Merthur - Love in the Time of War

Chapter 25 - A New Leader

A/N - I am so sorry guys about how late this chapter was. >.< Things have been incredibly hectic lately at school so I didn't have the time to write. Here is newest chapter and I hope you all enjoy! 

Also, thank you all for reading my story! Happy holidays!

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Merlin's POV

I drop to my knees the moment Arthur disappears from the room. My head hangs low, staring at the bodies of my mother and father at my feet. I should have been here to protect them. They don't deserve to die, not like this.

I can hardly register anything around me. The world seems to have drained of colour, leaving me along in a kingdom of darkness. My heart continues beating furiously in my chest, desiring nothing more than to tear through the castle and kill every last man Camelot knight in sight. I take slow, deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself only to no avail. The anger continues to churn inside me, growing more and more the longer I stare at the limp forms of my parents. Yet, I cannot look away.

Minutes pass, maybe even an hour I'm no longer sure, before someone enters the chamber. I don't turn my head to see who it is. I let them approach. The sound of their boots on the stone floor echo around the room. They crouch down beside me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," I hear Morgana's voice, "but we have to go. The citadel has fallen, everyone is evacuated."

"I don't want to leave," I mutter, my voice hoarse.

Morgana sighs beside me, gazing at the two bodies. Her eyes turn sad at the sight, she was close to the both of them as well, everyone was. "I know you loved them, but we have to go, Merlin. Now."

I shake my head.

"Merlin, please."

"I said no."

Morgana flinches at my cold tone. I want to apologize. She doesn't deserve my anger, she's only trying to help but I stay silent. I turn my head away from her, keeping myself planted on the ground.

Morgana sighs again. "Merlin, you'll die if you stay."

I don't respond.

"The people need a leader. With Balinor dead you are the only one left the people can look up to. If you won't do it for me then do it for them. Wasn't that what your father taught you? That a leader always puts his people first, before anything else. Family, friends, love, anything."

"What if I don't want to be a leader? There are plenty others capable of the role. Lancelot, for example or even Gaius. You could lead them as well."

"Yes, perhaps we could, but none can lead as well as you do. None of us have the trust that the people already have in you. And besides," A devilish smile crosses her face, "I know how to make you feel better."

"And what would that be?"

"To see Camelot burn to the ground."

The words send a spark through my brooding. A picture forms in my mind, an image of the spiraling towers of Camelot burning. Red clad knights lying dead on the ground. The golden Pendragon crest, that had been a symbol of such hope for many of those opposed to magic, burned and charred.

Morgana must notice the change in my expression because her smile widens further. She holds a hand out to me. I take it.

I rise to my feet, sending one last look towards the bodies of my parents before turning to leave. I want to take them with me, to give them a proper burial but as Morgana said, I do not have the time.