A/N: Thank you all who reviewed! Sorry it took so long; the site wouldn't let me upload anything :(. Anywho, I hope you'll like this because I've been having writer's block again!

Disclaimer: Nope, Merlin isn't mine, but belongs to the BBC.

ARTHUR

The prince didn't quite get a grasp on what had just happened, but he didn't have time to go after her. There would be time after he got the Crystal. His thoughts went back to when he saw Merlin's cold, pale face. Arthur instantly shook the thought from his mind.

"Go to the heart of Albion." Arthur said reminding himself. After he made sure that he was fully ready for the journey he took off down the hall, headed towards the stables yet again. The prince got his horse ready and set off into the unforgiving forest.

It occurred to Arthur how many times Merlin must have saved him from whatever. This was nothing compared to what he must have done. The prince was only slightly returning the favor. Running off to try and give Merlin his life back had to count for something, even if only a little. Arthur told himself to ask Merlin about all his hidden, heroic deeds when he comes back. "If he comes back…" Arthur thought harshly.

He came to a fork in the path. Which way was he supposed to go; left or right? "Where now?" he asked himself. There was a strong gust of wind, but it only moved the trees on the right side of the trail. "That's very subtle, Merlin." Arthur joked. It was a nice thought that Merlin was still 'there' even if he wasn't visible.

Arthur directed his horse to the right. "I talk to that dragon friend of yours. He scared to me to death at first." Arthur admitted. "You know, if I'm just talking to myself I'm going to feel extremely stupid."

There was a very faint whisper, so soft it was almost impossible to hear. "Prat," it said, a hint of a smile in the whisper. Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at his old friend's remark.

The prince continued to talk to Merlin. It was better than to ride alone in silence. Even if Merlin didn't respond, it was good to know that he was listening. Several times it occurred to Arthur, if he returned empty handed would Merlin hate him for not saving him? What would he do without his dorky servant? Would everyone hate him?

These questions unnerved him as he went farther and farther into the dense trees. Night was falling fairly quickly. He reached the top of a hill to rest or a minute or two. Arthur looked over his shoulder to see three waterfalls. Each of them got smaller as it descended downward. It wasn't very far away from where he was sitting.

Arthur tied the horse to the tree and walked towards the smallest waterfall. There was a crystal clear lake that the water flowed into. On the side was a small path that led to an opening behind the cascade. The falling water sprayed his hair and face, but he couldn't care less.

Once inside the cave a small light showed at the very end. It was a white light that was placed inside a bowl full of water that was built into the rock. It looked easy enough to get. The prince walked cautiously towards the mysterious light. It seemed to take an eternity for him to finally reach it.

When he looked in the bowl he saw that the source of the light was coming from a crystal. Arthur put his hand out and reached in the bowl. The second his fingertips touched the surface, an electric shock flowed through him. He jumped back at the pain.

A tall man in a deep blue cloak stepped out into view. His fingers were intertwined and his black hair was combed back to reveal his sharp features.

"State your business here." The man said in a strong voice.

"I need the crystal."

"That was obvious, but the only way to acquire its power is to persuade me that your intentions for it are pure." He explained.

"Of course they are pure! I'm trying to save my servant's life!" Arthur yelled.

"Where is your servant now?"

Arthur knew that it would only take longer to argue with the man. "He's back at home, dead."

"Then I'm afraid I cannot help you." The man said turning his back.

"Why can't you? Those intentions are pure enough!" he replied getting annoyed.

"If the Crystal was used to bring everyone back to life then there would be nothing to live for." Arthur didn't have time for riddles.

"I have to save him."

"It sounds like it's too late for that. I cannot grant everyone permission to use the Crystal to save whoever."

"He isn't just anybody." Arthur said sure of his argument this time.

"Is that right?" the man turned back to him, eyebrows raised in annoyance.

"He's a sorcerer."

"All sorcerers die at one point in time. Not all of them can be saved."

"The sorcerer is Merlin."

"You say this as if it's supposed to mean something to me." The cloaked man stood tall over the prince and walked to his other side.

"It should!" Surely a sorcerer who has natural born magic is very important.

"I'm sorry, the name doesn't matter." Once again he began to walk into the darkness.

"What did the dragon call him…?" Arthur said to himself. "What about Emrys? Does that name ring any bells?" he asked harshly. At this the man spun around.

"What did you say?"

"Emrys, he needs your help." Arthur said pleased with himself.

"The prophesized warlock is dead, you say?" he asked shocked.

"You heard me." Merlin was a prophesized warlock? He never mentioned anything about that. Of course he is too modest.

"That should make you Arthur Pendragon." He said quietly. Arthur nodded. "Very well," the man walked over to the bowl and with his hand over the calm water, recited an incantation. He reached in and grabbed the crystal. "When you get back to Camelot, lay the crystal on his chest. It will start to heal him immediately." He explained rapidly. "Once his recovery is complete, the crystal shall disappear."

"Thank you." Arthur said as he took the Crystal of Vitae and placed it safely in his pouch when he saw that he hadn't taken the knife that killed Merlin out yet.

"There is one last thing you must do for Emrys to return." He paused. "You must drop some of your own blood onto the crystal to activate its power."

"That's no problem." Arthur said loyally. He took the blade out of his pouch and smiled at it a little. "This was used to kill Merlin and will be used to bring him back." He laughed at the irony of it all.

Before long he was on his way back to Camelot. When dawn came, Arthur took note that Merlin had exactly twenty-four hours until it was too late. This made him go even faster through the winding trees.

At last, Arthur arrived at the gates of Camelot. This was it. Merlin would finally be saved and all the sadness could just disappear with all the tears and sorrow. The prince hoped that Merlin wouldn't change from this experience and still the the corky servant he had come to know. Hopefully this would only strengthen their friendship that they two boys had formed.

He reached Gaius' door and barged in, a wide smile on his face. Gaius came over. "Is there anything I can do, sire?"

Arthur pulled out the crystal and held it in his hands for the physician to see. "Have you ever heard of the Crystal of Vitae?" His smile only got wider when Gaiusshook his head shocked. "It can save Merlin." he said quietly. The old man's eyes got wide.

He quickly walked over to where Merlin was resting. Just as the man had told him, Arthur took out the blade and made a cut on his palm. He let the crimson droplets fall onto the crystal that was placed on the warlock's chest. Nothing happened.

"What's supposed to happen?" Gaius asked.

"It's supposed to heal him. It hasn't been two days yet!" Arthur said angrily. Gaius looked at him strangely, but didn't ask any questions. Arthur waited for anything; a movement, a light. But nothing happened.

"It will start to heal him immediatly." the man's words ran clear in his head. Why wasn't it healing him? Did the dragon lie to him and it really was too late?

A/N: So tell me what you thought! More shall be up soon- hopefully! REVIEW!!!! (Or there will be no more!!) Btw- Does anyone know when Merlin season 2 comes out in the USA? I'm so excited that I can hardly wait!