An: Pt. 4. Last drabble for tonight! :) More tomorrow hopefully!
Disclaimer: I do not own "The Chronicles of Narnia" nor do I own Merlin.
Prompt: The Stone Table: In which Morgana returns from betraying everyone, and Merlin must make things right.
26. Stone Table, pt. 4
He watched from the top of the watchtower as Merlin died for Morgana.
Morgana, the beloved ward of his father, the woman who'd betrayed them all by using her sorcery against them, against Camelot. Morgana, who'd gotten in over her head with this ruthless sorceress and had a change of heart.
When Merlin had said that he'd worked things out with Morgause so that Morgana would be spared, but that he'd have to go away for a while, he hadn't expected this. She'd come, and Merlin had gone with her silently, begging Arthur to not do anything. They'd retreated to the watch tower upon his request, and by the time he realized what was going to happen, it was too late.
He watched as Merlin was thrown down onto the large stone alter that had been conjured by Morgause, bound and gagged; bleeding and dying.
He knew that the alter had something to do with whatever is happening, but he doesn't know how.
He resists the urge to squeeze his eyes shut and block it all out as she leaned down and whispered into his ear. Arthur refused to abandon Merlin like that. As she pulled back, he saw the glint of the dagger in the gray light, and gasped as a shout of anger tore itself from his lips. He couldn't see it, but he knew that the blade had been embedded into the boy's side, her cackle carried on the wind, and he just knew.
Arthur composed his features into stone, features heavy and thick like the table that held the fast weakening body of his manservant (of his best friend).
Morgana gave a sob from nearby and Arthur bit his lip. Merlin may have forgiven her, may have sacrificed his life for her freedom, but Arthur would never forgive her for this. He would let her live, convince his father (somehow…) that she was good. But he would never trust her; never not see Merlin's broken form when he looked at her.
He felt the harsh beat of the enemy drums pounding through his veins as he watched them gather together and together and leave to prepare for the next day's resuming battle. Merlin lay alone now, on the alter, and Arthur found himself thinking that his manservant had never looked so mall or vulnerable.
Or dead.
Gaius would be devastated.
He could practically feel Gwaine seething in anger from beside him. It'd taken 5 guards to hold him in place and keep him from charging out there as a one-man army to try and save Merlin. It had taken Merlin's forced oath from his lips that he would not do the same, that kept Arthur from taking Gwaine and charging out there. Merlin had known what he was doing, and had done so willingly.
Gwen and Lancelot were also standing nearby, and he didn't have to look to see the angry tears on both of their faces. Merlin was important to them all.
"In the end, it'll turn out okay. You'll see."
Arthur didn't see.