"Arthur," Merlin struggled to say with the neckerchief pressing against neck. "Don't… let go."

"I wasn't planning to do so." Arthur said. "Give me your hand."

Just as Merlin started to reach his hand out, the knot of the neckerchief came undone and Arthur watched in horror as Merlin fell into the dark chasm. Arthur backed away from the edge, the red neckerchief of his friend still in his hand. Arthur could not believe that after all of their years of adventures, Merlin was dead.

Arthur sat up in his bed from the nightmare he just had. Arthur brings his legs to his bare chest, his breathing shallow and rapid, and cries for the memory that he went through again. Arthur stays like this, weeping for his friend, until he can no longer cry.

"Why did you have to go?" Arthur says, hoping his friend's spirit can hear him. "Why? I still need you."

The funeral Arthur and his friends threw for Merlin was two days ago. Gaius, Morgana, Gwen, and Arthur's five best knights seem to have accepted that Merlin is not coming back. They still miss him, but they are out of the grieving stage. Arthur, on the other hand, is still trying to cope with the loss of Merlin.

"Arthur," A woman's voice calls to him. Arthur lifts his head from his knees and sees Gwen standing in front of him with a sympathetic look. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Arthur says. He wipes his face and takes a deep breath. "Yes, thank you for your concern Guinevere."

Guinevere walks up to Arthur, and stops next to the bed, looking at him. Arthur clears his throat, "What are you still doing here? You should be home."

Gwen smiles, "I was getting ready to leave when the Lady Morgana had a nightmare. I stayed to console her."

"You are a true friend to her and my family. I thank you again." Arthur says. "You may leave now."

"Arthur," Gwen says and puts a hand on the right side of Arthur's head, making circles on his cheek with her thumb. "I know it hurts, but you don't have to hide your emotions from your friends and the people that love you."

"Yes," Arthur says, grabbing Gwen's hand but not moving it from its position on his head. "I do. The people cannot see their future king crying over a simple servant."

"Arthur, we both know that Merlin was more than just a servant to you." Guinevere tells him. "And I would rather have a king that cried over the loss of any of his people than a king that seems heartless."

Arthur remains silent, thinking about what his other citizens wanted in a king. Gwen continues, "You are going to be a great king, maybe even better than your father. Do you know why?"

Arthur remains silent, and Gwen continues, "It's because they want a king that cares more about the people than the wants of himself. You have always protected your people, even from the tax that that troll made your father put on the people. You're a wise man, and you'll be a wise king."

"If I'm going to be such an amazing king," Arthur says. "Then why could I not save my best friend?"

Arthur lets tears stream down his face again. Guinevere sits down on the bed and hugs Arthur, and Arthur starts crying into her shoulder. Guinevere rubs his back and says, "Arthur, you need to believe me when I say that Merlin's death was not your fault. He made the decision to save you of his own free will."

"I know," Arthur says through his tears. "I just can't over the fact that if I had been faster instead of having a conversation with him while he was hanging over the chasm he would be here today."

"It'll get better, I promise." Guinevere comforts Arthur. "When my father died, I constantly thought that if I had just found some reason for him to stay home than maybe things might've been happier. But now with the recent events to pass, I realize that I want Merlin back more than my father. I know it sounds terrible and exaggerated, but it's the truth."

Arthur looked Guinevere in her eyes, putting his other hand on the hand Gwen has on his face, holding onto it so she doesn't leave. Gwen must've realized this because she uses her free arm to hug Arthur. When she pulls back, she doesn't expect Arthur's lips to appear on hers, but she doesn't pull away from him. Arthur deepens the kiss, pulling Guinevere on his lap, his arms holding onto her waist as if his life depended on it.

They part, both staring at each with surprise of what they just did. Guinevere smiles, "That was unexpected."

"Please don't leave," Arthur blurts out.

Gwen smiles even deeper, "I will never leave you, I'll always be beside you."

Arthur moves to the left of the bed and lets Gwen enter, holding her close to his body. His arms around her waist, his head laying on her head. The couple in blissful silence cuddled next to each other. Arthur falls asleep, not afraid of the night mare anymore. It is unbelievable to Arthur, but he is no longer grieving the death of Merlin.

That is the last chapter. I know it was very short, but I will start another story about Merlin soon. Thank you all for reading.