A/N Hello and thanks for reading. NO SLASH and SERIES 4 SPOILERS within.

First Fanfic so hope it's ok.

Arthur always told him he never did as he was told. That wasn't about to change today.

Merlin did not fully understand why he hadn't perished when he threw himself into the path of the Dorocha. He figured it was something to do with his having magic or his vital role in the destiny all the Druid prophesies carried on about.
Whatever the explanation, he wasn't going to take his reprieve from death for granted.
It was with a newly rejuvenated determination that he awoke that morning, the Villia having done their healing, more sure than ever that he could not let Prince Arthur sacrifice himself to close the veil between this world and the next. If he must give up his life to protect Arthur and the future of Camelot, then Merlin would gladly do so and with honour.

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Arthur, Gwaine, Lancelot and Merlin cautiously entered what was left of the Temple of the Old Religion on the Isle of the Blessed, ready to face whatever evilness lay ahead.
The corrupted ruins they found themselves in were damp and sinister; an eerie foreboding of doom pervaded the air. Screeches of the malicious beings that inhabited the Underworld ripped through the chamber intermittantly, enhancing the terrifying atmosphere of the place. The stone floor was stained and grimy and the walls were partially collapsed. Sharp segments of stonework that had fallen eons ago, littered the large chamber, their points malevolent in the semi darkness. In the centre of the room sat a large slab of stone – the sacrificial altar - a grim reminder of all the cruelty, magic in the wrong hands, was capable of. The sky was overhead was dark and not a star was present to add much needed pure light to the scene.

The four men walked forwards to present themselves to the Cailleach – Gatekeeper to the underworld. Fear drenched all their bones, even the bravest warrior of them all – Prince Arthur Pendragon. He'd faced many enemies before but they had been made of skin and bone. A fight that could be won with strength, excellent swordsmanship and courage was one he would face confidently. This shimmering, swirling rip in space, through which death and evil -borne-of-corruption leaked into his precious Kingdom, was no such definable foe.

Sir Lancelot and Sir Gwaine stood close behind him. He supposed they were feeling as much terror as he, but he knew they'd stand beside him even in the face of such obvious peril. A few paces further back from the Knights stood Merlin, taking in his surroundings with wide eyes.

Although not a Knight, Merlin showed immense courage to be here and Arthur could not help but be impressed by his resolve. Indeed, his man servants' willingness to face any sort of enemy at his side repeatedly surprised Arthur ( not that e would actually tel his manservant this - don't want him getting too big for his boots).
He felt proud to have such loyal and brave friends at his side. It helped him solidify in his mind the choice he was about to make and why he had to carry out these drastic actions.

Last night as he and Merlin lay awake around the campfire, Arthur had entrusted his decision to sacrifice himself for the benefit of Camelot, to his manservant. His biggest regret would be leaving behind Gwen. He wished he didn't have to hurt her so, but surely she would understand his duty to his people?

Arthur had faced death before with the dignity befitting royalty and he stepped toward the old woman now with as much surety as he could muster.

"It's not often we have visitors", the Cailleach addressed him with an arrogant and sarcastic air. Her presence carried with it a sinister power. Her haggard face wore the effects of all the evil she'd seen and guarded during the immeasurable time she had been Gatekeeper. Her palour was nauseatingly pale and her eyes showed only evil and darkness. The black cloak she had pulled up over her head ruffled in the unnatural wind emanating from the veil.

"I demand you close the tear between the two worlds!" Arthur said, glad that the steadiness of his voice hadn't betrayed the fear he was feeling. His pale, pure blue eyes and young, attractive face were the antithesis of the creature standing before him.
"It was not I who opened the veil, why should I be the one to fix it?" she retorted, her vile breath gusting out towards Arthur.

Merlin summoned all the determination he'd felt that morning as he reproached her, "Because people are dying!"

All the old crone did was laugh. Her ability to care or empathise with any mortal being was long gone. Her cruel mocking laughter filled the dilapidated hall for a few moments, and then the Cailleach turned to Arthur again, "You are willing to give your life so the veil will close?" She questioned the Prince.

"I know what has to be done", he answered her, resolutely taking another step forward.

Without any of them realizing it, Merlin had crept forwards, using weak magic to shield himself from their vision. It wasn't until he was only a few steps from the veil that he heard a shout.

"Stop Emrys, are you sure this is your destiny?" the Cailleach had sensed Merlin's magic and turned around to watch him. The attention she directed his way was enough to break the shield that he had spelled, revealing him to Arthur, Lancelot and Gwaine.
Merlin registered her voice and that bloody word (destiny) again. He turned back towards his friends knowing he had to say something to ease their consciences' before he left forever. He knew how heavy a burden the guilt of another's death could be and he had no desire to condemn his friends to such a pain, but there was no way he was ever going to let Arthur die.

"It's ok Arthur. I have to do this, I'm glad to do this. It's my duty." Merlin directed towards his Prince and the Knights. He hoped the bit about duty would appeal to Arthur and Lancelot especially, as they often referred to it themselves when trying to justify some of their actions.
Then he smiled, turned back around and stepped forward into the blackness of the veil.

With a strange kind of sparking, fizzing sensation and a demented swirling of the surrounding atmosphere, the edges of the rip moved toward each other. Some lingering screams of the undead could still be heard and the screams of the still living joined them as Arthur and his knights realized what was happening in front of them. There were a few flashes of light and a final popping/ crashing sensation as the sundered veil resealed itself, then the air stilled.

Arthur was desperately shouting Merlin's name, all the dignity a Prince- must-maintain-at-all-times forgotten in his shock and despair, his arms reaching out in a futile gesture to pull his servant away from danger. Lancelot and Gwaine had both moved toward the sight of Merlin's vanishing, though neither could remember doing so.

"No Merlin, it was supposed to be me!" Lancelot pleaded, his magnanimity coming to the fore.

Gwaine slumped to the floor in a state of shock uttering quietly and pathetically."What have you done mate?"

A/N Love it if you reviewed. Were the characters OOC, was it at all believable so far?