Part Four.

Gaius had just returned. He was tired. Camelot had a mild sickness spreading throughout the lower village. Nothing life threatening but Gaius made his way around to give medicine and any other assistance he could to the people suffering. It was a miserable sickness, causing pains and aches and fevers and nobody should have to deal with it even for a few days.

"Merlin." Gaius called out. When he didn't get a response he checked the young mans room but found nothing but the same usual mess. He expected Merlin to be back by now. Arthur usually released him from his duty by now, always a bit early since Merlin was injured, and Merlin always waited for Gaius, ready to help prepare remedies for the next day.

Gaius didn't want to think much of it, though something was nagging at Gaius. Maybe Arthur figured that Merlin was up for longer days again? But Gaius didn't have a good feeling about this, something felt odd and wrong. When Gwen rushed into the room Gaius knew his feeling was right.

"Have you seen Merlin?" She asked breathless, like she'd been running around for hours. He also couldn't help but notice the slight panic in her voice.

"What's happened?" Gaius asked in return.

"I don't know," Gwen explained. "We watched the knights today and I swear he just stopped breathing and he looked so scared. It took me a few seconds to get his attention and he ran off. I've been looking for him everywhere. I told Arthur and he's been looking around as well but he said his horse is gone!"

"I'm sure Arthur will find him…" Gaius said trying to sooth the Queen. Gwen looked at Gaius with tears in her eyes.

"It's been hours since anyone's last seen him Gaius," Gwen shook her head and all sadness disappeared and was replaced with anger. "I swear if anyone's hurt him again I will kill them myself. They will regret the day they hurt my friend!" She threatened.

Gaius understood Gwen's emotions. He prayed for Merlin to return safely, that this was just some misunderstanding and that the young man was off finishing his chores but if it wasn't, he'd help Gwen with whoever hurt the boy. Merlin was the closet thing to a son the old physician had and his magic maybe weak from years of not practicing but Gaius would gladly take the consequences if someone hurt Merlin again.

/

Merlin could hear the crackle of the fire and the warmth from it along with a heavy blanket covering him. He felt too warm and tried to push it off of himself. But the action caused his head to hurt. Not the same throbbing form before but a pain no less.

Merlin raised hand, pressing against the sore spot on his head. He opened his eyes to see blood on his finger tips. Merlin couldn't help a pained moan from escaping his lips.

"Please be still." A soft voice said. Merlin tried to sit up but was pushed gently back down. He looked up at a short haired blonde, blue-eyed girl wrapped in a dark purple cloak. He could tell she was younger than him but not by much. She pressed a cool cloth to the wound. Merlin had to admit he was starting to feel dizzy.

"What… happened?" Merlin managed to asked.

"I don't know." She answered pressing a little harder to stop the bleeding from his head and Merlin winced. "I'm sorry. You were passed out when I found you and your head was bleeding, I haven't been able to get it to stop." She answered sounding worried.

"I'm… I…" Merlin tired but he was just too tired. He just wanted to sleep.

"No, no. You mustn't sleep." She said. "Please hold on, I'm going to try something. It should help." She said. Merlin wanted to asked what she meant but he was too exhausted. Instead he felt the girl place her hands on his wound and she began to whisper something. Something in the Old Religion.

Merlin felt warmth flood him. It didn't burn like the sorcerer or cause him any pain. It felt nice, relaxing even. His body started to feel less tired and his head less dizzy. Merlin could feel the skin on his head begin to mend. She was healing him.

The warmth stayed with him as he felt the girls cool hands leave his skin. Merlin opened his eyes and looked at her. She quickly pulled herself away from him like he was something harmful to her.

"You have magic!" Merlin pointed out.

"Please!" The girl begged. "I mean no harm to you. You lost too much blood. I was afraid you were dying." She said quickly. Merlin realized she was afraid he'd turn her in. "I'm just passing through, I've traveled a very long time and only wish to see an old friend."

She looked terrified. Merlin wouldn't dream of hurting her or turning her in, she did just save his life after all. But she had magic like him! Excitement rushed through him. She was like him but Merlin suddenly felt his excitement turn to dread.

The few he's told of his magic either turned out to be evil or he's lost. He couldn't risk that feeling of betrayal if she turned on him. When Merlin looked up the girl look ready to run, she was terrified. Maybe she was different, he thought.

"I'm not going to turn you in." Merlin stated. "I know not all magic is evil and you saved my life!" Merlin said with a smile. "I owe you now."

"You owe me nothing," She said sitting back down by him. "I just wanted to help but I have to admit for someone so tall and thin you are quite heavy! I had a hard time dragging you here." She stated and Merlin laughed.

"I'm sorry." He smiled. "My name is Merlin." The girl looked at him surprised.

"Merlin, the King of Camelot's manservant?" She questioned and Merlin nodded confused.

"How do you…"

"He's an old friend, I've gotten a few letter's over the years. He's mentioned you in a few of them. When my father, King Tallon, would visit I'd play with Arthur and Morgana." She said. "Such a shame about Morgana, she was a lovely girl, at least when I knew her. My name is Saoirse."

"So, you're on your way to Camelot. Arthur said he was expecting someone." Merlin stated and Saoirse nodded. "Does Arthur know you have magic?"

"No," She said quickly. "I could never tell him, the law…"

"I know." Merlin said pushing the blanket off him and sitting up. "Don't you think going to Camelot is risky though?" Merlin asked. The girl just smiled and shrugged.

"I have faith that someday magic will be excepted." Saoirse said.

"And why is that?" Merlin asked curiously.

"My mother would tell me stories before I fell a sleep," Saoirse said quietly. "About a great Warlock named Emrys and a King. She told me they would unite all of Albion and bring magic back to the land." The girl smiled at him. "I'm waiting for that to happen."

"Your mother has magic too?" Merlin asked.

"Yes," Saoirse said. "But she's been gone for many years." Merlin looked sadly at her, ready to tell her he was sorry but she shook her head. "Don't apologize, it wasn't your fault." Merlin nodded

"I believe that King to be Arthur." Merlin said, Saoirse looked at him with excitement in her eyes. "King Arthur and Queen Gwenivere are destined for greatness." Merlin stated.

"Arthur got married!" Saoirse shrieked with joy then she looked confused. "Who would want to marry that pompous jerk?" Merlin couldn't help but laugh.

"Sometimes I wonder the same, but Gwen really loves that royal prat." He answered.

"Oh, I can't wait to meet the Queen!" Saoirse said happily.

"I'll introduce you to her." Merlin smiled. "I do have a question for you though," Merlin looked at her and she nodded for him to continue. "You're a princess, what are you doing traveling by yourself?"

"You're the King's manservant, and I'm guessing that Arthur cares for you with the way he writes. Why are you out here by yourself?" She asked in return. Merlin stayed quiet. He looked out to the trees where he knew the hidden entrapment was and sighed. "Your eyes are sad and something is causing you to be in distress. I won't pry but maybe you should face what's haunting you. You have a light in you, Merlin. One I've only seen with my mother so I know you're strong. I'm willing to help if I am able too." Saoirse said looking away and at the fire instead.

"Thank you," Merlin finally said after a brief pause. "But to be honest, I don't know what to do yet." He answered, confusion in his voice.

"I bet you'll figure it out." Saoirse said encouragingly. Merlin nodded. One thing the Sorcerer said that Merlin couldn't shake out of his head was, The one's you love will tell me themselves if they want you or the king to live. They all tried to protect Merlin and he couldn't help but feel horrible about it. He wouldn't even force his worst enemy to do such a horrible act. "You should get some rest, we can get to Camelot tomorrow."

/

When the knights returned empty handed Arthur was furious. Merlin couldn't have gone that far, he hadn't been gone for all that long, had he?.

"You couldn't find him!" He yelled. "This can't be happening, not again!" The King said pacing back and forth. "Ready my horse, I'm leaving at once!"

"Sire," Leon said stepping forward. "It is too dark to see out there, we've searched the immediate area, let us rest and tomorrow we will broaden our search and find him."

"Do not make a promise you cannot keep." The King said sadly to the Knight.

"We will keep it." Gwaine said sternly. "As soon as the sun has rises we'll go out. And I promise, My King, I will not return until I find Merlin." Gwaine said determinedly and respectfully. Each one of the Knights were worried, Arthur could tell. Even Gwen, at his side, he could see her concern in her eyes.

"Tomorrow, first light, we ride out." The King stated.

"I'm going with you." Gwen said. Arthur shook his head but Gwen just smiled. "Try and stop me." She challenged. Arthur knew that was a match he would never win so he nodded.

/

Arthur tried to sleep but he was too worried about Merlin. When he did fall asleep all he could dream about was that night. The night the sorcerer had returned in Merlin's body.

/

Gaius walked into the throne room quickly. Gwen, standing next to her husband, looked up at the old physician. Arthur didn't look up or at Gwen he just kept at what he was doing.

"Ah, Gaius," The King said happily. "I'm sure you've looked over Merlin, is he alright?" He asked. When Arthur turned and looked at Gaius his face dropped. Gaius looked torn between being angry and sad.

"Sir, there's a problem." The old physician stated.

"Gaius what's wrong?" Gwen asked her voice filled with concern.

"That's not Merlin." Gaius stated. "It's an evil sorcerer."

"And why would you say that?" Arthur asked confused.

"He's obliviously lost his mind." Merlin's low voice said as he was leaning against the doorway. Arthur quickly push Gaius behind him with Gwen. "Looks like Gaius maybe getting a little too old for this job." The evil sorcerer said smugly with Merlin's voice.

Arthur couldn't help how wrong it was. Merlin was full of joy and clumsiness. He always had that bright spark in his eyes and a goofy smile on his face. But this Merlin was dark, evil. His voice to calm and his composure still and not clumsy.

"I know Merlin," Arthur said drawing his sword. "And you are not him."

"But Sire," The sorcerer said sounding deeply hurt. "Do you not believe me?" He asked with a smirk.

"I know my friend!" Arthur said sternly. "You should've tried harder to fool me! Now, tell me what you did with him!" Arthur demanded.

"But I'm right here!" The sorcerer said walking further into the room, revealing a long shiny blade. He twirled it in his hands slowly. "Do you still not believe me?" He said with a shrug. "Doesn't seem to matter then. I was paid to do one of two things and since this pleasant little servant was very loyal to you I guess I'll just go for the main goal. It will be my pleasure to kill the King of Camelot." He said with a smirk.

The sound of a sword being unsheathed cause the sorcerer to turn around and be faced with Sir Gwaine's silver blade. The Knight stood dangerously still, his face filled with anger.

"I swear," Gwaine said lifting his blade to the sorcerer's throat, Merlin's throat, causing Arthur to flinch giving Gwaine a hard look. Gwaine nodded and pulled the blade back a few inches. "When Merlin is safe I will cut your throat and let you bleed to death! Where is he! Where's Merlin?" Gwaine demanded threateningly ready to strike.

"A Knight in shining armor." The sorcerer teased. "But I have no use for you." He smiled and with a flick of his wrist sent Gwaine into the hard, stone wall. Gwen ran up angrily.

"You leave Merlin alone!" Gwen said, in a dangerous tone. Arthur looked to his wife quickly. He's never heard her sound so mad and protective. "You won't make it out of this room alive if you harm him."

"I'm not the one you'll be harming." The sorcerer said in a low voice. The sorcerer froze as a low rumble echoed through the castle. He looked around as though he was listening, his eyes wide with horror. "This boy…" He suddenly said in a soft quiet voice. "He's… Em…" But the sorcerer shook his head looking back up to Arthur with a wicked smile. "You don't even know." The Sorcerer laughed. "You want to protect your friend?" He teased.

"I will find away and when I do I will enjoy getting my revenge." Arthur threatened. The sorcerer swung the blade at Arthur quickly and the King blocked it.

"Now it seems you have two choices," The sorcerer mocked swinging the blade again this time quicker. Arthur blocked the strong blow again. "To kill me, you have to kill your friend, or I'll kill him in the most painfully slow way that I can think of." He smirked swinging hard and fast.

Arthur continued to block, never swinging back. This was Merlin, he still had to be there somewhere. There had to be another way he had to figure something out. But the sorcerer just smiled.

"Your time's running out my King, I guess you'd rather let your friend suffer a long unbearable death or perhaps he'd join me…"

"Merlin would never help you!" Gwen shouted.

"Your right, so what's your choice Arthur?" The sorcerer stepped back dropping the sword in his hands. Arthur let his arm drop, the tip of his blade touching the floor.

"Please, I beg you kill me!" Arthur pleaded.

"Arthur no!" Gwen cried but he ignored her.

"I believe his death will be the downfall to Camelot and to you." He said about the boy he possessed. "Camelot will burn and the Lady Morgana will be pleased to have the one responsible for her doom dead." The sorcerer laughed. The sorcerer opened his mouth to start a spell but Arthur raised his sword quickly and thrust it through his friends body.

Arthur heard Gwen's cry and even Gwaine shout out something before but Arthur didn't hesitate. He looked at the sword and prayed he didn't hit Merlin's heart. He pulled the sword out and watch the sorcerer raise Merlin's injured wrists to the wound, blood seeping through is fingers quickly.

"I'm so sorry Merlin." Arthur said sadly. Arthur watched the dark lift from his friends eyes, that familiar spark was back but a bit dull. Merlin looked to Arthur, Arthur wanted to smile with relief. Merlin's blue eyes flashed gold for a split second before they closed and he collapsed to the ground.

Arthur quickly reached out grabbing his friend before he hit the ground and pulled him to his chest.

"What have I done." He whispered to himself in shock. "Gaius! Please, you can't be dead!" Arthur said looking down and his friends still, bloody, pale, cold body.

/

Arthur woke up with a start, sitting straight up. Arthur was happy to see that he hadn't disturbed Gwen, who looked to be having a restless sleep as well. He left and got dressed hoping Gwen could sleep a little better.

He looked out the window to see the sun would be up in a few hours. He was tired of waiting.

/

AN: Any mistakes are mine, I tried really hard to go over it but I probably missed some! I'm too impatient for a beta! I hope you enjoy the read and thanks for any reviews! 3 Lots of love!