The Great Dragon carried Merlin and the unconscious Arthur through the night to the Lake of Avalon. They landed on its shores as the sun rose, the water glistening in the morning light.
"Merlin," Kilgharrah looked down at the distraught sorcerer dressed in servants clothes. Merlin strained to drag the king's body toward a small boat. "There is nothing you can do."
Merlin looked up with tearful eyes. "I've failed?"
The dragon shook his head. "No, young warlock, for all that you have dreamt of building has come to pass."
Refusing to give up, Merlin hoisted the king to his chest. "I can't lose him!" he declared, "He's my friend!"
In an effort to comfort his friend, Kilgharrah shared his wisdom, "Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny, some lives have been foretold, Merlin. Arthur is not just a king. He is the Once and Future King. Take heart, for when Albion's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again."
"But he is needed now…" Merlin's voice trailed off to a whisper and he looked down at Arthur. "…I need him." Merlin hugged Arthur tight and sobbed into his friend's shoulder. The dragon offered a moment of silence for the young warlock to accept Arthur's passing.
"Meeerliiin…" a voice echoed. "Meerrrliiin…"
Faint lights appeared over the lake, growing brighter as they flitted toward Merlin. A band of Sidhe, small, fairy-like creatures, darted back and forth before him. One approached and as she came into focus Merlin saw she was lovely.
"Merlin, you can still save him," she promised, her soft voice blanketing Merlin in warmth.
"Begone!" Kilgharrah roared, lurching forward menacingly, "he needs not your tricks and lies, Sidhe! Go back to Avalon!"
The Sidhe looked defiantly up at Kilgharrah, "We seek only to restore the balance between magic and the world of men! Tell me you do not wish the same, dragon?"
Kilgharrah growled, keeping his eyes warily fixed on the fairy. "Sidhe deal only in half-truths…and at too great a price! Let Arthur rest as the prophecy foretold."
Merlin laid Arthur down and faced the Great Dragon. "Please, whatever the cost, I will gladly pay it!"
Kilgharrah let out a puff of smoke in annoyance, but sat back down. Merlin faced the Sidhe, "Tell me what I must do."
The Sidhe fluttered gently before him, "Arthur's soul has started the passing between life and death. Take him to the heart of the Isle and draw strength from its magic. You must intercept this journey and convince him to return to the land of the living. Once his soul decides to live, his body will heal."
Merlin smiled in relief and wiped away tears. "Thank you!"
The Sidhe nodded and turned to leave.
"And what is the price of this reprieve?" Kilgharrah asked accusingly. The Sidhe gave the dragon an angry look before speaking again to Merlin.
"Destiny will continue to pull Arthur toward death. For his soul to remain here, it will need to be tethered to another. But souls are not meant to be bound this way…" she looked upon Merlin with a mixture of sadness and pity, "Tethering another soul is a great burden. The life will be severely shortened, divided between the two. And as bound in life, so, too, will the souls be bound in death, for when one departs this world, the other will follow," she crossed her hands over her heart in a sign of heartache.
Kilgharrah glared at the flittering lights as he warned, "The Sidhe seek only that which benefits them. They do not offer this solution for your benefit, Merlin, nor that of the king's. Take heed, for your life is far more valuable than you know and to shorten it will have effects that ripple throughout the magical realm in ways that cannot be predicted."
Merlin thought for a moment, though in his heart he knew his mind was already made up. "I am bound to Arthur by destiny. He is the king that will unite the lands of Albion and bring magic back to Camelot," he looked down at Arthur, then back up at the fairy with a newfound determination, "and I will not let him die."
The Sidhe grinned. "Then bring your king to the island. There is no incantation, no ritual needed, for there are no words to describe the bond between you. Use the memories and love you share to rekindle his will to live."
Merlin nodded his gratitude. The fairy bowed and all the lights disappeared back across the water.
Kilgharrah watched Merlin gently place Arthur in the boat.
"Please, Merlin," the dragon pleaded, "you must not do this. Arthur had his time. You will go on to do great things. Do not sacrifice your life."
Merlin stood up, brushing dirt from his hands. He faced Kilgharrah who looked at him with sadness. "You know I have to try."
The dragon's wings drooped and he laid his head softly on the ground. Merlin placed his hand between the dragon's huge nostrils in a comforting gesture. "My only regret is that I cannot also share my life with you, old friend."
Kilgharrah let out a sigh that blew a gust of warm wind against Merlin.
"I would not wish that burden of you, young warlock. It is simply my time."
"Will I ever see you again?" Merlin asked, his voice cracking with sorrow.
The dragon smiled, "you no longer need me, Merlin. You have brought peace to this land and ensured the future of both Camelot and magic."
A fresh wave of tears poured from Merlin, but he stood sturdy as he spoke, "I will miss you."
"And I you, young warlock. It has been a privilege to have known you," the dragon lifted his head with all the dignity of his ancient years, "The story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of men." They nodded respectfully to each other, then the Great Dragon spread his mighty wings and Merlin watched his friend fly away for the last time.