A little fall of rain
Merlin made it in time, struck the Saxons, temporarily removed Morgana from the battle, but he knew he need to do more if he wanted to defeat the prophecy. Much as he tried he couldn't find Mordred. He wondered if by killing him, Camelot would be a safer place. However, he didn't have time to think about that.
The soil was soaked with blood. Blood of his friends. Of the people he used to see in Camelot. People who used to smile and talk. Who had dreams and hopes. People who, like him, were worried for tomorrow. A tomorrow that would never come for them. It was also soaked with the blood of his enemies. Friends and families of some unknown people to him. People who had someone waiting for them at home. Just few hours ago, they all could walk and speak.
There they were. Arthur and Mordred. The sun was rising and the time seemed to stop for the warlock. Mordred's sword entered into warm flash. But it wasn't Arthur's. The king watched as the old sorcerer put himself between him and the sword. Merlin and Mordred's eyes met for a moment. The former knight watched at the opened wound on the warlock's abdomen and smirked. It was temporary. His smirk was replaced by terror as he felt Merlin's magic sucking the life out of him. His eyes begged for mercy, but it never came. His death was quick and he finally fell on the cold ground and left the world.
The old sorcerer tried to keep his balance, but the loose of blood made him dizzy.
"Thank you!" Arthur said as he helped the sorcerer sat down. He didn't know what he was supposed to say. His life was saved by a sorcerer and the king couldn't understand why. "Why did you save my life?"
"It's a long story, Your Highness. A story I fear I will never get the chance to tell you. I still have some things to put in order so you and Camelot could live in peace. Could I have your sword?"
The king handed it a bit hesitantly. Merlin took it and studied it carefully. A sad smile appeared on his face.
"What can I do for you? I have a physician. He's very good. He would help you and…" Arthur muttered, still shocked of everything he'd witnessed.
"Don't worry, Sire. There is nothing that can save me now. This sword…must be used by none else but you. It has powers that could cause a great evil to this land if it ever falls on wrong hands. Close to Camelot…there's a lake. A lovely one.." He remembered the time he'd took Freya there and a tear ran down his cheek. "Do you know that lake?" Arthur nodded. "Good. Have someone throw the sword there before you die. You have to promise me."
"I promise. But…why? What is this sword?"
"It had helped me won an important battle long ago. Now, I'm going to use it for the last time. I hope you'll forgive me for leaving you alone, but you are a great king now. I'm sure you'll do just fine without me."
"Isn't any way to show you my gratitude for…"
"Don't…" Merlin stopped him. "Be a wise and just king. Do not let your pride cloud your judgment."
"I…" He felt like a kid. "I'm sorry for misjudging you. I was furious when my father…"
"It's all in the past… I wish I could stay longer, but I have...to find her." He stood up. It hurt horribly, but as long as his magic would keep him company his body would be able to obey his commands. Arthur watched him go away and he didn't know what to do.
"The sorcerers." One of his knights exclaimed.
"Where is he going?" Gwain asked. "Did he tell you something?"
"Are you alright, Sir?" Leon joined the group.
"He saved my life…I think he wants to find Morgana."
"Arthur," Gwen cried. "Are you alright?" She ran towards him and put her arms around his neck.
"I owe this sorcerer my life." Arthur declared. "and it's too late to...do the right thing for him."
Morgana had hardly recovered her conscious. Everywhere she could see the dead bodies of those who once composed her imposing army. Her eyes scanned for her loyal men, but crows were the only living beings around her. She was petrified. She'd seen the same desolated picture once in her nightmares. She knew he had to be close. The image of the old man had haunted her for so many years. Now, she finally knew who he was.
Merlin. She found it was awkward to associate him with the man she'd been and still was so scared of. She remembered she once used to feel so safe around Merlin. She laughed at the irony. With him by her side she would have had nothing to fear.
Her legs were too weak and she struggled to walk. She fell on her knees, unable to continue. She was tired and scared. A single thought kept her going: Arthur had to die. She'd forgotten why her brother had to die. Was it ambition? Obsession? Revenge? She had nothing to lose. She stood up on her feet. Mighty. Determinate. Revengeful. Her eyes glittered with hatred.
Her moment of glory was short as her eyes met Merlin's and her blood went cold. It wasn't the goofy servant the entire Camelot used to know. He wasn't either the old man who'd defeated her that day. It was a Merlin very foreign to her.
"Hello, Merlin." She tried to hide her emotions. "How is your precious king? A bit too late, aren't you?" She laughed.
"Not at all. Arthur is fine." Her smirked died on her face as heard that. "I blame myself for what you've become." Merlin continued. A pang of sadness crossed her face. "But this bloodshed has to end."
She noticed the sword in his hand and laughed. For a moment she'd feared him.
Maybe he isn't as strong as I've feared. Morgana thought. She felt her confidence return to her.
"I'm a High Priestess. No mortal blade can kill me." She uttered confidently but soon confidence was replaced by terror. Her words died on her lips as she felt the sword cut through her body. She searched for his face. She wasn't ready. She didn't want to die.
"It isn't an ordinary sword." Merlin confirmed her fears. "Like yours, it was forged by a dragon." Morgana felt her energy leaving her, but Merlin's strong arms caught her. He was weak, too. His magic had offered him some moment of strength, but once he'd reached his goal the rush of magic and adrenaline left him and he fell on the ground, taking Morgana down with him. He was dying, too.
The High Priestess collapsed over his body. The first thing she noticed was that his shirt was wet.
"Is it raining?" Out of all the things she wished to tell him before dying it was the only question her mind could form. She was trembling. Cold sweat mixed with blood. "It's cold." She added feebly. "Could you..stop it?"
For a moment she forgot she was dying. That she was a High Priestess. That she hated Arthur and wanted Camelot to fall. Everything was somewhere in a very foreign past. She was a scared young woman who wanted to be kept safe and warm. And his eyes were so blue. And she had missed him.
"Let it rain. It will help the flowers grow. In a few weeks this place will be full of green, fresh grass. Flowers will hide the tombs and bees and birds will bring life to this place. Kids and young people will come to pick flowers. They will make plans for the future. Make love vows in front of the moon. She will smell the flowers he will have offered to her and will thank him with a kiss. They will be so happy."
"It's so cold," she repeated more feebly.
"I'll keep you warm. Forever. I promise. " He held her tightly in his arms, but his arms started to tremble. "You won't be alone anymore." She smiled at his promise.
"Hold me…" She begged. "Tightly….closely." Her voice was weak and soft. So different from that of the woman she once used to think she had the entire hell at her command. She only wanted him to stay. "You are so cold….." she continued.
"Sorry." He tried to joke. "You should have..." He felt blood in his mouth. It had such a strange taste. A taste of life and death. Warm on his cold skin. Suffocating. "asked me…" He coughed trying to get rid of the blood from his throat.
"Blood." She exclaimed surprised as she studied her wet hand. Her sight was blurry and she needed to focus. "It's everywhere."
"back then" Merlin finally finished what he wanted to say. They'd known each other for so many years and yet they'd lost so many opportunities. Back then. He wished he could go back to that time…
There come no answer from her. He didn't know if she knew he was dying. He made a last effort to look at her face. For the last time. She seemed peaceful.
"Don't …leave …me." She said before she let go of the last flicker of life and her body became still. Merlin let his head fall on the ground and looked at the sky. It was so blue. A few birds flew away and the sun seemed so warm. He didn't feel cold anymore. He felt easy like he was living in a dream…then everything went dark.
Merlin woke up on the bank of a wonderful lake, adorned with spring flowers. The birds sang and the sun brushed gently over his skin, making him feel warm and full of life.
"You come. Really come." He heard a familiar voice. It was Morgana. Yet she wasn't the miserable and bitter woman he'd confronted so many times in the last years. She was dressed into a long blue dress. Her long hair was no longer tangled and dirty, but fell in perfect ringlets over her back.
"I've thought…" She continued.
"I've come. And I'm not leaving anywhere." Merlin promised. She smiled and put her hand in his. "What would you like to do? We have time."
"Just enjoy the sun…with you."