Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Chapter 13 The Diamond of the Day Part 2
Merlin ages himself and attacks the Saxons. He reaches the battlefield, however, it is too late. On the hill, he watches as Mordred runs his sword through Arthur. Merlin screams out. Mordred turns at the sound, allowing Arthur one last go at Mordred, and kills him.
"Arthur," Merlin gasps. He takes off down the hill. Merlin sees Arthur slumped over a rock. "You can't leave me. Not now."
He carries Arthur off the battlefield. They get to the forest. Merlin is already aged back.
"Merlin…" Arthur starts to say weakly.
"Don't talk. You need to save your strength," he replies.
He gets them both to safety deeper into the forest until they both are too tired to carry on.
xxx
When Arthur wakes up, he sees Merlin has started a campfire.
"How are you feeling?" Merlin asks.
"My side," Arthur tells him.
Merlin looks down. Things were not going his way.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I thought I'd defied the prophecy. I thought I was in time."
"What are you talking about?' Arthur asks.
Merlin has to look away for a moment. He does not know how Arthur will react when he tells him.
"I tried getting Mordred away, but it always backfired on me," Merlin said.
"You knew this would happen?" Arthur asks.
"I didn't want to believe it. So, I tried everything in my power to stop it. But, I couldn't," Merlin says, his eyes watering.
Arthur motions for Merlin to join him. Merlin sits next to him, leaning his head against Arthur.
xxx
Gaius arrives with some supplies to help in the middle of the next day. His face is drawn as he walks up to Merlin.
"A fragment of sword is embedded in his chest," Gaius says. Merlin knows there is more to it. "However, it was forged in dragon's breath."
"How am I to help him, then?" Merlin asks.
"The Sidhe are by the Lake of Avalon," Gaius tells him. "They have the magic to heal him."
Arthur gives Gaius the Royal Seal to give Gwen.
"Until Andrew is old enough, Gwen will rule," he says.
Gaius nods and leaves. Merlin tries to protest, but does not.
"We need to leave at first light," Merlin replies.
xxx
Merlin has to use magic to fight off two Saxons the next day. That night, Arthur watches as Merlin fails to light a fire with magic.
"Why don't you use magic?" Arthur asks.
"Habit I suppose," Merlin replies with a shrug.
"I remember when we met," Arthur suddenly says.
A smile escapes from Merlin's lips.
"You tried to take my head off with a mace," Merlin says.
"You will look after Gwen and Andrew, won't you?" Arthur asks.
Merlin's smile fades.
"Stop it. You're not going to die," he says.
"Your word, Merlin," Arthur replies.
Merlin gives a frustrated sigh.
"My word," he finally says.
"Good," Arthur replies.
"I'm not going to lose you," Merlin tells him.
xxx
Little did they know Gwaine and Percival are looking for them? However, Morgana finds them. Percival is able to escape, but Gwaine is not as lucky. Morgana uses the Nathair to make Gwaine tell her where Arthur and Merlin are. They do not know Morgana is on her way as they rest.
"Hello, Emrys," she says. Merlin turns, but Morgana is too quick. She sends him into a tree, knocking him unconscious. Morgana turns to Arthur, who is leaning up against a tree. "How the mighty have fallen. You may have won the battle, but you've lost the war."
Merlin appears, Excalibur in his hand. Morgana looks at the blade and laughs.
"Give up, Morgana," Merlin tells her.
"No mortal blade can kill me," she says.
Arthur's eyes grow when Merlin stabs Morgana.
"This is no mortal blade," Merlin says. "It was forged in dragon's breath."
Morgana falls down dead.
"It's over," Arthur says.
"We need to get to the lake," Merlin replies.
When they reach an opened field, Merlin falls in exhaustion from carrying Arthur.
"It's too late," Arthur says, his breathing slowing.
"No," Merlin says.
He pulls Arthur to his lap.
"Just, just hold me. Please," Arthur says. Merlin cannot respond. His eyes will no longer stop the tears from falling. How had he failed? There was no way this was real. "Thank you, Merlin. For everything."
"Arthur, no," Merlin yells as Arthur's eyes close, not to open again.
He calls Kilgharrah, hoping the dragon will be able to do something.
"There is nothing you or I can do," Kilgharrah says.
"I've failed?" Merlin asks.
"No," Kilgharrah tells him.
"I can't lose him," Merlin replies.
"Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. Arthur is not just a king, he is the Once and Future King. For when Albion's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again," Kilgharrah says.
xxx
Merlin has Arthur in a boat. He sets the boat out to the lake and lights it on fire. With a heavy heart, he returns to Camelot and does what he promised Arthur. To look after Gwen and Andrew and make sure Camelot is kept safe. He gets through the days knowing that one day he and Arthur were to meet again.