AN: Merlin? Mine? Nope.

So I really didn't like the ending to season five, but this was just an idea I had, so for the purpose of this story, I am going to accept the official ending. Not planning on expanding on this.

Note: I have a poll going on my profile as to which Merlin story I should write next, and I would LOVE your input.

Reviews appreciated as well.

Okay, done now. Enjoy.

Nothing.

That was the first thing Arthur was aware of: the nothingness. No pain, no Merlin's arms around him, no voice begging him to stay awake. Nothing.

He opened his eyes. And then it hit him, the thought that had been nagging him since he came to...wherever he was.

He was dead.

He had known it was going to happen all along, no matter how much Merlin pressed stubbornly on, not matter how much the sorcerer had insisted he could save him, he had never held onto much hope. Still, it was a bit of a shock to sit up, look around, and realize I am dead.

A hand reached out to help him up. Arthur looked up to give his thanks, but it died in his throat.

Gwaine was standing over him, wearing a familiar wry smile.

But that meant...

"No." The words slipped out, he was barely aware of saying them. He had hoped everybody else would live. But there was no other way Gwaine would be here, in this place, where he could see Elyan standing a bit behind Gwaine. Gwaine was dead.

Gwaine seemed to know what he was thinking. "Don't worry 'bout it, mate. It was my own fault. Went after her." He jerked his head to the side, and Arthur started in surprise.

Morgana was standing far away from them. Or at least he thought it was far away, it was hard to tell in this mystical place, where all was light. She was glaring at them, half annoyed, half triumphant.

"Mordred was the death of you after all," she sneered.

Arthur felt a great sadness fill him. Even in death, Morgana was holding onto her hate. He realized that up until now, he was subconsciously hoping that after she died, she would realize that their conflict was over and maybe, just maybe, some of the old Morgana he had grown up with would come back.

He had half a mind to go over there and just give her a hug. But before he could act on that impulse, he heard a cold voice speak his name.

"Arthur."

Slowly, he turned. He was dreading this confrontation more than the one he would surely get around to with Morgana.

Uther stood there, looking ghostly, reminding Arthur of when he had brought him back as a wraith-type spirit. He did not look as he did when Arthur had last seen him alive; weak and broken from Morgana's betrayal. His face was held in a look of disdain.

"Father." Arthur hoped his voice did not betray his apprehension.

Uther merely surveyed him with a cold, dominating look. "So you have betrayed me as well."

Arthur gaped. "How have I betrayed you?"

Uther sneered. "You don't even know! That makes it even worse." He looked from Morgana to Arthur.

"I have lost both my children to magic."

Arthur glared. "You haven't lost me to anything. I chose to accept Merlin because of what he's done for me and for Camelot."

Almost at the same time Morgana spoke, fury lacing her tone.

"It was not magic that turned me against you, Uther. It was all you. Magic merely opened my eyes. Had you found out, you would have had me burned at the stake, and you say I'm the betrayer!"

"Magic has corrupted you, you are merely making excuses for it!" Uther roared.

"She has a point, though."

Everyone turned their shocked gaze onto Arthur at the soft whisper he uttered. No one looked more shocked than Morgana.

"She feared you would turn against her, and it was rightful fear. I'm not saying I agree with what she has done," he added hastily at the shocked expressions around him. "Merely that I understand it."

He looked his father in the eye.

"Merlin had plenty of opportunities to take Camelot or to kill me, but he hasn't. Instead, he has protected me, sometimes coming close to loosing his life in the process. Morgana chose the easy path. She allowed her fear to twist into hate. But Merlin did not. We all owe him more than we can ever repay." He gestured sadly around him. "And now because of this, I will never get a chance to try."

Uther's face was blank. "I see there is no hope for you, either."

And he turned on his heel and left.

Elyan and Gwaine looked awkward, but Morgana shocked everyone by walking over and putting a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"Did you mean it?"

Arthur swallowed, and nodded. She was looking confused and unsure. How long it had been since he'd seen that look...

Gwaine clapped him on the shoulder. "He'll come round, mate."

"Yeah, don't worry about him," Elyan agreed. "I've been watching, and I've seen for myself what Merlin has done." He gave a small smile, apparently remembering something. "A lot."

Arthur watched his father growing smaller as he stormed off. He had missed his father, and he desperately wanted to be on good terms with the former king again.

But he was sure of what he'd said before. Merlin deserved some appreciation, even if it was from dead people.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to Elyan.

"Tell me what you know about Merlin."