"MERLIN!" someone screamed. Arthur had the vague sensation it was him. The world blurred, but he could still see his warlock walking out.

"No…no…no…no...no," he muttered. Somehow, he was on the floor. It did not matter. He couldn't think straight. Bile rose in his throat. He pushed it down. "No….no…no….why, Merlin?"

Arthur was done. Too many people he loved had betrayed him. Merlin, the one person he could count on, was the final straw. Getting up, making no attempt to hide his tears, he walked past a very confused looking Gauis, and stalked out. He wasn't sure where he was going. He found himself in an abandoned part of the castle, one that Merlin always went to when he needed to think. Arthur sat himself down by the usual window the warlock occupied. He thought for a while.

It was mid-afternoon by the time the king had made up his mind. He knew what he was going to do. Walking swiftly, ignoring when people, whether he knew them or not, called out to him. He first went to the stables, taking Merlin's usual horse, and then rode out without a second glance at the commoners staring. He had one place in his mind; the cliffs of Esstire.

Merlin never ran so fast in his life, smile almost etching into his face. Why didn't he see it before? He could be with Arthur. If the king would take him back… But his thoughts did not dwell on that "what if."

"Gauis!" he manged to wheeze out, having run all the way to Camelot, then to the physician's chambers (which made him feel light-headed).

"Merlin!" said the old man, standing up, "What happened this morning? Why was Arthur so- Merlin, are you alright?"

"Fine! Better than fine!" said the warlock, eyes gleaming as if he just had an epiphany. "Where's Arthur?"

"He left a few hours ago. Where are you going?"

Merlin did not answer, but walked straight out. He just had the feeling someone walked over his grave. Arthur…..Arthur had something to do with it. Ignoring the physician calling, he walked to his usual thinking spot, in the abandoned part off the castle.

He took his usual seat, by a huge window, but noticed something was there next to him. Picking it up, he saw a small silver band; Arthur's mother's ring, the one he had given to Merlin. The warlock felt something off. Without warning, his magic erupted, placing a scene in his head. Or more like thoughts.

Arthur. He could sense Arthur was part of this. Why even bother anymore?

That was not a thought Merlin had made.

So many have betrayed me. So many have left. Now Merlin. MY Merlin. I can't see a way out.

It took Merlin a moment to figure out these were Arthur's thoughts. The ring had captured them, and his magic was receiving them. He thought that type of magic was only a fairytale.

He probably is repulsed by me. Who's ever heard of two men together? I scared him away. Now he's gone.

Merlin did not like where this was heading.

I can't live without him. Like when he was a she and got stabbed. I thought about it then….

"Arthur, no," whispered Merlin.

I have to. The cliffs of Esstire. Maybe then, if word gets out, he'll see how much I truly love him.

The thoughts stopped coming in. Merlin stood, shaking, for about five seconds. In a flash, he was out the door, out of the castle, and out of Camelot. He had used magic for the speedy exit, but he subconsciously did so. He did not know his magic was acting on its own accord, spurting out when it felt like it, rebelling against him.That is why he had to run, instead of transporting himself there.

Arthur, he thought, you better not be doing what I think you're doing!

He ran, the whip wounds on his back either being reopened or screaming in pain. He ignored it. His magic was not working to his command. He did not care. One thing and one thing only was on his mind; Arthur.

On the verge of collapse, the warlock pushed through, putting one foot in front of the other. He tried to touch his magic, but on the inside, it kept shying away. Occasionally, it would burst out at a random moment, but the more exhausted he grew, the less the magic showed. Esstire was miles away; he'd never make it.

"Oh, Arthur," he mumbled, falling in a heap, "I'm sorry."

Unconscious was lurking. The darkness calling. He was going to give in to it. If only Arthur…Arthur. Arthur. An image of his face filled the warlock's mind. The king was smiling, blue eyes twinkling. It was gone as soon as it came, but the image left an impression. Running on pure adrenaline now, Merlin pushed himself up. He tapped into his magic, finally making it work. He had one thought in his mind.

Find Arthur.

He felt the world spin, trees blurring together, sounds mixing, colors becoming one. It stopped. He heard the crash of waves against rock as the smell of ocean filled his nose. He was at the cliffs of Esstire, a seventeen-hundred drop down, straight into sharp rocks and the dark sea. He opened his eyes and scanned the area, his heart dropping at what he saw.

Arthur was perched at the edge of the cliff, peering down. He didn't look afraid, just sober. Merlin ran towards him. The king turned, eyes closed, not seeing Merlin. He spread out his arms wide and leaned back.

"NO!" screamed Merlin, fingers mere inches from where the king once stood. Arthur had jumped. Arthur had jumped. Arthur had jumped! Merlin did the only logical thing next.

The warlock jumped after his king.

Air whistling past his ears, hair flying, Merlin somehow caught up with Arthur. The warlock ended up right on top of him. Merlin wrapped his arms around him as Arthur's eyes flashed open.

"Merlin?" he asked, screaming over the wind.

"Yeah," said Merlin, giving him that usual Merlin grin.

"What are you doing?!"

"Well," said the warlock rolling his eyes, "You jumped."

Arthur's heart stopped. "So you jumped after me?"

"Obviously." Merlin gave him a sad version of the Merlin smile.

"Why?" Arthur screamed, trying to outdo the wind.

"Because," said the warlock, looking him straight in the eye, "I love you."

Arthur's eyes widened. He was going to say something, by his warlock had captured his lips.

That is how they went, wrapped in each other's arm, lips pressed together in what was to be their final kiss.

It's not over...yet.

Well thank you to Lady-Blade-WarAngel, Luka-Knight, pinkfire101, Don-V, K, and yanoe for their reviews! Seriously, thank you.