Of Friends & Destiny by BML Hillen-Keene (best ereader under 100 .txt) 📕

a cut of a sword I could lose you, a cut that had you been as you were months ago would have meant nothing. I know that your magic is strong, and can protect you, but Merlin, what if something is immune to it? What if I am not there to keep you safe?” He held Merlin’s gaze and was silent for a long moment. Merlin waited, knowing more was to come, and knowing he would be unable to speak if he tried.

“Promise me Merlin; promise me that you will not sacrifice yourself, and that you shall remain by my side always.”

“So that you may protect me?” Merlin whispered, he had not realised that Arthur valued his safety as he valued Arthur’s, though thinking back over their time together it should have been obvious; how many times had Arthur gallantly come to his rescue if he was struggling in battle? Yes, he understood now. “And I may protect you.”

Arthur smiled, and got to his feet, stretching out. Merlin’s gaze left his friend and drifted back towards the camp, noting that a fire had been lit in the centre of the tents, faint sounds of conversation drifted to him. The feeling of a warm weight settling round his shoulders and back made him acutely aware of just how cold he was, he looked up at Arthur who merely held a hand down to help him up.

“Come, let’s get you to the fire, I’d rather you not have a cold for the rest of the journey.”

The teasing tone made Merlin smile. He gathered Arthur’s warm cloak around him, and accepted the hand up. “Well, if I do end up with a cold, then you only have yourself to blame. Sitting outside, without a fire, in the cold season, looking so broodingly distressed, and ignoring me when I call you inside where it is warm.” He went no further in his teasing, as Arthur gave a short laugh of amusement before ushering him towards the fire and their companions.

Lancelot greeted them as they joined those gathered by the fire, formal as always. Talk soon turned to the next day’s plans, and the route they would be taking, Merlin ignored the conversation, intent on soaking up the warmth of the fire and mulling over his talk with Arthur. He had always believed his destiny was to get Arthur onto the throne and unite the land, but was it possible that there was something more to come after that that had not been revealed to him? Was his destiny so entwined with Arthur’s that his death could have some effect he had not foreseen?

Of friends and destiny, it seemed nothing was certain.

The End Imprint

Publication Date: 12-30-2009

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