In Sickness and Health.

Chapter Four

Summary: Gwaine and Merlin are attacked by a sorcerer. While Gwaine comes out scratch free, Merlin realizes that not only has he fallen sick, but his magic. Now, Merlin must rely on the help of others to cure him before his time runs out.

-M-

Alator pushed his cloak up to protect his face. He needed to find the druid's healer- and fast- for he feared that his magic was not strong enough to overcome the poison that was left in Emrys's magic. Quickly, he located the correct tent and searched the healer's mind for a connection. "I am Alator, the man who brought Emrys here," he placed in the healer's thoughts. The reply was immediate: "Enter." Alator pulled his hood down and did just that.

"How is the boy?" the healer asked. Alator sighed before answering the elderly woman. She immediately frowned. "It's not working," she guessed.

"My magic has been able to take much of the poison out, but too much remains inside him. His magic will start to wither, I fear, if we cannot extract more of it."

The healer paused to consider the new information. Soon enough she limped away from her seat and toward a large trunk. She pulled the rusty lid up and produced a thin leather book. Alator assisted her back to her seat and, eyes glowing, lit the candle that had been on the table. "Thank you," she mumbled distractedly. Her pruned fingers gently turned the pages of her book until she found the information in question. A few seconds later, the book was closed and her eyes were on Alator. "The spell enacted on the boy is tricky. There is no way to undo it, as it only has the power to kill magic, not the person. In our time, few have successfully used the spell, too, so there is little information known about how to counter it besides what we have been doing. The bonding of your magic to his should have been enough; apparently the spell is stronger than first expected."

Alator had been afraid of that, even if he had been expecting it. He needed to help Emrys recover before his magic was completely destroyed, but bonding his magic was the only thing he could do. He had tried giving him more of his magic, and it had seemed to work, but soon enough the boy was moaning in pain again. Bonding to another sorcerer's magic was dangerous, so even if he could find someone strong enough to bind their magic to Emrys's along with his, there would still be a chance that it wouldn't work.

"We must find Gaius," the healer finally said. "I have heard rumors of his presence in a village-"

"I know where the physician is." Alator turned to face the healer with a worried expression. "He is in Camelot. Emrys has been acting as his ward and as the servant of the king."

The healer smiled at this. "Then the prophesies are true. Arthur Pendragon is the Once and Future King, and Emrys has won the king's trust."

"Magic will never return if Emrys dies now," Alator spat. "I will leave tomorrow for Camelot-"

"You shall leave tonight," the healer instructed. "It will be easier for the boy to deal with being away from your magic while he sleeps. Give him more of your magic before you leave, and hurry back as soon as you can. His time is limited." Alator pulled his hood on again, but he did not leave yet. "What is it?" she frowned.

"Emrys should come with me. He has been with Gaius for several years; he possesses weaker magic than us, but perhaps his almost paternal bond with the boy will make their magical bond stronger. Even if he can't, at least we will waste less time bringing Gaius to the camp." Both Alator and the healer knew his real motivation, however. Emrys's pain was unbearable. The closer he was to Alator, the less his pain would be. Alator's feelings toward the boy were no secret among the druids, after all.

"Very well," the healer sighed. Alator bowed and took his departure.

-M-

Merlin woke up screaming with pain. Although he wasn't even sure what hurt, he wished whatever it could be amputated. Surely amputation had to be less painful than this. His pain made the whole earth move around him- wait, was he moving? Blinking in confusion, he finally opened his eyes while forcing down another scream. All around him trees dripped with precipitation, and the soft mist below him was matted over from whatever he was laying on. Curious, he rolled over and found someone- Alator, was it?- indeed pulling a cart while holding onto a black horse. Merlin smiled- it was his horse! His smile didn't last very long, unfortunately, because the pain quickly reminded him of its presence. Damn sorcerers, he cursed. Why couldn't they leave him alone?

Alator, having heard Merlin scream, peered into the cart to find that the young warlock had indeed awoken. Sighing, he let the cart handle fall and made his way toward the boy. He hopped in the cart and immediately put his hand on Merlin's forehead. "Hush," he whispered as his eyes flashed. He felt his magic react without hesitation, and Merlin must have too, for his screams died out into soft whimpers. Without thinking, the younger sorcerer pushed himself closer to Alator. He was freezing, and the closer he was to Alator's magic, the warmer- and the better- he felt. Taking the hint, Alator leaned against the back of the cart and pulled Merlin closer. Merlin didn't hesitate to embrace him, as his body was wracked with shakes by now, and he was desperate to make them stop.

Alator sighed. Emrys wasn't well enough to keep traveling; they had to rest. Alator's eyes flashed gold, causing the tent located on the other side of the cart to start putting itself together. Next, he silently commanded the wood and twigs surrounding them to put themselves into a nice pile.

"Ilden brenner." *

The pile was set alight. Alator smiled.

"Thank you," Merlin managed to whisper.

"There is nothing to be thankful for, Emrys," Alator replied. "We must move you closer to the fire. Then, you may sleep." Merlin nodded, and he tried not to cringe as Alator lifted him to his chest and onto the bundle of blankets magically placed on the ground. Once Merlin was situated, Alator went to leave, but Merlin pulled on his arm. "Don't leave," he begged, his voice ridden with pain. Alator nodded in understanding. Merlin had only stopped whimpering when he had been holding him; clearly Merlin made the connection. He sat back down and allowed Merlin to lay his head on his chest, tears rolling down his eyes. Unable to listen to his pain any longer, Alator gently wrapped his hand around Merlin's arm, and, eyes flashing, whispered, "Sleep."

-M-

*Fire burning.