Hello lovely readers ... I wonder ... did any of you HATE the ending as much as I did? Seriously the last ten minutes or so were stupidly cliche and annoying! Arthur's death wasn't even all that sad! It was poorly done and ending it in the modern day was predictable and rubbish. Everyone was out of character, no one seemed to care about Gwaine, Morgana's end was pretty anticlimatic and dull and we didn't see anything about Merlin going back to Camelot. I mean come on! Everyone loved Arthur but no one was crying at the end? Not even Gwen? I mean I don't like Gwen anyway but she had all the emotion of wet paint in the last scene. UGH!

Anyhow, rant over :P this is basically how I wanted it to go (Maybe not exactly but something similar)

That pretty much suggests that I don't own Merlin right? Seeing as how I would have changed a LOT of that last episode and made it good

So basically substitute after they land at the lake and add this bit in

This chapter is dedicated to me I think :P to comfort myself for a terrible ending to a brilliant series.

Enjoy ^.^

This was wrong … This was all wrong. Arthur dying in his arms thanking him for things he had taken for granted for the past ten years, Kilgarrah telling him that there was nothing he could do to help said Arthur. And Merlin himself, about to give up. No. This wasn't him. This wasn't any of them, Merlin and Arthur's last words together should have been heartfelt feelings covered with playful banter, Kilgarrah was the one who told him to protect the man, so suddenly changing his mind after he had flown them all the way to the lake was baffling. There was something strange about this place. As he clutched Arthur's pale form, he looked around helplessly. He could feel Excalibur in his hand; he stroked the hilt gently, looking from the Isle to his king. Would it hurt to try? If Arthur was going to die anyway then another hour or so trying to bring him back wouldn't exactly hurt anyone. At least then he could be certain that he did everything in his power to save him. Determined, he gripped the sword tighter and slid it back into Arthur's sheath. Picking up the still form he struggled to the boat that would take him to the Isle. He would see this through to the very end. No matter what. He didn't care if Camelot didn't need Arthur anymore. Merlin did. His eyes flashed gold as he laid Arthur down in the boat and sat next to him, the Kings head on his lap. He stroked the golden hair comfortingly, more for his own benefit than Arthur's. As the boat began to slide through the glassy water, he could feel his breath hitching with dry sobs that he couldn't contain as his grief set in. He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath. He hadn't failed yet.

Arthur felt very far away. He felt as if he was horizontal, but he didn't seem to be lying on anything. He felt no urgency to sit up or open his eyes. He was peaceful, and happy right where he was. Then he felt a niggle in the back of his mind. He'd forgotten something, something important. He frowned. Maybe he should sit up. But he was warm and comfortable and if he moved he had a feeling that things would change. And he really didn't need to. After all, Merlin would tell him when it was time to get up. He always did. That was what he paid him for after all. So Arthur stayed right where he was.

A second later, or maybe it was a long time, it didn't seem important; he felt a pressure on his head. Someone was stroking his hair. It wasn't Gwen, he deduced. Gwen never did that. Him and Guinevere were only really married for convenience. They were great friends, and cared about each other, but it just wasn't the love that everyone seemed to think. Arthur would need an heir, and he had needed a wife. Gwen made a great queen and as a former servant it brought Camelot closer together and did wonders for morale. She was a good woman, and she had found love elsewhere, with Lancelot. And although she hadn't said much, he was pretty sure that she had found someone since his death. Arthur gave her his blessing and was happy for her. Wishing only that he could find the same joy. But he didn't want to think about that, not when he was so nice and warm, and the stroking of his hair lulled him into a doze.

A bump as the boat came to a stop jerked Merlin out of his thoughts, eyes on the Once and Future King he struggled to pick him up with the boat rocking unsteadily

'Prat' he muttered 'You could have laid off of those pork pies. I told you that you'd get even fatter but did you listen? Pfft, as if' after some effort, he managed to almost drag Arthur onto the shore where he could comfortably pick him up again. Years of carrying luggage, boxes and supplies of a medical and edible variety had made him surprisingly strong for his stature and lack of muscles, so lifting up Arthur wasn't as difficult as it could have been. His eyes lingered on the wound in his Kings side, the drying blood surrounding it, the cause of all this trouble. He staggered through the stone archway and up a short flight of steps where he came to an alter, not unlike the Isle of the Blessed; he laid Arthur upon it. Taking a step back, he felt his eyes filling up at the image of the motionless body of his king on a stone plinth. He blinked back his tears and tore his eyes away to inspect his surroundings. There was no one in sight. But in these places, he had noticed that those around liked to make dramatic entrances.

'Hello?' he called. His voice echoed back to him off the cold, grey stone. No answer. He wasn't exactly sure what he was meant to do here. He walked back to Arthur. Gaius had said that his magic wouldn't work, and he had never been very good at healing spells anyway, but he had to try. Maybe this place enhanced his magic, increased his power. Maybe.

He whispered a few words of the Old Religion. He felt the magic build up inside him, almost saw it fly from his outstretched hand into Arthur's wound. But there was no change.

'Emrys' hissed a voice from behind him, he spun quickly, but he couldn't see anyone 'We felt your magic'

'Who are you?' Merlin ventured, standing in front of Arthur protectively 'What do you want?'

'That depends on what you want Emrys. And you have met our like twice before. Under different circumstances'.

'You are a Sidhe', it was a statement rather than a question, and at that moment, he caught sight of a ball of light, flitting to and fro that seemed to be watching him. He hadn't seen it before as it was close enough to the glare of the sun to easily be missed.

'Yes' came the reply. 'What is it that you seek here, in the heart of our magic?'

'I'm looking for help' confessed the warlock 'My friend is dying. And I heard that you may know of a way to save him' The ball of light hovered for an instant, so he could see the little blue fairy-like creature seeming so consider his words, he then (for it sounded male) floated over to inspect Arthur a little more closely. Merlin didn't move, knowing a rash action could cost him the help he sought.

'An expensive favour' the Sidhe said, turning to Merlin 'Tell me Emrys, why should we help you? You who have killed four of our kind and one of our pixie servants, why should we save one of yours?' That silenced Merlin for a second, his eyes darted to Arthur and he drew strength from the fact that he needed to do this

'Because I am asking it of you' he said, voice trembling 'And because I will pay whatever price you need' the Sidhe made a gleeful hissing noise

'You know what this type of magic requires Emrys. This is more powerful than the Cup of Life and so demands a sacrifice. You did not appreciate the efforts of the High Priestess, you killed her instead. So tell me once more Emrys, why should I help you?'

'Because you are my last hope'

'And without hope, you will be nothing, and he will be dead. This man is important to you not only because he is your king I sense.'

'He is my friend also'

'Hmm...' said the Sidhe 'perhaps that is it' He then circled Merlin twice in quick succession 'So the price for such a path is a difficult one. But the king will be as he once was, I promise you that. He will walk and talk and feel and love as before, exactly as if he had not been touched with a dragon forged blade.'

'That is all I desire' The Sidhe laughed, a cruel laugh

'It may be the last you desire' he said 'for you can desire nothing without a soul' Merlin looked up to the Sidhe, wide eyed

'The price is my soul?' the creature nodded

'In a sense. In reality, the price is your magic. Your power will make your king whole again, but it will in turn break you' Merlin frowned, confused 'But Morgana took my magic once before...'

'No' the Sidhe interrupted 'She only suppressed it. You are a creature of magic, and to take your magic is to take the very essence of yourself. Your magic and your soul are so deeply entwined with each other that one cannot be taken without the other. You must understand this Emrys. Before you agree to continue in this pursuit.' The Sidhe paused then, giving Merlin time to think over his words. His soul. His life he would give without a thought but his soul? Could one live without a soul? Would he become a shade, like Lancelot? And life without his magic would be no life at all. Would he realise that without his soul?

'Will I live?'

'Aye, for a time. But you should hope not to. You will walk and talk and hear and see and eat. But you will not feel. You will have no memory, or emotion'

'How long will it take for me to be drained?'

'It will take as long as it takes for the king to grow strong again. When he reaches full strength, then you will be empty. To look at his wound it will take two days to fully heal. By then, you will no longer be Emrys, but a shell of a human'

'For how long?'

'That depends upon the loss. A week, perhaps two for one so great as yours. Those with lesser power would last longer, having less of a soul to lose.'

'Thank you, for your honesty' Merlin meant his words, he had been tricked too often by those claiming to help only to have lied about what price had to be paid. Nimueh came to mind, and his mother. He would not have time to say goodbye to her. But perhaps Gaius could send word, if they made it back in time to say goodbye to him, and the knights and Gwen if they hurried back to Camelot. Before he became … whatever he was to become. He turned away from the Sidhe and stood, one hand on either end of the plinth, looking at his friend. Only the slightest breath remaining to him, kept alive only by the magic of the Isle. Could he do it? To save Arthur? Could he give up his memories? He would know no one, forget how Arthur liked his bath, forget Gaius' favourite food, forget that he wore a neckerchief. He would know nothing of the great warlock he had been, all he had done, all he had ever known would be lost to him. That would hurt Gaius especially. But in losing his friends he would save Arthur. It was a hard decision. The impact on his friends would be huge. But if he could talk to Gaius first, he could make it painless. No one would have to look after him, see him as a shell. It would be better for everyone. Merlin took a deep breath and reached out to caress the king's cheek. He would say a proper goodbye when they were riding back to Camelot, he would explain everything. And he would beg Arthur to forgive him. Taking one last look he blinked hard, only allowing one tear to fall before he sniffed and wiped it away.

'Forgive me Arthur' he prayed before turning once more, to face the Sidhe

'So Emrys, you accept the terms, for the life of Arthur Pendragon?'

Merlin nodded

'I do'

'So be it' The ball of light surrounding the Sidhe grew in brightness. The creature began to chant in the ancient tongue of the Old Religion. Merlin gasped in pain and clutched at his chest, he could feel his magic stirring, angrily bubbling against the surface of his skin. His head flew back and he let out a high, long scream, his eyes burning gold as his magic left him, and something else, tugging at him, fighting to stay, clinging onto his very mind, pulling at his essence, refusing to let go. Merlin grabbed handfuls of his hair and cried out. He wanted it to stay, all of it, it hurt to be separated from it. It hurt so much that he couldn't stand it. He could feel himself leaving, his power entering Arthur. Merlin grasped blindly for his friend, holding onto whatever he could reach, desperately needing to be grounded, reminded of who he was.

When Arthur awoke, it was to his manservant and apparently the greatest sorcerer in the world, holding onto his cloak, sobbing uncontrollably. Arthur allowed himself a grin before sitting up. Merlin jolted up too, his tear streaked eyes desperately searching to meet his own. When they did, relief was plain to see, and a brilliant smile greeted him. But there was also pain. A pain greater than anything he could imagine.

'Can you walk?' the eager voice asked. Arthur nodded, he then tried to stand and shook his head. Merlin laughed and slung Arthur's arm over his thin shoulders and placed one of his own around the king's waist 'Here' he said, lifting Arthur to a standing position. He felt Merlin stumble slightly under his weight and Arthur was about to voice either concern or a comment on laziness before he caught the determined expression on the sorcerers face.

'We have to get back to Camelot sire, as soon as possible'

'Why?' Arthur managed to croak. Merlin stilled, and the pain in his eyes seemed to increase

'I'll explain when we find the horses'

So ... what do you think? How does it compare to the episode?

Do you like it? Let me know

I'll update when I can

Love Tibbins xx