Chapter Text
Arthur ignored the shouts of everyone around him. He rushed into the stables, grabbing their fastest horse and took off back to the lake. He could think of nothing else but getting to Merlin.
How had he been so foolish! He should have known from the moment that imposter walked in that it hadn’t been Merlin. Deep down, some part of him had warned him it wasn’t right. He hadn’t even stepped on his foot once while they danced, and Merlin was a complete dollophead when it came to dancing.
Now, Merlin was going to die, alone, thinking Arthur had given his love away to another.
As he galloped on, the witch’s dark voice echoed through the forest. “He’s fading fast little prince.”
He urged the horse faster. His heart pounding so loud in his chest he couldn’t tell it apart from the hoofbeats.
Suddenly, it was as if vines were growing over the path. The horse reared up and refused to go any farther.
“If you hurry, little prince, I’ll let you see him one last time.”
Jumping free from the horse, Arthur leapt from the saddle and tore through the brambles himself. He ignored each cut. Adrenaline pushing him forward.
Finally, he broke free into a clearing. He could see the lake where he had seen Merlin last night. He looked around desperately for him. And he found him.
Merlin had transformed back into himself, but he was collapsed on the ground. His head lulled to his side.
“Merlin?” Arthur rushed to his side. He lifted Merlin into his lap. It was nothing like when he held him yesterday. His whole weight sagged as if the very life which made him so Merlin was gone. “What have I done to you? Forgive me, Merlin.” He pressed his forehead against Merlin’s and found it cold and sweaty. “Forgive me.” He begged.
“Arthur?” He looked down to see Merlin’s eyes had cracked open. But they were dulled with pain and they looked past him as if he couldn’t see who was holding him.
“Yes, Merlin.” Arthur pet his hair. “I’m here.”
“Arthur, I feel so weak. I think I’m…” his voice trailed off.
“No, you’ll live, Merlin.” If he had to tear the heavens apart, he wouldn’t let Merlin go. Not now. Not when they were so close to their happy ending. “The vow I made was for you.”
“I know.” Merlin struggled to lift up one hand. He cupped it around Arthur’s cheek. “I love you, Arthur.” Then it slipped away, falling to the earth. His eyes feel closed and his chest stopped moving.
“Merlin?” Arthur grabbed for his hand again, pulling it back to its place but it didn’t move. “Merlin?” He let go to press his finger against his neck, but there was no pulse. “Merlin!”
Only silence answered him.
Merlin was dead.
Arthur hadn’t saved him.
“I made the vow for him.” Arthur said to the unforgiving world around him. “Do you hear?” He turned to shout at the gods who had abandoned them. “The vow I made was for him!”
“No need to shout.”
Arthur whirled around at that taunting voice.
The witch stood watching him. A delighted sneer across her face. She had done this. It had been her who took Merlin away from him twice. Arthur didn’t care how powerful she was, he wasn’t about to let her get away with it.
“Don’t let him die!” He started to march towards her.
“Is that a threat?” She laughed.
Arthur had gotten close enough to grab her by the collar. “Don’t you dare let him die!”
“Oh, it is a threat.”
“You’re the only one with the power. Now, do it.” Arthur shoved her away.
She turned her head as if contemplating it. “Alright, I will, but you should know little prince, that only a life for a life can be traded. So, to bring him back, one of us will have to die. The only question is, which one? Defeat me, and you can have your little princeling back. Fail and I’ll kill you and Merlin will be mine for all eternity.”
“Then prepare to die, hag.” Arthur spat. Magic or not, he would not fail Merlin again.
“Oh, it is you who will die, prince. I mean, how foolish could you be to make such a deal when you don’t even have a sword.” The witch taunted.
Arthur swore as he looked at his side. He had forgotten he didn’t have a weapon on him. He’d been in such a hurry to get to Merlin that he had taken the time to grab one.
The witch threw out her arms and transformed into a hideous beast. This must have been the animal which had killed King Balinor. Arthur was forced to dive out of the way of its first attack.
He grabbed a fallen branch and tried to use it to defend himself, but it was nearly useless. Arthur fought with all his strength, only it wasn’t enough. The beast grabbed him in its claws and launched into the sky before it dropped him.
Arthur fell straight into the lake. The impact against the water must have knocked him unconscious. He hoped he might be able to catch a glimpse of Merlin in the afterlife. Maybe then he could apologize for being such a complete fuck-up. On the day they had met, Arthur had promised himself he would do anything to protect that sweet loving boy and give him all the happiness he deserved. Instead he had failed at every turn.
But it wasn’t Merlin’s voice that called out to him from the deep. “Arthur. You must not give up yet. The battle is not yet lost.”
A bright light surrounded him, but it did not feel like death.
Arthur dared to open his eyes and he saw what appeared to be an angelic woman hovering above him in the water. “It is not your time, young King. Your destiny is not yet done. You can save your other half still, but you must believe, Arthur. Believe in yourself.”
The woman disappeared and in her place was a sword.
Wasting no time, Arthur grabbed the sword and swum up to the surface. He gasped in air and looked around to see the beast. It was enraged as he stood up out of the water.
Arthur raised his sword ready for her attack this time and slayed the beast where it stood.
The creature howled and burst into smoke.
The fight over, Arthur dropped the sword and rushed over to Merlin. She had said that if he defeated her, that Merlin would be returned. What he found was the same as when he’d left. Merlin’s body remained limp and lifeless on the ground.
“No.” Arthur cradled Merlin against him once again. “Forgive me, Merlin. I only wanted to break the spell. To prove my life. I love you. Your kindness and courage, I always have.” With a broken sob, he buried his head into Merlin’s chest.
Then he heard the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard in his life. It was small and confused, but oh so sweet. “Arthur?”
“Merlin?” Arthur lifted his head to see Merlin alive and staring up at him.
Merlin grinned at him. “Always knew you were the real sap between us.”
Laughing and crying all the same, Arthur leaned down and kissed him.
And well, there you have it, everlasting love.