Wild Horses

Chapter 6~ Epilogue

A/N~ Hey guys! How are ya? Here we are, the end of Wild Horses. It feels like I have skipped all the way to the sixth chap! I hardly remember writing the last couple chapters…..which is why I had to have the last chapter up so I could look back. XD Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed this fic as much as I did! (wish it wasn't over :C)

Enjoy!

Merlin healed quickly, but was forced to stay in his room. He was so close to death only yesterday, and he couldn't just reveal himself as completely healed. All he could do was sit and wait until he was 'healed'. Gwen and Morgana knew as well, and frequently visited him, as did Arthur. But it was still hell waiting. Merlin was left with nothing but his own thoughts, and they were filled with death. Why, did everything good near him have to die? First Will, then Freya, now Joli. The thoughts poisoned his mind, making him feel worthless. Nothing could cheer him up. But finally, freedom was granted, and he began working as Arthur's manservant once more.

However, he seemed changed. The accident had a major effect on him, and everyone was noticing. Even Arthur began to question him, which annoyed him deeply.

"Merlin, will you just stop and talk with me? You've been moping for days, ever since you came back to work. Tell me or I'll-"

"Or you'll what?" Merlin snapped back, cutting Arthur off. "In case you didn't realize, I am perfectly fine! I'm just trying to get back to normal, which you aren't letting me do!"

Arthur took this in, slowly processing every movement Merlin made, every word, trying to solve the puzzle that stood before him. "Merlin….I-"

"You what? Thought that you could help me? Why would you? I'm just your servant, a useless, pathetic servant, who seems to loose everyone close to him. It's my fault everyone I love has died, every bit of happiness that I was able to hold fell through my fingers. Will, Joli, Frey-" He stopped, mid-sentence. He stared at Arthur, like he was waiting for something bad to happen.

"Merlin, who is Frey?"

"It's not Frey, its Freya. She's no one." He started to turn.

"Wait! She's not just no one. You said you lost her, so who was she? Please, tell me." Arthur pleaded, Merlin stood sideways, half turned towards Arthur and the door. He turned.

Merlin turned back towards me, eyes glistening with tears. Arthur wasn't sure who the girl was, but it obviously had affected his manservant. " I was in love with her."

"Ah.." Arthur wasn't really sure what to say, he hadn't lost Gwen, but he could imagine. The pain of living with that. It sounded horrible.

"I don't want to talk about it." Merlin wiped his nose with his sleeve, trying to make it seem as if nothing had happened. "Is there anything else you wish me to do sire?"

"Actually, yes. I would like for you to come with me."

Merlin looked confused as Arthur grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the room. He let go of Merlin's arm, not looking back, but listening to make sure he was still behind him. The walked down the corridor, down the stairs, down another corridor, outside into the courtyard, out of the first gate, and headed towards the stables. Arthur saw Morgana waiting at the door, and he nodded. She then disappeared. Then Arthur turned around again. "Ok, Merlin, I have a favor I must ask of you."

He faced Merlin, his back to the stable door, and watched. At first Merlin gave him a dirty look, but then as he watched, it grew to confusion and then surprised delight. Merlin smiled and walked over to the young mare that Morgana and Gwen held by the reins. Saddled and reading for a ride, the horse's black coat shimmered in the late sun's light. Merlin took hold of the reins, let the mare smell him, and began to stroke her jet black forehead. Merlin's smile grew and nearly split his face in two. Arthur nodded to the attendant that was waiting with his own gelding, not Etalon, who had been shipped back to France. No, this was his old pal, Jeff. He swung up into the saddle.

"But-I-what….Arthur, is she for me to ride?" Merlin looked longingly into Arthur's eyes.

"No." Merlin's face immediately fell, he looked down, to not show his dissapointment. "She is for you to keep."

"Really?" Merlin smiled, gave the mare a pat and hopped onto her back. "Why?"

"Because, Merlin, you deserve it. If you hadn't noticed, the saddle is new and freshly polished, and yours to keep." Arthur said, gathering the reins to his horse. "So, I thought that we should go on a test run. What do you think?"

Merlin's face was glowing with happyness. "I would be honored, thank you. Arthur, you really didn't have to do this."

"Oh, yes I did. I told you, you need an easy horse!" He spurred Jeff forward, smiling at Gwen as he past. Gwen and Morgana were beaming at him.

He looked back, Merlin was smiling, and whispering to his horse. Then with an almighty leap into the air, he urged the horse forward. They quickly caught up with Arthur, who slowed to a walk. They rode till the sun was almost sunken beneath the earth.

Arthur never knew what Merlin said to the mare that day, but whatever it was, it kept them bonded throughout his whole life. And Merlin never rode another horse ever again.

The End

A/N~ Aw, now that was a cute ending! *sighs* Now my favorite fic to write is over.:C What should I do? Do you have any ideas that you want me to explore? I'm open for suggestions.:D

And please, please, REVIEW! That's all I want for Christmas….XD

THANK YOU FOR READING! I LOVE YOU ALL!