Arthur stood there staring off into the distance long after Merlin and Lancelot left. "Sire," said Leon as he placed a hand on his arm. "We should leave. The dorocha don't seem to attack during the day. We wouldn't want to waste our time."
"You're right," the prince agreed as he glanced at Sir Leon. Looking at Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan, he continued. "Mount up, men! We have a long ride ahead of us and I was to get to the Isle of the Blessed before the first stars shine."
None of the men complained, not even Gwaine. He hadn't said anything since Merlin's attack. The event had left him in a rare state - speechless. In silence, he, the other knights, and Arthur mounted and rode out.
Atop his mare, Arthur thought, No Mortal has ever survived their touch. No Mortal. Merlin? It can't be. The words of Gaius rang through his head. It left him confused and unsettled, as did this whole trip and the fact Merlin so willingly sacrificed himself.
"He shouldn't have," shouted Gwaine suddenly, making Arthur jump in the saddle. "The fool shouldn't have. No offence, princess."
Arthur furrowed his brow at Gwaine. "None taken," replied Arthur in a thoughtful voice. "And you're right. He shouldn't have. This was a quest he should not have had any part of, but could we have honestly stopped him from going? He might be girly and an idiot, but he's loyal and kind." The prince swallowed hard and his breath came out shuddering.
The group rode again in silence and by late afternoon, they reached the docs. A ferryman waited with his hand out. Arthur strode forward. "The Isle of the Blessed," said the Prince.
"I know," replied the ferryman as Arthur paid the man.
Soon all of them were in the boat, which rocked dangerously as they got in and sailed off. The water's were choppy and the air was gray as well as filled with eerie screams and screeches. It made all of the men edgy and all of them were glad that they were docked and off of the boat. Walking single-file up the steps, Percival led the group – playing the big brother role – and then came Elyan, Gwaine, and Leon with Arthur and the ferryman coming up in the rear.
As Arthur was about to step through the opening, the ferryman grabbed his arm. The prince spun around to face him. "I know you're plans. You will not succeed," he said.
"I have to! Hundreds more will die."
"The veil will be closed, yes, but you will not succeed in death."
"I don't understand."
"You're not to pass on this land."
"You mean…"
"I will take your place for Albion's sake. For Emrys's sake."
"Thank-you," Arthur replied. It was all her could say. He was speechless.
The ferryman let go of Arthur's arm. He passed the prince and hobbled to the sacrificial table. Arthur followed. His eyes were trained upwards as he stared at the inky, black veil that wafted with a wind that seemed to come within it. Screams filled the air and poured out of the ripped veil.
"It's time," the ferryman said, pulling Arthur from his staring contest with the spirit world.
Arthur's head shot down and he watched as the ferryman laid himself on the table. With shaking legs, Arthur went over to where the man lay. Pulling out his dagger, he was aware of the other knights staring at them intently and with confusion. Before raising the blade, he looked at them. "He's doing this for Albion…"
"And Emrys," added the ferryman.
"Yes, whoever that may be," said Arthur in a grave voice. He raised his knife and plunged into the man, who gasped and was still.
Around them, a mighty wind picked up and pushed the knights to the ground. The sky grew inky black and deafening screams echoed through the ruins. Arthur's head ached from the impact of hitting a stone and his sight threatened to darken, but he didn't close his eyes. He stared at the sky as the veil slowly closed. The sky lightened. The winds died down. All was normal.
With shaking legs, they all stood. With one last glance at the dead man, Arthur said, "Let us go! Merlin's fate is unknown. The truth awaits us." With those words, they went back to the boat and sailed away from the Isle of the Blessed. Gaius's words again filled his mind – No Mortal has ever survived their touch.