Author's note: Thanks very much for the feedback on the first chapter. Glad to know you're enjoying it so far. I have to confess I'm having fun writing it. :) Here's Chapter 2.

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'So, why did Gaius really want you to come with me?' Arthur asked as the envoy continued on towards their destination. It was their third day of travel and he and Merlin were slightly ahead of the rest of the group. Arthur had chosen four of his most skilled knights to accompany them, but the four were currently hunting rabbits for dinner and had fallen behind, leaving Merlin alone with Arthur.

'He didn't say it in so many words,' Merlin responded, 'but he thinks you're walking into a trap.' He glanced across to see what impact his words would have on the young prince, and was surprised to see a smile flicker across the other man's lips.

'And he sent you along to protect me?' Arthur was grinning broadly now and Merlin had to admit that if he had been Arthur, the prospect would have sounded ludicrous. He grinned back.

'Maybe he just sent me to clean up the mess.' Merlin sighed. 'I still can't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from me.' Arthur raised an eyebrow.

'Such as?'

'I don't know. His reactions were too slow, it was almost as if…'

'He was ill?' Arthur interjected.

'No. Yes. I don't know.' Merlin shook his head. 'When I found him he seemed confused, distant. As if he was having trouble focusing on where he was.' Arthur snorted and shook his head.

'That wouldn't be right after he hit his head, would it?' the prince inquired. Merlin grimaced.

'That's not what I meant. He…I don't know…I just…'

'Feel guilty for leaving him?' Merlin nodded.

'If anything happens to him and I wasn't there…' he scrubbed a tired hand across his face. Arthur placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

'I don't understand his reasoning,' he began, 'but Gaius was adamant that I bring you along on this journey even though he knew you wanted to stay and take care of him. He must have had good reason. We reach Calderania tomorrow and if all goes well, we'll be home in a week. With any luck he'll be standing there waiting for you as we ride into Camelot and you'll be able to tell him your medical services weren't required after all.' Merlin sighed again, more deeply this time.

'I hope you're right.' Arthur grinned across at him.

'I am,' he insisted. 'It's getting dark, we should make camp. Come on misery guts, I'll race you to that clearing over there.' He spurred his horse into a gallop and Merlin was soon battling to catch up.

--

Gwen once again wrung out a wet cloth and gently pressed it against Gaius' forehead. Since Merlin and Arthur had departed, she had spent every moment that her duties would allow at the physician's bedside. At first, the old man had been alert and even good-humoured, but as the hours drew on, his focus began to wane and there were periods when he didn't respond to her at all. As the days progressed, his phases of alertness were fewer and farther between and by the end of the third day, Gwen had begun to wonder whether the fever had totally consumed what was left of the physician's mind. She wished Merlin was there with her. Maybe he could have alleviated her feelings of helplessness.

'He should never have left,' she whispered, pressing the cool cloth onto Gaius' cheek, 'he should be here with you.' To her surprise, the old man's eyelids fluttered and his fever-bright eyes locked with hers.

'No,' he responded taking hold of her hand, 'Merlin was right to go. The time will soon come when Arthur will have great need of him.' The physician's eyes slipped shut but the words continued. 'I fear this is a battle that I may well lose. Tell Merlin I'm sorry I broke my promise. Ask him…forgive me.' The final words were spoken barely louder than a whisper. As Gaius' grip slackened, a single tear fell down Gwen's cheek.

--

Merlin couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned on his bedroll, unable to shake the feeling that something was badly wrong. If only he hadn't left Camelot. If only he had some way of contacting Gaius. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat – maybe he could! Just a few weeks ago he had somehow formed a mental link with Arthur over a great distance. Admittedly he had been unconscious at the time, but if he could do it once, he may well be able to do it again. The link had been unidirectional, Arthur had been completely unaware of the identity of his guiding light, but maybe Gaius would be more receptive. Whatever the result, he had nothing to lose by trying. He thoroughly cleared his mind and focused only on Gaius. At first he felt nothing, but after a while he began to detect a weak presence. Carefully, he moved towards it, then slowly reached out to touch it.

'Merlin, what on Earth are you doing here? I told you to stay with Arthur!' Merlin blinked. He had somehow been transported into a dark chamber and now seemed to be facing an angry Gaius.

'I am with Arthur,' he responded, confused. He felt himself being grabbed by the wrist and pulled into a small side-chamber. Gaius immediately slammed the door behind them.

'Be careful, she must not know you're here,' the physician cautioned. Merlin took a closer look around. It looked very much like he was in a storeroom on Camelot's lower levels. 'I ask you again,' Gaius continued, 'why aren't you with Arthur?'

'I am!' Merlin insisted again. 'We set up camp a couple of hours ago and should arrive at the palace tomorrow. I just needed to know…' The physician shook his head.

'Remarkable. I would not have thought it possible. Even the most powerful sorcerers have great difficulty penetrating another's consciousness, particularly to this extent. From such a great distance it should be impossible.'

'Wait,' Merlin began. 'Are you trying to tell me I'm inside your head?'

'Indeed, and I am afraid you're not the only one.'

'She..?'

'A powerful sorceress by the name of Ariana. She arrived with Prince Richard's party on the morning you departed. I have been fighting her invasion ever since. At first she underestimated my defences and I was able to obtain information from her, but I fear I am weakening. It is taking all of my effort to repel her.'

'The fever, everything? It was all caused by magic?' Merlin was indignant. 'Why didn't you tell me?' he demanded.

'You would never have left me,' Gaius chided the warlock gently. 'As I told you, it is vital that Arthur does not face the Calderanians alone, and we both know he will not be dissuaded from completing his mission.'

'Let me help you now,' Merlin begged, 'together we can force her out of your mind.'

'No!' the physician was adamant. 'They must not be aware of your skills. The plot is far more complex than I initially understood. I believe my incapacitation is only the first step in a scheme to overthrow Camelot. Once Arthur has been dispatched, Uther will be without an heir. Using what knowledge I obtained from Ariana, I have deduced that the next step will be to murder the king. With no physician to prevent or cast suspicion on his death, and with the news that Prince Arthur has been killed by outlaws, Camelot will descend into chaos. Without a leader the armies of Camelot will be no match for the soldiers and mages of Calderania. You must stay by Arthur's side and follow wherever he goes. So long as the enemy remain ignorant of your powers they will underestimate you. They believe Camelot to be devoid of all forms of magic and that belief may be your only chance. You must keep Arthur alive at all costs. The future of Camelot depends on it.'

'What about you?' Merlin countered immediately. 'You're barely maintaining control as it is!'

'Sacrifices must be made,' Gaius answered calmly. 'You must go. If she discovers you here, all this will have been for nothing.'

'Gaius, no!' Merlin yelled as the connection was broken, 'you can't just let her kill you!' He frantically sought to reconnect with Gaius' mind but the physician's essence was nowhere to be found.