Hey, everyone! So, I had posted this a long time ago, and decided to rewrite it, as my writing skills have improved. I hope you enjoy it!

Don't own Merlin.

Lancelot [Bravery]

Lancelot had said it before. He still remembered the day perfectly. He had just been re-knighted by Arthur, and he remembered seeing the mixed look of pride and hurt that Merlin had. It had hurt Lancelot too, to think of his friend so sad, when he normally at least pretended to be so happy. If his cover had slipped that way it meant that something was really wrong.

Looking around, he noticed what Merlin saw. There they were, all of them: four knights (three of them recently knighted), the Court Physician, Gwen, who all of them knew was someday going to be Queen anyway (no matter how much it pained Lancelot) and Arthur - and this last one was obvious, he was the Prince. Lancelot could see Merlin's point, 'so where did he stand'?

So he had talked with Merlin, trying to build his confidence. You should be the one knighted, he had said, you are the bravest of us all, and he doesn't even know it.

Merlin had smiled a half-heartened smile, probably more at Lancelot's friendship and words of encouragement than from really believing those words; Lancelot had been able to notice it on the cloudy blue eyes. The nearly knighted man had felt humbled just looking into them. Here he was, the most powerful man in earth, the most powerful warlock to ever walk the earth – that would ever walk the earth – and he spent his time serving everyone else, giving to everyone else.

The next morning, Lancelot volunteered to partner with Merlin, not just because of a precaution. No, he was going to do whatever it took to keep save Merlin, to help him achieve his destiny; because he was a friend, the best Lancelot had and if Lancelot was anything, he was honourable and loyal, and he'd prove it to Merlin that he had other people there for him.

Now, in a mission to help save the people of Camelot, after Merlin took the hit of the Dorocha for Arthur; making Lancelot even more awestruck of his dear friend, even if he had stopped being surprised so long ago; listening to him talking to the dragon - he wondered if it was even possible to keep his promise.

The dragon had called him the bravest and noblest of them all. Lancelot shook himself inwardly. Right. Like it was really true, like if anyone could say that with Merlin standing beside him.

"We're on our way to the Isle of the Blessed to help Arthur heal it," said Lancelot after a couple of very, in his opinion, awkward words.

"Indeed. But at what price?" said the dragon with his raspy voice.

"I know that the spirit world demands a sacrifice," Merlin admitted.

"It demands nothing," the dragon grunted. "It is the Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world who asks such a price."

"And there is no other way?" asked Merlin hopefully.

"There is not."

Lancelot watched Merlin's face acquire a hard look of determination and acceptance, like a warrior's before a battle he knew he couldn't win.

"Arthur intends to sacrifice himself to heal the veil. It is my destiny to protect him; you taught me that."

Lancelot gulped silently. So this is where everything leads on, didn't it? Obviously Merlin would save Arthur, it was his destiny, his mission and it may even be his doom. He remembered Gwen's words, Gwen's demand. Bring him home, she had said. Lancelot exhaled. It seemed like Merlin and he had the same mission for now, didn't they?

"Merlin, you must not do this," the dragon pleaded, and Lancelot waited with baited breath.

"Then I have no choice," said Merlin serenely. "I must take his place."

"From the moment I met you, I saw something that was invisible. Now it is there for all to see."

"A lot of what you see, old friend, is what you taught me."

"It will be an empty world without you, young warlock."

Lancelot waited, not wanting to interrupt in such a personal talk; his decision now almost completely made. He had to talk to Merlin, because he knew that even if Merlin didn't know about Lancelot's plans, he would unconsciously inspire the knight to follow through with it. Maybe he could borrow some of that bravery the man had, before he gave up on it and let his fear win.

"When we get to the Isle of the Blessed," Lancelot started, hesitantly. "Do you really intend to sacrifice yourself?"

Merlin sighed. "What do you want me to say?"

"I look at you and I wonder about myself," Lancelot admitted. He was worried, too, that Merlin could make such decisions without blinking, and the warlock seemed so sure of himself, so sure of destiny, so sure of Arthur. "Would I knowingly give up my life for something?"

Merlin looked at him. A mixture of determination and wisdom was on his face; but Lancelot could see the pain in his gaze too.

"You have to have a reason. Something you care about," Merlin explained fiercely. "Something that's more important than anything."

Lancelot had been right. He frowned for a moment, allowing the thoughts to catch. Arthur wanted to sacrifice himself to save everybody. Gwen had asked him to protect Arthur. Merlin wanted to take Arthur's place. There was no way he'd let anything happen to Merlin – he had promised himself that long ago – and there was no way he'd dishonour Guinevere's petition.

He'd be the only one sacrificing himself, because he had a reason and it was many things: love, loyalty, friendship and hope. But most of all, he would do it for the boy who once helped him become a knight, for the man that Arthur was going to be someday and for the world they'd create together. Gwen's words stuck on his head, only giving him more confidence as he walked towards the blinding, messy, raw light; he only turned back once, Merlin's face pale and frozen in horror, a look of terrible dawning realisation. The knight smiled sadly, and then, he was gone.