Fire

Hello! I just wanted to say a thank you for all of the positive feedback I received on the last chapter. I have begun to add onto it to turn it into a multi-chapter story. I'm not sure about a title for it yet, so if anyone has ideas feel free to make a suggestion. Thank you again to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed and favourited!

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Merlin'.

….

Merlin ran frantically through the halls, searching desperately for Arthur. He skidded to a halt at the end of the corridor then was off and running down the next. There was room for only one thought in his mind; he needed to get to Arthur.

Thick black smoke was spilling out into the corridor from Arthur's chambers when Merlin reached them. He flung the door open without a second thought, his eyes watering as the smoke stung them. He covered his mouth with his sleeve and dashed into the fire. Coughing, he spun in a circle, searching desperately for his friend. His eyes flashed gold and the smoke cleared to reveal Arthur passed out on the floor.

Quickly making his way over to him, Merlin slung Arthur's arm across his shoulders and dragged the unconscious King to the doorway. He turned back as he heard a muffled cry from inside the room, and stared into the flames for a second. Then he turned away.

He dragged Arthur along the corridor, around the corner and along the next corridor, finally laying him down when he was convinced they were a safe distance from the fire. Arthur stirred feebly, mumbling something under his breath, and Merlin straightened up, relieved. With a last glance back at Arthur, Merlin turned and ran back the way he came.

He took a deep breath as he reached Arthur's chambers, then entered the burning rooms once more. He opened his mouth to call out and inhaled smoke and ash, scorching his throat.

"Gwen", he croaked, "Gwen!"

"Help!" he heard Gwen's terrified voice from near the cupboard. "Somebody please help me!"

Merlin fought his way through the flames towards the Queen. Her head snapped up when he laid his hand on her arm, and she looked at him as though he was a ghost.

"Merlin", she whispered, eyes widening in shock and relief.

"We need to get out of here", Merlin urged and she allowed him to pull her to her feet and towards the doorway, which was hidden by the thick smoke.

"Go", Merlin choked out, pushing her towards the exit. "Go! Hurry!"

With a final push he released her arm. She stumbled out of the door and ran from the room, not looking back.

Merlin stumbled, coughing as the smoke poured into his lungs. He jogged towards the door but caught his foot on a goblet which the King had left on the floor and fell, sprawling onto the floor. He howled in pain as a flaming post from the bed fell onto his back. His eyes flashed gold and the post flew through the air, crashing into the opposite wall.

Eyes streaming and struggling desperately to breathe, Merlin crawled towards the doorway, a faint patch of light in the heavy black smoke that was filling the room. He was so close, so close now…

The servant's vision blurred and his eyes flickered shut. He exhaled heavily as his muscles relaxed and his head flopped onto the floor.

…..

Arthur slowly opened his eyes and blinked. He looked around him, dazed, and quickly stood, groping for his sword at his waist. It was not there, and Arthur realised that he was wearing his nightclothes. Suddenly his finely-tuned senses kicked in, and he smelled the bitter, cloying scent of smoke. He ran down the corridor towards the fire, fear coiling in his gut.

…..

Gwen ran from the fire, tears streaming down her cheeks. A scream echoed through the corridor and she paused, turning to look behind her. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that the scream had come from Merlin. Face contorted in agony, Gwen turned away from her friend's screams and ran in the opposite direction.

…

Arthur pounded down the corridor, anxiety for his loved ones forcing him on. As he reached the end of the corridor Gwen rounded the corner and fell into his chest. Her face was blackened and tears streaked her cheeks, but she was safe.

"Gwen." He grabbed her and hugged her to him tightly, but she pushed him away, sobbing.

"Merlin", she gasped out. "He rescued me – helped me get out – I heard him scream –"

With a look of horror Arthur pushed past his wife and pelted off down the corridor. Gwen watched him go, tears sparkling in her eyes.

…

Merlin woke to find himself in his own bed. He tried to sit up, but his back screamed in protest and he fell back onto the worn pillow with a moan. He heard a sound from his left and gingerly turned his head towards the noise.

Arthur was sitting on the room's single, hard-backed chair, fast asleep. As Merlin watched him, puzzled, he stirred and slowly opened his eyes, glancing around the room. His gaze settled on Merlin, who was watching him with a confused expression.

"Merlin!" Arthur scrambled out of the chair and stood for a minute, looking foolish, before slowly sinking back down into the uncomfortable chair. He pulled it closer to Merlin's bed and looked helplessly at his friend who was still looking up at him with that innocent, questioning gaze. Dammit! Why was Merlin so innocent?

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked in a low voice.

"Yeah, yeah – I'll be fine." Arthur's eyes roamed over the burnt and puckered skin on Merlin's forehead. The servant's hair had been singed by the fire, and burns scarred most of the left side of his face. Arthur winced in sympathy.

"Are you alright?" Merlin asked, concerned. The details of the previous night had been tugging at the edge of his conscious and now came flooding back to him. Arthur – the fire – Gwen. And then the pain…

"Is Gwen alright?" He croaked urgently, his voice hoarse.

Arthur looked at his friend incredulously.

"Merlin, what do you remember?" he asked seriously. Merlin looked up at him, confused.

"There was a fire – you were unconscious –" He trailed off, suddenly worried. Had he done something wrong? Had he – his heart skipped a beat – had he inadvertently revealed his magic? To Arthur?

"Yes, Merlin." Arthur tried to sound patronising, secretly wondering what could have caused Merlin to go so pale. He dropped the pretences, and his expression became serious.

"You saved my life."

Merlin looked up, surprised, into Arthur's serious gaze. His face split into a lopsided grin.

"You noticed that, did you?" He asked, eyes sparkling. Arthur snorted, trying not to grin back.

"Yes. I did." Arthur took a deep breath. "And you saved Guinevere as well." Merlin smiled softly, and Arthur looked at his manservant, more grateful than Merlin had ever seen him.

"You saved the King and Queen's life, Merlin", Arthur said gently. But Merlin shook his head, brow furrowed.

"No, I didn't", he said firmly. Arthur looked confused. "I didn't save the King and Queen", Merlin continued, adamant. "I saved two of my best friends."

Arthur felt a lump rise in his throat and he swallowed. He was touched by Merlin's devotion and the way in which he was willing to lay down his life for his friends. Arthur was beyond grateful; especially that Merlin had returned to save his beloved Guinevere after dragging him away from the flames.

Based on what Gwen had told him, Merlin had run to their chambers and into the fire to save Arthur. He had dragged the King to the corridor he had woken in, a safe distance from the fire, then had turned and run back into the growing flames to save the Queen. The whole of Camelot loved their King and Queen, and only still had them thanks to Merlin.

Arthur felt his eyes prickle with tears as he looked down at his servant – no, his friend. Merlin had suffered burns to much of his body while saving Arthur and Gwen, but there he was looking absolutely contented and willing to do it again.

"Arthur?" Merlin was looking at him, his face a mixture of anxiety and confusion. "Is everything alright?"

Arthur looked at Merlin. He didn't seem to realise what he had done. The idiot didn't realise just how brave he was. Arthur took a deep breath.

"Thank you, Merlin", he said softly. "Not many would have risked what you did. It appears that once again, I owe you my life." Merlin's face split into a wide grin. Arthur patted him on the shoulder and stood.

"You should get some rest", he said gently, turning away. Merlin smiled softly at Arthur's retreating back.

"Arthur", he called. The King paused and turned on the threshold, looking at the dark-haired man questioningly. "I'm glad you're alright." Arthur smiled, then turned and exited his servant's chambers.

….

Hope you liked it!