Alright, first off "Where it ends and where it begins" is now known as "The Blood Potion", because I'm a sad person and kept forgetting the title. (Don't mind me. *facedesk*)

Update galore! So here's second run on this story as well.. along with other fics of mine getting updates!

Hope you will like it. I'm curious for opinions, so if you have the time, please give me feedback~

Enjoy~

.*.

He yawned long and stretched, ending it with a groan.

Merlin took note of the sunlight coming in through his window and enjoyed the warmness it gave as it hit his face where he lay on his bed. He smiled, even closing his eyes to give himself fully to the moment. However the moment only lasted until he started remembering events of before. - Nah.. it had to be a dream - He brushed it off and rubbed his eyes.

It would be too good to have everyone know of his magic; and accept it; Arthurof all people to accept it.. H e has changed a lot in many aspects since the first time they met, and has come a long way in his views on sorcery as well, but the warlock wasn't sure the king would be ready to find out about it just yet. Not with Morgana running around and out to kill him with magic.

And Lancelot.. - It pained him, and as much as he would have liked for the knight to still be around, he was gone. More than four years now.. he marveled how the years had passed, letting his mind wander for a bit, reminiscing about the times the man was still around.

"Everyone knows. "Suddenly going over various scenarios, he smiled to himself thinking how easier it would be, to have his secret in the open and no longer being forced to hide. Chores done fast and easy; no more getting messy when mucking out the stables; no more hiding in fights, (he could show off for once, how he can take on bandits just as good as any knight AND without a sword!) and no doubt the prat would make him juggle and entertain them. - Merlin still smiled though. Camelot could be a safe home again for those that practice magic. His smile faded into a frown thinking of how things actually are at the moment. He didn't want to think about it much. The threats were too many and too close and he felt it was weighing him down too much at times, coating his wakeful hours in a constant self-consuming mist of worry. Even Arthur remarked how he smiles less and less. That vision he had, Mordred being closer then ever, Morgana sinking deeper and deeper into darkness and loathing, add to that all the renegade groups of magic users that from time to time decided to take matters into their own hand, and there was politics, with lords and taxes and borders and.. too much. Just. Too. Much. He rubbed his eyes, as if trying to shoo the thoughts to leave him. It was time to get up anyway.

He sat up with a groan, wondering what time it could be, as the sun seemed too bright, but the town seemed too silent. He noticed how uncomfortably sweaty he is again; the cloth of his nightshirt drenched and sticking to his body. No wonder, after a scare like that. But.. weren't they in a forest? He clearly remembered riding out. They were in a hurry too. Merlin scratched his head, trying to remember, but he got the feeling that dream and reality was getting too intertwined in his mind to be told apart at the moment.

The warlock sighed and proceeded to pull at his shirt to remove it, figuring he will have time to sort the mental images throughout the day, especially if he will have Arthur's socks to wash, - he always managed to get a good deal of thinking done while doing the laundry; but the clothing proved to be a bit more difficult to tackle than he anticipated, and soon he found himself stuck with the shirt halfway on his back and over his head as he struggled to take it off.

He heard a knock on his door. - It seemed odd to have Gaius knock, but then the door just opened and he heard someone rush in. He couldn't see who it was, and didn't recognize the steps either, but the next minute hands reached for his shirt and helped him get out of it. - The thing was really sticking to his skin like glue and he felt grateful for the assistance.

"My gosh, Merlin, what were you doing last night?" A female voice said half giggling, and the manservant froze in place. It wasn't the fact that it was a female voice; it was more of the fact that who it belonged to that terrified him.

As soon as he was no longer the shirt's prisoner, he picked his head up and glared at the young woman; and the next moment had him backing into the wall behind him in a jump and with such rush he even smacked the back of his head against it; but Merlin gave it no thought, he just looked ahead with eyes wide and mouth agape and a terrible terrible feeling gripping his whole being.

"Come now, Merlin, it's not like I haven't seen you without your clothes." She chuckled tossing his shirt to the side, keeping her playful emerald gaze on him. She wore a blue dress, her dark flocks waving around her shoulders and she stood proud in the small room of the manservant.

Complete shock was a pathetic understatement for Merlin.

"W-wha..hh..ow?" It was supposed to be a question, but somehow he had a hard time making it sound like that.

She furrowed her brows in slight confusion, her smile not leaving her lips as she eyed him.

"Merlin.. what's wrong?" she asked kindly and moved a little closer, causing the young man to pull back even more if that was even possible.

What's wrong?! Everything's wrong!

"Wha?! What are you doing here Morgana?! What do you want?! Why.." The young man felt he was running out of breath again for some reason.

"Calm down, Merlin.." Morgana said a l ittle hurt, unsure what to make of his behavior.

She took another step towards him, attempting to sit next to him, but the young man jumped right off of his cot, or rather he tried, but once his feet got caught in the tangled sheets, that were just as drenched as his shirt has been, he just fell on the ground with a loud thud, and for lack of better idea he scurried into the corner, bumping his back into barrels and just staring at the woman with dread.

"Merlin.. It's me, Morgana." The young woman looked at him with growing concern and fading smile, little did she know that was exactly what was upsetting the young man so much. She slowly approached him and crouched down next to him, all the while Merlin tried his best to pull away from her, and if he could have he probably would have become one with the wall or a barrel behind his back. The young man suddenly felt too exhausted again to move away and his erratic breathing wasn't helping, nor the fact that his frantic heartbeat felt to be drumming in his ears and said organ was about to jump out his throat.

"You.. y ou.. what are you.. doing..?" He squeezed through in a hoarse voice, his mouth becoming dry. He felt too lightheaded to fight back, so just sat with his back tight against the hard wood. How the hell did she get in here? Mordred..! It had to be Mordred, like the Killgharrah had said, there will be an alliance between those two.

"Shh.." Morgana shushed him, running her hands along his faceto which the warlock just flinched - and looked at the warlock with genuine worry in her eyes. "It's alright, Merlin.." She whispered in a reassuring tone and looked to the side, then held her hand out, uttering a word Merlin was familiar with as well, and a glass of water obediently came to her calling from the small table. "Here, drink."

"No.." He tried to turn away.

"It's just water."

„I don't want it!" Merlin clamored finding his voice and with a swish of his hand he knocked the cup out of the woman's grip and sent the water spilling and the cup rolling, and once again the only sound in the small room was the goblet's clanging and the warlock's labored breathing. There had to be some magic at work, he knew, otherwise what else could get him so breathless and weak? "I don't want anything from you!" he added through gritted teeth and shook his head, not taking his eyes off the witch. "Where's Mordred?! What did you do?!"

Morgana became dead quiet; her wide eyes pinned on him, slowly filled with tears and Merlin was expecting that malicious expression he'd seen many times to take over; he was waiting for her to viciously smile and mock him and call him a thorn in her side and torture him with spells and toy with him; anticipated to hear the smug tone giving off bits and pieces of her plan while he struggles for his life in her grasp; he expected her to stand sure of herself, confident and trusting in the success of her plan, but instead she just swallowed hard, fighting her tears and she nodded nervously, avoiding his glance.

"It's alright, Merlin.. it's alright.." she whispered barely audible; and instead of malice there was concern; and instead of a maniacal grin there was a frown on her beautiful face; and she just looked at him, and confused the warlock even more.

"I know what happened.." she said averting her eyes again, obviously fighting the urge to reach out to him, as he would flinch at any approach, but she wanted to feel him close and know him safe, and understanding that he is in good hands. "Arthur told me about the patrol. Said you may have hit your head.. Magic or not, an injury is an injury, and with the illness.. I told him it's too early.. I told him, but you know what a stubborn oaf he can be! He said the ride would do you good. Then this happens.. But its okay, Merlin.. its alright.." she whispered swallowing hard again; tears streaming down her face and tried to reach out to him once again, but his horror grew with each attempt and he fought back, swatting her hands away again and again, so she just sat crouched in front of him „Please Merlin.. You mustn't sit on the floor." she said and tried to grab his arm, while he just continued to shake her hands off.

"Merlin.. ..please.." she said pleadingly.

"No.. no..! Don't touch me!"

"I beg you, Merlin.. Let me help you.."

"NO!"

"What is going on in here?" an elderly voice called and there were footsteps approaching from outside the half-closed door, yet Morgana still tried to get a hold of the warlock.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Merlin roared and figured its going to be the only way out of this, so his eyes flashed gold as the woman in front of him flew back against the cupboard and he quickly struggled to his feet, and he lifted his hand not taking his eyes off of her.

"Merlin!" Gaius yelled in horror as he stepped in and glared at the figure on the ground, and for a second it seemed he will run to Morgana, but instead he faced his ward; and the next moment something completely unexpected happened to Merlin, and he found himself slamming into the wall and something held him against it tightly.

"Gaius! she..hk.!" The warlock wondered just when did Morgana become so strong to do such a spell without even looking up, but he decided he will have time to wonder about that later. Now he had to get the physician to safety and out of the room. "Gnh.. no.. gai.. ss… run agh.." but then he caught site of his guardian, and words caught in his throat, not just from the spell that pressed against him, but of the surprise in seeing Gaius with a raised hand and golden flash in his eyes.

This had to be a dream. It just had to.

"What has gotten into you, boy?" the elderly man called out incredulously.

Merlin however couldn't really find words, nor was able to utter any, even if he tried. The pressure didn't increase, but he was kept still and all he could do is let out a pained groan then came to the conclusion it's best if he just shuts up. Dream or not, that hurt.

"My Lady, are you alright?" The old man asked worriedly and the warlock watched his guardian turn to the witch, keeping a hand in the air in his direction.

"Yes, yes Gaius, I'm fine" The woman got to her feet with the help of the elderly man.

"I am so sorry, Lady Morgana.."

"It's quite alright, Gaius. It's not your fault.." she smiled weakly.

Then they both turned to face Merlin and the warlock felt tears welling up in his eyes, may it be lack of breath or the spinning of his vision or just the plain sight in front of him of his mentor helping his enemy, and his enemy being right in his own room..

Then they stepped towards him and if he thought he was scared before, it grew tenfold.

"Merlin.." His guardian called out, but all the warlock managed was a pathetic whimper as response. He could fight Morgana, he's grown passed his guilt or remorse or pity over her, he grew out if it a long time ago; he would fight her - but not his mentor; not the man he saw each day, the man that took him in and shared his life with since he set foot in Camelot; not the very person who was like a father to him.

And yet that very person held him pinned against the wall with a spell so powerful, he was amazed the old man could perform with such ease after so many years of inactiveness.

"Merlin listen to me.." He spoke again and lowered his arm, but the young man still felt pinned to the wall somehow, and didn't dare to speak or move, instead he squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed the whimpers away from his tightened throat.

"Merlin, please.." Morgana coaxed and the young man looked at her sharply, but then he realized she was so different. She was.. clean and fair, and beautiful; seemed younger and full of life and she had tears in her eyes as she looked at him with nothing but genuine concern. Was this the past..? He wondered.

"Merlin you need to rest. You need to lie down.." And somehow he found himself on his bed though he clearly felt the wall behind him a second ago, and there were hands holding him down, but he was too dizzy to look for who they belonged to.

"You need to take your medicine, Merlin. You need to take it easy.." He heard Gaius speak again and it felt like he was sinking into something dark and liquid and barely holding his head above water, when he could feel the drenched pillow under his nape.

"I'll talk to Arthur, leave him to me. I'll make sure he gives you a few days off to rest." Morgana mumbled, seemingly still fighting her tears yet somehow determined, and it was all becoming hazy for the young man. Then he saw a small vial of red tonic appear in his vision and wondered what it could be.

All the draughts and medicine he got for the usual illnesses, - a bad stomach, a morning after a night in the tavern, wounds, headaches, infections, with the occasional anti-fever potions, and sleeping draughts; he knew them by heart, he knew them by color and smell. However he had never seen such a vivid red potion before; and the smell was something metallic and foreign.

"You have to drink this."

He shut his eyes tight.

"Merlin, you need to.."

He tried to turn away. It smelled so awful..

"Merlin, please don't make me do this.." And as soon as he heard it, he felt the physicians hand on his jaw, trying to force it open; to have him swallow the tonic.

No. No. This can't be happening! He panicked. This can't be real! They.. they were in a hurry. They got to the forest then something happened.. Not this! There was no ambush, no bandits.. but something else DID happen... but couldn't for the life of him recall what that was. They were looking for something.. something very important...

He glared up with the most furious look he could muster, huffing and puffing thought his nose, lips shut tight, but it was futile. This was Gaius.. and imaginary or a fake or an enchanted one.. he still was the warlock's guardian; the very man that stood by his side and guided him when he was in trouble.

"Come on, Merlin.." his voice somehow sounded inside Merlin's head. And somewhere at the back of his mind he realized he is being childish. He clearly wasn't well and this was Gaius.. and there was someone else next to him, he sort of forgot who it was for a moment, but this was Gaius and there was no way the old man would do anything to hurt him, so it was only natural to take the potion. So after some reasoning, he did.. and by the Gods it tasted awful. He gagged and coughed through it.

No.. this can't be real! A part of him still fought against what he was seeing and feeling; he coughed at the taste. No.. this was Gaius, another voice said and willed him to relax and let things happen.

It's Gaius.. the man that not once proved to be willing to give his life for him. It was his guardian in every sense of the word and no matter how twisted all this seemed, he could not distrust him. The red potion came closer to his mouth again and the old physician kept on talking; muttering to him in encouragement; convincing, coaxing him into drinking it. And Merlin gave in, drinking more of it as the physician let it pour down his throat in small portions. It had a horrible metallic taste and it made him shake as it went down his gullet. Each time gagged on it the old man pulled the vial away so he can catch his breath.

"No need to hurry.. just take it easy." He said and pressed the vial against Merlin's lips again.

No.. He tried to turn away. Enough..

"Come on.. just few more gulps Merlin, you have it down almost.."

He drunk the rest of it. The taste was horrible and the potion somehow was warm.

"Oahh..." He moaned at the end, and was expecting the bad feeling of it to go away, but somehow it just didn't.

"Good, good.. you'll be alright, my boy." The old man said in a fatherly tone and patted his head, but Merlin could only reply with a muffed whimper as the liquid started to burn his throat and he involuntarily convulsed from a foreign pain that waved through his body.

"You'll be alright, Merlin" a young man said and the warlock snapped his eyes open to see who it was.

It was Arthur. He held his manservant down by the shoulders, pinned on his cot, and his top felt incredibly sweaty. Didn't he just take that off? Someone even helped him.. He started shivering and his teeth chattered together and he wanted to call out to his king, to warn him. To warn him.. of.. of.. something. But what?

Another wave of pain and the last thing he saw was Arthur's worried frown above him and his strong grip holding him firmly in place.

.

He felt laying on his stomach the next time he woke and he heard people talking just outside his door. The room was wobbling dangerously in front of his eyes, so he didn't even consider moving. He just listened.

"Mordred?.. why would he mention Mordred?.. he.."

"I don't know, Sire.. I just.. I know they were close. The young boy looked up to him. He adored him. Its unfortunate that he died.. and the way he did.."

"Indeed.."

"But for some reason Merlin called out about him. Asked the Lady Morgana where he is.."

"She's upset. I know.." there was a heavy sigh before he continued "I know she blames herself for his death.."

"We must not give much thought about this. Merlin had a fit, clearly he was delusional. It was the illness. Morgana will understand."

Morgana might.. but he sure as hell didn't. Merlin thought and he spotted a perfectly full little red bottle on his table. It had that potion in it; that blood red potion; and even a mere glance at it made him remember the horrid metallic and warm taste of it.

Instead of thinking, he decided to go back to sleep.

.*.