A/N: Soo… here it is, the promised teeny chapter. =) Um... I know I told some people I'd do the other longer one first (which is why it wasn't up a few days ago), but then that one started going in an unexpected direction, and I decided this chapter would be better before it.
Rating: K
Warnings: Um… nothing, I guess.
Genre: Friendship and angst
Characters: Merlin and Balinor
Chapter 10
"Why do you stay with him?" Balinor murmured in wonder. "Why remain with someone who hates everything you stand for?"
"Because I believe in him," Merlin said quietly, confidently, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "And I believe he is a good man, and that he can change."
"Because of his destiny?"
"No," replied Merlin at once, and then, more thoughtfully, "no."
"Then why?"
Merlin was silent for a moment, pondering, then said with a quiet, unshakeable firmness, "Because he's my friend. And that's what friends do. They believe in each other. Trust each other, and never give up hope."
And he rose and walked away, leaving his father seated at the physician's table, thinking of his own old friend, and wondering if Balinor had been more like his son, more loyal and trusting, things would have gone differently.
But that was all it was now, he thought. Wondering. Fantasy. Because they were no longer friends. Because they had given up on each other long ago, and now there was nothing left of what used to be.
A/N: So… what did you think? Did you like it? Please let me know! Reviews are my writing fuel. ;)
Next up: Uther discovers that Balinor is in Camelot. I'll try to have it up in a decent amount of time this time. xp
I was wondering, would anyone like to see oneshots about Balinor and his brother and Uther at some point? I wouldn't do it right away, but I'm itching to do it at some point. =)
As always, prompts are most welcome!