Second Chances

Hello, hope you are having a good day. I am posting this on fanfiction. Net and AO3. If you like this go to Christmas prompts and send in your prompts.

A year after Gwen became queen, Morgana was captured by the Sarrum of Amata. For six months she was brutally beaten and tortured. She was tortured to the point where she was about to break. Arthur had found out and made an offer to buy his sister. The Sarrum agreed and Morgana was given to Arthur. Arthur and Merlin did what they could for her. As she recovered she was in a tower of her own. She couldn't use her magic. After a few months, she broke and asked for forgiveness. Arthur and Gaius forgave her and helped her. Christmas was a month away and Merlin woke up feeling very ill.

"Merlin, it's time for you to get up." Gaius said. Merlin sat up and moaned. Gaius saw how pale Merlin was and went to him. He put his hand on Merlin's forehead.

"Gaius, I need to get up." Merlin mumbled.

"Lie down. You won't be going to work today."

"What? Why?"

"You're burning up and I have a feeling that you are very ill."

"But what about the festival?"

"It's three weeks away. You'll be fine by then."

Merlin laid down and took the medicine that Gaius gave him. Later that day, Gaius went to check on Merlin. Merlin was coughing violently and wouldn't stop.

"How do you feel?" Gaius asked. Merlin shook his head. "Is it hard to breathe?" Merlin nodded. Gaius grabbed a few pillows and elevated Merlin's head and chest. "Better?" Merlin nodded again. "Try to sleep."

"Can I have some water?" Merlin rasped weakly. Gaius got Merlin a cup of water and handed it to him. Merlin drank a bit and put the cup on the night table.

"Get some rest."

Merlin went to sleep. The next day, he was much worse. He couldn't stop cough no matter what. He barely ate or drank. Gwaine stopped by to see him.

"How's Merlin?" Gwaine asked.

"Not good. He won't stop coughing." Gaius sighed.

"Poor guy. I know I shouldn't, but can I see him?"

"I guess you could. He's very upset. Maybe you can cheer him up."

Gwaine went in and saw Merlin coughing and clutching his chest. Gwaine went to him and helped him through it. When it was over, Merlin was panting.

"How do you feel?" Gwaine wondered.

"Horrible." Merlin croaked.

"I would too if I was coughing like that."

"I hope it goes away. I have things to do."

"I hope so too. We have a lot of pranks to play on the others."

Merlin smiled and chuckled slightly.

"I know." Merlin chuckled before coughing again. Gwaine helped him through it. When it was over, Merlin laid down and went to sleep. Gwaine left the room.

"He's not happy." Gwaine sighed.

"It's the cough that makes it so miserable. If I knew what was causing it, I would be able to treat him but for now, I'll just have to do my best." Gaius replied.

"Has he been sleeping?"

"He's tried but he wakes up coughing a lot."

"He looked exhausted. He's sleeping now but the coughing fits must wear him out."

"They do. He tried to rest but when he relaxes he has another coughing fit."

"I should go. I'll see him tomorrow."

For the next few days, Merlin got worse. His cough was getting better but when he coughed it was very harsh and painfully. Everyone tried to spend some time with him to cheer him up, but nothing worked. Gaius went to check on Morgana. He got to her chambers and saw that she was looking out the window.

"Morgana, I have your sleeping daft." Gaius said.

"Thank you. Is Merlin alright? I haven't seen him in the courtyard for the past few days." Morgana answered.

"He's ill. He has a very bad cold. I fear its pneumonia."

"Will he be…"

"I don't know."

Morgana looked back outside.

"Is there anything else?" Gaius wondered.

"No." morgana sighed. Gaius left. One of the guards came in and closed the door.

"I don't know why they care about you after everything you did." The guard hissed.

"I haven't said anything about what you've been doing." Morgana whispered.

"Good or else you will suffer worse than what the Sarrum put you through."

The guard grabbed Morgana and forced her unto the bed.

Merlin woke up coughing painfully. He felt something cold on his forehead. He looked and saw Gwen tending to him.

"My lady, you shouldn't be here. You should be with Arthur." Merlin said.

"I told Gaius that I would help. He asked me to tend to you while he was with Morgana. If you call me a lady again, you will not like the consequences." Gwen answered.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Gaius wants you to drink this tea."

Gwen handed Merlin the cup of tea. Merlin drank it and sighed. When he was done, he went back to sleep. Gaius came in and checked Merlin over.

"The tea seemed to help him." Gwen said.

"Yes, it has. Sadly, I don't have enough herbs for it." Gaius answered.

"A few of the knights could get them."

"Thank you. I'll give you a list."

A few hours later, Elyan and Percival came in with plants in their hands.

"We got the herbs. Hopefully this will last." Elyan said.

"This will be enough for three teas a day for a month. Thank you." Gaius thanked.

"We should go."

"I think Merlin would like to see you."

Percival and Elyan went in and saw Merlin resting.

"How do you feel?" Percival wondered.

"Worse but yet better." Merlin mumbled.

"At least you're not coughing."

"Yeah."

"Is there anything you need?" Elyan questioned.

"To get better." Merlin mumbled.

"Other than that."

"Not really."

"We'll come back tomorrow."

Merlin nodded. Elyan and Percival left. Gaius came in and checked Merlin over.

"How do you feel?" Gaius wondered.

"Not good." Merlin sighed.

"I'll have your tea ready and a poultice to put on your chest."

Merlin nodded and tried to rest. Gaius left the room.

TBC