Chapter 10: One Day

Chapter Notes: Erm...I know some of my stuff is season 3...and I know Morgana is supposed to be evil in that...but...I just liked her so much better when she was nice so...sorry but no evil Morgana in this one :D Bear with me please :D

Song of this is One Day by Trading Yesterday if anyone cares to know :D

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Gwaine and Gaius were sitting in the royal morgue where the body of Merlin had been brought to on the king's orders. The situation was dire, Arthur had not woken up yet. However unlike last time, Gaius hoped he hadn't followed Merlin. It didn't seem likely. Arthur was running a fever and he had some injuries, mostly bad bruises and scratches, 3 cracked ribs, but nothing that would have ever stopped him before.

Once again Gaius had a theory but he wasn't about to tell the grieving family that Arthur did not not wake up because of his physical condition but because he simply didn't want to because he had lost Merlin.

xxXxxXxxXxx

In Arthur's chambers Uther was sitting next to his son's bed as Morgana came in.

"Mylord, you have to rest. The night is almost over and tomorrow you will have important business to attend to. I will make sure that someone is with Arthur all the time. I'm sure he will be up and around in no time, he's surely just exhausted he has been sick for a while after all and then all the training and fighting...He'll come around you'll see"

The king was too tired to disagree so he just said thanks and got up to leave. While he hadn't fought in this battle by himself he had been worn down emotionally by guilt. So he just nodded and got up heading towards his room.

Morgana settled down in the chair he had just left. She smiled as she thought of the reason why she had fled her chambers. Her maidservant and that extremely good looking warrior had needed a place for some alone time and she had wilfully provided it.

When her thoughts returned to Arthur her smile turned into a frown. He was completely still, didn't react to anything. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. He wasn't struggling this time, not like he had the last time. He was just lying there and only the faint movement of his chest indicated that he was still alive.

She took one of his cold hands into hers looking at her brother in concern.

"Arthur, if you hear me please come back. Merlin would never want this and you know it. Please come back."

xxXxxXxxXxx

Arthur couldn't hear her. He was drifting through an empty dark void. He didn't look around, he didn't try and find a way back. He just didn't want to. Why would he? He had nothing to go back to. Merlin was gone.

"Arthur? What on earth are you doing here?"

Now he was even hearing his voice...how pathetic...if Merlin could see him now...he would be so disappointed.

"Arthur...Hello? What are you doing here?"

There it was again. It even sounded exactly the same as Merlin had when he was annoyed.

"Arthur...Merlin to prince prat...why are you here?" the voice sounded a lot closer now and Arthur's head snapped up as he wanted to tell it to get lost, just to stare into blazing blue eyes.

"Merlin?"

"Arthur...it's really you. Oh no."

Arthur looked at the warlock in front of him in wonder. He knew he should be happy, hugging him, kissing him, doing something. But all he could do was sit there and stare at him.

"Merlin, am I dead?"

Merlin looked at him, then he knelt down next to the prince.

"I really should be more worried about that hopeful tone in your voice." Merlin retorted.

They just stared at each other for a second, sapphire boring into emerald. Then, exactly the same time they leaned forward and pulled each other into a tight hug.

Arthur felt hot tears falling on his tunic, but he didn't mind, his own face was wet as well.

"I thought I'd never see you again..." they both sobbed in unison which caused them to smile.

They pulled back a little, so they could look into each other's eyes.

"Ok now...why are you here?" Merlin asked him looking into his eyes with a serious expression.

"Good question...Where is here anyways?" Arthur asked back.

"Hmm...another good question. I really don't know." Merlin answered but he averted his eyes and the young prince caught up on that.

"Merlin?" He placed his hand under the warlock's chin in an attempt to make him look into his eyes "Tell me."

Merlin looked into the serious emerald eyes for a long while.

"It is the passageway to the other side. I am waiting here for Kil...someone...We will pass over together."

Arthur locked his gaze with Merlin's.

"Let me come with you."

"No...can't do that." Merlin freed himself and got away, standing with his back to the knight.

"Why?"

When the prince spoke again the young warlock could hear the hurt in the other's voice and he couldn't bear it. He had intended to send Arthur away just like that but he couldn't. He didn't know what would expect him on the other side and he couldn't handle the thought of leaving his beloved prince behind thinking he hadn't cared. So he turned around for Arthur to see the tears in his eyes.

"Merlin, what is wrong?" he asked, cradling the now sobbing boy in his arms.

"It just isn't fair." Merlin cried against his chest. "I just love you so much. Why did we just have so little time? Why?" Merlin broke off and Arthur just held him until the sobbing abated.

"Arthur." Merlin started, stopping to clear his throat "You have to go back."

"No..."Arthur protested, pulling Merlin closer to him "Please...I just can't lose you again...I just can't..."

"You have never really lost me. I was always right there."

"But what now? You just go and I have to live on alone? I can't make it without you. You make me whole. Without you I'm nothing."

"Don't be an idiot." Merlin scolded him softly, soothingly stroking the broad back. "You have everything and you are more than anyone could ever imagine. You have your family and friends. You have a responsibility towards your people. You will be the greatest king Camelot has ever had. You can do it."

"What if I don't want to? Merlin...I will miss you...you are my sun...what can I do without you."

"You know you're not talking the truth, you care about your kingdom a great deal and you care about you family. You will be alright."

"But..." Arthur drew back a little to lock his gaze with the blazing blue eyes "Merlin...I will miss you...I can't imagine life without your smile...life without you...I can't imagine going on with you gone..." the prince admitted in a whisper.

Merlin took one of his hands and placed it over Arthur's heart.

"You won't have to..." Merlin said with a serious voice "A part of me will always be right there with you as long as you don't forget me..."

Arthur swallowed hard as he laid his hand over Merlin's.

"I could never forget you Merlin...You are not in my heart..."

Merlin swallowed hard averting his eyes but Arthur made him look up back into his.

"You are my heart. Merlin...I could never forget you, as much as the sky couldn't forget the sun or the night the moon and the stars. But...I'm afraid to go back...I'm afraid to wake up with you gone...Who will tell me what to do? Who will be there when I lost all hope? Merlin I..."

The raven-haired boy brought his hand gently to the prince's lips, silencing him.

"Arthur...You don't need me anymore. You are a good person...I believe that you are able to tell what is wrong and what is right. You will do fine..."

"What if you're wrong? I'm only strong because I knew you would always back me up. I'm not as invincible as everyone thinks. I only am who I am because I had you to rely on...because you always helped me carry my burdens no matter how hard it was...I can't do this alone..."

"You won't have to." Merlin assured him, causing the intense emerald eyes to fixate on him "You have a lot of friends and people who care about you...you have your family...I know how much family means to you...You will be ok...They will all be there for you if you just allow them to. And they will need your help as well...Promise me you'll take care of Gwaine and Gaius...I do not fear for my mother or Morgana, they are very strong...I do not fear for Lancelot and Gwen, they can keep each other company...but I really fear for Gaius...he was like a father to me please take care of him..."

Arthur took in the pleading look on Merlin's face before he nodded.

"I will look after him don't you worry." He could see Merlin's expression soften with gratitude.

"And please look after Gwaine...he might act strong, and he is, in mind and body, but he is lonely...make sure he won't..." Merlin broke off not knowing what to say. He didn't want Arthur to have to look after Gwaine. But Arthur just nodded in agreement.

"Arthur...I'm sorry I shouldn't have..."

"Don't mention it...I know how much you care and I feel honoured that you trust me enough to give me that task."

"I know that it hardly seems fair to ask you that...to look out for Gwaine of all people...but he is a good person and he'll return the favour. He could become your most trusted friend...I know it is much to ask...but Arthur if anyone can manage to keep them together it's you...I know you're strong enough to do it..."

"Thanks...but you're wrong...I am not strong enough...but I will be able to do it anyways." Arthur said, cupping Merlin's face with his hands. "I will be able to do it because I will be doing it for you...and that means I will manage to get it right or die trying."

Merlin felt a smile on his face and tears in his eyes at that. But then he saw how Arthur turned his head away and hung it slightly. He made a decision right then. He might not know what would wait for him on the other side but he was Emrys...the supposedly most powerful warlock on earth...he would find a way to keep his promise...

"Arthur I would never let anything bad happen to you."

He had given it a long time ago, not spoken it out aloud back then, but he knew Arthur had understood.

"Arthur...I want you to know that you'll never be truly alone."

"Yeah,..."the prince responded quietly "I know, I've still got our friends"

Merlin looked at him with a sad smile.

"Yes you do, but that is not what I meant. I will be there and watch over you. Whenever the night is dark and there is but one bright star to guide you home that will be me. Whenever the warm summer rain and the warm breeze touch your skin, it will be me. Whenever a warm sunbeam makes your eyes shine in the brightest green, it will be me...Whenever you're lonely and a bird chirps a cheerful melody it will be me...I will never leave you...I will watch over you as long as you want me to."

As Merlin ended Arthur just stared at him for a moment. The prince didn't know what to say. It was a beautiful thought to have Merlin by his side, always, but it wouldn't be the same if he wouldn't be able to see those blazing blue eyes and hear the joyful laughter or bickering...'But it is better than nothing,...take what you can get young Pendragon or you will get nothing at all' a small voice in his head, sounding suspiciously similar to the dragon told him.

"Thank you Merlin...I promise to take care of Gwaine and Gaius and even Mystery...I promise I will become a king you can be proud of...because I will always carry you with me in my memories and in my heart, you are a part of me Merlin..." Arthur said.

"Just have been are and will always be a part of me Arthur...I know you will do all this...I know you can do it...I believe in you...You are the most mesmerizing person I have ever met...from the time I first saw you I have been captivated by you...I love you..." Merlin responded very quietly.

"I love you too." Arthur answered in a broken low voice.

After that both of them fell into a painful silence...they knew that the end of their time together was drawing near and both of them knew it was inevitable, but they refused to acknowledge that, just sitting in silence holding each other one last time.

As Merlin finally drew back Arthur inhaled deeply, trying to keep himself calm, but he failed as he saw the tears glistering in Merlin's eyes. He closed his eyes and shook his head in refusal to accept that this was their last goodbye. Then he opened them again, taking in the features of his beloved, eyes stopping at the brilliant sapphire eyes.

"Arthur...Close your eyes." Merlin commanded softly and Arthur complied, feeling how his tears started running down his face.

And then he felt Merlin's lips on his in a kiss that was not fuelled by uncontrollable passion or lust, it was a sweet kiss, a soft needy one. It was unbearably sweet and it nearly broke him. He knew that this was their last goodbye.

Merlin felt how his tears mingled with Arthur's as they kissed and he wished they could just stay in this moment forever, but he knew Arthur had to get back, he didn't even know how long they had been there. So he removed his lips from Arthur's leaning their foreheads together.

"I love you..." he whispered as his eyes glowed gold and Arthur was gone and Merlin was alone again. He felt as if a piece of his soul and heart had just been ripped out, but he was glad that he had been able to give the prince some closure.

His heart ached at the thought of Arthur carrying on without him, but he knew it was the best for the prince and that was all that counted. And with that he hugged his knees, sitting on the floor in the lonely darkness waiting for Kilgarrah to come and take him with him to the other side.

xxXxxXxxXxx

"Ungh..."

Arthur groaned as he woke up. He was disorientated for a moment. He had had a horrible nightmare. But thankfully enough he was awake now. He felt wretched, as if someone had tried to beat him to a pulp with a club. He was lying on his stomach and he was still wearing his armour.

'Why would I go to bed in my armour? Has that useless new manservant of mine not managed to keep me awake so I would undress? I wish Merlin was...'

His train of thought was interrupted as the memories came back with full force, almost like a physical blow to the stomach it made his eyes water and left him gasping for breath.

"Merlin..." he gasped and he felt the pain as if someone had stabbed him right into the heart as he remembered where he had been. What had happened.

"Arthur!" Someone called for him and strong hands pulled him up and shook him not so gently. "What happened? Where is he? Arthur? Snap out of it!"

The young prince gathered his composure just fast enough to stop Gwaine from slapping him with his flat hand. Arthur was about to hit him back in his rage but then he remembered Merlin's words.

"And please look after Gwaine...he might act strong, and he is, in mind and body, but he is lonely...make sure he won't... I know that it hardly seems fair to ask you that...to look out for Gwaine of all people...but he is a good person and he'll return the favour. He could become your most trusted friend...I know it is much to ask...but Arthur if anyone can manage to keep them together it's you...I know you're strong enough to do it..."

It was as if he could hear Merlin's voice in his head. And he was not about to disappoint him.

"Gwaine" he said in a firm voice. "Calm down...Please..." he added in a more gentle voice as he realized that the other man had been sitting next to his bed watching over him...and that in spite of the fact that he looked like crap. Arthur could tell that the warrior was about to lose it completely, but the other man complied and calmed down.

"Better." Arthur said, a weak smile on his face. "I'm sorry Gwaine...I couldn't save him...I'm really sorry."

The prince startled himself with that statement. Where had that come from? But then he realized how guilty he really felt...he had let Merlin down and now everyone had to pay the price for that. He just didn't know why he was telling Gwaine of all people. He cherished the warrior for his skill and loyalty towards Merlin but other than that.

As he looked into the sad brown eyes he suddenly realized why he had done this. Just like him Gwaine had lost more than just a friend in Merlin. He could see that Gwaine's eyes were red, and he surmised that he had been crying. Usually he would have told him that no man was worth his tears, but he couldn't in this case, not when the man they were talking about was Merlin.

Gwaine averted his eyes, getting up and turning away so Arthur could no longer see his face.

"It wasn't your fault Arth...sire. I didn't know Merlin as long as you did but if there's one thing I learned about him in that time it is that he would gladly give his life for those he cares most about...that he would gladly give anything for you...Don't blame yourself,...it wasn't your fault and taking the blame for something Merlin did out of love..."

Arthur flinched ever so slightly at that word...He hadn't told anyone yet and Merlin had kept this on the down low as well, afraid to stain Arthur's reputation...How close had these two been if Gwaine knew?

"...it would make this gesture seemed as something lesser than it is...so just don't blame yourself..."

Arthur marvelled at the words. He could see the truth in them. He stared at the dark headed warriors back and without thinking he blurted out.

"Wow...I never realized why Merlin liked you, but there's actually more to you than a joke cracking drunk with decent fighting skills and a big mouth."

Gwaine turned around, a mocking twinkle in his eyes as he answered

"Oh yeah? Decent? If I remember correctly I had to save your royal ass more than once...But well I couldn't expect a prat like you to admit that...but I got an idea on what Merlin saw in you...you've got a lot of courage and compassion for someone with your skill..." he added after a short pause, just long enough to be counted as an insult.

Arthur just huffed at that and hit the other man playfully on the shoulder. Gwaine almost grinned. The older warrior knew he had to look out for the prince and he was glad to see something of the agony disappear from the emerald eyes, although he knew that the prince would possibly never be the same light-hearted person again that he had been when Merlin...it hurt him to think that name...had still been around.

And as Gwaine gave him a hard nudge on the shoulder in return, after which they both whined "Oww" since Arthur was still sore from the tree and wearing his armour the window flew open and a whispering breeze danced around them warm and soft, before it disappeared just as suddenly as it had come.

Gwaine was nonplussed, even more so as he saw Arthur staring at the morning sky with a strange affectionate expression.

Arthur revelled in the breeze, and it swirled around him once more, ruffling his hair, the sound in his ear almost sounding laughter, before it disappeared again, leaving the window and the curtains wide open so he could see the rising sun.

'Merlin,' he thought softly, and love filled his aching heart and let him forget about the pain for a split moment 'Thank you for watching out for me...thank you for everything'

He averted his eyes and looked at Gwaine who looked at him with a worried expression. Arthur managed to muster up a smile.

"Ok...thank you for coming over, but I'd like some privacy now, I will get changed so I can go see Gaius."

"Gwaine stared at him for a moment longer before he dropped out of his reverie and retreated hastily.

xxXxxXxxXxx

A short while later Arthur knocked at the door of the court physicians chambers. As nobody answered he knocked again, then he entered.

Gaius was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room behind a desk with a pile of books, unmoving, just staring into the void. Arthur approached cautiously, able to read some of the book titles "Resurrection 101" "Communication with souls of the deceased" "The book of shadows", amongst others Arthur swallowed hard. He could tell what Gaius was trying and he could not deny him that. But if his father found out there would be foul consequences and Arthur had promised Merlin to take care of the physician.

"Gaius!" he called, startling the old men so he fell of his chair with a loud thud and shot the young prince an indignant glare.

"Gaius you have to be more careful with this," he said motioning towards the book pile "If my father finds out...you know him...he knows no friends when magic is involved..."

"Can't stop...have to find a way...to bring him back..." Gaius responded curtly getting up just to start reading again.

Arthur put his hands on the book and closed it. Gaius was about to throw a fit as Arthur waved him off.

"Gaius," he said softly, knowing this would be hard. He could hardly bring himself to think of Merlin and the hole that he had left was wide open in his chest. But he had had the chance to talk to him again, to say goodbye, he had even been there when he had died. He had gotten closure and Merlin had given him a purpose in life, that didn't help to make the pain fade but it helped him carry on. The others didn't have that.

"Gaius...when I...was unconscious..." he started, as he noticed that he had the physicians full attention he cleared his throat, sharp eyes fixating him intensely as he went on.

"Look...I don't know how, or why...but somehow I...I was with Merlin."

Arthur wanted to continue but he stopped as Gaius gasped.

"What? What is it?"

"What? Oh...nothing just...your bond has to be very strong to allow you to see him on the other side."

Arthur thought about that and he realized that it was true, their bond was very strong.

"Yes...whatever..." he went on "He told me that I had to move on Gaius. He...He told me that I should look after you, take care of you...he told me you were like a father to him..." Arthur swallowed back the lump that started forming in his throat as he saw the torn expression on Gaius' face "and he told me that I shouldn't come back to him again."

Now it was Gaius' turn to swallow hard.

"He didn't say that because he doesn't want it Arthur. But it is dangerous for you to be on the other side, you might not be able to find your way back."

"I know I know," the prince reassured him "But he's not on the other side yet...he said he's wai..." he was interrupted midsentence as Gaius jumped to his feet.

"What did you say?"

Arthur eyed him suspiciously before he reluctantly repeated what he had said before.

"Merlin has not yet passed on to the other side, he's somewhere in between, waiting for someone."

Gaius looked as if he was about due for a stroke and Arthur shot him a concerned glance 'Merlin will kill me if I just startled Gaius to death' he thought uncomfortably.

"Gaius?" he asked tentatively and the physician was pulled out of his shocked state "What does this mean? Is it a good or a bad thing that he didn't pass on?"

Gaius shot him a bright smile which somehow made Arthur even more uncomfortable.

"Arthur, don't you understand? It is near impossible to bring someone back from the other side unscathed, but if Merlin has not passé don that means..."

"What?" Arthur asked impatiently.

"It means that we might be able to bring him back." Gaius beamed at Arthur.

It took quite a while for that to sink in. Arthur just stared at Gaius for a while before he asked, hesitantly, afraid that he had gotten the wrong impression, that his mind had just been playing tricks on him.

"What?"

Gaius shot him a sympathetic look, he knew how hard that had to be on the young prince.

"If Merlin has not yet crossed the border to the other side we could possibly bring him back...I mean it is risky and the chances of success are slim but..."

"How? What do we need to do?"

Chapter End Notes: ...a cliffy...or at least something close to one :D

I hoped you liked that chapter and you enjoyed the little Merlin part at the beginning :D

Hope this doesn't get uploaded weird, is playing little tricks on my laptop and I can't seem to get it straight...it should be ok now but if any passages are repeating themselves I'll fix it tomorrow :D If not then it's even better :D

I will update soon if I get the chance :D

Please leave a review ;D