Uther called in the counsel. "Today we will be executing Will James…" Merlin's eyes widened, his friend that has been his manservant for 3 years was being executed.

When he was brought in Will looked at his friend.

When he was harshly thrown to the floor, Merlin took at step forward but stopped, his hand bawled into a fist as Uther spoke.

"Merlin…do you want to do the honors?" Then the prince felt dizzy, ill.

He felt like he was going to throw up as he saw his father smile.

"Come…do it for father…" Uther said as he pulled him up to the throne, the man began to sweat.

"What have you been accused of, Sir?" Merlin asked his friend respectively, Uther scowled.

"Sorcery, Merlin…"

Then a guard kicked him.

"That's prince to you, pig!"

Merlin then went up to the guard.

"Wait outside for me… you will learn not to hit a person who was wrongly accused…"

The guard looked at him oddly, as did all.

"Prince Merlin…he's evil…"

Merlin shook his head as he pulled Will up, he felt nausea pooling his stomach.

"Does this face look like he would snap you're neck…does it?" The man shook his head.

"Leave…Now; wait for me when it's over…" The man bowed and left.

"What did you do to get caught, Will?" Merlin asked as he shivered with nausea, he didn't want to speak for if he did he would vomit, but he had to help his friend.

"I levitated a Childs toy sword down from a tree to give it to the boy…" Will explained.

Merlin nodded.

"You're always so selfless, friend…" Merlin smiled.

He could feel Uther's stare bore into him.

"Are you a warlock? Where you born with these powers, Will?" The prince asked.

Will nodded. Merlin breathed hard to calm his sickness before he spoke. "There… he couldn't help who he was… since I met Will he was kind and still is." The peasant smiled.

"Son…he's controlling you…" Uther said sadly.

"Father… he has saved my life many times…I must repay him… he's the only one that made me laugh…the only one father…please, for the sake of my soul and his… save him…. he has helped me in many ways, show you're people gratitude…" A wave of dizziness hit it. His hands trembled but he held himself together, he could see Will about to ask as he felt my hand's shiver.

"Merlin…you're humiliating me…" Uther whispered.

Merlin shook his head. "No father, I'm helping you rule the kingdom in a good way…" He could see that he stepped over a line, a line he knew all too well.

It was right but not to Uther. "No…he is evil…" Merlin got angry.

"How…how is helping a child…saving you're son's life many times evil?" Merlin razed his voice but gently.

"That's it… he will be burnt at the stake and you will be locked in your chambers for two months…" Merlin flinched.

"Please father… my window has a horrid view of the stake… please just hear me out… I'm your son…trust me, please!" Then it was all too much Merlin fell to the floor, emptying his stomach contents on the floor.

His vision was blurry as it was clouded with tears.

Will bent down. "Merlin… are you ok?" He begged as the guards came.

"Will…" Merlin panicked as he saw his friend being dragged away, Gaius ran to his side as Merlin fell on his side, He heard Uther's voice ring through his ears as he ordered the council to depart.

"Please…I can heal him!" He heard will cry.

Merlin covered his ear's with his hand blocking the noise, Gaius saw this and hushed Uther. "You're making it worse…calm…the he will calm…" Uther fell silent.

Merlin let his arms fall as he looked up to the ceiling; it swayed as he closed his eyes.

Uther ordered a knight to carry him to his chambers. Merlin woke half way as he looked up at the man. He had blond hair, blue eyes as both men stared at each other. Merlin shook uncontrollably.

He felt himself gently fall onto his bed. He felt a cold hand cover his head. Merlin moaned, his eyes closed heavily, exhausted.

"Cooold…" Merlin weakly whispered.

"He has a fever, my lord." The knight said.

"That man will pay for what he has done to my son!" Uther bellowed, Merlin moaned.

"No…please…he's my friend…you're…you're killing th-…the wrong person father…please!" Merlin whispered, panting hard.

"NO…LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE TO YOU!" Uther yelled,

Merlin couldn't take the drama.

He leaned over, his hand finding a bucket, Then he felt it and threw up in it.

"Please, Uther…calm down… you're stressing him…wait till he is better, don't kill Will, give him a proper trail, for Merlin, you're son's sake!" Gaius begged.

Uther huffed and walked away.

Merlin sighed in exhaustion when he flopped back.

The knight gave Merlin a cup of water to rinse. "Thank you…" Merlin breathed tiredly.

"No need, I admire you're kindness to Will…I want to do this." He said as he placed a cold cloth on Merlin's forehead.

Merlin hummed. "You're burning up…" The knight sighed. Merlin looked at him as the blond man cooled the warm cloth.

"What's your name kind Sir?"

The man chuckled.

"What?" Merlin moaned.

"You have a fever, you threw up twice, you're exhausted as hell and you're polite, you need a break…when you get better I'm taking you out for the day…" Arthur then put the cold cloth on him.

When Merlin was drifting off to sleep the knight smiled at him. "My name is Arthur by the way, Arthur Pendragon from Ealdor…" Then he was gone.

Arthur stayed with him the whole night.

At midnight Uther came in, the knight woke.

"How is he?" Uther asked breathless.

"He's weak, exhausted and ill but I will make him better, I know exactly what he needs… no need to worry, go back to sleep my lord." Uther went to his sons' side.

His hand stroked Merlin's cheek. The man hummed, giving in to the touch. Uther sighed as the tears fell. "He's a good man… I don't want to lose him…" Uther said, choking on a sob.

"As long as I am by his side every second of every day I will get him better in a month…" Arthur said, sternly. Uther nodded.

"My lord…is it alright if I could take the prince out for a day, just so he can take a breath…?" The man smiled.

"Thank you, Sir Arthur… Yes you may, and you don't have to take knights with you, I trust you with him."

He then left, Arthur turned to Merlin who started to sob in pain. Arthur laid the cold, damp cloth on Merlin's forehead; Arthur hushed him as he rubbed Merlin's arms gently.

Uther smiled in the hallway. He then turned and walked to his chambers. Arthur smiled, happy for the permission to take care of Merlin. he looked at the prince and smiled.

'Don't worry, everything will get better, it will… I swear it, Merlin…" Arthur yawned as he wrinkled the cloth, he then cooled the fabric and laid it on Merlin's forehead.

Arthur sat down, eyes drooping with exhaustion. "Night, Merlin…" Arthur mumbled as he fell asleep. When he woke Merlin was worse.

He panted, sweat covered his body.

Arthur tried to cool him.

The knight sighed.

"You're too hot…"

"No kidding…" Came a feverish Merlin, grinning, his eyes hooded.

"You need a bath…" Arthur said out loud.

He then ran to the hallway and asked a servant to make a bath.

She made one and nodded Arthur goodbye when she was done.

The blond locked the doors and closed the blinds but left the windows open.

He checked the cold temperature and smiled.

The knight went to his prince's side.

He was asleep.

"Come on…time for bath…" Arthur said as he undressed Merlin.

When he was naked Arthur lifted Merlin into his arms, one arm draped around Arthur's neck.

"MMmmmm…" Merlin hummed, his head resting under Arthur's chin.

The knight bent down and slowly laid Merlin into the bath, the boy whimpered.

"Shhh…It's okay, Merlin…shh, now….feel the cool water take the heat and pain away…feel it lessoning as the coolness comes into you…now it's gone…you're cool now…you're getting better…" he whispered as he laid Merlin in the tub.

He then washed Merlin's hair and body.

The poor sod slept through the whole thing.

Arthur then took off his top and let his arms wrap around Merlin's frail body and lifted him from the water.

Merlin heard water trickle into the tub as he was then lifted to the bed, he was laid down and clothed in cooler wearing.

"Merlin?" Arthur called.

The warlock opened his eyes.

"Do you feel better?" He asked.

"Mmmmhmmm…" he hummed, slowly nodding.

"Good…still tired…?"

"…Weak…" Merlin whispered.

"Okay…drink this…" Arthur hushed as he gave Merlin a liquid, the man didn't question and downed it.

Moments later Arthur asked.

"How do you feel?"

"Stronger…but…"

"Tired?"

Merlin nodded.

"Sleep…" Arthur whispered.

"Great idea…" Merlin croaked and fell asleep.

Arthur sighed and laid a cloth on top of his brows.

He drifted off.

"A-Arthur…?" Merlin croaked in his dream.

"Merlin…? Merlin wake up…" Arthur said, gently shaking him.

Merlin coughed, harshly.

"Merlin…" Arthur called.

He heard how Merlin's breath changed, he has Asthma.

Arthur leaned down and breathed into Merlin.

"Come on…breathe…breathe Merlin breathe!" Arthur panicked as his hands pushed against Merlin's chest.

The prince gasped.

"Thank gods…" Arthur breathed as Merlin opened his eyes and his breath evened out.

Arthur's arms wrap around Merlin and hugged him tightly.

"Don't do that to me, Merlin…don't…" He whispered into Merlin's ear.

"S-orry…" Merlin weakly croaked.

"It doesn't matter…your okay…" Arthur smiled.

The knight laid Merlin on the bed, staring at each other.

Something lit inside the two men at that moment, safety was it?

Love?

No… this was stronger, this was destiny.

This was love at its strongest.

Merlin's eyes flickered to Arthur's lips.

Arthur's eyes trailed down to Merlin's lips.

They were parted, a light plum colour blossomed those full lips.

Merlin's chest rose and fell faster.

Arthur slowly bent down, Merlin slowly lifted his head.

Their lips touched, it was gentle, innocent.

Their lips moved slowly.

All was quiet.

Arthur laid his hand on Merlin's nape, eyes closed.

Minutes past and they slowly parted, Arthur rested his head to Merlin, both men's' eyes still closed.

They tried to get their breath back to normal.

Merlin smiled.

When the blond sat up, Merlin was fast asleep.

Arthur gave him an amused smile and stroked his hair.

Soon a month passed.

Merlin didn't get better.

Arthur got worried.

Something was wrong.

One day, the king and Gaius stood at the foot of Merlin's bed.

Merlin's breath was ragged, it echoed along the castle, the towns….the whole kingdom.

All knew of his illness, all loved him and all prayed for him.

Candles, candles in the thousands were lit in the court yard, held by tear-filled eyes of the people of Camelot.

Prayers whispered along the court yard and echoed the corridors.

Save him, heal him, have mercy…Mercy!

Uther was staring at the tiles of Merlin's room, his leathered fist clenched tightly beneath his perched lips, thing…thing hard.

"I don't know what's wrong…I know of Arthur's healing skills…Merlin should be walking…he should be healthy…" Gaius worried voice echoed around the room.

Arthur was staring at Merlin, scared, terrified.

Tears spilled down his faces as Merlin's breath echoed, his strangled breath echoing, piercing his mind every second, it didn't stop!

Arthur laid a damp cloth on Merlin's head.

"It's that sorcerer… we must force him to tell us the cure-" Uther said but Arthur cut him off.

"Let me do it, sire… I know how to make him talk…" Arthur said and ran to the dungeons.

"I've come to see the warlock Will…Will James…" Arthur said to a guard.

The man nodded, he opened the door.

"Is Prince Merlin going to live?" The guard asked, scared.

"All we can do now is pray…pray for his mercy…" Arthur said and walked in.

Not noticing a tear falling down the guard eye as he past him.

Arthur arrived at the bars.

"Will?" Arthur asked.

Soon a man appeared from the darkness of the filthy cell, the torch next to him showed his dirty face.

Arthur wrapped his hands around two bars.

He rested his head against the bared door.

"Please…" Arthur begged.

"Is Merlin alright?" Asked Will, clearly worried.

Arthur frowned and looked at Will.

"You didn't cause his illness?"

"NO! Of course not, he's my friend!" Will cried.

"Do you know how to heal him?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know…" Will said in a small voice.

Arthur growled and banged hard against the door, all guards looked at him.

"THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, HE'S D-DYING, YOU HAVE TO SAVE HIM, PLEASE!" Arthur screamed.

He sobbed and fell to his knees, his fingers curling harder around the bars.

"Please…" He wept, broken.

"Save him…save him, please…" Arthur begged, weeping.

"If he is your friend…save him…" Arthur ordered, looked up at the prisoner.

"I will…I'll try my absolute best to save him, I'd die if he does…" Will said, strongly.

"Good…" Arthur said and stood up.

"You care for him…" Will said, gently.

"Everyone does…"

"That is true but, you…you love him…" Will said, a small smile plastered along his lips.

"Yes." Arthur answered, quickly.

"Take care of him, when I'm gone…" Will begged.

"You can't die…you didn't do anything…"

"Have you seen Uther give mercy to any warlock or sorcerer?" Will asked, sad.

"No…" Arthur said, quietly.

Will nodded.

Arthur turned to a guard.

"Give me the keys, were going to save the prince…" Arthur said, the guard immediately obeyed and opened the door and unlocked the chains that heavily latched onto Will's wrists.

They clattered to the ground.

Will hissed and rubbed his wrists.

"Sorry…" Arthur apologized and wrapped two cloths around each wound.

He then grabbed Will hand and they ran to the room.

Arthur burst into the room.

Sad, sad eyes gazed at him.

"He's fading…" Gaius wept.

"No…no he can't…Will you have to save him!…" Arthur croaked and took the man to Merlin's side.

Will froze in place when he saw Merlin, his covered his mouth and gasped, eyes wide.

Merlin was coated in sweat, his head lolled to the side, hi chest barely raised, lips closed.

"Save him!" Arthur cried, desperate.

Will snapped out of his shock and sat on the chair.

"Get me a magic book on healing…" Will instructed to any soul around him.

Gaius nodded and ran to his chambers.

Arthur yelled in anger.

"THERE'S NO TIME!" He screamed and turned to the window, his arm hit the stone wall as his head cast down to the floor, eyes screwed shut, weeping softly.

Tears fell down onto the floor.

Arthur…

Arthur…

The knight looked up at the window, colours glowed.

Merlin stood in front of him.

"I love you"

He smiled, leaning in and placing a kiss on his cheek.

It was warm.

Then Merlin vanished, Arthur placed his hand on his cheek and looked over to Merlin.

He looked like he was dead.

But he couldn't be, he just couldn't.

Arthur looked back at the window to see the whole, entire kingdom on their knees, weeping; candles glowed as brightly as their plea and hope for their little prince to live.

LIVE

LIVE

LIVE

Gaius soon ran in, Arthur looked at Will enchanting spells, Uther was thrown into his chambers as he was about to kill the boy himself.

"It's useless…" Arthur whispered as Will's desperate voice cried out spells.

Suddenly, it was quiet.

Arthur didn't know how long it was quiet for, he was lost.

Was Merlin finally dead, was Will mourning, did he give up?

Then….

"Arthur?" A weak voice whispered.

The knight gasped and looked at the bed to see Merlin, colour flowed back into his pale skin.

His almost blue lips, filled with the light plum colour.

The sweat disappeared, his skin glowed.

Colour returned to his face, his hair strengthened.

The knight smiled and ran to the bed, he fell to his knees and held the man's hand.

Then Merlin's eyes opened, showing deep sapphire orbs, melting Arthur's heart.

He grinned stupidly, Arthur chuckled.

He stood and jumped up and ran to the window, he flung it open, sad, tired eyes looked up at him.

"MERLIN'S ALIVE!" He screamed, his joyous voices strongly carried through the castle, town and the whole of the seven kingdoms.

Merlin was alive.