Merlin fell to the bottom of the boat to sob furiously. How was it fair? How was any of this fair?! Then he pulled himself up. He let an insane fury rage through him. He wasn't going to lose Arthur. Not this time, not again!
Merlin pulled off his top, and his jacket and his boots. Merlin grasped the side. He stared down at his reflection. His face was white as paper and his eyes were red and puffy. He took a deep breath.
"Arthur, I'm going to save you, or die at your side!" he whispered.
Merlin stood up. He prepared himself to dive in. before he knew what was happening the icy waters pricked against his skin in small pin prick points that almost burned.
Merlin looked around. He couldn't see properly, but that wasn't going to stop him from going deeper! He dove down and swam deeper into the murky waters!
Merlin's lungs were screaming for air! They begged for him to go back up! His head was beginning to feel light, and he was getting dizzy. His heart thundered on and his lungs tightened.
Suddenly, just after he stopped being able to breath, something gripped him. He didn't have time to make sure they didn't hurt merlin. They swam as strong and fast as they could up towards the surface.
They exploded from the water! Merlin was shoved into the boat, and Arthur climbed in after him. He lept straight into action, trying to jump start merlin's heart with his hands. Arthur opened merlin's mouth and a load of water came flooding out, but he didn't open his eyes.
Angry self-blaming tears pierced Arthur's eyes. He scooped up merlin's body and cradle him near. Then he found himself too weak to try again. He just wept hugging merlin closer as merlin had to him all those years ago.
"I'm sorry! I love you!" he whispered into merlin's body.