A/N:

Hey! This is my FIRST EVER fanfic, so please feel free to leave a review and let me know how I'm doing! Any review will be much appreciated!

Sorry if I'm a bit slow with the updates, but I'll try and keep on track as much as possible in-between doing all the boring school stuff life decides to chuck my way!... ;)

This is an alternate ending to Merlin 5x13- I've originally planned to make this fanfic 14 chapters long, so once again, apologies if the updates are slow- I have a lot to write! :D

Also, as this is my first fanfic, I may dedicate a future chapter to the first lucky person who reviews this, so like I said- please don't be afraid to review! :D

I'll try and post the next chapter up ASAP, but for now- Enjoy! :D x

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Merlin... *Curls up in a corner and sobs* :'(

Chapter 1

As Merlin stumbled towards the cries, he couldn't help himself from very nearly almost drowning in the sea of red that warped the land. But he mustn't stop. Not now. Not before he has fulfilled his destiny.

After his encounter with his father in the Crystal cave, Merlin needed to prove his worth- he wasn't just a clumsy and foolish manservant to the most royalists of prat's- in fact he was very far from it. He was someone far more important than that, and he was willing to do anything to protect the Once and Future King he and Camelot have grown to worship and love. Arthur was his best friend and Merlin believed it was his purpose, his destiny, to protect him- even if it meant giving up own life in return.

Merlin had done everything in his power to protect Arthur during the battle at Camlann. He could feel the magic bubbling ecstatically through his body as he sent powerful bolts of lightning towards Morgana's men- killing them instantly. But his priority was not to kill those who sided with evil. He priority was Arthur- and when he saw him retreat with a handful of knights from Camelot, he followed him without hesitation- his elder 'Emrys' form slowly fading away with every step he took.

As he neared the cries, Merlin could feel his stomach knot, as if someone was gradually twisting and crushing him inside. The overwhelming sense of defeat weighed heavily upon his shoulders as he tried not to break his stance- after all, the future of Camelot and its king depended on this moment- depended on him.
Merlin continued to make his way through sea of red that flooded the landscape until he came to a clearing. What stood before him instantly stopped Merlin in his tracks, and he froze- almost as if paralysed. After taking a moment to process the situation he was currently witnessing, he eventually proceeded.

"STOP!"

Merlin felt nauseous as glaring eyes met his own with rage and disbelief. Before him, he witnessed Arthur, who was doubled over and leaning on his sword for support, shadowed by a vengeful Mordred, who towered over the king, his own sword hovering above his friend in mid-air. Mordred's glance was now fixed not on Arthur, but on the young warlock that now stood before them.

"Mordred, please stop this! It doesn't have to end this way!"

It was the only thing Merlin could do. He knew the only way to stop the druid was through using his own magic against him, but he couldn't risk revealing himself in front of Arthur. It would crush him to know that his servant- his friend- had betrayed him after all the years they had spent in each other's company, and Merlin knew Arthur better than he knew himself. If only Arthur could understand. However, knowing deep down that pleading with Mordred wouldn't work, Merlin started to question himself. If it came to it, Merlin would have no choice. He needed to protect Arthur even if it meant risking his own life and loosing every inch of respect from the man he has spent nearly every minute of his life with since he came to Camelot. He was willing to do anything for him.

Just before Merlin could speak again, Mordred snapped his head up and retorted- his stare was full of hatred and antagonism as it met with the warlocks own glistening sea blue yet resolute eyes. The druids face twisted in rage and a small smirk started to grow before he eventually responded to the warlock's plea.

"Who are you, to think you can control me?"

His words were spat like venom. Merlin's magic started to burn up furiously inside of him as if it felt the need to retaliate- he wanted to show just what a powerful sorcerer he was, but he couldn't bring it upon himself to formulate an answer. He unruffled his magic slowly- he needed to buy some time. Instead of retaliating against Mordred's threat, Merlin just stepped forward in anticipation but was stopped instantly when his eyes met with Arthur's. They were bloodshot- filled with sorrow and pain. It was evident by his expression what he was thinking as he squeezed his eyes shut before finding the strength to retaliate.

"Merlin... You crazy buffoon! Get out of...here... while you... while you still can!"

His voice sounded horse, and he looked visibly frightened- a trait Arthur would find bemusing and improper in any knight. It was a stratagem that no matter how scared or frightened a knight was, they wouldn't dare display their weakness to their enemy- and it was a regulation Arthur had always stood by. But not now. Merlin had never seen him look so scared in all his life, and he wasn't exactly certain whether it was because there was a blade- forged in a dragon's breath- kissing his skin below his chin, or whether it was because his 'useless' servant, (as Arthur likes to put it) had just entered the scene unexpectedly. Merlin's guess was that it was probably both.

Nevertheless, Merlin smiled slightly at this playful yet commanding order. He could tell that deep down, Arthur was concerned for him- Merlin knew that there had always been a small part of Arthur -beneath his pratliness- that actually cared for Merlin's safety, although they both knew that Arthur would never admit even the slightest affection towards his servant. But the fate of Camelot and its king was still at stake, and Merlin could feel the weight of it slowly crushing him to the ground. He smiled weakly at his friend.

"Sorry Arthur, but you know I can't do that."

Arthur gave him a suppressed look as Mordred chuckled weakly at his side. Mordred's sword was still resting on Arthur's throbbing neck, and Merlin feared that the slightest movement from Mordred would seriously injure, if not kill Arthur instantly. Merlin had to be careful- he knew too well how easily the druid could be provoked. This was his last chance to stop him and he was willing to take a risk. If only, just once, Arthur would trust him.

"I made you a promise Arthur. That I would stand by you or die at your side."

He could see Arthur breathe heavily at the gesture as he fought the urge not to move too much under the influence of the cold metal blade that was kissing his skin. Mordred was growing impatient as Arthur weakly responded.

"Merlin..."

Merlin inwardly smiled at the way the king had stated his name- he had become used to the informal tone as his friend used it constantly. Arthur usually utilized it when he required Merlin's assistance immediately or when Merlin had done something stupid that had got him into trouble. However it didn't sound like the usual playful banter he was used to hearing- there was pain and desperation etched into his voice, and it saddened the young warlock greatly. He breathed out heavily before responding.

"No, Arthur- Stop. Just for once in your god damn life will you trust me?"

The warlock knew tried to sound calm but determined, but something inside of him repented as he found himself pleading with his friend. Of all the times in his life where Arthur needed to trust him now was, without hesitation, the most important of them all.

"Mer..."

"Please. Arthur."

There was a short silence before Merlin added, "You know I never do as I'm told..." At this, Arthur managed a smile. The pair didn't need to say anymore- they were but two sides of the same coin and had an unbreakable bond. Magic may be the fabric of the world, but nothing was more powerful than the friendship they shared.

"ENOUGH!"

Merlin suddenly jumped when a thunderous scream filled the air. He turned and rested his glare back upon Mordred, who now looked significantly agitated by his own outburst. Merlin tensed and could feel his magic furiously bubble inside of him. He was starting to get anxious as Mordred turned towards him, his sword still at a reasonably dangerous distance away from Arthur.

"You really are foolish aren't you Emrys. I think you underestimate me."

Merlin tensed even more, clenching his fists together into a ball. "Oh, I don't underestimate you Mordred. I know what you're capable of doing." At this, Mordred advanced further towards Merlin until they were within touching distance. Mordred slowly turned his head towards the dishevelled king- who was still slumped on the ground- before continuing. "Well then I suggest you take orders from you king and leave now before matters get any worse." He chuckled.

Merlin grinded his teeth and bravely pursued Mordred's threat. "Do you think I'm scared of you Mordred? Because we both know what I can do- so I wouldn't push your luck just yet." Merlin thought he could hear a faint mumble coming from Arthur's direction, but Mordred suddenly stirred and released his stance on Arthur, raising his sword dangerously in Merlin's direction.

"Try me"

Merlin stumbled back slightly as Mordred twisted the swords hilt fashionably using his wrist- something Arthur would usually do in a fight to show off his sword skills. Merlin drew a sharp breath before he felt the cold metal dangerously kiss his own skin. "Oh, I wouldn't if I were you."

Merlin's sudden profound warning caused Mordred to fluster slightly. They both knew how powerful the young warlock was, and Merlin was using this as an advantage. No matter how courageous Mordred tried to be, Merlin could sense the druids fear witch entwined into his dark eyes. Mordred was scared of him.

He stared into Mordred's eyes for just a few moments before he breathed in heavily and took a step back. Mordred was looking at the floor, and slowly, he lowered the sword from Merlin's pale skin. His sword was now pointing in a similar direction to the ground he stood on. Merlin suddenly felt relieved, but what came next caught him off-guard. There was yet another long silence before Mordred spoke up.

"You should have listened to your King Emrys."

I all happened very quickly. Before Merlin could question Mordred, he suddenly felt a strong force knock him backwards, and soon he was hurtling through the air before landing heavily on the rockery below him. His vision blurred and suddenly he felt extremely nauseous. He could briefly hear someone call his name, but when he tried to get up; a sharp throbbing pain shot through his head like a thorn, and forced him back down again. Everything around him started to fade and his ribs ached. As the black spots started dancing furiously in the corners of his eyes, all Merlin could think about was Arthur as his breathing became laboured and he tried not to sink into the oblivion.