then, you shall have the object with the greatest magical potential. The extent of its power may even rival yours, Merlin." Kilgharrah separated one of his scales and handed it to Merlin. Merlin could practically see the powerful magic radiating off it.

"Thanks Kilgharrah, I will always remember you, the Greatest of all Great Dragons."

"Look after Aithusa, Emrys, and remember my last words to you: you will live the longest life." and with that, the mightiest Dragon fell to the ground, exhausted. Merlin was confused as why the Dragon had said that he would live the longest life. Arthur would rise again, and he wouldn't be there to see it. He hoped somebody worthy would be there to fulfil his unfinished destiny.

He started to make his way back to Camelot, passing over Camlann seeing the destruction of the Battle. He made his way through the myriad of bodies, seeing a few familiar faces in them. He saw Mordred, lying dead in the middle of the battlefield, with his equivalent of the immortal sword, Excalibur. Merlin took it in his hands and surveyed it. It had Morgana's magic and Aithusa's breath on it. Excalibur was now with Arthur, in Avalon, and so this was the only immortal sword existing. Merlin took it in his hands, and shrugged. He may as well keep it, because if it fell into the wrong hands, the end would not be well, and he may find a use for it.

He travelled for two days, and came across the druid camp. The druids surrounded him, and as usual, the leader spoke to him telepathically.

"Well done Emrys, you have completed the first part of your destiny. You have put an end to Morgana, and though it saddens my heart to say it, one of our own, the young Mordred"

"I never trusted him. I knew that it was his destiny to put an end to Arthur, and I tried to end him with every opportunity I had, I failed and now Arthur…" Merlin shed a tear, "is dead, and there is nothing I can possibly do about it."

"You do know that Arthur is fated to rise again. He is, after all, the Once and Future King. And you will be at his side when he does."

"How can I possibly be at his side. He will not rise for a thousand years." Merlin didn't bother using his mind to say this. He just shouted it to the man in front of him.

"That is why we address you as Emrys. After all, that is not your real name, is it?" He said calmly, using normal speech.

"I don't understand" said Merlin. Why would the name Emrys have anything to do with his destiny. He had failed it, and there wasn't any way in which he would be with Arthur. Why had Kilgharrah said that he would live the longest life?

"In our tongue, the name Emrys holds a special significance as the most powerful sorcerer to ever live" At this, everybody bowed their head slightly towards Merlin. "This you may already know. But the meaning of the symbol Emrys, it means immortal"

Nothing could describe what Merlin felt at that moment. He was immortal. He wouldn't age, and he would be at Arthur's side, even though it may be thousands of years. He would wait. He would wait until the time where Albion was in its deepest danger. A danger that only Arthur could free it from. "Thank you, Druids" He bowed down to them, as a sign of respect, to acknowledge the knowledge and respect that they had given him over the course of these years. "Thank you for everything".

He came upon Camelot by nightfall, when the gates were about to be closed. He entered Camelot, and it was still the place that he used to know. The stalls were closing, and everybody was going inside to go to sleep. He could telepathically detect an atmosphere of sadness surrounding the whole town, and he smiled inwardly. Everybody in Camelot had respected the Once and Future King, and everybody was equally saddened at his loss. The guards let him into the castle when he arrived. The court was still in session, even though it was going to be closed after a while. He had no intention of going there.

He wandered around the castle, seeing the place that he knew for 10 years. He passed the Knight's chambers, the kitchen, and the royal chambers. He remembered all the adventures that he had in here, sneaking in the night, stopping people who meant bad for Arthur. He started to remember, and abruptly, he stopped.

He had to get away from here.

He couldn't stay at Camelot, there were too many memories. He couldn't bear the thought of seeing everybody he knew and loved dying in front of his eyes, and he, the Greatest Sorcerer to ever live, couldn't do anything about it. Without thinking, he started to run. He passed the court, where Guinevere and all the remained of the Knights of the Round Table were having a feast. He wondered what about. Ah, they had won the war.

"Who goes there?" said a voice from behind him. He froze. He knew who it was. It was Percival. He knew that he would trust him, but he couldn't stay at this place. He didn't want to see anybody. The pain of being separated with them would be too much. He began to cry as he turned around to see the astonished face of Percival, and shouted, "Fluge" Percival flew back, landed on the hard ground and passed out instantly.

"I'm sorry" he whispered as he began to run away once more. He ran through the streets of Camelot, passed Gaius's chambers, passed Gwen's old chambers, passed the gates, and out in to the forest. Tears were pouring from his face as he said "Bedyrne mec! Astýre mec þanonweard!" and teleported to the location of the Crystal Cave, and he shut himself out from the rest of the world. He would watch over Camelot, but never return.

Merlin didn't want this to happen. He wished that he could stay in Camelot, but he knew he couldn't. He knew, thanks to Kilgharrah that Camelot would fall and something brilliant would be built in its place, something that would signify the acceptance of magic. He will watch over this, but he would never come out of the Crystal Cave until Camelot had fallen, and all his friends had died. With that, he lay down, and started to sleep. Here he would lie for eternity, waiting for the Once and Future King, his best friend, Arthur, to awaken again, and under his leadership finally bring acceptance of magic to Albion

This story is a reupload of my original story because I don't care about people's opinions.

Enjoy.