A/N: So chapter six brought this story up to 5,666 words. Devilish.

In case there's any confusion: there is overlap when switching between perspectives. The last chapter showed Merlin's side of the knight's arrival and went on to cover events that correspond to the beginning of (well, most of) this chapter. Any questions? Ask me!

I imagine the faces of the knights watching this as similar to Gwen's expressions as she watched Gaius cutting the fomorrah out of Merlin's neck (interspersed with the usual worried looks, of course).


I believe the poison to be spirit of vitriol, but it seems to have been enhanced with magic or possibly combined with some other substance."

"But you can cure him?"

The physician hesitated, his professional facade cracking as he responded in a broken voice.
"I fear it may already be too late."

Gwaine choked back a sob as Arthur looked stricken by the proclamation, about to respond when the old man straightened his back, face hardened in resolve.

"But I will do everything I can."


Merlin began coughing and the three immediately drew closer to him.

"What should we do, Gaius?"
Arthur was highly alarmed by the growing amount of blood coming out of his servant's mouth.

"We need to turn him so he doesn't choke."

The two knights were quick to comply, Arthur and Gwaine shifting his legs and torso as Gaius turned his head, allowing the red liquid to stream out onto the ground.

The king felt Merlin's abdominal muscles working but contrary to expectation the flow from his friend's mouth actually ceased.
"Gaius, what's happening?"

Brows knit, the physician reached into his ward's mouth, trying to be gentle as he probed about.
He flinched when he brushed the back of his boy's throat and sent a tremor through the suffering body, causing renewed heaving.

"His airway is blocked- we need to bring down the swelling. Is that water ready yet?"

Arthur was impressed by the old man's control.
Yes, he was yelling, but it wasn't the emotional sort he himself often indulged in.

Leon was the one who answered.
"The fire's been built but the water was just put on. I doubt it's even warm yet."

"It shall have to do- pour some in this bowl, please."
The physician pushed the container into the knight's hands and turned back to his supplies, gathering a couple of vials and a bundle of plant roots which he ground to a fine paste before adding it along with the clear and red liquids from the vials to the bowl of water Leon had fetched.

He soaked a cloth in the mixture and, turning away from watchful eyes, said a few words over the concoction to warm it.

Arthur smelled the distinct scent of vinegar rising from the towel the physician wrapped around Merlin's throat and wrinkled his nose slightly.

A moment passed before the treatment took hold and an uncomfortable amount of red-tinged vomit poured from the servant's lips.
The royal was particularly disturbed to notice that the substance bubbled slightly of its own accord.

Gaius reached into his surrogate son's mouth once more, noting with pleasure that the swelling had receded significantly.
Retrieving a clean cloth he began removing the blood and sick that hadn't managed to escape on their own, murmuring reassurances to Merlin as he went.

It started off so softly the elder wasn't sure he was actually hearing it, but the keening slowly crescendoed to the point where it was obvious.

"Merlin?"

The high-pitched note petered off, ending in a heartrending whimper.

"Merlin, are you awake?"

The only response was a weak noise of distress.

"Sir Gwaine, could you hold his eyes open for me?"

The knight nodded in response, gently cupping his friend's face and thumbing his eyes open; too choked up to speak.

"Gaius, do you think he's been conscious this whole time?" Arthur asked in horror.

"I don't know, Sire."

He turned to his bag and grabbed a bright red bottle, holding it in front of the glazed blue eyes that couldn't seem to focus.
"Merlin, can you see what I have in my hand?"

The hazy orbs drifted slowly about, apparently unable to discern where they should be looking.

Gaius sighed and motioned for Gwaine to release the eyelids which closed on their own.

"What does that mean?" It was getting more and more difficult for Arthur to hold it together, and it was showing in his desperate tone.

"He is awake, Sire... but he cannot see."

The king felt as if the breath had been knocked from his body.

"He's blind?" Gwaine asked, whispering as if he could keep Merlin from finding out.

"Yes, but it may only be temporary. Still, this proves that the poison has progressed to a very dangerous point. Since he is awake, however, we can begin trying to dilute the poison by making him drink."

Clinging to this news like a drowning man to a bit of driftwood, Arthur motioned to Percival, who brought over a skin of freshly-gathered cool water.

The physician pulled some long, leafy stems from his bag and handed them to the boy the knights had forgotten until that moment.

"You know how to prepare thyme tea, yes?"

Daegal nodded.

Gaius patted his shoulder in thanks and the boy quickly went to the fire, eager to help where he could.

"We can start with the water and then switch to the tea when it is ready."

Arthur moved around so he was above Merlin's head and began drawing the man into his lap, heart breaking at each pitiful cry issuing from the pale lips- though he was glad to notice the blueness was beginning to withdraw. That was a good sign, right?

Gaius handed the water skin to Gwaine, who clearly was in need of something to do.

"Pour it slowly, make sure he swallows it all before you give him more. If he starts to choke you must immediately turn him on his side."

The knight nodded his understanding and began plying his friend with the refreshing liquid.

Come on, Merlin. He silently begged. You can't leave me now.

Inches away, Arthur was having the same thoughts.