Golden Wishes

by

Popconbay

Endings are not always bad. Most times they're just beginnings in disguise.

Kim Harrison

Prologue

A Dying Man's Wish

King Arthur was dying. Granted, Arthur decided to accept that fact just as he realized that his former knight -Mordred, trained by Arthur himself, whom he thought of as a son- plunged a sword forged in dragon's breath into his side. But that thought was easily overlooked by the secrets brought to light by his manservant -friend- brother- sorcerer!- just as easily as one could ignore the white hot pain at his side, the feeling of a piece of metal ripping his organs and making its way to his heart.

But yes, Arthur could ignore the pain just for a moment, a moment to take a look at his friend, tall, lanky fellow with hunched shoulders that could have been used as a hat stand and boney elbows that could have been weapons in itself. Why didn't he notice the waves of weariness that were rolling off from the other man before? How didn't he notice the lack of spark in the younger man's eyes before all this had happened?

But Arthur did, didn't he? The way how Merlin lacked the genuine smiles he used to wear every morning? How he seemed to have aged more in the last few months than the years Arthur had ever known him? He did notice it. But he didn't want to accept it. A lot of things changed over the years. Arthur turned from being a prince seeking for his father's approval to being a King serving his kingdom. He changed from being an absolute royal prat to being someone who is worthy of being the people's hope. His family, his kingdom, his knights, everyone changed over the years. There were betrayals, murders, love, friendship. But one thing that stayed constant by his side was Merlin's presence. Arthur wasn't embarrassed to admit it. When he was at his deepest, it was Merlin who brought him back from the darkest state of his mind. Merlin, who became his friend, his advisor, his brother. But had Arthur been so wrapped up in his own head that he didn't want to accept that his friend was running ragged?

Magic.

Merlin's magic.

That explained everything.

Betrayal stung, more than anything in the world, it stung that Merlin, the person whom Arthur trusted most in the world didn't trust him back with his life. It hurt. But wasn't Arthur to blame for it at the same time? Did Arthur give a good enough reason for Merlin to trust him with his magic? He couldn't say.

Tears gathered at the end of his eyes as Arthur watched his servant search the perimeter of their little camp in search of the spooked horses that were long gone. Beside Arthur, Morgana lay, her skin as pale as snow, her face as peaceful as she had ever been. Arthur wondered if she had ever been peaceful before her- before her death.

Agony ripped at his side as he shifted in his place, and Arthur knew that he didn't have long. Everything hurt. Breathing hurt. Talking hurt. He had no strength left in his body.

"Merlin,"

The king called out to his servant, his friend, which brought the lanky man out of his stupor, and hurried to attend to the needs of his master. Black spots danced at the edge of Arthur's vision as he felt Merlin's boney hands curled around his shoulder, bringing the king up to his feet.

"Come'on," said Merlin, as he helped his king to put his feet in front of the other. "We have to get you to the lake."

He pushed himself for a few feet, Arthur tried, he really did. But he was dying, he was tired. His grip on the other man's shoulder was sagging, and everything was painful. "No." The King gasped, staggering down to his knees, his friend by his side. "Not without the horses."

"Arthur."

The golden haired man's eyes trailed on his friend's lanky figure, whose face was weary and tired and eyes brimming with tears. "Listen to me, Merlin-"

"I'm not going to lose you!"

Arthur's heart ached, both from the agony of his wound and seeing his friend so broken. He needed to tell him how much he valued him. How sorry he was for not believing him. But Arthur was tired. He knew there was no time for him to say that.

"Just, Just Hold me, please."

Arthur's hand reached out to Merlin, curling his fingers around the back of his neck, trying to brace himself for the inevitable. Arthur wasn't afraid of death, years of being a knight of Camelot meant to accept whatever that came his way. But he was afraid. Afraid to leave his friend, to leave his brother in a world where he had lost his hope. Arthur looked up to Merlin's eyes, blue eyes as deep as the depths of the ocean, hurt and filled with tears of sorrow.

"There's something I want to say."

"You're not going to say goodbye-"

Arthur hissed, the pain on his side blurring his vision as he struggled to find his words. "No Merlin, everything you've done, I know now." He wondered though, did he? He doubted he would ever know everything. "For me, for Camelot, for the kingdom you've helped me build"

They say when you die, you will see your life flashing before you. Arthur saw two boys, a prince and a peasant, a noble and a servant, a King and a sorcerer. Without his friend, there would never be a King Arthur. Without Merlin, there never would be a Kingdom for Arthur to rule, to serve. He knew that now.

"You'd have done it without me."

Arthur smiled, a painful sad smile as he met his friend's eyes. "Never. I- I want to say... something I've never told you before. Thank you!"

His eyes blurred, Merlin's blue eyes swimming in his vision. His body shuddered with total agony, but he wanted to keep speaking. "I just... wish I could have been there for you, all these years.'' The golden haired man sighed, his hand reaching from his friend's neck to his cheek, and giving him a sorrowful smile.

The metal piece that was forged with the dragon's breath found his heart, as the Once and Future King let out his final breath, his final wish on his lips.

"Wishes are words of power, Once and Future King"

"The Old Religion cannot ignore the plea of a dying man pure of heart"

"Yet alone that of a man tethered to the destiny of the Land of Albion"

"A man willing to change for the good for the sake of his friend"

"A man wishing to make things right"

"The Goddess has been Merciful Arthur Pendragon"

"Be Merciful as the Goddess herself has been"

"Be Cautious, for all is not as it may seem"

"Be Grateful, for the Old Religion has yet to grant this wish to any other"

"Be Wise, for there are many paths ahead of you"

"Be Loyal for those around you, for they will do so in return"

"Be Strong, for there are many trials ahead of you"

"Heed our words Arthur Pendragon, Courage, Once and Future King"

"For the Old Religion cannot ignore a wish of a dying man pure of heart"

"Heed Our Words"