Synopsis: What if Morgana fatally wounded Merlin in the Crystal Cave and left him to die? What if a certain knight came back out of worry?

!Warning: Descriptions of death

"You have defied me for the last time, Emrys."

A searing pain coursed through Merlin's abdomen. Wearily, he looked down to see Gwaine's sword sticking out of him. He gasped in more anguish as Morgana magicked the sword out. His surroundings around him faded, and he collapsed onto his knees.

So in shock, Merlin struggled to catch his breath.

Morgana watched in glee. Relishing every second of seeing her enemy slowly die before her eyes. But alas, she had a war to win and a tyrant of a King to kill. It was a shame that Emrys would not be there to see her claim Camelot once and for all.

With one last glance, Morgana turned and walked towards the cave's entrance.

"Goodbye Emrys."

Merlin barely heard the witches departing words, but he didn't care. While his body began to shut down, however, his mind continued to race. One major thought hurt him more than his physical wound.

He had failed.

Arthur would die at Camlann from Mordred's hand, and he wouldn't be there to protect his King.

His friend would perish thinking he abandoned him.

Merlin didn't even feel the ground when he fell onto his side. His body already numb.

His eyes grew tired and eventually closed, embracing the cold darkness.

~8~

It didn't feel right. Leaving Merlin on his own.

Despite Merlin's assurances that he'd be protected once he found whatever he was looking for- Gwaine still had no clue what his friend's mission was about but it must've been hella important to leave Arthur's side- the knight couldn't shake the bad feeling he had.

Which is why he was having quite the internal battle.

Go back to help Merlin or continue forward to fulfill his duty as a Knight of Camelot?

His best friend or his King?

Gwaine steered his horse around and urged the animal to move faster.

~8~

There was an eerie silence as Gwaine entered the cave. His hand twitched for his sword only to stop when he remembered the weapon was not there. He despised feeling exposed. "Merlin! Are you here mate?" He called uneasily.

He continued forward until he stood frozen upon a sight that would forever haunt his dream. On the floor in a cavern filled with illuminating crystals was his best friend bleeding out. A scream of tore from Gwaine.

In a flash he was on his knees pulling the servant onto him. Merlin was white as ice and unconscious. Gwaine choked down a sob when he saw the gushing wound. He quickly placed pressure which elicited a small groan from his friend.

Gwaine jostled the servant, praying for some other reaction. "Merlin! Mate, can you hear me? It's Gwaine! Please, open your eyes for me, please!"

A bit of relief came to Gwaine when Merlin's eyes opened, if only slightly. "G..Gwaine?" Merlin whispered. Gwaine nodded vigorously, "It's me Merlin, I'm here. You're gonna be alright, you hear me."

Merlin's eyes softened, "Not this time," he croaked. But Gwaine remained in denial, "Sure you will, why by the end of this week you'll be dragging me out of the tavern." But every word he spoke lacked conviction as he went on.

"Gwaine it's okay," Merlin assured breathlessly. Gwaine shook his head as his vision became blurry from tears. "No, it's not! I can't-I can't lose you," he pleaded. 'The wound won't stop bleeding. There's so much blood. Why won't it stop!?' Gwaine thought frantically. His hands were warm with the red fluid.

"Heal yourself! Use your magic!" Gwaine commanded.

Merlin's breath hitched as his eyes widened in disbelief. "You…you knew?" Gwaine tried to smile but was unsuccessful, "Since the Fisher King. I always knew you were different. Magic Merlin? Do you have a death wish?" It wasn't so much a scolding but a light taunt.

Merlin gave him a weak grin, "Born with it," he responded before coughing violently. Gwaine soothed him as much he could, but now the servant had a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. The sight made Gwaine let out a ugly sob. He cradled his friend even tighter.

"I failed," Merlin rasped, brokenly. "No, you haven't. Merlin! Eyes on me mate! How could you possibly think that?"

"Lost my magic…came here to get it back…Morgana knew…" Gwaine didn't need to be a genius to put together the rest. Merlin was growing weaker by the minute, his chest rose and fell more shallowly.

Even in his state, tears streamed down Merlin's face as he wept. "It's-It's my fault Gwaine! Arthur…Arthur will die because…of me!" Gwaine shushed his friend while softly caressing his hair. "If anything I failed you," he confessed. Merlin had the audacity to look confused! "Gwaine…what…you…why would you say that?"

In any other circumstance Gwaine would've laughed, Merlin was that one on the verge of death and here he was asking after his well being. It was just so..Merlin. Gwaine had to suppress a sob at the thought. "If I had just been more insistent on accompanying you I would've been here to protect you from that witch. You're my friend, I should've protected you!"

Gwaine felt a tug on his hand and looked to see Merlin grasping it. He in turn squeezed it, probably more tighter than necessary. "Not…your fault…don't…don't blame yourself." Merlin's eyes began drooping once more. Gwaine shook him desperately and yelled, "NO! Merlin stay with me, stay with me mate, please!"

Merlins' eyes cracked back open, but the light within them was fading. "M'sorry Gwaine. You'll..be..okay..without me."

How could he say that? Having him in his life made it worth living. Everything would be meaningless without him. Hell, Merlin gave him a reason to get up everyday!

Gwaine did not want to live in a life without Merlin. He couldn't.

"No I won't! I need you Merlin! I need you, you can't leave you-you just can't!" Gwaine roared.

Merlin could only give his friend one last smile, "Gwaine..thank you," he rasped out before his eyes closed for the final time.

No matter how hard Gwaine shook, screamed or begged, the corpse in his arms remained lifeless.

Later, Gwaine would carry his friend to Camlann. He would stoically break the news to all those who cared for the warlock. Arthur would be the most devastated, remembering how his last words to his friend were calling him a coward when he was the opposite.

The war would commence, and they would win with the help of some druids and a giant golden dragon. Both allies would come on behalf of Emrys. Morgana and Mordred would fall by Arthur's blade, but not before taunting the loss of Merlin.

The prophets did not lie. Arthur Pendragon met his end at Camlann and Gwaine was left to mourn the legacy of his King along with his friend. Gwaine almost envied Arthur, for the King had been reunited with Merlin while he was stuck in the land of the living.

Gwaine would watch as Camelot repealed its magic law and grow into the greatest kingdom of history.

He'd continue serving the Queen as Merlin would've wanted, but his heart forever remained broken by the loss of the noblest man he ever knew.

The man of which he had the privilege of calling his best friend.