Notes
This chapter is more dialogue focused which is always my worst part of writing, but I've done my best to make it flow and hope it's came out well.
Chapter five: of comfort and communication
Arthur.
Merlin's blood shot eyes were laced with a sense of cautious hope, as he looked directly into Arthurs. Both boys mirrored a sense of shock, however Arthur (being more aware of the situation) was the first one to recover from it.
"can you... can you see me?" Arthur Asked tentatively, although he knew when looking into the warlock's disbelieving eyes that it was probably a dumb question, but Arthur just needed to be sure.
Merlin responded to Arthur's question with an uncertain nod, the movement was slow and small yet it told Arthur everything he needed to know.
Unconsciously, Arthur reached out to put a comforting hand on his friend's arm, only to receive a harsh reminder that he was a ghost, and one that did not yet know how to do that. He'd been watching over Merlin these past few weeks, trying everything he could think of to be able to interact with the world around him, to show Merlin he's there, to comfort him or stop him from doing something silly like work himself to death and forget to take care of basic human needs such as eating, drinking and sleeping. Yet here he was two weeks later, still unable to and yet still forgetting that fact. However somehow Merlin could see him now, and to Arthur that was more important than any other ghost power.
"I'm here" it was two words. Two small words said at barely a whisper, yet at hearing them Arthur saw Merlin's features relax, just a little, but it was there.
(outsider/ both perspectives )
"i see your still slacking on the job as always" Arthur teased, trying to comfort Merlin with their usual banter. " and honestly if your going to hide from your chores the least you could do is not hide in the kings room- that's just begging to be caught".
This received a small breathy laugh mixed with a genuine smile. Although, Merlin seemed to look around the room as if he hadn't previously realised where he was. After a few moments Merlin responds to Arthurs banter taunt with "i see your just as much of a royal prat in the afterlife as you were here"
"That's actually an excellent point there, Merlin, if you can see me then I'm still technically your king. Which means you still have to do what i say"
"ah yes, as i am and have always been great at doing what you say" Merlin responded sarcastically, then added "Although I don't believe that's actually how it works Arthur, if anything you and me are actually closer to being equals now... my lord" despite his jokes to mess with Arthur, if Merlin was honest Arthur would always be the king to him. Alive, dead or somewhere in between, Merlin would follow Arthur above anyone and all else no matter where it took him. Not to mention when everyone else see's that Arthur's back he's certain the kingdom will be willing to still follow him, even as a ghost.
At that very contradictive comment from Merlin, Arthur couldn't help but laugh. It was a pure and genuine laugh, one that couldn't help but trigger Merlin to laugh too.
It didn't take long though for Merlin to sober up. He whispered "I missed you" at a level in which he hoped Arthur couldn't hear, followed by a slightly louder apology: "Arthur... I'm so sorry"
This apology caught Arthur completely off guard, what on earth was his dearest friend apologising for?
Merlin, seeming to read Arthur's mind continued; "I'm sorry… I… I couldn't save you". In saying this Merlin had curled back in on himself, reminding Arthur that his friend was never taught to be a soldier, he entered battles without the physical or mental preparation and training he and the knights had gone through. The warlock instead entered out of an instinct to protect, heal and defend the team, but he was not taught the rules of the battle- that everyone going into the fight will do what they can to protect each other, but at the end of the day some people will die- and no matter how tempting it can be to think of "what if's" doing so will destroy you, so to be a knight you have to be able to move on and focus on next steps. No one in a battle is to be blamed for not being a god.
"Merlin, in a battle there will always be deaths that are unavoidable. Even as a powerful warlock, you can't control or predict everything... you can't save everyone, even though I know how hard you try. My death was not your fault. Non of our knights deaths were on your hands, that is Morgan's crown and hers alone. You Merlin, are the reason why no more lives were lost that day, you saved a lot of people. Please don't blame yourself for the few you could not." Arthurs voice was a weird mix of being soft, gentle and stern, in a way that was soothing yet left no room for arguing or denying.
Merlin's eyes were filled with gratitude towards Arthur's reassuring words, yet Arthur cut him off before he could say anything. "you look absolutely awful Merlin, get some sleep- tomorrow's going to be a busy day"
"i can't", Merlin sighed, "the others will be looking for me and there's still so much to do".
"as if that's ever stopped you from ditching your chores before" Arthur joked, but then added softly "it's ok Merlin - you're already done so much to help, everyone knows your tired; they would be relieved to know you've at least got some sleep, they'll be fine for a few hours without you"
Defeated by his exhaustion Merlin hummed in acceptance, then made a move to leave the room.
"Merlin, you are not travelling to the other side of the castle in this state - you'd probably pass out before making it down the hall, or get distracted helping someone- my beds right there, use it."
This caught Merlin completely off guard, sending a mild adrenaline rush through his body - just waking him up enough to look between Arthur and the bed then form a protest. One of which he never got the chance to vocalise as Arthur cut him off.
"Merlin, it's just a bed- one I'm currently not using so am offering for you too. Please, I just want you to get enough rest for tomorrow"
Although Merlin was still not sure about the idea- he was honestly far too tired to argue and honestly, the last thing he wanted was to run into anyone else right now, so eventually he took Arthur up on his offer and moved to the kings bed, falling asleep instantly when his head hit the cloud like pillow.
Notes
ok, I'm really enjoying writing this , but hope I'm portraying what I'm imagining well enough.
The next chapter should be quite a fun one of Arthur and Merlin messing with each other / bantering together,
after that is probably when I'll introduce the threat of the creature.
Also I'm really surprised at how long this fan fiction is becoming, I thought it was only going to be a 5k but apparently not.