Title: Returned
Author: JeGarr
Info: Arthur comes back from fighting the dragon. Set at the end of 2.13. This story may contain spoilers, you read at your own risk.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
As I ran, all I could hear were my footsteps and all I could see was Arthur, my Arthur.
He was safe and he was walking towards me, not realising I was approaching. He had survived and it felt like I was floating. All my worry and stress faded once I'd seen his face. It had all just disappeared and been replaced with happiness. I could have cried, purely out of joy, but that would have blurred my vision.
I didn't know if it was just me, or if the street was longer. I cursed the cobble stones under me as I tried to push my legs further without making my dress fly over my head. I was getting closer and I could finally see his face.
His blue sapphires were scanning the town. He looked sceptical as he took in the broken houses and burning fires left over from previous nights of the dragon attacks. Then he looked worried, like he'd let someone down, but then he moved his eyes away from the buildings and they met mine.
I was stunned as his eyes met mine, he always did that to me, just sort of froze me where I was but I still managed to throw my arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder blade.
He was tense for a while, most likely surprised that I was doing this in public, but then he was tightening his grip on me, pulling me closer.
"I thought I'd lost you," I managed to whisper.
He didn't say anything just held me close, his cheek resting against mine, his face buried in my curls. I had my Arthur back, he wasn't gone. I held back the tears that were threatening to escape my eyes. I didn't want to worry Arthur – he'd been through enough.
Eventually after what felt like hours he pulled away, looking toward Gaius embracing Merlin and then turning back toward me. He placed his chin on the top of my head as I rested my hand on his chest and curled into his side.
His lips quickly brushed my forehead and then he released all but my hand and led me toward the castle. We didn't speak for a while, just concentrated on trudging back up to the castle where Arthur would have to address his father.
Our feet scraped along the stone; we weren't in any hurry because we knew we would lose any contact once inside the castle walls. Arthur's hand squeezed mine, he didn't want to let go.
Arthur pulled me along as we approached the stairs that led to the castle door. He stopped in the doorway and turned toward me bending his face toward mine. I thought he was going to kiss me but I was surprised as his lips met my ear and then ever so quietly he whispered:
"You'll never lose me,"
Then he turned around and walked into the castle, leaving me in the doorway, all hope of moving again lost.
