Plot: Slight tweaks on the storyline. Arthur doesn't know of Merlin's magic yet. And Merlin does not plan on telling him yet anyway. This is my idea of how Season 1 should have ended… Arthur wakes up and is healed and asks Gaius what he has done. Gaius cannot take credit for what Merlin has done so he tells Arthur that it was actually Merlin who saved his life. However, all he says is that "Merlin never stopped until he found a cure for you." So now, Arthur is curious and also worried on what exactly Merlin had done. But Merlin has already left to confront Nimueh again to trade his life for his mother. Will Arthur make it in time? If he does, what exactly will he discover?

Author's Notes: Please, this is my first Merlin fanfiction. I am more inspired by your kindness than harsh criticism. I only started watching the series last week and I am completely hooked by the chemistry that is Merthur! Cheers! This story has a bit of humor although I hope everyone will be able to relate to my somewhat out of place humor (that's what most people call it!)

Chapter One: I'm Happy to be Your Servant, Till the Day I Die…

Arthur can slowly feel the heat of the morning sun as it hits his face. He starts to rouse from sleep and immediately regrets it as he feels the stab of pain from the puncture wound is his chest. Slowly he started to recall the events from what, yesterday? Two days ago? He can't even remember. But all thoughts were pushed back as he felt movement beside him. Looking down, he realizes it's his father, Uther, and standing near the bedside was Gaius, who looked extremely relieved yet worried at the same time as both a smile on his lips and worry lines on his forehead etched his old and exhausted face. Arthur tries to look to the other side of the bed, then by his door, hoping to see the familiar face of his idiotic, yet adorable (although he will most definitely NOT admit that to Merlin!) servant. A frown slowly crawled up his face as he could not find his servant anywhere. The voice of his father snaps him out, again, of his confused reverie.

"Arthur! You are awake! My son, I am pleased that you are better now!" He smiles as he puts a hand on his son's shoulders and he stood up looking at Gaius with a very grateful smile.

"Thank you, again, Gaius. I will never forget this. You have saved both my son and the future king of Camelot." Then he turned to Arthur once again and spoke, "My son, excuse me a moment. I must tell Camelot that their prince lives!" He excitedly leaves the room.

Arthur just stares at the back of his father's retreating form and looks back at Gaius, obviously waiting for an explanation. Gaius, on the other hand, looked even more tensed now that he knows that Uther has left all the explaining to him. Damn.

"Gaius, what happened?"

"Sire, if you could remember, you left with other knights in search for the questing beast. During that, you were bitten sire and the poison spread throughout your body really fast."

"How long ago was that?" Arthur then paused and looked over by the door before yelling, "Merlin!" then looked back at Gaius.

"That was two days ago sire. You were given the medicine the morning after the attack and you've been asleep since then." Gaius replies as he shuffled his feet and not directly looking at Arthur in the eyes.

"Ah. I guess I must thank you for that, Gaius. You saved my life." Then his brows furrowed and he yelled "MERLIN!" even louder and glared at the door as though it had just eaten Merlin and he was now willing it to spit him out. He then turned to Gaius and demanded, "Where the hell is Merlin? He better not have another poor excuse for being late today." He noticed as Gaius stiffened at the mere mention of Merlin's name.

"Gaius? Where. Is. Merlin?" He said slowly.

"Sire, there is something you must know… about Merlin"

"What is it? Did he suddenly quit on me while I was dying? Is he in some sort of trouble again after trying to be a brave idiot?" Arthur asked as he slowly sat up on his bed.

"No sire. But I do believe he can be in great danger. The truth is… it was Merlin who saved your life, sire. He…" Gaius paused as he looked over the door hoping no one would enter in the middle of their conversation.

"He what? Go on, just spit it out Gaius!" Arthur knew he was being rude to the old man but he was getting impatient and he was slowly starting to feel knots in his stomach. And based on instincts? That was not a good sign at all.

"All I can say is that he never stopped until he found a cure for you. He looked into anything and everything to help you sire." Gaius hoped that Arthur took notice on his emphasis on the words and hoped that the young prince realized he was referring to magic.

"I don't think I'll get much answer from you so I might as well ask him myself. Where is he? And I demand you to tell me the truth, right now!"

Gaius sighed loudly and closed his eyes before confessing, "He went to the Isle of the blessed."

Arthur immediately tensed from hearing those words. He hasn't really been to the Isle of the Blessed but he has definitely heard enough from his father to know that it is a place to be feared because of the strength of the power of magic that is used there. He doesn't know exactly what Merlin was doing there but he could not sit around in his bed and wait for some dreadful news about his servant, his Merlin, being found floating back in some river, or worse, just never being found at all. He grimaced at the thought and as fast as his wounded body will allow him, he got up and prepared to follow Merlin.

"Have one of the guards ready my horses. Tell him it's for you and you have an errand to run for me. Now."

"But sire-" Gaius tried to reason with the prince although he undoubtedly would not get through the obviously determined Arthur, who was now dressing up with his armor as best and as fast as he could.

"Now, Gaius. I don't have time for this. Merlin could be in some sort of trouble and we both know he could not fight even if his life depended on it." He looked back at Gaius, who bowed his head and went for the door. "Oh, one more thing Gaius, speak of this to no one. Not even my father." With that, Gaius left without another word.

After gearing up, Arthur made his way out of the castle, as surreptitious as he can, considering how he tried to walk straight while wincing from the intense pain in his chest, and met Gaius by the stables to get his horse.

"Sire, since I know I cannot stop you now, may I just say one thing?" The physician said as he handed Arthur the leash to his horse.

"Yes. Speak, Gaius. You know I trust your opinions as much as my father does."

Gaius sighed again and looked at Arthur with weary eyes, "Whatever you see today, please do not think any less of Merlin. He cares for you a great deal and it would mean so much to him if you accept him for what he really is. Please sire. He did save your life, after all. I think you owe him that much."

Arthur looked at Gaius suspiciously but nodded in agreement anyway. "Don't worry Gaius, I am well aware of the times Merlin has saved my life. I'm pretty sure there is nothing more that Merlin can do that will make me think less of him anyway." Or love him any less Arthur thought to himself. "I mean I've met his mother and have seen where he grew up. I will not treat him any differently for not being wealthy. If that is what you mean."

Gaius just smiled an uneasy smile and nodded as Arthur climbed his horse and started on his journey to find Merlin.