Before I begin the chapter I want to thank you for reading my story and thank everyone who has reviewed my story. Yes, this is a very dark read however, I hope you enjoy the parts I put in trying to add a dash of humor. I never meant for the story to get as dark as it has…Then again, if you kill off Merlin it's bound be dark! Please review I really enjoy the feedback and it makes me want to publish faster. :] Thanks again! ~Lthien

P.S. Next Chapter we learn more of Merlin!

"We need to get back to camp, we have a long journey ahead of us," Arthur says as he grasps onto his horse's reigns pulling the animal closer to him. The animal snorts unhappily as smoke from the torch burns its eyes. The blonde turns towards the knight and smiles warmly at him. "We'll get him back, Lancelot, dry your tears."

The knight roughly rubs his eyes and turns his head away not realizing he was crying. "It's…It's the smoke, my lord."

"Of course it is," the blonde laughs bitterly as he tugs his horse's reigns starting off into the dark. The knight sniffs loudly and jogs to catch up with the King, pulling his horse behind him. They walk side-by-side in silence for about thirty minutes before the King murmurs:

"You know…I once told Merlin "no man is worth your tears."" Lancelot turns his head and looks the man in the eyes; the blonde's eyes glisten with tears unashamed. The King's lips pucker slightly into a grimace as if he were fighting with himself and sucks in a deep breath. "I know now how wrong I was," he laughs brokenly as he looks up towards the starless sky. Lancelot only continues to observe the King not knowing what to say and stares ahead into the dark, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Merlin was the most compassionate man I have ever met." The handsome man finally whispers smiling at Arthur through tear filled eyes. "Did you know that sometimes he would visit the lower town to tell the children tales of adventure? I would sometimes listen, he was quite good… They were always about you, my lord." Lancelot steals a glance in the blonde's direction and sees the man's eyebrows knit together in the glow of the torch. The knight smiles at the memory as he continues, "'Arthur the Brave', 'Arthur the Courageous,' always something different yet always the same." Lancelot stops walking and turns toward his King putting his free hand on his shoulder. "He thought the world of you, Arthur. I know, for a fact, he wouldn't want you to blame yourself for his passing." He gently squeezes the man's shoulder before dropping his hand and starts walking again, leaving the blonde to his thoughts.

"Lancelot," the blonde chokes out finally looking at the knight's back fall into shadow.

"Yes, sire?" The knight murmurs as he continues to walk ahead of the King, hiding his tears in the dark.

"Thank you."

"For what, sire?" His eyebrows knit together in confusion as he faces the King.

"For being my friend and for being Merlin's friend," the blonde smiles brilliantly at him as tears roll down his already tear stained face. He quickly wipes them away before straddling his horse. "Now, we have witches to burn, yes?" He winks at the knight making him laugh slightly.

"You sure are something, sire."

"Same to you, Sir Lancelot; now, are we going to continue sobbing like women, or are we going to do something about it? Look! The sun's rising." The King points ahead of them towards the rising light and throws down the torch in the dirt, snuffling it out.

"I hope you never say anything like this in front of Guinevere, sire!" The knight laughs before straddling his horse.

"-Wouldn't dream of it! She'd have my head on a dinner platter!" The King laughs spurring his horse forward as Lancelot races to catch up with him.

"When do you think they'll return?" Elyan murmurs as he stokes the ashes left of the fire.

"Soon, I hope," Leon replies biting his thumb nail absentmindedly and continues to pace.

"I hate all this waiting! It's making my head hurt!" Gwaine grumbles and presses his temples lightly with his fingers.

"Gwaine, you have to be the most impatient man I have ever met." Percival openly laughs as he plops down next to him. "Relax; I'm sure they're fine!" He laughs reassuringly to his friend as he bumps his shoulder into the man almost making him fall over into the dirt.

"Leon, you're going to dig a hole! You've been pacing for the past three hours, please sit down; you're making me nervous!" Elyan exclaims as he pats the open space next to him on the ground.

"Sorry… I'm just worried is all," the knight sighs as he sits down next to Elyan; he groans as his sore legs relax on the ground. "God, I'm getting too old for this!" He hisses as he rubs his sore calf.

"You're barely thirty!" Elyan laughs punching him in the leg making the knight howl in pain and laughter.

"Yes but keeping up with our King is a hell of a job!" He laughs punching the knight in the arm.

"Sorry I'm such a pain!" A voice laughs from behind the men followed by another familiar laugh.

"Sire!" The knights all turn happily towards the King and knight taking turns to welcome them back.

"Did you find Merlin?!" Gwaine screeches impatiently at the blonde as Sir Leon releases him from a hug.

"No, but I know where to find him. I'm almost positive she took him to her and Morgana's castle." Gwaine's face pales immensely as the King continues on. "We were heading there anyway but I feel Morgana is making it to where we have to go."

"What the hell do they want with Merlin? Haven't they already done enough?!" Gwaine cries rubbing his face roughly with his hands before plopping down in the dirt.

"I'm not too sure…Whatever it is it can't be good. I guess he's lucky he's already dead…" Arthur's face almost turns green as he says "dead."

"Sire, this could be a trap," Leon sighs frustrated.

"Yes, but I don't see any other option. I will not leave Merlin with them; never. Merlin might've been the worst servant I've ever had but he was a good man. He deserves better." The King smiles widely at his men who laugh lightly at his joke. Merlin was without a doubt the best and loyal servant a King, and friend, could ever ask for.

"Soo…What's the plan then sire?" Elyan says stepping forward. The King beams a mischievous smile at him making him gulp.