Merlin rode his horse though the forest harder then he'd ever ridden a horse before. He knew Arthur was running out of time. He had to get back to Camelot quickly. Soon the walls came into Merlin's sight and he pushed his horse even harder. He unceremoniously flung the reigns of his horse at the stable boy and hurried through the castle.

Without thinking about it, Merlin ran to Arthur's chambers, knowing Arthur needed the water. He was surprised when he found Gaius tending to Arthur.

"Has anyone noticed I was gone?" Merlin asked.

"No," Gaius replied slowly. Relieved, Merlin pulled out the flask and handed it to Gaius.

"We need to give this to Arthur."

"What is it?" Gaius asked.

"Water from the cup of life, if Arthur drinks it he will recover!" Merlin exclaimed. When Gaius still hesitated Merlin demanded, "What are you waiting for?"

"Whose life did you offer?" Gaius demanded.

"It doesn't matter, everything will be fine!" Merlin exclaimed.

Gaius sighed and Merlin gently lifted up Arthur's head while the physician poured the water down his throat.

"What are you doing?" Uther asked, startling them.

Gaius looked to Merlin before responding,

"It's an ancient remedy for poisonous bites."

"An antidote?" Uther asked, looking hopeful.

"It is our last resort," Gaius confirmed.

Uther slowly walked over to the bed and started down at Arthur sadly.

"We should let him rest Sire."

"No, I'm not leaving him," Uther replied firmly.

Gaius bowed and left, Merlin following him closely. Suddenly a hand reached out from behind an alcove and dragged Merlin behind it.

"Please Merlin you must beware," Morgana whispered, fear laced through her words, "this is only the beginning."


Merlin sat beside Uther, quietly watching Arthur. He saw Arthur slowly lift his head, blinking his eyes and looking around the room in confusion.

"Arthur?" Merlin asked, a huge grin erupting across his face.

"What happ-" Arthur began but was cut off when Merlin flung his arms around him, tears streaking down his face.

Merlin reluctantly backed away so Uther could be alone with Arthur. Before he shut the door behind him, he saw Uther clutching Arthur tightly.


Later that night, Merlin heard the thunder booming outside his window as the rain fell. The elation of Arthur waking up had long since worn off, and the fear had settled in the pit of his stomach. Merlin clutched the rabbit foot in his hands, unable to fall asleep.

He heard the door creak open and saw a hooded figure limping towards him, a hand outstretched…

Merlin quickly sat up, chest heaving. Sunlight streamed in through his window, the rabbit foot clutched in his hand. The door flung open and Arthur strode in.

"Merlin, are you alright?"

"Why am I still alive?" Merlin mumbled.

"What?" Arthur asked concern evident on his face.

"Why didn't Evan wake me?" Merlin asked, jumping out of bed and ignoring Arthur.

"Merlin, what's…?" Arthur began but never got a chance to finish. Gwen burst in.

"Merlin! Come quickly!" she cried.

"What's happened?" Merlin asked.

"It's Evan."

Gwen quickly led Merlin to Evan's house. Arthur wanted to come, but was stopped by Uther. Gwen refused to say what was wrong, only that Merlin was needed. She pushed the door open and Merlin was surprised when he found Gaius bent over one of the beds. Merlin slowly approached him.

"Gaius, what's wrong?"

"Merlin, don't come any closer!" Gaius exclaimed, but Merlin ignored him and walked up to the bed.

Lying on it, completely still, was Evan.


Merlin angrily ran though the castle, Gaius hadn't questioned him when he'd run out of the house at top speed, having assumed he was simply upset about Evan.

"You knew!" Merlin shouted when he reached the cave.

"I knew the price would be a heavy one," the dragon admitted.

"And yet you sent me anyway," Merlin growled.

"We need Arthur to live," The dragon exclaimed.

"I am not one of you!" Merlin shouted.

"We are both creatures of the old religion; it is the source of your power," the dragon informed Merlin.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Merlin demanded.

"It is your destiny to protect the young Pendragon until he takes the crown and when he does magic can return to the realm. Only then will I truly be free. When Uther's tyranny comes to an end we will no longer need to hide from the world! I will finally be free of this prison!"

Realization hit Merlin like a ton of bricks; the dragon didn't care about anything but himself.

"So that's all you care about," Merlin whispered. "I thought you were my friend."

"I am more than that Merlin," the dragon replied. "I am your kin."

"No. Arthur's my family… and you made me kill my friend…" Merlin whispered.

"Arthur must live," the dragon declared. "Aren't you tired of being locked away like some prisoner?"

"What does magic have to do with that?" Merlin demanded.

"Uther fears you will fall into the hands of every sorcerer who seeks revenge. So he hides you away, much like me."

"It doesn't matter," Merlin shouted, "I will never help you!"

The dragon roared in fury and let out a jet of flames which Merlin easily blocked with a quick spell.

"You will never see me again," Merlin growled. He left, the sounds of the dragons roars echoing behind him.


Merlin sat in Gaius's chambers, thinking hard.

"I didn't mean… I offered up my life, not his…" Merlin whispered.

"I wish there was more I could do," Gaius admitted.

"I have to fix this," Merlin whispered. "Evan shouldn't die because of my mistake."

"There is nothing you can do," Gaius said softly.

"If the balance of the world must be kept then Nimueh must take my life…" Merlin argued.

"No, Merlin, you cannot do this," Gaius replied hurriedly.

"I won't let my friend die," Merlin insisted. "I must go to the island now…" He stood, but Gaius grabbed his arm.

"No, your destiny and your gifts are too precious to sacrifice for a servant…"

"He is not just a servant!" Merlin shouted, "He was there for me when no one else was. Nimueh was supposed to take my life, not anyone else's, I will make her fix this!" Tears streamed down his face as he continued, "you taught me how magic is supposed to be used; for good, to help people. But most importantly, you taught me that I must do what is right. I have to say goodbye to Arthur…" Merlin stood and left Gaius sitting in his chair, thinking hard.


"Merlin," Arthur greeted, grinning; then stopped when he saw Merlin's face. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," Merlin assured, turning away from him.

"Merlin," Arthur warned.

"I just… I was really scared that you'd die and…" Merlin couldn't stop the tears that broke free and he kept his face hidden, not wanting to look weak in front of Arthur.

He felt a strong, reassuring hand on his shoulder and looked up hesitantly, but Arthur wasn't laughing, he actually looked almost happy.

"I didn't know you cared so much," Arthur teased, smiling kindly.

"Of course I care… you're the only family I have…" Merlin replied, trailing off.

Arthur wrapped his arms around him.

"It's over now… I'm sorry you had to go through that…"

"That sounds very self-absorbed," Merlin teased weakly.

"And here I was trying to make you feel better," Arthur teased, tightening his grip around Merlin.

Arthur held Merlin for another minute before reluctantly letting go.

"Merlin? What was the whole 'why am I alive?' thing all about?"

"I just… it was a nightmare… I got bitten by the questing beast and…." Merlin trailed off, unable to continue. He hated lying to Arthur, but he knew Arthur would never let him go if he knew the truth.

"I really am sorry… Gaius told me you were really upset about all of this…" Arthur began.

"It's alright," Merlin assured, cutting him off, "I should go, Uther wanted to see me."

"Alright, do you want to go out for a ride tomorrow? Well if Gaius will let me" Arthur asked. Merlin knew Arthur would worry if he refused so he replied,

"Yes, definitely." But deep down, he knew he'd never be able to do so. Merlin quickly left Arthur's chambers, there was only one thing left for him to do, it was time to say goodbye to Evan.