My Comfortember 2022 contribution for the prompt : Moving Forward.

I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer : Merlin belongs to Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy.

Moving Forward

Night had fallen long ago. Arthur had stayed beside his father for several hours. He could not imagine that all this was real, that he would never see his father again, that he would never talk to him again. He had lost the only family he had left.

He could not help feeling guilty. If he had not asked that wizard to help him, if he had not used magic, his father would still be alive. Deep down he knew Merlin was right. That magic had nothing to do with it and that there was no hope for his father.

But all he could think of was that the magic had taken everything from him. It had taken his parents and it had corrupted Morgana. How could he be a good king if he could not protect the people he loved ?

He could never become such a strong and respectable king as his father was. Never again he would be able to ask him for advice on how to govern. For the first time in his life, he was lost.

He blinked when he saw a ray of sunshine. He had not realized that morning was coming. He had stayed all night by Uther's side and now it was time to leave him. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. Yet he felt a benevolent presence near him. As if someone was telling him that he was not alone.

He kissed his father one last time and opened the big doors. He opened his eyes wide when he saw Merlin sleeping behind the doors. He had probably stayed here all night. Arthur realized that he was the benevolent presence he had felt. This thought comforted him.

Ever since they had met, Merlin had always been there for him. Whether in good or bad times. Even if he was not always nice to him, he cared a lot about him. Without Merlin by his side, he knew he could not become a great king.

"Merlin."

Merlin woke up and looked up at him. Thanks to him, Arthur will be able to overcome his father's death. He will move forward and he will face the hardships that awaited him.

The end