Title: It's Like Magic

Author: Kiki1770

Rating: T for Language

Setting: Season 1 1x10

Summary: "He saved my boy from the worst of fates, Prince Arthur. He saved my son from solitude."

A/N: Wow I wrote this drabble so long ago, I forgot I still hadn't posted it. I created this drabble thinking how precious your first best friend is to you. That sort of bond can never be replaced. Especially if you grew up with them like Merlin did with William. Thus I thought Merlin needed to mourn his friend just a bit more, and Arthur needed to accept that Merlin befriended William. Hehe, hope I didn't give too much away. Warning: Character Death.

Angst 5: First Friend

"Do what you can for him," Arthur whispered to his manservant, and respectfully left him and the sorcerer, William, alone. He ushered Guinevere and Morgana out as well, wanting to give Merlin some space. Though, he was a bit surprised that Hunith hadn't stayed back as well.

They stood idly, taking in the destruction in the village. Kanen really did a number on the houses on the outskirt of Ealdor. Arthur offered to stay back and help rebuild the homes but Hunith had assured them that Ealdor was s strong village; they would survive on their own just like they always had. Somewhere along the way Hunith offered for the three to rest in her small cottage before returning to Camelot. That's when they heard the screaming.

"NO!" Merlin's broken scream echoed throughout the entire village and shattered the remorseful silence. Arthur's first thought was that the sorcerer was trying to harm Merlin and rushed into William's home with his weapon held high.

Arthur's sword fell to the floor with clatter against the cold stone floors. In the center of the empty cottage, Merlin was hunched over his deceased friend's body, cradling William's head in his arms as choking sobs racked through his body. "No, Will….no!" Merlin cried on his best friend's chest. Arthur felt a pang of guilt in his heart. But he was sorcerer, either way he had to die, Arthur tried to console himself. How could Merlin make friends with someone evil like that anyway? Arthur wanted to confront Merlin but to his surprise he was dragged out of William's small cottage by Hunith.

"Sire please, let my boy mourn," Hunith pleaded.

"Why Hunith? Why did Merlin knowingly make friends with a sorcerer?" Arthur asked in disbelief, still unable to comprehend how his "evil as a butterfly" manservant could befriend a sorcerer. Hunith looked desolate, but steeled herself to answer the Prince's question.

"Because…he was the first person to accept Merlin for who he was, bastard son and all." Hunith replied calmly. Her voice betrayed no emotion, but like her son, tears freely ran down her soft motherly face. Hunith was a strong woman, Arthur realized with a startle. She had traveled through the dangerous forestof Essetir all for the sake of requesting Camelot's King to save her village. She'd raised Merlin with the unconditional love that only a mother could give. She hadn't shied away from the villagers, bastard son or not, and held a respectable standing despite the circumstances of Merlin's birth. Hunith was truly a force to be reckoned with, Arthur thought.

"William was Merlin's only friend in Ealdor." the woman whispered softly as though her son's pain were her own. She stared at Arthur with pleading, teary eyes and asked for his understanding. "He saved my boy from the worst of fates, Prince Arthur. He saved my son from solitude."

Comments, questions, requests? Leave them in a review.

To Nance: Your request is noted, I'm thinking of a drabble for Courage, Strength, and Magic as we speak.

Kiki1770