"The Crash" (Rose)
"Merlin!" I call, as he retreats to the physician's quarters, no doubt.
"Where has he gone?" Gaius comes up from behind.
"Probably to the chambers," I suggest. "Gaius, I'm worried about him. He's been holding this in since this morning. He's going to fall apart."
"Then we must be there to fall with him," Gaius lays a hand on my shoulder as we follow after our friend.
Merlin isn't in the front room, so we continue to our room, finding him sitting on his bed, fiddling with the dragon carving his father made him.
Gaius stops a few paces beyond the doorframe. "Merlin, what happened?"
"I couldn't save him," he mutters through tears.
Silence falls. "Merlin," Gaius says with a sad disbelief.
"This is not your fault," I sit next to him and put my arm around him, rubbing his shoulder.
"He said the Dragonlord's gift is passed from father to son," he explains in a near normal voice, but a face the picture of loss.
"That is true," Gaius steps forward.
Merlin sniffs as a tear rolls down his cheek, "When I faced the Great Dragon, my magic was useless."
"Merlin, there's something you should know about their powers," I begin.
"Your father wasn't dead," Gaius follows my point. "It's only then you can inherit his powers."
"Just like what happened with me and my father," I finish.
"Do you think I'm strong enough to stand up to him?" he turns to Gaius.
"Only time will tell," the old man states.
"And time will say, 'Yes'," I lay my head on his shoulder, and he turns his gaze forward once more. "If anyone can do this, you can, Merlin. Your father knew it, I know it, and so does Gaius. You just have to believe it," I kiss his cheek. He sniffs again, taking in the detail of the wooden dragon before wrapping his arms around me in response.
"I don't even know how to use these powers. What if I choke?" he mumbles over my shoulder.
The crash is taking hold, and I understand. I push him back a little, look into his wet, blue orbs, tears still dripping. I bring my hand to his cheek, wiping away a fear tears with my thumb as I shed a couple of my own. "The strength to do this in inside you, and you will know what to do when the time comes, because although he is gone now, your father is a part of you. He always has been and he always will be. He lives on through you. He is in your heart. Just remember what you told me on that ride back into Camelot after the ceremony we performed for my father. He is proud of you, Merlin, and nothing will ever change that. Every mistake you make, every victory, you will live and learn from, and it will only better you. You have a heart of gold, and that's what mattered to him, and what will matter to anyone who should matter to you." He manages a weak smile, hugging me again. I let him cry, holding him close, trying to mend his broken spirit with my embrace.
"Time to Stand" (Merlin)
My favorite prat soon calls for me, and while the empty feeling of loss still hollows my soul, I manage to cease my previously relentless crying. I find myself back to work once more, placing his armor on and adjusting it. "Look on the bright side, Merlin," he proposes, "Chances are you're not gonna have to clean this again."
"You must be careful today," I instruct him. "Do not force the battle."
"Yes, Sire!" he nods.
"I'm serious," I affirm.
"I can hear that," he points out.
"Let matters take their course," I further charge him.
"Merlin, if I die, please ..." he trails off.
"What?" I ask.
He turns and faces me, "The Dragonlord today," he brings up, and I do not meet his gaze. "I saw you," he says while I finally do look at him. I make no reply. He then lays his right hand on my left shoulder, wearing the face of a strong guide, "One thing I tell all my young knights, no man is worth your tears."
I nod and give a quiet, "Yeah," forgiving his ignorance, and before losing it once more, I prod with a goofy smile, "You're certainly not." I walk over to a sword and pause shortly before picking it up.
"What are you doing?" he questions.
"I'm coming with you," I inform him.
He thinks a beat, "Merlin, the chances are I'm going to die."
"Yeah," I laugh a little, "You probably would if I wasn't there." I am actually being honest, but he doesn't need to know that- not today anyways.
"Right," he agrees with apparent sarcasm.
"Do you know how many times I've saved your royal backside?" I quiz.
"At least you've got your sense of humor back," he teases, clanging the tip of his sword against the one in my hand.
We both simultaneously head for the door. I wait for him to go first with determination on my face. He stops and looks at me, "Are you really going to face this dragon with me?"
I peek over my shoulder, "I'm not going to sit here and watch." He glares at me with puzzling. "I know it's hard for you to understand how I feel but ..." I joke that I care about his armor and I don't want him messing it up. He laughs and so do I. For a second, it feels good to let loose a bit. The serious matters return to our minds and we exchange an understanding glance and nod at each other. He shoves my shoulder with a slap before proceeding out the door.