Summary: They failed the former quest... Will the Round Table be able to recover the mistake in the epic battle following the events that left Morgana Queen of Camelot, Arthur and his allies in hiding, and Uther suffering in prison?

Details/Disclaimer: Merlin, and anything from the series, including characters and items, belongs to the BBC.

This is the 'threequel' (my word! xD) to It's So Good to Not Have to Hide, and the sequel to The Rise of a Queen. The latter MUST be read beforehand.

Part Three (the final part) of The Rise and Fall of a Queen.

Enjoy!

Tazz~

The Fall of a Queen

Chapter Nine: Thoughts of a Sacrificing Druid

Word Count: 798

Mordred was gone; ashes to a magical wind. He had gotten too cocky, and Merlin had finally ended it. He didn't let himself think of the boy, but focused on getting out to Arthur where he would, inevitably, need saving.

"Arthur – where is he?"

"I don't know!" he exclaimed, frustrated. He wheeled to Morgana, who was smirking despite being tightly restrained; Gwaine and Lancelot were stood at her sides.

"What did he do to him?" he asked dangerously.

"Killed him by now, probably," she answered in a sing-song voice. Arthur resisted the urge to hit her, just released another growl.

"Take us to him."

"As if," she snorted, then faltered under his threatening gaze. He let out another growl. Everyone in the room glared at her, concern for Merlin evident.

She felt a tiny pang – she once had that regard and care from Arthur. But she quickly shook it off. It wouldn't do for her to have hesitations if Merlin did return. But although she doubted it, she had for once thought of everything.

Return he did.

"What took you so long?"

"I'm not sure if you realised, but I was fighting a guy who had the power to kill you." Merlin contemplated that for a moment, and then added, "Not that it would take much."

"Merlin, now is not the time." They both turned to Morgana, who was glaring at Merlin with a fierce expression.

"You killed him, too!"

"Well..." Merlin looked uncomfortable.

"Me, my sister, and now Mordred too!" she wailed. She screamed loudly. The sound was infused with magic that was out of control, and Gwaine and Lancelot went flying away from her. She staggered to her feet, and then pulled out a dagger, and, still sobbing and screaming, she threw it at Merlin.

Red. Spreading out from where the offending metal had been thrust through his chest, his blood leaking out of him. He didn't see Gwaine yelling and stabbing Morgana, who was laughing wildly. He could only see Arthur's face, hovering over his, horror and shock come to life.

The floor was oddly comfortable, he thought, for a piece of stone. He could just close his eyes and...

"NO!"

Who was that? He recognised the voice, he was sure... As another face pushed into his vision, he discovered who it was. Aodhán, he was pretty sure.

"Emrys! My lord!"

Did he have to shout quite so loud? How was he supposed to sleep in this clamour? Because he could hear it now. There were wails everywhere, grieving. He didn't know who for.

He could feel something against his lips, cold and pushing them open. He obediently let it in, and could feel the forgiving trickle of water. It tasted better than any drink he had ever had, and a forgiving sensation spread out, finally letting him sleep.

"Emrys! My lord!"

Tears began to fall. Arthur didn't hold them back – his best friend was bloody dying, the idiot. Why didn't he use magic to stop the dagger? Why hadn't he ducked?

Well, he knew the answers to those two – Merlin hadn't been prepared. But he still couldn't forgive the warlock for letting himself get hit by the blade.

"Abhainn! Bring the Cup!

"I can save him," Aodhán told Arthur urgently. "I've had a good life, I no longer need it, but he... is younger, and such a destiny."

Arthur knew this was bad – no other person should have the need to sacrifice their self for somebody else. Merlin wouldn't like it, wouldn't want that payment.

"Aodhán... let me!"

"Of course not – you have a great future too. Besides, I am a Seer, and I have seen this coming as well. I am to sacrifice my life to save Emrys... Merlin." When the old Druid smiled at Arthur, the prince knew he wouldn't be able to change his mind.

He didn't interrupt when the Cup was brought, clean of any blood and full of water. He didn't stop Aodhán from chanting, didn't keep Merlin from drinking the life bringing water. He looked on as the wound – dagger and shirt removed – stopped bleeding - even the dried blood from before disappeared – and closed up, skin coming together. He watched in relief as the pain from Merlin's face disappeared, as he fell into a peaceful sleep.

He didn't see a replica of the wound appear on Aodhán's chest, didn't see the old man fall down with an equally peaceful expression, self satisfied. The other Druids surrounded him, removing the pain with magic, making him as comfortable as possible. Arthur, realising Merlin would be alright, got up.

"Is he...?"

"Yes," Abhainn confirmed, holding the still form with watery eyes. "He is gone."

"He will be remembered, by all in Camelot, I will make sure of it. Let's go."

I am so sorry about how long it took to update D: Almost a month – I'm disappointed in myself D: And sorry it's so short – I did try and make it longer xD But I failed, obviously.

'Abhainn' is apparently a Druid name that means 'river.' Let's just say he can do special things with water, hence his name xD Not special, I probably won't even mention him again xD

So, one more chapter of this story left, I think. I'm not sure if I will right an epilogue, but it seems in order. Possible set on the anniversary of this story xD