A/N: You guys rock! Thank you to everyone who followed, favorited, and/or reviewed.

Special thanks to Harpfire, grayember13, EasTerEggTimE, and Ernil i Pheriannath for reviewing. All of your comments made me smile like an idiot.

Warning: A lot of angst.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. If I did, this story would be the script for the fifth season.

Chapter 2

Pale moonlight filtered in through the trees, bathing the forest in white light. Wind whispered through the treetops, the air cool and crisp.

Percival began to stumble, his legs aching and his arms feeling like jelly. Merlin was asleep, his head lolling with every movement the large knight made.

It was when he almost dropped the frail boy that Percival decided to stop for the night and set up camp. He set his friend gently on the ground, picking up some sticks of wood and building up a small fire.

He cursed as he realized that he had no supplies for cooking, no water or provisions or blankets. Morgana had taken everything from him.

His fingers groped around in his pockets, desperately searching for the flint he usually carried around with him. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Percival pulled out a small triangle of flint, and, using his dagger, he managed to get the tinder to light.

The flames spread golden light in the clearing, warmth slowly filling Percival's cold bones. He moved Merlin closer to the fire, moving close to his friend and pressing his hand to the servant's warm forehead.

The warlock slowly opened his eyes, staring up at Percival sadly. "Where...?" Merlin croaked.

"We are about half a day's walk from Camelot," Percival answered. Merlin clenched his eyes shut at the mention of the castle.

"You have to take me back to the lake," Merlin said, trying to push himself up. His arms were too weak to support his weight, and he fell back down. "I have to be there! I have to be waiting for when he comes back."

Percival's chest constricted as he heard his friend say this. "Merlin... He isn't coming back. Arthur is dead."

Merlin gave no response, just staring deeply into the fire, his face blank and his eyes dull. As much as Merlin's sobbing had scared Percival earlier, the silence was worse.

"Get some sleep," Percival said, deciding to keep watch over his broken friend.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The sun rose high, illuminating the castle hallways with bright sunlight. The castle was eerily silent, the air filled with nervous tension.

Gwen was alone in her chambers, her thoughts troubled. She stood by the window, worried eyes searching the courtyard for any signs of her husband.

There was a small knock on her door, before Gaius stepped inside, his face grim. "Still no signs of them, my lady," he said, stepping over to where she stood.

Gwen nodded sadly, turning from the window for a moment. "What if he never returns, Gaius?" she asked, for the first time showing how hopeless and alone she felt.

Gaius just shook his head, thoughts of his ward swirling through his mind. "I don't know, my lady. He should be back by now..."

Gwen turned back to the window, her vision blurring with unshed tears.

At first, she thought her mind was playing tricks on her, that her wishful thinking was causing her to see things. She gripped the window, her knees feeling week. A man had just arrived in the courtyard, a small body held in his arms like a child.

"Gaius!" she called, and the old man came up behind her, his eyes widening as he saw Percival and Merlin.

Without speaking, they both turned from the room, Gwen running down the stairs and out into the courtyard as fast as she could.

"What happened?" she managed to choke out when she saw Merlin's pale complexion. His eyes were open, but they were clouded over, unseeing. Gwen would have thought him to be dead except for the slight rise and fall of his chest.

"Where is Arthur?" Gaius asked from behind her and Gwen's heart fell in her chest.

"No..." she muttered. "No..."

"The king... is dead," Percival said.

Gwen's knees gave out, and she slumped to the ground, her head in her hands as she sobbed. Gaius stepped towards his ward, his hands shaking as he stroked the boy's hair.

Gaius led them silently to his chambers, placing the queen in a chair and giving her a cup of warm tea and a blanket. He then turned to his ward, his son, who was laying on the patient bed.

"I found him like this. He is really unwell, Gaius. He thinks that Arthur will come back..." Percival told the physician, his head swimming and his legs shaking.

"You need to sit down, too," Gaius told the knight, leading the man over to a chair. "How long is it since you have had something decent to eat?"

"I... don't know," Percival muttered. Gaius shook his head, pulling a loaf of bread from the cabinet and handing Percival a chunk. "Eat this, but slowly."

"Will Merlin be okay?" Percival asked, watching the servant who lay still on the bed.

"It is still too soon to say. He is malnourished, dehydrated, in shock, and mourning. There is little I can do..."

Gaius turned back to the warlock, his eyes filled with worry. "Oh my boy," he whispered and then, set to work.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The great hall was full, the room silent with tension as Leon stepped forward. Leon looked around, eyes falling sadly upon Gaius and then moving to Percival. Merlin was nowhere in sight, sending a small wave of worry through Leon.

He took a breath and then spoke the words that everyone was dreading. "The king... is dead."

There was a pregnant pause as everyone took in this information, their hearts heavy. "Long live the queen!" Leon cried. And the room erupted in noise.

"Long live the queen! Long live the queen."

Gwen sat on her throne, numb with pain. Her eyes were dry as she looked at the people... her people. Her life had changed forever.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Merlin awoke slowly, blinking a few times as his eyes adjusted to the light of the room. He was looking up at a familiar ceiling, his head pounding mercilessly. He struggled to sit up, his breath hitching in his throat, coughs racking his body.

"Merlin! You're awake," a voice called, and a figure rushed into his field of vision. Gaius pressed a cup of water to Merlin's hand, helping the warlock to take a few sips.

Merlin lay back on the bed, looking up at Gaius sadly. "I was too late to save him..."

"Shhh... It's not your fault," the physician said.

Merlin didn't respond, a silence quieter than death filling the room. Gaius placed a hand on the top of Merlin's head, his heart filling with warmth for the young man.

"I'm glad you're back," Gaius whispered, stepping away to give the warlock some time alone.

TBC