Okay so I was bored and I was listening to Lamb - Gorecki [which is an awesome song] and I felt compelled to write a short something for Arthur and Merlin.
Its just a little bit in Le Morte D'Arthur before Merlin goes running off to the Isle of the Blessed.
As usual, Arthur and Merlin dont belong to me. And that is a very depressing thought. =/
If I Should Die This Very Moment
Everything ached.
It was as if a heavy weight were set upon his chest, not allowing him to move although his mind was awake. He could hear the sounds of people coming and going. He could hear Gwen voice her faith in him, he could hear his father apologising and he could hear Morgana sobbing. But none of them stayed long and he was often left alone for hours at a time. It was as if the novelty of Arthur's sickness had worn off and no one wanted to be by his side anymore. Except Merlin, of course. He could hear the servant clearing away bits and pieces around the room, sharpening and cleaning various weapons and polishing his boots. Merlin didn't need to do any of those things because Arthur wasn't able make a mess or order him about, but still he stayed and tidied.
As Arthur drifted in and out of consciousness again, he felt someone climb onto his bed and sit next to him. After a moments pause, Arthur felt that someone slip their arms around him and pull him up against their chest. Arthur's face brushed against soft fabric and he knew instantly that it was Merlin's scarf. For some reason, knowing it was Merlin who was cradling him made Arthur's heart leap.
"I'm sorry, Arthur," Merlin whispered, brushing a shaking hand through Arthur's blonde hair. "I'm so sorry."
Then something dripped onto Arthur's face and he realised Merlin was crying. He longed to be able to reach up and wipe away the tears but his body refused to move under his command, so he was forced to lay there completely still and unable to comfort Merlin.
For a while Merlin sat in the same position, cuddling Arthur to his chest. Then the wizard seemed to decide that it was hurting his back so he lay down beside Arthur, the prince still in his arms. Arthur knew his mind should've been crying out against this, but it wasn't. For the first time in a very long while, he felt completely safe. He knew that as long as Merlin was there with his arms around him, nothing could happen. He was safe. Merlin's cool breath washed over his face and his soft fingers caressed his skin. It was so wrong but it felt so right.
And Arthur suddenly understood the meaning of the phrase 'two sides of the same coin'. He'd found his other half.
If I should die this very moment, I wouldn't fear for I've never known completeness like being here. Wrapped in the warmth of you, loving every breath of you.
Merlin's lips pressed against Arthur's hair.
"I'm going to save you," he promised before releasing his friend and master and slowly slipping away. Arthur frowned at Merlin's disappearance, but he knew everything was going to be alright because now he had finally found the one he'd been waiting for.
Short and sweet? Tell me what you think =) x x