AU where Arthur wakes up next to the lake. He feels cold and tired, like he can't fully wake up. He's sore, but for the most part he's able to get himself back to Camelot. The city and his queen welcome him back with relief and jubilation...but Merlin is not there.
"We expected him to come back with you," Gwen says.
"He'll turn up," Leon says, but it sounds hollow. Arthur knows he's waiting for his brother knights, and as the days go on, neither the knights, nor Merlin return home.
Arthur is slowly losing his mental fortitude, and Gaius is the only person who is honest with him. "Something must have happened, sire."
"You think he's a prisoner of war?"
"No. I think Merlin...did something. What do you remember?"
"I remember...I believed I was dying. But then I woke up and I was fine."
It takes another day and a half for Gaius to build up the courage to tell him, "Your majesty, I have reason to believe that you did perish at Mordred's blade."
"Then why am I sat here talking to you? You can see me. Hear me. I can touch things."
"Sire...do you remember the illusion Morgause gave you all those years ago? About your mother?"
Arthur had willingly pushed that memory to the back of his mind, where the darkest and quietest waters made no sound unless forcefully stirred. The look on his face, however, encourages Gaius to continue, "Do you remember what she told you? About your conception?"
Arthur tried to make light of it. "Nobody wants to think too much on their conception."
Gaius, ever the stoic physician, persevered, "Except Ygraine could not. Bringing you into this world evoked an ancient magic, the magic of life and death. The sorceress who utilized it, did so in such a way that allowed you to be born, but at the price of your mother. Souls trading places in this world."
Arthur knew what Gaius was telling him, but he did not want to know. Did not want it to possibly, ever feasibly, be true. Out of politeness, he hears his voice say, "What are you telling me?"
The old physician's demeanor did break as he took a deep breath. "I'm telling you...that I believe Merlin traded places with you."
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