-Chapter Three-

Hunith stood behind Micah as the boy tearfully watched the funeral pyre burn. The whole entire village of Ealdor had shown up to mourn with him the death of his brother, even though none of the villagers knew who they were. Because of the boy's talents, Hunith had decided to take it upon herself to watch out for the boy. He would need someone to look after him, someone who understood what it was like to live with magic.

For a brief moment Hunith thought about taking the boy to Camelot so he could not only meet Gaius, but also Merlin. Perhaps the two of them could help the boy more than she ever could?

"I'll finish what you started Sammy, I'll get to Camelot…some way, some how I'll get there." Micah whispered under his breath. It was only by luck that Hunith actually heard what the boy said, and it shocked her greatly.

"Camelot?" she asked, "You and your brother were traveling to Camelot?"

Wiping his tears away Micah nodded his head. That wasn't really a big secret, but the reason why they were going to Camelot was. They were going to see a friend of the family; a physician who went by the name of Gaius. Micah didn't remember him but Samuel had, which was why they were going to see him in the first place.

"My son Merlin lives in Camelot. A good friend of mine, Gaius looks after him." Hunith said, trying to encourage the boy to open up and talk to her.

Micah however didn't speak. He really didn't care about Hunith's son at all. Why should he? He didn't know Merlin and didn't have any plans to meet him either.

"I have to get to Camelot soon, to repair whatever damage has already been done." Micah said. He saw Hunith's confused face but even so he wouldn't elaborate more. His brother had been a warlock as well; a very powerful one at that. It was an accident, truly an accident but one that could not just be whisked away by magic. Micah deeply regretted helping his brother conjure the powerful spell but what was done was done, he just hoped no one was going to die because of it.

Sighing, Micah moved to continue on his journey but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "You cannot make it to Camelot without any provisions, Micah." Hunith said, receiving nothing but a pair of shrugging shoulders in response. "If you really are in need of getting to Camelot, I will take there." She said.

At that Micah brightened up considerably. "You would? Really?" he asked. Hunith smiled and nodded her head. She had been missing her son, and Gaius. Taking Micah to Camelot was a good excuse as any to see them again.

Gently she led the boy back to her home so they could pack for the long journey ahead.

MERLINMERLINMERLIN

Three hours had passed since Merlin had collapsed and in that span of time Gaius had examined him, tried to make some sort of diagnosis and cleaned up the mess Merlin had made. Gwen had been the one to inform Arthur about what had happened to Merlin and as of yet, Gaius had not seen the prince.

He honestly didn't know what to make of it, whether he should be alarmed, surprised or indifferent that Arthur hadn't shown up to find out the condition of his man servant.

On the fourth hour Gaius entered Merlin's bedroom bringing with him a bucket filled with cool water. The young lad had developed a slight fever and so needed the rags to help him cool down.

Dipping a rag in the water, Gaius wrung it out and placed it on Merlin's forehead.

"How is he?"

Eyebrow raised, Gaius looked towards the doorway to see Prince Arthur standing there. Arthur was wearing his bleached red shirt, dark pants and weather worn boots. His arms were folded across his chest and his eyes were on his sick man servant.

"Not well, sire." Gaius said out of respect, "I fear he is getting worse."

Hearing that, Prince Arthur made his way in to Merlin's bedroom to get a better look at the boy. Merlin was deathly pale with red rings around his eyes. He was covered in sweat and trembling ever so slightly.

"Has he woken up at all?" Arthur asked.

Despite his cool exterior, inside Arthur was filled with worry. When Gwen had told him Merlin was ill, Arthur didn't know what to say. He blamed himself for not seeing that his man servant was sick and he blamed himself for giving Merlin a bad time that afternoon. For three hours Arthur had paced around his room and gone horseback riding to try and calm down but everything he did to try and block out the fact that his friend and man servant was ill only reminded him of Merlin.

"No sire." Gaius replied.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" Arthur asked. He noted Gaius uncertainty and turned his head just enough to see the physician glance down at the sick boy.

"Gaius?" Arthur asked.

Gaius sighed.

"I have only ever heard about this sire, but I believe that Merlin is suffering from something known as a brain tumor. From everything I've read those that have it do not survive for long."

Arthur was silent, his arms still folded across his chest as he gazed upon Merlin's pale face.

"And how does one treat this tumor?" Arthur asked.

"It can't be treated sire, at least with…" Gaius paused, "conventional methods."

Arthur fixed Gaius with a look, knowing what the physician was proposing.

It was written all over the older man's face and Arthur could see it in his eyes.

"Magic. Are you saying that the use of magic is the only way to save Merlin?" Arthur asked.

Gaius nodded his head. "I'm afraid so sire." He replied.

Arthur was silent, not knowing what to do. He didn't want his friend to die but he also knew the laws and he knew what his father did to those who knew and or practiced magic. Would Arthur really just ignore his father's ruling on the matter just to save his servant?

He had done it once when Merlin had drunk from the poisoned chalice. Arthur had gone and gotten the one flower that could save Merlin's life, but this instance was different. He wouldn't just be ignoring his father's wishes he would basically be slapping his father in the face and putting Camelot in possible danger all for the sake of his servant.

"I know what you ask of me Gaius," Arthur began after a moment, "but I'm sorry. I cannot do it. I cannot allow a sorcerer to step foot in Camelot…even if it's for Merlin."

"Then you are condemning Merlin to death!" Gaius said. He normally didn't talk back to anyone like that except Merlin of course but this was Arthur, and Gaius knew that Arthur wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Arthur looked once again at Gaius and for the first time Gaius could see the pain written in Arthur's face. It was clear to the physician that Arthur didn't want to say those words but he had had to.

"I know Gaius, I know." Arthur whispered.