My Friend, My Love ~ Merwaine Oneshots

I Won't Lose You Too

Synopsis: In 5x13, Merlin couldn’t save Arthur, but maybe he could save Gwaine
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Merlin’s entire world was shattered. Arthur was dead. His king, his best friend, is dead. He failed his destiny. But worse of all….he lost his best friend, his other half. 

“Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny, some lives have been foretold, Merlin. Arthur is not just a king. He is the once and future king. Take heart, for when Albion's need is greatest...Arthur will rise again.”

That was what Killgarrah had just told him not too long ago, but how? How long would it be till his friend was brought back to the land of the living? Would it be mere years, decades, centuries?

Suddenly, Merlin clutched his head as he heard the agonizing cries of pain from two people. He took his gaze away from the Lake of Avalon and looked around wildly. The screams in his mind were almost unbearable now. “Gwaine!” Merlin froze at the name, and who shouted it, it was Percival. Merlin could register the desperation in Percival's voice. 

“I failed.” Merlin heard Gwaine admit breathlessly. In his time of knowing Gwaine, Merlin has never heard his friend sound so defeated. Something was very wrong, his friend’s were in trouble and they needed him. He could not save Arthur in time, but he could save Percival and Gwaine. 

Using some magic to guide him, Merlin sprinted into the forest. Adrenaline pumped through his blood, and he ran faster than he ever had before. His friend’s voices were getting closer and closer. “Gwaine, Percival!” Merlin cupped his hands and shouted. He caught Percival’s answer and followed the call into a forest clearing.

There, he found himself a disturbing sight.

Gwaine was on his knees, looking as pale as a ghost, with Percival crouching in front, supporting him. Gwaine appeared to be close to death, but that would all change if Merlin had any say.

“What happened?” Merlin asked frantically, running over to the defeated duo. “Morgana, we tried to stop her, but she overpowered us. She tied us up but only tortured Gwaine for information on where you and Arthur were going” Percival explained, gritting his teeth in anger. 

“Torture how exactly?”, Merlin questioned. Percival paused, “It was a snake like creature, the one Elyan was hurt with during the second siege. A Nathair, that’s what she called it.”

Morgana’s actions filled Merlin with anger, and in that moment, he was glad she was gone for good.

Merlin slowly checked Gwaine’s neck, and sure enough, there were snake bites. “Merlin, how’s the King?” Merlin tensed for a brief second, which did not go unnoticed by the knight, but chose to ignore the question for now. 

Kneeling before Gwaine, Merlin gently grasped his friend's face. “Gwaine, Gwaine, can you hear me?” Gwaine peeled his eyes open. “Merlin?” He asked brokenly.

With the pads of his thumbs, Merlin stroked Gwaine’s cheeks. “Shh, I’m here Gwaine, I’m here. You’re gonna be alright, you hear me. You just need to stay with us a little longer.”

When Gwaine did not respond, Merlin added, “I’ve lost one friend, I won’t lose you too.” He shouted, holding back tears. Merlin heard Percival’s sharp intake of breath signifying the knight and understood the implications of that sentence. Unfortunately, Gwaine did as well.

Tears trickled down Gwaine’s face, “I failed you, Merlin. I led the witch right to you. It’s my fault Arthur’s dead!” He cried.

Merlin shook his head in denial, “No, it was Mordred who dealt Arthur the mortal blow not you. It was Arthur’s destiny to die by his hand; there was nothing either of us could do to change that.” He wasn’t just convincing Gwaine, but himself as well. 

Sighing, Merlin bowed his head. There was only one way to save Gwaine now. Magic. “Gwaine I’m going to heal you, okay, but first I need to know if you trust me?” He implored, looking his wounded friend straight in the eye. “Always,” Gwaine croaked.

Motioning Percival to stand back, Merlin closed his eyes and focussed in on his magic. His magic was bustling inside him, eager to be let out. He pressed Gwaine’s forehead against his and began to chant. 

“Wið ðone as mægenspêd râd ðone as unorne, yfel temprian heonu feorhlîf. âr¯æfan ðe mago âlecgan his of hê scafan sîn edwist toward ðone as râd inwitstæf!” Merlin chanted, his voice increasing in volume throughout.

His eyes began to glow brighter than they ever had. All the strong emotions from Arthur’s death poured into his magic, and a strong glow of light surrounded Merlin and Gwaine. Merlin could barely hear Percival; he kept his focus on Gwaine. 

As the light around them went away, and Merlin stopped enchanting, Gwaine took a very deep breath, feeling rejuvenated. An overwhelming abundance of strength replaced the intolerable pain.

That strength allowed him to catch an exhausted Merlin. “You have magic!” Percival stated in shock while Gwaine laid himself and Merlin on the ground. 

“Always have.” Merlin answered tiredly, with a small smile. “You saved me?” Merlin looked at Gwaine with a softer expression, “Course I did, you’re my best friend Gwaine, I love you.” He whispered. Gwaine teared up once again, but not from pain. “I always knew there was something about you, mate,” he chuckled lightly, “Thank you, mate."

“I did it. You’re safe,” Merlin wept joyfully. “No, we’re safe,” Gwaine corrected, pulling him into a much needed hug. Merlin buried his head into his friend's shoulder and sobbed, partly in relief and partly in grief. Living a life without Arthur would be excruciating, but a life without Gwaine was unimaginable.
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A/N

I'll be truthful, guys...I haven't watched 5x13 in its entirety. I've seen clips....but knowing what happens to Gwaine especially is unbearable for me. So this is drabble is canon for me, or at least the Gwaine surviving part

Healing spell translation: “With the power of the Old Religion, I heal thy wounds and mind. Save this man from his sufferings and cleanse his being from the works of evil”