Those next few hours were like living hell for Arthur. He had no idea how Merlin was doing, was he getting better or worse? Did Alice's spell work? Or where they too late? Uther had insisted that the knights resume training, and Arthur knew better then to argue. So, later that morning, the knights reluctantly trudged to the training field, knowing already it would turn into a disaster.

Arthur's frustration had been building up all morning, only to be taken out on the new recruits during training. He was merciless and he pounded them trying to burn off some of his anger. He didn't want to admit it, but Arthur was scared, he was scared that Merlin would die, he didn't know what he would do without his idiotic servant, and he just had no idea how to express that. So, every new recruit dumb enough to spare with him suffered from it. Arthur half expected Hunith to come running towards the training field crying, telling them Merlin was gone, He knew that if the shock of the news didn't kill him, this wait would.

Hunith sat with Merlin while Gaius made his daily rounds. She was pleased to see that Merlin had gained some more color, but couldn't help but wonder how. Gaius said Merlin wouldn't make it, yet it was as if he were getting better. She kept having to squish any hope that stirred inside her whenever Merlin stirred a little. Gaius had told her there was no hope…and yet…Merlin groaned weakly and stirred a little, then, slowly his eyes flickered open.

"Mother?" Merlin asked weakly.

"Merlin?" Hunith asked, unable to believe her eyes.

"What…happened?" Merlin asked. Tears started falling down, and Hunith did nothing to stop them. She pulled him into a tight hug and replied,

"You fell and…we thought we lost you but…you're alright and that's all that matters…" The door opened and Gaius asked,

"Hunith?"

"Merlin…he's awake!" Hunith exclaimed letting go of Merlin.

"Hi…?" Merlin said to Gaius who was staring at Merlin like he couldn't believe it either. Gaius dropped the basket he was holding and walked over to Merlin slowly, shock and disbelief written all across his face.

"Merlin" Gaius breathed. Merlin grinned at him saying,

"Yes that's my name…" A huge grin spread across Gaius's face. He laughed and pulled his ward into a tight embrace. Hunith ran out of the room saying something about telling everyone, but Gaius was to happy to care. Merlin was going to be ok, he was going to live.

Arthur looked up from his sparing match at the sound of his name.

"Arthur!" Arthur looked up to find Hunith running towards them, tears streaming down her face. Arthur felt like a knife had been shoved through his heart. Merlin was gone, he had failed…"Arthur…everyone come quickly!" She exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Gwaine asked fear evident in his voice.

"Just come quickly!" was all she'd tell them, the knights eyed each other worriedly before running to Gaius's chamber, scared for what they'd find. Gwaine and Arthur where the first to reach Merlin's room, they burst in expecting to find Gaius standing over a dead Merlin, what they didn't expect to see was Gaius trying to get an alive and well Merlin to eat some soup.

"Merlin?" Gwaine asked, unable to contain the joy in his voice.

"Why does everyone keep saying me name like that?" Merlin asked grinning ear to ear, something Arthur thought he'd never see again.

"You're alive!" Gwaine shouted running over and once again pulling Merlin into a bone crushing hug, "He's ok!" Gwaine cried as the other knights came through, followed by Gwen. The knights and Gwen started cheering all wanting to see Merlin for themselves, to know he really was ok.

"I knew you'd be ok" Gwen informed Merlin

"It'll take more then a set of stairs to get ride of me…so I guess your stuck with me" Merlin replied, the grin still on his face. Merlin had hoped that Arthur would at least say something to him, but the entire time he hung back and let everyone else see him. Merlin was beginning to wonder if that conversation between Arthur and his mother had just been an amazing fever induced dream or not, when Gaius started shepherding everyone out, insisting Merlin needed rest. Arthur asked Gaius quietly,

"Can I talk to Merlin alone for a few minutes?" Gaius considered it for a moment before replying,

"Alright…but make it quick." Gaius shut the door behind him so that they could have a little more privacy. But, once Arthur was alone with Merlin, he didn't know what to say to him. Should he apologize? Tell him he was glad Merlin was ok? Should he what for Merlin to talk? But Merlin decided for him,

"Arthur? Do you…I mean…am I really your…friend?" Merlin asked.

"Huh? Arthur asked clearly confused.

"I thought… I could have sworn I heard you telling my mother that…I was your friend and…" Merlin's face kept getting redder and redder the more he spoke, "I just…did you say that because you meant it or…where you saying it to be nice…?"

"I meant it" Arthur replied automatically, "I know, laugh all you want."

"I'm not laughing" Merlin replied "I mean…you really meant it?" Merlin asked. Arthur sat down heavily in the chair, knowing what needed to be said, but dreading it.

"I know I don't say anything very nice…very often but…it's not because I don't care" Arthur explained, "I've never really been good with words…with expressing how I feel…and I'm sorry for not being a good friend…for letting this happen…"

"This isn't your fault" Merlin assured without hesitation.

"If I hadn't been such a prat…" Arthur argued.

"I was the one stupid enough to try and carry it all at once" Merlin countered.

"But I knew…" Arthur began.

"I was going to have to do it sooner or later" Merlin replied, "One of these days I was going to fall while carrying it; I just unfortunately had to fall while at the top of a staircase." Arthur couldn't help but smile at Merlin's comment, "And…for what it's worth…you've always been a friend to me…especially after Will…" Merlin had to hold back the tears that threatened to spill out at the mention of his dead friend's name. Arthur placed a comforting hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"Thank you" Merlin whispered.

"Get some rest ok? Take the day off tomorrow ok?" Arthur told him. Arthur stood up to leave when Merlin asked,

"Arthur?"

Yes?"

"You…I know that you brought Alice back…to help me…" Merlin told him.

"How…?" Arthur began, but Merlin pointed to the totem and continued,

"Gaius recognized it instantly…so…I mean…does this mean that…do you think that magic can be…good?" Merlin looked so hopeful, like he needed to hear the answer. Arthur found himself saying,

"Yea…maybe." A huge grin found its way on Merlin's face, and Arthur was glad to see that. Merlin laid back down after Arthur left, thinking maybe just maybe, he could tell Arthur the truth.

End Note

Ok, so there's only the epilogue left :( but, if you didn't catch it, I did hint at the possibility of a sequal. If of course you want it :) it wouldn't really pertain to this story but in way it would...really hard to explain without giving it all away but, let me know how I did, thanks for reading and come back tommorow for the epilogue!