When Albion Needs Him Most

DISCLAIMER: I do not in any way own Merlin or the series' characters.

A/N: Okay, so I just finished watching the final season of Merlin and nearly bawled my eyes out and I immediately started typing this, so yeah. Anyways this is all I'm having for this short story I guess if you want to call it that. I know it's disappointing and I'm sorry but I feel like I'll just ruin it if I went on any further. So anyways, I hope you like it.

When Albion Needs Him Most 

Merlin couldn't believe it. Arthur was gone. He couldn't save him. Had he failed? Kilgharrah had said he did not. That Arthur would rise again when Albion needed him. Merlin feeling numb still stumbled back to Camelot. He ran into Percival along the way and was told more awful news. Morgana had killed Gwaine; his friend. "Merlin, where's Arthur?" Merlin couldn't find his voice and shook his head. "He's dead, isn't he?" Percival asked in a grim voice. Merlin nodded and worked hard to keep himself from crying again. He's never cried so much. "Are you headed to Camelot?" 

"Yes." Merlin whispered. 

"I'll assist you." Merlin nodded and in silence the two made their way to Camelot. Upon seeing Camelot, Merlin felt a pang of hurt come on and silent tears were making their way down his cheeks. Percival didn't say anything but Merlin could tell that he was worried. The guards let the two go into the throne room where Gwen, Gaius, and the Knights of Camelot stood; waiting. 

"Merlin, what news do you bring?" Gwen asked in a very brave voice. Merlin swallowed hard. 

"Arthur is... is dead." He choked out barely. Gwen was overwhelmed with tears as Leon tried to comfort her while mourning for his dead friend. Merlin didn't know what to do with himself. He felt so out of place standing there. Gaius walked over to him and pulled him into a hug and Merlin didn't hesitate to hug the man back. "I failed..." 

"No, Merlin. You did not. Arthur will rise again when Albion needs him to." Merlin let out a humorless snort. 

"Have you been talking to Kilgharrah?" 

"Merlin, I'm so sorry." Gaius said hugging him tighter. 

"He was my best friend." Merlin said through a tight throat. He was not going to cry in front of everyone. It was bad enough he cried in front of Arthur. 

"Merlin." Gwen's voice broke through Merlin's thoughts. He straightened up and looked at her as she made her way towards him and Gaius. Gaius stood off to the side. "Merlin, I want to thank you, for everything you've done for Arthur, me, and the whole of Camelot." 

"You know then?" Merlin asked, not really surprised that she figured it out. 

"Yes and I alone know." 

"Arthur," Merlin swallowed. "Arthur will rise again when Albion needs him most." He thought he ought to pass on the message. She smiled a watery sort of smile. 

"Yes, thank you, Merlin. Will you be hanging around the castle then? I could use some help and I'm sure Leon would like the help too as he'll be busy with training the new Knights." Merlin smiled. 

"I'd love to, My Lady." Merlin said bowing. 

"Also, I think it would be best to end the confusion and let everyone know." She said with a knowing look. Merlin nodded. 

"Yes, but right now, we should get ready for the ceremony." She nodded. 

"You're right." No one but Gaius heard their conversation and for the Merlin was grateful for. So over the next few days, Merlin worked tirelessly to help with everything and anything he could, even thought Gaius has tried countless times to get him to rest, but Merlin couldn't sleep. He wasn't ready to face the dreams he was bound to have and he knew that Arthur would be in them. Merlin just wasn't ready for that yet. So he's used the ceremony (it wasn't just for Arthur but it was for all the knights who lost their lives too) as a distraction. Gwen has even tried to get him to rest but Merlin wasn't going to have it. Not yet at least. Plus he was worried about revealing himself to everyone else. He knew that they were going to react badly after seeing Arthur's reaction. Sure it took almost two days for him to come to accept it, but it was horrible all the same for Merlin. Merlin just wanted to cry and avoid Arthur but he knew that if it were under normal conditions then Arthur may not have accepted him at all. I don't want you to change. Always be you. Thank you. Merlin couldn't get what Arthur had said to him out of his head. Camelot was all he had left. He lost his father to bandits, his mother to Morgana, the love of his life to Arthur (but Arthur didn't even know), and his best friend to a traitor who was destined to kill his best friend. Merlin had lost so much and has gained so little, or at least that's how it seems right now. 

Merlin knew that not all was lost. The future of Albion now and one day, its people were going to accept Merlin for who he is. "Merlin, it's time." Gaius said walking into his room and bringing Merlin out of his thoughts. He nodded and followed Merlin out to the court yard where a very large wood stack stood. In it lay a red cape with the emblem of Camelot on it and on top of it, lays a sword. Gwen stood a few feet away from it, silent tears running down her cheeks. Merlin and Gaius stood next to her. 

"How are you, Merlin?" Gwen asked. 

"I've been better." He said staring straight ahead of him. Gwen nodded. 

"Me too, but I know we'll get through this together." Merlin smiled. 

"Yes, we will." 

"My Lady, we're ready." Leon announced as he walked up to the three. 

"Okay." She licked her lips nervously before speaking to the crowd in front of them. "King Arthur and all the knights who lost their lives all fought bravely against the Saxons and we won the war. Arthur was a very brave man who put others before himself, just like Sir Gwaine and the others. Arthur before he died chose me as his successor of Camelot. I feel deeply for all the families who lost loved ones and wish to make up for it by running Camelot as fairly as possible as Arthur would have wanted it." Leon handed her a lit torch and she threw it onto the stack of wood. This was the mark of a new era and Merlin was going to wait for when Arthur finally comes back.