It was a cold and beautiful winter day. Arthur narrowed his eyes as the sun's light mirrored off the surface of the ice. Then he turned to look at Merlin who stood on the rampart, watching at the sky. Arthur noticed how tired he looked. Their latest adversity had taken all of their all strength, but Merlin seemed to be even more exhausted than Arthur. Of course, Merlin refused to rest. He claimed that he was okay, when everybody could see that he wasn't.

"Merlin."

"Yes Arthur?" Merlin's voice was so weak. He didn't turn his gaze away from the sky.

"Are you alright?" Maybe this time he could get some answers.

"Look at how beautiful the sky is. It's so blue and bright. I want to fly."

Arthur though that if there was a strong wind, it would take Merlin up into the sky, seeing how fragile and small he was now.

"You have no wings Merlin."

Merlin chuckled, like Arthur said something really funny.

"You know, maybe I have."

"Don't be ridiculous."

Merlin turned his eyes to Arthur, but his gaze seemed to be somewhere else. They were where Arthur could never see.

"Did I ever tell you about when I finally met my father?"

Arthur startled. "No, you have never said that."

"No, I didn't, you are right. I have never told you about that." Merlin nodded and stared again at the sky.

"When was that?"

"Years ago. It… it was a short meeting. I got him back. And then I lost him again. He never told me… He never had time to tell, but I know what he must have felt when he looked up at the sky. Because I feel that same longing. That eternal yearning. And every time I feel the wind up there, I can feel free. I'm like a dragonfly. When you dive in the white clouds, it's like you hold the scepter of air. I hope he felt that too, before he… Before he died. I hope his last fly was tender." Merlin swayed and Arthur grabbed his arm to support him.

"Merlin…"

"I hope that the winds got him. That they carried him away. I cried so much that day…" Merlin collapsed to his knees and pulled Arthur with him.

"So it must be…"

"Merlin, stay with me. Merlin!" Arthur yelled when Merlin fell down into the snow.

"Merlin!"

I got my inspiration for this from Kaija Koo's song Viimeinen lento/The last fly.

beta by TheJunebug1218 (thank you so much again)