A/N: Hello all. Sorry about the length of time it's taken for me to update, I was away without a computer. So thanks to readernurse and ReverieIndigo for the reviews. I hope you all enjoy this next chapter! I promise not to leave it so long to update the next chapter!

Chapter 6

"Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed happily, restraining himself from giving the king a hug. Arthur never had been one for physical displays of affection.

"You saved my life," Arthur said as if he couldn't quite believe it.

"Told you," retorted Merlin, helping to pull his master to his feet, wincing as the action pulled on his own injuries.

"Why don't you help yourself?"

"Better not to push my luck," he grinned. "Healing magic isn't really my thing."

"Where did it go?" the king asked, looking around for the creature.

"Dead," Merlin pointed to the black heap in the rubble.

Arthur couldn't help the impressed look that flashed across his features. "Well, in that case shall we get Gwaine and get out of here?" It wasn't really a question and he set off in the direction of the barn but quickly came to a halt.

At the end of the village, crossing the bridge there was a familiar flash of red and silver glinting in the moonlight. The hulking figure of Oswald lurched towards them, his gait slightly off and his shoulders unnaturally hunched.

"Morsels!" he cried, his voice a rasping mix of the creature and Oswald. "I told you, you cannot kill me with your little magic."

Arthur raised his eyebrows in disapproval at Merlin. "I though you said it was dead."

"It was!"

"I am a creature of the Veil, I am immortal and everlasting. This morsel was weak of mind, so easy to corrupt. If you kill this body I shall simply find another. Your pet cannot stop me," it chuckled, Oswald's features shifting strangely. "Your pet will be mine."

Merlin thought fast. He had little or no experience of creatures from the Veil, other than they appeared to have strange abilities. But he knew one thing about the Veil and it was about the only thing he had left to try. Taking a deep breath, he picked up Arthur's sword with his magic and dropped it in front of it's owner.

"Take that and wait here," he ordered.

Arthur picked the sword up but shook his head. "I thought you'd worked it out by now, Merlin. I give the orders."

"Arthur. Stay here."

The king was taken aback by the force and power in his servant's voice. He was almost offended but the flash of gold the younger man's eyes convinced him to do as requested. That and the fact his feet were now stuck fast to the ground.

Merlin took a two paces forward and heaved the creature high into the air with his magic, turned it around and slammed it head first into the ground. There was a sickening dull crunch as it impacted the floor but despite the damage it chuckled through the wreckage of Oswald's face for a few seconds. Merlin took another few steps forward and waited. Suddenly, the chuckling was abruptly cut of and with a great sigh, a black mist flowed from the dead knight's broken mouth, whirling up and forming a loose shape of a huge wolf with massive horns.

"Come on then," Merlin mumbled to himself. "Come on."

It took two bounding strides and leapt at Merlin and enveloped him, forcing its way into him through his eyes, nose and mouth. He collapsed to his knees, clutching his chest, mouth open in a silent scream. But his eyes shifted from gold to dark red.

Arthur watched in horror as the creature overpowered his friend. He yelled his name but the only response was his feet suddenly being freed. He stumbled over and threw himself down next to the young sorcerer, heedless of any danger.

"Merlin!" He reached out and shook his friend's shoulder.

Merlin's eyes snapped open, his irises swirling and shifting gold, blue and red. "Arthur...It's in here with me. It's trying to - " he broke off and clutched his head, crying out in pain. "Kill me! You have to kill me!" he ground out between clenched teeth.

"What? No!" Arthur shook his head.

"Please, Arthur, you have to listen to me!" Merlin reached out and placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders, "It's a Blood Sacrifice, that's what - agh! - that's what we need to send the creature back to the Veil. I can't keep hold of it much longer...Kill me!"

"No!" shouted Arthur. "I can't kill you."

"You have to. All it...All it needs is my power and then it will be free! Think what will happen if it -" he gasped, "if it reaches Camelot, if it gets hold of Gwen!"

The thought of the creature anywhere near his wife made Arthur feel sick but then so did the thought of executing his friend. He couldn't help shaking his head again. For some reason his vision had gone blurry and it looked like Merlin had a understanding smile on his face, which Arthur wished he would just wipe off, because right now he didn't need understanding, he needed a plan. A plan that did not involve murdering his friend.

"Please, Arthur, I can see what it will do...don't let it use me for this!"

The pleading broke through to him. Merlin truly believed this was the only way and he did not want to turn into the monster that had preyed on them these last few days. Calling on all of his willpower, Arthur picked up his sword and stood, placing the tip of the blade in the hollow between Merlin's neck and collarbone. He had to blink a few times to get his vision straight.

"Thank you," Merlin sighed. Arthur looked down and met his eyes, still rippling with different colours. "You're my best friend, Arthur. I hope you can forgive me for the magic."

Arthur swallowed the lump in his throat and suppressed a sob. The damn idiot was apologising to him even with his sword to his throat! This was crazy. There had to be a better way, another plan that would work.

"I'm not going to do this."

"I'm a sorcerer and a liar and you are just upholding the laws of your country."

"You're like my brother, idiot," he replied, realising the reason his vision looked watery was because he was crying.

"Then set me free!" Merlin pleaded. "I would rather die by your hand than lose myself to this vile filth."

And that was it. Whether he wanted to face it or not, Merlin was lost to him no matter what he did. The creature would eventually overwhelm him and then everything would be destroyed. Merlin was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if Arthur was willing to do the same. And really he had no right to refuse his best friend's last request.

Taking a steadying breath, he tightened the grip on the hilt of his sword and took one last look at Merlin's face. For a brief moment, his irises settled to his natural blue and he gave Arthur a reassuring smile before letting his eyes slip closed.

Gathering his strength, he exhaled once and drove the sword down with all the force and power he possessed.

Sorry - another cliff hanger!