Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin

Prologue

Tristan sat with his back against one of the pillars in the throne room.

In his arms lay Isolde.

Her breathing was faint, she was losing her life slowly, as she fought to stay those last few precious minutes in her lovers' arms.

Behind them, Arthur stood watching unable to do anything to help. At that moment, Gwen and Merlin made it back from trying to find Morgana. With them were the Knights of the Round Table and Gaius.

"What happened?" Merlin asked, disbelief colouring his tone.

"She saved my life," Arthur answered, unable to shift his gaze from the scene before him.

Gwen stepped forward and gripped his hand and Arthur realised he had forgiven her the moment he saw Isolde laying in Tristan's arms. Watching Tristan hold the love of his life dying in his arms, made Arthur realise he couldn't live without Gwen and if anything were to happen to her… Arthur didn't know what he'd do. He was just thankful nothing had happened to Gwen during her time in exile, Arthur would never have been able to forgive himself if something had.

He knew now he definitely couldn't live without her.

Merlin and Gaius shared a look and Gaius shook his head. Merlin's face fell. There was no hope for her, she was as good as dead. Merlin turned back as Tristan let out a pained cry and bowed his head over Isolde body. Tears rolled down Tristan's cheeks, as he mourned the loss of his love.

Merlin let one tear roll down his cheek as he remembered how Freya had died in his arms all those years ago, he would have given his life for someone to save her from that fate. Merlin knew just how Tristan must have been feeling in that moment, as he himself had felt it before.

Merlin snapped his fingers getting everyone's attention, even Tristan's.

"Wait here," Merlin grinned. "I know a way to save her."

Merlin raced out the throne room.

"Merlin, I beg of you, do not do this," Gaius called after him.

"What's he going to do?" Elyan asked.

"Something stupid," Gaius replied, leaning on Gwaine, who was still supporting him, with the help of Percival.

Leon looked at Tristan and Isolde.

"But she's dead," He said confusion furrowing his brow.

Gaius just nodded.

)o(

Merlin raced through the halls of the castle straight towards the dungeons. As he half runs, half falls down the stairs to the dungeons in his haste, he called the guards with him. He finally came to a halt in front of one of the cells.

Within the cell, was a man, who had killed close to fifty women and children. He had been caught by the knights only a couple of weeks before Morgana took over. His sentence was death, he was to hang until dead.

"The King has ordered that this man be brought to the throne room," Merlin lied. "Now!"

The guards quickly unlocked the cell and pulled the man with them as Merlin led the way back to the throne room. As he entered, everyone just stared at him, then the prisoner and guards behind him and then back at Merlin.

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled. "What is the meaning of this?"

"To bring Isolde back to life, a life must be taken," Merlin explained. "This man is the only one I know who does not deserve to live."

"Merlin," Gaius pleaded. "Do not do this."

"I have to Gaius, I have lived in the shadows for too long… I have watched people die and stood by and done nothing, even though I had the power to save them," Merlin smiled sadly. "Imagine if this was Alice. Would you not want someone to save her? … Years ago, I watched as the woman I loved died in my arms and I was unable to do anything but watch as the life slipped out of her. I would have given anything for someone to give me this chance."

Gaius nodded his head, "Whatever happens, my boy, I'll be proud of you. I know your father would be proud too. You mother always did say you had the kindest heart."

Merlin smiled, "Thank you, that means a lot."

Merlin spun on his heels and walked over to Tristan and Isolde. "I'm going to need her for a moment. I cannot promise if this will work, but if it does she will live once more."

Tristan smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Merlin glanced at him for a moment.

It was almost like he knew what Merlin was about to do.

Taking Isolde's body, Merlin carried her to the middle of the room and laid her down. Across from him all his friends stood and watched, Tristan quickly joined them. The guards were gone, leaving only the prisoner on his knees, in chains to his left.

Merlin quickly stood and took a step backwards.

Taking a deep breathe Merlin held out his right hand and spoke in the language of the Old Religion. There was a flash of light as his eyes burned gold, the Cup of Life appeared standing on the palm of his hand.

Merlin smiled slightly, taking it in both hands and holding it above his head. He shut his eyes, yelled the words of the spell and they echoed around the hall. All the windows explode outwards due to the power suddenly unleashed within the hall.

Outside the clear sky clouded over, as the wind picked up and howled through the windows. Then the angry grey skies open. Rain poured down like a waterfall, suddenly a bolt of brilliant white lightning struck the prisoner and he was reduced to a pile of ash.

The wind changed direction suddenly, causing the rain to fly through the destroyed windows. As the rain filled the cup in Merlin's hands, he opened his eyes. They glowed a gold so bright, it almost burned just to look.

As the cup filled, Merlin lowered his arms, the wind and rain stopped, and the sky cleared. Merlin kneeled beside Isolde, raised her head and tipped the water from the cup into her mouth. Merlin then sat back on his heels and waited.

After a couple of seconds Isolde started breathing, Merlin smiled and looked up and meeting the gaze of Tristan, he nodded. Tristan quickly moved forward and took Isolde in his arms. Merlin got up and stepped backwards as Isolde opened her eyes.

Tristan kissed her forehead.

"I thought I had lost you," Tristan muttered.

"I… died. What happened?" Isolde asked.

"A friend saved you."

Merlin turned his gaze to meet theirs, Isolde offering Merlin a weak smile as she worked out it was him who had saved her, he let the Cup of Life slip from his hand. It vanished in a flash of light before it even had a chance to hit the ground.

Gaius meet Merlin's gaze, his eyes full of pride, Merlin half smiled. Merlin turned away slightly. He couldn't bear to look at the others, he was too scared of what he would see. No doubt Arthur believed him to be another traitor, Gwen had shown such fear when she found out Morgana had magic and as for the knights, Merlin wasn't sure what they would feel.

Tristan looked up at Merlin, just in time to see a man in purple and grey robes appears behind him, his face hidden by his hood and in his right hand was a tall black staff, which seemed to radiate power.

"Merlin!" Tristan yelled.

Merlin met his worried and slightly panicked gaze, as the hooded man placed a hand on Merlin's forehead and muttered a strange word. Merlin's eyes rolled and he fell sideways towards the floor. The hooded man caught him and lowered him to the floor.

The sound of swords being drawn echoed through the halls. The hooded man and Merlin vanished in a whirlwind before anyone could even get close.

)o(

Hey, TreeOfLife1997 here! I would love it if you have any ideas on how the different characters should react to the discovery of Merlin's magic. The reason I'm doing this is that I hated series five, it wasn't Merlin in my opinion. Merlin was too serious and too quick to judge, even when the Great Dragon had said kindness and forgiveness would be his downfall. It just seemed wrong. Finna and Daegal, as well as Gilli and Alator, will be appearing later in the story, hopefully.

Blessed be,

TreeOfLife1997.