AN: Sorry about the long wait! Work has been rough on me the past few weeks.

As the World Comes to an End

Chapter Three: Old Friends, New Enemies

Arthur wakes to a terrible screaming that makes his blood run cold. He jolts up in a bed that's shaking, and it only takes him a second to realize that the bloodcurdling noise is coming from Merlin.

The look of terror on Merlin's face, the sound of his screams, the fact that the bed is trembling but the ground isn't moving, it all tells him that something is terribly, horribly wrong.

"Merlin!" Arthur screams, trying to make himself heard over Merlin's cries. Merlin scoots up the bed and hurls himself against the wall, curling up into a small, trembling ball as he continues to scream. Arthur's heart rips itself into pieces in his chest.

"Merlin, it's all right. Please." Arthur has no idea if it's going to be all right, has no idea what's even wrong, but he will do anything to stop Merlin's screams. He untangles himself from the covers and moves up the bed toward him.

"Merlin, look at me." He grabs Merlin's arm, trying to get him to look up.

It turns out to be a big mistake. Merlin just yells louder and puts up a hand, and Arthur feels himself fly off of the bed and crash to the floor. He lands hard on his shoulder, groaning in pain, shocked at the fact that Merlin just flung him across the room.

He doesn't take long to consider it, though. Instead he gets shakily to his feet. Merlin pulls out of his ball and grasps his head. Arthur can see his eyes glowing gold from across the room. Merlin clearly has no control over what is happening, and Arthur feels just as helpless watching.

Without warning, Merlin gets off the bed, still holding his head, and when his feet hit the floor he crashes and curls up into a ball against the end table. The bed stops quaking, and instead Arthur can feel a slight trembling in the earth beneath his feet, and now he's terrified. He can't help it. He knows this is Merlin, knows Merlin would never hurt him. But his magic is powerful, and it's like he's no longer in control of it.

But then Merlin whimpers, and Arthur pushes aside his fear without a second thought and walks toward the bed.

He approaches slowly, trying not to startle him.

"Merlin."

Merlin groans and doesn't look up. He starts rocking back and forth.

"Merlin, it's all right." Arthur's a few feet from him now, and he crouches down next to him slowly.

"Merlin, it's me. Arthur. You're safe."

The ground stops quaking, but Merlin doesn't. Arthur reaches both hands out to Merlin gently, but he doesn't touch him.

"Merlin, look at me. Please."

Merlin stops trembling and lets out a sob.

"Emrys."

Arthur's not sure why he says it. He remembers Morgana saying the name before Merlin killed her, and though he's not entirely sure what it means, it just comes out, and it feels right.

In the end, it does the trick. Merlin pulls his arms away from his head and looks up at him. Tears streak his face and his eyes are still gold, and Arthur has to reach him.

"You're safe, Merlin. I'm here." Slowly, as gently as he can, he puts his hands on Merlin's shoulders. Merlin flinches, but he doesn't pull away or send him flying across the room, and Arthur takes it as a good sign. "Come back to me. Please."

Merlin whimpers quietly, but he looks Arthur in the eyes and nods. His eyes slowly fade from gold to blue, and the trembling in his body begins to slow.

"That's it. You're okay now." Arthur rubs Merlin's shoulders gently, and Merlin gazes down at the floor and starts to take deep breaths. Arthur stays next to him and keeps caressing softly as Merlin slowly calms down.

Eventually, the trembling stops and Merlin's breathing evens out. He looks back up again.

"Arthur," he whispers quietly.

Arthur sighs in relief. "Yes, it's me."

"Thank you." Merlin reaches up and grabs Arthur's hands. Arthur grasps Merlin's hands in return, squeezing them tightly.

"You're welcome."

They sit like that in silence for a few minutes, Merlin still shaking slightly. When it seems like Merlin has calmed down enough to talk, Arthur speaks.

"Merlin…what happened?"

Merlin shakes his head. "I don't…Arthur, we're naked. And the floor is cold."

He sounds small, and so (God help him) adorable, that Arthur laughs, and it comes out both nervous and relieved. "C'mon, let's go back to bed."

Arthur helps Merlin to his feet. The two of them find their pants and put them on before climbing back onto the bed. Merlin sits at the head of the bed and wraps his arms around his knees. Arthur sits next to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. Sighing deeply, Merlin leans into his touch, and when Arthur wraps his other arm around him, Merlin drops his knees away from his chest. They resettle until Merlin is sitting in Arthur's lap, his back against Arthur's chest and his hands on Arthur's arms, holding on tight.

Finally, Merlin speaks.

"At first I was just dreaming. About that time the unicorn came back to life, do you remember that?"

Arthur nods against Merlin's shoulder, but he doesn't say anything, and Merlin continues.

"Anyway, one minute I was dreaming, and then the next…it felt like the ground just split open and something…something terrible heaved itself out of the darkest place you could imagine. It came out of the earth, and it was so powerful. I felt the ground crumbling around me and it just started pulling at my magic. I felt like it was…using me to try and claw its way to the surface."

"Merlin."

"It tore at me from the inside, and I couldn't control my magic anymore. It hurt. Like nothing ever has. I've never lost control like that. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think."

Merlin starts to shake slightly, and Arthur grabs Merlin's hands between his own and rubs them gently.

"I'm sorry I threw you across the room. I didn't…I couldn't recognize you. I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry, Arthur."

"It's all right, Merlin."

"No, it's not. I could have hurt you. I don't ever want to hurt you."

"Look, I'm okay. See?" Arthur kisses the top of his head, breathes gently into his hair. "I'm fine."

Merlin grows silent, lost in his thoughts. When he speaks again, he whispers so quietly Arthur has to strain to hear him.

"There's something out there, Arthur. It's powerful. I don't know what it is; I've never felt anything like it. But it…it wants to hurt us. Not just me, but…everyone."

"You can feel all of that?"

Merlin nods slowly. "It's bad, Arthur. It's…it's evil."

And despite the fact that there's no breeze blowing through the cottage, Arthur shivers.

"You really think we'll find answers in these glass caves?"

"Crystal Caves. And yes. Or at least…I hope so."

"Have you been to these caves before?"

"Many times. Especially in the last few centuries. I go there when I need…guidance." Merlin doesn't expand on what "guidance" means, and Arthur doesn't push him. "I went there a lot after you…after you died."

Arthur marvels over how, even now that he's alive again, Merlin still hesitates every time he talks about Arthur being dead.

"And then before you died. Before the battle at Camlann. Morgana took away my magic. I had to leave you to get it back. Turns out I couldn't really lose it anyway."

Arthur stops walking. "So that's why you couldn't come with me? You really did need to obtain vital supplies?"

Merlin smiles. "Yes. I would never have left you for anything else."

"I knew it," Arthur says quietly, and a thoughtful look crosses his face. "I mean, I didn't know why you left, but I always sensed something was…off. Merlin…." He gazes at Merlin, and he looks touched and awed all at the same time. "I always knew you were the bravest of us all. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"It's all right." Merlin smiles reassuringly and takes a step closer to Arthur. "I couldn't blame you for feeling hurt. I just wish I could have told you more. I regretted having to keep secrets from you. I never liked hiding who I really was. I just…I never wanted to make you choose between upholding the law and saving my life."

"You didn't want to put me in that position."

"Yeah," Merlin says with a laugh. "You actually remember me saying that?"

"Of course I do, Merlin. It was the moment when I realized that you…." Arthur trails off, looks deep into Merlin's eyes, and blushes slightly before looking away. Merlin finds it incredibly endearing.

"That I cared about you?" Merlin supplies helpfully.

Arthur takes a minute, like he's screwing up his courage, then looks back at him.

"That you loved me."

Merlin smiles gratefully, then kisses Arthur lightly on the cheek. But then Arthur grabs his face and pulls him in for a real kiss, gasping heavily around his mouth, and Merlin can feel the need behind it.

Finally, Arthur pulls away. "I didn't realize that I loved you back until it was too late."

"It's all right, Arthur. You told me in the end. It's what kept me going." He reaches out, takes Arthur's hand, and attempts to lead them on.

Arthur pulls him back.

"Merlin…wait."

Merlin turns back to him questioningly.

"That dream I had. When you told me about the hidden path. Was that…was that real?"

Merlin turns them until they're facing each other. "The cave is magic, Arthur. I used the crystals to see Morgana's plans, and then I used them to find you."

"So it wasn't a dream?"

"No."

Arthur laughs. "I knew it wasn't a dream. It didn't feel like one. It felt…more real. Deep down inside, I knew it was really you. You were giving me advice just like you always do, and I listened without question. You saved us all that night, Merlin."

Merlin smiles. "Glad I could help," he says sincerely, vaguely recalling another time he said those words and didn't mean them in the slightest.

Arthur pulls him into a sideways hug, and with one arm still draped over his shoulder he lets Merlin lead them on to the caves.

"We're here," Merlin finally announces.

Arthur stops and stares.

"Just looks like a cave to me. You're sure you'll find answers here?"

Merlin stops outside the cave, and he's instantly flooded with memories. Visiting the caves for the first time and seeing into the future even though he didn't want to. Foiling Morgana's plans by talking to Arthur in his sleep. Wanting to see his father after Arthur's death, needing his advice. Returning to find help in saving Camelot. Wanting to see Kilgharrah again. Missing Matthew.

He's visited the caves dozens of times over the years, seeking solitude, answers, guidance. He's received help from the crystals themselves, in the visions they show him, though he's always been wary of relying on the messages they bring. He's received help from his father, from a few magical friends he's made through the years, and from Kilgharrah.

"I don't know for sure," Merlin replies. "But I've found answers in the past. Hopefully I can find them again."

Arthur nods. "Do I…can I come in with you?"

Merlin's never brought anyone into the caves, never had a reason to, but deep down he knows the answer to the question anyway.

"No. This is something I have to do alone."

"Right. Mysterious sorcery business. Got it."

Merlin laughs. "Exactly."

Arthur smiles at him. "Merlin…I…." He looks at him, hesitates, then reaches out and squeezes his hand gently. "Good luck."

Merlin squeezes back as he nods. When he lets go of Arthur's hand, he feels the loss immediately. Steeling himself, he walks away from Arthur and enters the cave.

It turns out, Merlin needn't have worried. The crystals light his path to the farthest depths of the cave, and there, Merlin finds Kilgharrah waiting for him.

It's not really him, of course. More like a ghost, or an imprint. A manifestation of the magic that flows through Merlin's veins and courses through the fabric of the world. He's blue, not gold, and he lies on the ground, head on his front paws.

Merlin kicks a stone aside as he enters the chamber, and the Great Dragon stirs.

"Young warlock. I am glad to see you."

Merlin laughs. "I'm over 2000, old friend. When will you ever stop calling me 'young'?"

"Merlin, to me you will always be the small, naïve boy who entered my prison all those years ago."

"Thanks," Merlin answers dryly. "I suppose you know why I have come?"

"I am here for the same reasons as you. A stirring deep in the Earth has brought me out of slumber. Something I have not felt since before the dawn of man. Something-"

"Evil," Merlin answers without thinking, and he shivers involuntarily at the memory of waking that morning.

Kilgharrah nods. "I am here to help you, Merlin. To help everyone."

"What is this…thing? Why is it here? And why now?"

"I cannot answer all of your questions, Merlin. Some things cannot be easily explained."

"Two thousand years and you still speak in riddles," Merlin quips, rolling his eyes. "Just tell me what you can."

"The force that has arisen has no name, for man has never given it one. It is magic, Merlin, but it is evil. Think of it as the dark to your light. Every element that makes up this world has a dark side and a light side. It is how everything keeps in balance. Magic is no different. You are the manifestation of all that is good about magic: courage, kindness, faith. You use your magic to heal, to care for others, and to fight for what is right. Evil has always existed in this world, Merlin. You've seen it first hand. But this…this is like nothing you've ever seen, or ever will."

"I think I need to sit down," Merlin whispers, but he can't sit down because his legs have frozen in place. The air in the cave suddenly feels much colder than it did when he first entered.

"This creature is a malevolence born from the darkness in the world, made stronger by the growing evil in man's heart. Many thousands of years ago, before men ruled the world, the dragons saw a great evil rising. They sought to destroy it, and found that it was too powerful. So they banded together and used what magic they could to cast it deep into the Earth. They placed a powerful spell on it, forcing it to slumber. But the dragons knew it could not stay buried forever. Instead it slept and it fed. It fed on greed, jealousy, and dark intentions. It fed on the darkness in man's heart...and it grew stronger. The past two hundred years have been good to it."

Merlin's heart beats faster, and he knows without a doubt that everything Kilgharrah has said is true. "The last war. That's made it powerful enough to break your spell. And now it's come back to…what does it want?"

Merlin asks the question, yet he already knows the answer.

"It feeds off of death and destruction, Merlin. It has no agenda. No real purpose but to destroy everything that is good in this world, until there is nothing left but evil. It is darkness personified. It is your destiny, and it is your doom."

Merlin turns away, the weight of what is happening too much for him to bear. He knows without a doubt that this thing is pure evil, and that it seeks to destroy the world. Deep down, Merlin already knew everything that Kilgharrah has told him. He knew it from the second that thing crawled out of the Earth.

It hits him like a freight train. Something he should have figured out already; something he has been trying desperately to deny.

"Arthur. This is why Arthur's back. To fight this…this thing. But how can he…how do you fight Evil, Kilgharrah? How can he fight something that doesn't even have a form? How can he possibly-"

"He won't be fighting it alone, young warlock. Surely you understand that."

He smiles at Merlin knowingly, and Merlin sighs.

Of course.

"We'll fight it together. Like we always have."

Kilgharrah nods. "Two sides of the same coin. You need each other, Merlin. The world needs you."

"Of course it does," Merlin replies bitterly. He turns away, runs his hands through his hair. Then without warning, he picks up a rock and hurls it as hard as he can at the wall and screams. "Four days! Arthur's only been back for four days. We only just…." Merlin blushes at the memory of last night, and while he won't share intimate details, he realizes there's no point in beating around the bush. "We're finally together. We were going to…two thousand years! He just got back, Kilgharrah. It's not…it's not…."

And he can't get it out, because he knows what Kilgharrah will say. Life is not meant to be fair.

But then the Great Dragon surprises him.

"No, Merlin. It is not fair. And I am sorry. I truly am." Kilgharrah bows his head, and Merlin watches in shock as a single tear falls down the dragon's face. "I wish it wasn't so, young warlock. For your sake, and for Arthur's."

Merlin turns away and puts his hand on his forehead. He chokes down the lump he feels rising in his throat, fights back the tears, breathes deeply.

"The world needs you and Arthur once more, now more than ever. But you don't have to answer. You have a choice, Merlin."

Merlin turns to the dragon sharply, and he realizes his decision was made long before he set foot in the cave. Maybe even before they left the cottage this morning.

"No, we don't."

Kilgharrah smiles smugly, as though he's known all along what Merlin's answer would be.

"How do we find this thing?" Merlin asks.

"That is a question I cannot answer. But I do know someone who can help you."

Merlin emerges from the cave after what feels like only half an hour to find that the sun is sinking low in the sky and Arthur is pacing frantically.

"Arthur."

Arthur's head jerks up at the sound of Merlin's voice.

"Thank God. I was worried sick, Merlin. I had no idea if…Merlin…what's wrong?"

He looks at Arthur, and there's so much concern and love in his eyes that for a split second Merlin considers lying. Telling him that there's nothing to worry about, that there's nothing to be done, that someone else will take care of it. But he knows before the thought is even finished that he'll never do that.

"We have another journey ahead of us, Arthur."

...tbc...