Author's Note: Thank you all who have read this story thus far. It's amazing how much this story has grown from where I first started. And what's even more amazing is the response I have received. I never thought that I would have so many viewers and I never dreamed of having so many comments. You all are amazing! I promise I'll try not to have as many late posts as last time. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twelve: Never Will I Abandon You

"Arthur," I asked hopefully.

"Merlin," Arthur breathed.

"I'm here, Sire."

"I want to live—for you—, Merlin. Only for you."

"Arthur?"

I didn't get a response after that, but my hope was now restored.

"Gaius," I called.

"Yes, Merlin?"

"Can you help me put him on my bed?"

He nodded and we gently picked him up and laid him back down on the bed. Then Gaius started to run around getting herbs for the blood loss. Magic couldn't cure everything.

I sat beside him for about an hour. The knights came in one by one to see how we both we doing and cleaned the crystal off the floor. It seems like I shattered it when I woke. We still don't know who even brought the crystal here, but Kilgharrah said that he would start searching.

Finally, Arthur's eyes cracked open.

"You idiot," I breathed as I saw the crystal blue eyes. "How could you do something like that?"

"You did too," he said.

"I was under an enchantment, prat."

"Yeah. But, I lost my other half. Plus, I promised I would if you killed yourself. Remember?"

"Never again."

"Never again," he promised.

"Arthur?"

"Yes?"

"When you were unconscious you said that you would live for me. Only me. Did you mean that?"

Arthur blushed and nodded.

"Thank you," I breathed.

"There's nothing to thank me for," he countered. "I should be the one thanking you. You have saved my life a couple times you know?"

"Not as many as you saved me."

"No. I believe you saved me plenty more times."

"You save me every day, Arthur. You give me a purpose. If I hadn't of come to Camelot, I don't know what I would've done. I never told anyone this, but I used to hate myself. I almost killed myself. Not with a knife or such, but I tried to cut off my magic. I got so sick that I nearly died, Arthur. My Mum was so scared that she sent me to Gaius. I never told them why I did it though. I knew it would hurt, that it might kill me, but I did it anyway. I thought I was a monster, and if that was what I was I would have done anything to stop being one."

"Merlin," Arthur whispered. "You idiot. Don't you ever do that again. Do you understand me?"

I nodded.

"Good," Arthur said. "Because if you die, I would follow you."

"But you promised," I argued.

"For no reason," Arthur said. "I promised you I wouldn't do it for no reason. But if you die, I will follow you. I won't—no can't—live without you, Merlin."

I nodded. There was no arguing with him when he was like this.

Arthur smiled.

"Good," he repeated. "Now how about we go burn that crystal?"

"It's already gone," I replied. "It shattered when I woke up."

"How?"

"I heard Gaius talk about you," I said blushing. "I was so frightened of leaving you alone that I called Kilgharrah. When I woke up the enchantment was broken."

Arthur nodded.

"I heard you," he said. "I think it's what saved me. When I slit my throat, I thought you were dead. If I hadn't heard you, I would have rejected your magic and died."

I gasped. It had been that close. That was too close. Never again will he almost die for me. I forbid it. I can't lose him.

"Merlin," Arthur asked. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay, you prat," I spat. "I nearly lost you because you tried to off yourself to follow me. To think you would have died because of me. I couldn't live with that."

"I'm sorry," Arthur said.

"No, Arthur, you're not," I sighed. "I know we're friends and all—don't deny it—but you can't do this every time I get hurt. I don't think I could handle the stress. Please, Arthur. Just promise me that you will never—under any circumstances—do this again."

"Fine," he huffed. "I promise. But, I will never deny that you are my friend again."

My heart swelled in pride.

"Thank you."

"How many times do I have to say that it should be me thanking you? It's not the other way around. You saved me, Merlin. Saved me from myself and from external threats. I could never say thank you enough. I could never repay you."

"I don't need you to Arthur," I said with joyful tears in my eyes. "I just need you to live."

"I can do that," he said smiling. "But I could do a couple others better."

"How?"

"You'll just have to see, Merlin."

"So, Princess, you're still alive then," Gwaine said as he swaggered in.

"Yep, and I'm planning to stay that way," Arthur said smiling.

"Good, because I don't think I could take another heart attack like that one, Mister," Gaius said as he gave us both a chastising glare.

We both turned tomato red.

"To be fair, I was enchanted," I said.

"That you were, but don't ever think of doing that, do you hear me boy," Gaius said.

"Yes, sir," I said.

"And you, Arthur," Gaius started again. "What were you thinking?"

"If you remember, I promised I would slit my throat if Merlin died on the battlements."

"Idiot," Gaius and I said together.

"Only too true," Gwaine grinned while the Knights of the Round Table—who came in while we were talking—laughed.

"I couldn't live without Merlin," Arthur whispered.

I smiled. I was the only one who heard.

Reviews:

DeathGoddesses: I agree. But, I think Merlin would've done worse.

Peabodythecat: Thank you. I need those.