I don't own Merlin.

This story takes place at the very end of season 5. WARNINGSPOILERS!

What if Arthur didn't die? What if instead, Merlin took him to the isle of the blessed and tried to spare Arthur by sacrificing himself? Takes place right after Kilgharrah says Merlin can't save Arthur.

Chapter 1: The Isle of the Blessed

Merlin's POV

"Merlin, there is nothing you can do," Kilgharrah said to me.

"I can't let him die," I said desperately. Arthur is my friend even if I was the last one to admit it. I would gladly give my life for him, something I felt I had proven time and time again. It seemed cruel that after everything we have been through, he was going to die. It was while I was wallowing in grief, that it came to me. "Take me to the isle of the blessed." My voice did not waver, my resolve did not falter. If this is what it would take to save Arthur's life, I would gladly pay the price.

Kilgharrah looked at me, a mix of curiosity and sorrow playing in his expression. "Merlin, you cannot do this. You are destined to be the greatest warlock these lands have ever seen," he told me.

I shook my head at him. My decision was made. If I have to walk to the Isle of the Blessed, I would do it. "I have already fulfilled my destiny, you said so yourself. My powers are nothing without a noble cause to use them for. If he dies then I will never use my powers again. He is my friend and I will not fail him. Now please," I begged.

I wasn't talking to him as a dragon lord. I was talking to him as a friend, as his kin. I wasn't going to force him to take me there. I wanted him to do it willingly. Without another word, he extended his head. I carefully picked up Arthur, leaning him on me. He slumped against me, his breath coming in ragged gasps. I doubted he was aware that I was moving him. Unlike our journey here, when Arthur's added weight felt like a burden, I barely felt it this time.

I was going to save Arthur, but it wasn't like all the other times. I was really going to die this time. There wasn't going to be a happy ending where somehow I miraculously get saved. It was my time to leave this world. I had never felt anything with such certainty before. All the other times that I had nearly died, there was a sliver of hope that somehow I would survive, but I knew better this time.

As we touched down at the island of the blessed, we carefully climbed down. I turned to Kilgharrah. I saw in his eyes that he knew this was the last time he would see me. "Young warlock, it had been an honor," he said quietly. I had never seen a dragon cry before, but I could see the watery look appearing in Kilgharrah's eyes.

"Thank you for everything… old friend," I said with a smile.

With a solitary nod, Kilgharrah leapt into the air. The force of wind that his wings created nearly made me stumble.

I practically dragged Arthur over the rough terrain. The moment I stepped around a large slab of stone, a sorcerer stepped out from the shadows.

I looked at him desperately. If he was here than he knew how to save Arthur. "Please, my friend needs help," I pleaded.

"Your friend is…" the sorcerer started to say.

"Dead, I know," I interrupted. I didn't have time for this. The sooner I saved Arthur, the sooner he would return to Camelot. His people needed him. "I am prepared to pay that price. To give life, you must take a life. I offer my life for his."

"You would give your life to protect your king?" The sorcerer asked. I couldn't quite place the emotion on his face. It was a mix between awe and shock. "He who killed our kind. He who would kill you if he knew of your powers."

I shook my head. "He knows of my powers. He thanked me for my powers. It's why I've got to save him. He is the once and future king. He is my destiny," I said desperately. I had mentally prepared myself to die. I hadn't expected that I would need to convince the man to honor my wish.

The sorcerer nodded. He produced from his cloak, "The cup of life," I said out loud, shocked to see it. The last time I saw it, I was knocking it off a pedestal to end an immortal army. "Where did you get that?"

"The cup of life will always find its way back to the druid people. If was us who created it and we are meant to possess it," he told me.

He filled the cup with water from a flask and handed it to me. I squatted down, resting Arthur's head on my knees. I brought the cup to his lips, letting a few drops fall into his mouth.

I waited a few moments and that's when it happened.

A bright light engulfed Arthur, pulling him to his feet. For a moment, that's all there was. A bright light. I put my hand over my eyes to shield myself from the light.

Then it was over. The piece of sword that had been embedded in him, lay at his feet. His eyes were open and he looked like he couldn't believe his eyes.

That made two of us. He was really alive. I waited for the inevitable. The balance of nature had to be restored.

But I felt as normal as ever. I heard a strange gurgling to my left. I turned and saw the sorcerer fall to the ground. I rushed to his side. "What's happening?" I asked him anxiously. "I was supposed to sacrifice myself for him."

The sorcerer shook his head at me. "I know who you are, Emrys. Just as he is your destiny, you are mine. When I was just a boy, I vowed to protect you, no matter the cost. I am proud to give my life for you Emrys," he told me in a weak voice. "Your destiny is not yet completed. This land is not yet safe for our kind. You alone can ensure that that will happen."

I stared at him, shocked. I had met several people that had been willing to give their lives for me, but this was different. This man had died and I didn't even know his name. I held his hand as he passed from this world. It was only a minute before his breathing stilled and a look of eternal peace spread across his face. "Thank you," I whispered to him.

I got up, ready to join Arthur. His eyebrow was raised in confusion, but I didn't acknowledge it. I took my place at his side. I was ready to fulfill my destiny.

Let me know what you think. If you like it, I could make a story out of it. If not I'll just make it a one-shot. Reviews are always welcome.