even though the future and the truck was pretty amazing.
First Fanfic hope it's not too terrible.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part or rights to Merlin or any BBC associations.
It had been but an hour since Merlin had let his friend float into the distance, he couldn't leave this place, his thoughts glued him to his place. Before Merlin had called upon Kilgharrah he was sure he could save Arthur. The dragon would take them the last of their trip; Merlin would loyally escort his King back to Camelot to reap the rewards of yet another win for their land. The scene playing out like every other successful quest he had safeguarded Arthur through. But this was different, Merlin had recurred the prophecy of Arthur's death to many times to forget it's conclusion. Mordrid was always to be the death of Arthur, the last test of faith in his King and Mordrid would decide which side he was to be loyal. Merlin hated himself for letting Mordrid into Camelot more, than he hated Arthur for leaving him in this world alone.
Arthur's last words of thanks burned Merlin's ears, he never wanted the glory. Merlin wasn't just humble he was glad to serve his friend; he would give his life a hundred times if it meant Arthur could live on. Even his command of "Just hold me" couldn't have made it easier; Merlin couldn't have stopped the contact between them if he'd have wanted to. Arthur needed to be held just as much as Merlin did, the love an appreciation that passed between the two in that moment was all Merlin had hoped for, for years. Then having it ripped from him as Arthur's last touch reaching his hand behind Merlin's head and his hand dropped. Having someone you love die in your arms is a pain Merlin wouldn't wish on his worst enemy. The Life fading from his soul, just as Arthur's ceremonial boat had faded from his view. Arthur wasn't returning to him this time; no amount of magic could bring his friend back from the dead.
They had amounted to so much together, achieved so much change and greatness but now that was all shot to shreds. The shreds of clothing that lay around Merlin, as he ripped at his shirt to feel his heart. Merlin could feel the dull thuds beneath his chest, the monotonous beating which he didn't deserve. Why did he live when Arthur had to die, 'why?' the word, the question that thrashed at his skull as Merlin crumpled into a heap over his folded legs.
Merlin crumpled at the waters edge heard the voices of his own head, rushing around his skull. Not noticing the whispers of another's voice, calling to him.
"Merlin," the unknown voice begging for his attention.
Merlin looked up suddenly, hearing a woman's voice. Seeing nothing Merlin stared unto the Isle where he was so close to saving Arthur, again delving into his sadness. Sinking just below the surface of depression, when again he heard his name being called. "Merlin," repeated the mysterious voice. "Do not be so quick as to judge the fates." Nothing had appeared in Merlins vision but he knew the general source of the voice, it appeared to come from the water's surface. "As The Great Dragon Kilgharrah has advised, he is not just the King to change it all, he is the 'Once, and future King.' The Great King to rule the land past his time." Merlin glided his hands upon the surface of the lake. "Who are you? Your wisdom does not make the world a better place, Arthur being alive does. Show yourself so I can see the ignorance of the new world."
A droplet of water rippled out from the surface where Merlin's hand had been seconds ago, drifted through the sky to a few centimetres away from his face. A soft face formed in the droplet, and begun to speak.
"Merlin, we are Vilia. Spirits of the water, we have assisted in dire times before as you may recall. Lancelot a fallen soldier of Camelot required our assistance in keeping you alive, we obliged, knowing no greater deservers of our help."
"If you seek my thanks you have it, for I had not have been here today without your magics. But I do not know what you seek further; the world has taken from me those I love. Was this not a dire time enough for the help of your kind?" Merlin wasn't mentally strong enough to fight with another person who could have saved his King but decided not to, he was to upset to care.
"We did consider intervening, but there was little we could do. The prophecy was to strong and set in its ways for interference, a great evil must sometimes conquer a greater good. We do not seek anything from you Merlin, but we give you instead a chance."
Merlin understood the forces of the prophecy, instead of taking out his pain on those who seemed to offer help humoured her words.
"A chance for what, how can you help?"
"Many things reach the surface of my waters, you have recently blessed I and my sister within the lake with the sacred Excalibur. Arthur has himself gifted my lake with ripples of an magical item, beware and heed my warning things thrown into the depths are placed within for a reason."
Merlin wished for no more trouble or pain and did not wish to disturb the land and its ways. But if this object belonged to Arthur, no matter its magical properties he would be thankful to own it.
"I will take your gift, I thank you for all you have done for me."
The Vilia disappeared and instead a rippling started at the surface, the item had been summoned and at the inner ripple it floated. Merlin reached his hand unto the water and gripped his fingers around it. He studied the item for mere seconds, before recalling why Arthur would have rid himself of the object in such a final way.