A/N- Okay, it's official. My computer hates me. And you readers. I had a whole chapter typed, longer than this one, and it deleted the whole thing on me! So sorry this is smaller than it would have been. :'( Don't blame me.

Oh, and also sorry if this is crap. I'm sick and I honestly don't know how good this is.

Merlin no miney. No matter how much I want to have them. :'( I don't even live on the same side of the world as Colin Morgan.

Thanks to MerlinFan1996 for betaing!

Benugan!

"No! No, please! Merlin, you can't do this to me! Please, you can't die! Not after everything! You saved me- twice I might add- and you survived that. You defeated both a sorceress and a druid. With your magic. And I accepted it! Did you hear me, Merlin? I accept your magic! You are not evil, you do not wish to harm, and you've protected me! Not now, not after everything. You can't leave me, Merlin. You can't. Please, Merlin, you're my best friend. Please…"

Gaius watched as the prince spoke to his ward with sad eyes. He couldn't say how much this hurt him, not to mention everyone else who liked and thought of the warlock as a friend. His death would leave an impact so deep it would never be filled again. Merlin had touched too many lives in Camelot to just fade away as another meaningless death.

The old physician quietly shut the door and turned away, briefly closing his eyes and sagging before regaining his composure and stepping down the stairs. He felt like he was older than his real years.

Arthur's words rang in his head, echoing over and over again. It became like a song, or a poem that wouldn't go away. However, it held no tune. And unfortunately it held no joy.

IDIOTTOIDI

Merlin heard the words. He heard everything, though some was a bit distorted. I'm sorry, Arthur, he thought. I'm so sorry. But I can't do it anymore. Please understand. If he could have, tears would have been running down his face.

He had no intention of turning back. He would miss his friends, his mother and Gaius, but it was his time to go. He had had enough and Merlin had been willing to pay the price to save the prince, and he had known what the cost might have been.

At least he went down fighting for Albion.

Thank you for not being mad. I'm so sorry, but I have to leave. You were my best friend too, Arthur.

The warlock's strength drained dramatically.

I wish I could tell you goodbye. Somehow.

PRATTARP

Arthur sat with Merlin for at least four hours. It was deep in the night, candles shining the only light to be able to see by. The prince had stopped muttering and talking to the younger boy and paid no heed to the tear tracks marking his face. All he could see was his best friend as his face got paler, his breathing became shallower, and Arthur could practically feel the life draining from him.

He was losing hope.

"I'm so sorry, Merlin," he suddenly uttered. "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you; I didn't help you. I never gave you the proof that if you ever revealed your magic I would accept it. It's my fault you're dying. It's all my fault."

The younger boy made no signs of recognition to the words at all. Without even realizing, Arthur had been hoping deep down that Merlin would suddenly sit up and laugh at him, making fun of the prince for caring. This didn't happen and Arthur felt something die inside him.

He made no response except for his breathing to suddenly decline and even more blood to drain from his pale skin.

Arthur was done.

"I hope you can hear me, Merlin. You're my best friend. I'll never forget you. I hope you have no pain where you're going, and that you're not in any right now. When you pass on, will you say hello to my mother for me? And possibly take care of her if you can? And I hope you'll need a prince in the next life, because I'll definitely need a servant. And a best friend."

Arthur swallowed heavily as tears began to stream down his face again, the salty drops shattering against the warlock's skin as they fell of the prince's chin.

"But most importantly, I want to say goodbye and thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me, magical or not. Goodbye, best friend."

IDIOTTOIDI

As the words came to him, Merlin couldn't believe his ears. The prat was giving up on him! How dare he!

I'll show him, he thought. You are not allowed to do that, you royal clotpole.

Mentally smirking, Merlin enacted his newly formed plan.

PRATTARP

Arthur's heart pounded when he noticed the warlock's chest did not rise. No, no, no, no! The prince shot forward and put his ear to Merlin's chest. He waited.

And waited.

And waited.

There was no sound.

Merlin was dead.

Merlin was dead.

Merlin was dead.

"What?" Arthur whimpered. He pulled back slowly and bent over, face in his hands. He couldn't look at that expression anymore, peaceful as it was.

His servant would never smile again, never grin that goofy grin of his. His eyes wouldn't sparkle with mischief or a poorly hidden insult. No more friendly banter or sudden wisdom.

His best friend was gone forever.

Arthur couldn't stop the torrent of emotions, the constricting of his throat and the ice block in his stomach. His heart was being squeezed with impossible tightness. The sobs tore from his lips with incredible force.

"What the hell are you crying about, clotpole? I'm not going anywhere."

Arthur looked up with shock at the weak voice. He gasped.

The warlock was staring at him through sparkling eyes, full of compassion and care for the prince. He was very much alive.

"Merlin."

A/N- There you guys go. I'll try to get the next up soon, but no guarantees with this stupid cold. Or flu. Or whatever this is.

Also, newsflash! The next chapter of Hastened Fate will be up in about three or four days! If I find my papers with it on… *ten minutes of searching later* Yes! Found it! It will be up soon! Yay!

And please review! I love and appreciate them! And you don't want me to feel sad and lonely for lack of reviews, do you? *gets teary eyed* Do you? Please?

See you soon!

~L~