Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own any of that character below. They are property of the BBC and their respective writers and producers.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed - just passed the 50 review mark. :) You guys are great and really supportive.

So, this is more of an emotional chapter with very little dialogue. I think I re-wrote parts of this chapter about 5 times, so I hope you like the final product. The chapter after this will contain the Arthur/Merlin comforting, which everyone has been wanting/asking for. So stay tuned. :P And enjoy!

Seven

Merlin ran. The beat of his heart and the slap of his feet against the cobblestoned ground echoing in his head. Gaius was gone. No. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. But the look on Arthur's face was beginning to sink in. The haunted look of sorrow and disbelief. Wiping his face on his sleeve, he ignored Gwen's greeting as he ran past her; barely acknowledging the fact that he was leaving her stunned and worried.

It didn't take long for him to reach his quarters. Gaius' quarters. The quarters they shared. For a brief moment Merlin could almost imagine the physician appearing out from behind a book case.

"What a mess you're in, you look truly awful. Has Arthur been working you too hard again?" He would say and Merlin would smile.

But he didn't. Gaius wasn't coming back. And the anger took him over again.

With a primeval cry, Merlin outstretched his arms, feeling the magic well up inside of him and listened as the jars around him smashed. The bed was upturned, the desk toppled over, the books scattered, the loose paper cast upwards into the air; the room looked like a cyclone had hit it.

Merlin realised his eyes were closed and quickly opened them, surveying the damage. The damage he had done. With another sudden realisation, Merlin came to terms that he had just destroyed everything Gaius had lived for. His life works and the anger left him again.

Curling up in a small, ball he sank to the floor, letting the emotion overwhelm him.

"Merlin?" Gwen's voice sounded distant and perhaps it was. "Merlin, are you alright?"

He didn't reply and there was a knock at the door. She was outside still and Merlin knew she wouldn't enter unless someone answered.

"Gaius?" Gwen continued to ask and Merlin twitched at the mention of the name. The old physisican had meant so much to him, but Merlin never knew that his leaving would affect him so.

"Merlin? Hello?" Gwen continued, before abruptly coming to a halt, "Mer-"

Merlin strained to hear the whispers coming from the other side of the door. He even opened his eyes slightly to look at the door, which thankfully didn't open. The quite mutterings faded away and the young warlock turned to, once again, survey the damage he had caused.

And that was when he saw it. The smallest piece of white parchment poking out from underneath the shards of a broken jar. A jar, he realised he had never seen before. Crawling over to it, Merlin carefully extracted it and felt his heart lurch as he read his name printed on it. Printed in Gaius writing. It was a letter addressed to him.

With trembling fingers he broke the seal and began to read.

Dearest Merlin, It began.

Firstly, always remember that I love you. And always will. You have been like a son to me and I will never forget you, no matter where or when I am. Merlin frowned slightly, but continued to read.

I am not sure when you will read this but know that I am sorry to have left you. It was unforeseen. But please do not mourn, for I have lived a full and good life, even after I left you. I know this will be hard for you to understand but trust me when I say I am fine.

The creatures, the angel statues, which you may have seen, took me. If you ask the Doctor he will explain it to you more clearly. I am not sure how it's worked but the Weeping Angels (for that is what they are named) transported me back in time. Back to when magic was not a crime and Camelot was not ruled by someone against it.

It is beautiful, Merlin. I wish you were here to share it with me. I never dreamed I would be able to live these times again. I never thought it possible. Everyone is so free and we live in peace with the Druids. There is no evil here and I can only hope that one day your destiny leads you to freeing the world, so that magic can, once again, return to Camelot. I have faith in you, Merlin.

So please do not mourn me. And do not blame anyone. I am unsure when you will read this, but if the Doctor is still there, do not blame him. He tried to save me and is trying to rid Camelot of these creatures. I am happy here, but I would not wish this fate upon anyone. Help him, Merlin. The Doctor is a good man.

Keep a wary eye out for the angels; they may come for you or for Arthur or Uther. I know that with your help the Doctor will be able to defeat the creatures. Be warned, though. They are quicker than you can imagine. It only takes a mere blink and they will have you.

I have left you everything. My quarters are now yours. I am certain Uther will understand, and if there is to be a new physician in the court, there are other rooms he can have. Take care of everything for me and remember to clean behind your ears. You have a great destiny ahead of you and would hate for you to have dirty ears. And despite himself, Merlin smiled. Also remember to take care of Arthur. He is a good man, Merlin, despite his arrogance. With your guidance he will make a good King.

By the time you read this, I will have passed on. Even with magic I doubt I could live to nearly 150 to see you again. However long I may be gone, I will always be here, watching over you, my Merlin.

With all my love,

Gaius.

Merlin closed his eyes and allowed the tears to pour down his face freely. Gaius was dead but he hadn't died. He had lived. And for that Merlin was happy. Giving a small smile, he read the letter again before folding it neatly back up and walking slowly up to his room to place it in the cover of the magic book Gaius had once given him.

The young warlock even smiled fondly to himself as he retreated back into the main room and began cleaning up the mess he had caused. Collecting a broom from the cupboard he set about sweeping, only pausing when there was a brisk knock at the door.

Knowing he would have to deal with people eventually, Merlin wiped his face one final time and cleared his throat, "Come in."