AN: Hello... I'm a terrible person. I am so sorry about how long this took. I just got distracted with college and legend of Emrys and season five and quantum physics, but these are all just excuses. I am so sorry.

But, it is here. Chapter nine. The penultimate chapter. Just got an epilogue left. Hopefully it will happen in less time than this one did, but I'm not going to promise anything.

You should all thank cristinareid for continuing to encourage me to write this, and wish her a happy birthday! This one's for you, girl!

And I don't own Merlin or Mirror Mirror. I would come up with something funny but it's three in the morning and I'm working on five hours of sleep a night for the past couple of weeks, so my brain is pretty shot. Thanks for reading and sticking with me over this terribly long break. I am so sorry.

Chapter Nine: The Beast

The kiss had started out awkward. Arthur was still trying to pull away, and Merlin could hear Gwaine asking whether the others thought he was enjoying himself, which really hadn't helped with the overall mood. Eventually though, something had snapped, and Arthur's once resistant lips molded themselves against his own, and the prince was kissing him back. Merlin smiled but didn't pull away, thinking that the spell had actually been broken. He did flinch backwards as Aithusa's head popped up from behind an outcropping of rocks as the youngest dwarf asked, "Did it work?"

Merlin was blushing furiously as he looked down at Arthur's face. He looked happy, his eyes closed and a smile lingering on his lips. The camp was silent as they all waited for some sign, the other dwarfs having joined Aithusa in his position of half hidden behind the rocks. The silence was broken by Arthur, who sighed saying, "The king…"

Merlin turned his head away, trying not to think what it meant that the kiss had failed while the dwarfs groaned in unison. Arthur wasn't done speaking though, as he continued, "is nothing, compared to you."

Merlin perked up at this as the dwarfs gave out a cheer. As Arthur strained forward in his bonds Merlin realized what he wanted and brought his lips down for another, fully consensual kiss. Arthur was a much better kisser than Gwen, which he supposed wasn't saying much considering how awkward their tryst had been. Merlin could feel Arthur's arms twitch under his hands as he strained to bring them around Merlin, stopped by the ropes that had held him in place while he was slightly delusional. Merlin eventually did pull back, wanting to make sure Arthur didn't hurt himself straining against the ropes.

As soon as Arthur was freed they all moved inside. The sun was beginning to set and the night would be quite cold, but with so many bodies and a small fire in the hut it was cozy and warm. Merlin and the dwarfs had been filling an utterly befuddled Arthur in on the past events while the stew Merlin had made finished warming up.

"So I really was going to marry King Alined?" Arthur asked, rubbing his head slowly.

"Yeah." Merlin said, remembering how heartbroken he had been when he first heard, "You even 'yearned for the nectar of his skin'."

Arthur just looked completely confused as Leon said, "No, it was more like, 'I yearn for the nectar of his skin.", the dwarfs who had tried to cure Arthur before the kiss joining in, ending with a long whine.

"That is just bizarre." Arthur said, "Thank you for rescuing me."

Merlin was about to respond when there was a giant crash from outside. Merlin met Arthur's confused and worried gaze for a moment, as the dwarfs all jumped to attention.

"The beast never comes this far east!" Lancelot shouted, as there was another thump. "What's it doing here?"

Merlin felt fear and guilt overwhelm him as he said, "It's here for me."

Merlin looked around at the eight concerned faces he had grown to care so much about, all watching him with concern. It couldn't be his fault they all died tonight. Whatever the king had sent this time was his problem and his alone. He took a deep breath and turned to them saying, "Gentlemen, I can think of no greater group of warriors to lead into battle." This was met by a cheer, as all his new friends watched him expectantly. "But this is my fight." Merlin finished, running out the door and into the snow covered woods. He paused briefly at the door, using his magic to lock it as Arthur's face appeared at the small window.

"Merlin, you have to let us out." The other prince said, "You don't have to face this alone!"

"No Arthur." Merlin said with a smile, laying his hand over the hand Arthur had squeezed through the window. "This is my battle, and mine alone. I can't let any of you get hurt trying to protect me."

"You don't have to worry about us, Merlin, just let me out! I've fought monsters before, this one will be no different. I want to protect you!"

Merlin shook his head quickly, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. He had been so close to having the perfect life, and now he was going to lose everything. "You have to do what I couldn't, Arthur. I need you to help my people. Promise me that."

"Merlin-"

"Please, just promise me."

"Fine! I promise! Merlin, I would do anything for you, but please don't make me sit back while you die!"

"I'm sorry, Arthur. I can't let you get hurt. I love you too much."

Merlin felt one tear roll down his check as he turned from the small cottage where Arthur was still shouting his name and ran into the forest. As he ran he heard the crashes and bangs that told him the beast was close behind and he definitely was the intended target. He tried to focus on the fact that the dwarfs and Arthur were safe as he lured the beast as far away from the dwarf's home as possible. Night had fallen and as darkness enveloped the forest Merlin couldn't help but stumble over the roots and rocks in his path. His fear was increasing his usually clumsiness, making it even more difficult for him to maneuver safely through the dark woods. He tried to jump down the ledge he had done some of his training on, but stumbled, falling in a heap on the snowy ground. Before he could rise from where he had fallen a foot connected with his side, kicking him and forcing him to roll onto his back. He was coughing as the foot returned, right atop his heaving chest, pressing him down into the snow. As he caught his breath he turned his face upwards to see the owner of the foot.

"It's you." Merlin said, staring into Alined's cold eyes. The king smirked down at him, before raising his foot and bringing it down on Merlin's stomach. As Merlin coughed, splattering the snow with red, Alined reached down grabbing his hair and pulling him into a kneeling position.

"Yes, Merlin. It's me. Do you know how long I've waited for this day? Years, little prince, years I have waited for the opportunity to end your miserable existence. But you had to enchant the kingdom with your simpering eyes and your foolish ways. All that ends now. This is my kingdom, and you are no longer welcome here."

With that Alined tossed Merlin back to the cold ground and turned back to the forest behind him, stroking a shining medallion as he looked into the woods. The thumping returned as the beast moved out of the shadows and up to the king. It didn't attack though, just hovered behind Alined's outstretched hand, as if waiting for a command. It looked strangely sad as its large eyes met Merlin's for a moment, and its eyes were much too human. But as the beast turned back to Alined Merlin's gaze was drawn away from the expressive eyes and to the horrifying body. It had the upper half of a wolf, with terrible claws and huge, glistening fangs, and the lower body of some type of serpent with a barbed tail that ended in a vicious claw. Of course this wasn't enough, as it also had wings that unfurled slowly as it rose up on its spiked tail, hovering dangerously behind Alined. Alined didn't seem to mind at all though, as he watched the creature with pleasure, before turning back to Merlin and saying, "Goodbye, Merlin. Tell your miserable mother I send my best."

With that Alined flicked his wrist and the beast moved. Merlin only had a second to jump up and run to prevent the monster from crashing on top of him. He ran back through the forest, trying to think of anything the dwarfs had taught him that could possibly protect him from such a creature. He tried to use his magic, blocking the path of the beast with branches and rocks as quickly as he could, but nothing seemed to be able to stop it as it continued after him, slithering when it could and soaring over every obstacle Merlin placed in his way. He was able to stop it momentarily by causing a tree to drop a huge pile of snow onto it, allowing him to get just out of eyesight of the beast as he ran into a small clearing, drawing his sword and watching the direction the beast would be coming. He might not be able to defeat the monster, but he would go down fighting.

Arthur had been throwing himself against the small door ever since Merlin ran off into the forest. There was no way he was letting Merlin face that terrible monster all alone. He would protect him and they would get out of this, together.

His ramming seemed to be doing nothing as the door remained, sturdy as ever. Arthur gave an exasperated sigh rubbing his now sore shoulder as he asked, "Doesn't one of you have a key?"

One of the dwarfs started to blush before reaching down and pulling a key from a string around his neck. The others started to chastise him as Arthur grabbed the key and shoved it in the door. Arthur was out the door in a second while the dwarfs still squabbled, allowing him to quickly shut and relock the door without letting them out. Merlin had wanted to protect these men; he wouldn't let his wishes go to waste. He didn't stick around to give any last words to the dwarfs like Merlin had, instead taking off into the woods following the footprints Merlin had left as he ran into the forest. When he saw a small amount of blood smattered near the path Arthur doubled his speed, pulling out his sword and glancing around for any sign of the beast that was after his love. He was almost certain he could hear it as he backed into a clearing and practically jumped out of his skin as he ran into something else moving.

"Arthur!" Merlin's voice came from behind him as he whirled around. "You weren't supposed to follow me!"

"I couldn't let you face this alone, Merlin. I love you." Arthur replied, resting a hand against Merlin's check. Merlin smiled sadly back at him before there was a huge crash and the most hideous creature Arthur had ever seen slithered out of the woods.

Lancelot hated being so helpless. How had they managed to get locked in their own house for the second time in one night? He had joined the dwarfs in bashing the door in a desperate attempt to get out to Merlin and Arthur and make sure they were alright. He hadn't know Merlin for long, but even in that short time he had seen that the young prince would make just as good of a leader as his parents had. And he was good and kind and deserved a better life than the one he had been given. So Lancelot was going to do everything in his power to make sure that Merlin got a chance to have the life he deserved. A life that most definitely didn't end tonight. The other dwarfs seemed to feel the same as they all tried to shove the door with all their strength. Unfortunately this meant it took them a while before they heard Aithusa calling out from behind them.

"GUYS!" Aithusa screamed, finally getting their attention. He looked incredibly determined as he glared at the door and said, "Stand back."

Then with a tiny grin and a shove of his arms the door blew outwards, letting Lancelot and the other dwarfs race out into the snow and towards Merlin and Arthur.

Merlin hated himself for it, but he was almost happy Arthur was with him. He couldn't die now, because if he died Arthur would have to face this horrid creature alone, and he couldn't allow that. He would live, live to protect Arthur.

That task was looking quite difficult as the beast circled them, trying to separate Merlin from Arthur, lunging and snapping, whipping its tail around behind it. It was too quick, too strong, and soon both Merlin and Arthur had been disarmed. Merlin tried using his magic against the beast, but his spells were deflected by some invisible force, never quite reaching the beast as it slithered towards him. He couldn't even see his sword anymore as he was backed up against a tree, able to smell the breath of the monster in front of him. He heard Arthur lung and was given a momentary reprieve from the nauseating smell as the beast turned to pin Arthur down with its tail before its attention was returned to Merlin. It was about to strike when a flurry of rocks and sticks were hurled at its head from a nearby ledge, and Merlin turned with the beast to see the seven dwarfs yelling and brandishing their weapons while Elyan and Aithusa launched whatever they could find at its head and back. The beast released Arthur to thump his tail heavily on the ground, causing the dwarfs to tumble from their perches, all falling from the ledge to the snowy ground below. Merlin wanted to go help but didn't have time before the monster was back in front of him, warm breath curling from its nostrils and lingering in the cold air before disappearing into the night. Merlin just had time to yank his father's dagger out from his belt before the beast lunged, just barely missing him as he dodged and thrust with the dagger.

Merlin might have avoided death for that moment, but it seemed his luck would not last for long as his second lung went wide and the dagger was knocked from his hand by the beast. He stumbled backwards, tripping over an exposed root and allowing the creature to position itself over him, slowing slithering forward while he scooted backwards, unable to think of any way to stop the beast that was about to devour him. If he had been able to hear anything over the beating of his frantic heart and the heavy pants of the monster he might have heard the dwarfs as they stumbled back up from their fall, doing their best to return his dagger to him. Most were of them were still too dazed from their fall to really be much help, but eventually the dagger made its way to Leon, who quickly tossed it to Arthur, whom the beast had forgotten as it approached its prey. Arthur gave the blade a quick glance before tossing it right below Merlin's hand. It landed with a dull thwump, momentarily distracting both the prince and creature before Merlin yanked it out of the ground and held it between him and the monster. Its gaze locked on Merlin's, once more surprising him with its oh-so-human eyes. He couldn't believe how sad it looked, how helpless. As the moon emerged from behind a cloud Merlin's eyes were drawn down to a shining silver chain that encircled the creature's neck, holding a very familiar medallion in place.

Merlin's brows creased. That was the same medallion he had seen around Alined's neck. What would the beast be doing with something like that? He glanced back at the knife in his hand before returning his gaze to the medallion and then back to the creature's eyes. It looked so weary and lost for something that seemed so powerful as it hummed softly and leaned its neck forward, gently closing its eyes. Merlin knew it was silly, that he should use this opportunity to slay the beast, but instead he thrust upwards, catching the chain with his dagger and slicing it cleanly, removing the strange accessory from the beast's neck and filling the forest with an incredible burst of brilliant white light.