Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters....but i'd like to own Arthur.
That night, Gaius was keeping watch over Merlin when he noticed the boy's lips moving. No sound came out, and the young warlock showed no other sign of awakening.
Below where Merlin lay, the dragon woke to see a strange apparition before him.
"I failed my destiny Great One. I'm so sorry. Goodbye." The beast wiped a tear from his eye as the ghostly image disappeared.
Morgana sat up in bed, but it wasn't a dream which woke her. A figure stood before her, pale in the moonlight.
"You have been a great friend Morgana. Look after Arthur for me. Goodbye." Morgana lay down and sobbed into her pillow.
Gwen tossed and turned on her little bed. She dreamed Merlin was calling her. She awoke in fright, to see the warlock standing at the end of her bed.
"I'm sorry Gwen. I know you loved me and I loved you too. But it's too late. Goodbye." Tears fell freely down the maid's face as she watched the person she loved so much fade in front of her.
Gaius became aware he was being watched, and he turned to see Merlin standing before him, but also lying on the floor beside him. Now he knew what the boy was up to.
"Gaius. I loved you like a father but it's too late to save me. You are not to blame. Goodbye." The image faded away but the boy on the floor kept muttering. He had one last goodbye to make.
Arthur was sitting in his chair, staring into the fire when he felt a familiar presence behind him. He turned.
"Merlin?" He whispered, eyes widening in amazement.
"Yes, Arthur. I'm sorry you had to find out about me in this way. I would never have lied to you but I did not want you to have to choose between your servant and your father. The dragon was right when he said that our destinies were entwined, that we were two sides of the same coin. But it's too late now; I have failed you and everybody else I swore to protect. You are going to be a great king, with or without me; just keeping living your life. Goodbye, my prince."
With that, the image faded, leaving Arthur desolate and alone.
"Please Father, he's dying. Morgana and I just want be see him before he goes. I know he is a sorcerer but he was also my friend!" Arthur stood, holding eye contact with Uther. "You can have as many guards as you wish watching us, he's hardly dangerous now. I just want to see him."
"I have said no, Arthur. Anyway, you are a prince and he was a servant; there was no way you could have been friends" Uther replied.
Arthur flung himself on his knees before the king. "Sire, I beg you! Let me see him, and when he is dead I promise I will do everything you ask, everything."
"Get up boy, a prince should never beg" Uther looked around, checking to see if anyone was there, but he could see no one. "Would you agree to this as well Morgana?"
"I swear, Sire, upon my parent's graves, that once Merlin is dead, I will obey you completely." Morgana said, completely seriously.
Looking at the pain in his son's eyes, Uther agreed and his two charges rushed out.
They were down in the dungeons in less than ten minutes, Morgana dragging along Gwen. They had to wait for one of guards to come back from checking with the king, and then they were finally let in. The two girl's eyes immediately filled with tears at the sight of the pale, still figure; Gaius sitting beside him, dabbing the warlock's forehead with a wet cloth. Arthur crouched next to his one, true friend and gazed into his face, willing the boy to wake up. All four of them silently sat around him as day turned to night and the hours ticked by. Gaius fell asleep first, exhausted by his intensive nursing of his nephew. Morgana wasn't far behind him, visions of Merlin burnt alive having kept her awake for many days. It took another hour for Gwen to drop off, leaving Arthur maintaining his silent vigil. As the chiming of the clock striking three echoed around the cell, the prince stirred. He looked around, but no guards were in sight and the others were all sleeping soundly. Arthur gently picked up Merlin's hand, cradling it in his own, trying to warm it. He started to speak to his friend, even though he knew he wouldn't be heard.
"I'm sorry Merlin. You didn't fail, it was me. I should have listened to you more, and not treated you so badly. You must have saved my life countless time without me even knowing. You protected me even when you were dying; I know you sent that light in the cave. And yet I never admitted to myself, or to you, that you were more than just my servant; you were my friend, my best friend." Arthur looked down at Merlin's face, memorising it. In desperation he held the boy's hand tighter, weeping as he cried out.
"Wake up Merlin; wake up for me. I need you Merlin. I can't do this without you. Come back, come back, come back." The two words were repeated again and again as Arthur rocked back and forth, still holding his friend's hand.
Please Review. Hope you're not too worried. Next Chapter will be up tomorrow.