So yes, me again!

This is a continuation of the last one. I mayyyy make another one, not quite sure yet...

I'm also not quite sure about this one shot and espacially its end...

Anyway, enjoy!

In the eyes of a Prince

When Arthur woke up it was with a pounding headache. He groaned slightly and wondered how it was possible to still feel pain in the afterlife. Wasn't it supposed to be peaceful?

Gingerly, the Prince lifted a hand to his head and slowly opened his eyes, leaving them time to adjust to the outdoor luminosity. It took some time but finally he managed to recognize his surroundings as the Isle of the Blessed. But it took slightly longer to notice something was missing. Frowning, he pushed himself up on his elbows and look around him. He first noticed Gwaine, still unconscious on his left, then Merlin, standing his back to him next to the altar, looking as if he was shaking badly. His frown deepened in concern as he tried to understand why his manservant would shiver so badly, the air being pretty lukewarm. Next to his manservant stood Elyan and finally, Arthur understood what was missing: the black Veil and the Dorocha's icy cries.

Arthur forced himself up, ignoring the wave of sickness that passed through him. He was inwardly-grateful, however, when Percival appeared at his arm to steady him. Nodding at his Knight, he noticed the man's sad face and felt his stomach churned painfully in anticipation.

"What happened?" He asked, unconsciously speaking in a low voice, as if not to break the peace and quiet.

The huge Knight took a deep breath and took a long time composing himself before answering in a rough voice.

"Lancelot sacrificed himself to close the Veil, Sire."

Arthur felt his jaw drop in disbelief.

"What? But that was my duty!" He exclaimed, almost angrily and Percival bowed his head.

"I believe he thought it was his to protect you my Lord." The Knight answered, looking Arthur straight in the eyes as if daring him to lessen his friend's honorable sacrifice.

It was Arthur's time to bow his head in understanding, for once speechless.

For what seemed a long time, everything stayed silent, none of the men present knowing what to do. Finally, the sounds of Gwaine waking up reached them and Percival moved towards his fellow friend. Arthur heard them talking in hushed tones but Arthur didn't pay attention to it. His gaze had fallen on the unmoving form of his manservant and his stomach clenched painfully. He knew that Merlin and Lancelot had always had a special relationship, sharing things only among themselves. Arthur could only imagine how Merlin must feel at the moment.

He took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to do. When he felt ready enough, he took a step towards his manservant. Elyan, who was still next to the young man, turned towards him and sent him a relieved glance before baking away. Arthur nodded his thanks than concentrated on Merlin. The young man was stiller than he had ever seen him and kept staring without blinking in front of him. His face was emotionless but in his eyes, Arthur could see pain unlike any else and Arthur thought it was the worst thing he had ever seen. Because Merlin was always happy-go-lucky and he should never ever look so broken and lost.

Almost hesitantly, Arthur put a hand on his friends shoulder and felt scared as the tremors he could feel under his hand.

"Merlin?" He asked worriedly and his friend didn't answer, only continued staring in front of him, as if waiting for Lancelot to come back. "Merlin… Come on, we can't stay here… We have to go back to Camelot…"

Merlin didn't react and Arthur felt concern and dread flare in his stomach. He didn't know how to deal with that Merlin. He turned towards his three Knights and saw the same loss of what to do echoing on their face. He restrained a sight then slowly tugged on Merlin's elbow, surprised when it was enough to make him move. Not one to complain, however, he led a still-unresponsive Merlin away and kept a hold on his elbow the whole travel back to their horses. And the whole time he could feel the shakings in his friend's tiny shape and his worry only increased. Catching the others eyes, he could see that they were as worried as him. However, he couldn't find the heart to try and disturb the silence that blanketed them.

For the rest of the day, they rode in silence towards Camelot and all the while, Arthur kept a eye on Merlin and was desperate to see how automatic his movement where. It was as if his soul had left him, leaving his body to do things for itself.

When the night came, the five men stopped in a clearing and Merlin began setting camp without being told to do it. Arthur almost told him to stop but realized that the order probably wouldn't be well received. In fact, if he was in Merlin's shoes, he probably would want something to do to occupy his mind. Even if it was picking up wood. When the manservant left to perform said task Arthur saw Gwaine look after him remorsefully but the Knight didn't move and Arthur understood that, like him, he didn't knew how to deal with a grieving Merlin.

It was only a short time later that Merlin returned and, in no time, a fire was warming the air and Merlin was silently passing them food. Arthur noticed that the young man didn't took any for himself and went to sit next to where his friend had sat himself a little outside their ring against a tree bark. He forced a small smile and extended his food towards Merlin.

"You should eat. It is actually better tasting than looking you know." He tried to joke miserably but Merlin ignored it and just shrugged.

"Not hungry." He answered, his voice sounding small and rough from unuse.

Arthur repressed a sigh and left the food near Merlin while returning to his place near the fire, feeling cold settling in his being that had nothing to do with the now frigid air.

Arthur had never been gladder to see the white towers of Camelot pointing over the horizon than three days later. He was sick of the silence and the feeling of heaviness and grief that weighed greatly on their group. He had always thought that silence while traveling with Merlin and Gwaine would be a blessing but he entirely thought different after three days of monosyllabic conversations. It didn't help either that he was well past the stage of worry about his manservant. The young man had barely eaten during their travel and, if the dark circles under his eyes where any indication, had barely slept too. Arthur couldn't help but be badly remembered what grief did to his father.

The last miles felt awfully long but finally, finally, they crossed the gates of the Lower City. Arthur was surprised to see the many people that came out in the streets, waving and cheering at them. He didn't feel good with it. Didn't they know how much that victory cost them, he wondered before realizing that, no, they didn't. He shared a glance with the other Knights and forced himself to wave at his people. In the corner of his eye, he saw Merlin duck his head and Arthur could see that the shakings that had seemed to lessen a bit where back and maybe even worse than before.

Arthur hid a relieved sigh when they finally entered the relatively secluded Courtyard and dismounted their horses. Merlin began to come forward to take his reigns but Arthur shook his head.

"It's fine. Another servant can take care of the horses, you go to Gaius will you?" He ordered and his friend nodded before retrieving his bags from his horse and leaving without a word to anyone.

Arthur handed his reigns to a servant boy that was waiting nearby then set off towards his Chambers to get changed before meeting with the Council to tell them what had happened. He felt a new kind of dread when he thought that he would have to announce the new of Lancelot's death to his beloved Gwen. He knew that the Knight had once been in her heart and, even if he knew these feelings had long passed, he also knew that it wouldn't make it any less painful for her.

As predicted, the conversation with Gwen hadn't gone well but Arthur could still be proud that she had seemed to hold it together well enough in order not to hurt him. He knew her well, however, and had sent a passing servant to find Elyan so he could take care of his sister while he dealt with his Regent's duties.

When he finally went out of the Council Room it was already late enough that the sun was nearly touching the horizon. Arthur debated a few minutes with himself before deciding to go and check on Merlin. He told himself it was just because he wouldn't be able to sleep before he was sure that Merlin was fine but the truth was he was despairingly worried for his friend and needed to know if he could do something for him. Even if he knew he wasn't really good at dealing with things like feelings.

He took a deep breath before knocking at the Physician's door. It took a few seconds before the door opened slowly to reveal the face of Gaius. The Physician looked an odd mixture of concerned and relieved and his face showed surprise when he saw Arthur.

"Sire." He said, his voice low. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I'm here to see Merlin… He… He seemed pretty upset on the way back and…" Arthur answered a little bit awkwardly.

Gaius sent him a proud glance as he opened the door wider to make Arthur come in.

"That's very kind of you Arthur but I'm afraid you can't talk with Merlin right now." The Physician answered and gestured towards the cot where his patients usually lie.

Arthur felt his heart clench when he saw the sleeping form of Merlin, looking small and vulnerable in the ethereal glow of the fire flames.

"Oh… I see..." Arthur hesitated, not really knowing what to say without seeming too worried. "I'm glad he's finally sleeping. I don't think he had much lately…"

"Indeed." Gaius agreed and silence fell.

Arthur watched Merlin sleeping, thanking whichever god where listening to him that his friend had been able to find some peace in his sleep. He hoped that, come morning, Merlin would feel a little better. It wasn't fair that someone as kind as his manservant had to suffer from the pain of losing a friend to magic and he cursed Morgana for that.

His thoughts were interrupted by Gaius asking what had happened and Arthur suddenly understood that no one had told him of what had happened. The Prince took a deep breath and explained to the Physician that Lancelot had sacrificed himself. Gaius paled a little at the information and his aged gaze fixed himself on Merlin as if suddenly understanding something.

For a long moment, Arthur let silence envelop them, remember how close Merlin had been to Lancelot and swearing he would do his best to help his friend.

So? How did it go? I'm dying to know!

And I want to say, you all are absolutly AMAZING! My love for you knows no bounds!