Chapter 11

Arthur POV

I felt sick with dread as we approached the cave up ahead. Bones crunched under my horses hooves. Not only had he strung the dead up in the trees but now the man had made a path out of them! I shivered; this was what I had been raised to fear. This was sorcery of the darkest kind.

I glanced at my companions, Merlin offered me a weak smile and I could have hugged him for it. Entering the cave of Izzah I gagged at the smell. This was a place of death. "Welcome Prince Arthur, Merlin and oh what do we have here…The Forest Keeper I believe. I had hoped to surprise you tonight but now it seems as though the fun must begin early," said a voice from somewhere within the cave. Izzah had begun to cast a spell, the walls echoed with his words and suddenly I felt as though I had lost control of my body. I pulled out my sword and turned to plunge it straight into Merlin's heart. His eyes flashed gold and I felt myself freeze. Izzah began to laugh manically and the sound set my teeth on edge.

"Oh very good young warlock," said Izzah as he strode into view. "I am beginning to understand how you managed to defeat my dear sister," he said smiling. The man was obviously insane. If I had not known he was a powerful sorcerer I would have mistaken him for a homeless beggar, his clothes were so dishevelled and he sure did stink!" I felt so helpless, I should not have come. It seemed that I was more a danger to Merlin than a help. Never before had I been so damn useless!

Fern had been whispering a spell under her breath and suddenly vines shot out of the ground and wrapped themselves around Izzah, squeezing tightly. He freed himself with a spell and then began to chant loudly. Behind me I could hear footsteps and the creaking of bones. Suddenly it all made sense; the corpses had come to life! They were not for decoration after all, they were for defence!

Merlin raised himself up and began to chant loudly. I watched, in awe of his power as a shield formed around us. The skeletons battered at the invisible barrier and Izzah laughed gleefully. It seemed that while casting a new spell Merlin had released me and suddenly I could move. Fern began to throw flaming balls at Izzah and soon they were locked in a fierce battle. I snuck around behind Izzah, and aimed the point of my sword straight through his chest. Izzah muttered a spell and I was thrown backwards "No!" screamed Merlin. It had been enough though, in his moment of distraction Izzah was vulnerable and as I sat crumbled on the floor I watched as Izzah fell to the ground.

Merlin POV

I screamed as Arthur lay crumpled on the ground. Filled with a sudden anger I muttered a spell and watched as Izzah died. Now I had the blood of both a brother and a sister on my hands.

I ran over to where Arthur lay, calling for Fern. I waited anxiously, hovering behind her shoulder as she examined him. She turned to me with a smile on my face and I knew that everything would be ok. "Floaranom," I said as Arthur floated in the air. I really needed to get out of this place.

Fern and I set up a small fire and I gently floated Arthur down to the ground. "You know I have to leave now Merlin," Fern said quietly.

"I know," I said sadly. I sunk to the ground, exhausted both emotionally and physically. She came over and rested her head against my shoulder.

I remembered back to that day when Fern and I had first met. She had been the one to explain my…strangeness to me. I smiled at the memory of her telling me of her duties as forest keeper. Her father was the Keeper of the Unicorns (Thanks to FireChildSlytherin5) and she was responsible for protecting the ancient forests, the animals and keeping the balance of magic. She had opened up my eyes to a whole other world and prevented me from growing up ashamed and resentful for my powers. I pulled her closer to me and closed my eyes, savouring the moment.

Suddenly Arthur began moaning in his sleep and I ran over to him and took his hand. "Merlin… love," he whispered. I jumped back in shock and gazed over at Fern.

She smiled at me sadly, "You can be so oblivious sometimes Merlin," she said. I could not believe it, how could Arthur love me? I am just his idiot manservant and a man most importantly. I remembered his actions over the past week and suddenly everything made sense. I did love Arthur but as a friend, and that's all I could ever feel for him. Fern came over and took my hand, "You knew!" I accused.

"Of course I knew Merlin; I also knew how you would react and thought it best not to tell you." She said

"But… I don't love him like that," I said stupidly.

Suddenly Arthur gasped and I realised that he had been awake. He stumbled out of the clearing and I went to follow him when Fern grabbed my hand, "let me," she said as she went to follow Arthur.

Arthur POV

He did not love me, he did not love me was the mantra that kept repeating itself in my head. I had always known but to hear him say it….

I stumbled on blindly through the forest; I had no thought for where I was going. I just needed to keep moving, I had to get away. I couldn't take it any more and I fell to my knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Arthur," came a voice from behind me. I turned to see Fern standing behind me. What the hell did she want?

"Go away!" I screamed. I did not want to see anyone, least of all her. She had Merlin, and she was just going to leave him!

"I have to go Arthur; my presence here is destroying your friendship with Merlin. The fate of Camelot rests on your shoulders and I do not want to be responsible for the death of a nation," she said quietly in my head.

"Get out of my head," I screamed.

"Fern, give me a moment alone with Arthur please."

Oh god it was Merlin, how could I even look at him now that he…knew.

I turned to see Fern blocking Merlin's path as he attempted to approach me, "Merlin you can't, it's not right!" screamed Fern.

"Fern this is the best for everyone," Merlin replied angrily.

I had no idea what they were talking about. "No, Merlin!" said Fern sternly. I glanced at her, hope blooming in my heart. Was Merlin about to choose me over her?

She turned to look at me sadly for a moment before turning back to Merlin, "Maybe you're right," she said quietly before walking out of the clearing.

I met Merlin's gaze for a moment and he shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Arthur but I can never return your feelings… I love Fern," he said. I looked away from him, unable to bear his presence for a moment longer. "I can't let this ruin our friendship Arthur, I hope that if you ever remember this moment you will understand," he said.

I looked at him quickly, what he was talking about. Of course I would remember this moment; pain is not an easy thing to forget.

"I think it would be easier for both of us if you just forget Arthur," he said quietly and as his eyes glowed gold my mind went blank. Gone was the longing for Merlin, gone was the love. My feelings would forever be locked away.

Years later I think Gwen knew. I could see it in her eyes as she gazed into my eyes at our wedding. She knew that our love was a lie and somewhere deep inside I think I knew too. On the day that Camelot fell and magic was lost forever, I remembered. The silence of my heart was broken and my heart could once again beat for the only person I could ever love… Merlin.

THE END

Taa-daaa that is the end of the first fan fiction I have ever started. I know most of you were rooting for Arthur and Merlin to get together but I just couldn't see how it would tie in with the story and hey who says they dont get together when Arthur remembers :P I was always planning to end it like this, hence the title. Let me know what you think and feel free to ask questions if you have them. I can't remember if I answered everything I left hanging.