Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to the BBC and the four J's - Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps
and Julian Murphy. It's not mine. If it were, I'd make Merthur canon!

A/N: It's my first Merlin fic – be kind. Sorry the chapter is so short, but I had to study for midterms, and school comes first. My sister suggested that she thought Merlin's life revolved on Arthur (which it kinda did on the show) and that it wasn't a sign of a healthy relationship. So that will be addressed in this chapter.

The next chapter will be about Arthur's coronation, so you have that to look forward to. Also, finding out more about the evil sorcerer will be coming up as well.

A/N2: Thanks to my awesome Mom for being my beta.

.~.

Chapter 7: On The Road to Recovery

.~.

The next morning

Merlin was certain he was dreaming. Arthur was there, trying to get to him, but something was blocking his way.

"Noooo! MERLIN!" Arthur screamed. The king struggled with all his might to come to Merlin's aid but he couldn't move.

Merlin knew he should get up from the cold floor and reassure Arthur that he was alright, but he was completely paralyzed. A cloaked figure in black that radiated with dark magic approached him. The man smirked as he shot a bolt of lightning at Merlin's head. As he absorbed the shock, Merlin wondered why he hadn't sensed this man's presence sooner. Was it because he'd been too caught up in his rather intense reunion with Arthur?

Merlin wondered if he was going to die at the hands of this powerful sorcerer. If he did, how would Arthur cope with his death? Would he react in the same way as Uther had when his beloved had died at the hands of magic? Merlin didn't think so - Arthur was better than that. But one never truly knew.

Just when Merlin thought it was all over, another strong magical force joined them, subduing the evil man in black. Merlin felt his surprise at being overpowered by someone else other than the famed Emrys. After that, things got a little fuzzy. Then someone new was calling his name.

"Merlin. Merlin, if you can hear me, open your eyes. Please!"

A familiar female voice was speaking to him, but it sounded distorted. Merlin tried to open his eyes and do what the calming voice said, but it was difficult. His muscles were just not cooperating. Everything hurt. He wasn't even sure if he knew how to open his eyes, but he would try.

"Come on, Merlin. You can do it," the girl encouraged, tightly clasping his hand.

Merlin blinked a few times and then finally managed to open his eyes. Gwen's worried face slowly came into view.

"Gwen? What happened?" Merlin groaned as he tried to sit up. "Ow, my head." He winced, his hands automatically coming up to massage his throbbing temples.

"Lay back," Gwen scolded. "You're not well."

Reluctantly, Merlin did. "What happened to me?"

"You were attacked by a sorcerer." Gwen's tone of voice was grim. "Don't you remember?"

"No, not really. The last thing I remember was…" Merlin had a sinking feeling as he realized who was missing from the room. Panic surfaced on his already pale face. "Oh no! Arthur! Is he alright?"

"He's fine," Gwen promised. "He wanted to be here with you, but he's in an emergency council meeting to discuss the sorcerer."

Merlin's eyes grew wide with fear. "Did the sorcerer escape? Arthur could be in danger right now! I have to-"

Gwen held him down. "Arthur is well protected. He's far away from the sorcerer, who is downstairs chained in the dungeons."

"But how?" Merlin was really confused. "If I didn't stop him, who did?"

"Morgana," said Gwen, saying it as if she didn't believe it herself.

"Morgana?" Merlin was completely floored. As far as he knew, Morgana was a novice who barely knew how to control her magic. "But her magic isn't as powerful as mine and I thought I was out cold."

"She thinks that the reason why she was able to subdue the sorcerer is due to the element of surprise. But, whatever the reason, he's in jail now."

"Where's Morgana?" Merlin asked.

"She's standing guard in the dungeons, just in case the sorcerer decides to use magic to escape."

Merlin struggled to sit up again. "Morgana's not that strong! I should get down there and-"

"Merlin, you can't!" Gwen looked pained. "You aren't strong enough to even get up, much less fight a sorcerer."

"But I can't just leave Morgana there, all alone and facing this threat!"

"She had help," said Gwen. "Practically everyone in the castle came running when they heard the noises of your battle. Two others with magical abilities rushed in to help her. The woman is a cook, and the man is a stable hand. The evil sorcerer was no match for them once they pooled their magic together."

"That's amazing," said Merlin, relieved that the other people with magical abilities felt like they could reveal themselves and help Morgana.

"It was amazing, Merlin," Gwen relieved. "When Arthur made the suggestion to discuss the ban on magic during the council meeting, word spread through the castle. If that hadn't happened, I doubt that anyone would've come to Morgana's aid. If that had happened, we could all be dead right now and the sorcerer might've seized control of the kingdom. Arthur never would've made that suggestion if it hadn't been for you being brave enough to tell him about your magic. It's really thanks to you that we are still alive."

"I wish I could've seen it," said Merlin, imagining the scene unfolding. Morgana with a wild look on her face as she let her magic course through her body, channeling all that power against her foe. Two brave souls that he never knew had magic, joining forces with Morgana to help protect the kingdom. The three of them working together to subdue their enemy and eventually lock him in the dungeons.

"Morgana was scary after she saw what had happened to you, Merlin." Gwen shook her head at the memory. "I'd never seen her look like that. I think she wanted to kill the sorcerer, but she realized he'd be worth more alive. Several guards have tried questioning him, but he's not talking."

Then Merlin realized something. "What about Morgana and the other two? By the laws of Camelot, they should be in jail too."

"Arthur's working on that right now," Gwen informed him. "He's trying to find a loophole to keep them safe before he can change the law against magic permanently. Don't worry, technically his word is law. You know Arthur. He won't let anything bad happen to them."

"That's good," said Merlin, relieved that Morgana and the others wouldn't be punished for using magic, certainly not after they'd saved countless lives. "When he's done with the meeting, will Arthur come and see me?" Merlin tried to keep the longing out of his voice, but he didn't quite succeed.

Gwen smiled at him in sympathy. "You know how Arthur feels about you. You know he'll be here as soon as humanly possible."

"I hope so." Merlin gave her a weak smile. "I'm really tired, Gwen. I think I'll just…" Merlin's head flopped to the side of his pillow as he fell back asleep, exhausted.

Gwen stayed by his side a few minutes longer until she was certain that he was asleep for the night.

.~.

The following morning, Merlin's wish came true. Arthur came bursting into the room, causing Merlin to awaken with a start. He was so happy to see Arthur, he didn't even care about being startled awake. The king had dark circles under his eyes, but he still looked beautiful to Merlin.

"Merlin!" Arthur cried. "You're awake!"

Merlin grinned at the sight of his king. Arthur was looking rather fetching in his red tunic and brown trousers, wearing the most casual outfit that he owned. "Did you miss me?" Merlin asked.

"Of course I did, you idiot!" In his haste to see Merlin, Arthur ran towards the bed, skidded forward and accidentally fell on Merlin and the bed.

"Oww!" Merlin shook his head at Arthur as he quickly extricated himself from the bed. "I thought I was supposed to be the clumsy one."

"I'm sorry - I slipped!" Arthur apologized. "I just wanted to see you so badly. Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine," Merlin said truthfully. He'd cried out mostly in surprise rather than in pain. "I'm just glad you're here."

Arthur leaned down towards Merlin, and their lips gently met. Arthur settled down in a chair next to the bed. Then he took Merlin's hand in his, reveling in the skin to skin contact. Their palms kissed as they laced their fingers together. He needed this physical contact to remind himself that Merlin was still alive and recovering. He hadn't lost Merlin. He was right in front of him, looking rather adorable with his tousled dark brown hair and toothy smile. To Arthur, he looked perfect.

"I'm glad you're here," Merlin admitted, wincing at the dull ache in his temples. "Everything seems easier with you at my side."

"How are you feeling?" Arthur asked, gently rubbing Merlin's palm with his fingers.

"Eh," said Merlin, shrugging his shoulders. "I've been better, I've been worse. Recovering from a magical attack is never fun. I ache all over. Mainly it's my head and chest. Gwen's been great, though. She gave me an update on what's been going on."

"It's been a very strange night," said Arthur, stifling a yawn.

"Morgana, huh?" Merlin was still surprised by what had happened. "Who would've thought she was this powerful."

Arthur nodded, but he didn't quite meet Merlin's eyes.

Immediately, Merlin knew something was off. "Arthur, what is it?" He pressed.

"It's nothing," Arthur demurred.

"Out with it," said Merlin. He didn't want to deal with Arthur's theatrics right now.

"Earlier, after you'd been attacked, I didn't want to leave your side," Arthur said quietly. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to leave this room to attend to my duties. I still feel guilty about that. You should always come first, but-"

"It's alright, Arthur," Merlin insisted. "Truly, it is. Your responsibilities to Camelot come first. You've been busy with the council. If I'd been able to talk, I would've wanted you there, not sitting with me. You have a sorcerer in your custody that isn't afraid to attack people with intension to kill. Did you decide on his punishment?"

"We're going to execute him because he made an attempt on my life. We decided that any attack against the king, magical or otherwise, is treason and it is punishable by death." Arthur held up his hands. "Now, I know what you're going to say. I know you think this sentence is harsh, Merlin, but-"

"He deserves what he gets," Merlin said in a low voice.

"I don't understand." Arthur really didn't. Merlin was always for giving people a second chance, especially if they had magical abilities. It was just the kind of person that he was. Merlin's pure heart was one of the many things that Arthur loved about him. What could have changed his mind?

"He tried to kill you. That offense is unforgivable." Merlin reached up to cup Arthur's cheek with his hand. "Because of him, I almost lost you."

"But you didn't lose me. You shielded me," Arthur reminded him, his gaze turning stony. "Just me. And let me add, that you didn't shield yourself, leaving yourself completely vulnerable to a magical attack."

"I know. I wasn't fast enough to shield myself," Merlin said sheepishly. "That sorcerer caught me off guard. That's pretty rare, but it does happen. But my first instinct is always to protect you. Then I worry about myself afterwards."

"Merlin!" Arthur threw up his hands. "You can't keep doing that. It's not healthy."

"But my destiny is to protect you…"

"Screw destiny!" Arthur yelled, startling Merlin. The king realized he was raising his voice, and took care to bring it down to a regular volume. He knew Merlin didn't respond well to yelling. "You're free to make your own choices, Merlin."

"I choose you, Arthur. I always have," Merlin said quietly. "I always will."

"I cannot let this behavior of yours continue, Merlin," Arthur said sternly. "Your life is just as important as mine, if not more. Promise me that next time a life and death situation occurs, you will think of yourself first."

"Arthur, I can't promise that," Merlin said gravely.

"Very well. You leave me no choice, then." Arthur looked deep into Merlin's eyes and said,"you and I are done."

Merlin's blood ran cold. "No! You can't mean that."

"I'll do whatever I have to do to keep you alive and safe. If I have to end this between us, so be it." Arthur glared coldly at him, as if this was all Merlin's fault.

Merlin crossed his arms. "You wouldn't last a day without me." The warlock was trying to call his bluff, but Arthur didn't budge.

"Do you know how many men and women would give their right arm if they thought they had a chance to sleep with me? I could have you replaced at the snap of my fingers." Merlin knew that Arthur had the power to do just that. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, as if all he was good for was warming Arthur's bed when they had shared so much more. What about their plans to make Merlin the Court Sorcerer? What about Arthur recognizing Merlin in public as an equal? Would all that go down the drain thanks to this one fight?

"You wouldn't." Merlin's stomach churned at the thought of Arthur in another person's arms. "You love me."

Arthur said nothing.

"You promised you loved me!" Merlin cried, his body shaking as he assimilated all that Arthur had said. "Was what we shared a lie?"

"How does it feel, huh, Merlin?" Arthur's stormy blue eyes blazed with anger as he held the warlock's gaze. "You're probably feeling terrified at the idea of losing the only other person in the world who truly understands you. That's what I feel every single time you protect me at great risk to your own life. It doesn't feel very good, does it?"

Merlin shook his head no, his eyes tearing up as he realized just what his destiny-centric attitude was doing to Arthur. "Arthur, I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize how it was making you feel." Then he had an insight that had been a long time in the making. "You're right, it's not healthy."

"As much as it would feed my ego, I don't want your life to revolve around me, Merlin," Arthur said in all seriousness. "You have so much more to give, so much more to be. You're always asking me to treat you as an equal, but now I'm asking you to do the same with me. I know I'm the king, but neither of our lives are to be more important than the other. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Merlin whispered and he actually meant it.

"I'll never pretend to want to end things with us again," Arthur promised. "I just had to get through to you somehow, and that was the only way I could think of how to do it."

"You better not." Merlin scowled at him. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry." Arthur climbed into bed with him. Merlin turned over toward him, expecting Arthur to want to kiss and make up.

"Not tonight, you idiot." Of course Arthur very much wanted to participate in 'pleasurable activities' with Merlin, but he put his warlock's health first. "You must be exhausted."

"I am," Merlin admitted.

Arthur pulled Merlin into his arms.

"Arthur, you're probably needed somewhere," Merlin reminded him.

"Don't worry, I can spare a few moments to be with you," said Arthur. "I'm right where I need to be."

Merlin had never felt more safe and loved as he did in that moment.

.~.

End Chapter 7

A/N: No cliffie this time. Reviews are great! Thanks to everyone who sent me a kind message about me losing my cat. That means more to me than you know.