Merlin walked through the door to him and Gaius's quarters, swinging his arms quicker than usual in a nervous sort of manner.

"Have you seen Arthur?" he asked of the old man.

"This afternoon." Gaius answered. "He told me about the situation."

"Really? What'd you tell him?"

"I said that we didn't know anything for sure yet and that if anything else happens to tell me."

"And you haven't seen him since?"

"I am afraid not. Why do you ask?"

"I can't find him." Merlin said lifting his arms and dropping them at his sides again in frustration. "He said he was going to eat dinner with his father but he's not there."

"Really? This is surprising; he hasn't visited Uther in a long time."

"I know. I thought that was why he was going to sit with him. Only now I can't—"

The color drained from the magician's face.

"Oh no." he said quietly.

"What is it?"

"Arthur said…he was going to eat with his father."

"Yes." Gaius said slowly.

"I think I know where he is."

He turned and ran out the door without another word.

Liquid crimson dripped slowly to the floor and Arthur's head drooped to his chest. Yes, the blood flow was slow, but faster than he anticipated.

Blood, he realized. Must be the same color as regret.

His eyes began to close on their own as his mind fogged, but not before he saw the look of pure glee on his father's face. He clearly had no regret.

Somewhere in the dark corners of his mind, Arthur realized something wasn't right. It was off, crooked, blurred.

Distantly he heard noises. Someone was yelling; several some ones. He wanted to lift his head to see what was wrong but his tired mind was too foggy to care.

"Arthur." A voice said urgently. "Arthur."

Someone shook him.

"Wake up. Open your eyes."

He struggled to do as he was told and lifted his eye lids a crack.

"Merlin." He slurred seeing the face hovering in front of him.

"Arthur." Merlin sighed in relief as he tied pulled off his neckerchief to around Arthur's left arm as a tourniquet. "Thank God you're awake."

"Merlin…Merlin, stop."

"What? Why?"

"I…I have to die." Arthur's words were still very slurred and quiet and it scared Merlin. What if he was too late?

"Arthur," he said picking up a cloth napkin and moving to other arm. "Why did you try to kill yourself? Why do you need to die?"

"M' father told me."

Merlin froze in his work and closed his, giving a sad sigh.

"Your father?" he said softly.

"Mmh."

He glanced at the empty chair to his right and folded his lips in a sad frown.

"Arthur…" he said in soft, sad voice. "Arthur, the king…your father is dead."

...

I am soooooooooo sorry for the long wait but I'm so busy with track and homework and making YouTube videos with friends and stuff like that. Anyway, here's the next chapter. I know, you're probably more confused than last time. Sorry! I'm hoping the next chapter will be up quicker so you don't have to wait TOO long.

R&R!