Chapter 5
Arthur could see through the window that the knights were building a prier for their friend's body, but the King wasn't ready to let go just yet. He took a deep breath and walked into the dark room. His hand once again searched for Merlin's in the dark. He sat there in silence for what felt like a long time. Merlin was back in his old room, in the physician's chambers, Arthur looked around the room that held so many memories, as he took a shaky breath and began to speak before he could lose his composure and flee.
"When I lay dying, before you sacrificed everything, I told you thank you for all you had done, but you have done so much more than I ever realised. I've got so much to thank you for, there is so much that you have taught me, but the most important thing that you showed me was what it is to have a great friend who is loyal and will sacrifice…" Arthur swallowed and wiped his eyes. "I mean did sacrifice everything for me and the kingdom." There was silence as Arthur just stared at his friend's body, for what he knew was the last time.
"I keep thinking I'm going to wake up to find you opening those bloody curtains every morning…" Arthur weakly chuckled, "but that's not going to happen anymore is it?"
Arthur stared at his friend as the sun began to set outside the window. He squeezed Merlin's cold hand affectionately before he made his way down to the funeral.
The knights stood in the courtyard and bowed their heads, as Arthur placed the burning flame on to the pyre. Gwaine stood next to him as they watched the red knights cloak, which was wrapped around their friend's body, burn. Gwen clutched his arm tightly as she forced back the sobs, but Arthur just stared at the flames. He felt numb as Merlin's laugh echoed in his minds eye and he knew he would never forget the bond the two of them had shared.
However Arthur knew this was the end to a great man who had showed him so much. He vowed then he would return to the lake Albion every year to see his best friend and the word of the great Warlock, Merlin, would forever live on. There names would never be separated and the golden age of Camlet would be remembered till the end of time, as the one who brought about this golden era was just a servant who became much, much more.
'Daddy?' a small voice whispered. The king looked up from his piece of parchment, which he had been reading by candlelight.
"Yes, my son?" The blue eyed, raven-haired boy looked up to his father with the same awe and worship all six-year-old boys have for their fathers. His father's heart squeezed as he realised how much he looked like his once protector.
"Can I stay with you? I had a bad dream." Arthur pushed the parchments away and got up to kneel before his son. He lifted him easily and started for the boy's bedroom.
"Did you. Well nothing is going to hurt you, your safe, Mummy and Daddy are just here to protect you."
"Can you tell me the story about my uncle again." It had been nine years since his warlock had left a hole in his life. Arthur had always known one side of a coin could not live without the other, yet Gwen, the Kingdom and his son needed him. Nevertheless once a year Arthur would make the journey to the lake of Albion, alone, to try and be close to his friend once more.
As Arthur sat on his son's bed and retold the story of the brave man, who protected a stubborn Clotpole of a Prince, his son's eyes began to close. Arthur slid off the bed and blew out the candle before kissing his son's forehead whispering, "Goodnight Merlin."
And left the room to find his wife.
So thats the end
so sorry it didn't have a happy ending and also sorry that it took so long to publish. I have been away and I wanted to make the last chapter good and not just something quick. So although it is short it took a long time to make right.
Thank you everyone who commented I really appreciate it.