A/N Sorry I didn't post yesterday, had no Internet :/ BTW this is the penultimate chapter :)
"Are you happy?" asked Arthur cautiously and out of the blue that evening as they sat beside each other in the sofa, their legs curled under their bodies having only returned from Cardiff an hour ago.
"Yes... Why?" asked Merlin absentmindedly as he gazed out of the window, looking across the shore of Avalon.
"You've been quiet," explained Arthur, switching off the TV with a flick of his wrist. Merlin tore his eyes away from the lake and looked at him levelly.
"I feel happy, actually, and proud. Yet strangely sad," sighed Merlin, once again averting his gaze to the floor.
"Why are you sad?" asked Arthur with a hint of anxiety.
"Because.. Because my time is over," said Merlin slowly and quietly as he bit back a sniffle.
"What do you mean?" asked Arthur, sitting up straight and shouting confused and worried glances at his best friend.
"I mean I have done my duty and fulfilled my destiny. If destiny is purpose then what is my purpose now?" asked Merlin cryptically.
"I don't... I don't know..." said Arthur, looking slightly afraid and nervous, "Anyway the why doesn't matter, it's the how! How can your time be..." Arthur stopped himself mid-sentence as he took in Merlin's depressed expression.
"Oh god... Oh no... Merlin you can't!" shouted Arthur, rising from his chair.
"I have to," gulped Merlin, looking back towards Avalon.
"Please..." pleaded Arthur with a gulp.
"I'm sorry," whispered Merlin before dashing up from his seat and grabbing his coat as he left the house urgently.
"Merlin!" screamed Arthur, running after him.
Merlin stood at the edge of the chalky-grey lake, the water lapping at his ankles. He looked last the water and up to the tower that sat in the Isle of the Blessed, the sacred ground.
"Merlin.. Just... Please..." begged Arthur, standing just behind Merlin with his hand outstretched.
"I'm sorry Arthur... I have to do this," Merlin whispered, a prickle of a tear forming in his eyes.
"You don't! Merlin you can stay here... With me..." said Arthur quietly, his voice taking on a rough edge as he sniffed.
"I don't belong here. It was never my home. Avalon is my home," said Merlin, stepping deeper into the water in a trance-like state.
"But what about me? What am I meant to?" asked Arthur, "Please don't leave me..." he whispered. Merlin whipped his head around to face Arthur and stared at him coldly and harshly.
"You left me. I was alone for millennia. I will leave when I want," spat Merlin before turning back around to face the lake. Arthur stood, trembling by the shore whilst Merlin stood amongst the cold waters taking deep breaths.
"I'm sorry," said Merlin after a few minutes, "But I have to go Arthur, it's my duty," he explained before suddenly dashing back towards the shore and wrapping Arthur in a forceful hug. Arthur immediately hugged him back, his eyes now glazing over with tears. Merlin too began to cry as he nuzzled into Arthur's neck, his best friends scent filling his nose.
"Thank you, for everything," he whispered before letting go of Arthur and turning back to the lake. Arthur sniffed, and wiped away the lone tear on his cheek as Merlin walked into the lake again. The water was just beginning to pool around his knees when suddenly the surface of the water broke.