Merlin stories

If it were me, not you

The sorcerer used his magic sending Morgana's men flying back. Arthur looked up at the old man aiding them in the fight.  He was worried, yet he still had a strange feeling he could trust him. Arthur led his men and continued fighting, "For Camelot!" Merlin went down to the fight and reversed the aging spell. He saw Arthur standing there as Mordred started walking towards him, he used his magic to talk to Mordred with their telepathy, "Mordred, please, I beg you don't do this." Mordred turned to Merlin, "I have to." Merlin threw Mordred back with ease, he wouldn't let this happen.  "Arthur!" He ran up to him. "Merlin!" Arthur smiled, "What are you doing here?" "We both know you wouldn't last a day without me." Merlin laughed, Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder, "I'm glad you're here." 

"aaAAAHHH!" Mordred charged towards Arthur. Merlin quickly pushed Arthur out of the way, only putting himself in danger. Time seemed to slow down as the sword pierced Merlin's stomach. Arthur was in shock, but fueled by his rage as he swung at Mordred. Mordred avoided Arthur's harsh swing and pulled his sword out of Merlin to start defending himself. Merlin collapsed, trying to put pressure on his wound. Arthur was so angry, he just kept swinging, "Why Mordred?!" "You killed her! She didn't deserve to die. I was wrong about you, you aren't fit to be a king!" Their swords clashed for the last time before Arthur sliced Mordred's chest. Arthur watched as the young boy fell back and started smiling as he died. "Arthur..." Arthur's face lost all emotion, he slowly turned to his friend on the ground covered in blood. "Merlin." He ran to his friends side, "It'll be okay, don't worry, I'll get you to Giaus." He tried to pick him up up, but Merlin protested, "Giaus can't help." Merlin's voice was starting to tremble, "Mordred's sword was forged in the breath of a dragon, it might as well be a death sentence." 'No," Arthur picked him up, "I can't accept that." He carried Merlin past all their fallen friends and foes.

 Merlin had lost conciseness by the time they got to Giaus. "Giaus! Help, it's Merlin!" Giaus froze when he saw Merlin in Arthur's arms, barely alive. "Get him to the table. Now!" Gwen came running in, "Arthur?" She saw Merlin and she almost immediately stated to cry. She covered her moth and sniffled, "What happened?" Arthur carefully put Merlin down as Giaus started examining him. "Mordred, with a sword forged in the breath of a dragon." "The breath of a dragon?" Giaus looked up and sighed, "Then I fear there may be no hope. Only the most powerful of Magic could heal Merlin." They stood there looking at each other then to Merlin. Gwen was the first to speak up, "Do you know a sorcerer who is powerful enough?"  "I might, but I am not sure they can help." He looked back to Merlin. "Is magic the only way?" Arthur asked. "I'm afraid so sire." Arthur looked back to Merlin. "Where can we find them?" You must take Merlin to an Isle in the lake of Avalon." "And the sorcerer?" "He will be there with you, trust me. I fear Merlin doesn't have much time, you should get started on your journey now if you have any hope of making it." Arthur gave a small nod and looked to Gwen, she hugged him, "Good luck." He kissed her before going to get horses and some supplies. "Who is this sorcerer who will help them Giaus?" "The greatest sorcerer to have ever walked to the earth." Giaus wrapped Merlin's wounds the best he could.

 Arthur put Merlin on the back of one of the horses and walked the to the woods, to Avalon. They had gotten deep into the woods. It was dark enough when they first set out , Arthur decided to set up camp. He took Merlin down and propped him up against a tree as he dug a small hole to build a fire. There was coughing behind him, "Merlin?!" "Arthur?" Merlin started groaning in pain.  Arthur rushed to his side, Merlin reached up and grabbed Arthur's shoulder. "Where are we?" Merlin was in a lot of pain, but he was happy Arthur was safe. "We're heading to the lake of Avalon, Giaus told me of a sorcerer there that can help us." "A sorcerer? Who?" "he didn't say exactly, he just said we could trust him and that he was sure he'd be there. One of the greatest sorcerers to have walked the earth." Merlin locked eyes with the burning flames in front of him, he knew who Giaus meant. "So you're willing to use magic?" Merlin started to get nervous.

 "If it will save you. I don't care if you're okay with it or not, I can't lose you. Why? It never seemed like you were afraid of it." Merlin took in a deep breath, "You seem to be." He looked to Arthur, "Does this mean you could accept it?" Arthur sat down next to Merlin, "I've been taught my whole life that magic was evil. I must admit I have seen it used for good, as well as evil. There's something the Dulma said that seems to be true, that there is no evil in sorcerery only in the hearts of men. I'm not quite sure what to think. I have seen so many people die because of magic, but so much of it was... uncalled for. If it can save someone I care about, why would I ban it?" Merlin held back tears, "Does that mean magic will be accepted in Camelot?" "I don't know. Not yet." Arthur looked to Merlin, "What is it." Merlin sniffled and wiped away a few tears, "Uhm, nothing." "I don't believe you. What is it really?" 

Arthur wasn't expecting this kind of reaction from him. He was expecting Merlin to tell him all the ways he was wrong. Merlin looked into Arthur's eyes and took a deep breath, "There's something I should tell you." He had waited so many years for this moment, he wasn't quite sure what to say. Merlin bit his lip, "Remember when the great dragon attacked Camelot?" "Of course." "I know I was acting strange the whole time... Right before we left Giaus told me he knew where Balinor was because he had helped him escape Camelot-" Arthur sighed in relief, "You were just worried about something Giaus did thirty years ago?" "Not just that." Arthur faced his body to Merlin, "What are you trying to say then?" "When he escaped he left the kingdom, to Ealdor. He thought he'd be safe from Uther there. He started a life and fell in love, but he had to flee. He didn't want to put the woman he loved in danger. The woman was my mother. Arthur, Balinor was my father." Arthur looked into the fire and slumped down, "Why didn't you tell me this?"  "He was a dragon lord. Uther would have me killed for being related to him. " "Well it's not like you're a sorcerer, only related to one. That shouldn't be a crime." He was silent for a bit "I'm sorry he had to die like that, I didn't realize who he was or I would have... I'm not sure what I would have done."

 Merlin's throat went dry, "Arthur." They looked each other in the eyes. "There's something else I have to tell you." He looked around the woods before facing Arthur. "I...I'm a..." He took a deep breath and held back tears.  Merlin sat up a bit more."I'm a sorcerer." He started to choke up, "I have magic." Arthur scrunched his face, "What?" "I knew Mordred would try to kill you, I defied the prophecy, I couldn't let you die." Merlin was crying, he bit his lip in pain and clutched his stomach. Arthur stood up, "What?" "I'm sorry Arthur, I didn't want to keep it from you, I had no other choice. Please, I only wanted to protect the people I care about." Arthur started pacing, "Why? You've been practicing Magic?" He looked so hurt. "I was born with it." Merlin sighed. "I only use it for you Arthur." Arthur stopped and looked at Merlin whose face was covered in tears and his hands in blood. He would writhe in pain tilting back his head trying to ignore the wound. "You lied to me." Arthur wanted to be mad, but he couldn't. Not when his friend was so hurt, in so much pain. "I'm sorry." Merlin was trying to steady his breath.

 Arthur sat opposite of Merlin, "You're really a sorcerer?" Merlin looked to the fire, "Stiadragon"  The flames seemed to come to life as they took the shape of a dragon flapping it wings before disappearing back into the fire. Arthur sat there, unsure how to react. His thoughts were interrupted by Merlin groaning out in pain. Arthur looked up to Merlin, there were so many things to consider. Merlin had been Arthur's friend for years, the moments they shared, the kingdom they built, was he really going to let something like this get in the way of that? "What do you mean by use it to protect people? How could you do that in Camelot with out anyone knowing?" Arthur wanted to help and understand his friend. "When we first met, I saved you from the witch who threw a knife at you. I couldn't have stopped her without magic. When I first entered Giaus's chambers the railing of the steps broke and he fell I was able to move the bed under him to save him. When you fought  the soldier with snakes in his shield, I exposed them, with magic. It really was me who saved Gwen's father when he was poisoned by the water. I beat Cedric when he was consumed by the soul of a sorcerer. I defeated the griffon. I have saved you more times  than I can remember. It was also me who was able to stop the dragon." Merlin could go on for hours with all the ways he helped people, "I should have told you sooner, I'm sorry." 

Arthur put his face in his hands,  rubbed his eyes and looked back up. "You should get some rest while we can, we have a long way to go." "Why are we going to Avalon exactly?" "Giaus says it's the only place that you can be healed." Merlin nodded. With eyes red from tears, Merlin looked to Arthur, "Still want to bother saving me?" He chuckled. "Merlin." Arthur looked back at him, "You're my friend. I care about you. You may have lied to me the whole time you've known me, but I know you'd do the same for me." Merlin managed a smile. Arthur had a lot to think about, but he would always be there for his friend, "Get some rest." Merlin closed his eyes, ready for a brand new day.