When albion needs it most

Chapter 2

There were worst ways to go, Arthur thought. He could have died on the battle field and no one would have found his body. It almost happened many times now. Leaving this world in the arms of his best friend Merlin was well. He knew that, by Merlin's side, his departure would have been respected and honored. He forced himself to open his eyes and look once more upon the stupid face of his manservant. Merlin had been the most loyal friend he had. Only now did he understand just at what point he was. He fixed Merlin's eyes, filled with a feeling of gratefulness. His servant had blindly jumped into danger, risking his life only to help him and never expected anything more than his friendship. He had no clue what his life would have looked like without Merlin's presence. The man was more important to him than he could ever verbalize.

Arthur no longer felt the pain in his chest. His eyelids were growing heavy and he knew this was the end. He could feel himself slipping away and smiled in relief. It was a good life. He didn't regret. All he wanted to accomplish in life had happened. Well... almost everything. He looked at Merlin once more and whispered his last words. He used these last moments to show his manservant just how much he cared. "Thank you" Arthur said, reaching out for the locks of brown hair. He smiled as he looked upon that stupid face, patting the man's head affectionately. His hand fell to the grown as he gave into the sleepy feeling weighing heavy on his eyelids.

When Arthur opened his eyes again he was no longer on the beach side with Merlin. He found himself standing in a large grass field. Around him were vast open area with flowers and bushes. A few steps away from his could be seen a used tracked out dirt road leading further than he could see. Was this what the afterlife looked like? Suddenly he heard screams of despair arising from behind him. His instincts took over and he jumped around, ready to defend. Behind him Gwaine was standing with a look of pain.

"No Arthur, not you, not here" the knight mumbled. "Please tell me you're not here"

"Calm down Gwaine" the king tried to order.

"It's my fault Arthur. It is because of me that Morgana followed you. I tried Arthur, I tried. Percy and I, we went after the witch. We tried to attack her ourselves. We failed. Morgana, she.."

Gwaine was silent remembering all the pain of his last living moments, how his body has suffered and broke until he could do nothing more than beg for death. His fist clenched as he thought of the smile Morgana had when he had asked for mercy. "It is because of me that you are dead. If you are here that means that Camelot had fallen" he replied in a panic as he knew he was the one who told her where Merlin was truly bringing the King.

"Camelot has not fallen. We did not lose" Arthur comforted. Gwaine looked up to his king, confused. Arthur took a deep breath and explained.

"Morgana did find us but she is not the reason that I am dead" his face cringing at the last word. The thought of speaking in such ways about him was confusing at least.

"Merlin killed her" he remembered. The details of the events happening during his last day were slowly clearing up in his mind. At the time the injuries were taking the best of his conscious mind, but now that they were over, he could think clearly. "We are at peace" he spoke for himself more than for his friend. He had a half-on smile on his face at the memory of yet another thing Merlin had done for him. "There is no need for you to worry my friend, Camelot will be alright" he added.

"Alright? How can Camelot be alright if you are here?" Gwaine wondered.

"Were exactly is here?" Arthur replied. By the looks of it, they were standing together in the middle of nowhere. Some people were starting to pass by, no more than a handful.

They were walking in the distance of the field, passing by confident about their destination. This place reminded Arthur of no other. If it was Heaven it was small and boring. And Hell was definitely not this quiet and peaceful.