Hi everyone. Thank you for reading this story. Sorry for the late update, the place I've been staying has a slow connection, the type that makes you want to kill soeone with the computer but over the weekends I shall have a better connection so I will definatly be able to get the new chapter up by next week.

If Uther noticed his son's slight lean to one side or pail complexion he failed to show it.

"You're late. I sent for you half an hour ago."

Merlin felt Arthur's restrain to rolling his eyes.

"I'm sorry Father. I was not well."

"You are well now I assume." It wasn't a question, more a mere show of annoyance to the fact that his son allowed himself to be slowed or that he had been ill. Kings did not get sick.

"Yes."

"Good. I need you to ride out with the knights tomorrow morning. There have been reports of bandits crossing over the boarder."

Arthur visibly choked, doing well to stop the shock from showing any further. Gwen stood on the other side of the room, a serving jug held tenderly between her hands as she stood behind Sir Leon. Her eyes caught his. Merlin could almost hear the conversation between them. Apologies and promises. Neither willing to abandon their plans but afraid to cause any inconvenience to each other.

"I can't in the morning. Would the afternoon be alright? Or perhaps even this evening?"

Uther looked up in surprise, he body sitting up straight, the Father lecturing the Son.

"Whatever for?"

"I" Arthur let his gaze slip, unable to hold his Father's harsh stare. "I have training first thing and work to finish."

Judging from Uther's unimpressed expression this wasn't going to slip through.

"What my Sire is too proud to say is that he is indeed sick, in fact more so than he will let on. He should not exert himself, as I'm sure Giaus should confirm."

"Of course." The healer, backed them up. "Arthur needs rest if he is ill."

Merlin couldn't help but notice, Uther however seemed ignorant of, Giaus' expectant looks to his nephew, which will no doubt lead to some explanations later. Merlin had better come up with something, Giaus wasn't so keen on these secret meetings. At least, in part, their story was true.

Somehow he got the impression that Arthur wasn't too happy with this explanation, but he went along with it.

"It appears I have come down with the disease which is spreading among our people. I was sick this morning." He kept his eyes focused on one carved picture of the throne, determined not to meet the eyes of any one of the knights.

"Arthur. To be a king you must learn that nothing will get in your way. I travelled and fought dozens of times while ill or wounded. The enemy does not wait for you to get better before continuing a battle! You will ride out at dawn"

Merlin recognised the brief but intimate communication between Gwen and Arthur, their minds sending thoughts of apologies and comfort.

Arthur pulled his body upright, highlighting to Merlin how much he had been leaning, tired to one side. He gave a short but graceful nod of his head before striding out, nothing else said.

The next morning Merlin decided to make an effort to wake Arthur up on time with a healthy breakfast, perfect to get his strength ready for the day. He'd already prepared himself all ready to go on this quest with his Prince, determined to give all of his attention to keeping Arthur safe, and that included fro any diseases.

He was surprised however to find that Arthur was already dressed and packing. His knight armour already perfectly in place with his sword stiff and ready on the table.

"Arthur?"

"Merlin?" They both looked at the other in surprise, and checked the position of the sun rise.

"You're up?"

"You're on time?" Arthur raised his eye brows, "well, there's a first time for everything. Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine!" Merlin placed the food on the table directly in front of the young Prince. "I was about to ask you that."

"I'm fine! Perfect! All alert and prepped to get going." Merlin wasn't fooled by the forced energy behind his voice.

"Breakfast?" Arthur paused, before turning away.

"No thanks." Two guesses as to why he'd lost his appetite.

"Arthur. You can't go like this. You're shaking!" It was true Arthur's body was jittering slightly almost at a constant pace and the chilling complexion of his face hadn't changed since the day before either.

"You heard my Father yesterday."

"At least give yourself time to rest."

"If I…the sooner I set out and find that all of this is just exaggerated talk, then the sooner we can come back here to be with Gwen."

There were dark rings under his eyes suggesting he hadn't even had a proper night's sleep, and the exhausted manor he carried his body made Merlin doubt that he could last the entire journey without stopping.

Nothing though would change his mind when it came to his Father, Gwen or his own reputation, and all three were up in the open this time.

"Sorted." Arthur slotted his sword into his hilt. "Ready?"

King Uther was waiting there to see hi off with the image of the caring Father. In reality he was there to give various orders and remind his son that as future king it was his job to succeed in all quests.

Arthur leant against is horse, resting his head in hands while the horse stood patiently. Merlin stood to one side watching for a few seconds before attentively edging his way over. "Arthur? Are you sure you're alright to do this?"

He was positive that he'd kept his voice low enough for only Arthur to hear, but Uther was the one who replied. "He is more than capable and can do without you un-encouraging words. Arthur."

The Prince had snapped to attention, already climbing onto his horse and grabbing the reins. "Father."

"I trust you will be back in time for the diner with Lady Ce Traih. Arthur?" He added when his son did not first respond.

"Yes of course. Plenty of time. I look forwa…"

Arthur's eyes began to droop as his body sagged forward. His arms attempted to prop his weight up on the mane but his elbows buckled.

"Arthur." Merlin darted forward. At last the Prince looked up pushing his body up right with obvious great hardship.

"Merlin get on." He swallowed. His voice hoarse. He blinked back a dreary wave in attempts to clear his head of the woozy feeling clogging his mind. They were not good enough. Before he managed to order his horse forward his body leaned back over to the left, his hands became limp on his hold as he fell from his high seat onto the stone hard floor. Merlin felt utterly helpless as he watched his friend fall, unable to stop the collision with the ground which sent an eerie thud round the court yard.