Hey guys,

as always, thank you for the reviews. They =much love

Erm, hope you enjoy this next chapter and please r&r

Also, I've put up a little oneshot called 'Chaos in Camelot' which concerns a young Gerard and young Ingrid. I would love it very much if you read and reviewed that too.

Thanks,

Fey of the Forest

It was a bit unusual for her not to say anything, particularly considering that here he was trying to apologise after their slight argument. He later supposed that he should have really suspected that something was wrong there and then, but as it was, he just thought that Alethea was ignoring him. Staring straight ahead at the two jousting men below, Arthur did his best as saying sorry- something he wasn't really used to.

"Alethea, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry, and I'm sorry for not forgiving you about the tournament. I guess I simply couldn't see where you were coming from." He said softly. "Alethea? Forgive me?" But there was no reply. Finding it slightly unusual that his knights had turned away from each other and therefore forfeited their places, and also that Alethea hadn't replied, he turned around, half expecting to see her back to him. However, he was just in time to see her fall and his lightning fast warrior reflexes kicked in. Catching her before she hit the floor, he was shocked to find that she was a deathly white with her eyes closed. "Alethea?" he asked worriedly but she didn't say anything. Arthur felt her forehead and immediately removed his fingers, feeling as if he'd just been burnt. Looking at the young ladies with panic in his eyes, he sent Gwen to go fetch Gaius whilst he abandoned the area and carried his unconscious wife to her chambers.

He wasted no time at all in getting her in to the bed but as he lay her body down on the mattress, he was ever so wary of the amount of heat radiating from her pale form. Filled with concern, Arthur couldn't help but worry as he heard her laboured breathing. She wasn't meant to be ill. Loosening the ties on her dress to help her, Arthur then tucked her in and sat beside her. He knew of the illness spreading around the lower town, of course he did, and Alethea had the tell tale symptoms. Thing was, he knew that some of the symptoms set in a few days beforehand and if Alethea knew that she had them then why hadn't she gone to see Gaius? He thought he knew her, and he thought that she would have gone to see the physician if she knew that she was ill. So why hadn't she? This wasn't like her at all. Alethea didn't get ill. She was strong and could survive anything...Couldn't she?

"Sire?" Gaius appeared in the doorway, medical bag in hand. It took a minute for the young King to realise that he was standing there but when he did...

"Gaius, you have to help her!" Arthur begged.

"I can only do my best sire." The physician told him as he started checking Alethea over. "What happened?"

"I don't know... One minute she was fine and the next..."

"Do you have any idea what brought this on?"

"Erm...well, we've not been speaking." Arthur admitted. Gaius looked at him with a grave expression and the King knew that he wasn't going to like what was said next.

"She's got a fever, her breathing is slightly laboured... I'm afraid it would seem that she has the same illness that has been spreading around the lower town." Arthur choked, looking down at his wife buried beneath the bed covers. She looked so fragile, so much like a young child and yet...Yet she was a young Queen. The thing that worried him most was that this illness was more often than not fatal.

"Have you no cure?" he asked hopefully.

"Not yet." Gaius told him sadly. He was as grieved as Arthur was that Alethea was ill, and the young King had an idea that a fair few others would be upset too.

"Then..." Arthur hesitated, taking a deep breath and dreading the answer to his question. "How long has she got?"

"If she is strong then one week, maybe even two but... Well, I would prepare yourself for the worst."

"No!" Arthur cried out in disbelief. His wife couldn't die... "Gaius, please, there has to be something that can be done to save her!" he pleaded, not even bothering to wipe away the tears that formed in his eyes.

"I will keep looking for a cure sire, but so far nothing has worked and there is no guarantee that I will be able to find one in time to..."

"There has to be something...Anything!"

"I can only but ease her passing." Gaius told him, grief evident in his voice. "I'm truly sorry Arthur, really I am." The physician said softly as he helped Alethea drink a potion of feverfew to reduce her temperature.

"Gaius, leave me." The King ordered quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. The physician shuffled slowly towards the door. "Leave me with my wife." He croaked, his tears falling down his cheeks as he dabbed a cool, damp cloth on her forehead.

Arthur sat quietly by his wife, his mind racing. His world was going to be lost if Alethea died. If she was to die then... Then perhaps his last words to her would be that of wishing that she had never come to Camelot, and he might not be able to apologise to her properly or tell her that he loved her or... He sobbed, clutching Alethea's hand in his and resting his forehead on her arm. He couldn't lose her, not after everything they'd been through. Not just when they had gotten everything settled. He couldn't lose her now. Did fate have something against him being happy? First his father and now possibly his wife? This wasn't fair. He and his wife were supposed to die of old age and, well, even in Camelot eighteen was still young. Alethea had her whole life ahead of her and to have to bury her at such a tender age... Alright, he had done it once before but that was before he had gotten to know her so well. To have to do it again and know that it was forever...

No! He couldn't think like that! His wife was strong. She would pull through this! She had survived sorceresses, battle wounds and assassination attempts so a measly little illness couldn't finish her off...surely? Gaius' words still rang in his ears and Arthur knew that stress had brought this on. He had also discovered that his wife hadn't been sleeping properly and it was with some horror that Arthur realised that it was his fault. If only he hadn't reacted so badly to her speaking sense then she wouldn't be lying feverishly in bed now. Guilt swept through him as he realised this. If she died then it would be his fault. If only he hadn't been so stubborn and childish. If only...

"Arthur?" the King looked down at his wife, wishing that she was awake. Alas, it was not so and Arthur found Merlin standing in the doorway. The young Pendragon didn't know how to feel seeing his manservant. "How is she?"

"Gaius seems to believe that she has the same illness that has been spreading through the lower town." Arthur told him as he wiped away his tears.

"No..." the young warlock sounded horrified. "Please no..."

"And there is no cure."

"But she can't die. She's the Queen!" Merlin objected and Arthur found himself smiling sadly. He was watching his own reactions and emotions being played out by the young warlock.

"I know." The young Pendragon said softly, brushing away a stray curl from Alethea's forehead."I don't suppose..."

"Magic will not work." Merlin told him, crushing what little hope Arthur had left, "I have searched and searched, but nothing will work. Not even the healers can cure it."

"Then nature is being very cruel to us." Arthur muttered. "But why Alethea of all people? Why her and not me?"

"Because she is not as strong as you sire." Merlin pointed out. "And you also probably haven't been near the lower town recently."

"She has?" he asked, taken aback. Why on Earth would she go there?

"She's been visiting the sick. She thought it to be her duty."

"What? But she never said..."

"With all due respect, you never gave her chance to." Merlin stated. They were silent for a good few moments and Arthur knew that what Merlin had said was the truth. It hurt, but it was truth nonetheless.

"What are you doing here Merlin?"

"I came to see how Alethea was and also to see if I may be excused."

"What for?"

"To help Gaius find a cure."

"Then of course you are excused, but the moment you find something..."

"You will be the first to know!" Merlin called, already leaving. Arthur stayed where he was, simply watching over his sleeping wife. The young King just prayed that she would wake up sometime soon.

Hours must have passed and still Arthur hadn't moved from his vigil. He was terrified that the moment he left her she would wake and that she would believe that he hated her for he wouldn't be by her side. He was truly regretting everything cruel that he had said or done to her in the past week or so. He hadn't thought that his actions would lead to his wife becoming ill. If he had then perhaps Alethea wouldn't be lying in bed with a temperature and struggling to breathe. Sighing, knowing that he couldn't change time, he watched as Penny landed on the end of the bed and moved up towards the young Queen. The baby dragon gently nudged Alethea's arm but got no response. Penny looked to Arthur for some form of explanation before letting her ears and wings droop sadly. Curling up by Alethea's stomach, Penny joined Arthur in keeping watch...

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Arthur opened his eyes early the next morning with Alethea's hand in his. He couldn't remember falling asleep, but he must have done. At least he was awake now. His wife didn't appear to have stirred from her slumber, though whether this was a good thing or not Arthur didn't know. She wasn't moving much, but there was a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead and she was still hot. Her face was etched with pain and Arthur sighed with frustration. He wanted to help her, desperately so, but all he could do was stay by her side. Feeling her forehead with the back of his hand, Arthur found that she was still as hot as she had been the day before, with Gaius' potion having had little effect. Ringing out the cloth that had been resting on Alethea's forehead, Arthur reapplied it, knowing that it would have very little effect but he still had to try. He had to do something to try and help her, even if she was getting worse, much worse...

"You have to fight it Alethea... You just have to." He told her sleeping form. "For me..." he murmured softly, wondering if he should fetch the physician.

" Arthur...?" she croaked, her voice barely more than a whisper. The King immediately hugged her, holding her close.

"Alethea, I am so sorry for what I have put you through this past week, really I am. Can you ever forgive me?" he asked, burying his head in her shoulder. She gently pushed him away from her though she smiled slightly as she did so.

"I forgive you." She told him as he handed her a goblet of water. She gratefully took it and sipped the liquid.

"I do love you, you know?" she looked at him, knowing exactly what was going on. That was his Alethea, always able to work things out regardless.

"And I love you too." She smiled sadly, realising that something wasn't quite right. "I've got the illness haven't I?" She didn't need to ask that, but Arthur knew that she wanted it confirming.

"I am afraid so, but Gaius and Merlin are searching for a cure and when they find one you will be as right as rain." he told her, giving her some hope.

"Now, what are you doing here?" she asked sternly.

"Looking after you."

"But you could catch this illness." She pointed out.

"I don't care." Arthur shrugged.

"Arthur, I would not wish this on anyone, let alone my husband. You should not be here, and neither should Penny." She said, noticing that her dragon was also with her.

"But..." he went to object.

"All I need is rest. I've suffered worse and pulled through, so this shouldn't be a problem." She assured him. "Besides, isn't it the final round of the tournament today?"

"Yes but..."

"I would love to know what happened." She sighed. "Arthur, could you go and see it and let me know what happened?"

"Could someone else not..."

"Arthur, please, for me." How could he refuse her? She didn't have the strength to argue and she could be dying. He may be cruel at times, but he wasn't heartless.

"For you." He gave in. "But you have to promise me something in return..."

"Hmm?"

"You get some rest."

"Yes sir!" she smiled, giving a little salute before closing her eyes. Arthur walked to the door and hesitated, before turning around to take a longing look at his wife. He shouldn't be leaving her, he really shouldn't, but it was at her request and yet again she was speaking sense. After all, how was he supposed to look after her and find a cure if he himself was ill? Sighing, he got one of the servants to keep watch before he went to see Gaius.

Running through the castle as quickly as was physically possible, Arthur took the stairs two at a time and knocked quickly and loudly on the door. Tapping his feet impatiently, Arthur cursed under his breath. What was taking them so long? He needed Gaius and quick, because time was of the essence and the worse Alethea became, the less chance she had of survival. Knocking incessantly, a few moments later a rather tired looking Merlin answered it.

"Arthur, is everything alright?" he asked, stepping aside to let the young King in. Turning straight to Gaius, Arthur noted the large stack of books that had been tossed aside, obviously being of no use.

"She's getting worse Gaius. Is there nothing you can do to reduce the symptoms?" he pleaded.

"I can only but try... I'm afraid I can't make any promises that they will work though." Gaius warned.

"Please, just try." Arthur told him. "Is there any sign of a cure?"

"Our search is becoming narrower. We have but five books left to read." Merlin said. "And unless there is a cure mentioned in these..." He didn't need to finish his sentence.

"So it's not looking good?" Arthur asked, physically slumping.

"Don't give up just yet sire." Gaius told him. Arthur went to reply but he heard the crowd cheering outside. He had made a promise to Alethea and he had no intention of breaking it. Excusing himself, Arthur headed to the arena.

His heart wasn't in it today though. Normally he enjoyed watching his men joust against each other, seeing what his father had usually seen and understanding just why people enjoyed watching these things so much. In fact, Arthur had found himself subconsciously noting any weaknesses and trying to work out who would win each round. Most of the time he had been right, but he had not expected Gerard and Oliver to forfeit. Ever so wary of the empty seat next to him, Arthur watched as Sir Leon and Sir Lancelot rode against each other. It was the same procedure as usual, both knights raising their lances and striking their opponent. Lancelot was unhorsed for the first time, shocking everyone. In fact, the whole crowd gasped whilst Leon was somewhat surprised to find that he had managed to defeat Lancelot at the joust. Lancelot was alright though, and congratulated his friend on winning, whilst Leon bowed to the crowd and then to the King, with understanding in his eyes. The celebrations would be dimmed due to the Queen's illness, if there were to be any celebrations at all.

Meeting up with Leon straight afterwards in the tent, the two of them decided that the celebratory feast would be postponed. Leon had known that this would have happened if Lancelot had won and well, he also knew that Arthur wouldn't be in the right mind, nor would anyone else. They would celebrate when the Queen recovered, but Arthur hadn't the heart to tell his new champion that Alethea may not survive. Instead, Arthur took on some of the knight's positive outlook before heading back to the castle.

Returning to the sleeping Alethea's bedside, Arthur was only a little surprised to find that a stack of flowers was building up from well wishers. It was only to be expected considering the people had come to love their young Queen since she had been crowned. Sighing, Arthur knew that he wouldn't be the only one in mourning if Alethea didn't recover.

"Sir Leon won Alethea. He's gone and shocked us all. Not one of us thought that he could actually defeat Lancelot."Arthur told her sleeping form. "Not even him I don't think." He laughed. "So Leon is our new champion. I wish you could have seen it. You would have loved it." She didn't reply. The young King sighed. "And I would have loved it if you had been by my side watching it with me..." he paused, not knowing what else to say. Just sitting there by her side, he simply kept his vigil and hoped that she would wake up soon.

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"Arthur..." A breathless Merlin appeared in the doorway a few hours later. Arthur hadn't moved. "It's amazing. I can't actually believe that we've actually done it."

"Done what?"

"It was in the last book on the very last page. We were about to give up hope but the symptoms match. There it was, right at the very end. All of that research has paid off." The servant babbled.

"Found what?" Arthur asked, getting to his feet. "Merlin..." he ordered, practically shaking the young warlock.

"We've found a cure!"

"What?" The young King questioned, thinking that he was dreaming.

"We have discovered a cure." Merlin grinned. Arthur didn't need telling twice and he quickly sped to the physician's chambers.

Arthur ran straight inside to find Gaius looking at an old tome with a magnifying glass in hand. The physician didn't even look up as the King burst in through the door.

"Merlin says you have found a cure!"

"We have indeed sire."

"And? What is it?" he asked hopefully, desperate for an answer.

"It is not that easy to obtain. The instructions state that you need a tooth of a Terebratuarian..."

"A what?" the young Pendragon asked, never having heard of such a creature.

"A Terebratuarian." Gaius repeated. "It is a mythical beast, and very rare. Very few are still in existence... They have the head of a lion, the body of a deer, a serpent's tail, crocodile feet and the wings of a bat."

"Sounds... Well, weird. But they are rare? Do you know where we can find one?" he asked, not wanting his quest over before it had begun. Now that they had found a cure Arthur would do anything to get it for Alethea. He could not bear to watch her die without trying to save her.

"The forest of Delamere, on the edge of Mercia." Gaius told him. That would take three days to get there and three days to get back... Alethea could be dead by then... "But that is not all. The tooth then needs to be ground up into a powder by two Elvish Princes and then blessed by a Priestess of the Old Religion."

"And that is it?"

"That is all that is said."

"But you are sure that it will work?" He didn't really want to go all that way wasting precious time if it wasn't going to work. He supposed that he really should be jumping at the news but a part of him could not help but be a little sceptic.

"It's our only hope."

"Then we ride out at dawn!" Arthur said, before leaving. "Thank you Gaius."

"It's no problem sire."

Heading to his chambers to pack, Arthur sent one of the servants to go and find his men to pass on orders. Once he had gotten everything together and not wanting to spend too much time away from Alethea than was necessary, Arthur went next door to find Merlin putting another log on the fire. Not needing to say anything, the young warlock disappeared as the blonde Pendragon sat by the bed, watching Alethea sleep. She hadn't stirred at all since he had last seen her but her eyelids flickered with dreams. What was she dreaming about? He wondered. Home? Camelot? Or nothing at all? But that didn't really matter. He had a chance to save her and nothing was going to stop him, because nothing else mattered so much to him than his wife. The Kingdom came a very close second, but he would lose his everything should she...should his wife... He would lose everything if they didn't find a cure.

"I'm going to save you Alethea. There is a cure, but it is in the forest of Delamere and that is a good few days away. I... I need you to fight it. I need you to survive just until I get back. I promise you that I will be as quick as I can, but I need you to promise that you'll keep fighting for me." She didn't move. "And if you can't... If you can't hold out... If you lose your battle before I return then..." he paused, swallowing the lump that had formed at the back of his throat. "Then know that regardless of what I may have said or done, I love you, always. We will be together again one day my love." He said softly, kissing her gently on the forehead.

A little before dawn the next day, Arthur opened his eyes to find he was lying in his own bed. Not having any idea as to how he got there, he knew that he had no time to waste. Getting ready, he picked up his bag and walked out of the door. He was heading to the courtyard but he paused by Alethea's door. He couldn't help himself. He needed to say goodbye before they left, just in case he didn't get the chance to do that later. Opening the door, he stood at the end of the bed and looked at his wife who was sleeping peacefully, a small smile on her lips. She was his reason to live, and he would succeed. Taking one last longing look at his Queen, Arthur turned away and left his wife in the care of a maidservant whilst he went to the Courtyard. Closing his eyes as he reached the end of the corridor, for one brief moment he wondered if he was doing the right thing. He knew that his wife would be cared for whilst he was gone, but that was not the same as him being there.

Reaching the courtyard, Arthur mounted up and looked at his wife's bedroom window.

"Goodbye Alethea..." he murmured softly before the young King led his men out of Camelot, and with that, their quest began.