Three

Uther stirred from his uneasy sleep. Gaius was sat at his bedside, tending to his fevered brow, when Merlin entered.

"Gaius is there anything I can get for you?" he whispered

"You could fetch me some clean water..." replied Gaius.

"Of course" and with that Merlin exited the way he entered.

The inaudible moans and groans of Uther were becoming more apparent and his sleep patterns more erratic. All the symptoms pointed to one thing Gaius was certain of it. The King had lost his mind. Gaius thought to himself for a moment, that it was hardly surprising after the ordeal the entire kingdom had forgone recently. How it must have tortured Uther for year after year keeping Morgana's paternity a secret, seeing her day after day, being so close to her yet being so far from who he really was to her. Ever since he and Merlin had realised Morgana's intentions, Gaius had spent many a night thinking to himself, trying to comprehend the level of hatred that would cause Morgana's actions, after all he had known her since she was a child, but he had never of imagined the level of devastation she would cause.

"Morgana..." Uther muttered slowly "Please" clearly recent events were replaying in the King's mind.

"Arthur... No leave, get out" "Uther please rest" Gaius tended his fever gently.

Arthur entered, closely followed by Merlin with the water Gaius had earlier requested.

"Has he been asking for me?" Arthur asked as he sat at the bedside.

"No sire, there have been a few mutterings of names that I can make out but nothing more"

Arthur looked at his father, Uther's breathing was burdened, there were beads of sweat on his cheek, and Arthur knew his father was further away than ever.

"Gaius is there nothing more you can do for him?"

"Sire I have done everything in my power, my methods are useless"

"I'm sorry Gaius, I know you are doing all you can, I hate feeling so helpless!"

Arthur turned to Gaius. "Is this it; is there any hope at all?"

"There is always hope sire"

"Gaius please, tell me the truth. Will he get any better than this?"

"I can't be certain my lord, I've never seen a body break down in such a way before..."

"Gaius!"

"But no sire, I do not believe he will get better from this"

"Thank-you for your honesty Gaius"

Gaius bowed his head and Arthur went to leave the room, Merlin followed him.

"No Merlin... I need... I need you to stay here" and he left them.

Merlin looked at Gaius in confusion but did as he was asked.

Arthur stormed through the door to his chamber, and slammed it shut behind him. He pulled a chair from his table and slumped into it with his head in his hands resting on the table. He blew out his cheeks in a hopeless gush of air, and quietly wept to himself at the loss of his father.