Arthur went completely still, his toned body rigid with fear. He closed his blue eyes, his thoughts still swirling like thunderclouds before a storm.
Dear God, I don't want to be killed by a Wildren.
The prince opened an eye slightly as he felt the warm, moist breath of the Wildren on his face, an enormous tongue swiping saliva onto his face. Arthur closed the eye immediately and reflectively cringed.
Then he remembered.
Thank the gods; I remembered to put on the gaiaberries.
The Wildren made a short grunting noise and shuffled away, its footsteps loud on the fresh green grass and the wet earth. The Wildren thundered back into its cave.
Arthur released the breath he realized he'd been holding. That's right, big brave prince, no being eaten by Wildren until you get the herbs back to Gaius, Arthur thought.
He gathered himself back together and sighed, rubbing the Wildren spit off of his face.
And then he broke into a run and didn't stop until he reached the gates of Camelot.
A million thoughts ran through Arthur's mind as he rushed back to Camelot. Is Merlin still alive? It's only been about a day… Was Gaius really able to restrain Father? Has Father ordered Gaius to leave Merlin to die? All of them were not good. So the young prince pushed them from his mind, knowing he'd find out soon enough.
When Arthur finally reached Camelot, it was dark. The entrance to the great kingdom was flanked by guards.
Leon. Arthur recognized one of the knights easily. And he sighed, knowing what was sure to come.
Bells clanged once the guards saw the blonde prince, the swords they drew from their sheaths gleaming in the moonlight.
Arthur sighed again, slowing his run to a jog.
How long had he been running? Without a horse, which was sure to have been eaten by the Wildren, it took maybe four hours to reach the part of the wood that housed the cave.
Arthur slowed his pace until he was standing only feet from his loyal knights.
With a sad look on his face, Leon sheathed his sword as Arthur dropped the sword he had.
"Prince Arthur of Camelot, you are under arrest."
Merlin's breathing was laboured. He was close to death, and his father figure, the court physician of Camelot, knew it.
Gaius sat at the boy's side, holding a cold cloth that did little to Merlin's forehead. Gaius knew Merlin had only hours left.
Where is Arthur? The old physician thought. I supposed he should've returned by now.
It was with that thought that the huge wooden doors burst open, disturbing the silence that had settled over the large room. Merlin cringed and made a small, unappreciative noise.
King Uther stood in the doorway, his son at his side. But something was wrong. Arthur hands seemed to be tied behind his back, guards flanked either side of him, and he was glaring at his father with a look no less of hatred.
"Gaius," the king acknowledged, his voice ringing in the cold, large room.
Once Arthur had seen his servant, he'd frozen, his blue eyes wide in what could only be described as absolute and pure terror. Even across the room, Gaius knew that the king, guards, and prince could hear how laboured Merlin's breathing was, how pale his pallor was, and how the warlock was fighting for every breath.
All of the colour in Arthur's cheeks had drained. The crowned prince looked like he'd been hit in the gut.
"Go and say goodbye, Arthur," Uther said, nodding at the guards to cut the prince's restraints. Arthur rubbed his wrists, throwing a glare in the direction of his father. Uther ignored it.
Arthur walked into his chambers, and the old court physician rose from the chair and stood behind it as the prince made his way towards it.
"You are very lucky to have a king and a father who will let you see your servant before he passes on, and before the king puts you in the stocks for disobeying his orders." Uther said, folding his arms over his chest, an air of superiority in his voice.
Arthur, his back turned to Uther, rolled his eyes. But he murmured, "Yes, I suppose I am."
The flash of triumph that crossed the king's face made anger flare in Gaius's chest.
The crowned prince took a few more steps before sinking into the chair Gaius had vacated. His tan hand found its way to Merlin's dark curls and his other grasped desperately onto the servant's, like he was afraid he'd slip away if he didn't cling on.
As soon as Arthur touched Merlin's head, the servant released a sigh and leaned into Arthur's touch.
The old physician felt his heart crack as he saw a tear slip down the prince's face.
Arthur wiped the tear away and squeezed Merlin's hand, knowing he wouldn't have long to say goodbye. King Uther was an impatient man.
Arthur disentangled his hand from Merlin's fingers and hair reluctantly, murmuring, "Goodbye."
Then Merlin whimpered. It was the most horrid, pitiful sound, like a kicked puppy. The old physician saw more tears find their way down Arthur's cheeks.
Somehow, Arthur found the strength to stand. He wiped the tears from his cheeks and glanced once more at his manservant, his blue eyes sad and afraid.
Gaius had walked around the chair to stand in front of the prince, consoling him with a hug.
He felt the prince slide something into Gaius's robe pocket. The old man raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Arthur shot him a ferociously protective glance. Gaius blinked in surprise at the intensity, but the boy had already turned and walked back to his father, who immediately ordered the guards to take him to the dungeons.
And the prince went willingly.
Once the king and the guards were gone, Gaius reached into his pocket and took out the pouch Arthur had slipped into his pocket. He released the drawstring and a huge grin crossed him face.
He got them. The Sanarepan.
And the old man rushed to his chambers to begin the concoction.
A/N: So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This is a chapter I'm not so sure about, so remember that feedback is loved! I'm sorry for the wait between the chapters; I don't always have time to write. Should I continue? I'd love to hear your feedback! :)
