*Merlin* Bonds of Fate

The Battle Within

Arthur's heart pounded as he rode into the dark forest, flanked by his knights. The trail led deeper into shadow, and he knew they were closing in on the sorcerer who had taken Merlin captive. Every fiber of his being burned with urgency, his mind replaying Merlin's desperate cry for help. He would not fail his friend.

They reached a clearing where a towering, ancient ruin stood, its stones blackened by dark magic. Arthur dismounted, drawing Excalibur as he signaled the knights to surround the perimeter. The wind howled, carrying with it the ominous feeling of a trap.
"We're here, Merlin," Arthur muttered under his
breath.

"Hold on."

Inside, the chamber was cold and lifeless, lit only by the flickering glow of the enchanted torches lining the walls. At the center stood the sorcerer, his hooded form looming over Merlin, who was kneeling, bound by dark chains of magic. Arthur's heart clenched at the sight. Merlin's face was pale, his body weakened by the magic coursing through him. "You're too late, Pendragon," the sorcerer hissed, his voice echoing in the chamber.

"He's mine now."
Arthur's grip tightened around Excalibur, his voice steely. "Let him go."

The sorcerer chuckled darkly, raising a hand toward Merlin. "You really think you can save him? He's already falling under my control.
And soon, he will destroy you."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Merlin would never betray me."
"We'll see about that." With a flick of his wrist, the sorcerer sent a surge of dark energy into Merlin, causing him to convulse, his eyes glowing an unnatural shade of gold.

Arthur's stomach twisted as Merlin's pained gaze locked onto his.

"Arthur.." Merlin's voice was strained, barely a whisper. "I can't... stop it..."

"Fight it, Merlin!" Arthur called out, stepping forward. "You are stronger than this! You are Emrys!"But the sorcerer's power only intensified, and with a snarl, Merlin's eyes darkened further. He rose to his feet, his body rigid and trembling with the sorcerer's magic.
Then, in an instant, he lunged at Arthur, his hands crackling with dark energy.

Arthur barely had time to raise his sword as Merlin's magic slammed into him. The force sent him staggering back, but he quickly recovered, his heart breaking at the sight of his friend being twisted into an enemy.

"Merlin, stop!" Arthur shouted, blocking another strike, the energy crackling around them. "I won't fight you!"

But Merlin's attacks came faster, more ferocious, his face contorted in anguish. "I don't... have a choice," Merlin gasped, struggling against the sorcerer's control. His magic flared again, sending bolts of energy that Arthur had to deflect with Excalibur.
The sorcerer's laughter filled the chamber.

"Do you see now, Pendragon? He is mine to command."Arthur's jaw clenched, his resolve hardening.

He wouldn't let this end like this. With a roar, he charged at Merlin, tackling him to the ground, trying to subdue him without causing harm. "You will fight this, Merlin!" he shouted, pinning his friend down. "You are not his puppet!"

Merlin thrashed beneath him, the dark energy coursing through his veins, but Arthur held firm. "I won't lose you!" Arthur growled, his grip tightening. "You're stronger than him! You can break free!"
For a moment, Merlin's eyes flickered with recognition, a glimmer of the man Arthur knew shining through. But then the sorcerer's voice boomed once more, sending another wave of power through Merlin's body. With a guttural cry, Merlin shoved Arthur off him with a violent burst of magic, sending him crashing into the stone wall.

Arthur groaned, pain searing through his side, but he forced himself to stand, his vision blurred. Across the chamber, Merlin stood, breathing heavily, his body shaking from the internal battle raging within him.

"Arthur..." Merlin's voice was barely audible.

"Please... stop me..."

Arthur's chest tightened as he saw the tears in Merlin's eyes, his friend's desperation tearing at his soul. "I won't give up on you," Arthur said, stepping forward despite the agony in his body.

But before he could reach Merlin, the sorcerer's magic surged again, and Merlin's hands shot forward, sending a blast of energy toward Arthur. This time, Arthur had no time to dodge. The magic struck him full force, sending him flying backward. His body hit the ground hard, and for a moment, the world spun around him.

Through the haze of pain, Arthur heard the sorcerer's voice, smug and victorious. "It's over, Pendragon. He will kill you."

Arthur gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand, his vision swimming. He looked up to see Merlin approaching, his hands trembling with dark energy, his face contorted in torment.

"I can't... stop it," Merlin whispered, tears streaming down his face. "You can," Arthur rasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "You've saved me more times than I can count. Now, save yourself."

Merlin's breath hitched, and for a moment, his magic faltered. But the sorcerer's grip tightened, and Merlin screamed as another wave of dark power consumed him.

"Arthur...
I'm sorry..."

"No!" Arthur roared, summoning every ounce of strength he had left. He charged at Merlin, tackling him to the ground once more. This time, he didn't hold back. Arthur grabbed Merlin's wrists, pinning them to the ground as the dark energy surged around them.
"You will not die today!" Arthur shouted, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I won't let you!
Fight this, Merlin! Fight for me!"

Merlin's body trembled beneath him, his face twisted in pain. "Arthur... I can't hold on..."
"You will hold on!" Arthur growled, his grip unrelenting. "You will fight, and you will win! I need you, Merlin. Camelot needs you!"Merlin's eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, the darkness receded. "Arthur.." he whispered, his voice barely a breath.

But the sorcerer wasn't finished. With a final, desperate act, he sent a surge of power so overwhelming that Merlin convulsed violently beneath Arthur. His eyes rolled back, and his body went limp.
"Merlin!" Arthur screamed, panic gripping him as he shook his friend. "Merlin, no! Don't you dare die on me!"

But Merlin's breathing was shallow, his body deathly still.

Arthur's vision blurred with tears as he cradled Merlin in his arms. "You're not leaving me. Do you hear me? You're not leaving!" His voice broke, the weight of the moment crashing down on him. "Please... don't go..."
In that moment, Arthur felt something shift within him. A surge of warmth flooded the chamber, and he looked up to see the sorcerer falter, his control over Merlin weakening. "You've lost," Arthur said, his voice low and dangerous. "You may have tried to take him, but you underestimated him. You underestimated us."
With a roar, Arthur raised Excalibur and charged the sorcerer, striking him down with a single, devastating blow. The dark magic exploded in a blinding flash, and the sorcerer's body crumbled to dust, his power shattered.

As the chamber fell silent, Arthur dropped to his knees beside Merlin, his heart pounding.

He pressed his hand to Merlin's chest, feeling the faint thrum of his heartbeat.

"You're still with me," Arthur whispered, his voice trembling with relief.

But Merlin's breathing was shallow, his body weak from the battle. Arthur knew they had won, but the victory felt hollow with Merlin so close to death.
"Stay with me," Arthur pleaded, cradling Merlin's head in his lap. "I need you. Camelot needs you."With great effort, Merlin's eyes fluttered open, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"You're... a terrible king, Arthur," he whispered weakly, his voice barely a breath.

Arthur let out a shaky laugh, tears streaming down his face. "And you're a terrible servant.
But you're not going anywhere."

As the dawn light filtered into the chamber, Arthur held Merlin close, his heart swelling with the unbreakable bond they shared.

Together, they had fought the darkness-and together, they would face whatever came next.