A/N I will try to post a chapter daily but I can't make any promises :)

Merlin gazed out across the lake, hope flooding through his body as he searched the grey waters. Suddenly there was a ripple of water a few meters from the shore and Merlin grinned; his face breaking out in a smile bright enough to compete with the sun as he threw away his side bag and waded into the water. He pushed against the waves that crashed around his legs as the ripples enlarged. An arm suddenly appeared through the surface and Merlin watched avidly as the shoulder followed, then the torso and finally the head. Wet, blonde hair lay in a damp mess on top of the man's head as he looked up and smiled at Merlin, who had extended his hand. The man took it gratefully, pulling himself to his feet only to be wrapped into a tight hug by Merlin. "I've missed you," whispered Merlin against his neck and the man only held Merlin closer.

They moved towards the shore, hand in hand, neither looking at the other as the water shallowed around their soaked legs. Merlin let go of the man to pick up his side bag and after flinging it over his head he took the man's hand again with a smile. He led him towards a young oak tree that sat overhanging the lake. Merlin slowly sat down, once again gazing across the water to Avalon as the man sat next to him, a smile on his face as he watched Merlin.

"You haven't changed a bit," commented the man, taking in the unchanged raven hair and pale skin of his best friend.

"Nor have you Arthur," replied Merlin with a grin.

"Camelot?" asked Arthur as he changed into the spare jeans and hoodie Merlin had produced from his side bag and tossed away his armour and chain mail.

"Gwen was a good queen. Camelot was peaceful until she died. A struggle for the throne ensued and the land fell to tyranny," replied Merlin sadly as Arthur came back from behind the tree.

"And now?" he asked, fiddling with the hoodie, "Anyway what are these materials?" he asked curiously. Merlin laughed quietly.

"Camelot doesn't exist anymore. Neither do the other kingdoms; they died out centuries ago and now we have just the one monarch," explained Merlin, "And the trousers are denim, the hoodie is probably nylon and cotton," he guessed. Arthur glanced at his clothes dubiously before pulling on the trainers loosely and glancing at himself.