« In a land of myth and a time of magic … » I would own Merlin's rights and be able to use english like my maternal language. Sadly neither of those things are true. I hope you'll enjoy though. Snapepotter.
The Coming of Arthur
When dawn came, they abandonned their camp, gave a coin to the ferryman and pressed themself in his small boat. A moment later, they were setting foot on the Isle of the Blessed and Merlin's magic was becoming a little wild, sensing and dreading the power of this place. Of course it would be guarded by some kind of dangerous creatures, she remarqued amused and strangely detached, while using her power as a dragonlady to make the wyverns behave. It didn't completely worked out though, so Elyan, Leon and Percival stayed to keep the things occupied while Lancelot, Gwaine and Merlin followed Arthur inside.
Unsurprisingly, the Caileach was already waiting for them, next to the veil and Merlin felt Lancelot step forward more than she saw him, focused as she was on the gatekeeper. Muttering a spell which would prevent any nonmagical being from moving forward until the veil was healed, she listened to the lady's greeting.
« It is rare that we have visitors », she was saying, her sepulchral voice sounding amused when she looked at the young warlock, greeting her silently.
« Put an end to this. I demand that you heal the veil between the two worlds », commanded Arthur.
« It was not I who created this horror », replied the Caileach, « why should it be I that stops it ? »
« Because innocent people are dying », spoke Merlin.
« Indeed », laughed the woman, regaining her calm when Gwaine attacked her and ended up against the wall. « Is this the best you can do ? », she asked, mocking.
« I know what you want », replied Arthur
« Do you ? And are you willing to let me have it ? »
« I'm prepared to pay whatever price is necessary », stated Arthur. But when he tried to advance, he was hit by Merlin's spell and flew backwards.
The Caileach laughed.
« So Emrys, you chose to challenge me after all. You will give yourself to the spirits to save your Prince ? ».
« I will », replied Merlin.
« Perhaps », said the keeper. « But your time among men is not yet over Emrys, even if you want it to be ».
Merlin ignored her and Lancelot's scream behind her. With baby steps she moved forward, shaking, until she felt the cold touch of the veil against her skin. She looked at her friendsone last time, smiling sadly at Lancelot, and she opened her arms, allowing the dark to reclaim her.
When she opened her eyes, Merlin found herself deep down the lake of Avalon, with Freya beside her.
« Am I dead ? », she asked.
« No, Merlin, not yet », replied the young woman. « We are in Avalon. »
« Why ? »
« The gods needed to test your value one more time. You showed that you were prepared to sacrifice your life for Arthur's...
« Of course, this is my destiny, cut Merlin. Why would the gods doubt that ? »
« They do not dout your ability to face your own death Merlin, but that of the others. That's why they sent me to ask you one more question. You must beware however. The gods do not take kindly to dishonesty. Be honest, and if you succeed, the god will send you to the place you're meant to be in. »
« Let's get it over with then », replied the warlock, « What is the question ? ».
« How many lives were you willing to sacrifice for your Prince ? »
Merlin gasped. Of all the question the gods could have asked... But it made sense. If she had been meant to be at his side forever, she would have been presented with choices like this... And in time, was there someone she would not have been able to sacrifice in order to keep Arthur safe ? She had already sacrificed her father for the sake of the Once and Future King. How far would she have gone for him ?
I wouldn't have sacrificed my mother, nor Gaius, nor Lancelot for him, she tried to tell herself, but she knew it wasn't true. She would have, just like she had let Will sacrifice is life, and Freya, and Balinor's. She looked in Freya's eyes when she answered :
« All of them. I would have sacrificed all of them », she whispered.
Freya smiled sadly. It is time for us to part again Merlin. Try to remember your answer to the question. You will need that strength. She seemed to fade then, but Merlin soon realised she was the one to do so, falling back into the arms of darkness.
Arthur woke up to find Lancelot and Gwaine holding Merlin, the former sobbing uncontrollably, while Leon and Elyan were looking at Arthur, their eyes sorrowful. The Caileach, was nowhere to be seen.
« What happenend », he asked, confused.
« Merlin did it sire », replied Leon. « She gave her life to heal the veil ».
« No ! », shouted Arthur.