A/N: SORRY! Oh God, you're all going to kill me aren't you? Sorrysorrysorry! I forget sometimes that people don't read all of the things I post on here, and that there are people who only read this one and that I should update it because they're going to get mad at me, kind of like now and just I am so sorry and I should stop rambling and let you read. Yeah? Yeah. Okay, here you go!

Merlin saw that Arthur was about to protest and interrupted him before he could even start. "Arthur, whatever you are about to say is utter bullshit." the knights were taken aback by his language, Merlin didn't curse, "No matter how hard to try to convince yourself that this is all a show, you know that it isn't. Right now I am not your manservant. Right now I am Emrys, I am a warlock, and I am the only one who can get you out of here before Alyse comes after us."

"But.. she's dead."

"No, she's not. She'll be unconscious for a few more hours. It'll take longer for her magic to come back to her, but she'll be mad as hell. Now listen to me. The guards had a Cloque over them -"

"A cloak?"

"Yes. Well yes, but no. A Cloque is a shield of magic. It was probably cast when the barrier was. She told the truth in saying that no one can just walk in and out of here. It's a powerful magic."

"And you're just going to break it."

Merlin flashed his trademark grin. "Nope! That's the thing. There's a loophole! This spell is practically impossible to break. I mean, I could do it, but that would take too much time and energy. I can channel it though. I can cut a hole almost. I focus on an area and bring the magic inside of myself. When you are all through, I can replace it."

"And how are you going to walk out then?"

"I'll just walk. I'm not like any of you, or any sorcerer you've ever met. I'm the exception to all the rules."

"I don't -"

"Arthur can I please just get you out of here? I don't think you realize how much I've done you keep you alive. I'd appreciate it if you didn't screw it up now."

Arthur stood silent for a moment, and then gave a short nod of his head. Taking this as his queue, Merlin turned back to the wall that no one could see but him. He once again placed his hand on it. He looked as if he were about to start casting his spell, but he stopped suddenly and turned back to the knights.

"This magic will fight me. It will want to return to this barrier even if it means tearing me apart. You mustn't touch me. You must move as quickly as you can. You'll be able to see where you are meant to pass." He paused considering his next words, and then he surprised everyone by bowing low. "It has been an honour serving you, King Arthur, and I am truly grateful for having met every single one of you. You have all changed my life, you gave me purpose. " He stood up then. "I once told you Arthur, that I was happy to serve you until the day I die. That holds true. I hope that today is not that day, but if it is, there are things you must know. The Great Dragon will tell you. His name is Kilgarrah. He will not hurt you. I have forbidden him to attack any Camelot citizen. That will hold even after my death, as I am the last Dragon Lord, and there is no one to command him after me. You are a good king Arthur, and you will become a great one."

Before anyone could say anything, Merlin placed his hand on the small ball of magic once again and his eyes burned a brilliant gold as he began the spell almost in a whisper.

"Wyf yn eu gorchymyn i chi ufuddhau i mi. Rhowch fy enaid, gadewch i mi yn cynnwys chi,yn gadael llwybr diogel ar gyfer y Brenin Unwaith ac yn y Dyfodol. Gadewch iddynt basio,gadael iddynt basio, gadewch iddynt basio, gadael iddynt basio ..." The last three words were repeated over and over and it was as if Arthur's vision were clearing. There was one path ahead of him that suddenly became crystal clear. One look at his knights and he knew they all saw the same thing. He gestured for them all to move forward, not wanting to risk speaking and breaking Merlin's concentration. He was already sweating, and he had a pained expression on his face. "It will most likely try to kill me ... even if it means tearing me apart..." Merlin's voice echoed in Arthur's head and he motioned again for everyone to move faster. Gwaine was helped through by Percival, followed by Elyan and Leon. Arthur waited for a moment, simply observing the man he had known for years. A man who he called friend. A man who possessed an unreal amount of magic, and who was the most powerful sorcerer Arthur had ever seen. He knew that he should be running through the barrier. Merlin's breath was laboured, and there was no doubt in Arthur's mind that the magic Merlin had called into himself had started fighting as soon as it was forced out of place. He knew Merlin was in pain; but he couldn't tear his eyes away. His manservant whom he had trusted and loved like a brother had betrayed him, had been for years. Thoughts crashed through his mind, each one louder and louder, making the young king more and more confused. He was snapped out of his thoughts by one whispered word.

"Go."

Arthur turned, and ran through the barrier. It closed almost immediately after he was on the other side, taking the image of a struggling Merlin with it.

His knights were all waiting for him. Looking expectantly at the wall. Nothing happened. They waited for an hour... two... three... nothing. Leon broke the silence.

"We should be heading back to Camelot. He's sent the dragon for us. Surely it'll know what's happened to him."

"I'm not leaving him."

"Gwaine-"

"No. I will not leave him. That man saved my life, and all of yours. More times than we know by the looks of things. He deserves to be saved."

"And how do we do that?" asked Arthur, frustrated, "Do tell me Gwaine, because none of us are in shape to fight – you and Elyan in particular – and there is a barrier in our way not we cannot get through without magic." Gwaine stood silent, with pursed lips and anger blazing in his eyes. "I want to save him just as much as you do," Arthur continued softly, "but in order to do that we must do as Leon suggested. We must start back for Camelot and hope that the dragon finds us."

No one spoke, and the heavy silence rested until Percival picked Elyan up, and began walking towards the forest, and away from the castle. They all followed him individually, not wanting to leave, but knowing that they had to. It was dark by the time they reached the forest, though it was true that they had only gotten out of the castle late-afternoon. They stopped every hour of so, allowing Gwaine and Elyan to regain their strength. It was a long journey, and the absence of everyone's favourite manservant made it almost unbearable. No one had realized how much they relied on Merlin to lighten the mood until he wasn't there to do it. Arthur was serious, and had a look of sheer concentration on his face. It didn't once falter.

Resting was only considered once they were deep into the forest, and even then, the trees were too close together for anyone to sit comfortably. They walked until they came upon a clearing. It was rather large, and Arthur thought that he recognized it. Why though? Where had he seen this place before?

"Camelot."

Arthur whipped round. "What was that Leon?"

"Camelot, look! It must only be a day's walk from here."

Oh yes. Arthur had been to this clearing before. How ironic that the place he supposedly killed the dragon, was the place he was going to ask for it's aid.

Hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter is Kilgarrah's appearance, so stick around! Maybe if you review I'll remember to write ;)