Sunrise. ~ OneShot ~

One Shot ~

I was sitting alone in that huge tent for hours, it was snowing outside.
There was a fire burning, which was calmly dying.
We all were preparing for the worst battle we had ever forced.
The council between the King and his knights lasted all night, and Arthur insisted that I stay by his side all the time.
I saw how much he was suffering; I saw how much that battle, his very first battle as a King, rested all on his shoulders.
There could have been massacres, innocent blood shed.
Even some ancient evil creatures were allied to our enemy.
She was a strong priestess, as powerful as I was. Or maybe more.
She would have risked everything to win, and Arthur knew it.
We could have all died, myself included. His sorcerer.
"We need a plan that can actually give us a major advantage for a while."
That was what Arthur repeated during the council, looking into my eyes, again and again.
Like no one else was there with us, just me and him.
Like he needed only my approval, mine alone.
Finally, he took a hard decision, but it was the right one.
Maybe we didn't stand a change and it was a suicide mission, but we still had hope.
I would do anything to win, to protect him. And I knew he would do the same for me.
Arthur suddenly came into the tent, interrupting my worried thoughts.
He was extremely quit, like never before.
* * *
I kept staring at the fire burning, which was almost out.
But unexpectedly, something happened; something never happened before.
Arthur knelt down behind me and put his forehead on my shoulder.
He was trembling, he was so fragile and vulnerable.
I closed my eyes.
Arthur was quietly crying.
Slowly his tears fell down, unintentionally fell.
His eyes, the color of the clearest sky, were watery and sad, tired.
I slightly turned my back and I saw him hiding his face, trying not to show me his wet cheeks.

Oh Arthur, my love. So strong, yet so broken. My King. You reveal your weakness and your insecurities to me, only to me. Now you only trust me.
Oh my love, I would drink all your tears. My love, don't cry.

I came closer to his face and started to kiss his wet cheek sweetly.
I kissed the source of his sadness, his closed eyes.
I looked down and softly I pressured my lips on his.
And he let me do that, because he always let me cradle him. No one else could, only me.
I turned to him completely and I took his head in my hands.
Slowly I stood up and I encouraged him to do the same.
I raised my chin as an act of pride, and again I encouraged him to do the same.
When he was in front of me, I wiped his last tears.
I tried to reassure him staring into his eyes.
Arthur, we are equal. Gather strength and show me your power once again. I'll do the same for you.
I helped him with his armour, because the battle was waiting for us.
He took one last hesitant look at me, a whisper on his lips...'thanks'.
There was no need.
With a spell, I quickly grabbed my magical stick, ready to fight.
I wore a cape to defend myself against the cold.
I was about to leave the tent when he ran at me and he wrapped his arms around me... hugging me breathless.
He murmured quickly "Merlin." There was no more time.
"I'm ready to face my destiny. My souls is your. Whatever happens, nothing will ever part us. Remember, bound together in life and death."
We left the tent.
A warmth in my heart, despite the snowstorm.