Merlin stories

The darkest hour

Arthur stood watch as Merlin scooped up a pile of sticks.  Arthur turned and heard the screech of a Durocha . "Merlin, look out!" He grabbed Merlin, pulling them both down to dodge the attack. Arthur lost grip of the torch as they fell. They scurried back to their feet, "Lets go!" Arthur yelled as they made their way into  corridor. They ran through the halls, found a room and slammed the door. Back at the main fire with the rest of the knights Lancelot paced, "They should have been back by now." "Someone needs to go and look for them." Elyan chimed in. Percival looked at the group, "We've only got one torch between us." Lancelot grabbed it and started walking away, "Who's coming?" Elyan unsheathed his sword as did Leon and Percival. Gwaine was reluctant but soon followed. Merlin and Arthur sat in a corner while Merlin wrapped a wound on Arthur's arm. They both would take worried glances at the door. Arthur shivered. Merlin looked to Arthur, "What?" "It's cold." Arthur replied. "Right." "You're not feeling it?" Arthur asked. "I---" Merlin shook his head he just didn't really notice it. Arthur sat up a bit looked back to the door, "You know, Merlin, you're a lot braver than we give you credit for." Merlin leaned forward, "Really? Was that a compliment?" Arthur turned back to Merlin, "Don't be stupid." Merlin chuckled a bit. The knights crept through the empty halls, swinging torches at ghosts. Merlin and Arthur could hear the shrieks of the Durocha getting louder. They sat in the cold and dark, till Arthur spoke up, "All the things I've faced, I've never worried about dying." Arthur looked to his friend. "I don't think you should now. " Merlin seemed so certain when he said this. "Sometimes you puzzle me." Arthur said. With a lightened tone Merlin said, "You never fathomed me out?"  "No." "I always thought if things had been different, we'd have been good friends." Arthur gave a small nod, "Yeah." Merlin had a faint smile on his face, "That's if you hadn't been such an arrogant, pompous, dollop-head." Arthur chuckled and Merlin continued, "We'll defeat the Durocha, we will Arthur. Together." "Well, I appreciate that." Arthur paused a moment, reluctant to say what he felt, "You know you're a brave man Merlin...Between battles." They both chuckled. Merlin started smiling, "You don't know how many times I've saved your life." Arthur laughed, "If I ever become king, I'm going to have you made court jester." Their laughter was interrupted by the screech of Durocha. They stared at the door in fear, "They say the darkest hour is just before the dawn. " Arthur said. "Looks pretty dark right now." Merlin retorted. "It can't be long then." You could hear the fear in Arthur's voice. The Durocha Went straight through the door. Arthur was getting up to fight, but Merlin was quicker. He pushed back Arthur and jumped in front of the Durocha. "Merlin, no!" Arthur reached out. Merlin was flung back into the wall as the knights barged in. Lancelot swung his torch causing the Durocha to disappear.  They watched as it turned into smoke, "What happened?" Lancelot passed the torch to Percival. They looked to see Merlin's back as he laid on the floor. Arthur and Lancelot rushed to his side, the others cautiously walked closer to their friend. They lifted his head to see him covered in frost, colder than ice. "Merlin?" Arthur shook his shoulders. "No." Gwaine knelt down next to them. Percival put a hand on Gwaine's shoulder. Leon hung his head and Elyan turned away. Lancelot put a hand to Merlin cheek, "No, Merlin. Merlin?" Their hearts started to ache as they stood over the body of their friend. Lancelot looked at Merlin's face. His face was frozen, he couldn't move his body, but he looked to Lancelot. Their eyes met, "Merlin?!" Arthur looked at Lancelot than Merlin. They all could see Merlin struggling to speak. Gwaine let out a laugh of relief. "Shhh." Lancelot lifted Merlin head, "Save your strength." Merlin's eyes felt so heavy. He looked at all his  friends and sighed. He could barely stay awake. "Merlin." Arthur put his hand on Merlin's shoulder, "You're okay." He started smiling, "Come on, bring the torch over here. We have to keep him warm." No one had any blankets so they all huddled around Merlin. Merlin looked up at the men around him, protecting him. He took a deep breath and managed a small smile before falling asleep. Once the sun had rose they went outside and gathered the horses. Merlin had since woken up, but he wasn't himself. He was so pale and weak. Arthur felt horrible, "We have to get him back to Giaus." Leon looked at Arthur like he was crazy, "And abandon the quest?" "He saved my life, I won't let him die." Everyone knew how much Merlin meant to Arthur, but this was unreasonable, "Sire, if we don't get to the Isle of the Blessed, hundreds more will perish." Arthur felt torn, he looked back to his friend. "Let me take him." Lancelot offered. "Carrying a wounded man, alone... It will take you two, three days to reach Camelot." "Not if I go through the Valley of the Fallen Kings. You cannot give up on the quest." "Sire, he's right." Leon said. Arthur was reluctant. but he couldn't do nothing for Merlin. It pained him to see his friend in such a state. Percival carried him to the horses. Arthur helped put Merlin on a horse, "This is my fault, and I'm sorry." Merlin pleaded, "Take me with you, please." "You'd die Merlin." Arthur avoided Merlin's eye's as he spoke to him. "You don't understand. Please Arthur." "Do you ever do as you're told?" Merlin was struggling to speak, "I have to go with you." "Merlin." Arthur finished adjusting the horses straps. "We need to leave." Lancelot said. Arthur took one last look at his friend. He knew this would be the last time he saw Merlin, because he planned to sacrifice himself to fix the veil. He squeezed Merlin's arm reassuringly, "Go." Arthur held back tears and left.