ok so I can't write anything now besides Merlin fics haha- after honestly attempting to keep writing Avenger'd, I watch "The Wicked Day" (4x03) in Merlin and this pretty little thing pops up into my head and wiLL nOT LEAVE. I feel like I want to make all of Merlin's ends happy XD as impossible as that is.

So, the dialogue besides one phrase that I borrow from the episode will be in italics, as I didn't feel like rewriting the already-played-out scenes. And just so you guys know, this is gonna be a two-shot, so don't be so resolved by the end ;) I actually wanted this to be a simple oneshot with the ending how it ends here, but I wanted certain things to happen a certain way...so, one more shot.

I kinda let loose on all of my writers' inhibitions so...if the prose seems crappy, I'm sorry. Let me know if there are any mistakes.

So yup! R&R and enjoy!

I own the plunny.


The Not-So-Wicked Day

Part One

"You're my father's only hope. I'll give you anything you ask for. Land, gold- name your price."

"I do not want your gold! All I have ever wanted is that people like me can live in peace. That those who practice magic are accepted, rather than hunted. That is all I ask."

Agravaine smirked wickedly as he tucked the charm into his brother-in-law's robes. "Finally, you will get all that you deserve, old friend." Suddenly he heard the door creak open and looked up to see Gaius, standing in the doorway with a handful of wood. "Ah, Gaius," Agravaine greeted smoothly. He patted Uther's forehead seemingly with affection before moving around the bed to approach the court physician. "What brings you here?"

"I was bringing wood for a fire My Lord, since it's been so cold lately, and I bumped into Gwen in the hall who said you suggested the very thing to her," Gaius replied with a knowing glance towards the fireplace. Agravaine, only briefly perturbed by the sudden appearance of the physician, regained his composure with a slick smile.

"Of course, Gaius. I was just expressing my best wishes to the king," Arthur's uncle remarked softly. "Do as you will then, I'll be off." Gaius raised his eyebrow, higher than it normally is always raised, as the dark-haired man left.

The court physician knew of Agravaine's secret treachery towards Camelot, and was very suspicious at the man's actions. After he tended to kindle a fire to bring some warmth, he curiously inspected the king's bedside. Gaius recalled Agravaine's bended figure over Uther and went to look around Uther's chest. The old man felt around, and his hands flinched at the sensation of cool metal. He grasped the accused object and gasped when he pulled it from the king's robes. Gaius glanced around then, leaving the charm where it was, left to go warn Merlin.

Arriving back in his chambers, Gaius found his ward studying the healing spell he was to use on the king.

"Merlin! You must take caution!" he exclaimed, catching the young man off guard.

"What is it, Gaius?" Merlin inquired. Gaius explained what he saw in the bedroom to Merlin.

"I took care not to remove the charm, as Agravaine would most definitely suspect us. You must look for it and remove it, or I fear your attempts to heal the king will be jeopardized," the physician warned. Merlin nodded gravely. Gaius picked up the book with the healing spell and looked over it once more.

"You must only use four drops. Any more could be dangerous."

~~~~~~~~~MERLIN PAGE BREAK MERLIN PAGE BREAK MERLIN PAGE BREAK MERLIN PAGE BREAK MERLIN PAGE BREAK MERLIN PAGE BREAK~~~~~~~~~~

"And I said you are dismissed."

"Yes, My Lord."

"Here we go now," the old sorcerer cackled with glee as Arthur closed the bedroom door behind them. Just as Gaius had warned him though, he felt the powerful magic. Old Merlin gave a smirk. "Soon, Arthur Pendragon, you will see that not all magic is for evil!"

Arthur raised a golden eyebrow at 'Dragoon', wondering infinitely, and hoping inwardly that the old man would help. The old man approached Uther's bed, but then paused. "What's wrong? You must hurry or he'll die," Arthur pleaded softly. 'Dragoon' gave the prince a dark look.

"No, if I hurry, he will die," he corrected with a bitter twinge. Arthur gaped at this statement. "There is dark magic here, and meant to misdirect the intention of healing the king!" Old Merlin sauntered over to Uther, and pulled off the charm that the prince had not seen there before, holding it up for the bewildered Arthur to see.

"What is that?" the crown prince rasped as Old Merlin placed the charm on the table in front of the king's bed. Arthur did not like the way the old sorcerer had become so serious- it made him afraid, and he did not like it one bit. The old man did not answer him, but held out his hand towards the metal charm.

"Hælbære," the old man whispered, his eyes lighting up a fiery golden. Arthur watched as the metal trinket became a bright white, which then changed into a sickly dark green. 'Dragoon' turned back to Arthur with a grave expression. "It was as I feared. If I had attempted my healing on Uther Pendragon, this would have made it so I would kill him." Arthur paled. "It seems that someone did not wish for the king to live." After the charm lost the color, Old Merlin gave it to Arthur. "Better hold on to that while I truly fulfill my end of the bargain."

The young prince had nothing to say. He was previously having doubts about using magic to save his father's life, wondering if it was the right thing to do, but after what he had just witnessed, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself until the deed was done.

Merlin went through with the healing spell as he had read and Gaius had told him, placing the four drops of hogswart on Uther's lips and holding the sage branch over his body. His cerulean eyes became a strong gold and the sage branch began to smoke. He took a deep breath and began to chant, "Efencume ætgædre, eala gastas cræftige: gestricie pis lic forod."

A moment passed and Arthur slowly moved toward his father, looking for any signs. Merlin backed away as Arthur approached, his eyes too not leaving the elder Pendragon. Suddenly, as if a miracle, Uther's eyes snapped open! A wide smile grew itself on Arthur's face.

"Father? Father!" the blonde cried, clenching his father's weakened hands. The old warlock gave a sigh of relief. Uther gazed up at his son and gave a weak smile.

"Arthur…" he whispered kindly, causing Arthur to laugh. "What happ-…I thought I was…"

"Shh, Father, it's alright now," Arthur silenced the king's weak protests. "You need to rest now, everything will be fine." The old king obliged his son's wishes and closed his eyes to sleep, more peaceful and not labored with pain as he was before. Arthur nodded and turned to face 'Dragoon the Great' solemnly. "You have done what you promised to do. You have saved my father's life, and for that I am grateful." The old warlock merely nodded in response. "As you have done your part, so I shall do mine. I give you my word that when I am king, I will make sure that you will not have to live in hiding any longer."

Old Merlin smiled truly, his blue eyes twinkling with pure delight and satisfaction.

"It would be best if you leave for now, but I will not go back on my word," Arthur assured. "I promise." The old warlock smiled in response, but only dimly.

"You might want to keep an eye out for whoever placed that charm. Whoever it was knew you would be using magic to save your father's life," Old Merlin warned quietly, before leaving the room, unbeknownst to Arthur drinking his reversing potion and becoming his younger self again.

Arthur remained at his father's bedside, clutching the charm in his hand. He thought over the words that the sorcerer had told him, and they shook the prince so! A traitor, yet another traitor, who was close by in his castle! It hurt Arthur's heart to think of it. After Morgana's betrayal he felt hardened somehow, steeled to the outside unlike before. Morgana, the prince thought. Only she would wish their father's death and Arthur's grief. Someone must have reported to her and gotten the charm from her, as that would be the only explanation for such 'dark magic' as the old man had put it.

But now would not be the time. Tomorrow would be a new day and Arthur would begin there, side by side with his father, and as he thought this, Arthur glanced with a warm smile at his resting father before he too fell asleep.

Merlin meanwhile, was also on the joyous end. He made his way back to Gaius's chambers and could barely keep a smile off of his face. Upon entering, Gaius met his gaze in the doorway, giving his ward the trademark eyebrow raise.

"I've done it Gaius!" the young warlock exclaimed with a jubilant radiance practically rolling off of him in waves. "I've healed Uther, and Arthur gave his word that he will help those with magic be accepted! His word, Gaius, Arthur never goes back on his word!" Merlin crowed in his delight, and it was so contagious Gaius found himself chuckling with pride at his ward's achievement. "And now he's seen the good, the great that magic can do!" Gaius clapped a hand on Merlin's back.

"Well done, my boy! Well done," Gaius beamed. Merlin paused for a moment, distracted by a thought.

"I must tell Kilgharrah!" he interjected enthusiastically. "Oh that old dragon will be so happy!" Merlin almost turned right around and marched back out the door if not for Gaius holding him back.

"Slow down, Merlin! You have plenty of time, you can tell him tomorrow," Gaius advised. "You've had quite a night already. You need plenty of rest." Merlin made an odd noise from the back of his throat.

"But Gaaiiiusss I'm not even tired!" the young man protested with an indignant whine in his voice.

"You. Must. Rest," Gaius ordered paternally, only gently forcing Merlin to his room and into his bed. Merlin gave an undignified huff before complying with Gaius's wishes, closing his eyes and slipping into unconsciousness.


Part Two of this AU will be up tomorrow in the afternoon!

The spell before the healing spell is actually also a simple "I heal" to show that the charm is enchanted. I wasn't sure how to describe the reversal effect so I just thought of a really disgusting pukish color to make it turn.

Review please and let me know how you like it!

-DMRA