A/N: So the next chapter for all of you. Thanks a lot for all the wonderful reviews (which definitely helps me to write faster, hint, hint). Even so I'm not completely happy about this chapter, but it has to be done, but I promise that the next chapter will have more smut and Merthur in it. (oh and would you guys like to see some Gwaine/Percival?) So enjoy this chapter and please review.

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A deep growl left the king's lips as he plunged his sword deep in Guy's back. His mind filled with horror as it only cried in panic. He pulled the man of his love, eyeing Merlin with a mix of confusion, guilt and pain. The raven held his eyes closed tight, probably fearing for more pain. The king's eyes shifted over the smaller man's exposed chest and all blood drained out of his face, why... why... A single tear ran over his cheek before he cupped Merlin's pale face in his hands. 'Merlin.' He asked desperately, fearing for hidden wounds.

Those familiar and warm blue eyes opened themselves and Arthur felt the pain in his heart slightly soften. He couldn't stop more tears for rolling down his cheek as he pulled the raven to his chest. 'Merlin... Merlin...' He mumbled softly.

'Arthur?' It sounded so desperate as if the other feared it was all nothing more than a dream.

Arthur pushed Merlin slightly back and he locked eyes with the raven. 'I'm here, I won't leave you again.' Tears appeared in the corner's of Merlin's eyes and the blond gave him a slight smile. 'I will never let anyone touch you like that ever again!... I'm sorry that I failed to protect you.'

Merlin leaned back in, curling up against his chest. 'You did all you could... I... I was the one that went without telling you, sorry.'

'Idiot, don't say that!'

'Prat.'

A small laugh left the king's lips. 'I love you.' He said before taking Merlin's chin in his hand and kissing the other full on the lips. The warlock moaned slightly against his lips, but returned the kiss as his shaking hands brushed through Arthur's blond hair.

But it all stopped as Merlin hissed in pain and Arthur pulled back looking worriedly at him. 'What's wrong, where does it hurt?' The panic clearly spread in his voice. 'Did he?...' He wasn't able to finish his words, fearing for what would come out of it.

Merlin quickly shook his head. 'He didn't... you were just in time.' He said small and the king let out a deep relieved sigh. 'But...' He pulled slightly on the collar around his neck. 'This hurts... Its suppresses my magic and it hurts.' He could hear the pain in the raven's voice

Arthur eyed his lover slightly confused. 'Is that even possible?' Merlin nodded and Arthur bit his lip as he saw the raw skin under the metal, his eyes shifted further, seeing the deep cuts and the painfully raw and bruised skin. Again he cursed himself for not being here earlier, preventing all of this. He quickly got his knife and tried to unlock the collar, careful that he wouldn't cut his lover's flesh and after several long minutes he was able to unlock it.

Merlin breathed deeply as the collar fell off, his hands immediately gripping his skin as a soft sob left his lips. 'Thank you... so much...'

The king smiled at him, seeing the relief on that sweet innocent face. But the face soon hardened as he remembered his knights. Now that he knew Merlin was safe he had to go back... He prayed that Morgana hadn't killed them... He glanced once at
Guy's cold corpse before turning back to Merlin. 'I have to go and see if the others are alright, you stay here and wait till I return and... and if I don't then you have to run!'

'But-.'

'No Merlin!' He said stern. 'I don't want to see you hurt... more then you already are. For once listen to what I say!' The last he almost growled and he saw how the warlock's eyes widened slightly in shock.

'Arthur,' Merlin said with a slightly shivering but determined voice, 'I'm fine now. They're also my friends and I'm your only weapon against Morgana, none of you have any defense against her!' Arthur opened his mouth to oppose, but was cut off. 'You can't stop me!'

The king let out a soft growl... Why was Merlin always so stubborn! 'Fine, but if I say you have to go than you will go!'

Merlin smiled at him and quickly stood up, but as he did this he also let out a soft his as she clenched his arms around his waist. Arthur immediately stood next to him, but the raven waved him away. The blond rolled with his eyes as he saw the stubbornness before his blue orbs ran over Merlin's naked skin. Without another thought he pulled both his chainmail and shirt over his head, handing the shirt over to Merlin before putting the chainmail back on. He shivered slightly as he felt the cold metal against his skin, but he knew that Merlin needed the shirt more then he needed it.

The raven didn't oppose as he dressed himself in the king's shirt, which almost sank down his shoulder. Arthur cursed slightly as he again was forced to see how skinny his lover was... He made a quick decision to fatten the warlock up when they returned to Camelot... if they returned.

Merlin followed him as they made their way back to the throne room. Arthur kept eyeing his lover as he feared that Merlin would faint any minute, but the raven just followed him, the stubbornness clearly spread over his face.

Arthur draw his weapon as they came closer, but as they had almost reach the room they heard a loud yell. He heard Merlin gasp behind him and the king quickly rushed inside.

Fear spread through his mind as he saw Morgana standing in front of her throne, a deep wicked darkness spread in her eyes as a wide grin was settled on her face, but what scared him even more was the sight of Gwaine and Percival. The brown haired knight lay, in what he hoped unconsciously, on the ground. Percival's strong arms wrapped around him as he eyed the witch with much hatred.

Before he could stop him he felt Merlin brush past him and he saw the raven run towards the couple on the ground. Arthur quickly followed as Morgana looked at them with an amused grin on her face. 'Guy's dead.' It wasn't a question.

'Gwaine?' He heard Merlin sob as he sank to his knees besides Gwaine.

A slight groan left the brunette's lips and all sighed in relieve, knowing that their friend was still alive.

The king turned back to his sister. 'How dare you!' He hissed.

Morgana laughed. 'Just like this.' Her eyes shifted to Merlin. 'It was a rather big surprise to see that he has magic, but still don't think that a measly sorcerer can stop me.' A wicked joy spread through her eyes. 'But you don't have to worry, dear brother. I will let you watch as I kill your so trusted knights and lover.'

The witch stretched her hand as she spoke deep dark words. Arthur wanted to scream a warning to the others, but wasn't able to prevent a dark blast of energy being send towards his friends.

But just as the spell was about to hit them a shield appeared and Arthur could see the golden in Merlin's eyes. Arthur ran towards him, even when he felt the power Merlin possessed he wanted to protect him.

Morgana on the other hand gapped at him, eyeing the warlock with disbelieve. 'How... how did you get so much power?'

Angry blue eyes looked at her as Merlin stood up. 'I won't allow you to hurt even more of my friends.' He hissed at her.

The witch cackled. 'Fine, I have to say that you're stronger than I expected you to be, but you're definitely no match for me; The mighty Morgana Le Fay!' The last she almost shouted.

'You shouldn't underestimate me.' The raven answered in return and he shook his head slightly. 'You should have killed me when you had the chance.' Arthur gapped at him, this was his Merlin, but... as he spoke to Morgana he possessed something Arthur had never seen in him... Or had he? Merlin had always had his moments of being wise, being his most trusted and loyal advisor. Was this the Merlin that always had been hidden inside the boy's heart?

But it seemed that Morgana didn't see it. 'You really think that I should be scared of a little boy like you?'

Merlin didn't answer her question and he just lifted his hand as he stared at the woman with pain in his eyes. 'I wish I could have saved you.' He mumbled before magical words left his lips. Morgana pulled up a barrier, but instead of bouncing off it broke through. With a loud yell the witch was thrown against the wall.

A loud groan escaped her lips as she pulled herself up, eyeing the warlock with a mix of disbelieve and fear before she lifted her hand and pointed a shaking finger to the warlock. 'A-are you... you him?' Arthur's eyes widened in surprise, he never had heard his sister so scared, so full of fear.

Merlin took a deep breath. 'Yes, I'm Emrys.'

She yelped in shock at his words before sending spell after spell towards the raven, but every spell she send towards him was simple blocked with a flicker of his hand or a simple word. The witch shrank in fear as Merlin walked closer and closer to her. 'No, no, it can't end like this!' She yelled in a last attempt as Merlin ended in front of her, leaning over the now kneeling witch.

'I'm sorry.' Merlin said as he eyed Morgana with compassion before placing his hand on her head.

Arthur watched them as a bright light spread through the room and the king's hands immediately shielded his eyes from it. He heard Percival yelp slightly in shock as at the same time there was a loud inhuman scream before both the voice and the light faded.

Without a second thought Arthur ran forward, his heart desperately wanting to hold Merlin in his arms. He looked at the raven and saw how the man turned around, eyeing him with a mix of guilt and relieve. Behind the warlock lay Morgana's lifeless body. 'I'm sorry.' The warlock mumbled again before Merlin blacked out and sank to the ground.