Day Twenty Two: In Battle:

(WARNING: Major character deaths, blood, gore, and violence)

The dust rose and swirled in the air, tinted red from the blood. It obstructed the scene that played out in the rocky, barren mountainside. The only thing Merlin could make out was the screams of men, the clanging of armor, and the swish of swords in the air. His heart pounded as he grasped for something to hold on to. His body ached and he wanted to give up, but he couldn't. Arthur needed him. Somewhere in this mess of chainmail and blood was his King.

Merlin pushed himself up from the ground and rolled away from a falling body. He didn't have time to see who had fallen next to him for the fallen warrior's attacker was aiming for Merlin. Merlin jumped away from the swing of the attacker's sword and held both his hands out. A static current resonated from somewhere deep within, traveling through his body, and shooting out of his hands in the form of a sonic wave. The attacker and few unprepared standbys were thrown through the air. The wave slammed them into the rocks nearby, causing the stone to crumble around them, crushing their brittle bodies.

Merlin turned on his heel and ran into the throng of fighting bodies. He shoved people out of his way and blasted enemies out of his path. He had to find Arthur, before it was too late.

He wished he would've worn more armor. His wool clothing would not deflect the strike of a sword. Sure he had his magic, but he couldn't keep a three sixty eye on his surroundings.

When he felt a hand on his shoulder he jabbed his elbow out, coming in contact with chainmail. The attacker grabbed his elbow and whirled him around. He was about to land a blow before he recognized the curtain of silky hair and dark, piercing eyes.

"Gwaine! I almost killed you!"

Gwaine gave Merlin a hard shove into the crowd, "No time to chat Merlin, Arthur is surrounded, he needs cover!"

Merlin didn't think twice. With Gwaine behind him, he could focus on the task at hand. He blasted through a wall of enemies and used their slumped bodies to catapult himself forward. They were almost at the center of the battle when a new wave of enemies swarmed the battle sight. It seemed like there was a never ending supply of them. Just when Merlin thought they were winning, more came in, killing more and more Camelot soldiers.

"ARTHUR!" Merlin yelled into the crowd, craning his neck and blasting away enemies. He sent a sonic wave through a clump of enemies and sighed a brief breath of relief when he spotted the blonde hair and blue eyes of his King. Arthur was breathing heavy as sweat poured down his face and mixed with the dirt and blood that was caked on his face. His face relaxed for a moment when he saw Merlin, but it tensed in concentration just as quickly.

He fell forward as one of the Saxons brought the hilt of their sword down onto Arthur's shoulder. Merlin surged forward, thrust his left hand out and blasted the Saxon back. He lifted Arthur and touched every inch of his face that he could, "Arthur, I'm here. We'll win this. Together!"

Arthur smiled, "Took you long enough!" His eyes flicked over Merlin's shoulder and his face turned to stone "Watch it!" He yelled. He pushed Merlin to the side and drove his sword into the oncoming Saxon with an angry yell.

Merlin didn't waste any time. He stood behind Arthur, their backs pushing against each other, using each other for support. Gwaine joined their triangle and together they battled the Saxons.

Gwaine used his strength and unique swordsman ship to lessen the attack from the south. Arthur used his years of training and courage to thwart any enemy who came close to them. Merlin used the powers of the Earth, his magic, to blow back the surge of new coming Saxons.

When Merlin first heard about the prophecy of Courage, Strength, and Magic, he thought it was just one of those things that bridge guardians were supposed to say. But as Merlin, Arthur, and Gwaine fought side by side more and more, Merlin began to see the power the three held together. If one of them were to fall, they all would.

Despite the power of three, the constant use of Merlin's magic was debilitating. The strain from harvesting his magic and bringing it to full power was draining him mentally and physically. He found himself leaning on Arthur and Gwaine's shoulders more and more.

Arthur must have noticed because he took a break in the string of attackers to bring his full attention to Merlin.

"Merlin you need to rest!" He yelled over the noise of war.

Merlin blasted a Saxon away from him and shook his head. "Arthur, I need to protect you!"

Arthur brought his sword down on a Saxon's head, splitting the top and spraying them with blood. He wrenched his sword out of the enemies head and turned back to Merlin, "You can't very well protect me when you can barely hold yourself up!" Arthur grabbed Merlin and Gwaine by the arms and dragged them to the edge of the rocky passageway. He found a crevice, large enough to hold them, but small enough to make it painfully cramped. "Gwaine, watch Merlin, make sure he gets a moment's rest."

Merlin tore his arm from Arthur's grasp, "Arthur, no! You don't understand! If I don't protect you, if I don't fight side by side with you…" He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. Arthur couldn't die…Merlin had to protect him with his magic, with his life.

"Merlin, you are waiting here with Gwaine until you can stand on your own two feet!"

"But-"

"That's an order, Merlin!" His eyes glared with fury. "I can't argue with you. My men need me. Rest for a moment, get your strength back, then you can come back." Without another word Arthur turned back into the throng of sweaty, bloody bodies. Gwaine shoved Merlin further into the crevice.

"Gwaine, please-"

"You heard the King, Merlin and you know he's right. You can't defend him if you're panting and dying on the ground." He shoved a water pouch into Merlin's hands, "Drink."

Merlin chugged some water before offering it to Gwaine, who took it without a word. He watched the entrance to the crevice, checking for any lurking Saxons.

Merlin itched to be back out there next to Arthur. He could already feel his magic stirring inside, boiling to the surface. He stood from the boulder he was perched on and swayed on the spot when his vision blurred.

"Whoa, Merlin, sit. Don't you ever listen? It's a wonder how Arthu-" Gwaine was cut off by a loud crack coming from outside the cave. It sounded like lightening striking solid rock. It vibrated the ground and Merlin's heart pounded.

Arthur.

Gwaine pushed Merlin back onto the rock, "Sit here or I swear, I will run my sword through your leg and pin you here!" Gwaine shimmied through the crevice and took off as soon as he was out of the opening. Merlin squirmed in his seat. Slowly his head was clearing, he felt stronger, his magic painfully pulsed through him. He couldn't sit any longer. He rose to two feet, relieved when his vision didn't blur and the contents of his stomach didn't feel like they would escape. He bounded out of the crevice with more ease than Gwaine and found himself face to face with a horrid scene.

Bodies of Camelot soldiers lay scattered all around, many of them burned beyond recognition. The battle continued to rage on around them, but this time, flames licked at their feet and at the rocky walls. Merlin looked to the sky and saw Aithusa, circling the battlefield, waiting to strike. At the top of the wall stood a silhouette; the silhouette of Morgana. She raised her hands and sent waves of red current through the crowd of soldiers. It knocked back Camelot warriors and Saxon's. She didn't care who she took down in her path, as long as she reached her target.

Merlin was held in his stance by fear. Had she already gotten to Arthur?

He told himself to move, but he was frozen. He willed his brain to send the message to his legs. Slowly, he came to realization and he found himself sprinting through the crowd, searching for Arthur once again.

He wasn't sure how long he had been looking, but before he knew it, rain began to fall from the sky making the task at hand even more difficult.

He had not found Arthur yet, but he did see Percival up ahead fighting off five men at once. Merlin was about to run forward to help him when he was shoved out of the way and thrown to the ground. Gwaine had pushed through the crowd and was running towards Percival. He yelled something about 'watch out', but Merlin couldn't see what Percival needed to watch for before it was too late.

A large Saxon, the size of Percival himself, was charging the unsuspecting Knight. Merlin scrambled to his feet and ran to help, but Gwaine got there first. Despite Percival's size, Gwaine's strength knocked him out of the way. The blow by the large Saxon that Percival would've received was given to Gwaine. Merlin watched in horror as the Saxon's blade pierced through Gwaine's chainmail and with a gut-wrenching sound, tore through Gwaine's chest.

The sound of rushing blood to Merlin's ears blocked out Percival's scream. He could only watch as Percival leapt forward and sliced through the Saxon's neck. He went crazy, slashing and stabbing every Saxon in sight. Merlin hadn't stopped running and when he finally reached Gwaine, the amount of blood was horrific. Gwaine's mouth opened and closed as he tried to speak. Merlin dropped to his knees and placed a hand over the gaping wound, knowing it wouldn't do much to help.

The lump in his throat wouldn't let words pass. He ran a hand through Gwaine's hair and tried shushing him, making his passing less painful. "Gwaine," he choked out, "Gwaine, I-I'm so so-sorry."

Gwaine's eyes found Merlin's and the corner of his mouth twitched, as if he tried to smile. Percival finally joined them. His large arms wrapped around Gwaine and held him as he convulsed. He rested his forehead to Gwaine's, whose eyes stared into the stormy skies above, seeing nothing.

Merlin choked on his sobs and reached a hand out to Percival, "Ta-take him…Go." He couldn't say more, but Percival understood. With gentle fingers he closed Gwaine's eyes and scooped him into his arms. He ran away from the raging battle towards the Camelot camp.

Merlin wiped away his tears and with a fierce new energy, he jumped into the battle and searched for his Arthur.

The image of Gwaine's death was imprinted in his mind. The twitch of his mouth, the gleam of his eye snuffed out…it brought new tears to Merlin's eyes. He blinked them back and screamed for Arthur. His screamed for his King…his friend…his love.

"Merlin!" Merlin whipped around at his name, his heat sinking just a little when he realized it wasn't Arthur. Leon was running toward him. He had a gash across his cheek and blood dripped from his hair. "Arthur…Arthur's on the hill!" He yelled over the clanking of swords, "He's fighting Mordred!"

Merlin paled, his heart stopped, and his stomach clenched. This was exactly what Merlin was trying to avoid. "Where?!"

Leon pointed up to the top of the hill. Silhouetted against the clouds and rain were two figures. They fought fiercely, swords smacking against each other, blows delivered to their heads. Merlin pushed past Leon and ran to the rock wall. He shoved his feet into crevices and began to climb. He climbed with speed he had never mustered before. He reached the top in no time.

Hauling himself over the edge he saw Arthur and Mordred more clearly. Their jaws were clenched and their yells were clearer. Merlin held out his hands, ready to knock Mordred back.

He felt the static rise, but before it could reach its potential, an invisible force grabbed him and yanked him back. He tumbled backwards, away from Arthur and closer to the edge of the cliff. He rolled over and saw Morgana, standing feet away from Merlin.

Merlin jumped to his feet and held his hands out, prepared to battle against Morgana. His magic rolled off his hands and released a swirl of dark mass. It shot towards Morgana and wrapped around her. Her smile was wicked as she tensed her arms and broke through Merlin's binds. As her arms rose up and away from her body, two blue orbs glowed in her hands. As her hands met in the air the orbs became one and she threw them at Merlin.

Merlin was ready for her this time. With his magic, he grabbed the orbs as they surged towards him. They halted midair and with a twist of his wrists the orbs disappeared. Morgana glared at Merlin.

"You think you can save your King. Not today Emrys. For today is my day. It is my time for victory!" She screeched her last words and punched her fist into the air. A lightning bolt came down from the sky and with an open hand she harvested it in her palm. She grasps the energy in her hand and threw it at Merlin. Merlin jumped out of the way and the bolt missed him by inches. But Morgana had harvested more than one bolt's energy. She threw bolt after bolt, each one missing Merlin by a hair. Morgana screamed in frustration.

"Enough of this child's play!" She grabbed Merlin with an invisible force and shoved him against a rock wall. He was unable to move his arms and legs. He couldn't even lift a finger. "Mordred! Kill him! Strike him now!"

Merlin could only watch in fear as Mordred found a new surge of energy and he attacked Arthur with full force. His sword came down on Arthur, left, right, left…Arthur lost his footing and stumbled. Mordred took this moment and thrust his sword into Arthur.

"NO!" Merlin was frantic for release. He squirmed and thrashed, but the binds Morgana held him in were too strong. Arthur fell to one knee, his sword still in hand. With the last of his energy, he reared up and thrust his sword into Mordred. The boy's delightful smile faded and he fell with a thud to the ground.

It was Morgana's turn to yell in anguish. Merlin felt her magic loosen on him and he broke free of her bonds. She turned in horror to Merlin. Merlin held his hand out and Arthur's sword, which had fallen next to him, flew in the air and into Merlin's hand. He leapt forward and with one easy plunge, the sword pierced Morgana's heart and she fell. Merlin pulled the sword out of her and ran to Arthur.

Arthur lay on his back, his chest heaving with the effort to breathe. Merlin fell to his knees next to Arthur.

"No…no, no, no…Arthur, it's okay. I'm here. Merlin's here." He scooped Arthur into his arms and held him against his chest. "You'll be okay, I'll save you. I promise."

Arthur patted Merlin's hand, "Mer-lin. I thought…you'd never come." He gave Merlin a half-hearted smile and squeezed Merlin's hand.

Tears rolled down Merlin's cheek. "Arthur, you can't. I promised. I promised to protect you or… to protect you or die at your side," He choked out.

Arthur winced in pain as he reached up and stroked Merlin's hair. "You-you did all you could. We won. We built Albion." He took a deep breath and curled into Merlin's arms. "Mer-lin…never, forget…me, please?"

"I won't," he whispered, "Because you're going to stay with me, forever." He gripped Arthur tighter as he felt his King's limbs slacken. "No…Arthur, please. Stay with me."

Arthur looked into Merlin's eyes. The stormy sky was reflected in them, masking out the brilliant blue, "I…love you…Merlin. Th-thank you." His eyes closed slowly and his smile faded.

Merlin sobbed into Arthur's hair, "No….no…Arthur…It's okay…I'll save you…Arthur!" He screamed his name, but the King moved no more.

Merlin slumped forward, holding Arthur against his chest, and he cried and he prayed, but Arthur's eyes never opened…

Merlin's eyes flicked open and he blink backed the tears. His body was covered in sweat and he gasped for breath. His legs were tangled in the sheets on his bed and his hands gripped them tightly. He sat up and looked to his left. The place where Arthur should've been was empty. "Ar-thur?" His throat was hoarse. Had he been yelling?

He threw back the covers and scrambled to his bedroom door. He didn't even try to keep the noise down as he bounded down the stairs. He saw light pouring out of the kitchen and he ran to the doorway. He slid to a stop and let out a small sob when he saw Arthur standing over the stove. Arthur turned at the noise and froze when he saw Merlin, "Merlin? Merlin what's-oh…"

Merlin bounded across the kitchen and threw himself into Arthur's arms. "Don't ever leave me," he said into Arthur's hoodie. He clutched at the back of his hoodie, holding on to his Arthur. He breathed in deep and buried his face into Arthur's neck. He let his tears fall onto Arthur's shoulder. He let the heat from Arthur's body sink into him. It assured him that Arthur was here, he was alive.

Arthur rubbed small circles on Merlin's back. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise." Merlin sobbed at his words, the words that reminded him of his dream, when he wasn't able to keep his promise. Arthur held him through the sobs that wracked his body.

They stood in Hunith's kitchen, wrapped in each other's arms, making silent promises.