A Bucket List

Merlin is dying of an unknown terminal illness that even his magic cannot cure. Arthur had him devise a bucket list and is very enthusiastic to help him complete every single thing on the list, no matter how hard or how stupid it may be. EVENTUAL MERxTHUR and crippling angst towards the end of the story.

As you all can see, I have renamed all the chapters according to songs that I think would go fitting to the chapters purely out of boredom tbh


Chapter 5

The two had risen before the twilight hour, both being the only people awake as the owner had dozed off himself at his post. Luckily, to quench their hunger, there had been some food left from the previous night so they helped themselves to a meal.

"We have a whole 3 days left in Markarth, Merlin. Why don't we do some sight seeing? Or we could so some of your Bucket List activities?" Arthur stuffed a a slice of beef into his mouth. Merlin was sat opposite him, only having only touched half of his food and already satiated.

"Well we could do both. I intend to get drunk as much as possible anyway."

Arthur disapproved. "I don't approve of that, Merlin. Get drunk once, fine. I don't think ale would be good for your health especially now."

Merlin sighed in misery. He has been needing and craving a good drinking session for quite some time now since everyday he couldn't help but feel saddened by the fact that his mortality is coming. Nevertheless, there must be something more of value to do while still in Markarth.

"I hear the Throat of the World is quite near from here...just saying." Arthur suggested. Besides, he has been wanting to hike up that mountain as much as Merlin wanted too.

"Oh! Let's do that!" Merlin says in excitement.

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The Throat of the World is known to be the largest and tallest mountain in the entire kingdom, covered in a thick layer of snow and pine trees. Arthur and Merlin admired the sight, the sky above majestically changing colors transitioning from sunrise to early noon. Although the winter winds passing by were expected to be freezing, the temperature was just right. Almost like a soft breeze but icy in just the slightest.

"Well, this is the Throat of the World. Amazing isn't it?" Arthur uttered, gawking at the size.

"Yes it is." Merlin retorted.

Arthur motioned to Merlin to hand him the load he was carrying as he knew this hike would be tiring and he didn't want to cut short the visit. Luckily, there was a pathway up the mountain so the hiking experience would be a lot easier in Merlin's convenience. As the two walked up, they had the usual banterous exchanges, the story telling and random gossip. After reaching almost a quarter of the way to the summit, they stop to rest under a tree. Merlin was visibly panting heavily, tired from the casual walk.

"Merlin, your medicine." Arthur handed the boy the vial. Merlin gulped it down quickly and fished out of his bag a can of beans. Arthur wasn't hungry yet as he had eaten a heavy meal beforehand.

"Ugh. I 've never walked up anywhere as steep as this mountain." Merlin gasped out with a large bout of air.

"It's good. You could use it." Arthur says replies. "I think it could be healthy for your condition. Obviously it won't cure you but I've heard of how exercise improves health and mood."

Merlin raises an eyebrow, cheekily. "Ah so you could use it too. Maybe it would help to simmer down your daily morning tantrums."

Playfully, Arthur nudges Merlin."Oh please! To be frank I haven't been at all like that ever since we got here. Also, a tantrum in the morning would only happen if you had given me the wrong breakfast items. No one ever likes having the wrong breakfast items."

Merlin nudges back, giggling in the moment.

"Oh you are really asking for it now!" Arthur warned Merlin with a smile on his face. Suddenly, he grabs Merlin in a headlock, feeling under his neckerchief to tickle his neck eliciting an ugly guffaw from the dark haired one.

"Wow that was one hell of a laugh!" Arthur teased as he helped Merlin straighten up once again.

"At least my nostrils don't double in size when I laugh, unlike you."

Arthur gasped, felt his nostrils, then pouted. "They. Are. Not. Large. And besides, I've had a first kiss. Yet you haven't. It may be because of that laugh."

"No! It's simply because I am not ready. Also, I didn't state that it was a girl I wanted to kiss." Merlin hinted. He had been meaning to tell Arthur that he had hardly any interest in girls but never did due to fear of not being accepted. Maybe he had a bit of interest in Morgana for a short amount of time until he realised that those feelings were only forced by him to prove to himself that he did feel something for girls. But now, he is well aware that a man is what he seeks.

"What are you trying to say, Merlin?"

The boy took a deep breath. He clenched his fists, preparing for the Prince's positive or negative reaction.

"I like men."

Arthur's eyes widened. His mouth slightly parted, not in shock, then closed immediately. In fact, Arthur wasn't at all surprised that Merlin didn't like girls but more surprised with the fact that Merlin thought it would be a surprise. It wasn't very hard to spot, according to Arthur. Merlin paid no attention to females yet paid close attention to the knights of Camelot. Very close attention. It was all the more obvious when Lancelot arrived in Camelot and the two became eerily close in a small amount of time. Arthur felt a pang of jealousy when Lancelot was around, yet was still upset to watch him be banished by his father.

"Well to be fair, Merlin, you always had that femininity in you. And it is no wonder all the females that would come up to you, you would reject. No surprise really I was hoping for something more...not obvious."

Merlin let out a satisfied breath. "I'm just happy I finally got that out of the way. I've told Gwen and Morgana. It was just you left."

Arthur scoffed in offence. "You have claimed me to be your best friend and you have apparently 'saved' me a couple of times yet you choose to tell me about this last?"

"I thought you said it was obvious?"

"Well yes but I would have wanted to get the news from you first."Arthur whined. He grabbed the bags, slung it over his shoulder and motioned for Merlin.

"Come on. Get up. We still have a long way to go"

Arthur began to walk when he suddenly stopped and turned back around to Merlin who was still sitting.

"I wonder what other secrets you have yet to tell me." he wonders out loud. Merlin, on the ground, blushes a light pink knowing fully well just how many secrets he had been keeping from his prince. However, now may not be the right time for it to be revealed.

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It had been nearly three hour of hiking and they have nearly reached the very top of the mountain. Dusk was approaching quickly, Arthur suggested to set up camp for the night.

"Merlin, I could only carry one tent so we have to share tents." Arthur announced. Merlin couldn't give a rat's ass about sharing a tent. As long as this objective is complete, he's fine. If the two could make do with a dinner consisting of canned beans and anchovies, then sharing a tent won't be half as bad.

Upon retiring for bed, Merlin remained restless as he could hear a faint calling in the distance.

'Merlin'

Arthur remained in deep sleep next to him bundled around in two blankets. Merlin quietly thought in jealousy of how lucky Arthur is to not have to hear the voices he could hear in his head at night.

'Merlin.'

The voice calls again. Kilgharrah. It must be the dragon. Merlin groaned in the inside, swooped a blanket around him and exit the tent. The dragon must be near him, his voice was clear as the wind. He followed the voice calling out to him, only the moon giving light to the pathway Merlin needs to take. Just a few paces from the tent and the dragon emerged from the shadows. Kilgharrah bowed majestically.

"Young warlock, I see you have found my dwelling place." the dragon speaks.

"You live here now? Why?"

"I happen to like the trees. And I admit I have gotten quite used to the peacefulness of this mountain."

Kilgharrah then lay down, face at the same level as Merlin's so that deep eye contact was made.

"I have also anticipated your illness." he stated, heartbroken on the inside.

Merlin paced closer to the dragon, eager to know something about this illness.

"Do you know what it is? Even Gaius has no idea what it is."

The great dragon shook its head. "Sadly even I do not know what it is and I am psychic. All I could tell you is that it has come from within you, and it is spreading. But I do not know the root of this illness."

Merlin looked at him in confusion.

"Well, what should I do? You must know how to get rid of it, right? You've lived thousands of years in this world there must be others who have survived this."

Kilgharrah knew he couldn't give the boy false hope, but he didn't want him to feel distraught about the reality of the situation.

"There have been many who are in your situation, Merlin. I do not know the answer to that. But I can tell you that the hope that is inside of you, that will to continue living despite these conditions, will be the reason for complete fulfilment in life."

For the first time, Kilgharrah revealed tears dropping from his golden eyes, head bowed low in honour of the Dragonlord.

"You may not have noticed this, Young Warlock. But I truly admire you. Maybe this is God's way of recruiting you to his army of angels."

Merlin couldn't help but shed a few tears as well. Without any hesitation, he placed a cold hand onto the dragon's cheekbones and hugged its head, Kilgharrah leaning his head onto Merlin's hands.

"This is not goodbye yet," Merlin tells him, hoping that Kilgharrah would oblige to his request. "I want you to bring me back to Camelot after me and Arthur climb the very top of this mountain."

Kilgharrah looked at the warlock in alarm.

"You've told Arthur you have magic?"

"No. But I think it is about time. Besides, I am his best friend and I'm sure he won't act out as badly as Uther would."

Kilgharrah gave him permission before flying off to the early hour sky.

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The pair resumed their journey again at dawn, as early as possible since the excitement in both Merlin and Arthur couldn't be contained. The last few metres before reaching the very top was the hardest and the steepest. Arthur could handle it as his legs and feet were trained to withstand uneven and steep terrain. But for people like Merlin, the terrain did horrible and painful things to his feet. By now, he could feel blisters on his heels ready to pop and callouses forming on the toes from clenching them too hard. Even worse, he was running out of vials to help with his fatigue. Drowsiness clouded his head as the balance on his two feet dwindled. He looked up ahead to see Arthur at least ten metres ahead of him. But, the warlock's legs bucked and gave up on him, his body crashing onto the snow.

Arthur turned around once hearing the sound of heavy crunching snow to find Merlin on his knees and panting. The prince ran towards his servant and hooked his arm below the bend of his knees and behind his shoulders sitting him upright.

"Are you okay, Merlin? Do you need water?"

Arthur gave Merlin his flask and allowed him to drink. Merlin was still panting loud, condensation leaving his lips. To the prince's dismay, he knew what was best to do at this moment.

"Alright, Merlin. It looks like you won't be able to reach the top of this mountain but I however can."

Merlin pouted. "But this is my bucket list and I'm going to make it there no matter how many times I have to fall."

Suddenly, Arthur heaved Merlin up, bridal style, and resumed hiking up the last few metres of the mountain.

"I'm going to carry you there, twat." Arthur smirked.

He walked them both up the last few steep steps, looking extremely manly for his friend but extremely homosexual if anyone else were to see it. Once reaching the top, Arthur continued to carry Merlin up to the very tip of the mountain, holding him in a suitable manner to make sure Merlin could see the world around him. Arthur's shoulders ached by this time since he had to carry their tent, food, his weapon and Merlin of course. But it was all worth it. The sight around them was breathtaking. The sun had risen to the pinnacle of midday, the sky was blue painted with soft streaks of white clouds. The small villages could be seen from this height, alongside the entire kingdom of Markarth.

"Wow, right?" Merlin gasped.

"Beautiful."

The two remained silent for a while, eyeing the spectacular view in front of them. It was until the moment was interrupted by a certain Kilgharrah. The dragon spiraled around the summit, appearing aggressive according to Arthur. Without a second thought, Arthur placed Merlin down behind him and grabbed the sword, taunting at the dragon.

"Stay behind me, Merlin!" he instructs as the dragon lands.

Kilgharrah let out a roar as Arthur prepared to plunge his sword at the beast, only until Merlin yelled out "Wait! Arthur."

Arthur does as told, strangely enough, and watched as Merlin walked towards the dragon. Then, Arthur hears Merlin speak in a different language, one that cannot be pointed out by him. Only then did realisation strike him when the Dragon appeared to be responding back to him in the same roaring manner as he did when Arthur pointed the sword at him. Merlin turned back around facing Arthur.

"I have been meaning to tell you this." he starts.

Arthur stood statue-like still. Dropping his sword to the ground and lifting a finger to the Warlock.

"You.. you're.."

"Yes, Arthur. I am a wizard."


I apologise this chapter took longer than imagined. I was wondering what parts of the bucket list should be incorporated in this chapter. Obviously not every single thing on the lsit would be made a chapter as that is far too long. But instead, only the important ones will be made into chapters or two chapters.

Once again thanks everyone for reviewing. I can't believe it had been two years remaining inactive and I am glad some still take interest in my stories despite absence. xx

Please keep leaving any opinions on this story so far and anything you would like to see in thi sstory.

xxx

Le Author