Chapter 3

The room was deathly quiet save for Merlin who would moan in pain occasionally. The knights couldn't seem to process the fact that Merlin, the fun loving, kind, loyal friend, might not live.

"He can't…he can't just die like this" Gwaine whispered.

"He's faced bandits, monsters, dragons and an immortal army without any armor…yet a staircase will be what…" Lancelot was saying but Arthur cut him off.

"You sound like you're sure he's going to die" Arthur accused, "you heard what Gaius said, maybe…"

"This is a lot for you to process all at once" Gaius told them, "I think everyone needs to get a good night sleep and calm down a little."

"But…Gaius…" Arthur protested. How could Gaius think any of them could sleep now after what all has happened?

"Go" Gaius repeated sternly. Everyone grudgingly left the room, everyone but Lancelot.

"What happened with Morgana?" Lancelot asked.

"Awhile back, Morgana fell down and injured herself much like Merlin did, "Gaius began after a moments hesitation, "she was going to die and Uther and well everyone was heart broken so Merlin found a spell somewhere and healed her."

"Do you know the spell?" Lancelot asked desperately.

"Even if I did…Uther would know that I used magic and it would not end well for either of us…" Gaius explained.

"But what about with Morgana?" Lancelot asked.

"She's his daughter" Gaius replied, "he was willing to make an exception for her."

"He's a hypocrite then" Lancelot muttered.

"I wouldn't go around saying that near the king" Gaius warned.

"I don't care, he hates magic but uses it when it's good for him" Lancelot replied hotly.

"That's basically what Merlin said" Gaius replied.

"Is there anyone who can help?" Lancelot asked.

"If Uther suspected magic…" Gaius began.

"You're more worried about your own sorry back then Merlin…?" Lancelot demanded.

"Uther will punish us both if Merlin suddenly recovered from this! He knows magic was used to heal Morgana so he'd know magic was used to help Merlin and Merlin would surely get punished as well" Gaius shouted, "Don't you think I want to save Merlin…I love him like he was my own son. Do you think I like to watch him slowly die?" Gaius sat down breathing heavily. Lancelot shook his head whispering,

"I'm sorry I'm just…"

"You don't need to explain" Gaius assured.

"I just wish there was something anyone could do" Lancelot explained.

"Don't we all?" Gaius asked.

Arthur had a hard time concentrating on anything, and he knew the knights where in the same shape. His best knights couldn't stay in the ring for more then a minute and if Arthur was honest with himself, neither could he. Arthur was considering ending training early because he knew that no one really cared today when a servant ran up to Arthur gasping,

"The King wants' to see you right away Sire." Arthur nodded his head before telling the other knights,

"Everyone, we're done for today" Then added as an after thought, "take of tomorrow as well." Everyone muttered to themselves but didn't really say anything else. Arthur then turned and headed to see his father.

"Arthur I noticed that today you and your knights are…well it seems as if you are not doing your best, not even remotely" Uther was telling his son.

"I know father, everyone is a bit distracted is all" Arthur explained. He knew it was a terrible excuse, but it was the truth and he had no other reason.

"Because of the servant?" Uther asked.

"He is there friend father" Arthur replied almost defensively.

"So if a friend fell during battle…?" Uther asked.

"That's not what I meant" Arthur cut in, "With the knights, they know and are prepared for something to happen, but Merlin is a servant. They didn't expect him to…be in a situation where he was dying from an injury."

"It is unfortunate" Uther agreed, "I will find you another servant but I still expect you and all of the knights to work harder tomorrow and to not be distracted by this." Arthur clenched his fists and gritted his teeth to keep from saying something that he'd regret later. He knew he wouldn't be able to say anything without exploding at Uther so he turned on his heel and left as quickly as possible.

"What did he want?" Gwaine asked later in Gaius's chamber.

"He wanted to point out that we cannot be distracted by this and…to tell me he'd work on finding me a new servant" Arthur replied through clenched teeth.

"He doesn't even care that someone is dying?" Gwen asked.

"Didn't even bat an eyelash" Arthur replied. Gwaine snarled and stood up, pacing angrily. Lancelot looked furious but seemed to be able to control his anger, for the most part.

"When has Uther ever cared for someone's life other then his family?" Lancelot asked bitterly.

"I certainly can't think of a time" Leon agreed solemnly.

"He doesn't deserve to die" Elyan added softly. Arthur nodded his head slowly in agreement, his heart heavy. He never really believed that anything could happen to Merlin. He'd always followed him wherever he went, into every battle completely defenseless and yet came out every time without a scratch. At the moment, Arthur felt like he was the one who completely helpless, not Merlin. He knew that there was absolutely nothing he could do to fix this, and he hated that feeling.

"We should move him into his own room" Gaius told them softly, interrupting Arthur's train of thought. Arthur and Gwaine instantly jumped up to do it. Gwaine got to Merlin first and easily scoped him up before vanishing into Merlin's room. Arthur had to squash down a feeling of jealousy. It's not like it was a race or anything.

"I've sent Hunith a letter telling her what happened" Gaius added after a moments silence.

"Who's Hunith?" Gwaine asked reappearing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Merlin's mother" Gwen replied softly.

"It will be a couple of days before she arrives" Gaius continued.

"Will Merlin…? I mean can he…?" Lancelot asked uncertainly.

"I hope so" Gaius replied sadly, "Merlin is all she has left and…she'll want to say goodbye…" Gaius couldn't finish, but he didn't need to. Gwen broke down sobbing and Elyan held her in a tight embrace. This time, Arthur wasn't mad at someone for beating him at something, he simply couldn't.