Disclaimer: I do not own the Merlin series.
Arthur was bending down next to Merlin, who was staring out into space, not blinking once.
"We have to get him back to Gaius," Arthur says.
"And abandon the quest?" Sir Leon asks.
"I can't let him die," Arthur tells him.
"I'll take him," Lancelot offers.
Arthur agrees, and they get Merlin on a horse.
"This is my fault, and I'm sorry," Arthur tells Merlin.
"Take me with you, please," Merlin begs.
"You'll die, Merlin," Arthur tells him.
Arthur cannot see, but Merlin is desperately trying to raise his hand, but his body will not let him.
"You don't understand. Please, Arthur," Merlin says.
His voice is barely auditable at this point.
"Merlin," Arthur argues.
"We need to go," Lancelot says.
Arthur watches as Merlin and Lancelot leave. They later stop and rest by a water's edge. Lancelot becomes paranoid when he beings to hear his name.
"Lancelot. Do not be afraid," a feminine voice says.
"What are you?" he asks.
The creature smiles at him.
"We are Vilia," they tell him. "We wish only to help."
Lancelot glances down at Merlin and then back at the Vilia.
"My friend is sick," Lancelot says.
"Merlin is stronger than you give him credit," they tell him. "Do not worry. We are healing him now."
Lancelot looks down and sees blue light surrounding Merlin's body.
xxx
Lancelot wakes up in the morning to find Merlin in the water catching fish.
"Merlin?" he asks in shock. He cannot believe what he is seeing. "You're meant to be dying."
"Sorry," Merlin apologizes as he gets out of the water. "Here."
Merlin hands him the spearing stick he was using to catch the fish.
"What's that for?" Lancelot asks.
"You look like you're going to fall over," Merlin replies with a laugh. Lancelot swings the spear at Merlin, but he is able to duck in time before getting hit. "Yeah, not as quick as Arthur."
"I had no attention of hitting you, Merlin," Lancelot tells him.
There is an awkward moment before Merlin clears his throat.
"Come on. We need to catch up with the others," Merlin says.
They reach an abandoned home as night falls. Merlin uses his magic to start a fire. Merlin looks at Lancelot and finds him just staring at him.
"Wow," Lancelot replies.
"I'm not entirely useless, you know," Merlin tells him, giving a nervous laugh.
"I never said you were," Lancelot says.
They sit and Lancelot pours Merlin a drink.
"Thank you," Merlin replies.
"I'm not here just because of Arthur," Lancelot suddenly says.
Merlin almost spits out his drink.
"Gwen?" he asks.
At least he was hoping it was Gwen. However, Merlin knew before than that.
"No, but they are with another," Lancelot replies, he eyes moving towards the ground.
"I'm sorry," Merlin apologizes.
"Yes, well I'm sure he's happy with Arthur," Lancelot replies.
Merlin cannot look at Lancelot. Something in his stomach starts churning. He had not wanted to realize before, but there was no denying now.
"Oh," is all he can think of saying.
"It wasn't all a drunken act that night," Lancelot says.
"How long have you known?" Merlin asks.
"I've known for quite some time now. The way you look at each other when you think no one is looking," Lancelot answers.
Merlin wonders if they were that obvious to the others.
xxx
Merlin and Lancelot are attacked by the Dorocha later that night, but Merlin calls Kilgharrah for help. They find the fortress Arthur and the other are at. Arthur cannot keep the smile off his face when Lancelot walks in with Merlin behind him. He squeezes Merlin's shoulder.
"Good to see you, Merlin," Arthur replies.
"You, too," he says.
They sit by a fire later that night. Merlin goes in to kiss Arthur, but Arthur places a hand in between their mouths.
"Not here," Arthur tells him.
Merlin understands and nods. He leans against the log and takes a deep breath.
"I'll take your place," Merlin says.
"You'll do no such thing," Arthur tells him, careful not to raise his voice.
"What is the life of a servant compared to that of a prince?" Merlin asks.
"The life of someone you love," Arthur answers.
xxx
They reach the Isle of the Blessed the next morning. They look around, but there was no trace of the old woman.
"It's not often we have visitors," she says.
They turn and find her standing as if she had been the entire time.
"You know why I am here," Arthur tells her.
Merlin casts a spell as Arthur starts towards her, throwing Arthur and the others backwards. Well, the thought the rest of the others. Lancelot had been able to miss Merlin's spell.
"Are you going to sacrifice yourself to the spirits to save your prince?" the gatekeeper asks.
"It is my destiny," Merlin tells her.
"Perhaps. But your time among men is not yet over, Emrys. Even if you want it to be," she says.
Merlin turns and sees Lancelot, standing at the veil. He gives Merlin one last smile before walking into the veil
"No," Merlin yells.
But it was too late. Lancelot had walked into the veil.
xxx
Merlin overhears Agravaine from his bed chambers a couple of days after Lancelot's funeral. He is speaking to Gaius.
"Have you ever come across a sorcerer called Emrys?" Agravaine asks.
"No," Gaius answers. Merlin feels his heart beating faster as realization hits him. "Doesn't sound familiar. I'll inform you if I do."
"Thank you, Gaius," Agravaine says.
Merlin walks out when he thinks it is safe to.
"I don't believe it," he replies.
"I can," Gaius tells him. "He has every reason to despise Uther. Be careful, Merlin. If he is working with Morgana, she's looking for you. She must never know who you really are."