Chapter 11

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Arthur turns around to look for the dragon that had taken them here, desperate now enough to talk to it; beg it for a way to help Merlin. But the dragon was nowhere in sight. His jaw clenched in rage and tears sting his eyes.

"Shhh...." Merlin whispers, stroking Arthur's cheek with his thumb, his eyes half closed. "Just....just sit down....hold me for a while..."

Arthur obliges, his knees nearly buckling as he lowers himself and Merlin slowly to the ground. Once sitting, he gathers merlin into his arms, laying Merlin's limp body across his lap. He keeps one hand firmly pressed to Merlin's wound, numb now to the blood leaking through his fingers.

Merlin exhales shakily, keeping his hand on Arthur's cheek and brushing away the Prince's tears with his thumb. "Hey..." His eyes search Arthur's face, a sad smile stretching across his lips. "T-talk to me?" He asks, his voice hitching.

"Please...." Arthur is desperate. "There has to be a way...I can't just....watch you....die...." His voice falters and breaks. "Please, Merlin... I'll....I'll do anything."

Merlin's hand drops from the side of Arthur's face as he looses the strength to keep it there. "I'm sorry Arthur..." Each breath is becoming more and more painful to take, and his fingers curl around the fabric of Arthur's shirt.

Something breaks behind Arthur's eyes, and a choked sob wrenches its way out of his chest. He holds Merlin tighter, as if by loosening his hold he might quicken Merlin's inevitable departure. Arthur brings his hand to the side of Merlin's face, wiping away the blood on his mouth and chin with his fingers. Then, wordlessly, he leans down and presses his lips to Merlin's.

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