.. I have nnnnoooooo idea why it took me an eternity to update but it just did.

So I have a problem. I need a few tests for Arthur. so PLEASE, if you have ANY ideas, even if you think they arent good, just review or PM them to me cause otherwise I'm stuffed.

ENJOY!!..

Chapter Four

Arthur took a few hesitant steps forward, not taking his eyes off Merlin.

"Sire?"

Something in Arthur seemed to snap suddenly and he turned and exited the chambers in a jog calling out behind him, "Do what you can for him! I'll be back later!"

Arthur sprinted down the stairs and took the most direct route to his father's Council Chambers. He burst open the heavy doors and barely noticed that everyone in the room turned to look at him as they sought out who had interrupted their meeting.

"Arthur?" Uther said, clearly shocked. "What are you doing? How long have you been awake?" His voice was a little disapproving as he had asked Gaius to inform him immediately when his son woke.

Arthur simply ignored the question. "Do we have water? Food?"

Uther rose his brows in slight surprise before answering in a weary tone, "Nothing."

The only sign that Arthur registered the words was a small nod of his head, then he simply left.

"Arthur!" Uther called out after him, but the Prince carried on.

The King was about to go after him when Gaius stood at the doorway.

"Gaius. What's going on? I told you to inform me when Arthur was awake."

"I am terribly sorry sire, but he never gave me the chance."

Uther wore a questioning expression.

"Arthur woke not even five minutes ago. He simply up and left. I followed him straight here."

"He seems...distracted." Uther mused. "Do you know why?"

"No, my lord, but I really do need to find him. I gave him a quick once over when he arrived and found no injuries but because Merlin has been poisoned I thought I had better check Arthur."

Uther nodded and waved a dismissing hand at a pair of guards near the door, "Go find him."

"Of course, sire," they nodded.

Then he turned to everyone else in the room, "Leave us, we shall have a short recess from this meeting. Be back in half an hour." And with that all the nobles, knights and counsellors in the room left, apart from Gaius, of course.

"How is Merlin?" he asked when they were alone.

"Not well, my lord. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do unless I discover what has poisoned him."

"There's nothing you can do?"

"No. He appears to be in a lot of pain and I doubt he will survive much longer. I can't even give him anything to ease his passing," Gaius choked on the word, "for fear of increasing the reaction."

Uther sighed deeply. "I hope you can make him well again."

"Thank you sire."

Uther appeared to be a very hard man, and generally this was true. When it came to the life of a servant he could not really care less but he knew the effect that Merlin had on Arthur. Since being his manservant Arthur's moods and temper had improved dramatically and now Uther had a son he could be proud of and feel at peace knowing the kingdom would be in safe hands when he eventually passed.

Suddenly the heavy doors were burst open once again. This time the two guards accompanied a slightly struggling Arthur.

"Let me go!"

"Arthur!"

He stopped struggling.

"What is going on?"

"I'm going to the forest." Arthur's eyes shined with determination, and stubbornness.

"Why?"

"To find the sorcerer who did this."

"You know where to find him?" Uther was shocked.

"More, I know who he is."

The King gave him a quizzical look.

"His name is Anhora." Arthur didn't expand on who exactly Anhora was, he knew his father would never believe it was Arthur's fault. "I'm going to find him, tell him to lift the curse and save Merlin."

"What happened to Merlin, my lord?" Gaius asked.

Arthur shook his head. "I don't know. I had a test and he was poisoned...argh, it should have been me! Not him."

"Arthur. You are not making any sense." Uther demanded.

"Never mind, forget it." He really didn't want to get into it with his father. "Just, I'm going." And he strode out.

Uther made no attempt to stop him, he simply stood, a look of utter confusion on his features.

"Sire?"

Gaius' voice cut through his thoughts.

"I can check him over if you wish but I don't think anyone could stop him from going."

Uther nodded, "He's too stubborn. Tell him to stay safe."

Gaius bowed respectfully to his King and made to follow Arthur.

He found him saddling his horse.

"Arthur?"

The young Pendragon looked up. "You can't stop me Gaius."

"It is not my wish to stop you Arthur. What happened?"

He saw that Arthur was about to deny knowing and cut him off. "I already know all about Anhora and the tests."

"Merlin?"

"Yes. What happened?"

"I told him to stay here," he sighed. "I went to the Labyrinth of Gedref, and found the exit and Merlin was there, sitting at a table, two goblets in the centre of it. Anhora said one was poisoned. We could only drink from one goblet. Merlin figured out that if we poured all of one goblet into the other, then we'd know it was poisoned and I was meant to drink it...but he got there first and...he fell and started convulsing and..." he paused, closing his eyes. "Anhora said that because Merlin was willing to give his life for mine that the tasks would be reset and I still had a chance to save Camelot." He opened his eyes and looked into Gaius's, "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should have been quicker."

"It is not your fault Arthur, I'm sure you did everything you could...I suppose, you wouldn't know what he was poisoned with?"

"No, sorry."

"When you find Anhora, ask him. I can't do anything for Merlin unless I know. He will die otherwise."


I know...only short.

PLEASE!!!!! if you have ANY IDEAS FOR TESTS FOR OUR DEAR ARTHUR PLEASE TELL ME!!!!!!!!

and if you don't, REVIEW ANYWAY!!!! :D

passion.