A/N: I don't have much to say except thank you for those who read, faved and commented :) I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well.
Summary: Arthur could barely hear anything as the blood rushed to his brain and the tears started choking him, blinding him. He saw Merlin's lips moving, and could only just make out the silent words.
I own nothing.
No one could've believed what happened the next day. No one could've expected it.
Arthur couldn't sleep the whole night, keeping guard next to Merlin's bed, watching him breathing. Listening, listening... and when dawn finally came, he was so tired he allowed himself a few minutes of haunted sleep, resting his head on the hard mattress Merlin slept on. Just for a second.
The feeling of gentle fingers in his hair jolted him awake and he looked up and stared, wide-eyed, at the exhausted, foggy blue eyes that watched him with a pained smile.
"You're awake." The king whispered, disbelief and happiness written on his every feature. Merlin nodded. Slow, agonized, almost unnoticeable movement.
"...yes..."
His voice was so weak. So different from anything Arthur ever heard before. And his joy faded almost as quickly as it came, leaving his heart aching as he remembered that nothing had really changed. His best friend was still dying.
"How are you feeling?" The question left his lips and as soon as it did, he knew it was such a stupid thing to ask. Merlin's pain was obvious for even a blind man to see. He glanced down, not looking him in the eye as his hand slowly reached up to brush against Merlin's warm, pale cheek.
So pale.
Merlin did not answer, just breathed. Slowly, shallowly. Arthur started to think he fell back asleep, so he looked up. And Merlin was still awake, his intense blue eyes clouded and focused on Arthur's face, watching silently as the King's thumb brushed near his mouth. His lips parted slightly, and a small breath came out, ghosting over Arthur's hand.
"I'm... so sorry." The words were so quiet, Arthur had to lean forward to hear them. The look in Merlin's eyes was sad, his smile broken. "For leaving you... behind." He added slowly, in a slightly louder whisper.
"Then don't." Arthur tried to keep his voice stable. "Just... just don't."
"I'm so tired..." The young servant mumbled, blinking sleepily, slowly. The lump returned to choke Arthur's throat, and he desperately tried to stop his voice from breaking.
"Sleep." The king whispered in defeat. Merlin shook his head, trying to keep his eyes open. The blue orbs rolled around tiredly, finding Arthur's face again. His hand weakly grasped Arthur's.
"I don't want to go..." His voice was so weak, his whisper so quiet. Arthur could barely hear anything as the blood rushed to his brain and the tears started choking him, blinding him. He saw Merlin's lips moving, and could only just make out the silent words.
"...I don't want to be alone."
"You won't." Arthur swore, voice breaking with each syllable. "You won't, I promise. You won't."
"...stay with me..."
"I promise. I promise."
He wasn't sure Merlin heard him this time. The servant's eyes were already closed and his breathing shallowed, but Arthur was still grateful for the chance he was granted, to say goodbye. He sighed and cleared his throat again, leaning back in his stool. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He still had a promise to keep.
A/N: So? You know the drill. The review button is right there.
