As soon as Gaius left to gather supplies, Merlin pulled himself to his feet. It was difficult, but after a day of laying in bed he was feeling much better. He hadn't told Gaius he had been slowly pushing his magic to heal, and the man had assumed whenever Merlin dozed it was his body's natural process and not exhaustion from using magic.

Gwaine was still sleeping. His breathing seemed less pronounced than before, and Merlin wondered if this was a disease meant to kill. But if that had been Morgana's intent, wouldn't she have just killed him straight off, instead of this? After all, something of this nature would take much more magic to create. Surely she had better things to do than torment a knight of Camelot?

Of course, Morgana wasn't exactly known for her forgiveness. If Gwaine had done anything to make her angry, it was easy to believe she'd want to torture the man until he died. And he had saved both Merlin and the queen, which had to be annoying.

It didn't matter, in the end. Gwaine needed to be healed, and Merlin finally felt able to do it.

He used his magic to explore the curse for a moment before deciding the course of action he'd decided upon was the right one. He honestly wasn't sure how he knew, he just did. And he'd learned to trust his instincts when it came to magic.

He held his hand over Gwaine's chest, closed his eyes, and began the long string of enchantment that was necessary to remove the curse and the resulting paralysis. He lost himself in the words, focusing only on the healing that was required of him. When he heard the door open, he cursed inwardly. He had hoped to be finished before Gaius returned, but it seemed he would have to deal with the physician's wrath while exhausted.

At least he was almost finished. With a few more words and endless seconds of power streaming into the knight, he slumped back into his chair. It was over. If all had gone well, Gwaine would wake in the morning.

Merlin looked up, expecting to see Gaius looming over him, but no one was there. With a frown, he glanced around the room, but apparently it had been his imagination, because it was completely empty except for him.

Good. He really didn't want to deal with it.

He checked Gwaine. There was a lingering bruise on his shoulder, but otherwise his skin seemed clear. It should stay that way, although Merlin expected that Morgana would have planted some fall back in the curse, to be on the safe side. He'd be on the lookout for that.

He didn't have the strength to return to his bed. He fell asleep in his chair.

M.M.M

When the warlock woke, he was in his bed, sweating slightly beneath his blanket. He stretched, cringing slightly. He still hurt too much for that, it seemed. He pushed the blankets down and heard the crinkling of paper. He frowned and dug around the blanekts before he found the small note that Gaius had obviously written.

Merlin-

I know what you did. I can't say I approve, but it seems our knight will be fine. I'm off to gather more supplies, and I expect you to be in bed when I return. We'll talk about your actions then.

-Gaius

Well, that was expected. At least the physician had checked on Gwaine before leaving. He trusted Gaius judgement.

Even so, Merlin wanted to check the man himself. So he rose, struggling with tired limbs and sore wounds, and returned to the chair by Gwaine's chair. The knight was breathing steadily, and when Merlin pulled the shirt aside he saw the same healing bruise, without the dark lines to accompany it. With a gentle prod of magic he couldn't trace anything of the curse.

With luck, Gwaine would wake up some time that day. Merlin leaned back in the chair, mildly proud of himself. That was one defeat for Morgana, even if it was a small one. He was in the mood for more.

"Merlin. I see you're feeling better."

Merlin jumped and regretted it as pain reared its ugly head. He turned to Amethyst, who was trying to stifle a chuckle.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you." She said quietly as she entered.

"No problem. I'm fine." Merlin answered quickly.

"Good. You seem to be feeling better this morning."

"I am."

"Is Gaius here?"

"No." She seemed to have already known that, but the still relaxed slightly at the word.

"I was going to ask you. Your … your magic, can you heal him?"

Merlin stared at the queen for a moment, completely shocked at the words that had just fallen from her mouth. After a moment, he composed himself and shook his head. "I'm not sure what you mean, your majesty, I'm just a manservant-"

"Gwaine told me."

"He-" Merlin turned to stare at the knight, wishing he was awake so he could hit him, before returning his attention to Amethyst.

"I don't know why he would have said that, I don't have magic, never have, it's illegal in Camelot-"

"I won't tell Arthur."

Merlin visibly relaxed at those four words. "Why not?"

"Because... well, I know what it's like."

Before Merlin could stop himself, he said, "I doubt that." His eyes widened as her eyebrow quirked up, and immediately he apologized.

"No, you're right. I don't. But I knew someone... He was a good man, and he gave me a lot to think about. But I can't let Gwaine die just because some of us never quite understood magic. So if you can help him, please."

Merlin stared at her for a moment before a half grin took over his face. "Can't. Already did."

She looked as if she was about to argue before she fully comprehended the sentence. Then she smiled at Merlin, a wide smile that was definitely not regal, but pure joy.

"I would hug you, but I assume that would be painful for you."

"Yeah."

"Will he...?"

"He should wake up soon."

"He's already awake." the gruff voice came from Gwaine's lips, and the queen lost all regality in that moment as she watched Gwaine sit up. She enveloped him in a hug, and he responded in kind. Merlin did his best to just stay out of the way.

"You idiot." She muttered.

"Listen, I tried to stay awake, but-"

"I don't care. Don't let it happen again."

"Yes, Highness."

She hit his shoulder at the words, but Gwaine hardly seemed to notice. After too long of feeling completely awkward and unwanted for Merlin, the two pulled apart.

"I need to be going. Lots to do. But I wanted to make sure you were alright." Amethyst said, returning to her queenly demeanor and smoothing out her skirts. "I'm sure I'll see you around." She turned and left, leaving both Gwaine and Merlin staring and wondering at the confusing nature of women.

"Well." Merlin muttered.

"Well indeed." Gwaine laid back down, his arm behind his head. "That was fun."

"Are you and she...?" Merlin asked, his eyes still on the door.

"Dunno, mate. It's complicated. But isn't she something?"

"Yeah." Merlin relaxed back into his chair. "Shouldn't you be off to find Arthur?"

"I figure I need to wait for Gaius okay, before I do. Otherwise I'll be dragged right back."

Merlin didn't get a chance to nod before the door opened and Arthur came in.

"Just here to make sure you're not dead, Merlin. Then I'm off to settle more war business."

"Very not dead, sire." Merlin answered. Arthur nodded, not seeming to catch the obstinance in Merlin's voice.

"Good. Gwaine?"

"Present." Gwaine answered. Arthur nodded and began to leave before he stopped.

"Gwaine, how long are you going to pretend to be ill?"

Gwaine smiled. "Until Gaius kicks me out."

"Fine. As soon as he gives you a look over, you're to find and report to me. I have things for you to do."

"Don't I get a sick day?" Gwaine asked, and it was clear that Arthur was refraining from yelling. Probably because Gwaine didn't know how dire the situation they were in was.

"No. Morgana is practically on our doorstep, and soon she'll be here to tear Camelot down. So I need you up and moving as soon as possible."

Gwaine was quiet as he took in those words. Then he nodded, completely serious. "I didn't realize it was so bad. I can go now, if-"

"No. I want Gaius to make sure you're fine. You're no use to me if you kill yourself." Arthur was quiet for a moment as he looked at Merlin and Gwaine. "I'm glad you're both getting better. But we have too much to do for me to be lenient."

"Understood, princess. As soon as Gaius gives me the go ahead, I'll be there."

Arthur nodded. "Fine."

"I thought that word was banned." Merlin muttered. Arthur turned to him with an almost smirk on his face. Almost. There was also a trace of confusion there, but Merlin wasn't sure why that would be.

"Only for you, Merlin."

"Prat."

Arthur shook his head, but the almost smile was still there. "Heal. That's an order." Then he left, probably to do more king stuff. Gwaine frowned at Merlin.

"Did something happen?"

"The... war?"

"No, between you and him."

Now it was Merlin's turn to frown. "I don't think so. I'm sure it's just stress from everything." But he wasn't sure. He had been hoping it was just him, reading too much into Arthur, and he was perfectly fine. But there was something in that interaction that was detached, and... off. He kept telling himself that's what happened when a war was on the doorstep, but Gwaine had seen it too.

"Yeah. Probably. He can't know..."

"You and the queen are the only ones, and she won't tell."

"No. She won't."

"You know why."

Gwaine smirked at Merlin. "I'm not allowed to tell."

"But you told her about me!"

"A deal's a deal. I can't tell you. Sorry."

Merlin groaned his frustration as Gwaine chuckled.

"You seem much better than when we dragged you away from Morgana."

"Magic."

"I guessed as much. And Arthur doesn't...?"

"Blood makes everything look worse."

"How many times have you said that?"

"That's a secret, can't tell."

Gwaine made as if to elbow Merlin, then stopped when Merlin flinched away. "Sorry mate. You make it easy to forget."

"Apparently."

"Don't get all sullen now, honest mistake." Gwaine sat up, looking at Merlin. "You're a lot stronger than we give you credit for."

"I'm aware."

Gwaine smiled and shook his head. "Of course you are. Now then, when will Gaius be back?"

Merlin shrugged. It didn't hurt so much anymore. "He wasn't back until I was asleep last night, and he left before I woke up."

"Right. Well, you tell him that I found myself suddenly feeling better, so I went off to help Arthur. And he's to tell anyone that he approved my discharge."

"I can't tell him what to do-"

"It'll be fine. If Arthur finds out, what's the worse he can do? He won't ban me from the battle."

Merlin chuckled. "Fine. But I'm not responsible for any punishment you receive."

I wouldn't dream of pinning the blame on you." He winked at Merlin as he stood, stretching his limbs with a smile on his face.

"Feels good to have full range of motion."

"Yeah, brag about it. That's nice."

"You'll heal soon enough, I'm sure. It can't be as bad as it seems."

Merlin made a face at him and he chuckled.

"You're too determined to be bedridden for long. I'll see you in a bit." Gwaine gave Merlin a small wave before he left.

It was a long, boring time before Gaius returned and immediately set to scolding the warlock, going on about how he needed to take better care of himself, to stop trying to sacrifice himself for all of his friends, to let others help him once in a while. He listened, because there was no point trying to get a word in while Gaius was on a rampage. When the older man had finally finished, Merlin spoke up.

"I did heal myself first."

"You did." Gaius didn't seem to believe him.

"I did. I'm not going to die for Gwaine, that would be ridiculous."

Gaius couldn't help the small smile that set on his lips. "Alright, fine. Let me see your injuries. You can prove to me that you did as you say.

Merlin pulled his own shirt off and sat through Gaius inspection. The wounds were much better now, although there were still a few that threatened to reopen with too much stress and the others were very likely still painful. He rebandaged Merlin and shook his head.

"You really are something, Merlin."

"I know." Merlin grinned at Gaius.

Gaius set about preparing a meal for the two of them, since obviously Merlin was ready to eat something real. Their conversation was simple, fun, and satisfying. For the first time in so long, Gaius and Merlin sat down to a normal meal without worrying whether Merlin would survive the night. It was a relief, especially for the boy who knew he would live another day. The war would come, of course, and they would have to deal with that. But now seemed all the more precious because of that, with the sunlight streaming through the window and the quiet, relaxed atmosphere around them.

It was ruined by Arthur. Of course it was ruined by Arthur. He barged in and demanded to know if Gaius had approved the knight to be up and about.

"Of course, Arthur." Gaius said, attempting to calm the king. "An experimental cure worked wonders, and he's well enough to be of service to you."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Experimental?"

"I admit, as we weren't entirely certain of the nature of the problem, we had to be creative. But we did ample research beforehand, I assure you."

Arthur seemed to relax slightly. "Right. Good. I'll just... go back to it. Merlin, be as much use to Gaius as you can be." Arthur turned and left, obviously hurrying to the next item that required his attention. Merlin and Gaius shared a look before Merlin's lips quirked into a smile.

"An experimental cure, huh?"

"Well, I couldn't very well say you had magicked him to good health, could I?"

Even Gaius cracked a small smile at that, and together they chuckled, quietly enough that no one would come to see what was so funny.

They enjoyed a few hours in that manner, mixing tonics and ointments as they did. Neither of them spoke of the reason they were mixing so much in advance, so it was easy to pretend there wasn't a major crisis coming.

AN/ Not much happens this chapter, but never fear! Worse things to come. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!