Arthur rubbed his eyes and grumbled, he had just finished stretching and still it seemed his manservant Merlin had still not shown up. Now this was not unusual, Merlin being late, but this was just too much. There was no reason for him to be two hours late! After calling another servant to dress him he went out in search for Merlin.
Walking through the halls, he asked the occasional servant if they had seen Merlin this morning, the answer was 'no' from everyone he encountered. Arthur sighed and decided to start looking for him somewhere; he'd search all over the castle for him if he had to. The first place he headed was his room. Arthur barged into the small chamber that lead to Merlin's even smaller yet room. Gaius was up and awake and looked up sharply when the prince barged in.
"Sire? Is there anything I can do you for?" Gaius asked, raising one brow at him.
"I'm looking for that idiot Merlin have you seen him?" Arthur said, glancing around as if expecting Merlin to pop out of nowhere.
"I was not aware that he was not with you Sire, I will fetch him now," Gaius said, standing in his slumped posture. Arthur pressed him down back into the chair.
"No, no; I want the pleasure of waking him myself," Arthur said, then he stalked forward and up the few stairs into Merlin's room banging the door open, loudly, allowing it to slam the wall with its force.
'Strange,' Arthur thought, 'He usually jumps at the smallest sound.'
What Arthur saw surprised him; Merlin wasn't snoozing like Arthur thought. Merlin was silent and completely still in the middle of the bed. The only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of his chest and the a bit more than pink cheeks. Arthur walked over to the side of the bed and he grabbed Merlin's shoulder, shaking him lightly then harder until he eventually gave up. Just then he thought there was one thing that always got Merlin, he was extremely ticklish. Poking Merlin in the side he waited for him to immediately crack a grin and give up this game but still he remained still sleeping. Arthur now knew that there was something was wrong.
"Gaius, I think something is wrong with Merlin!" he shouted, as he looked down at Merlin's unmoving form.
After Gaius tried all he could think of, he turned to Arthur and shook his head with a grave look on his face. Arthur sat down heavily and asked his father to be called. Once the King arrived, he was surprised to find instead of his son nursing a new wound, he saw a solemn look as he stared down at his servant.
"Arthur, Gaius why is it that I've been called down here to see your manservant sleeping?" Uther queried, looking his son and Merlin.
"Sire, I believe someone has used magic to put Merlin into a deep sleep and I am not very sure if the spell spreads or not," Gaius said.
Immediately, Uther straightened up and looked to Gaius. "Do you of yet know what the spell is Gaius?"
"Yes, I believe so sire, but I must look into the old books that deal with these matters to be sure as of yet Sire," Gaius stated.
"Of course, do inform me if you find out any news upon the nature of the spell, Gaius," Uther then stalked out, his figure stiff.
"Gaius, exactly which spell do you think it is?" Arthur asked.
"I believe it to be an old spell from a story about a princess who could only be awakened by her true loves kiss," Gaius said while leafing through a book.
"But Merlin's no princess!"