Sick

Gwen had left to attend Lady Morgana, Gaius left alone with Merlin. He sighed as he looked up from the bottles and down to the boy.

"Merlin", he sighed "you have to get better, okay?" he started to tear up. He swallowed the tears when he heard.

"GU…Gaius? A….are y…you ok…okay?" he asked barely conscious.

"Merlin?" Gaius asked getting up and running to the boy's side.

"Were Arthur? And Gwen?" his voice was very shakily and so soft barely audible.

"Merlin drink" the physician pressed the vile to the soccer's lips. He sipped down the liquid softly. "This should help with the pain and maybe with sleepiness.

"Gaius you didn't answer me" he said getting sight stern because he knew better then to get stern Gaius.

"I'm fine" he said trying to hide it.

"You're not any better liar then I'm" Merlin insisted, trying to make the older man laugh, it didn't work.

"Do you want to try to sit up and eat?" Gaius voice became instantly compassionate and caring.

"I guess", Merlin shrugged; shifting upwards as pain shot everywhere. He tried to keep in the grunts of pain but they slipped. He just smiled trying to play it off and of course he couldn't fool Gaius.

"Merlin your faking." the physician stated. Knowing the smile wasn't completely true.

"Yeah" he looked down knowing he shouldn't even try to lie to Gaius.

"Here, have some soup it will make you feel better", Gaius placed a small bowl into the boy's lap. The idea of food made him sick; he stirred the thick liquid with the spoon, picking the utensil up and then poring the contents back into the bowl. "I know you're sick Merlin, but please try to eat." The physician said, after watching his adopted son do this for a couple of minutes.

"But Gaius the pure thought of food makes me sick." The young sorcerer confessed, looking up from his bowl.

"I realize that Merlin but in case you fall asleep or unconscious again I want you to have some food in you, unless you want a sandwich with cheese and meat?" Gaius said the Last words with a smirk.

"No!" Merlin shook his head violently, knowing that would make him vomit; and ageist his will he slid a spoonful of soup in his mouth. Gaius laughed at his ward reaction to his words.

"Morgana told me to... Merlin!" Gwen yelled and ran to hug the boy.

"Hi Gwen!" Merlin responded to the thin arms around his neck.

"Sorry", she said letting go and backing up a step or two "You're well then?" she asked with hope in her brown eyes.

"Not yet", Gaius said to stop Merlin from fibbing to Gwen. "Remember Arthur still has to get the herb I sent him for"

"Uh Gaius would it be okay if I walked around a bit in the halls?" Merlin asked setting the bowl on the table.

Gaius sighed "Fine", Gaius thought if he gets moving it could help ; "Gwen go with him please, just in case" he said aiming his worry and uncertainty at the servant girl.

"Yes of course", she bowed lightly. "Let's go Merlin." Gwen said peppy as she helped the ill boy up.

Gwen stuck close to Merlin, before they realized they were in front of Arthur's chambers.

"Merlin maybe we should head back you're getting more pail, and your starting to pant from walking." Gwen said looking at the young man.

"Gwen I'm fine just a little longer please", Merlin protested.

"Merlin? Gwen, is that you?" The prince preparing for the journey popped his head out the door to see his man servant and his secret crush arguing outside of his door.

"Oh h…hi Ar...Arthur" Merlin stuttered.

"Merlin your awake" The prince took in the sight, he also noticed the servant's knees struggling to support his thin body. "Merlin, Gwen is right I'll help you to your chambers."

"I'm fine" Merlin was going to fight back but was cut off.

"Merlin I'll take you to Gaius' chambers." The prince was then was cut off by the ill boy.

"But AR"

"Merlin you pail-er then the sheets, sweating buckets and you can barely stand, I'm taking you no buts what so ever." Arthur grabbed the warlock by the arm; put it around his neck to support the young man. Merlin squirmed but Arthur slapped him in the back of the head.

"Ow!" the boy exclaimed as he rubbed the sore spot on his head. Arthur felt the weight Merlin place on the prince and knew he was weak; Gwen was walking ahead of Merlin and Arthur. All of a sudden all of the manservant weight landed on Arthur's shoulders.

"Merlin, what are you doing!" The prince yelled releasing the boy; which the unconscious, and limp he fell into a heap.

"Arthur, why did you drop him", Gwen scolded.

"I didn't know!" the prince yelled out at the girl.

"What…what happened?" Merlin said rolling on to his back; rubbing his head and sitting up he asked again "really what happened"

"You collapsed…again", Gwen told her friend helping him up.

"Come on" Arthur insisted on supporting the young man again.

"By the way how did I end up on the ground, if Arthur was holding me up?" Merlin asked as his arm was again was forcefully put around Arthur shoulders again.

"Arthur dropped you" Gwen replied simply.

"Why" the young warlock was completely confused he had battled so many creatures but he dropped 100 pound ill boy.

"He thought you were faking", Gwen shrugged. It didn't matter Merlin felt awful, all of a sudden his vision started to blur, his knees were starting to fail him again. Arthur felt the slight increase of weight on his shoulders. Merlin's steps became heavier and harder to take. Merlin vision had gotten so bad he could only a yellow outline of Gwen's dress but that was little compared to Arthur's face not having any features at all. They reach the doors to Gaius, they beaten up door opened; Gaius looked up from his books just to watch his ward almost collapse to the stone floor. With help from Arthur he fell slowly; the young warlock was then lifted up by the prince to again to be laid on the bed. Gaius went to check the boy over.

"His pulse is as weak as it has ever been." Gaius looked up "what happed?"

"We were in front of Arthur's chambers and I told Merlin we should head back" Gwen started "The he began to protest: then Arthur stepped out and insisted on taking him back here, well actually forced. Half way back Merlin fainted and Arthur thought he was faking and dropped him." Gwen continued getting more frantic with each word. "He woke up and then we walked him here," she finished breathing hard.

"After I got him off the floor as we were walking his weight was getting heavier on my shoulders" Arthur butted in trying to help.

"Yes I see", Gaius said slowly "Arthur you must leave now if he is to live." Gaius became urgent while saying this.

"Right" Arthur rushed out the door to continue getting prepared for the long journey.

"What should I do Gaius", Gwen asked eager to help.

"Well, keep him cool and watch over him while I run earring about town." The physician said while packing his vials into his basket.

"Okay whatever you say, before you go let me grab a bucket of water for his fever" she stated stand to leave. Quickly hurrying back to an empty room, well except for Merlin she wish this room was empty.

She heard a barely audible noise she immediately ran to Merlin. His breath had become short and hesitant; he was whimpering this broke her heart. Gwen alone with Merlin was afraid soothing would hoped while Gaius was gone. The boy shook his head lightly.

"Merlin its okay it's me Gwen." She soothed softly to her ill friend.

"Hmmmmm?" He said not aware of were he was again...

"You okay? Gaius is out running errands", She said again. He fell in to conciseness.

"Gaius I… Gwen? Where's Gaius?" The prince came in not knowing his friends were the only in the room.

"Doing his job" Gwen looked up smiling at Arthur. "He'll be back soon"

"Should I wait here, then?" he asked.

"You could help keep Merlin cool" she hinted wetting the cloth yet again. Merlin moaned, Arthur looked at him he couldn't help but think it was his entire fault.

"Gwen?"

"Yes Arthur" she turned and studied the prince's face.

"Do….do you think this is…is my fault, you know… Merlin being sick and all" he said looking down in shame.

"Arthur it's not your fault, it never was it was that girl." Gwen said reassuring her friend.

"But…" Arthur was interrupted by Gaius walking in.

"Arthur you should be leaving" Gaius reminded him "You horse has food and labeled medicine for anything. Now Go for Merlin's sake"

"Yes" Arthur answered headed to the door.

"Arthur be careful", Gwen pleaded

"Of course", the boy answered leaving the room for the horse.