The Bravest Of Them All

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur hazily opened his eyes, his head spinning from . . . well, from whatever had rendered him unconscious. He blinked a few times, trying to orientate himself only to see unfamiliar surroundings. He abruptly lifted his head up, as if trying to recall where exactly he was. Sitting upright, though not yet standing, his eyes searched around him with confusion. The first -- and seemingly only --- person he saw was Merlin. Which really, was a strongly comforting person to see. It meant that wherever he was . . . he was not alone. Yet, there was something in Merlin's expression that concerned Arthur. He looked, upset. Saddened. He didn't say anything at first as Arthur looked ahead of him. It was then that it finally registered in his head . . . where he was. What he was doing here. Why he had come. To seal the veil. A sacrifice was necessary to close it, so he had come to give his life to save his kingdom. Wait . . . but then . . . how was he still alive?!

He looked back at Merlin, this time rising to his feet and only slightly staggering from the slight disorientation of being knocked out. How? He had no idea. He had just been talking to the Cailleach and she had seemed to be accepting of his willingness to save the kingdom. Yet, he had woken up on the ground and she was no longer in sight. Nor was the veil. Merlin hadn't given his life in Arthur's stead, for he was standing right here. Had it not worked? Would the dorocha continue to attack the kingdom? Was Camelot doomed? Arthur looked around him once more, trying to understand what had occurred, but he knew that the best way to get answers, was to ask. "What happened?" He asked Merlin, as he was the only one here. He could explain to him what had gone wrong. Why Arthur was still alive!

_{Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Time of Day: Night time
Timeline: The Darkest Hour II
Tag: Merlin}

[em]

Merlin just stared at the empty space and air that now replaced where the seal had been closed. He'd actually been stood there for a good five minutes, trying to at least take in all that had happened. It shouldn't have been this way - it should have been him that had stepped through. Not Lancelot.

It was dark , cold - colder than ever before. Yet Merlin didn't care. He had been told that his time among men was not yet over. Why not??!! Yes he had a destiny, one to protect Arthur anyway he could, and that was what he was doing. What more could there possibly be to come up against apart from Morgana?

Still rooted to the spot, Merlin knew he should check on the Prince. Kneeling by his side, he waited and thought. Lancelot had more courage than he did, that was for sure. Not only that but he also seemed pretty determind as he walked into the veil - as though he'd been planning this all along. Arthur's voice finally jolted him from his thoughts. "What happened?"
Merlin ran a hand through his hair. "The Cailleach knocked you out" he lied, "Apparently your blood wouldn't have compensated - they needed one of another..." he trailed off, "I was going to do it but..."

There was another pause as Merlin swallowed, "It was too late...I couldn't stop him..." He looked back at the empty space where the veil had been. Nothing more and nothing less.