Okay, as most of my rant about the awesomeness of series 4 episode one is in my Illusions chapter, I will try to spare you all here. This is something I wrote yesterday, and it's a bit depressing. Nevertheless, I resolved to put it up today in celebration of Merlin's return. YAY MERLIN!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
A single moment can make a world of difference. It was something Arthur had always thought he knew- something he had had drilled in to him during his childhood, and had been aware of in every battle he had faced in his lifetime. It was something he had thought every fibre of his being was brutally aware of.
How wrong he had been.
But now he knew it. Now, with Guinevere sobbing at his side. Now, with Merlin and his Knights looking on, hopelessly. Uselessly.
Now, with his son's lifeless body cradled in his lap.
Arthur wouldn't cry. He couldn't. Kings didn't cry. Instead, he simply hugged his son closer, noticing nothing around him, but instead just the steady pace of his insides turning numb.
It was supposed to have been a simple ride through the forest- a quick visit to one of the neighbouring kingdoms, to celebrate the princess there coming of age. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this.
There was only one question going through Arthur's mind. How? How had this happened? Preben had only fallen from his horse. The Prince was young- barely even seven years old. It wasn't like it hadn't happened before. So why, this time, did he die?
It had all happened in an instant. One moment, their party had been riding leisurely, discussing whether the young princess had changed much since the last visit from Camelot's rulers three years previously. The next, Preben's horse had reared. And the young prince had fallen- tumbling to the floor with a startled cry. And breaking his neck on a protruding stone.
His death had been instantaneous. There was nothing anyone could do. Not even Merlin, with all his powers, could reverse what had happened- not without trading another life in return. And, even though he hated it, Arthur knew, instinctively, that Merlin would never use that power again. Not after what had happened with Uther.
And so now his son lay dead, his normally sparkling azure eyes now blank and faded. His usually boundless energy gone. Forever.
Nothing would ever be the same again. It was something Arthur knew for sure. Not for him. Not for Guinevere. Not for Camelot. As he laid Preben's body on the cart, and as they turned with unspoken agreement to return to the city, it was a solid certainty which sank itself deep inside the King's soul.
A single moment can change everything. And in that single moment, the bright and beautiful path Arthur had been walking on changed direction, and faded to the blackness of despair.
And Camelot's legend would fade with him.
... :'(