A/N: This is my first Merlin piece so please go easy on me. Also, I haven't finished the series completely. I have skipped around quite a bit and I have seen this scene. It isn't exactly what happens, but oh well. This takes place right after Merlin tells Arthur of his magic. Let me know what you think! ~DL14
Arthur should have known. No one else would have been so stupid. How he didn't realize until now was just ridiculous. How did he not realize his manservant had magic? That Merlin, could practice magic and apparently do it well was also throwing him. All the times he called him an idiot or lazy or a coward came to his mind. Of course, he didn't mean them in the later years, but the first few months he did. Why did he even do it then? Why did he save him? When Arthur was a complete prat to him as Merlin would say. And his manservant, his friend, had to tell him now, as he lay dying. Why not sooner? Then the thought of Merlin being too scared to tell him crossed his mind.
He wondered how many times Merlin saved his life and protected Camelot with his magic. Arthur wanted to ask but he felt that he was better not knowing. Without that knowledge, he won't feel so bad for leaving, not repaying him. He watched and stumbled along as Merlin dragged him somewhere. He could hear the mumbles of another language and the apologies for not telling him sooner. Arthur knew he didn't have much more time left. He had seen many knights perish much quicker than he with this type of wound. So, he did the only thing he could think of in that moment to let Merlin know it was okay.
"Stop, just stop Merlin." Arthur stumbled out and Merlin sat him down and looked at him, tears running down his face.
"Just, just hold me, please."