A/N: This is my first fic ever so be nice please! Constructive criticism is welcomed. Hope you enjoy it!
Warnings: character death
I unfortunately do not own Merlin or any of the characters :(
It had all started as a relaxing hunt in the woods, a way for him and the knights to have some fun after the stress of defeating the latest enchanted army that attempted an attack on Camelot. It was wishful thinking he supposed, it seemed that not a week went by without some sort of threat to his life; this whole crown prince business was very exhausting. Coming out of his reverie Arthur pulled his sword from the chest it was buried in and turned to face the next attacker.
He shook his head at the look of surprise in the man's eyes as Arthur's sword slipped neatly between his ribs, piercing his heart. As the man fell to the ground dead Arthur sighed, this was really getting old. If someone wanted him dead they should at least send a competent assassin, the swordsmanship of these men was worse than Merlin's.
At the thought of his manservant Arthur quickly scanned the chaos but before he found Merlin his attention was drawn to the two men advancing on him menacingly. Arthur spun his sword in anticipation as the men drew closer; two against one might actually be a challenge!
He had just dispatched the two attackers when a flash of red caught his attention, spinning quickly on the balls of his feet Arthur turned just in time to see Merlin impale himself on a sword meant for the prince. Time seemed to slow as Arthur watched Merlin crumple to the ground, a pool of red spreading impossibly quickly across the forest floor beneath him. Letting out a roar of rage Arthur swung his sword, beheading the man who had hurt Merlin, before dropping to his knees beside the still form.
Arthur tore a strip off his shirt, pressing it against the gaping wound in Merlin's stomach but within seconds the cloth was soaked through and he sat back staring helplessly at his hands, soaked red with Merlin's blood. "Merlin…" he said but his voice broke so he cleared his throat and tried again "Merlin, you idiot, you have no sense of self-preservation. I forbid you to die! Do you hear me?"
Merlin's eyelids flickered before opening halfway "You… prat" he heaved out.
Arthur tried to smile but his eyes filled with tears. "Merlin… I never got to… I don't know how to…" he began, pulling Merlin to his chest and holding him tightly.
Merlin raised a trembling hand to Arthur's lips, shushing him before saying "You'll… be a great… king… someday" His breaths were shallower now, coming in short gasps and the bleeding had slowed to a trickle.
Arthur allowed the tears to slip silently down his cheeks as he held Merlin's gaze until his eyelids closed and his breathing stopped. Leaning down to plant a kiss on his manservant's forehead Arthur whispered, "I'll miss you my friend, you've no idea how much."
He laid Merlin's body on the ground gently before curling in on himself and giving in to the giant sobs that threatened to tear him apart with their intensity. He didn't know how long he sat there but after a while he became aware of a firm hand on his shoulder.
"We should head back to Camelot, Sire." Leon said quietly.
Nodding sharply Arthur stood, wiping his swollen eyes with the back of his hand. He gathered Merlin in his arms, cradling him like a child, and mounted his horse making no mention of his breakdown. Merlin was a man worthy of Arthur's tears and no matter what anyone else thought Arthur would not be ashamed of them.
In life Merlin had been fiercely loyal and unafraid to speak his mind to the prince but most of all, he had believed that Arthur was capable of being a great king. That day in the woods Arthur vowed to himself that he would honor Merlin's sacrifice and become the man that Merlin had glimpsed in him, a man that Merlin would have been proud to call king.