Arthur watched in horror as Merlin began to choke, then fell to the floor.
He was oblivious to the chaos around him as he dashed to his servant's side.
"Merlin!" Gaius cried, kneeling by the boy's side.
Gnarled fingers reached forward and checked for breath and pulse, the old man freezing for a moment.
"What is it, Gaius?" Arthur asked; a slight, inexplicable fear starting to form in the back of his mind.
The physician laid his head on his ward's chest, listening for several moments before rising with a look of disbelief.
"He's dead."