How Many Coffins Before There's A Crown?

A/N: I know what you're thinking. I have a thing for short, angsty one-shots, right? Yeah, I really do. This particular one was inspired after reading Kitty O's Mergana fic, Beautiful Lie. There was a part of it that made a little light bulb flash over my head, making me realize I must write a one-shot. (Actually, the lamp next to my bed flickered, so I take that as a sign, thank you very much, O Holy Spirits of the Laptop. And Lamps, I suppose.)

Anyway, this is a question I have asked myself a number of times. Like, "What if Merlin just decided to do nothing and let Arthur die or something?" Because honestly, I would do that if I were him, just to see what would happen. And since he's all-powerful, he can just turn back time afterwards! Ahem, so please review!


So small for such a large destiny.

That was what the Great Dragon had said. Or, at least, it was something along those lines. It had been a long time ago. So long ago. Merlin didn't even want to think about how long ago it was, because it had been, after all, such a long time since that day… or had it been nighttime?

Either way, it was a very long time ago, but the warlock could still recall every bit of how he felt about Kilgharrah telling him that Arthur – the world's most accomplished prat – was his destiny.

Destiny.

Over time, Merlin would admit, he had actually started to like Arthur, and at least he believed in him. Now, he wasn't such a-

No. No, he was still a prat of epic proportions. But that was okay, because Merlin was still trying to straighten him out. Trying. Yes, the future king was a work in progress.

And I have plenty of time for that, Merlin thought. Yes, a week from now, someone would probably try to poison Arthur… but it would be okay, because Merlin would find a cure. And he would save his prince.

He always did.

But what if I didn't? Merlin knew he was a Dragon Lord, and perhaps the most magical being to have ever lived… or at least, he liked to believe that sometimes. It made day-to-day life easier. Still, he had a lot to learn, and there wasn't always a solution.

He vaguely remembered a piece of advice Gaius had once given him. "The right thing and the easy thing are often not the same thing." Sometimes, Merlin thought, it would be easiest to just leave their lives to Fate, and not have to worry about-

No. No, he had been given these powers for a reason. He would not abuse them, and his perseverance was something to be admired. There were certain days, however, Merlin just wanted to throw destiny to the wind.

What if Arthur was attacked by some huge, deadly creature and Merlin did nothing? What would happen then?

Oh, sod it; it was far too early in the morning for this sort of thinking.

But… his mind was intent on finishing the thought. This was a conundrum. The Dragon had said he couldn't outrun his destiny, and could not deny it. Then, Kilgharrah had told him that if he didn't do something to save Arthur – Merlin had lost count of how many times they'd had that conversation – his destiny would never be completed. Now, which was it?

What if he woke up one morning, and decided he was done with this destiny thing? What if this morning… could it be the morning?

Nah.

He shrugged off his thoughts and got out of bed.