Gaius led me home afterwards, because on my own I would have wandered into the

forest and never come back. I didn't do much of anything for the next few days. I got out of

bed, but didn't bother to go to work. I didn't care. I wouldn't eat what Gaius offered, and he

had to force me to drink late on the second day when I nearly passed out from dehydration.

Arthur didn't send for me. I drifted about in Gaius's chambers, not saying a word to

anyone. I could tell it hurt him that I wouldn't speak to him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

When close to a week had passed, Gaius feared I would die. Finally, I was fed up with being

broken. Gaius had been sitting with me next to the fire, and I stood.

"Merlin?" He asked. I started towards the door. "Where are you going?"

"To the tavern." I pushed open the door and left, leaving Gaius

with mixed emotions between joy that I had spoken and concern of where I was headed.

I tumbled to the bar, asking for a pint of drink, and downed it in a few minutes before

asking for another. It was set before me, and I drank it without hesitation, taking slightly more

time on this one. I paid for another and started to drink. This continued for almost an hour

when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up blearily to see Gwaine.

"You're going to kill yourself that way." He warned.

"Good." I muttered, picking up my cup and raising it to my lips. Gwaine pushed it out of

my hands, and it clattered to the floor. I laid my head on the table, face down in my arms.

Gwaine instructed the bartender not to allow me to drink any more, then left. The next time I

felt a hand on my back, it was Arthur.

"What are you doing, Merlin?" He asked tiredly. I didn't bother to raise my head. I

wasn't actually drunk, my magic kept me from becoming so. However, the alcohol was just as

dangerous to my health.

"I miss her." He sat on the stool next to me.

"Merlin, I know it's hard. But Leala would want you to go on. Imagine if she was able to

see right now. Who knows, maybe she can! She wants you to live, she told you so. And the rest

of us here need you, too. Even me. Especially me." I took a deep breath and sat up.

"Will you come somewhere with me?"

"What?" He was surprised.

"I want to show you where I go. My place. I want to share it with you." It was hard for

him to understand important it was to me, but I think he knew to some extent what I was trying

to give. I was trying to show him he had my trust.

"Okay. We'll go in the morning." He assured me.

"We have to go now, at night. You'll see." I urged, standing to leave.

"Alright, I'm coming." He smiled at me.

I led him out and towards the watchtower. When he realized where we were headed,

he tried to stop me. "Merlin-"

"Trust me, you'll understand." We reached the top, and Bryan came to see me.

"Merlin, you're back." It was then he saw Arthur, and he swiftly knelt down, bowing his

head. "Your majesty, forgive me. I hadn't seen you."

"You may stand. I only wish to be here with my friend." Arthur told him. He nodded and

backed off, allowing me to lead Arthur to the edge. I hadn't been there since the day I'd

attempted to jump. I stood on the edge, and Arthur quickly jumped out and grabbed my wrist.

"Don't worry." I sat down, swinging my legs over to dangle. "Come on." He joined me.

"Do you see now?" I asked him. Arthur's eyes softened.

"It's beautiful."

"It's more than that. Out there, that's you're kingdom. Every house you see, there's life.

Different people doing different things. Some are already sleeping. Others are laughing, joyfully

celebrating. They are alive. Any thought or idea that runs through their head could change or

world forever. That's the thing about people. We are temporary, whether it be our

personalities, concepts, or even life itself. Yet at the same time, our influence can last forever.

Even when we are gone, like with Leala, our existence lives on in those left behind. This is your

kingdom, Arthur, and I will stand by you as you become the king they need." And I knew he saw

it. The brilliance of it all. Of life, of destiny, and of friendship.

"It's incredible. I see now. Thank you…"

"I trust you to be strong."

"And I expect the same from you." I nodded, and we sat there all through the night,

discussing our pasts, and more importantly, our future. As the first rays of golden sun shone

over the horizon, I knew it was a new day, a time for new beginnings, and most importantly,

chasing my destiny yet again.

Author's Note: Thanks to everyone for reading! This story was awesome to write!