A/N: So, I'm spending most of my weekend lying sick in bed and what do I think about? Man, I really wish I'd used the word 'glistening' instead of 'sparkling' in that last chapter.
Lame.
So, since I've received more knocks on my door today then the past 4 months combined I've decided to give up on staying in bed (it's dreadfully boring anyway).
This has left me once again wishing I had bought a laptop.
And yes, I did go back and change the word, but only because there was a typo in that sentence to fix.

Anyway, here we are at the last chapter. The epilogue turned out teeny so I just tacked it onto the end.
I think I'll whip up a oneshot to fill the space while I decide which multi-chapter fic to pursue next.
So many ideas, so little time!
In fact, I think I'll post a poll so you all can decide (though I'm not promising I won't ignore the results and do whatever I want at the last minute). Power to the people (potentially)!

**I have written a oneshot expanding the Merlin/Gaius scene from the end of chapter 13. It's called "A Moment Aside"- check it out!

The day the quarantine was lifted Merlin awoke to the sounds of a human stampede as the cured rushed out into the courtyard and the various peoples of Camelot attempted to regain a semblance of normalcy. Shortly after the herd had departed there came a knocking on the physician's door.

He would have gotten up, but he was currently confined to his bed under threat of being drugged and tied down- and Merlin had no doubt Gaius would follow through.

A few words were exchanged and soon afterward a blond head was poking its way into Merlin's tiny room.
An insulting greeting was just about to burst from his lips when he noticed the pale figure behind his master.

Morgana smirked at him, clearly enjoying his frozen open-mouthed expression.

"Trying to catch flies Merlin? I realize you may be tired of watery broths but that's more than a little desperate, don't you think."
Arthur put on an overly thoughtful face "though you are rather fond of rat stew, as I recall."

"Hello to you too, Sire." He dipped his head and added "my lady" just barely managing to convert the hostility to slight sarcasm.

The prince frowned at him. "Morgana has been worrying about you this whole time, Merlin, you should show more appreciation."

Merlin was about to respond in an ill-advised way when Gaius bustled in.
"Please forgive him, Sire. He is not quite himself yet. The head injury, you see..."

The old man gave his ward a glare that had him looking down in his lap.

"Forgive me, my lord, I did not mean to offend."

Arthur clearly took his servant's reaction as confirmation of Gaius' words and nodded, slight concern showing through his royal facade.
"Is it that grievous an injury?"

The elder smiled fondly at him "I believe he will be able to resume light duty in a week– though his broken arm will take several more weeks to heal. The main concern now is impaired coordination."

"So you're saying he's already back to normal?" Arthur replied with a wicked grin.

"Prat." Merlin responded dutifully, though his heart wasn't really in it.

Morgana chose that moment to step forward, effectively blocking Merlin from the sight of the other two.

"I'm so glad to see you recovering, Merlin. You had us all so worried- Gwen was practically beside herself! She'll probably be by to see you after she has finished with her chores."

The entire time she had been speaking Morgana had been squeezing the knife wound she had inflicted, fingernails biting cruelly despite the padding of the bandages.

"That said, I have my own matters to attend to. I'll see you later Merlin."
She sat up and Merlin noticed the red seeping to the surface of the previously clean linen.

He quickly replaced his wince with a forced smile as Morgana made her way to the door and left as if she hadn't just been mildly torturing someone.

Gaius, however, had noticed his strained look and excused himself to retrieve a pain reliever.

Merlin turned pleading eyes to his prince.
"You can't trust her, Arthur" he said sincerely, voice weak but steady.

The aforementioned sighed.

"Come, Merlin, surely you don't believe that? She's your friend, and mine as well- though don't tell her I admitted it. Whatever makes you think otherwise is just a product of your delusional mind."

He had reached forward as if to poke Merlin in the head but then seemed to think better of it, pointing emphatically instead.

"No, Arthur-"

"Enough, Merlin." There was the beginning of a dangerous glint in his eyes now.
"I can overlook this due to your condition, but if you persist I will have to discipline you."

"Sorry." Merlin mumbled, crestfallen.
Why did he think anything would change now that Arthur had forgotten Morgana's attack?

Arthur immediately brightened.
"Now, enough of that. I expect you back at work by week's end so you had better focus on healing."

The royal shot him a serious look.
"I mean it Merlin. Get well soon."

Then the moment was broken.
"I can't stand any more of George's brass jokes– and his efficiency is maddening!"

Arthur shook his head at the infuriating nature of competent servants and slipped from the room just as Gaius returned.

"He really doesn't remember at all Gaius." Merlin said forlornly.

The physician nodded in acknowledgment.
"But perhaps he will be more quick to notice in the future. Morgana may even lie low for a while after this."

The warlock snorted in disbelief.
"Sure, and that painkiller isn't a sleeping draught."

Gaius had the grace to look guilty for a moment, but unstoppered the vial regardless.
"You need rest to recover."

Merlin gave in with a sigh and downed the potion, face puckering with the taste.

"These seem to get worse every time I take one."
A huge yawn nearly cracked his jaw as he glared accusingly at his guardian.

"I have no idea why you'd think that was the case." Gaius said with a touch too much innocence in his tone.

Merlin would have pressed the issue, but was far too busy drooling onto his pillow.

And so it was that time passed and Arthur found himself staring in horror as his newly revealed half-sister claimed the throne for herself- and he remembered.

It was then that he made a silent vow to himself to never again dismiss Merlin's judgment.
Never again.