[fic] In the End [Arthur/Merlin]

[jayeinacross]

Title: In the End
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Major character death, angst
Word count: 977
Summary: "Arthur runs. He runs faster than he's ever run before, even when he's been running for his life. Right now, it's not his own life he's running for – it's the life of his soulmate."
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the characters or anything, sadly. They all belong to the BBC.
A/N: So this is not the first fic that I have written, but it is the first one that I'm posting here. New to lj, so I'm probably not doing it right.
I imagine this to be set at some point where Morgana isn't evil and Gwen/Arthur doesn't exist at all.


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In the end, it was much easier to get out of the dungeons than Arthur expected. Since all the proper guards and knights were required in the courtyard, a shy stable boy has instead been ordered to guard Arthur. Uther has probably been counting on fear to keep the stable boy from disobeying, but what Uther has not realized is that the stable boy is a friend of Merlin’s.

It only takes a few minutes for Arthur to convince the stable boy – James, Arthur recalls – to release Arthur. James knows that Merlin is a good person, and seeing Arthur so distraught upsets James. He knows that Arthur and Merlin were very close, closer than just friends. James unlocks the cell door, and Arthur pauses for a moment to thank James before taking off.

Arthur runs. He runs faster than he’s ever run before, even when he’s been running for his life. Right now, it’s not his own life he’s running for – it’s the life of his soulmate.

Uther’s voice resonates through the halls and corridors that Arthur is running through, and it spurs him to run faster than he ever thought was possible.

“This boy will be executed for committing the crime of sorcery.”

No, Arthur thinks.

“Let this be a lesson to us all: these traitors can come in many guises. They will worm their way into our lives, make us trust them, and betray us.”

No, Arthur thinks again. Merlin never did that. Merlin never betrayed him. Merlin would never do that to him.

When he reaches the courtyard, Merlin is tied to an upright post, standing on a huge pile of timber. He is looking over the crowd, searching for someone.

Merlin’s eyes meet Arthur’s. Merlin smiles a little, and projects his thoughts into Arthur’s head.

You shouldn’t have come, Arthur, but I knew you would anyway. I don’t want you to have to see this, but it still makes me glad, knowing that you’re here.

Arthur mouths words, knowing that Merlin will understand. No, Merlin, no, please, no.

Merlin intends to die here, to burn at the stake.

Arthur looks around wildly. Uther is in his usual place, standing on a balcony of the castle. Morgana is not at the window of the castle she usually watches from. Instead, she is standing in the crowd, her arms around Gwen, tears flowing from her eyes. Gwen is sobbing.

Arthur’s knights are all standing together, wearing their full armour and battle gear. Arthur knows that this is to honour Merlin. They all knew about the magic, but they never tried to turn him in. They are as loyal to him as they are to Arthur. After all, they are two halves of the same whole, and one without the other is just not the same.

Gwaine and Lancelot look most upset. They were good friends of Merlin’s, and they, more than their fellow knights, are most affected by this.

I have to. You know that, Arthur. I’m sorry.

“No!” This time, Arthur screams it out loud. “Why?”

At once, everyone turns to stare at him. Gwen and Morgana stop crying at the shock of seeing him. Uther is outraged.

“Arthur!” Uther shouts, but Arthur ignores him, ignores everyone, everyone except for Merlin.

“Tell me why!”

Merlin’s has an incredibly sad look on his face. Because if I escaped, I would have to leave Camelot. You would follow me. You have to stay here, stay here and inherit the throne when your father dies. You must rule Camelot, make it a better place. Bring the peace that Camelot has not seen for years. You will be a better king than your father ever was.

“Guards! Knights!” Uther roars. “Remove the prince at once!”

The guards hesitate for a moment, and then move to grab Arthur, but not a single one of the knights move.  Uther is furious, and shouts at them to do as he orders, but they don’t take one step. They stay where they are, refusing to go against their prince.

They’ve always been more loyal to you than Uther. Arthur pauses from struggling against the guards for a moment, and stares up at Merlin. Merlin has tears in his eyes. It makes the thought of leaving easier, knowing that they will stand by you no matter what.

“Please,” Arthur croaks. “Please, don’t go. How am I supposed to go on without you?”

I have to.

Arthur realizes that the guards have actually stopped trying to drag him away. They have stepped away and are watching him.

His voice is clear and loud as he speaks again to Merlin. The whole courtyard is listening silently. “I love you.”

There are no gasps or shouts of surprise, as Arthur had expected there to be. There is just incredible, stifling silence.

Merlin smiles through his tears. “I love you, too.” He starts speaking in a strange language, the magic language, his eyes glowing gold, and suddenly flames erupt up around him, spreading fast, consuming the wood that Merlin stands on.

Arthur lets out a strangled cry and drops to his knees, tears blinding him. No, no, god, Merlin, no...

Gwen and Morgana start sobbing again, bursting into fresh tears. Gwaine and Lancelot look stricken, and the rest of the knights have bowed their heads. Almost all of the female castle servants are crying quietly, and some of the males have let tears escape as well. Many of the townspeople are also crying.

However, Merlin only has eyes for Arthur. He only sees Arthur, and holds his gaze until he dies, until the flames take his life, with one last thought for Arthur.

Don’t be a prat, Arthur.

In the end, Merlin is still the same old Merlin, disrespectful and cheeky, and magic or not, he is just the boy that Arthur fell in love with.