Title, I lost Merlin

By, Jessi009

Chapter, six, I'm no man's lap dog!

AN- The next episode in the story, hope you enjoy it, if you would be kind enough to R&R that would be great, I've kinda lost my faith in writing (I don't think I'm good at it any more) anyway, ENJOY ;D

The wind tapped slowly on the stained glass, arched window- which was left slightly open. Not waiting for a reply, he slithered through the small crack left by the open window.

He then travelled across the cluttered chamber, across the mass of spell books and crumpled clothes that lay scattered across the old floor boards. To where, finally, he spied his victim, asleep, and looking far too peaceful for his liking.

So he danced his way up the man's spine, which the man gave a shiver in return, the wind smiled gleefully at this and began to crawl his way to the laying mans neck and then, at last, into his ear.

"Prat" Merlin pouted in annoyance at Arthur.

It was a sunny day in the forest of oak, even though leafs blocked the sun light from travelling all the way down to the forest ground. The blonde haired boy had stripped down to expose his bare chest, leaving the raven haired boy to carry his clothing, along with the rest of the hunting gear.

"Hey! Don't get mad at me because of your clumsiness." The Prince shot back.

"You could help me, you know, I mean this is your stuff"

"But it's helping you to get stronger; you really should thank me for this- He smirked at Merlin who was muttering to himself- Sorry I didn't hear you then"

"I said, by making me carry your things, you're helping me build my character then?" Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Exactly, now you're getting the hang of it Merlin." The Prince walked forward leaving Merlin trailing behind him.

It was only when Arthur heard the whooshing from the forest trees did he look over his right shoulder to see a sword plunge itself into Merlin's small chest.

Arthur stared in horror and fear at what had just happened, he was frozen stiff with fear at his gasping friend.

'No, Merlin, don't die, please!' He ran to where his lanky friend had fallen, and fell to his knees scooping Merlin from the cracked ground in the process.

'You did this... you've killed me... I thought we were friends!' Merlin stared at him with disappointing eyes. 'Look at your hands, Arthur, look at your hands!"

The Prince, for once, did what Merlin asked of him, and he gasped in horror at what he saw; his hands were covered in a red substance, but it wasn't just red like substance, it was blood, Merlin's blood.

Arthur awoke gasping for air, sweat soaked his body, and sobbing screams sounded from his mouth. He ran over to where the open window in the far corner was, and buried himself in the crook of the corner. He started to bang his head into the solid, brick wall; trying to rid himself of the terrible images of his nightmare.

Gaius came running- if you could call it that- into the chamber to find the future King in a sorry state; backed up against the wall, choking on his sobs no less, banging his head hard against the wall.

"Arthur, stop it! You'll hurt yourself!"

"I don't care, not anymore. Gaius the red, the red on my hands, it won't wash away."

Gaius snapped and looked on at Arthur with angry eyes, Merlin gave his life for the Prince, and this is how he's repaying him, by wasting away into nothing, Gaius had had enough of it!

"Sire, MERLIN GAVE HIS LIFE UP SO YOU COULD LIVE, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPLY HIM, BY CRYING, BRAKING DOWN LIKE THIS! YOU ARE THE PRINCE START ACTING LIKE ONE, MERLIN HAS LOST SO MANY PEOPLE HE'S LOVED BECAUSE OF YOU, AND NOW I LOST MY SON"

Arthur was shocked to say the least; no one had spoken to him like that before. Not even Merlin. Gaius was right, he needed to be a Prince, and the time for crying was over.

Arthur clutched the wall and pulled himself up, so that he was standing.

"You're right Gaius; I have been acting like a spoilt child, with no thought to how anyone else felt, and for that I'm sorry." Arthur tenderly placed a hand on the old man's shoulder.

Arthur turned on his heal and started to walked out of the chamber until Gaius asked

"Where are you going, Sire?"

"I need to speak with the King." Gaius gave a confused look; Arthur just stared right back at him and headed out of the chamber.

The Prince made it to the west when the agonizing pain took over his body; he felt like he was on fire and he could feel the flesh on his back rip apart, like stitches coming undone.

And then he heard him, he heard his voice pleading, ''Arthur, help me, please, I- I need you!'

The pain came to an abrupt halt. Had it had been Merlin, was he- could he- still be alive?

Arthur look around the corridor; to see if anyone had witnessed him fall to the ground; to his luck, it was late and everyone would be asleep.

He needed to find the King and fast, he was done with being his father's lap dog, he wanted answers!

AN- So, what do you think, was it good, bad? (R&R, PLEASE?) So some of you said that Gaius reaction to Merlin's death was a bit unrealistic, and I completely agree with you. But I wanted to do it so he-Gaius- could 'lash' out later on (be warned, this is not that last of his anger and sorrow!)

Also you asked about Arthur's nightmare, and well, here it is, hope you enjoyed it?

One very last thing, a few of you may be wondering what Arthur whispered to Uther in the last chapter, don't worry I haven't forgotten, I just want to leave it to 'simmer' a tiny bit longer.

Well, bye,

Jessi009 x