Hey guys :)

Chapter 10

The sun was falling while horses ran fast through the dark forest. Faster, Faster! were the thoughts of Arthur, Leon, and Lancelot.

Arthur had difficulty believing in anything he saw that day. The manservant, the incompetent fool, the… the… his best friend… was a magic user. Magic was pure evil, yet Merlin was said to be a creature of magic… that Grant sorcerer said Merlin was made of magic… but Merlin is the pure opposite of evil. The prince closed his eyes and shook his head quickly. I need answers, Merlin… don't you dare… die before you give me what I want.

The men rode off and a trail of dust was what was left of them.

o.o.o.o.o

Lancelot paced back and forth in front of Gaius's room - he was treating the manservant, but no one could bear walk in. Both Arthur and Leon were in shock of every event that took place. Merlin was a magic user, Lancelot was not a traitor, and the bandits were no more.

The sound of the door opening got the men to their feet - Lancelot already up. "Gaius! How's Merlin?" Arthur asked.

Gaius looked at Arthur with a heart pierced look.

Arthur froze then tried to wet his mouth, but failed.

"Sire, He's… more physically well than he is mentally…" There was a sigh. "Lancelot, Merlin called for you."

Before Lancelot went in Arthur stopped him. "But, he… that sorcerer said that he… wasn't going to survive. How is he physically better?!" Arthur nearly yelled.

Gaius lowered his head and just called to Lancelot once more.

When Lancelot entered, Merlin had a leather bag out, and he was packing his belongings. "Merlin? What are you doing? You should be in bed." The manservant looked up with reddened eyes. He opened it, but when nothing came out, he closed it. His eyes turned dangerously glossy.

"L-Lancelot." He paused. Then opened his mouth once more. "I can't stay… he know…"

Lancelot quickly ran to him; Merlin flinched back. "He's out there waiting for you! He… Arthur doesn't… won't care!"

"No… I-I" Merlin couldn't continue, a large lump was holding him back from saying: Grant took my magic… not my magic, but my magic of life… he stole from my life…

Lancelot placed a hand on the manservant. "Please, don't go… Merlin, Arthur… he thinks of you like a friend - no, like a brother."

Merlin let out a breath, he looked up and tried to keep tears from falling. "I just want to go home."

The other let go of the trembling boy. "I understand, let me go with you."

Before Merlin could reject his offer, Arthur came running through the door. The manservant's knees almost gave out and his breath quickened.

"Merlin." Arthur called. There was a long pause before anyone or anything made a noise, but Merlin's cough broke the silence. He looked down at his hands and saw blood. He then wiped his mouth.

Arthur came closer and Merlin tensed up more. The prince could see the bruises and the wounds that glowed on the warlock's skin. "Merlin…" He tried to place a hand on his friend, but Merlin violently backed away. "Why? I… I won't hurt you. I never would."

The Dragonlord held his breath. He knew Grant was the one who gave him the pain, but he could only remember Arthur's hand hurting him. "I can't, I don't." The dragonlord began to panic, his heart raced, his breath became shallow, and his body violently trembled.

When the prince saw the black bruises on boy's neck and hands, he burned with anger. How could anyone hurt him? He's a… a puppy! Just a pale creature with a frail body… that bruises easily. When he escaped his thoughts he saw the frightened look on Merlin's face; he felt his brows relax and jaw unclenched. He looked down at his fists - they were clenched. "Merlin…" Arthur began. But at the sound of his voice then warlock grabbed his bag and took two steps back. "Please… stay?"

Merlin let out another bloody cough and ran towards Lancelot. "I'm sorry, Arthur… I can't… I have magic!"

"I don't care!" Arthur yelled.

Merlin backed off more, but Arthur stepped forward. "NO! Please stay, I don't care. I won't tell the King!"

"Won't tell me what?"

All the heads in the room turned to the door; it was King Uther. "Won't tell me that Merlin here is a sorcerer? Arthur, I am truly disappointed in you" The King turned to Merlin. "By the decree of Camelot, you will be beheaded at dawn tomorrow morning."

Lancelot stood in front of Merlin in protection.

"You can't do that!" Arthur stepped towards him, "Merlin saved my life. He got rid of the Bandits!"

Uther opened his mouth and then closed it again. He then smiled. "You would rather see Merlin at Camelot than free from life?"

"Yes." Arthur declared.

"Okay, as you wish Prince Arthur." He then turned to the knights. "Take this sorcerer and confine him. I believe that he would do well… as a weapon."

o.o.o.o.o

When the sun set and the sky darkened, two shadows ran into the woods. The two were a worried Lancelot and a very sick Merlin. They escaped with the help of Merlin's magic and Lancelot's sword skills. The warlock set out a bloodly cough every minute, his eyes were surrounded in black, he was beaten once more by the knights of Camelot… the knights of Camelot… Camelot. Tears were in his eyes and his complexion was getting more pale.

They reached a lake before Merlin collapsed to his knees. Lancelot ran to his friend and placed a hand on his forehead, then hands. "You're cold…"

"Haha yeah…" Merlin raised his eyebrows and let out a sigh; he shivered.

Lancelot let out a silent cry. "M-Merlin… please…" He began to drop a tear. "no…" His voice cracked. He placed the warlock on his back and placed his bag under his head.

Out in the open, the river shimmered in the moonlight, crickets silenced for the two, and the night stilled. "No… I'm still a boy, you haven't… taught me… no… I need you to help me."

Merlin let out a small breath. "No… Lancelot, you aren't a boy - you were never a boy - you are a man, ever since you promised to keep my secret." Both the men muffled their cry. "Oh god this is is so manly." Merlin huffed in a sarcastic tone.

Lancelot let out a forced laugh.

Merlin smiled. "At least the pain will disappear."

"Oh god." Lancelot let out, the lump in his throat caused him to cry harder.

"You guys are really out of character," said a familiar voice - it was Arthur.

Lancelot could feel his friend tense up. The sight of red and silver scared the dragonlord, but he bit his tongue to keep from crying out in fear.

"Merlin… I…" Arthur stepped closer. "I'm sorry," he paused. "and thanks for saving me… and for everything." The prince kneeled next to his friend and placed a hand on his forehead - it was cold. "Thank you."

Merlin looked in Arthur's eyes and then Lancelot's. The trembling stopped and a smile came up on his face. Well… Merlin's eyes closed and he took his last breath. "You're welcome you prick."

The water rose and stirred, birds cried, and a loud roar covered the land - the roar of not a lion, nor a tiger… but a dragon. A cry of pain, sorrow, and anger.

The end.

Hey GUYYYYSYSSSSS

so yeah thats it... so thanks for tolerating me... yeah... its finally over :) sorry it took a really long time to finish, but seriously... yeah thanks for reading and it has been a while :)

I haven't really gotten to know many of you like how i did with my other fanfics... (maybe because I was on hiatus for like a year :/ hahah hah haha... ha...) so which means I really want to get to know u guys, like read some of ur stories and maybe PM :)

also read my other fanfics (ill be updating Merlin's Diary and the other series) bye guys...