Next! L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N by Noah and the Whales. Please let me know what you think?
Merlin paused outside of Arthur's door. He couldn't believe that he was having to do this, again. Trade his life for the prince's. Not that Arthur was aware of the first time, especially considering they were both still alive. But even so, Merlin knew the time had come for him to say goodbye. Again. How many times did that make it now? He tentatively knocked.
"Come in." Despite the commanding note infiltrating the voice, Merlin could hear the pain in it. He gently opened the door, and sure enough, Arthur was leaning back on the headboard, hand resting over the stab wound, looking pale. He opened his eyes when his servant walked in though, looking mildly surprised.
"Merlin? What's wrong?"
"Wrong?" Merlin spluttered. He didn't look that guilty did he? Whilst he knew that this was him attempting to say goodbye, he didn't want Arthur to realise what he was up to until it was too late to stop him. For he knew that was precisely what the prince would do otherwise.
"You knocked." Merlin blinked, the beginnings of a smirk making its way on his face. Trust Arthur to pick up on something like that considering he was basically dying.
"Yeah, well, like to keep you on your toes, Sire." Knowing his master as well as he did, Merlin could see the almost invisible smile on Arthur's face, only for him to shift position, wincing. The smile fell from Merlin's face, reminding him of why he had stepped through the door in the first place.
"Life goes on, you know." He muttered, moving further into the room and coming to a stop at the end of the bed. How many times had he made the damn thing, complaining about it continuously? He would love to be able to have simple things like that occupying his mind now.
"Merlin, I'm dying in case you haven't noticed."
"Says who?" Merlin shot back. He had to get Arthur to realise that he was going to live through this. Sure enough, Arthur frowned up at him.
"Gaius. You know, Court Physician and all that. He said that for all the potions and lotions money can buy, I won't be getting out of this one. Well, okay, that's not precisely what he said, but I could see it in his eyes." Merlin rolled his eyes at the prince.
"You, Sire, have more to you than thinking about money." Merlin broke off, glancing down. This was it. Time to make the prat realise. "Arthur, you've got a heart. It certainly over comes your common sense most of the time. I mean, pushing Lancelot out of the way of the dagger and getting hit yourself? You did realise he was wearing armour, right?"
Arthur looked suddenly tired, leaning further back and shutting his eyes with a sigh. "If you've come to tell me how much of a prat I was, Merlin, don't bother. I don't have time."
"You do, Arthur." Merlin said softly. "Your heart means you take your own route, not your father's. You have to keep that up." The prince was looking at him again, sensing his servant's tone of voice. "Life will go on, and you never know, what you don't have now you might get another chance with in the future."
What was unspoken said more than what was. The prince couldn't be with the woman he loved now, but given time, the opportunity would arise when the young lovers wouldn't have to hide what they were feeling. "Just... stay true to your heart, Arthur. Follow only your path."
Suddenly feeling slightly overwhelmed, Merlin ran from the room, leaning on the wall outside the prince's chambers. He could sense Arthur's incredulous look almost burning through the door. Merlin knew why though. This was not the first time he had spouted something like this, and ironically it seemed to be when one or both of them were about to die. Merlin had lost count of the amount of times he had delivered a last speech to Arthur.
Pushing himself away from the wall, he walked slowly down the corridor, watching the sun begin to set. Its progression changed with every window the warlock passed, and Merlin sighed. It was his last night on earth. Again. Last time, he had turned his head to the heavens and hoped that everything was going to work out okay. But this time, Merlin mused, finally reaching his chambers and opening the small window, this time he was just going to breathe. Take in the night air, let it flood his senses and make him feel alive. There was no point worrying, he had done this before, he knew it would save Arthur. And, considering his track record, the chances were that he would end up staying alive anyway. But if he didn't...
Merlin took another breath, and smiled. If he didn't, it was almost like it wouldn't matter. Not that he wanted to die, but that he knew it would be worth it. He had paid a high price to make sure that his destiny was fulfilled, and even if he did live through this, Merlin knew what he had been prepared to pay. Arthur would make a great King one day, and if Merlin could claim any credit in that, even if it was keeping the prat alive for long enough for him to do so, then it would be worth it.
Despite his initial hating of the man he had come to serve, Merlin had no regrets about what he was about to do. He was done with everything. He was ready to fulfil his destiny. And by doing so, he knew that Arthur would have the chance he needed. Life would go on.