Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin nor do I own its characters , sadly.
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
-Albert Einstien-
Prologue
King Arthur Pendragon was, and would always be, the once and future king. It had been prophesied before time itself by forces greater than even those of the Old Religion. So after his death, when he was needed the most, King Arthur would return. Merlin knew this with his heart, with his mind but that did not mean his death would not destroy the warlock spirit- in a way it made it a little worse.
Consequently, as his king lied dying in his arms he tried, with all his strength, to contain his fright and his sorrow just as Arthur tried to hide his pain. For both of them, it was too hard. Too soon. The great warlock had known Arthur would die, but it had seemed so far away he was determined to save his king. This is not the end, it can't be. This message kept repeating in his head like it was his life mantra, as he tried to pull himself and Arthur to the lakeside. This is not the end. This is not the end. This is….
The king of Camelot knew it was the end. He had been taught from a young age, before he even picked up his first sword, war always has causalities; men will always die. Prince Arthur had accepted this, Sir Arthur, knight of the realm, had acknowledged this possible fate and King Arthur understood it would come someday. His past had been full of fortunate moments; he had survived when others had not, a luck he now knew to be from his own saviour. Merlin, who would have thought the bumbling fool, would be a powerful warlock. Arthur wanted to laugh at the irony of the whole situation but it hurt too much. He knew now why men on the verge of death wished for it to come swiftly. It was more an act of acceptance than anything. Arthur knew he was not ready to die, but accepted it anyway. He felt Merlin heavy breathes on his shoulder, he heard is worried speech the break in his voice. He just wanted everything to slow down.
"We have to make it to the lake." Merlin said. He was exhausted but determined.
Arthur shook his head as best he could and tried to speak boldly; it came out as a whisper. "Not without the horses." Everything just needed to slow down. "It's too late…. It's too late….. It's too late….."
Arthur declined in effort. His whole body was in pain, filled with infection. He was bleeding inside and out the pain so sharp and numbing it was almost not existent. His nerves could not take it. He was happy. He was ready.
"We need to get you to the lake, I can save you. We need…." Merlin tried to talk.
"You've tried to save my life…" Arthur started to let out.
"I can!"
"Just, stop. There is something I want to say." His energy was going, Arthur could feel it. He had no effort left just a few words he could push out.
"You are not going to say goodbye." Merlin stated to him, he tried to lift him up.
"No, no." Arthur said, completely leaning on his friend for support now. "Everything you've done. I know now." He took a breath.
"For me.
"For Camelot.
"For the kingdom you helped me build." Arthur smiled with all his might.
"You didn't get help from me." Merlin butted in.
"Maybe. " He chuckled or at least tried to. Merlin the idiot.
"I want to say something I have never said to you before. Thank you!" Arthur took in another breathe with his last words.
He lifted up his gloved hand and stroked Merlin's hair as he had when they were younger, before Arthur was king and when things were a lot simpler. A smile was on his death. The Once and Future King took his final breathes. Death came easily to him. Arthur just felt relaxed.
Merlin saw his king smile and he tried to return one. He felt the smooth leather on his ebony hair. He watched as the King collapsed and death finally took his friend.
"Arthur, Arthur."
Merlin called for the dragon he could not give up hope.