Memories of then (Prince Merlin Fanfic)

Part 15

Arthur's POV

Merlin struggles to turn around, he's clutching his chest where Wiads sword sliced through his skin. I don't even know what to feel but mainly I feel betrayal. He never even tried to tell me, he looks at the crowd before him and stops on my face pain fills his eyes and he falls to his knees clutching his chest harder. Olivia screams out his name my expression remains regal I'm sure the betrayal is evident in my eyes. All the things I found adorable, his clumsiness, the way he spoke out even though he was but a servant, all was just an act. I feel people push past me and run to Merlin's side as his weight becomes too much for his legs. I remain in place contemplating what my next course of action shall be.

"Arthur! Help us get him to a physician!" Gwaine shouts. I slowly look towards him, I want to help I really do but I want to help Merlin not a this stranger.

"Why?" I ask, Gwaine looks at me with a shock filled expression.

"Because he is your best friend!" Olivia adds from beside him, tears running down her cheeks as she attempts to stop the wound from bleeding.

"Merlin is my best friend, not this stranger" with that I turn and walk away the Knights that didn't run to Merlin all watched my receding back with surprise. The man I love is no more, he has been taken over by the cruelty of sorcery. The man that lay injured on the ground is but a vessel for the corruption that is magic. After walking far enough away I sit next to a tree and everything seems to dawn on me. Merlin is wounded, my Merlin is wounded and I just left, I didn't even help them bring him to receive help. Tears begin to fall and I hide my head in the the crook of my arm and pull my legs close to my chest, hugging them. I sit like that for a while contemplating what to do I am so lost so confused. Eventually I decide to go see Merlin, not the sorcerer but Merlin. I enter the building that belongs to the physician and find Merlin laying on a cot with his tunic off, his chest exposed and a gruesome gash crosses from his collar bone to his hip. The bleeding seemed to have stopped but the physician is still rushing about, Olivia is seated beside the unconscious Merlin with tear stained cheeks holding his hand whispering comforting nothings into Merlin's ear. Gwaine is standing in the corner of the room chewing his nails and rocking back and forth on his feet, next to him Percival stands arms crossed over his chest and a thoughtful expression on his face. Lancelot paces back and forth in the room with his hand to his brow, Elyan stands silently staring off into nothingness although concern fills his eyes, Leon sits on the floor resting his elbow on his knees with his hand supporting his head.

"Arthur, so you've finally decided to join us!" Gwaine shouts. The physician looks up a moment but proceeds to search for herbs.

"I'm here to see Merlin" I say quietly.

"I though you said he wasn't Merlin?!" He shrieks in return walking over to me.

"That" I point to Merlin's lifeless form. "Is Merlin, what's inside is not" Gwaine's face changes from anger to confusion.

"You came to this kingdom even with the knowledge of their magic, you saw how these people treat others they don't harm anyone unless in defence" he says, I remain silent for a moment.

"Will he live?" I ask the physician.

"I do not know, his injuries are great I have managed to stop the bleeding but he lost a great deal of blood and I fear the wound may have damaged some of his internals" I nod. I look at everyone, some have angry expressions while others have concerned, I am well aware of which ones I am receiving.

"I am leaving, if you wish to stay you may" with that I walk out to pack my bags, I am followed by Leon.

"Sire, you cannot be serious. How can you just leave these people because of their prince?" He asks clearly both angry and confused.