Lancelot/Merlin; because really, why not? Lancelot is a highly attractive male. Merlin. Need I say more?
Anyways, read to your heart's content.
I don't own Merlin.
Here is the Light/One
Merlin found that for once, he didn't know quite how to respond to his closest friend.
His mouth was locked in place with his inability to form words and a sense of numbness slowly began to course through his body; starting in the hollow of his stomach before it spread through his veins like a disease.
It couldn't be true, what Lancelot was saying, could it? No, surely he had heard wrong.
A brief spark of hope washed over him, and he managed to slacken the tightness of his jaw and he croaked out, "W-what was that?" I heard wrong. Surely Lancelot would not truly mean to—.
Lancelot's intelligent chocolate hues flicked up to meet the young warlock's gaze and a soft, somewhat sad smile spread across his lips. "I said that I am going to leave Camelot, Merlin." His eyes flicked away from the silent man who stiffened at his side, skating over the many rooftops of the grand city. "I've seen all that I can in Camelot. And it's apparent that I am not… needed here." Though the words seemed disparaging, there was no sense of self pity in Lancelot's tone. No, he was too noble a man to ever feel sorry for himself just because his first and only love had moved on and fell in love with the King of Camelot.
Merlin's lips pulled down ever so slightly, his brows coming to meet in the center of his forehead. "Not needed? Lancelot, the entire Kingdom has a need for knights that are at the very least, half as noble as you! You're the model of what every man could ever hope to be and more! Why must you leave?" Even as the words left his mouth, he knew the answer. Though he didn't feel sorry for himself, there was no way that Lancelot wasn't in pain over the loss of his love; especially when the man who he lost to was his superior in every way possible.
The brunet sighed and lowered his hands onto the railing that was displayed before them. He carefully kept his gaze away from the inquiring eyes of his friend. "Merlin." His voice was gruff, obviously trying to hold back unnamed emotions. "I'm not nearly as infallible as everyone likes to believe that I am… I am a man. A mere human. I won't interfere with Arthur and Gwen's… courtship, but can't you see that it will kill me if I stay?"
You can't! Lancelot, you're the only person that I can fully rely on! The only person other than Gaius that knows the truth! You can't leave! Merlin gritted his teeth to keep from voicing his thoughts aloud. He had seen his friend's expression. The loyal knight wanted his support. And after all of the things that he's helped me with over the years…
"A-Alright… When do you intend on leaving?"
"By the end of the week. I'll inform Arthur of my resignation in six days time, and then I'll venture north. Possibly settle down…"
Merlin swallowed past the lump in his throat and found himself nodding along with whatever it was the knight was saying, all the while trying to form ideas to keep his best friend from leaving his side.
"What should I do, Gaius? I don't want him to leave, but he's my friend, and I'd rather that he didn't torture himself by having to see Gwen with Arthur…" The ebony haired warlock threaded pale, slender fingers through his unruly locks. "I don't know… Ugh. I'm being selfish, aren't I? Maybe it'll be better for everyone if he just leaves as he intends…"
The elderly father figure watched his apprentice stalk from one side of the room to other in the span of four seconds, unable to keep his perpetual brow from rising. "Merlin. Be still and slow down; I can barely understand you at the moment." The physician refused to add any more until the young man was seated on the bench opposite of him before continuing. "Now, am I to understand that Lancelot intends on leaving Camelot?"
Merlin nodded.
"You don't want him to go, for fear that you'll be losing an important friend, but you don't want him to stay for his sake either?"
He nodded once more.
"Ah. He is leaving due to the matters of the heart, am I correct in assuming so?"
Another nod.
Gaius sighed. "Then there is nothing that you can do but let the poor boy go. I'm afraid that only matters of the heart can heal other matters of the heart. That, and time. Lancelot has seemed to have made his choice, Merlin, and as his friend, you must see things from his perspective." The ivory haired man skirted around the table and placed what was meant to be a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't fret, my dear boy, I'm sure that this won't be the last that we see of Lancelot." He murmured before walking away, muttering something about sleeping tonics under his breath.
So that was really it? I am to allow Lancelot, my one true friend who knows everything about me, to leave… Merlin went over the physician's words briefly, his brain stuttering over one of the last things he had said.
"…only matters of the heart can heal other matters of the heart."
He immediately straightened from his slump, a brilliant shine coming to his eyes as a thought flitted through his head. That's it! If I get Lancelot to fall in love with someone before the six days are up, he'll want nothing more than to stay! Seeing Gwen and Arthur together won't even hurt if he fills his heart with someone else! The lanky warlock climbed to his feet, a wide grin spreading.
I just have to find someone worthy of Lancelot's love, and then put them both in a situation where they'll have no choice but to interact with one another! It should be easy!
With those thoughts in mind, the ebony haired youth ran headlong for the door.
After all, the sooner he started, the sooner he'd get his favorite knight to stay in Camelot… right?
One/End
Thanks for reading. Next chapter should be up in about a week. It'll be longer than this.