Arthur slumped on his knees.
His palms sank to the cold ground and he breathed deeply.
In. Out.
Breathe.
He is alive. He is alive. He must be alive.
Breathe.
Arthur closed his eyes.
Merlin!
He couldn't do anything, he couldn't even help himself.
They had lost him.
He had lost him. His head went down and a sob shook his body.
Forgive me. Forgive me.
How much he regretted what he had said.
Get up! You can't stay here! You can't let him die in vain.
Arthur scrambled up.
He must be alive!
And Arthur ran.
He ran like a devil on his heels. Through the woods, through the river and cold water and ice.
He doesn't know how to back down, never.
Maybe we have a chance.
Maybe he is still alive.
His magic…
Forgive me!
For a moment the tears blinded him, and he stumbled.
Why I didn't listened him. I was blind. So blind.
"Help him, help him…" Arthur whispered when someone received him. Strong arms wrapped around him, supported him, helped to continue.
"You're safe now."
"Merlin… He…"
"He betrayed us."
Arthur shook his head. No Merlin. Never Merlin.
"No, no, you don't understand! Merlin saved me! He… He and Gwaine… Gwaine knew. He knew, and he helped Merlin. And they got me safe. But Gwaine got shot. And Merlin… He has to be alive."
"But Merlin has magic…"
"Yes, he has. And I though… But I was so wrong…. I didn't listened him before it was too late… But he got me safe… He and Gwaine…"
Silence.
There weren't any more words to say out.
No one moved.
They looked their king who was stained with blood.
"Then we go and we found him." Someone said finally.
Arthur looked up.
Percival.
"If just to gain their bodies back to those who miss them." The knight said.
And Arthur nodded.
He must be alive.
No, English isn't my language so I'm sorry for any mistakes.
I can only hope that you still enjoy my little stories like usually.