Merlin FanFic

Choosing Sides

Merlin hadn't stopped moving. He knew that he was exhausted, but he had to get away. The emotions were too much, and he couldn't take the pain anymore. Merlin collapsed to the ground, trying to breathe normally. He was tired of getting hurt and being the one who had to save everyone. All Merlin wanted was to be normal, but he knew it was ridiculous to ask for. Merlin didn't know how long he lay there in the middle of the woods, but he could feel himself go numb. He hoped that no one would look for him so he wouldn't have to explain and face the person he thought loved him. Merlin felt sick to his stomach when he thought of Morgana and Gwaine together as soon he found that he was drifting off to sleep. He hoped that he would never have to wake up or that he was having a horrible nightmare. Merlin soon awoke to the sunlight streaming through the trees and onto his face. He groaned and heard the sound of horses, and he knew they were coming in his direction. Merlin knew that he should get up as he would get squashed by the horses, but he didn't seem to care and just carried on lying there, hoping that they would all go away. When the noise drew closer, Merlin turned and saw that it was none other than Arthur and his knights, making him sigh. Arthur was frantic. 

After Merlin had run from the room, Arthur took off as he knew he was still recovering and shouldn't have gotten up. Let alone make a run for it. Arthur had no idea where Merlin could have gone, so he gathered his knights apart from Gwaine and rode straight out searching for Merlin. Arthur and the knights were going through the forest on the lookout when Arthur noticed something lying in the middle of the path. As they drew closer, Arthur then realized that it was Merlin. He just lay there motionless, and that was when he started to panic. Arthur stopped the knights, dismounted his horse and hurried over to Merlin. Merlin should have known that Arthur would have come looking for him as Arthur couldn't look after himself if he tried.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked carefully, and Merlin took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and met Arthur. He saw Arthur visibly relax, and Merlin couldn't help but feel guilty as Arthur looked worried. Merlin was selfish, and he knew that Arthur needed protection. He realized he couldn't do it if he felt sorry for himself. Merlin closed his eyes and took another deep breath before getting up and looking at Arthur, determined. Arthur watched Merlin get up warily, unsure what to do next. He hoped he would start to cry as Arthur knew he would have no idea what to do. Merlin looked at Arthur and gave him the best smile he could before returning to the castle. Arthur watched Merlin go and didn't know if pretending was such a good thing, but he followed after Merlin to keep an eye on him.

Morgana was in pieces. She had never meant to do this to Merlin, and she hadn't wanted to hurt him in this way. She had watched him run from the room, and she could feel the tears burn up behind her eyes. She knew that she shouldn't have done what she did, and she had a feeling that Merlin knew when he woke up. Gwaine came and sat beside her, embraced her, and allowed all her tears to flow.
"Don't worry, he will come around," Gwaine murmured, but Morgana kept crying, feeling shameful and guilty. When the tears stopped, she glanced up at Gwaine, who was watching her warily, and finally kissed her forehead.
"Come on. Let's get out of here." She allowed him to pull her to her feet before being led out of the room that she once shared with Merlin and to Gwaine's. 

Arthur was pacing, and Merlin was observing him. Arthur had searched for Morgana everywhere once they had returned. He wanted to yell at her for using the magic she had done on him, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"What's wrong, Arthur?" Merlin asked. He knew that something was bugging him, and he had an idea what it was. He just hoped that Arthur wouldn't tell him. Arthur didn't answer and kept on pacing, trying to think of where she could be. When another servant walked in and bowed, Arthur turned to look at her.
"She is in the throne room, sire; her Highness found her." Arthur nodded and thanked the girl before heading out of the room with Merlin. Arthur couldn't wait to get to the throne room as he would be able to confront Morgana and then thank Gwen for finding her for him. Merlin was close to Arthur's heels but couldn't shake off the hole in his heart and the anger. He knew he had to put his emotions aside for Arthur's sake. Merlin wasn't aware that Arthur had stopped until he bumped straight into him and fell backwards. He looked up at Arthur, who rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You are such an idiot, Merlin." Merlin just shrugged before picking himself up off the floor. He went to head into the throne room when Arthur stopped him.
"Merlin, I don't think that's a good idea." Merlin glanced up at Arthur, who seemed concerned. Merlin couldn't help but appreciate Arthur sometimes and took a step back. Arthur patted his shoulder and headed inside, ready to confront Morgana.

"What you did was treason!" Arthur yelled as Morgana stood there without care in the world, which made Arthur even angrier. Morgana was beginning to get annoyed with Arthur, as she didn't care about him and thought that he was an idiot. She just rolled her eyes at him.
"Big deal, Arthur. I did what I had to." Arthur shook his head and paced around the throne room.
"Did what you had to? Are you sure, Morgana? Because that was some strong magic. You could have killed me."
"Don't be so dramatic. I did it to save Merlin!" Morgana yelled back, not caring that Arthur was the king. She was tired of him being so selfish.
"To save Merlin! You almost killed him, you fool! I had to stop as I couldn't ride, and I needed my men to guide me back, so you did not save him! You almost killed him!" Arthur was livid and was not about to stand by and let Morgana get away with what she did. Morgana was the one who was now livid. She knew what she did was right, and she was not about to be treated like a child by Arthur. Morgana couldn't take any more and finally snapped. She felt the magic rush flow through her, and she directed it to Arthur. Arthur realized what was happening, but it was too late, and he flew backwards from Morgana's magic and hit the wall. He slipped down, feeling dazed, but pushed himself up. He drew his sword and returned to the main area, where Morgana looked smug.
"Don't underestimate me, Arthur Pendragon." She purred. Arthur gritted his teeth and swung, but Morgana was too quick and powerful. He was again thrown back, landed on his throne, and tumbled backwards. 

Merlin was sitting outside trying to listen in when he heard an almighty crash. He knew that something was wrong. He leapt to his feet and pushed the doors open with his magic just as Arthur went flying. Merlin rushed over to his side and helped him to his feet, and once again, Arthur tried to swing at Morgana. Morgana was getting tired of the same thing and just wanted to finish it, so she decided that this would be the last time Arthur Pendragon would swing at her. She felt the magic rise inside her and allowed the hate towards him to flow through her. Merlin could feel the hatred flow through Morgana, and he knew that Arthur was in danger and would die if he didn't do something. Merlin used his own magic and slowed time down, racing forward and pushing Arthur out of the way before returning time to normal. He then used his magic and shot it forward, pushing Morgana back. Arthur righted himself quickly and turned in time to watch Merlin use his magic to protect him. Arthur felt grateful towards Merlin, knowing that what he had done was a sacrifice. Morgana slowly got to her feet and looked at Merlin, shocked.
"Why?" She whispered. Merlin didn't dare let her emotions get to him; he knew he had to be strong.
"I could ask you the same thing, Morgana." He replied coldly. She felt guilty.
"I am so sorry, Merlin." Merlin just shook his head.
"I don't want to hear it, Morgana." Morgana heard Arthur groan, and she glared at him before turning back to him.
"Why did you save him?"
"Because he is my friend Morgana, and he is the king. I am not about to stand by and watch you kill someone I care about." Morgana felt another rush of anger pour through her as she couldn't believe Merlin had picked Arthur over her. The magic started to build once again, and she glared at Merlin.
"You always chose him over me." She then flew her hands forward, and Merlin was sent backwards. Arthur yelled, but it was too late. Merlin hit the wall and fell forward. He pulled himself to his feet and watched as Morgana approached Arthur, who was still on the floor.
"Say goodbye, Arthur Pendragon." She purred. Merlin felt his magic build.
"No!" He yelled and pushed her away. Morgana went flying but quickly righted herself before facing Merlin.
"So, is this how it's supposed to end?" Merlin shook his head.
"Don't do this, Morgana."
"Too late." She whispered.