Sorry for the late update, life got in the way as it so often does! Thank you for all the comments and follows, it is greatly appreciated!

DISCLAIMER - The following characters are owned by the BBC.

Chapter Nine - By Mordred's Blade

It looked like this: a scorched field littered with dead bodies, blood and grass all intertwined. Smoke rising slowly off of the ground, and the silver blades of swords glittering like treasure in the moonlight. A huddle of men stood in their battered armour looking down over a King and a servant. And finally there was a dragon, casting a shadow over them all.

"Bring him back!" Merlin cried, "Please...bring him back."

The dragon looked at him almost pityingly. "Merlin, some things are best left unchanged."

"Kilgharrah, I would not have called you unless I had any other choice. I have just one last favour to ask." Merlin could feel the stares of the Knights burning into his back and the weight of the Dragon's gaze on his face.

It was all too much.

Finally the dragon sighed. "If I am to do this thing that you ask of me, I must ask you a favour in return."

Tears rolled down Merlin's face. He did not hide them. "Anything."

The dragon blinked down at him, his large yellow eyes almost questioning. "I do not pretend to understand the logic of mortal men but I do know this; 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."

The words washed over Merlin. He did not care. For every moment the dragon wasted talking Arthur was slowly dying in his arms.

"Please Kilgharrah, he is not just my King." Merlin begged. "He is my friend."

Kilgharrah tilted his head slightly. "The shard of blade that rests deep in Arthur's chest cannot be removed Merlin. You must understand this. My magic can heal your King but only for a time...eventually he will die by Mordred's blade."

Merlin looked down at Arthur's sleeping face, his breath was so shallow now.

"How long will he have?"

Kilgharrah scratched the earth with his claws, "Long enough to rebuild Albion and to bring magic back to Camelot. Years, perhaps."

Merlin nodded, his throat was dry and his face was wet. "Do it."

"On the day that Arthur finally succumbs to the power of the blade, you must take him to the Lake of Avalon and lay him to rest on the ancient isle so that he may rise once again." The dragon paused. "The favour that I ask of you, young warlock, is that you wait beside him, ready for when Arthur returns."

Merlin gazed up at the night sky where the stars twinkled silently over him, and he wondered if his destiny was written somewhere up there. In his heart he knew that he would always follow Arthur, in this life and the next.

"Do it." He said again.

Kilgharrah lowered his neck in what almost appeared to be a gentle bow, a silent sign of agreement. Trembling Merlin placed Arthur on the ground.

For a moment Merlin could only stare at the spot in which Arthur lay. It almost appeared as something from a storybook; a King, a magical sword and a dragon.

There was something right about them all being pulled together. Like pieces on a chest board.

The beast hovered over the young King and Merlin could feel the Knights wariness. He turned to see their hands all hovering over their swords.

"Wait!" Merlin demanded. "I know what I am doing."

They all dropped their hands to their sides, uncertainty displayed clearly on their faces.

Kilgharrah closed his eyes and breathed. Despite the death that surrounded them it was as if life itself was being pumped into the air, the earth itself seemed to shift - as if something was being righted or ironed out. Merlin supposed that something was, there was still so much that Arthur was supposed to do and now he was being given some time in which to do it.

The body of King Arthur shook, but not violently, more of a slow quiver. Until finally his eyes fluttered slowly open.

A torch had been lit inside him, Arthur was alive again.

For a moment the King just lay there, maybe he was too shocked or confused to move. Then Arthur's eyes flickered from Merlin to the dragon to Merlin again.

"You just don't ever give up do you?" He exclaimed. "A man can't even die in peace!".

Merlin wiped a tear from his eyes, his hands were still shaking. "There will be no dying, not today Sire."

Arthur sat up, his armour creaking with the effort. He looked at Merlin; servant, protector, friend.

"Thank you."

Merlin nodded and stood up, brushing himself down he turned to Kilgharrah.

"It has been a privilege to have known you, young warlock." The dragon said, and Merlin could've sworn he heard a crack in the creature's voice. "The story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of men."

With the final word Kilgharrah lifted himself up from off the ground, his magnificent wings spread behind him. His wings propelling him higher and higher into the night sky. Within moments he nothing more than a mere silhouette against the white moon. A memory to be cherished by those souls that still stood on Camlann's soil.

Merlin and Arthur faced the Knights, all of whom seemed too dumbfounded to say anything. Merlin cleared his throat.

"The King lives." He said. "Long live the King!"

Arthur shook his head, a dazzling smile spread across his dirty and bloodied face. "No Merlin, this is not my victory to have. It is yours." Then he took Merlin's wrist and held his arm up in the air for all to see. "LONG LIVE MERLIN."

Each of the Knights took up the Kings call, each of them echoing the servants name.

He could feel the heat flush to his cheeks and his eyes were glistening again. By his side his King chanted his name and although he knew it was a bitter-sweet victory he could not help but feel...happy.

Happy and a part of something more.

Cheesy I know! But I feel that Merlin should be appreciated :)

Anyway, only the epilogue left and hopefully I shall post that soon enough!

Much love, MsDeacs