Merlin smiled and sat down on the ground next to Arthur. "Remember that singer a few years back after I first met you?" Merlin glanced over at Arthur to make sure he was still listening. Arthur nodded, determined to not look at Merlin. Merlin turned his eyes back to the sky.
"That dagger that embedded itself in the chair? That dagger should have hit you. I used magic to slow it down and pull you out of the way for two reasons. One, it was my destiny to save you no matter how arrogant you were and two, I had to save you in a way that wouldn't reveal my magic so I could continue to save you. I never wanted to use my magic for evil intentions. I only ever used it to save you so we could build a great kingdom. One that would be spoken of for ages to come. One grand life lesson for an entire kingdom and the generations to come after. Arthur, Merlin looked back at Arthur, you must understand. I didn't have a choice, it was my destiny and even if it had been my choice I wouldn't have changed a thing. You're my best friend, Arthur, I don't know what I would do without you. You have to keep fighting, Arthur, please, don't give up!"
Arthur nodded slowly and closed his eyes, "I just need some sleep, Merlin."
Merlin's eyes teared up as he watched his dying friend drift off to sleep, knowing that he wasn't yet forgiven. He knew it would be hard to convince Arthur of his good intentions after all now Arthur knew who had killed his father in the first place. It wasn't going to be easy for Arthur to take this in, but the one person he needed to accept him was dying. He needed Arthur to understand before he - no, no that wasn't going to happen.
Merlin wiped away his tears with the back of his arm. No, he was going to save Arthur no matter what. He was the greatest wizard of the age and there was no one who could stop from his destiny. This was his destiny after all to save Arthur, it didn't matter what was foretold, he would save his friend, even if it meant dying in his place.
Merlin spent the rest of the night watching over Arthur, making sure he was comfortable, keeping the fire going, checking his wound, changing bandages, and made breakfast in the morning, even though all Arthur wanted was water.
"Please, Arthur, you have to eat!"
"Merlin! No. I'm fine. I'm not hungry." Merlin was skeptical of that, but they had to get moving time was running out and Arthur was looking worse and worse. Merlin quickly packed up the things, with as little magic as possible so as not to upset Arthur, then he slung everything on the horses and moved on.