"Merlin! You lazy, incompetent excuse for a servant!" Arthur burst into Merlin's bedroom, roughly shaking his shoulder to wake him. He immediately sat
up, apologizing.
"I'm sorry! I'll be out right away!" He stood quickly, but swayed. As his vision blurred, he vaguely heard Arthur's voice.
"Merlin?" He fell forwards, and Arthur caught him before his head made contact with the ground, feeling the warmth of his skin through his clothing. "For
goodness sake… Gaius!"
The old man came into the room, assessing the situation as Arthur laid him back down onto his bed. "Merlin, can you hear me?" Gaius asked. He got a low
groan in response. "I need to know your symptoms."
" m throat hurts…" He muttered. Gaius gently took Merlin's jaw in his hands and opened his mouth, looking into it. Red blisters coated the inside of his
throat. Gaius took a step away.
"Step back, Arthur. It's contagious." The prince took a step away, eyeing Merlin nervously as he fell asleep.
"What does he have?"
"Well, it's odd, but it appears he has scarlet fever. It can be very dangerous, potentially fatal. I'm just surprised, it hasn't been around in Camelot for a long
time, I had been led to believe the illness died off." Gaius took a wet cloth and placed it against Merlin's forehead.
"Died off? He's not gonna die, is he?" Arthur's voice had an edge.
"I don't know. The virus could have changed. If it hasn't, then I'm afraid his death could be upon us." Gaius said sadly.
"Can't you make a cure?"
"I need herbs that I do not have. But, I can't leave him alone-"
"I'll stay with him."
"But, Sire."
"I'll do it, just make sure you get what you need. Go now, while the day is still new."
"Thank you." He bowed his head and grabbed his bag, leaving immediately. Arthur tentatively took the cloth off Merlin's head and dipped it back into the
water before replacing it. It was almost two hours before Merlin woke again.
"You shouldn't be here Arthur. You'll get sick, you have to go." His voice was extremely hoarse, and it was agony for him to speak.
"I'm staying here."
"You can't, you'll catch it."
"It's a little late for me to leave then, if that's what you're worried about."
"I heard what Gaius said, if this is bad, then you can't get it, you're the prince, Camelot needs you-"
"I said it's too late! I've been here two hours already!"
"Arthur… why? Why would you stay, after what Gaius told you?"
"I made the choice to stay with you Merlin, because you are important to me. One might go as far to say that you are… that you are my friend." Merlin stared
at him for several moments as the prince kept his gaze away from making eye contact.
"But, you never act like it… I mean, I thought I was just another servant to you."
"Of course not, but I have to act the way that is expected of me. I am the prince, and you are the servant, and that is how it must be!" Merlin fell silent,
obviously hurt by the remark. Arthur sighed. "I didn't-I didn't mean that."
The outer door creaked open as Gaius arrived. "You should go, your highness." Merlin said with an air of bitterness. On the way out, Arthur told Gaius that he
would be out training the knights, and to send for him if there was any change.
"Alright men, pair up! Leon, you're with me." They began to fight with their swords. Leon was a man of great skill, but he had never been capable of
matching Arthur. However, the prince's attacks grew weaker and weaker. Finally, he waved off Leon and stopped to get breath, his hands on his knees.
"You don't look well, Sire." Leon stated.
"I'm fine, keep going!" Arthur snapped, and Leon continued to fight. Arthur's blows became weaker and weaker, but he didn't stop. He turned his head to see
someone approaching.
"Arthur!" Merlin's voice cracked as he called him.
"Merlin?! What are you doing?! You should be in bed resting!"
"So should you!"
"I'm fine, Merlin! You're the one who's sick!" Merlin fell forwards, palms digging into the soil. "Stay back, I'll help him." Arthur instructed the knights as he
jogged beside Merlin and slung his arm over his shoulders.
"Please Arthur, I'm fine. You should rest."
"You're the one who needs to be in bed."
"I want you to rest, Arthur. You're already becoming ill, I can see it."
"Don't be ridiculous, Merlin."
"I'm really sorry for this."
"What?" Merlin looked away as his eyes flashed golden, and Arthur fell asleep. He said a soft incantation as he pulled him farther towards Gaius's. The
knights saw what was happening and ran over. Leon was the first to speak as they tumbled into Gaius's chambers.
"What happened?!"
"He's fine now." Merlin said weakly, using his final reserve of strength to push open Gaius's door and pull Arthur halfway inside before tumbling inside
himself.
"I'll take care of them, but this is a quarantine! Everyone else out!" Gaius said shooing them with his hands. They all backed off, turning and going back to
their practice field. "What did you do, Merlin?" He asked as he helped Merlin up to his bedroom, feeling that the extent of his fever had worsened.
"I took it from him… I took his illness."
"How on earth did you manage that?!"
"I don't know, I just kinda… knew. I knew how to do it and I knew I could. So, I did."
"Merlin, there's no way you could possibly survive this. I don't know if I can save you this time." Gaius's voice held fear, fear of losing the one he knew as a
son, the one he had agreed to care for.
"I know, Gaius. I know. It's alright." Merlin coughed into his fist, his throat burning in pain. Arthur began to wake up.
"I'm so sorry. I promise, I'll do everything I can."
"What's going on?" Arthur propped himself up on his elbow, then stood as Gaius came out.
"My apologies, Sire. You had a heatstroke and fainted. When I got you here, I saw that Merlin's condition had escalated to a dangerous level. I was forced to
leave you there, please forgive me."
"Of course, no harm done. How is he?"
"Not well, I fear. His chances seem very…" He cut off for a short time as the lump in his throat grew bigger, "very slim." Gaius's voice cracked.
"There must be something, Gaius, anything. He cannot die." Gaius hesitated a moment before looking up at him with a new spark of hope in his eyes.
"Perhaps there is something. But it may involve you coming in contact with magic, Sire."
"Will it save him?"
"I believe so."
"Then tell me." Gaius pulled a book from his shelf and pushed it open.
"The moon flower. They say it can cure anything if prepared correctly, but it is guarded by a fierce beast of magic."
"Where is this flower found?"
"Legend has it that the moon flower grows where the moonbeams are strongest. But, I must tell you, the moon flower itself is of the old religion. Your father
would-"
"He doesn't have to know. I will take a few knights with me and we will retrieve this flower. How much longer do you think he has?"
"I was afraid to tell you this, but I believe his illness has been brought on and worsened by magic. He is deteriorating much too quickly. I fear he may not
last the night."
"That's not much time, Gaius. The sun is already preparing to set!"
"I know, Sire." The prince exhaled and nodded at Gaius.
"We will set out immediately, then. He will not die, Gaius." The old man merely nodded, going back to look after his ward.
Arthur ran to where his knights were still in training. He pulled aside Sir Leon and a couple other men. "Are you well now, Sire?" Leon asked him.
"Quite so. I have come to ask a favor of the three of you: Leon, Galahad, Griffet."
"Of course, Sire. Anything you need." Galahad said, bowing his head. Leon and Griffet followed suit.
"What I'm asking could very well bring you punishment at the hand of my father. You have all been loyal friends to me, and I understand if what I'm asking
is too much."
"What is your request?" Leon asked tentatively.
"You all know my manservant, Merlin. He has fallen ill as of today. The court physician Gaius has told me of a cure, something called a moon flower. The
qualities it possesses are that of magic, therefore our mission is against the law. However, without the flower, Merlin will be dead by sunrise. I ask that you will help
me retrieve it."
The men stared at each other for several moments, and Leon began to nod. "I will help you, as a friend." Arthur nodded, smiling softly.
"And I." Galahad said.
"Me too." Griffet decided.
"Thank you all. You are doing me a great favor, and when I am king this will not be forgotten. We must leave at once. Gather any supplies you need, and
prepare your horses. We leave in an hour."
"Yes, Sire." They hurried off the field to do what was needed. Arthur went to the royal stables and brought his horse behind the palace, waiting for his
knights.
They arrived in a timely manner, and rode into the forest. "I brought the three of you with me because you have the most knowledge of these woods. Where
would you believe that the moonlight hits the ground most?" The three of them pondered this for a moment before Galahad answered.
"That would be in the Valley of Bauland. It rests directly beneath the moon around midnight, and has no trees to obstruct the light."
"Are you certain?" Arthur asked, and the other knights nodded in agreement. "Lead the way, Galahad, quickly." The horses galloped onwards for at least two
hours before Galahad held up his hand, and they slowed. Beyond the trees, the pale light of the moon shone brightly down upon the grass. It was beautiful, beyond
beautiful. In the center of the valley stood the most gorgeous plant Arthur had ever laid his eyes upon. It was nearly the height of Arthur, many flowers branching off
of the sky blue main stems. The flower heads themselves resembled very soft blue lilies, with specks of gold donning their interior. The stems curved up like swans,
and the peace that the beauty brought was overwhelming.
"Stay back, men. I'll get it." Arthur jumped off his horse and slowly made his way closer. A rustling noise sent chills up his spine and he reached for his
sword. "What was that?!" He asked his men. They brought their horses closer. "No, no, it's alright." He came up to thee plant and reached a hand out towards one of
the flowers. Just as the tips of his fingers brushed the delicate petals, the rustling noise came back, louder than before.
Arthur stood back, drawing his sword from its sheath. Before he could react, a black figure sprung out and jumped on him, throwing him to the ground with
enough force to knock the air out of him. It clawed at him and growled, and Arthur believed himself to be a dead man.
Leon threw himself at the beast, swinging his sword and knocking it off of Arthur. Galahad and Griffet were battling it within a moment. Arthur pulled himself
up and joined them.
It moved with unmatched speed, practically a dark blur to them. Arthur picked up his sword in his right hand and held himself ready. Leon held up his
fingers, counting down from three. When his hand became a fist, they all attacked at once, forcing the monster to remain still for a millisecond. In that moment,
Arthur thrust his sword toward it, hitting in squarely in the shoulder. A shrill hiss came from the figure, and it looked sharply towards Arthur. To his complete
surprise, it had no face. It was just a dark shadow, like the silhouette of a man in a cloak. Within another second, it was gone.
Arthur fell to his knees, gripping his chest. "Sire!" Leon was beside him now.
"Get the flower!" He yelled. Galahad carefully pulled off one of the smaller stems off of the main one. The flower sparkled and left the men in awe.
"Are you injured, Sire?" Sir Griffet asked, putting a hand on Arthur's left shoulder. The prince pulled his hands away, revealing a deep gash from the tip of his
right collar bone to the bottom of his chest bone. He chuckled.
"Looks like it got me." He held his hand to his wound and stood. "We have to get the flower back to Merlin. There's not much time!"
Back in Camelot, Gaius tended to Merlin, speaking softly to him. "Hang in there."
"Gaius." He croaked, looking up at the man he knew as a father. Gaius bit his lip and stroked the young man's hair.
"It's alright, Merlin. You don't have to speak."
"Gaius." He said again.
"I'm listening." He moved closer to him, sitting on the edge of his bed and dabbing at his forehead.
"Thank you for everything, Gaius." Their eyes both filled with tears as Gaius squeezed his hand tightly.
"You don't have to say goodbye. You can't-"
"There isn't much time, you know that. I know it… I can feel the life leaving me, Gaius." Gaius sobbed, holding tight to Merlin in his arms.
"Merlin…" He cried.
"I'm not scared. It's alright, I promise. I want you to be happy, Gaius."
"I could never be happy without you."
"Don't let me kill you. I care about you more than anything, but I can't- I can't hang on much longer."
"I know…"He swallowed the lump in his throat. "But they're coming, Merlin."
"Who?"
"Arthur went to get a cure."
"You said there was no cure." Merlin held a questioning gaze towards him.
"No cure of physical properties." Merlin's breathing quickened and his eyes widened.
"Gaius… magic? Does he know?! Why would you-"
"Arthur wanted to do it. He knew."
"You can't use magic, Gaius. Uther-"
"You mean more to me than he does! If disobeying the king means saving your life then I would do so in a heartbeat."
"There's not enough time… I can't do it, I'm sorry." Gaius held the young man close.
"Don't go yet, Merlin. Please…" They stayed in silence for a long while, Gaius clinging to the small amount of life left in his ward's body.
Arthur and his knights galloped their horses as fast as they could go. The prince looked out over the horizon, seeing how the darkness of the night was being
softly faded by the approaching sun. "FOR MERLIN!" He yelled, forcing his horse to go even faster.
"For Merlin!" The three knights shouted in unison before following suit. Arthur had the flower in his brown leather bag, being extremely careful not to crush
it. After what seemed like a lifetime, they rode into the city, the horse's hoof beats echoing as they hit the cobblestone.