So as you all know I have returned to writing fanfiction and my newest obsession is Merlin and it had quickly become one of my favorite fandoms. Well...i wouldn't consider it new as the show had been around for a while but I have only recently discovered it on netflix and the ending KILLED ME. So now that Arthur and Merlin's story is over, it comes great pleasure for me to place their character in a different story so that their story may continue in our imaginations...

A Bucket List

Merlin is dying of an unknown terminal illness that even his magic cannot cure. Arthur had him devise a bucket list and is very enthusiastic to help him complete every single thing on the list, no matter how hard or how stupid it may be. EVENTUAL MERxTHUR and crippling angst towards the end of the story.

Chapter 1

"Arthur, breakfast!"

Merlin tugged the dusty curtains sideways allowing some sunshine through the dirty windows. Arthur groaned behind him and buried himself deeper into the sheets. The prince was too tired from last nights training to be up so early in the morning, but Merlin was not having it. After all, it is his 20th birthday today and Arthur had promised to him that this would be the only day they would do whatever Merlin wanted. So an early start would mean a longer day to be able to do just that.

"Rise and shine! Look, I made some beans, poached eggs and some sugared bacon." Merlin proudly presented his ideal breakfast to Arthur's dismay.

"Merlin, I like my eggs scrambled, procuitto instead of bacon and I hate beans. To think that you have been my servant for god knows how long and you managed to bring me stuff I don't even eat! Sometimes I wonder why I still keep you around." Arthur grumpily muttered.

Merlin scoffed and took a bite of the bacon. If this was any normal day, Arthur would've punished him with target practice. But obviously, this day is a curveball to the spoilt prince's face.

"What do you mean, Arthur? I didn't say the breakfast was for you. It's for me! Don't tell me you forgot."

Then it hit Arthur. 'Of course' he thought...it is his birthday today. But surely that didn't mean that Merlin could forget to feed him.

"Well...Merlin, did you at least bring up MY breakfast?"

Merlin paused halfway through the pot of beans and stared at the prince for a bit.

"...of course not you prat it is my day and you said I would be free of all duties." he said in triumph. Today is his only day off afterall.

Arthur sighed in annoyance and heaved himself off the bed.

"I swear Merlin if the things you have planned for today are more ridiculous than what we had done for your birthday last year we are never celebrating your birthday again!"

Merlin thought that was definitely understandable as last year, Merlin wanted to see the largest cow in the whole land. Sadly, this cow was all the way in Southampton which was nearly a 2 day ride away if they were to continue non stop. Nevertheless, Arthur was still willing to do it although realistically, their journey time would be at least a week. They had stopped by every tavern on the way to rest but Merlin had decided to have a bit of fun gambling. He had won every single round which fueled the opposing men with frustration and eventually, Merlin and Arthur were banned. 29 taverns in total they were banned from. Although, one tavern didn't ban them for ridding the consumers from their money, it was due to Arthur accidentally seducing the bar keeper's daughter which ended with Arthur's left ring finger being broken. And through all the hardship they had faced, upon arrival at Southampton, the largest cow which stood at 5"3 ft and 6ft long, had died. Apparently, news that Arthur was riding towards Southampton had been announced by a courier a week before and they had killed the cow in order for a feast. To make up for Merlin's disappointment, he was given a drawing of a cow and a 'to scale' of him next to it for comparison.

From that day forward, Merlin promised no repeats of what had happened on his 19th birthday. However, the story proved quite entertaining to Uther and other castle workers. It shall not be easily forgotten.

Arthur briskly walked out of his chamber and into the kitchen to fetch the food he preferred: scrambled eggs with hollandaise sauce, proscuitto wrapped on breadsticks and some edamame beans from the oriental lands. He could force feed this to Merlin if he could to 'refine' his taste buds but then again, Merlin had the taste buds of a pig.

Whilst the prince ate his meal in the dining hall, he had came to sudden realisation that he was forgetting one major component in honor of Merlin's 20th birthday: The Cake. He remembered last year's cake. Merlin had hated it as it wasn't made by the prince himself and was made through the 'help' of Guinevere. 'Help' meaning that Guinevere made the cake. Although that didn't mean that Guinevere's cake was bad. In fact, it was delicious but Arthur had promised him last year that he would make a cake specially for that occasion. The prince however gave into laziness and begged Gwen to make a second cake for him.

Arthur face palmed himself mentally. How could he forget? He peered at the sundial right out the window and found it to be half way through prime. Knowing Merlin, he would probably want to get going as soon as possible. The prince left his unfinished food on the table and decided to get started on the cake before Merlin finishes getting ready. He made his way to the castle kitchens to find it absolutely busy. He elevated himself on his heels to spot the head cook Braith.

"Braith? Are there any vacant ovens?" Arthur asked.

Braith gave him a puzzled look. Arthur in the kitchen was never something she was expecting to witness. Ever.

"Sure, love. Just in that small corner over there. What are you needing it for?"

"I'm going to try and make Merlin a cake."

Braith snorted and entertained the thought. "Well, good luck with that your highness."

Arthur has no culinary experience as he had always had his cooks cooking for him. Today would be the only exception. If Merlin didn't like it, then tough as he was asking for it.

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One and a half hourglass into baking and chill, Arthur had concluded that maybe cakes were probably not his forte. He looked through the oven doors in pure disappointment. His cacao cake refused to rise.

"URGH!" the prince grunted and leaned his head on the oven door. Just then, Merlin appeared behind him.

"So you see all of our struggles when we try and bake you a cake on your birthday." Merlin teased.

"Oh shut up Merlin! This was my first trial and I'll have you know it may not have risen to the height I was expecting it to be but I promise you, it will be the best cake you ever taste."

Merlin laughed. "Well, I'll be the judge of that!"

Arthur pulled out the cake and attempted to slide it off the tray as neatly as he could. But the cake was disobedient and fell apart as soon as he had placed it on a serving platter.

"Oh for fucks sake!" Arthur groaned and threw his hands up in the air in defeat. "How the hell do you people do this?"

"Perhaps you should appreciate us a bit more, Arthur." Merlin replies smirking. He grabs a spoon and tries Arthur's 'cake'. To his surprise, the cake was not that bad. He gave Arthur a playful pat on the back "It's actually not bad."

Arthur grabs a spoon and digs in himself. "Hey...I might actually have talent in cooking."

Merlin scoffed and grinned sarcastically. "Nah. The next time you may kill someone."

"Oh please, Merlin. Don't put my goals at stake! I would never discourage you from anything."

"Oh really..." Merlin challenged. Arthur and his Father had passionately discouraged magic from Camelot which plays an important role in Merlin's life. Merlin however let that thought slip and focused on today.

"Today I want to drive a ship"

Arthur was in between a bite of his cake before it quickly slid down his throat causing him to choke a bit. His blue eyes in disbelief when Merlin gave his suggestion.

"A ship? Really? You can't even properly control your own movements!"

"Ah! Did you not say that you won't discourage me from anything?" Merlin snapped back quickly leaving Arthur speechless.

Arthur sighed and prayed to the heavens that the gods do not allow Merlin to destroy the only ship he owns.

"...Fine then!"

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Guinevere and Morgana had decided to come along to celebrate Merlin's birthday. Gwen had made Merlin a strawberry and blueberry cake and Morgana had knitted him a new scarf for the winter. The scarf deemed to be a bit too long for Merlin's liking but appreciated the maiden's effort. Merlin also appreciated Arthur's effort at the cake although it had failed. But a part of him found it too hard to say so and that reason was still unknown. Maybe it was because Arthur was already so full of himself that it probably wasn't needed.

Upon arrival at the shores of Goldcliff, Arthur's ship was not what Merlin had imagined it to be. Merlin expected it to be a bit bigger. Instead, it resembled more a gunboat ship.

"The hell is this?" Merlin questioned in disappointment.

Arthur rolled his eyes and gave him the obvious answer. "...My ship?"

Merlin eyed it, walked its diametre then stopped at the entering point. Even Gwen and Morgana stood silent in disappointment.

"O don't act like a brat now, Merlin. Even I don't get the best of the best and I'm the prince." Arthur broke the silence and lead the three into the ship.

Gwen and Morgana situated themselves at the front of the ship nervously sipping the packed wine and rum in hopes that Merlin doesn't sink the ship. Merlin caught the girls drinking wine and suddenly, the inner alcoholic in him was willing to come out.

"Ooh Morgana, Gwen, what age wine did you bring?"

Morgana quickly shoved the wine out of Merlin's sight. "Merlin! You're driving the boat remember?"

Arthur swooped in and wrapped his arm around Merlin's frail shoulders. "You can think about wine after we have completed your birthday wish."

He lead the boy in front of the steering wheel. "This, Merlin, is a steering wheel and that lever behind you lifts the anchor from below so that you can move the ship."

Merlin nodded and activated the lever. The anchor itself was quite heavy, but Merlin managed as the anchor wasn't as heavy enough for that particular ship.

"Okay now try turning the steering wheel."

Merlin clasped his hands on the wooden frames of the wheel and attempted to turn. He grunted and tried to turn the wheel with all his strength but to no avail. Arthur rolled his eyes and brought his hands on top of Merlin's own hands.

"Oh for god's sake Merlin. It isn't that hard." Arthur remarked as he helped guide Merlin's hands to turn the ship. The ship had finally started moving after a couple of minutes trying to make it move.

"See, Merlin? Now try move the ship by yourself."

Merlin felt fatigued afterwards as he had to expel so much energy just so that he could turn the wheel. He knew something was not right.

"Merlin?"

His eyes blinked multiple times. And every blink caused his vision to become hazier.

"Merlin? Are you alright?"

His head grew heavy, eyelids giving up. Merlin fought to keep his consciousness. But soon his eyelids had dropped and his body thudded to the floor.

Arthur's eyes widened in horror as he watched the boy fall. He knelt to the ground and cradled the boy's body.

"Merlin!?"

He placed his hand on his forehead to check for fever. All seemed normal. Maybe Merlin was just so overwhelmed that he was driving the ship. It was only then the prince realised once he had hugged the boy closer, his frame is dangerously thin, his cheeks had sunken and his cheeks had lost its pinkish tint. Something was clearly not right.

"Gwen! Morgana! Help!"

The two girls rushed to Arthur and Merlin's side and were in the same shock as Arthur. Morgana quickly gathered the horses and their belongings while Gwen assisted Arthur in mounting Merlin's unconscious body onto Arthur's horse. The four rode back into Camelot in hopes that Gaius may have an answer to this.

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"Gaius!"

Arthur burst through Gaius' door carrying Merlin's unconscious form. Gaius', alarmed at his nephews unconsciousness, hastily rushed to the prince and helped him settle Merlin onto the table.

"Gaius, I have no idea what had happened! He was fine this morning. But now.." Arthur failed to finish his sentence as he examined the boy's small body. He had never taken into account Merlin's dramatic and fast weightloss. Watching his friend, lying on a table looking as sickly as ever struck a sinew in the prince's heart. He held back a few tears and composed himself.

Gaius knew that Merlin ate like a pig, so eating problems were out of question for his weightloss. For so long, Gaius had dismissed it as hormonal changes causing the boy to quickly drop weight. Then, a small drop of blood oozed from the boy's mouth. Gaius' eyes widened.

"No way..." he muttered to himself.

Arthur looked at Gaius, just as concerned.

"What was that?"

Gaius paused for a moment. He knew exactly what this could be. But it can't be! Merlin is so young! He ushered the prince out of the room for Merlin's privacy. Gaius took a deep breath before removing Merlin's tunic top bracing himself for what was about to be revealed.

Small abnormal lumps scattered all over the boy's pectoral areas. His ribcage was protruding, skin discolored, there were random bruising on his arms and back. It was worse than Gaius had thought. He had heard of this disease as it had affected many people before. But this disease is known to have no known cures. The most intelligent physicians also had no way of telling how this disease had started.

'This was it' Gaius thought. Merlin is going to die.

Just incase you guys want to know, the disease Merlin has in this story is cancer.

I promise to update this at least every week as I am bursting with ideas right now.