Thanks for the feedback! I had time, so I put this up quicker than I thought. Enjoy.


Since when had it started raining? Merlin didn't know. He just ran.

Even the words: feeling like dying inside weren't enough to describe the feeling Merlin had right now.

Everything was so wrong. He had once accepted this 'destiny' he had but now he hated it more than anything. Why couldn't he choose his own destiny?

He just wanted to be in peace, even for a few days. But in Camelot it wasn't possible. Saving Arthur from countless dangers was becoming a very heavy burden. It wasn't that he was resentful towards Arthur, it was the opposite. He really liked to be beside the man. Seeing him grow from an arrogant prince to a man who was more fitted to be a king than anyone else had been a great honour to Merlin. But... It just felt like he could never really stop to marvel how far they had come. There wasn't that silent peace that Merlin had always been heading towards.

No, there was always war.

It made Merlin wonder, were things not supposed to go this way? Maybe something had gone wrong?
But then again...everything was written down. It was all destiny.

Merlin stopped running when the realization hit him hard again.

This too, these steps he took, these tears he shed, were a part of his destiny.

Something inside of him snapped and he let out a very loud shout. He continued to shout until his lungs and throat hurt and his voice went hoarse.

Thankfully no one could hear him since he had already reached the forest. Merlin didn't wish for anyone to see him. He didn't feel like talking to anyone. He just... no, he wasn't even sure what he wanted.

"Dra..." Merlin started but had to cough since his throat hurt.

"Ω δρακον, έάω μαλερός σοφόνους φθέγγομαι τείδε άναδικέω!" He calls Kilgarrah with a broken voice. Then he collapses to his knees, a sob escaping him. He buries his head in his hands and even when he hears the great dragon approach, he doesn't move.

The dragon looks at Merlin in wonder and silence for a while before asking:

"What is the matter, young warlock?" But Merlin is unable to speak. He isn't sure how, but he opens his mind to Kilgarrah, and shows all his emotions to him without saying anything.

The dragon stays quiet, but soon takes a few steps towards Merlin before laying down right before him. Merlin hears the dragon take a deep breath before exhaling. The warm air coming out of his nostrils makes Merlin suddenly feel slightly warmer in the cold rain. He shivers at the feeling and lets his hands fall down to rest on the dragon's scaly nose. There is silence between the two, but no words are needed to convey the feelings. Well, at least Merlin's feelings.

"Young warlock, you have suffered a lot." The dragon says in deep voice. Merlin doesn't move or react to the dragon's words.

They both listen to the rain for a while.

"I...couldn't protect those people..." Merlin whispers.

Kilgarrah doesn't say anything. Even he understands that right now the young warlock didn't want to hear a word about his destiny or how things were meant to be.

"I am tired, Kilgarrah. So tired... Yet I know that I need to keep Arthur safe. I know that I need to keep Camelot safe..."

Kilgarrah was quite astonished. No matter how tired Merlin was because of his destiny, he still knew what was supposed to be done. He knew that he couldn't leave Arthur unprotected even if he was tired of living and wanted it all to end.

"Is there any way I could protect those people...? I don't want them to suffer because of my and Arthur's destinies. I'm sure that Arthur thinks so too. I just want to protect them all. I want to protect Arthur and everyone living in Camelot."

"Young warlock..." Kilgarrah knew where this was heading.

"Please, tell me. Is there any way to do that and... for me to finish my story?" The dragon closed his eyes. It was after all, too heavy burden for one man to carry.

"There is a way but I never wished that I would have to tell you about it..."


Arthur sighed heavily. He was sitting in his chambers and was about to change his clothes. He had not seen Merlin for the entire day and he was beginning to worry. Had the younger gone to do something very reckless?

The worst case scenario suddenly plopped in Arthur's head. What if Merlin was...

He shook the thought away. Their destiny would bind them together. Merlin, like he said, couldn't die because of his destiny to protect Arthur. It hurt to know that the destiny was keeping Merlin shackled to this world even though he no longer wished to be a part of it.
Poor Merlin. Arthur just wished that he could help him and bring back the days when everything was still quite fine. He wished that he could make Merlin forget about his destiny for even just a while. Even he himself wished that he could forget about the destiny now that he knew what pressure it put on his friend.

He knew of his own destiny but somehow he had always just pushed away the thought and lived according to his own beliefs and wishes. Doing that had brought him to this point, which he honestly felt was good for his kingdom.

Still, was the destiny of bringing him to this point far more heavy? Merlin had to be the one pushing Arthur's back all the time while he himself was left slipping and sliding into a dark place.

The fear of losing his best friend and advisor into a place where he couldn't reach coursed through his veins again and made his heart beat faster. What had he been thinking, leaving Merlin to run off alone? He needed to find the idiot. With that in mind, he got up from his seat and almost ran towards the door. However, before he could reach it, the door suddenly opened.

Arthur stopped and waited until the person walked inside.

"...Merlin." Arthur's voice sounded heavier than he intended, but the tone was caused by the look on the younger one's face. Something had changed.

The tiredness was there, just like the sadness and frustration. He was still pale and the terror for what he had witnessed that morning lingered on his features. Still, he had changed. His eyes carried a stronger look than before, but not in a good way. What were those eyes again?

"Arthur," Merlin started with a stronger voice than before, "I...There is somewhere I need to go." Oh yes. Those eyes told about recklessness, about Merlin's way of wanting to help. About a way that would only bring harm to himself.

"No Merlin, You don't need to go anywhere. You can't. There is a lot of things I need your help with." Arthur was just stalling time, he knew it himself. The idiot was too stubborn, he never did what he was told. Arthur turned around, as if to see what was happening in the courtyard, because he wanted to hide his expression that would betray his words.

"...You know I need someone by my side when there is a crisis like this, Merlin." Those words were honest and slightly desperate. There was a long silence, and he could almost hear what Merlin was thinking. 'You have Gwen and all your loyal knights...' Thinking about those words made him want to snap back at him: 'None of them are you, my friend.' But as none of those words were uttered, the room stayed silent.

Merlin walked next to Arthur and stared out of the window without giving Arthur a glance. Another long silence was shared as Arthur's thoughts told what he wanted to say. 'Don't go Merlin. Don't go.'

"You have a good kingdom." Merlin suddenly spoke, startling Arthur a bit. He looked at Merlin and saw all the honesty in his eyes even though their eyes didn't meet.

"I've seen the people in Camelot. They trust you Arthur. Every one of them is ready to fight in your name if it would come down to it. I don't think anyone else is able to rule this land like you do. With love and loyalty to your people." Merlin's eyes were serious before he closed them and let out a sigh, relaxing at the same. Arthur found himself unable to say anything.

"I also love this land. It's my home. And I would do anything to protect it." Arthur had already opened his mouth to protest against Merlin's words, but as the other turned his head to meet his gaze, he was once again unable to say a single word.

"I have sworn my loyalty to you, Arthur, and I have protected you all this time." For a moment Arthur thought that Merlin was asking to leave his life in Camelot behind, which honestly scared him more than anything else but when Merlin's eyes turned kind and more relaxed again, he knew it wasn't the case.

"And... I will always-" Before Merlin could finish there was an urgent knock on the door accompanied by the voice of Leon. "Sire, there are urgent news!"
Arthur turned to Merlin and just with his eyes, asked if it was okay to halt the conversation. Merlin gave an honest smile, but it was more sad that Arthur could almost bare. He watched his friend for a few more moments before he called the knight inside.

Leon gave a bow when he saw his king and walked closer to him. During this time Merlin disappeared into the background. The conversation had lasted for some time before Arthur found a chance to glance at Merlin again as he heard the door open. He saw Merlin giving a smile, but his eyes were shiny with tears. Merlin mouthed something reassuringly before disappearing into the hall. What had he said?

Leon's words brought him back for a moment. In the back of his mind he was still thinking about what Merlin had mouthed.

Then, after a few moments, he realized. 'I will protect you.'

His breath caught in his throat and his blood ran cold at that moment.

"Merlin..!" Arthur breathed before he touched Leon's shoulder and pushed him away slightly as he ran towards his door. He didn't know if the knight would follow him, nor did he even care. He needed to find Merlin right that moment.

The hallways were filled with servants as Arthur ran towards Merlin's room. He was glad that he had gotten his armour removed so he could move with ease through the mass of people.

Unfortunately, when he busted into Merlin's room, it was empty.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted in frustration as he turned on his heels and ran to his next destination. Gaius' chambers.

The same emptiness greeted him once again there and even after checking the back room, there was no one to be found.

"Come on Merlin, where are you?!" Arthur said to himself and paced for a bit. Where could he have gone to? The forest? If so, he would take a horse.

"Sire!" A shout came from the door and Arthur turned around to see his most loyal knights, Leon, Gwaine, Elyan and Percival. "What is the matter?" Leon asked with clear worry in his voice.

"Merlin is gone. We need to find him right now. He's about to do something stupid again." All the knights seemed to grow more serious in the same instant. They all knew how Merlin was. He loved the people around him and the kingdom he lived in more than anyone and his reckless nature forced him to protect those things no matter the cost. This time was not different, but the way Arthur acted told that their friend was in danger.

"I'll check the horses right away." Elyan said and ran off. Arthur didn't mind that he hadn't listened to his instructions as this time their rank was the same. They were all Merlin's friends and nothing more right now.

"Leon, please ask around if anyone has seen Merlin. Gwaine, you do the same. Split up and find him. Please." Arthur added without thinking. The two nodded in determination and ran off.

Arthur thought about where he would head next. He could think of only one place that moment and so he ran.


Arthur almost tripped when he navigated through the old part of the castle leading to the underground caves. He had been smart enough to bring a torch with him but when he began to see faint glow ahead of him he dropped it and ran with more speed than before.

Like he had hoped, he found Merlin.

The bubbles of light floated in the air again, bringing a magical glow all around them. He saw Merlin standing before him with his back towards him while holding a white staff which Arthur had never seen before. Merlin was muttering something in a soft voice, which Arthur guessed to be an incantation.

"You really shouldn't have come here." Merlin stopped his incantation with a sigh and turned around.

"Merlin, whatever you are thinking, don't do it." Arthur felt his heart beating fast in his chest as he saw Merlin's eyes. He wasn't going to listen.

"Arthur. I'm sorry. This.. is my destiny." He said and smiled. He took a deep breath and lifted his staff off the ground and that moment Arthur somehow knew what was going to happen. He kicked the ground and ran towards his friend while shouting: "NO!" Even though he knew it was too late.

Merlin muttered: "αιωνίως" before there was a strong, white light around him. Arthur was trying his hardest to run towards the warlock, but Merlin's magic was forcing him away.

Soon, there was a sharp crack towards Merlin's feet and Arthur saw some kind of glass or crystal forming strongly against his legs, growing towards his upper body with haste.

"I'll protect you all. Always." The sad smile was on his face once again and Arthur knew just what those words were. They were his goodbye.

"Merlin, please! MERLIN! NO!" But his friend was unable to hear his words as the crystal reached his face and blocked his ears.

The spell that had kept Arthur away suddenly let go and the young king found himself running towards his friend again. Just when he was about to reach the crystal, a strong magical force ran over him, surprising him at first before there was another wave that Arthur had no way to block himself from. He was thrown away from Merlin harshly before he collided with the wall, knocking him unconscious. The last thing he saw was his best friend who he hadn't been able to save.


"-re! Sire!" Arthur woke up with a start to his knight's voice. He saw Leon watching him with worry as he was apparently laying down.

"MERLIN!" With Gwaine's distressed voice, he quickly pieced together what had happened that had caused him such a headache and he lifted himself up from the ground with speed that made his head spin.

"Merlin... Where-!?" Before he had time to finish his question, he saw exactly where his friend was, and it broke him down. So it had all been true.

"No.. NO!" Arthur shouted and scrambled closer. There he was, covered in the crystal that had grown even stronger than the last time he saw it, looking as if he was just sleeping.

Gwaine had drawn his sword and he swung it against the crystal. Unfortunately, it didn't even make a scratch on the surface, but that didn't stop the knight from trying. Over and over again, Gwaine kept hitting the cool, glassy surface, all the while shouting in anger. He only stopped when his sword broke cleanly in half and he could only fall to his knees.

Arthur could hear him crying and hitting the ground in anger but he was too focused on his own thoughts to think about anything else.

He had betrayed Merlin. He should have saved him. Now... Merlin was gone. He had sacrificed himself and for what?

For what...?

That thought brought him back to the reality and he looked back at Leon.

"Leon! Has something changed? Did...did Merlin do something?" Leon looked grim before nodding.

"Yes, sire. A barrier has appeared around the city of Camelot. I don't know the details but it seems like we are able to pass through."

"A barrier...?" Arthur couldn't understand it. If they could pass through the barrier without problems, what was the meaning of it? What was Merlin protecting them from? But just when he thought of the question, he already knew the answer. The beasts!

"Merlin... You're such an idiot.." Arthur muttered as he fell to his knees and allowed himself to shed tears for the loss of his friend.


Even though it was painful, time passed.

During that time, Arthur learned many things about the spell Merlin had performed. The most relieving thing to hear was the fact that Merlin wasn't dead. The fact didn't bring him hope for long as Gaius told him that it would be impossible to undo the spell and even if somehow he managed to do it, Merlin was never going to be awake again.

After days of anger and frustration, Arthur arrived to a conclusion. He would respect Merlin's last wish of wanting to protect Camelot and so he would not try to meaninglessly break the spell.

The barrier Merlin had created was strong. The magical beasts had not been able to pass through it, no matter what they tried. Eventually, they quit trying and returned to the forest, never to be seen near the city again.
The barrier still allowed the people to pass through normally even though it had scared many of them. The barrier was high and wide and it protected even the lower city from all harm. When it had first appeared, various colours had swam on it's surface but after a week it became almost completely transparent. It now resembled a glass bowl and the people started growing used to it.

After a few weeks, something strange happened. Arthur heard about someone who hadn't been able to pass through the barrier when trying to get into the city. This made Arthur curious and so he decided to find out who this person was. After a few days of searching, his knights had found the man, but had been attacked by him with magic. Fortunately, they returned with only a few bruises and cuts, but Arthur then knew the true extent of Merlin's magic. Not only did the barrier protect them from magical creatures, it also protected them from sorcerers whose magic was evil, as the sorcerers who lived in the city had been able to pass through with ease.

Was Merlin actually conscious through his magic? Was he watching everything that happened under and around the barrier, deciding who could pass and who could not? Somehow, it seemed just like what Merlin would do.

Even though Arthur was protected by his friend daily, even to the point where he was sometimes unable to pass through the barrier, he missed him enough to make him feel like an important piece was missing from his heart.

Gwen had also been very upset when she heard the news, but had come in terms with it much quicker than Arthur. She knew how Merlin had been and she didn't wish to tamper over his wishes. She had went to visit Merlin several times and every time she told him how thankful she was for what he did. Still, she could never stop herself from saying how she still wished he would never have done it. And as for Arthur, he could never say anything else to him.


Days passed. Those days turned to weeks, then months. Arthur kept counting every single one of them.

After six months and ten days, Arthur was visiting Merlin again, like he did every day. He had prohibited entry from anyone besides Merlin's friends and insisted on keeping the cave as it was. The only thing he allowed to do was creating holders for the torches. When Gwen had wanted to bring flowers for Merlin, Arthur found himself getting angry. He had snapped at her and told that as Merlin wasn't dead, the cave wasn't going to be treated as a tomb for him. Of course Gwen knew this, she just wanted to do something for her friend. Arthur did apologize to her, but no flowers were allowed in the cave.

Even though Arthur visited Merlin daily, and his anger towards him had lessened, he never once thanked Merlin. He didn't wish to thank him for sacrificing himself as it had just been plain stupid.

It took him those six months to finally utter those words.
"Merlin... There was a magical beast outside the walls today. If you wouldn't have protected us, many would have died. I...I thought I would never say this, but...Thank you."

Those words made him remember once again about how things had been, and how they would never be the same again.

Day after day, the pain would lessen slightly, but Arthur never stopped wishing that it wouldn't be so.

Still, Merlin remained unmoving and unchanging.

One day he remembered Merlin's words: "Destiny will always bring us together."

Maybe one day they could talk again? Arthur truly wished so. He needed Merlin by his side, not as a protector, but as a friend.


I took the part where Merlin calls the dragon from Merlin wikia, and the other part, where Merlin finishes his protection spell, I just used a translator. The word means: 'Forever', but if anyone is able to read Greek, please tell me if it is wrong.
Here you have the second chapter. The next one will be final and I will have it up by tomorrow, I think.