A/N: Oh snap, what's all this then? Arthur doesn't get the final strike after all.
But for all you guys who thought I killed Morgana: sorry to disappoint.
So a couple weeks ago I went back and updated the earlier chapters with better formatting, but now I see that it never took. What's up with that? I do not appreciate this.
Whatevs, let's see who made with the stabbing (though I'll warn you right here: there's another cliffhanger at the end. You really should expect it by now).
His vision was hazy, but maybe that had something to do with the smoke hanging in the air, slowly dissipating through the various gaps and cracks in walls, doors, and windows.
Looking around he made out three figures on the floor, sitting still and conversing softly.
Concentrating on the voice he had no trouble identifying the speaker- Morgana.
Moving as swift and stealthily as possible he circled round the group, positioning himself behind the dark lady though still uncertain as to what exactly he should be doing.
A glint of metal caught his attention and he spied a sword, thoughtlessly discarded at the witch's side.
Reaching for the weapon he realized for the first time who it was in the woman's grasp and thought was no longer necessary.
Seeing her lean back from her hostage to let out a chilling laugh, he thrust the blade forth with all his strength- and if he used a little magic to help plunge it through to the other side who could blame a feeble old man?
Arthur was in shock- Gaius had just stabbed Morgana.
Gaius had just stabbed Morgana!
Where had he even come from?
Wasn't he seriously ill?
After all this he might never be surprised again.
Unless Merlin were to suddenly declare his undying love of stable-mucking.
Thinking about his manservant was enough to sober the prince up immediately.
Casting about himself he located his sword and shakily got to his feet, shuffling forward to survey and regain control of the situation.
Fortunately Merlin was unharmed despite his proximity to Morgana during her impaling, though it seems his position in the witch's arms had been helping him breathe as he was now back on his face desperately gasping for air.
"Sister!" Morgana choked out, a whirlwind beginning to form in the room as Gaius and Arthur attempted to reach Merlin.
"Morgana!" Morgause cried in a voice both outraged and pained as she materialized in front of the King's ward.
The wind abating, Arthur darted forward to plant his sword against the throat of this new threat.
"Dispel your curse or you will be worse off than she." He demanded in a voice colder than ice.
Obviously affected by Morgana's plight, Morgause was not as condescending in her reply as she would otherwise be.
"I will make you a deal, Pendragon."
Arthur's eyes narrowed as he pressed the blade further in response.
"Allow me to leave with my sister and I will leave you to tend to your ailing servant."
Giving a sly look to the frail body behind her she continued nonchalantly.
"You should make your decision quickly, it sounds like he may be suffocating."
The royal's attention shifted and he instantly saw the truth in those words.
Merlin needed help now.
His moment of distraction was enough for Morgause to give a shout, the wind rising once again to push the physician and warrior off their feet as the magical sisters disappeared.
Arthur scrambled toward Merlin, deeply relieved he had been left here and not spirited away by his enemies.
Gaius was only a moment behind him, the two rolling the man over quickly while being mindful of his injuries.
Unnerved by the blueness of the now upturned face Arthur took up the position Morgana had been filling only moments before and set about checking his pulse, not knowing what else to do while Gaius was fussing at the newly wounded right arm.
Despite the physician's inarticulate muttering the room seemed incredibly quiet of a sudden and a dreadful understanding entered the Prince's mind.
"Gaius" he said, voice coming out much smaller and more strained than he had intended.
"I think his arm should heal with little problem, Sire, though it will probably bleed profusely when we remove the dagger."
"Gaius!" He said more urgently as the man continued to ramble.
Words didn't seem to be coming out properly so he clutched at the aged hand and moved it up to rest against a mostly bare and entirely too still chest.
Merlin had stopped breathing.