Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Merlin it all belongs to the BBC all I own is the twisted plot XD
A/N: AU that came out of nowhere.......just don't ask
A/N2: ANGST GALORE! May become more sappy but not for a long time.
A/N3: Only a short chap but getting longer
A/N4: Did I mention its not beta'ed
Warnings: Slash! Don't like don't read. Angst, lots, and lots of beautiful angst. Oh! And time travel.
Nothing Out Of The Ordinary
Chapter Two – When Reality Strikes
Streams of sunlight burned his eyes as they fluttered open, stinging instantly and still sore from his crying. Arthur stayed lying down, letting his brain catch up. Images of objects flying shot though his mind, that explained the destruction but not why Merlin was not there cleaning it up. Arthur felt his throat tighten and chocked as his eyes filled with tears.
Merlin.
Fire.
Gone.
Arthur remembered standing by his father his face blank as he watched Merlin burn. The accused sorcerer did not even scream or cry he just stood, tied to the post, as the flames licked his feet and legs, and soon engulfed his body. He just stood, silent, watching Arthur with eyes that showed so much. Sorrow, guilt, forgiveness, pleading, pain. However, most of all, they shone with love and peace. Arthur did not understand how Merlin could be at peace whilst being burned alive, then again he did not understand how anyone sorcerer or not could hold back screaming. Merlin was brave and had been brave up until the last second of his life when that stupid but oh-so-adorable smile spread over his face and he finally let go.
Anger swirled in Arthur's chest, Merlin had left him, he had not fought he had just gone. He promised he would never leave him, but he had, he lied. He had lied and had let himself be caught. Arthur wanted to know how his father had found out. Suddenly the anger was gone leaving him with an aching pain that was almost so unbearable. He wanted it to stop. He clenched his hands and jumped as pain shot through them. He sat up as he looked down to his hands, they were covered in dried blood with glass in them, and his knees did not feel much better.
Gaius watched the prince worriedly, the blond was fixed on watching he blood drip from where he had pulled out a shard of glass, Morgana had called for him before he left. When Morgana had checked on him this morning, she was worried by the lack of response she had gained, no one could even step outside his door without the prince knowing they were there, she had been five strides from him, calling his name, and he did not seem to notice her he stayed curled up and silently cried again.
"Sire?" Gaius said softly, walking his way through the destructive path. He sat beside Arthur and took one of his hands studying it
"Merl..." Arthur started hopefully then recognised the white hair "Gaius" he sighed and got a weak smile, the man looked like he had not slept at all.
"How are you feeling?" Arthur frowned, how was he feeling?
"Numb" Gaius nodded and Morgana came in with his supplies and some water.
"Thank you" he nodded she gave Arthur another worried look then left.
"How...how are you?"
"I am doing fine" They both knew it was a lie "I am almost ready to leave, I will just sort out your hands, and I will be gone."
"I'm...sorry"
"I know"
"You should leave my hands"
"They will get infected and you won't be able to hold a sword," the man chastised
"I don't think I care" Gaius frowned even more but started to remove the glass and splinters. He washed Arthur's hands then wrapped them and worked on his knees. "Thank you," he said automatically and Gaius sighed.
"Sire...I know Merlin was your friend but...you cannot stay like this. Stay unhappy, he would not want it." Arthur nodded but Gaius knew the words had gone in one ear and out the other.
"Good luck Gaius" Arthur murmured his eyes still fixed on the window.
"Thank you sire" he said, it was only right. Telling Hunith the news would not go well.
"Arthur"
"Thank you Arthur" the blond nodded. "Merlin...Merlin asked me to give you this, he wrote it...just in case." Arthur felt something be placed in his lap, it was light in weight. Gaius watched the prince a moment longer before leaving with his supplies. "Good luck Arthur Pendragon" he murmured closing the door.
Arthur looked down when Gaius had gone and saw a letter with Merlin's messy scrawl Arthur
Carefully Arthur picked it up and made his hands work ignoring the pain to open it.
My dearest Arthur, and before you say anything, yes I know that sounds girl-ish...
Arthur laughed, tears falling at the small joke.
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