He ran out onto the battlements.
Morgana's still body lay on one side, her expression relaxed, and finally peaceful.
Arthur spared her one glance but continued running forwards.
"What are you doing?"
"The spell is almost complete."
"What spell?"
"There isn't much time. Take this. I trust you to keep it safe."
Arthur took the Cup of Life with numb fingers, mind whirling.
"Whenever things look hopeless, utter my name. You will always find a way out."
"But I don't even know your name. Is it Emrys?"
His hooded friend walked up to him, closer than ever before, and laid two hands on his shoulders.
"Your ex-servant, your friend, would like you to know that he forgives you. Entirely."
"Where is he? When can I see him?"
"Also, he wants you to not be a prat to your subjects."
Arthur chuckled. That sounded like him alright.
The man smiled with a comforting intensity that he couldn't quite describe.
"One last thing. He asks you to forgive him for what he's done."
He was suddenly nervous.
"What has he done?"
Without warning, the man pulled him into a quick hug.
Stepping back, he raised his arms and pulled his hood back with a flourish.
Arthur felt his knees go weak.
"Merlin." he whispered, his voice breaking with emotion.
The sun rose behind him, and as he said his name, the spell weaved into work. A thin sheet of gold descended upon the atmosphere, glistening in the sun, and he felt a calming sensation settle on his nerves, clearing his mind.
Merlin smiled at him gently, but with an unexpected, disarming finality to it.
"Goodbye, Arthur." he said for the last time. "Take care of my mother."
With a warm, golden glow of his eyes, the Cup of Life shone.
And then he was gone.
The King fell to his knees, his crown dropping to the ground with a muffled clang.
The soil beneath him grew damp with every drop of tear that he unashamedly cried for his friend. His best friend.
He smiled through his tears as he felt the spell gracing him with his bodiless presence, his smile, his loyalty; giving him the strength that he sorely needed, blanketing him with a warm reassurance that only one person in the whole world could give.
"I forgive you, you idiot."