This is the penultimate chapter, and the last from Arthur's POV. The next chapter will contain some Gaius-exposition, so if you have any questions I might have forgotten to answer then please let me know and I'll make sure the loose ends are all tied up.

Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing, even though Hannah gets annoyed when she gets notifications from this story. (Everyone go read He Walked in Dreams and Darkness please; her writing is better than mine and the chapters are a decent length.)

"Arthur, you're alive!" Those were the shocked words Merlin spoke upon first waking, relief clear on his face. Arthur felt a little smug at that: Merlin's worst fear was Arthur dying? Touching, very touching. He made a note to tease Merlin about it later, and suppressed the wave of affection for his ridiculous manservant that threatened to choke him for a moment.

"Yes, Merlin, I'm alive. Don't move." With Merlin reassured, Arthur stood up, meaning to go and fetch Gaius to tell him the good news. But Arthur rising from the chair seemed to awaken some strange panic in Merlin, who reflexively moved away, and seemed to shrink before Arthur's eyes.

"No! I mean, Arthur, please, let me explain." There was such a wild desperation in Merlin's eyes, Arthur couldn't help but remain frozen in position as Merlin poured forth his words at an incredible pace.

"You can't kill me, please – you need me – I'm sorry. I swear, you have my absolute loyalty, please don't – Morgana's coming, I thought she already – but it's back now Arthur, I can stop her, and I will, I swear! You just have to trust me, please." When Merlin finally stopped, it seemed as though this was because he had run out of air, rather than words. He looked almost ready to begin again, but Arthur spoke first, keen to stop Merlin before he revealed any more details of his nightmare. Arthur had no business knowing unless Merlin wanted to tell him after he understood his situation.

"Calm down, Merlin, it's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." Arthur spoke clearly and firmly, determined to set Merlin straight, and the surprise on Merlin's face was heartbreaking.

"Gaius, my mother, did you-?"

"They're both fine; you have my word. You have my absolute trust, Merlin, and I would never do anything to harm you or your family."

Merlin faltered, confused. "But - Lancelot and Gwaine, you already - I remember, you said you couldn't accept my –"

"Shut up, Merlin. I'd never - that's not a memory. It was just a... like a nightmare. You didn't do anything wrong: the opposite, in fact. You were cursed. We were hunting yesterday, and there was a sorcerer, and the curse was meant for me. But you woke up, and I think that means it's over."

Merlin leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes and running one hand through his hair. "It's over," he repeated numbly.

"Gaius wasn't sure you'd ever wake, so I have to go and tell him now. Wait here, I'll find him and then we'll be back here soon."

Merlin nodded distractedly, and as he looked around he seemed to register for the first time that he was in his own room. Arthur left to fetch Gaius, his chest swelling with the happy knowledge that Merlin was alive.

It was only later, when Merlin was safe and well and confined to his bed for the day just in case, that Arthur realised the importance of what he had learnt. Merlin had believed that Arthur was about to kill him, had already done many terrible things, and still: he had been glad to see Arthur alive, he had declared his absolute loyalty, and he had intended to defend Arthur against Morgana (although how he thought he would have a chance was a mystery to Arthur).

Merlin refused to speak any more of what he had seen, what he had believed, and Arthur could allow him that. Even Merlin didn't know Arthur's worst fears, although Arthur imagined he could guess fairly accurately. Arthur allowed Merlin his secrets, his occasional lies (and Arthur could tell that Merlin often lied) because he trusted him, and knew that the depths of Merlin's loyalty to Arthur knew no bounds.

Merlin deserved such loyalty in return. Arthur made a silent promise to himself that he would prove himself worthy of Merlin's loyalty, that he would endeavour to be as good a – dare he say it, friend – to Merlin as Merlin had been for him.

Thought you might like to know; this entire story was inspired by a tweet I saw on Bradley's twitter:

BradleyJames I had a dream of you the other night and you were being a miserable git in it! I hope youre keeping well! x

Definitely a dream & not a memory whatsamadder. I've never been miserable when you've been around. #Fact