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Part 6

Training resumed almost immediately. Lance, Gwaine, Arthur, Gwen and Uther all trained with swords. Nimueh was teaching Morgana magic and simple spells that were used for attacking. Freya was helping Gaius whip up some potions that could come in handy and Ygraine was doing research. Arthur watched, before heading of to train, Merlin slink out of the cave. Arthur frowned but didn't call after him.

Arthur lead the training session, getting them warmed up before really going at it. They were all former knights, apart from Gwen, and knew his training sessions. They were good and the best. When they had finished, they were covered in sweat, but satisfied that they could take anything that Mordred threw at them.

They went back to the main cave where Morgana was blowing up books that Nimueh was throwing in the air.
"I would appreciate," Arthur growled, "If you didn't use our history books."

"Don't worry, I haven't," Nimueh smirked. "I used school text books."

"Better not of been my uni one," Merlin said, appearing. Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Merlin was dripping wet, his clothes clinging to his small frame.
"Decided to go for dip, I see," Arthur drawled.
"Didn't know when the next time I would be able too," Merlin shrugged, a small grin on his lips.

In his hand he held a beautiful sword. The handle was gold and there was writing on the sword. Merlin handed it to Arthur, their fingers brushing. Uther's eyes widened in surprised but he didn't say anything.
"Excalibur," Arthur breathed. "I see you hid it. Again."
"Couldn't let it get into the wrong hands," Merlin shrugged.

"Thank you." Arthur smiled. Merlin nodded and went to help Gaius with the potions.

Arthur swung the sword and it felt right. Like it belonged in his hand, as if it was an extension of his arm. He smiled at the familiar warmth and went to help with whatever he could.

Gwen and Ygraine cooked dinner that night and everyone retired early. Merlin and Arthur headed to their room together. When they were safely alone Arthur drew Merlin close and kissed him soundly on the lips.

Merlin eagerly returned it, slipping his tongue past Arthur's lips making the blonde man moan. Arthur's hand travelled up under his shirt, feeling every rib. Merlin's hands tangled in Arthur's hair, pulling him closer so his body was flush against the others.

They stumbled back, falling to the bed. The moved back so they were well and truly on the bed. Arthur flipped them over, pinning Merlin with his body. Merlin moaned softly and arched up against Arthur.

Hands roamed, their breath panting. Arthur moved from Merlin's lips and down to his neck. Merlin whimpered and his hands gripped Arthur's hips.

"Promise me," Merlin panted.
"Anything," Arthur mumbled against he neck.
"Promise me you'll be careful," Merlin moaned.

"I promise," Arthur breathed and crushed lips back to Merlin's and began moving his hips.

Not much was said after that except for the moan 'yes Arthur' and 'god don't stop'.

After they laid entwined together, Merlin's head resting on Arthur's chest, Arthur lazily drawing circles on merlin's lower spine.

"I'm sorry I don't remember straight away," Arthur said in to the silence.

"Mmm, s'k," Merlin mumbled sleepily.

Arthur poked him on the side and Merlin grumbled.
"I'm serious," Arthur continued. "I know you hate it."

"It's not my most favourite part I'll agree," Merlin said and grinned. "But you always make up for it when you do remember."

Arthur grinned wolfishly and kissed Merlin deeply. They pulled away and snuggled down in the bed (not that Arthur would ever admit to doing such an activity). Arthur's breathing started to even out and get deeper. Merlin tried to pry himself away but Arthur woke up again.
"Where are you going?" Arthur demanded. Merlin rolled his eyes.
"To get water, you prat," Merlin grinned.

"Oh," Arthur said. "Get me some too."

Merlin pulled some pant on and headed to get some water. While he was there he went into his private store and in Arthur's goblet he slipped a sleeping potion into it. He wandered back and handed it to Arthur who gulped it down. Merlin drank his own just as eagerly. Arthur smiled and then suddenly got a dopey look on his face. He yawned loudly and his eyes widen slightly.

"Merlin, what did you do?" Arthur asked tiredly.

"I'm sorry Arthur," Merlin said, pained. "But I won't lose you again."

"Merlin..." Arthur yawned.

Arthur slumped back against the pillows and he was out. Merlin blinked away the tears that had appeared and gently kissed Arthur's forehead. A stray tear fell down his cheek. Merlin dressed quickly and silently. He kissed Arthur gently one more time and walked out.

He collected up his potions and and stored them in his bag. He looked once more around his home and quickly headed out.

He jogged quickly down to the lake where the dragon was waiting. When Merlin had gone to get Arthur his sword he had talked with the dragon. It would be him who would take Merlin to the forest where he would face off with Mordred. The dragon rumbled as Merlin approached him.
"You are doing a brave thing young Warlock."
"Promise me that you will protect Arthur, no matter what," Merlin said. The dragon bowed.
"As you wish."

"Then lets go."

Merlin climbed on, took one last look and the dragon took off with a great beat of it's large wings. Merlin was left with his thoughts as they flew across the land. Arthur was going to be furious with him when he awoke. Hopefully he would be alive to hear his speech and then kiss him until they couldn't breathe.

Gaius would be proud but disappointed all the same that he had not said goodbye or told him of his plan.

He wondered if Morgana would see his plan, or if she was not destined to see this. He prayed that she didn't. He wouldn't lead them to their deaths. This was between him and Mordred.

The sun was beginning to rise as the dragon landed in a clearing.
"Dawn approaches swiftly," the dragon said once Merlin was safely on the ground.
"Thank you."
"Good luck. I will be waiting," the dragon said and he took off again.

Merlin quickly moved through the forest silently. He moved into a smaller clearing at the same time that Mordred and Sigan did. Merlin straightened and glared.
"You kept your word," Merlin said.

"Of course. With you out of the way Arthur will be easy pickings," Mordred said with a casual shrug.

"You are willing to give up such power for him," Sigan said, surprised and intrigued. "If you join us we can teach you so much. We will rule the world and all of Albion. Magic will rule as it rightly does."

"And yet you abuse your power and kill innocents," Merlin growled. "That is not a leader. That is a bully."

"I can see that you are not to be swayed by this," Mordred sighed. "Too bad. We would have been great."

Mordred attacked with a lightning bolt. Merlin deflected it easily and with his power he threw the binding potion at Sigan. Sigan was unprepared and it struck him. He gave a scream and fell to the ground. Mordred watched as Sigan curled on the ground and his magic seeped back into the earth.

Merlin was not distracted and with a fire ball he hit Sigan and he tumbled along the ground. Dead.

Mordred lip curled and he sneered at Merlin.

"You think your clever," Mordred sneered. "But I came prepared."

Out of the forest a small army large beasts circled them. They were serkets, large scorpions with a deadly poison. They hissed and clicked their pincers.

Merlin's eyes flashed gold and above head a shadow covered them. A burst of fired rolled through the trees and they hissed and cried out in pain. Mordred roared with anger and threw his magic at Merlin. Merlin retaliated and threw his back.

It collided in the middle, with a loud bang. It sent a shock wave out, cutting down several trees in the process. Both Mordred and Merlin skidded back several feet, their feet clinging to the dirt. Merlin felt his anger building and his magic growing. Mordred's magic was growing too, his eyes glowing dangerously. He threw more magic at Merlin, just missing him but blowing up a tree, ripping it to shreds as if it was cotton candy.

Merlin threw his magic back. He glanced at the sky and a deep, black cloud hovered over them. Mordred scowled and threw more and more of his energy at Merlin who blocked every single one. Lightning struck around Mordred who was trying to fight it off and the attacks Merlin was giving him and trying to do his own attacks.

"You can't defeat Merlin. You never could," Mordred yelled. "And when I kill Arthur it will be slow and painful."

Merlin roared loudly and the wind picked up and the lightning struck deeper and harder. A brief flash of fear crossed Mordred's face. There was so much magic in the air it was ringing. The earth was rumbling, tree's were shaking, rain was pouring now, everything seemed to be crackling with magic. The whole forest seemed electrified.

Mordred was getting weaker and barely countering the magic was sending at him.

The out of know where, Mordred stopped, his eyes wide. He looked down at his chest and saw a pool of blood appearing. His eyes faded from gold. Merlin was watching, breathing heavily his eyes still burning gold and the air still crackling with magic. Mordred collapsed to his knees and Merlin saw Arthur behind him, Excalibur in hand, the tip covered in blood.

Mordred eyes were wide. He couldn't believe what had happened. He struggled for breath, eye wide and terrified. Merlin roared again and the lightning struck Mordred. His hold body shook and then in sparks and dust Mordred disappeared.

The lightning stopped but magic still cackled in the air. Merlin looked and saw Gwaine, Lance, Gwen, Morgana, Nimueh and Arthur around him. Merlin was still breathing hard, his magic so raw and to fragile.

"Merlin," Arthur said carefully, slowly walking to him. He looked tried, his hair ruffled, dark circles under his eyes. Merlin knew that he had been awoken by an antidote. By who he didn't know.

"It's going to be OK," Arthur said, still slowly approaching. Merlin's magic crackled, trying to reach Arthur but Merlin forced it away, it was too strong. They could hurt him.

"Just breath deeply. Relax. It's all over," Arthur coached. Merlin tried, He really did but he was so on edge.
"He's gone Merlin," Nimueh said quietly.
"It all over," Gwen said quietly.

Merlin was panting. Too much magic. He could hurt any of them. He gave a roar and slammed his magic to the ground It seeped into the earth and the whole forest glowed bright gold. They shielded their eyes against the glow, all but Merlin.

The trees that had been destroyed started rotting at an alarming pace until they were rotted into the ground. The soil began to turn and and from it sprouts shot up. They watched in awe as they grew and grew at a fast pace until they were young trees, and those young trees kept growing until they were as tall as the trees around them.

The grass grew long and fresh, more plants that had been destroyed started to re-grow.

Everything was refreshed and new, the forest healthy once again. The magic in the air began to disperse and was fading back into Merlin.

Merlin let out one last roar and his eyes faded from gold to blue. He was breathing heavily, shoulders hunched. He looked at Arthur who was now in front of him. He swayed dangerously and collapsed. Luckily Arthur had quick reflexes and caught his Merlin.

He gently lowered him to the ground and checked for a pulse. He breathed in relief as his finger felt the familiar heart beat. He hung his head and shook it.
"You stupid idiot," Arthur growled. Merlin didn't respond, except for the subtle rise in his chest.

"Is he- is he?" Morgana said, her voice breaking.
"He's alive," Arthur said gruffly.

Gwen and Morgana gave big sighs of relief. Gwaine ran a hand through his hair and clutched his stomach. Lance had his eyes closed.

"Lets get out of here," Arthur said. He picked Merlin in one swift move, keeping him over his shoulder.

There were a few horses and they mounted and took off in the forest.

Merlin shifted, breaking through his sleep and felt very comfortable. He tried to figure out what was going on, but his sleep muddled brain wasn't allowing it and he fell back into a deep sleep.

When he woke up again he figured out he was in a bed. He could feel the sheets tucked around him. He shifted and he ached. He buried his head in the soft pillow. He heard footsteps and felt the bed dip under the weight of another.
"Merlin? Can you hear me?" Gaius's voice rang in his ear. Gaius must have been leaning down to talk to him.
"Mmmfgn," Merlin grumbled. He heard Gaius chuckle.

"Welcome back. Can you roll over?" Gaius asked.

Very slowly he finally managed to lie on his back. His body felt heavy, like he was tied down with stones.

"Can you open your eyes?" Gaius asked. Slowly Merlin did. They felt as if they had been glued shut but he managed to get them open. He saw Gaius and saw him smiling softly. He looked tired and older than Merlin remembered. Gaius was peering at his eyes.

"You can close them but I need you to stay awake," Gaius said as Merlin's eyes slipped closed.

"You have every very worried about you," Gaius said, talking so that Merlin would stay awake.
"Mm sorry," Merlin said, yawning.

"It was a stupid but noble thing you did," Gaius said and Merlin could hear the smile in his voice. "Uther is thankful. You saved Arthur."

"I did," Merlin breathed. He wanted to smile but his lips were to heavy. He could feel himself being pulled back into the land of sleep and didn't even try fighting it.

When he woke up a third time he felt lighter and more refreshed.

"Sleeping beauty awaken once again," Arthur's voice sounded on Merlin's left.

Merlin turned and opened his eyes slowly and saw Arthur looked down at him.
"What time is it?" Merlin asked, his voice hoarse from lack of use.
"It is now noon. You've been out for a day," Arthur said, his face looked stern.

"Oh," Merlin said softly.

"Are you completely insane?" Arthur asked, his voice stern.

"No. I don't think so," Merlin said, attempting to smile. Arthur wasn't buying it.

"You drugged me and then went of a suicide mission," Arthur growled. "That screams insane to me!"

"Well I couldn't let you go!" Merlin cried, attempting to sit up. He gave up and leant heavily on the pillows.

"You have no idea what it does to me every time I watch you die as you do something heroic to save the world!" Merlin yelled.
"You think it was east being woken by Morgana hovering over you saying she saw you battling Mordred, about to be killed?" Arthur said in a dangerous voice. "You think I liked the feeling."

"Well know you how I feel," Merlin shot back. "Watching you give your life for everybody1 Well it was my turn. You deserve to live a full life."

"I only want to live a full life if your with me!" Arthur yelled.
"Well so do I!" Merlin yelled.

"Well guess what. We are both still alive," Arthur yelled. "So your stuck with me until we grow old and die! Because your mine."

"Fine! We'll grow old together," Merlin shouted.
"Marry me."
"What?" Merlin gasped.

"I nearly lost you Merlin," Arthur said quietly. "And I hated the feeling. I don't want to lose you ever."

"I-yes Arthur. Yes," Merlin said and with his all his strength he pulled himself up and kissed Arthur. Arthur gently laid Merlin back on the pillows and kissed him lightly.
He pulled away and pulled of his Pendragon ring and placed it on Merlin.

"I love you, in every life time we live," Arthur said.
"For life. I love you," Merlin responded.
"Rest. We'll have more time to talk about you being an idiot in the morning," Arthur said.

"Prat," Merlin yawned.

Arthur smiled and gently stroked Merlin's hair until he was asleep.

Please review and I hope you enjoyed. I might to an epilogue, depends on what people want, so if you want an epilogue review and tell me.