Hi! Sorry for the delay. You know when you have nothing going on for weeks, then suddenly, everything's happening at once? It happened. So I got a review telling me that chapters 5 and 6 are pretty much the same. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen. It just did. What happens in this chapter should have happened in 6, but I got carried away with Arthur's feelings. This chapter has more plot in it. Enjoy!

I own nothing.

Arthur returned from the council meeting around dinner time. He was going to go to his chambers, but decided he wanted to be near Merlin. In a completely I-don't-want-anything-to-happen-to-my-servant-because-then-I'll-have-to-get-a-new-one-and-that's-hard-work way. It had nothing to do with the fact that he slept better with Merlin around. No nightmares about his father's disapproval of various things.

When he reached the door, he heard Gaius's voice. Arthur stood outside the door for a few seconds and heard a voice that definitely did not make his heart flutter. It was Merlin. So much for sleeping there. It wouldn't be acceptable with Merlin awake. Arthur wanted to crash though the door immediately, but he stopped when he heard Gaius say, "And your magic? Is it gone?"

Arthur froze, hand on the door. He slowly pulled it back as he tried to wrap his head around the concept of Merlin being a sorcerer. He was angry. Arthur had a right to be! After all, Merlin had kept it from him all this time! It's not like he would execu- oh, that's right. His father would.

It was too weird, so he focused on the conversation going on behind the door.

"Yes," Merlin began, and Arthur felt any and all anger he had toward the sorcerer crumble at hearing the sobs lingering in his voice. "It's gone. I can't even move a twig, let alone sense my surroundings. It feels like I've lost my sense of smell or something. It's just not right."

"Yes, that was the goal of Morgana's curse. To make you useless so she could kill Arthur." Oh, so Arthur had been right! It was Morgana! Wait- did he say kill Arthur? And why would she make Merlin useless? He's already useless to begin with!

"Gaius! What am I going to do? If I can't protect Arthur, he'll die! I can't let that happen!" Merlin exclaimed. Why would Arthur die if Merlin didn't protect him. Surely he wasn't that useful!

"You'll have to travel to the Eastern Mountains to retrieve the Dragonbreath potion."

"What's that?"

"It's a potion that can cure all curses," Gaius responded.

"When can I leave?" Merlin asked immediately. His voice had shed all traces of anguish, now laced with determination.

"Merlin, you can't leave now! You can barely walk!"

"I don't care! I'll find a way! Arthur's life is on the line here, Gaius! I have to go, and as soon as possible!" Arthur couldn't help the pride swirling in his chest. Merlin was willing to risk his life for Arthur's. Of course, he wouldn't let him, but it was a nice idea.

Arthur waited for a moment, and when there was silence, walked though the door. Both Gaius and Merlin looked up at him with terrified expressions. They must have thought he'd heard.

Of course, he had, but he didn't want to give them both heart attacks, so he said, "Merlin! You're awake!"

Merlin smiled softly, and said teasingly, "So I'll be back in your chambers cleaning your messes bright and early tomorrow?"

"Actually," Arthur began, "you should take the day off. After all, you've only just became conscious!" Arthur was trying to subtly persuade Merlin not to go on this crazy quest to the Eastern Mountains. It didn't seem to work.

Merlin exchanged a look with Gaius that to Arthur looked like this is a great opportunity! Well, that didn't go as planned. "Great! Thanks!"

Arthur simply nodded and pretended to go out the door to his chambers, but he lingered outside a little longer. Just long enough to hear Merlin say, "A day off is a perfect opportunity! I can set out in the morning! No one will miss me for a day, and by that time, I'll be long gone!" Arthur had to agree, it was almost a flawless plan. The only problem was that Arthur had tried to make him stay. There was only one option left: Arthur was going to follow him.