Merlin shot into a sitting position in his bed and rubbed his temple. He had a head ache, which was hardly surprising due to his awful dream. He could scarcely remember it, apart from the fact that it'd included spending a night in Arthur's bed and using his magic on him. Thank the lord, thought Merlin, it was only a dream.
He pushed back the quilt and stood up; his had spun so he reached out for the wall to brace himself. Dressing slowly, his body aching all over, he left his room and went into the main room. Gaius was stood over a stove of overcooked sausages and lumpy mash and as Merlin approached he turned to flash a large smile at him. "You're awake! I thought I was going to have to start doing your duties instead." The elderly physician placed a plate of the food in front of Merlin whom picked at a sausage and devoured it hungrily and wiping at his mouth. "I had the most horrible dream…" He informed his teacher, reaching for the other sausage.
"I'm not surprised Merlin, you've been out cold for two days."
Out cold for two days? It all came flooding back and a wave of terror hit Merlin full force, he staggered back and ran towards the back room where he'd been attempting to save his friend.
"Merlin!" Gaius called out, reaching outwards.
Merlin fell to his knees as he entered the operation room scattered with lighted candles, a hazy cloud of smoke swirling in the room that smelt of incense. The operation table that they kept cleared for emergencies was occupied. "I failed…" Merlin howled into his hands covering his streaming face as his body trembled. He tried to say more, like how sorry he was or how he thought that he was falling in love with the golden king, but all he could do was cry. Cry and lay his forehead to the ground, like a devotee praying at the foot of their God's altar in a dim but softly lit sepulchre. Merlin wouldn't and couldn't set eyes on the dead man's concealed body lying on the table.