Down in his chambers Gaius moved frantically. Never had he seen symptoms like these. Victims of the growing plague suffered from seizures, delirium, rapid heart beat, hallucinations, and, in the worst case he'd seen so far, coma which lead to death. As much as he hated to admit it, science was not giving him any answers. Perhaps it was time to-

"Find anything?" cut in Merlin, closing the door behind him.

"With my fortune I was probably just about to have an epiphany when you interrupted."

"Sorry."

"Yes well, this one seems to be a bit over my head." He sighed, slamming a heavy book on a large stack of other so far useless ones. Merlin helped himself to some bread, accidently knocking over a vase of flowers and some bottles. The glass shattered, water spilling everywhere.

"Sorry!" He began to collect the pieces.

"Not like that, Merlin..." Gaius walked slowly over. "The other way."

"Other...? Oh." With a wave of his hand the bottles and vase were exactly as they were, mending themselves in an instant. Gaius stared at them for a moment, then sighed deeply.

"Yes, I think it's our only chance."

"What is?" Merlin blinked dully, continuing to munch on the bread.

"I need you to study my patients. Try to find out what's causing this horrible illness."

"What, with magic you mean?"

"Of course dear boy. You expect to be of any other use in this matter?"

"Well-"

"Just have a look. They're through there," Gaius pointed to Merlin's room.

"What, in my chambers?" He was outraged.

"I'm sure Arthur will be able to find a spare room for you."

"But-"

"Do as you're told. The sooner we find out what's wrong, the sooner we find a cure. Uther won't even allow me to leave the castle to see the other victims. No telling what will happen next."

Merlin worked tirelessly in the following days, using the spell book Gaius had given him to search for an answer. When he wasn't with the ill, he was with the haughty. Arthur had him working hard to keep himself occupied. Several times Merlin had had to spar with him. It was getting to the point where Merlin let Arthur win quickly just so he could get back down to his patients.

"Have you learned nothing, Merlin?" Arthur taunted him. "Honestly, it's like trying to teach a fish how to breath out of water."

I can do that actually, Merlin thought. It's not so hard.

"Will you at least pretend to listen to me?"

"I'm listening, sire."

"But not hearing." Arthur threw his sword down and crossed to the window. "Something my father's been having issues with as well. Did you know he's not even letting me go hunting? It's ridiculous!"

"Until we know what's hurting everyone, it's safer to-"

"Safe," Arthur rolled his eyes, turning on Merlin. "If we stayed on the safe side our whole lives Camelot would have fallen years ago. Here, get this armor off of me."

Merlin did as he was told, hating this task above all others. Though he wasn't sure why, the proximity between him and the prince bothered him. He usually didn't let himself think about it though.

"Um," started Merlin.
"What?"

"Well, I hate to cause trouble-"

"No you don't. Trouble's like air to you."

Merlin chuckled. "I was wondering..." he paused.

"You were wondering." Arthur looked over his shoulder as Merlin continued to work on his armor.

"With so many falling ill, Gaius' chambers are sort of filling up fast and-"

"Your room was the first to go?"

"Yeah," Merlin said shyly.

Arthur turned around sharply and looked hard at Merlin. After a moment he said, "Alright. But if you snore, I'm kicking you out."

"Huh?" Merlin said.

"Or if you get in the way-"

"You want me to stay in here? With you?"

"Well, Merlin, I don't think want has much to do with it. All the other rooms are filled. Unless of course you'd rather sleep in the dining hall, but with that shattered window I'd guess it gets pretty drafty."

Merlin was taken aback by the prince's hospitality.

"Oh. Um, thanks." He met Arthur's eyes, smiling appreciatively. They both knew there was no broken window in the dining hall, yet they both silently agreed that the lie was better.

Merlin quickly grabbed some clothes from his room, making sure his spell book was well hidden. He would have taken a blanket or two, but they were all being used by the sick. Instead he stopped by Morgana's chambers, knocking twice. It took a minute for a reply, but finally Gwen opened the door.

"Yes? Oh, hello Merlin." She looked a bit peeved.

"Hey. I was just wondering if you had any extra blankets." Her eyes were a bit red as well. Merlin wondered what the matter was, but didn't feel right asking.

"I'll look, wait here." She shut the door and took a deep breath, returning to Morgana.

"Was that Merlin?" Morgana asked.

"Yes, He needs some blankets."

"They're in the-"

"Cupboard. Yes, I know. I put them there."

Morgana had been thinking about Gwen's attitude for some time. Since Uther's new rule, Gwen wasn't sure if her father had fallen ill or not. If it were anyone else, Morgana would have grown angry with such abruptness. But the two had been friends for a long time, their bond stronger than mere servant and mistress. Gwen was just going through a rough spot. She knew she didn't mean to come off as she did. Gwen quickly got Merlin what he requested and shut the door, staying by it for a few minutes.

"Gwen?" Morgana called. "Will you please come brush my hair?" She took a seat in front of her vanity. In the mirror she watched Gwen approach, tears held back in her brown eyes. She picked up a brush and began smoothing out Morgana's long dark hair, picking out a bit of pollen from a flower she'd warn in her hair. Gwen always loved this; the touch of such soft, gentle waves like silk in her hands. Morgana let out a small sigh as Gwen's hands caressed her, the brush never snagging on a single tangle. She had the hands of an angel.

Before Gwen left for her own room, Morgana took her by the hand, trying to convince her that her father would be alright. Gwen fell into her arms, barely holding back the river of tears she knew she'd have to release sooner or later. Morgana held her for a moment, suddenly feeling strange. Hoping she wouldn't come off as rude, she led Gwen to the door and bade her a good night, feeling light headed after the door was closed.

"What took you so long?" asked Arthur abruptly, dressed now in a loose white tunic and grey pants.

"Aww, did you miss me?" teased Merlin, throwing the blankets at him. Arthur tossed them on the floor, smiling impishly.

"Now I mean it," he warned with a raised finger, getting into his large bed. "If you snore-"

"I don't."

"Good. Dowse the fire then."

Merlin did not sleep well, though not because of the hard stone floor. As much as he tried not to, he could not help but think about why he was here. Not all the rooms were filled in the entire castle and even if they were, why would Arthur care if he were uncomfortable? Their friendship had always had a sort of taboo on it; one automatic between lord and subject. Merlin remembered often the great dragon's words. How he and Arthur were two sides of the same coin, and he, Merlin, must protect the prince. It was destiny, and the dragon had been right so many times before. His dreams were uneasy, his heart restless, mind perplexed.

A week passed and still no explanations arose. Nearly half of the kingdom had fallen prey to the unexplainable disease. Gaius was growing melancholy and Merlin's magic didn't seem to be taking effect. They both suspected sorcery of a darker kind, one more advanced than Merlin's knowledge. The days dragged on in a grey stupor. The cheer Camelot had once held was now but a memory.

Gwen reached down out of Morgana's window to pick a purple flower she hadn't noticed there before. She presented it and a few others to Morgana as way of apology for her blunt behavior.

"The flowers are lovely but the apology isn't needed. There's nothing you could do to lessen my affection for you, dear Gwen."

Gwen blushed, smiling widely. "Shall I fetch you some breakfast, or would you care to dine in the hall?"

"I wish we could have a picnic. Even if we could go outside it would probably rain on us. Yes, in here will be fine."

As Gwen brought up the food, Morgana pressed the flowers in a journal she kept. She scribbled a quick, elegant note: She seems to glow in the sunlight.

Gwen glided back in through the door with a platter of delicious smelling food. Morgana insisted she sit with her, though Gwen didn't eat much. While Gwen was sipping from her wine, Morgana noticed some odd little bumps on her hand.

"What's that?" Morgana's eyebrows narrowed, her hand reaching for Gwen's.

"Oh, just a rash. It doesn't itch or anything."

"Maybe you should have Gaius take a look."

"No, it's nothing really." Gwen smiled.

"Alright." Morgana didn't let go of her hand, and Gwen did not ask her to.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review! :)