CHAPTER NINE

Merlin was not surprised when he was told by the other Knights of Camelot that Arthur had made a miraculous recovery. Nor was he when he was told that the King was completing his regular tasks and activities, attending meetings with the court and much more. He always smiled when he heard these words; it made him happy to know that he hadn't saved Arthur's life (for once)... but Guinevere had. Only she could have helped him in the situation he was in, and Merlin was glad that she had succeeded.

In the afternoon, Arthur attended sword fighting practise and so did Merlin. The knights laughed together and this made Merlin happier.

'You seem happy, Arthur,' he teased the young king and Arthur couldn't help but smile.

'How can I not be?' He said as if he was speaking to himself. He looked up at the sky and treated each breath he took like a gift. 'I have Guinevere, how can I be sad?'

'Arthur, you know she won't be here always- she's a ghost.'

'A ghost who I can see, we can be together now. Can't you see it, Merlin?'

'I don't think she'd agree...'

'She already has.'

Merlin's smile vanished from his face and he narrowed his brow confusingly.

'Wait, what?' He asked Arthur and the young king simply smiled.

'She said she is mine forever. And forever is a long time,' he replied.

'Indeed it is. Are you sure that she didn't mean she'd be forever in your heart?'

'I managed to persuade her to stay.'

'Arthur...you can't.'

Arthur shot a stern look at his servant.

'Why not? I am the king,' he snapped.

'You should not abuse that fact. The people will think you have gone mad, talking to a woman who no one else can see,' Merlin managed.

'You can see her, Merlin.'

'That is a different matter. But the people-'

'I don't care what the people think anymore, Merlin! I lost Guinevere once because of them, I won't lose her again. The people should respect me as their ally and also as their king. I can do whatever I like.'

With that, the angry Arthur turned and walked away. He joined the other knights and began to laugh with them like nothing had ever happened. Merlin couldn't believe what was happening. What was Arthur thinking? And Guinevere...he thought she understood what would happen if she stayed. Merlin had no choice, he had to send her to the other world before she corrupted Arthur's life even more.

That night Merlin lay on his bed thinking of things to do. He had already used Guinevere's possession which he had been given. He'd look suspicious if he asked Arthur for another one. He would have to hope that he would bump into her some time. He knew where to find her- where she always was...Arthur's chambers.

The following morning Merlin got dressed and rushed down to the King's Chambers where he hoped to find Guinevere. To his surprise, the door was slightly ajar and this made Merlin nervous. Slowly, he pushed open the door and stepped in. He called out Arthur's name and waited in silent to hear a reply. But not a sound could be heard.

Merlin repeated his name as he ventured further into the chambers. Glancing around for any sign of movement or a sudden sound.

'Merlin?' Asked a voice from behind him. As fast as lightning, Merlin swivelled around on his heels to stand in the direction the voice came from. He relaxed when he saw Guinevere standing in the doorway. Her long hair tied back in a bun and her brow narrowed in confusion.

'Why are you here?' She asked confusingly.

'To speak to you,' Merlin answered immediately. Guinevere dropped her arms to her sides in response.

'Well here I am.'

The young warlock took a deep breath.

'Did you agree to stay here and live with Arthur?' He had selected a question from the many buzzing around in his head waiting to be asked. She nodded slowly before replying.

'Yes, I did,' she admitted with no shame.

'Why, Guinevere? You know what will happen. I thought you understood.'

'I understand perfectly well. Fate has given Arthur and I another chance to be together, we should not waste it.'

'It's not fate, Guinevere.'

'Then what is it?'

'A mistake!' Merlin had finally let it out. 'You're a mistake, you're not meant to be here and you know it. You're stopping Arthur from living a normal life. A relationship between the living and dead is not meant to take place, it's not allowed!'

Tears filled Guinevere's eyes and her gaze dropped.

'What was I thinking?' She asked herself. 'I'm only being selfish if I stay here. How can I go to the other world, Merlin?'

'I'm not sure,' He admitted with a sigh. 'Maybe you have to find peace in this world before you cross over to the next.'

'How can I do that?'

'Was anything troubling you before you died?'

'No, not that I know of.'

'Then there is only one other possible solution.'

Guinevere stepped back a little towards the door. She had a feeling that she wasn't going to like what Merlin was going to say.

'And what would that be?' She finally asked, dreading the words that would come out of his mouth.

'You'll have to visit the place where you died,' Merlin said...