Coma
A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Ah, didn't you know this was coming? Again, this is Ep 4 with major spoilers. I seem to have done more chapters for Ep 4 then any other episodes, right? Hehe. It's a good episode. Just wait til I get to Ep 10. Oh baby, then the fun begins! Technically, this is a Merlin Chapter, but I'm gunna call it an Arthur Chapter. After all, there are three sides to a love triangle. Enjoy and don't forget to review!
Arthur paced to the back of Gaius's chambers and crossed his arms, rubbing his knuckles against his pursed lips as he stared at Merlin while Arthur made a decision that reigned his mind.
Merlin had taken the poison knowing it would kill him to protect Arthur. And now the manservant lay in a coma because of the said poison, struggling as his body fought against the infecting liquid as it tore and shredding his insides. Merlin had a matter of days before the poison consumed him completely and killed him.
The only way to save Merlin was for Arthur to travel to the forest of Balor and retrieve a leaf of the Morteous flower from deep within the caves and bring it back to make an antidote. He would have to battle the Cockatrice – a magical creature whose venom meant certain death – as well as the dangers of nature. Only fate would know the results and only she would allow Arthur to return in time, if he returned.
Merlin gasped and groaned as he struggled for breath, face already scarlet and dripping in sweat as he tried hopelessly to fight away the effects of the poison that had entered his system. He moved about restlessly.
Merlin had done this to himself for Arthur. Merlin has already saved the prince from his doom many times already. Arthur owed Merlin his life. The prince couldn't sit by a watch his manservant die knowing that. That was just an excuse of course. No matter what, Arthur couldn't watch Merlin die.
The boy may be annoying and clumsy, but his heart was pure and he was as innocent as a child. He couldn't hurt a fly. And he cared for Arthur – enough to die for him. It could simply be because Arthur was the future king, but the prince knew it was so much more than that. Arthur cared for Merlin too. Friendship is stronger than social status.
After all, Merlin had willingly put his neck on the line to save Gwen not a few weeks ago. Merlin had lied to the king and court, claiming he was a sorcerer. Stupid yet brave, as always. And then Merlin had aided in freeing Gwen by revealing the truth of the Avanc. Merlin saved so many already. He saved the rest of Camelot from that poison in the water. Would no one do the same for him?
Arthur thought it only fair he risk his life to save Merlin. The prince knew the warlock would have done exactly the same thing had Arthur taken the poison. He couldn't watch Merlin die and watch all those that cared for Merlin suffer as they too watching him die. It was a torture Arthur could not bear.
"Sounds like fun," Arthur commented with dark humour. Gaius stared at him with disbelief, yet their was relief in his eyes,
"It's too dangerous!"
Arthur turned to stare at Gaius, tearing his gaze from Merlin and pausing in his journey to the door and beyond.
"If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?" Gaius couldn't hold Arthur's tormented gaze,
"The Morteous induces a slow and painful death".
Then it was final. Merlin didn't deserve such a death. Arthur must save Merlin. Without a doubt.
His manservant's life was a mystery to him but Merlin had told Arthur he came from a village outside of Uther's kingdom. Ealdor. He had a mother there. She would have no idea her son had died and the pain it would cause her when she found out! What about old friends? Maybe even old lovers he had there? What would the news do to them? No, those thoughts would prey on Arthur's conscious for years to come. Merlin mustn't die.