Merlin spun around just in time to see hundreds of enemy warriors pouring through the mighty gates of Camelot, the great capital of Albion. Albion was once a peaceful land where the old religion reigned. But dark times followed and Albion was torn apart by war. For many hundreds of years the lands that had once been one, fought against one another again and again until one man ended it all. His name was Arthur Pendragon. “Stop”, thought Merlin, “I mustn’t let myself get distracted by what once was.” For Arthur was no more. Years ago, in the final battle that would reunite Albion, the great king was killed. Then a new enemy had arisen. His name was Lord Aragon. He was a powerful dark sorcerer who's cruelty was known through the land. Aragon was power-hungry. He wanted to rule over everyone and everything. For months now he had been attacking Albion with the intention to rule. With new power given to him by the memories of his old friend and the hatred of the dark lord, Merlin released a stream of magic that thrust an oncoming wave of enemies of their feet, knocking them into the soldiers behind them. “Retreat!”, shouted Sir Percival, commander of the knights of Camelot and the knights began to fall back. “We can't let them win Percival, we can’t lose Camelot!”, Sir Gareth called back as he desperately tried to hold back a slew of Aragons men. “We have no choice Gareth, now get back!”. Sir Percival and his knights fled into the palace. Merlin had managed to extract himself from the battle and hurried up the stone steps to the highest tower of the palace. There he lifted his head to the sky and screamed at the top of his lungs:, "O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd’hup’anankes!" For a few silent moments nothing happened. Then all of a sudden a enormous form came bursting through the clouds letting out an ear shattering roar. Soon the great dragon was standing calmly in front of Merlin. “Kilgara you came!” Relieved, Merlin ran up to his old friend. “You call, I come young Warlock. You should know that by now.”, the old dragon rumbled. “Of course, I’m sorry.” Quickly Merlin explained the situation. “Kilgara you must help us or we shall all be lost”. “Now then young Warlock you must learn to think for yourself. I will not always be around to help you Merlin. Your friends may depend on you but you cannot depend on me. All the answers are within you, you just have to find them.” And with that the great beast stretched his mighty wings and took off, flying toward the sun and out of sight. “You can’t do this I need you! Please Kilgara help me!” Merlin sank to the cold stone floor with his head in his hands. Minutes passed and the sounds of battle drifted up to him. Suddenly the young sorcerer knew what to do. Slowly he stood, gathering himself as he did. Calmly and deliberately he walked right to the edge of the roof. Then we opened his mouth wide and screamed. Merlin felt a surge of power shoot through his body as he freed all of his power. Down below, Aragons men all felt their blood run cold. Every single one of them turned and fled, crying out with terror. After a split second of total confusion, the knight of Camelot followed, bellowing, after their fleeing enemy. Merlin, who was still standing on the edge of the roof, collapsed onto the floor.

After dismounting his horse, Merlin made his way through the trees to a small lake with a tall stone tower on a tiny island in the middle of the water. Sadly, Merlin stared across the dark mass toward the tower and wondered where Arthur was now. For this was the exact place the great warrior had breathed his last breath. When the final battle for Albion was over, Merlin had tried to get his friend to the lake, for it had healing properties and the young sorcerer had hoped Arthur could be saved. “We were so close.”, thought Merlin with tears in his eyes,”A few more steps and Arthur would still be alive today. It’s my fault he’s dead. I couldn't get him to the water fast enough. I killed him.” Merlin kneeled down next to the water as a tear fell from his eye into the lake. “I’m sorry Arthur. I’m so sorry.” He let his hand slide into the cool wet. As soon as he did this he felt his power returning to him. His outburst of magic at the battle against the dark Lord Aragon’s men had drained him and the Lake Avalon was where he came to revive himself and remember his lost friend. “Remember when I accidentally gave you the ears of an ass? Or the time someone slipped you a love potion and made you fall madly in love with an extremely beautiful but vain princess?” For hours he sat there staring out across the waters of the final resting place of Arthur Pendragon and keeping his memories alive. Then, with a sad smile, Merlin closed his eyes and fell asleep on the banks of the Lake Avalon. His last thought before he drifted off was, “Albions need is greater than ever before. Arthur, my friend, where are you?”

Merlin awoke to a blinding light shining through his closed eyelids. It was coming from the the small island in the middle of the lake. Rubbing his eyes he sat up and squinted at the light, trying to make out what was causing the mysterious glow. Suddenly he saw it. There was a figure in the centre of the light, striding across the water as if it were solid ground. The figure was heading straight towards the young warlock. After a few more paces Merlin could see that the figure was human. It was the shape of a tall, young man and with a jolt, Merlin realised who the man was. “No.”, thought Merlin, “It can’t be! It’s not possible! But then… Who else could it be?” As the figure drew closer Merlin saw for certain that he was right. “Arthur! Arthur!”,with shouts of joy Merlin leaped into the water, towards the unmistakable form of Arthur Pendragon.

Suddenly, Arthur plummeted into the water that he had been so easily striding across and did not reappear. Panic struck Merlin and he dove head first into the icy water, searching for Arthur. For almost a minuet, Merlin did not surface and the water went still, once again looking like a cold, black mirror. All of a sudden, he burst through the water, dragging the young king with him. Slowly but steadily the pair struggled toward the shore. But Arthur had been knocked out and Merlin could not support his weight and the two of them sank beneath the icy waves. Anyone passing by would never have known that two men were drowning right before their very eyes. Seconds went by and still there was no sign of the sorcerer and the king who were lost beneath the water of the lake. Then, bursting through the dark came a glow. That glow spread and grew brighter and brighter. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Merlin shot out of the water clutching Arthurs lifeless body at his side. Coughing and spluttering he dragged himself and Arthur onto the shore. Immediately he begann shaking his friends body calling for him to wake up. Then, without warning, Arthur begann coughing and chocking and spat out a large amount of water. “That’s it Arthur, breathe, breathe.” When all the water was out of his lungs, Arthur focused his vision on Merlin. “Merlin?” What, what happened? What are you doing here? What am I doing here?” With tears of joy in his eyes, Merlin hugged his long lost friend close and did not let go until Arthur began to protest. “Merlin what in Gods name are you doing get off me!”. “Oh it’s Arthur alright”, Merlin thought to himself with a grin. “Stop grinning like a fool and tell what’s going on you idiot!”, Arthur huffed, clearly himself again. “Don’t you remember Arthur? The final battle? You reunited Albion? Arthur, you died.” Blinking with confusion, the young king looked up at his old friends face. Abruptly, is expression changed and he stared out onto the lake. “I remember now”, he murmured, “But how am I here? How am I alive?” Merlin. still grinning, said, “I don’t know Arthur. I don’t know.”