This is my first Merlin fic, and because I am a HUGE Merthur fan, there is definitely going to be slash. But it won't be graphic or anything. I'm fourteen, and honestly, really sexually graphic stories disturb me. ':/. (A bit of a strange face there...)Anyway, if you're not into slash, don't read my stories. It's that simple. Amazing, I know.

I did take a few ideas from the season finale as well as a few other episodes, but I'm planning on taking a few ideas here and there and mixing them with some new stuff.

Also, to my utter disappointment, I don't own Merlin. The show and its characters are property of BBC. *sigh* I'm just writing this for entertainment, and no profit is being made.

Anywho, I'll try and update daily, and if not, as often as I can. (Starting high school in a few days, so things may be a bit hectic for me. I also tend to have some self- motivation issues I am currently working on...D:') I hope you enjoy!

-Another little side note: I didn't have this beta'd, so any mistakes are all on me.

VVVV

Merlin grinned ear to ear as Gwen blushed. Arthur had finally woken from his coma and was teasing Gwen about some things she had said when she believed he couldn't hear her. The prince had been poisoned by a servant of visiting nobles during a banquet; she had laced his goblet when she thought no one was watching. Gaius couldn't find an antidote for the poison, so everyone feared the worst for the young prince. Gaius and Merlin had finally realized they would need the help of magic in order to save Arthur's life.

The physician and young sorcerer devised a plan that would make it seem Gaius had used a traditional cure for Arthur, which would cover up the use of Merlin's magic. King Uther's hatred of magic was really making things difficult for Merlin.

Merlin had found a spell that would heal Arthur, so Gaius made another vile of the antidote that had failed, telling the king it couldn't hurt to try it again. Uther, desperate for his only son's life to be saved, agreed, allowing Gaius and Merlin into Arthur's chambers.

Merlin stood over the prince's achingly still body and muttered the incantation as Gaius pretended to pour the clear liquid of the medicine into Arthur's slightly open mouth. Gaius instead dumped it onto his pillow, for he feared a second dose would hurt the prince more than help him. They were lucky Uther new very little of medicine, or he would have seen right through the excuse.

Once Merlin finished the spell, Arthur stirred slightly. Merlin let out a relieved sigh, for he had feared his magic would have no effect. Gaius smiled at him, pride shining in his aged eyes. He had had no doubt in Merlin's abilities. Both of their heads snapped back down to look at the prince when he let out a low groan.

"Arthur?" Merlin dared to breathe. The young boy's eyelids twitched and slowly fluttered open. The small smile on Merlin's face grew wider until it was a full blown grin. Arthur looked back and forth between Merlin and Gaius's overjoyed expressions, feeling a bit dazed.

"What happened?" he asked in a groggy and ruffled voice. He lifted a hand to rub his forehead, and ran his fingers through his hair. All he could remember was sitting in the dining hall, drinking from his goblet, and Merlin coming toward him, shouting something about poison. He hadn't heard what exactly what he was shouting for everything had been fading away from his mind, his veins searing in pain. The last thing he heard was a tortured scream ringing out; it sounded like his.

"Well," Merlin began, looking down at his hands. Arthur raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to continue. Merlin looked back up at the prince's face, his patiently demanding expression willing him to speak. "You were at the banquet, and you sent me over to attend to some of the other guests because you didn't need me at the moment. While I was gone, a servant of the visiting party refilled your goblet.

"A nobleman asked you a question, and while your attention was drawn away, the servant slipped something into your drink. Right when she had finished, you drank from the goblet before I could stop you. People around you began to notice you were swaying, and I dropped the bottle I was holding.

"I had been filling your father's cup at the time, so he began yelling at me about what a fool I was. All I could think to do was shout that your drink had been laced with poison, and I ran over to you before you fell out of your chair completely. Chaos erupted, and the woman that poisoned you slipped away without notice." Merlin paused for breath and measured Arthur's expression. He looked completely blank, taking in every word Merlin said. "Then Gaius made an antidote which didn't work the first time, so he tried a few other remedies. When they didn't work, he tried the antidote again, and here we are," Merlin finished, with a sweep of his hands to indicate that moment in time.

Merlin could tell Arthur was thinking about what he had just told him, trying to comprehend the fact that he may have never woken up. Arthur opened his mouth to say something to Gaius when there was a soft knock at the door. The prince looked up and called, "Enter," and watched as Gwen hesitantly came in.

"A-arthur," she stuttered, her eyebrows rising in surprise, "you're awake. I was wondering if we were going to lose you. I mean we all were, not just me," she added quickly, looking down.

"Yes, it seems Gaius's antidote finally did the trick," Arthur replied. "Thank you, Gaius. I know I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for you." Arthur's expression was solemn and his eyes were full of gratitude. Gaius graciously accepted the young boy's thanks, claiming it was his duty, and was glad to be in service of the kingdom; Merlin simply looked away. Arthur didn't seem to notice Merlin wasn't looking at him, and was instead staring at the wall with a strange expression on his face. The prince was looking at Gwen, a smirk on his face.

"So, Gwen," he began in a teasing yet kind tone, "I heard you saying some things to me while I was asleep. Something about how I was going to wake up, and I'm going to be a great king. You said it's what keeps you going, am I right?" He was nearly grinning now, and it was contagious, for Merlin was smiling his idiotic grin again, and even Gaius was smiling*. They were all watching Gwen, who stood red-faced and mouth agape, trying to find words to deny that what Arthur said was true.

"I did not," she stammered lamely. "You must have dreamt that or something. I hardly even came to see you, anyway. Not that I wasn't worried or anything, of course I was, we all were, it's just I didn't visit enough to have said such things." She was rambling, he cheeks becoming a deeper scarlet by the second. Arthur chuckled.

"Whatever you say, Gwen," he said, his voice complacent. "Whatever you say," he repeated more quietly.

Merlin looked back at the wall.

VVVV

*And I couldn't help but crack a smile at the mental image I got of Arthur, Merlin, and Gaius smiling at once. I'm a dork, I know.

Ooooo, a bit jealous, eh Merlin? Wow, I'm lame.

Ohhhhhhh, I hope no one is too OOC, especially Gwen and Gaius.

Review?