Thank you for choosing to read my first ever attempt at fan fiction!

This fic is set after the end of series 5, and contains spoilers for the whole show, so read at your own risk if you've not seen the whole show.

The only other warning I have for you is that it is quite possible that this will end up being quite long. I have a very specific plan for where this is headed, and I expect it to grow to a very substantial length. Never fear, I will not live it unfinished. No matter what, I will complete this fic. Expect an update at least once a week, but perhaps more if inspiration happens to strike me.

Please review and let me know if there's anything you especially like that I've written so far, or if there's an element you'd really like me to add. If it fits with my goal for this fic, I will do my best. My goal is ultimately to create the best return story for Arthur and Merlin that I can, so your comments are very helpful. If you ever want to PM me, feel free to send me any thoughts you might have! I would love to meet my readers!

Without further ado, I present:

"The Once and Future Risen King."

Chapter 1 – Arthur

It was the sensation of becoming aware that first struck Arthur Pendragon.

He felt as if he had been unconscious, yet somehow he knew exactly what had happened around him and in his own mind during that entire period.

Arthur had been asleep for a very long time.

The second sensation to strike him was that of being underwater. This was for the simple reason that he was, in fact, suspended beneath the surface of a lake.

His armor should have dragged him down, but he was instead resting in the center of the body of water, about halfway down, as restful as if he was in his own bed.

The memories of how he had come to be in this lake were fuzzy, but it occurred to Arthur that he must have died. Was the afterlife underwater? He hadn't expected it to be, but he also hadn't expected to wake up from death.

A feeling of movement struck him next, and Arthur realized he was slowly drifting towards the surface of the water. In clenching his hands, he realized he was holding his sword. The sword Merlin had given him.

Merlin!

Memories were starting to come back to him the closer he got to the surface. There had been a battle, and a sorcerer had helped his army to win. Except, it hadn't been a true victory. Mordred had stabbed him.

Oddly enough, where there ought to be a wound Arthur could feel no scar.

What had happened after that? Merlin had dragged him into the forest, then revealed that he was in fact a sorcerer. Not just a sorcerer – he was the sorcerer. That insane old man Arthur had hated for so long. It was impossible to believe. It was even worse when Arthur realized Gaius had always known.

The bright light shining through the water struck Arthur's face. He could feel the sunbeams as he rose.

Merlin had protected Arthur as they traveled, hoping to reach a place where he could be cured of the enchantment Mordred's sword had possessed.

Arthur had come to accept Merlin's magic. Merlin wasn't evil, he knew that, and Merlin was using magic for good. Above all, he was using magic to protect Arthur.

They had been too late. That memory came last, rushing forward alongside the one of his sister dying at his best friend's hand. He had died shortly after that, and suddenly he knew what had followed his death. Merlin had buried him in the lake, and it had been hard. Arthur suddenly felt guilty, leaving Merlin like that. He'd never been that great of a friend, truth be told. Merlin had really been remarkably patient with him over the years. Dying in Merlin's arms had been cruel.

The onslaught of memories ceased just in time for Arthur's head to break through the surface of the water. He gasped, and air filled his lungs. It was a curious sensation; becoming alive again after being dead for so long. His eyes opened and he took in his surroundings.

It looked much like it had when he died, but Arthur couldn't pinpoint what was different about it. Sloshing out of the lake, he stood on the bank for a moment, allowing the water to seep out of his garments and drip off his chain mail.

How long had he been gone?

Arthur had no idea where to go, but as soon as he began to look around he noticed the tents. They were brightly colored, like the tournament tents in Camelot, and they surrounded the lake. People were milling in and out of the tents, dressed in way that reminded him of Camelot, but seemed off somehow.

Determined to understand, Arthur moved towards the tents. Being no longer dead meant he was king again, which meant he needed to find his kingdom. Or, he had been dead for so long that he was no longer king and didn't have a kingdom, but he refused to dwell on the possibility. For now, he would pretend to fit in with these people. Someone would be able to help him understand what had happened.