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Gold oozed from the wound that the foreign knight inflicted, and Arthur gaped as it pooled around Merlin.
The knight was probably trying to kill him, and he would have happily died in order for Merlin to not have suffered.
Instead, here he stood, crimson running down his blade and onto his shimmering chainmail, next to a body that was bleeding the wrong color. The knight gagged once before completely falling limp, and Arthur dislodged his sword.
'Merlin...' He whispered reverently, his sword falling from his grip and clattering to the flagstones. His lip wobbled, his hands shook, and the prince was rendered speechless for a moment.
'As... As your prince I-' a painful cough tore from Merlins' frail body, growing colder. 'Merlin, open your eyes...' and his eyes fluttered open, and barely focused on Arthurs form.
'Ah, Arthur?' His voice didn't sound pained, but it didn't sound comfortable. 'Can you-' a wheeze errupted from his gold filled throat, 'Take care of my mum?... and Gaius?' His eyes were starting to shut, and Arthur panicked to cradle him to hear his final words.
'Just keep your eyes open, stay breathing Merlin. In with me, out with me-' a very exhausted no resounded from Merlin.
'Arthur.. please just listen... I'll be back, maybe I'll look different, but I'll be back..' with such resolute expression thrown at him, Arthur could only nod at him. 'Don't wait for me, Arthur.' Merlin's eyes started tk close, and it was then that Arthur felt the tears in his eyes.
His vision obscured from the death of a citizen he was supposed to protect, his servant, the court physicians nephew and apprentice, his friend. Arthur broke.
His world bled away around him as his chainmail was cooling with the gold, his black leather gloves, his cape that pillowed around him, his face was streaked with it. Maybe he shouldve tried harder, or protected him better, not let him near the knight.
Alas, the knight was gone, and gold blood stained the stones that day.