Thunder rumbled through the forest, encircling the trees and dancing along the ground until it seemed to enter the cave. With the howling wind, drips of rain blew into the cave, but Merlin was mostly shielded from the weather.

Sluggishly, the warlock forced his eyes open. His head swam, even though Merlin was lying down. His feverish and glassy eyes saw everything in double, which made him feel sick to him stomach.

Burning up, but still shivering, Merlin wrapped his sweaty arms around his torso to try to calm the violent shakes. It didn't help much. The protective movement sent the chilling quivers up to his teeth so they clashed and clanked together in quite the violent manner.

The noise seemed to alert his companion. "Merlin," said the man in a worried voice. "Thank goodness, you're awake. You scared me. Your fever's been high, still is." The person brushed a water-soaked cloth along Merlin's brow.

Merlin frowned as he tried to listen to the talker. The voice sounded familiar. "Leon," said the warlock as he stared at the knight. "I never blamed you..."

"What?" asked the confused man. "What are you talking about?"

"When you found the bracelet, I knew you were just doing your job," Merlin continued as if he hadn't heard the other man speak.

"Don't mention it," said Leon, but it wasn't the knight, it was his mother. "Don't worry your head, Merlin. You need to rest."

"Mum," the warlock whimpered. "How did you find me?"

"That's not important. Just relax," Hunith said, as she stood and went deeper into the cave. When she returned, she was a he and the young man held a bowl of willow bark tea.

Seeing Will, Merlin screamed. He bolted upright and backed away. "You're dead! You're dead! Lave me," panted Merlin. His feverish blue eyes were wide and frightened.

"I'm here to help. Here, drink this. It will get your fever down," Will said as he pressed the cup to Merlin's lips.

"I should have fessed up to the whirlwind. I'm sorry you felt the need to take the blame," the warlock said after swallowing the liquid.

"Lay down. You really do need to rest, mate," Gwaine said.

Merlin frowned. "Where is Will? And why aren't you in Camelot? You're needed there," asked the very ill young man.

"You needed me. You need me. You would have died," Gwaine said in an uncharacteristically authoritative voice.

"You're death was my fault. I'm sorry. I knew something was weird about Eira and her story. I just didn't know what or that it would lead to what it did. Can you forgive me," whimpered Merlin.

"There is nothing to forgive. You really should rest. You'll heal faster," said Gwaine. Before Merlin's very eyes, Gwaine changed to Freya.

"This is weird," muttered Merlin as the Druid dabbed his forehead and neck. "It's good to see you again. I am happy."

"And I too," said Freya, sitting down on the rock near Merlin.

"I wish I could have taken Arthur's bolt for you. You would have lived then and we could have been together, forever," whispered Merlin with a dazed smile on his face.

"It was not your time. It's not your time now," Freya replied, but it wasn't the woman, it was Balinor. "You need to better. You are needed. Do you understand me? You're needed."

Merlin nodded and sighed. "Would you have lived with me, father," he asked. "Would you have already accepted me into your life?"

"I already had," Balinor said, but again it wasn't him. It was Percival. "Who couldn't accept you?"

"Lots of people couldn't. Morgana, for one. I poisoned her. I didn't want to. It was the only way. She was the curse. Morgause cursed her so everyone fell asleep when they were near her," Merlin sobbed. His whole body shook with his tears. After five long minutes of crying, he stopped and opened his eyes. Before him was Lancelot.

"I missed you. I wish I had gone through the veil. You didn't deserve death or being turned into a shade and then Gwen wouldn't have been banished. I was ready. To sacrifice myself," the warlock whispered.

"What was done is done," sighed Lancelot in a very elderly voice.

"Gaius? Where did Lancelot go," asked Merlin. "I thought you were dead. I saw our home burn."

"You are thinking too much about things. We will deal with everything later. You really need to sleep. That fever of yours will break once you heal," Gaius said.

"Okay. Okay. One thing first, how did I make that blue orb after the poisoning all those years ago? I have wondered that for as long as it happened. I'd like to know before I die."

"You're not going to die. I won't let it. You're my friend and I can't lose you," exclaimed the king, whom Gaius had turned into, as he sprang from his seat.

"Arthur," whispered Merlin, but he got no response. His voice was so hushed and hoarse that it was more like the warlock mouthed the words. With heavy eyelids, Merlin watched as his sight went hazy and Arthur was out of sight. Now, he was apparently alone again, but he was too exhausted to care.

Author's note: this went differently then I had planned, but I like the outcome. Thanks to Numb3rsfan for the idea!