Sir Percival found the riderless horses first, wandering back along the path. It had been a long and lonely night's pursuit and the morning sun was already up, but he was close now. He tied the horses up and continued on foot. Just as the trees opened up to a view of the lake of Avalon in the distance, he found Morgana's corpse. Her face still looked faintly surprised. He kicked her to make sure she was dead, then spat on her corpse before turning his back and continuing down to the lake.
Merlin was staring across the water at the island in the distance. He didn't turn as Percival approached. The tall knight put his hand on the young man's shoulder and Merlin finally turned, his face desolate, still wet with tears. He shook his head. Percival folded him into his arms for a moment of shared grief.
"The witch is dead, at least. Let us return to Camelot," said Percival. Merlin allowed himself to be led away from the lake, now still and empty in the morning sunlight.
Guinevere was already preparing for bed when Sir Leon knocked at the door to announce the return of Merlin and Percival. She stood frozen, tense and nervous, as Merlin entered. Leon and Percival quietly withdrew. Merlin found he couldn't speak, but he didn't need to. Gwen saw the look on his face and the facade of control she'd been maintaining since the battle disintegrated. He held her as she sobbed.
They sat at the table then, hands clasped on the tabletop as Merlin tried haltingly to tell her of Arthur's final hours.
"Did he know, at the end, of your magic? Of how much you did for him?" she asked. Merlin could only nod in reply.
"I'm glad you were with him," Gwen said, eyes glistening. "He loved you, Merlin. As much as you loved him. I know it." Merlin squeezed her hand in response.
"Will you stay with me a while? Until I fall asleep? I just don't want to be alone," Gwen said tiredly. They lay on the bed and Gwen took his hand again.
After Gwen fell asleep Merlin quietly stood up, pulling a coverlet over the sleeping queen and gently kissing her forehead.
Merlin opened the door of Gaius' chamber to find the old man was still up in spite of the late hour. Wordlessly Gaius opened his arms and Merlin fell into them, feeling the tears begin again.
"I tried, Gaius. We were so close."
"It was his time, Merlin. There was nothing you could have done."
"Morgana is dead. The kingdom is safe. I should feel happy about that, but I can't. How am I supposed to go on without him?"
"You do the only thing you can. Live for the future that Arthur sacrificed himself to ensure, one day at a time."
"I can't stay here. Not without Arthur."
"Where will you go?" the old man asked.
Merlin sat with his head in his hands, thinking. He'd failed in his duty to protect Arthur. His mind turned to his other responsibilities. The Druids of Catha, who had sacrificed so much for him in the hope he would be their salvation. Alador and Finna were both dead now. Aithusa, the young dragon he had called into existence only for it to be abused by his enemies.
"Aithusa is somewhere out there, and now he's alone. He's broken, Gaius, and I'm the only one who has any chance of helping him."
"Is that wise? He was Morgana's creature. How will he react when he discovers you killed her?"
"He didn't ask for his fate any more than I did. I have to try." He had to believe that he could redeem the young dragon. He'd lost everything else. He wouldn't fail in this, too.
Now that he'd decided on a purpose, Merlin was restless and eager to be underway. He stood and started gathering his things.
"Not tonight, Merlin. You need to rest."
Merlin suddenly realised how tired he was. He couldn't remember the last time he slept. Before the battle? It seemed a lifetime ago. He nodded, and climbed the steps to his bedroom.
The sun was well up the next day before Merlin was finally ready to leave. Gaius had told Merlin what he'd heard from the Sarrum of Amata. As the dragon grew, the pit became too small… At night you could hear its cries… Merlin shook his head to clear the gruesome images the words conjured. His resolve to help Aithusa strengthened.
"Will you keep in touch at least?" Gaius asked.
Merlin heard the pain in the old man's tone, and paused to really look at him. For almost ten years now Gaius had been like a father to him. Merlin noticed the deep creases lining his face, and how thin his white hair was getting. It was going to be hard for the physician to adjust to life without his young assistant.
"Wait there," Merlin said, and pulled out his spell book. Next he rummaged through his things until he found a silver disc - a clasp that had once belonged to the druid Alator. He held his hand over the disc and murmured the words of a spell. The disc glowed blue briefly, then cracked neatly down the middle. Merlin handed one half to Gaius.
"If you need me, hold this and speak my name three times. I'll hear you." They embraced one last time before Merlin set off towards the White Mountains in search of a dragon.