Disclaimer: Right, I don't own BBC Merlin. Blah blah blah. But I do own my OCs!

Warnings: Just T-rated violence and some adult themes. Nothing graphic though! Just suggestive as per the rating guidelines. If enough people think I should move it to M, I will, but I don't think it'll be a problem.

A/N- As you guys can see the votes for updating is every other day :) so here I am! Sorry in advance if I miss a day- homework is becoming a problem but I shall endeavour to stick to it.

Thanks so much to ForIHaveOvercomeTheWorld, Zagreb-girl, aurora89, restoringthehistory, Hiding in the Shadow, fairy goatmother, TheMadSister, DragonflyonBreak, TeganL74, godsdaughter77, Drakan722, Arisprite, Emachinescat, CM, MamzelleHermy, Kitty O, and ShiverMeFunzies. Have I told you guys how much I love you? :D

And I love all you readers too, thank you for sticking around :D You won't be disappointed!


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"He's not even stirring Gaius," Arthur said angrily after lifting Merlin to a sitting position on his bed. The prince scrutinized the young man- the sun ambling through Merlin's window was softly resting on his pale face, as if making fun of his inability to wake up. "It's been four days."

Gaius sighed and put pillows under Merlin's knees to elevate them so they were not always in the same position. "I've done everything I can think of Arthur," the physician said with a touch of irritation. "From what that- well I assume we will just have to wait." Gaius glanced at Arthur from the corner of his eye as he grabbed a vial of tonic from within his blue robes.

The prince had stiffened when Gaius was going to mention Lorcan and his light eyes darkened in anger. Arthur remained silent as he watched Gaius tip the vial into Merlin's mouth, scrutinizing each reflexive swallow of his throat. "He's lost weight," Arthur noted.

"That is only to be expected when we can't get any solid food in him." Gaius said gently and continued coaxing the unconscious dragonlord to drink. When he was finished, he placed the glass vial on Merlin's desk and Arthur squinted at the light reflecting brightly off of it, choosing not to look while Gaius lifted Merlin's lids to peer into his eyes.

"He said to keep Merlin alive for the next five days. Do you think he will wake up tomorrow then?" Arthur voiced his thoughts.

"We can only hope," Gaius said gravely and Arthur nodded.

"Do you think it a coincidence?" The prince asked quietly.

The physician's eyebrow rose. "That as soon as this curse surfaces, Merlin is incapacitated?" Arthur merely stared until Gaius sighed. "I fear I do not. You said this sorcerer spoke of Balinor?"

Arthur wanted to flinch at the reminder of the secret he was keeping from Merlin. "Yes. And that girl said that Lorcan mentioned Driscoll was his mentor."

Gaius nodded at the information he was familiar with but frowned. "Dark magic is always at its weakest when it is born. There is a legend saying that a dragonlord was able to foil a curse of an evil sorcerer, and there are many such cases, but I had never paid it any heed before now.

Arthur's face darkened in the bright chambers. "So he was getting Merlin out of the way, not only because Morgana clearly wishes him harm. But would he have been able to stop the curse?" He asked Gaius.

A fleeting cautious look passed over Gaius' face, so fast that Arthur attributed it to his imagination. "Perhaps. But there is no telling now."

"I suppose not," Arthur muttered, casting a wondering glance to Merlin. "Alright, watch over him Gaius," the prince regent bid before striding out the chambers. He gave a backward glance at Merlin before he descended the stairs and exited the chambers, missing the uneasy look Gaius sent his unconscious ward. Two guards were waiting outside for him and followed when he set a course to the throne room.

"Any word on the scouts?" Arthur asked.

"No Sire," One of them said from behind.

But in that moment a figure came running into view down the hall and put on a spurt of speed upon seeing the prince. Arthur straightened his back and quickened his pace infinitesimally.

"Prince Arthur!" The young squire called. The boy's footsteps echoed loudly though the hallway, clearing a way through the servants.

"Sire," he gasped and bowed. "Gerrick, Sir Leon, and Sir Raonull are back with news my lord. They are waiting in the throne room, my lord."

"Good," Arthur said, "but what of Brian's group?"

"We received a message from him Sire, and he is nearly a day's ride from here." The boy smiled and his dark eyes lit up proudly.

"Thank you Edwin. Go to your brothers and the rest of the knights on the training field, tell them the news."

"Yes, my lord." Edwin bowed and charged back down the hall, scattering the servants and maids. Arthur nearly smirked at the clear contrast between him and Aldwin and Hadwyn- it was obvious that Edwin had a more exuberant disposition than his brothers.

The sound of the prince's hurried footsteps thudded off the walls of the stone corridor and he was too intent on reaching his destination to respond to the bows and nods of the people he passed. Arthur's face was grave in anticipation of the news, his lips set in a hard line and his eyes were steely blue, un-warmed by the beams of golden sunlight filtering in through the windows. He had sent numerous messengers to ride hard to the closest villages by the Vale of Isgard, to tell them to flee away from the spreading curse- Arthur only hoped it did not spread too far.

The prince reached the throne room and did not break pace as the guards outside opened the door. He passed them in a rushed flurry. The three knights inside turned abruptly at hearing the doors open and they bowed when Arthur strode strongly up to them- looking every bit a ruler with his brown coat flowing behind him and the sun sculpting his face with hard shadows.

"What news do you bring?" He demanded.

Gerrick, Leon, and Raonull stood side by side and the tallest knight stepped forward from the middle.

"Sire, we have found that the curse has reached from the Mountains of Isgard to the beginning of White Mountain Path and a little farther south," Leon reported.

"Alright," Arthur sighed, "so it is not near any village. Not yet. What does it look like?"

Gerrick glanced at Leon before turning to the prince. "Like that villager said. The land is dying," the lithe knight frowned, "and it gets darker the closer you get, like a great cloud blotting out the sun."

If Arthur didn't know Gerrick, his gaze would not have become cold. "And how close did you get Gerrick?" He asked quietly. The knight had enough sense to swallow nervously.

"He did not listen to us Sire," Raonull put forth, shooting a glare to Gerrick who rolled his eyes but uncharacteristically remained silent.

Leon answered Arthur's question in a disapproving tone. "He was able to grab a flower from the ground and toss it over to the other side."

A thrill of fear shot through Arthur's stomach though he masked it well. "Are you insane?" He asked Gerrick loudly. "That thing is expanding!"

The grey eyed knight adopted an obstinate expression. "Well I had to see if it died right away. Which it did and made the thing faster, if you care to know, Sire."

"Remember who you are talking to Sir Gerrick," Arthur warned with a frown on his face. Both Raonull and Leon eyed Gerrick reproachfully, though Leon had veiled anxiousness in his azure orbs.

Gerrick met his stare for a few seconds before sighing and looking down. "Sorry Arthur," he said which caused Raonull's frown to deepen but Arthur's to relax. He looked back to the prince, unknowingly letting his fear darken his eyes. "But I wanted to see it. I mean, how in God's name are we supposed to stop it?"

Heavy silence pervaded the throne room and no sound was uttered. Arthur drew his eyes to the blue sky outside a window. "With help," he said almost distractedly. The prince looked back to his knights and spoke strongly. "From the druids."

~/0\~

The training field was unusually quiet as the knights scattered across it sparred with each other. Elyan glanced at his silent partner as he stared absently at the castle. "We are nearly done Gwaine," he said. In the bright sunlight, the roguish knight looked to him and frowned- the furrow in his brow and the downturn of his lips a strange sight on the man.

"Right, but then we have to patrol the forest. He's bloody doing it on purpose," Gwaine spat.

Elyan rolled his dark eyes. "Stop being stubborn, we are stretched thin and you know it."

A derisive rumble came from Gwaine's throat and he glanced back to the castle again, though this time with more scorn.

"I do not think the boy can stop being stubborn," Cadmon's voice said dryly to the amusement of Elyan and Percival who was partnered with the old knight. Gwaine raised a dark eyebrow before donning a smirk.

"Neither can wobbly old goats, mate," Gwaine retorted. Several knights who heard his comment looked incredulously at him and many sent him hostile glares. Gwane was extremely unpopular recently due to the punch he threw at Arthur- no one had said anything but the prince's bruised face along with Gwaine brazenly flexing his fist in crowds had helped people put it together. But then Cadmon barked a laugh which caused the knights to stare in confusion.

"Well this wobbly old goat can put you in your place."

Gwaine flashed a bright grin and flourished his sword. "Ah, then I accept your challenge then Sir Cadmon."

Percival and Elyan exchanged a glance and elected to watch the two knights scuffle. Eadric came over from watching Aldwin and Hadwyn spar, swinging a mace in his left hand because his right was still bound in a sling. Lancelot also followed him while shaking his head at Gwaine, with Pellias trailing behind with a small strut in his step. The red haired man had been knighted by Arthur two days previous and the council had no complaint since he was a noble. Elyan had to wonder if it would be so if they knew he was originally from Escetia.

But he was a skilled knight and certainly likeable so he hoped that little tidbit would remain buried. The dark skinned knight's attention was turned away from Pellias as Gwaine's sword loudly clashed repeatedly with Cadmon's, both men not trying their hardest in the name of fun. Elyan had to hand it to Cadmon for distracting Gwaine, the knight had been practically unbearable for the past four days. Even more so when yesterday night when they heard Gaius trying to console Arthur about the blame Gwaine was placing on him and the prince insisting that the long haired knight was right. Elyan figured that Gwaine most likely felt guilty about his behaviour but had nowhere else to vent his anger. The knights may have been becoming closer but Merlin was still Gwaine's best friend.

A yell that had been the only speech throughout the training field then split the silence once more, causing many heads to turn and even some lips to smile. Gwaine and Cadmon ceased their fighting to look at Aldwin laughing at his brother. "You can do better than that!"

Hadwyn glowered red faced at Aldwin, and was breathing heavily. "Shut up, Aldwin," he growled. The young knight dashed forward, and pushed his body weight into his strike. Aldwin brought his sword up and pushed against Hadwyn, effectively preventing his slightly shorter brother from driving him back. The next second they threw their blades to the ground, and grappled with each other, both trying to hook their foot around the other's and send them to the floor. Gwaine shouted a cheer for Hadwyn, mostly because he knew it would annoy Aldwin.

Their audience paused for a moment when both the brothers stopped wrestling and turned in unison toward the castle gleaming vibrantly in the daylight. Elyan looked to see Edwin, another of Aldwin's brothers running toward their group. He did not need to have met Edwin to know he was related to the two knights, all of their features were similar though the squire's complexion had more colour than his paler brothers. When the boy got close enough Aldwin and Hadwyn called out to him.

"What did you do this time?" They demanded at the same time. Edwin twitched his pointed nose and scowled at them.

"Nothing, why do you always assume I did something?" He whined in his boyish voice to his brothers.

Aldwin and Hadwyn exchanged a sardonic glance as their younger brother continued. "I'll have you both know," he said haughtily, "that Prince Arthur requested I give you a message. To you all." His tone was significantly more polite when addressing the other knights who all walked closer.

"What it is it?" Gwaine asked, earning an unnoticed frown from Aldwin and Hadwyn.

"Prince Arthur wanted me to tell you that Gerrick is back with the news. What news by the way?" He eyed all of the knights, staring heavily at them. It perhaps would have intimidated others, but Cadmon, Eadric and even Lancelot, Elyan, and Percival were all used to Aldwin's stare which was significantly more fearsome. Pellias though, was considerably more affected by Aldwin than the rest of them, much to the taller knight's satisfaction.

"Nothing you need to know Edwin," Hadwyn told him. Edwin bit his lip but did not dispute his brother in front of other knights for he intended to do so in private.

"You did well," Aldwin said and clapped Edwin on the shoulder and the boy tried to hide his beam. The knights all looked sideways at each other before starting for the castle. Cadmon nodded to the other knights watching them before following the others. Edwin cut in between his brothers and walked alongside them, watching Gwaine march in front of them and set a hurried pace to the castle.

It was not long before they reached the throne room and once they were outside it, Aldwin sent Edwin on his way- the fourteen year old sighed but left as he was bidden, his backward glance promising retribution. The doors were opened for the eight knights, and they filed in to find Arthur waiting for them with Gerrick and Leon.

"Arthur," Gwaine greeted cordially. If the prince was taken aback by the knight's sudden change he didn't show it and instead nodded his head. A severe look adorned his face and the two knights behind him wore similar dark expressions. All of them gathered in a loose circle with the knights waiting for Arthur to speak. He sighed and in a display of trust he ran a hand anxiously through his flaxen hair which was glowing in the kiss of the sun glimmering lazily through the windows.

"You all know of the curse marring the kingdom. No doubt Morgana's doing." Arthur's voice resonated in the throne room and the knights cast wary glances to each other. "Gaius and I have reasoned that Lorcan and Morgana are working together to bring about the fall of Camelot. But the druids have offered to help us... I believe that the only way to save Camelot and perhaps all of Albion is to accept their aid if they are still willing to give it." He cast his blue eyes to each of the knights' faces, assessing their reaction.

Everyone save Gwaine was silent. "Figure that out all by yourself did you?" He grinned, earning a small frown from the prince. "Well, you know where I stand." His keen russet eyes bored into Arthur's and he nodded his head, knowing what the prince was getting to.

Arthur breathed a laugh through his nose. "Thank you Gwaine." He then addressed the rest of them. "I will be leading a party to find the druids. And we will find a way to rid Camelot of the curse, with or without their help. I have no illusions that it will be easy, and I fear that Morgana will not want us to stop her. This will be dangerous, so I need to know who is with me." Gwaine cleared his throat prompting another smirk from Arthur. "Besides Gwaine."

An intake of breath from Leon had everyone turning in his direction. "Sire, you know that my sword is pledged to you. But you are needed here, should you not stay in the city?"

It was a fair point, and all of the knights looked back at the prince regent whose face was set. "No, this is my kingdom and I will be the one to fight for it. However..." He trailed off and his gaze slid to the oldest knight in the group. "Cadmon, I know not how long we will be gone and Camelot will need a leader while I am away."

Cadmon's forest coloured eyes widened and he gaped at the prince. "Arthur-" He swallowed and when the prince regent said nothing the knight bowed. "I would be honoured my lord, and will do my best."

A guffaw was uttered by Gerrick. "You had better be careful Arthur, the people might turn out to like him more than you!" He grinned when everyone either smirked or laughed. "I would volunteer, but perhaps you should tell us of your plans before we start putting our feet forward?"

"That I shall," Arthur nodded and paused to take another look at the knights. Gwaine was standing with a slight slouch as if he were discussing the weather and Gerrick had a similar posture, though his hands were curled into fists. Eadric was scowling, and kept on looking down to his broken arm, grimacing when Arthur sent him an apologetic glance. When he glanced to Lancelot he found that the knight's neck was straight and his dark eyes shimmering with determination. Percival's hand was on the pommel of his sword and had the barest trace of a smirk on his lips. His eyes then passed over to Hadwyn and Aldwin- the younger knight's eyes were apprehensive despite the resolute set of his jaw and Aldwin was as straight faced as ever when faced with an epic task. Leon too showed none of what he was feeling and he dipped his head when the prince looked to him. Elyan was feigning nonchalance but it was at odds with his furrowed brow. And Pellias was frowning but grinned when his eyes met Arthur's.

All were willing to fight with him and all were willing to die for Camelot. Arthur felt humbled and could not resist a smile before he spoke once more. "Cadmon will stay here, along with Eadric and Hadwyn." Eadric nodded at the logic but was not happy about staying behind all the same. Hadwyn furrowed his brow, not noticing his brother close his eyes in relief.

"Sire?" He uncharacteristically questioned the prince, refraining from saying more.

"I need to leave behind knights that the council will accept. You, Aldwin, and Gerrick are the only options and I need them with me. You may be new Hadwyn but your skill is undeniable- you will be taking over Leon's duties while Eadric takes over Cadmon's."

Hadwyn's eyes became huge and he gaped at the prince significantly less gracefully than Cadmon did. Aldwin gave him a surreptitious nudge and he swallowed. "I would not think that the knights would accept me my lord."

"They do not have a choice. You will do well."

"Thank you Sire." Hadwyn bowed and could not help but sending a nervous smile to Aldwin who nodded proudly.

"And what of the rest of us non-acceptable knights?" Gwaine asked wryly to the particular amusement of Lancelot, Percival, and Elyan.

"I should think it obvious Gwaine," Arthur answered.

"What? Go on a quest we may not come back from? Sounds fun."

"Always a pessimist aren't you?" Elyan teased.

"I resent that," the roguish knight scoffed.

"Thank you for having so little faith in my abilities Sir Gwaine," Arthur said with mock anger to which Gwaine gave a curtsy. "However," Arthur continued seriously, "Five of us will be seeking out the druids, and you five-" He gestured to Leon, Elyan, Aldwin, Gerrick, and Pellias- "Will scout ahead to the Mountains of Isgard and report back. You will be searching for an ambush. And we will all make it back alive."

They all nodded gravely and Hadwyn sent a worried glance to his brother. He was going to speak but Percival's voice sounded before he had the chance.

"Yet that leaves four of you," the tall knight said to Arthur.

"I'm counting on the fact that Merlin will be ready to go in two days time. Three at the latest."

"You are going to take Merlin?" Pellias asked incredulously.

Lancelot shook his head and answered for Arthur. "If Merlin wakes to find that we are gone, he would charge after us. And with the threat that the sorcerer poses to him, I doubt it would be wise to leave him alone." He looked to Arthur who nodded confirmation.

"Who is with me?" Arthur asked.

Gwaine of course gave an odd sounding snort. "You really need to ask princess?"

The prince regent ignored him and looked to the others. Everyone took a simultaneous step forward, tightening their circle. "For Camelot," Leon said and was echoed by the rest.

The solemn battle cry echoed throughout the throne room.

~/0\~

Muffled sounds of voices flitted wanly into his hearing but Merlin was too deep in sleep to recognize them for what they were. He was vaguely aware that he was waking up, but he had never fought his way out of sleep so slow before, conveniently forgetting about all the other times he had indeed woken up from unconsciousness. Merlin felt a small pressure press down on his shoulder before it was abruptly taken away and a very familiar voice scolded the pest whom he somehow recognized as Arthur. And then another memorable voice spoke up- Merlin only recognized some words so he knew that Gwaine, it must be, was supporting the prince.

After a few more moments of trudging to awareness, Merlin groaned, remembering his encounter with Lorcan. The now clear voices halted immediately only to quickly call out his name. He very purposefully found his way to waking so as to not think about it. Merlin smacked his lips and stretched out his limbs, his eyes closed in a gigantic yawn. His blue eyes then blearily opened and he blinked heavily at the three figures around his bed side, vaguely noticing he was propped up by donated pillows. Merlin stared at Arthur, wondering if he was late for work, but then mentally scolded himself because Arthur looked like he had been sitting there for a while- and Merlin unfortunately knew the look. And not even Arthur would have him work the day after he was attacked. He was sitting on a rickety wooden chair to the right of Merlin's bed. The warlock blinked again and scrutinized Gwaine and Gaius who both looked just as relieved as the prince. Gaius was sitting across from Arthur on Merlin's other side, and Gwaine beside the physician as close as he could get to Merlin. Their stares were unnerving.

"What?" He asked only to cough due to his dry throat. Gaius immediately sprang forward with a cup of water which Merlin let him press to his lips, only because his arms felt flimsy.

He sighed in relief when the water cooled his throat. "How are you feeling Merlin?" Arthur asked a beat before Gwaine's similarly phrased question. Merlin's eyes found Arthur and he had to squint a little from the afternoon sun cheerily dancing through the open shutters of his window.

"Is Helen alright?" Merlin asked, his forehead immediately creasing in worry. Gaius thankfully allayed his concern.

"She is fine. She's been asking after you."

"Oh good," Merlin sighed.

"Merlin, answer Gaius," Arthur ordered. Gwaine scowled at his brusque tone.

Merlin sent Arthur a smile and faced him while he answered. "A little tired, but I suppose that is reasonable considering..."

"You remember then?" Gwaine asked worriedly.

"Unfortunately," Merlin muttered and could not help certain memories from flashing in his mind. He blinked and looked warily to Arthur. "...Am I forgiven then?"

A faint tint of red graced the prince's face before he paled. Gaius considerately ushered a surly Gwaine and himself out. Arthur looked down at his hands before looking back up at Merlin. "You have done nothing that needs forgiveness Merlin. It was I who was in the wrong."

Merlin frowned at him, their conversation in the prince's chambers running through his mind. He remembered that he very nearly confessed his secret and winced at stupidity. But then he looked to Arthur's guilty face and wondered if it was stupidity after all. And before he could reproach himself for his selfishness, Arthur spoke once more.

"I left you alone despite my promise," Arthur said, ignoring Merlin's question of, "what promise?"

"And what that druid said. He told us to stick together and yet I... well I've failed you again."

"No you haven't!" Merlin said angrily, trying and failing to sit up without the need of the support at his back. "I was hardly alone Arthur."

"The druid did not say to stay close to the knights Merlin," Arthur insisted.

"Now you're just being an arrogant prat," Merlin said crossly but then faltered. "Since when do you listen to druids anyway?"

Arthur fell silent and sighed. Merlin gulped at the look on his friend's face, knowing that whatever was coming he wouldn't like. He ran a hand through his hair which felt cleaner than it did yesterday. The motion was tiring for his arm which caused him to frown. "Why do I feel like I've been sleeping for days?" He asked lowly, dreading the answer.

"Because you have," Arthur told him and Merlin stared. The dragonlord then rolled his eyes and adopted a resigned expression.

"Why am I not surprised? So what is the bad news?"

"Maybe you should rest a bit longer," Arthur said after Merlin yawned.

The servant then paused. "Erm Arthur?"

"What is it?" Arthur asked with a touch of worry.

"I'm starving."

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I know, not much happening this chapter but...*points to title*

Thank you for reading and please drop a review if you can :) See you guys Thursday!

*Next time- Chapter 9: Heading South*