I know I made you guys wait a bit longer for the last chapter, so I decided to work on an extra one today for you as a thank you gift :) Thanks as always for your feedback!

Chapter 18

"...ttle was brief. No casualties."

"Morga...where to be found."

"Agravaine is in the du...eons awaiting your …"

Eyes still closed, he strained to make sense of the jumble of syllables washing over him. Where was he? What was going on?

"I'll need...to him before we…" That was Arthur's voice, wasn't it?

"Sire, is that wise?" Was that Sir Percival, or Sir Elyan?

"Agravaine...my uncle...owe him that-"

Agravaine …. Was Agravaine there? Was he going to hurt Arthur? He had to stop him!

Merlin opened his eyes, and sat up, or tried to. His head spun as firm hands pushed him back onto soft pillows. He closed his eyes, trying not to be sick.

"Merlin?" At Arthur's anxious tone, Merlin slowly forced his eyes open again. And promptly threw up.

"Gaius!"

Merlin vaguely heard Gaius giving directions to Arthur in the background, while those same hands supported him, holding his forehead as he vomited noisily into the basin that had seemingly materialized in front of him, rubbing his back comfortingly.

The nausea gradually eased, and Merlin stopped throwing up.

"That's it Merlin, you're alright." He realized it had been Arthur's hands holding him up, which were now easing him back onto the pillows again. He blinked blearily. Arthur's worried face swam into view, along with Gaius's and Gwaine's.

"Feeling better?" Arthur asked, watching him closely. Merlin nodded weakly, not even bothering to fight Gaius, who was mopping his face clean with a damp cloth.

Gwaine grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "Good to have you back, mate."

"What happened?" he mumbled. Then it started coming back

. "Agravaine!" He gasped, and tried to sit up. Yet again, Arthur forced him back. "Agravaine!" Merlin tried again, hating how frail he sounded. "He's working with Morgana. Arthur, it's a trap, he's working with-!"

"Calm down, Merlin," Arthur interrupted, holding his hand up. "I know. Agravaine was working with Morgana."

Merlin blinked. "Was?" he repeated slowly. Arthur nodded. "Sir Leon and Sir Percival brought him back here, after they defeated Morgana's army. He's in the dungeons."

Merlin stared at him, wide-eyed. "But...we...Morgana's cellar…"

His brain was working far too slowly. He struggled to process the information being thrown at him.

"Enough." Gaius gave Arthur a stern look, sensing Merlin's confusion. "You're overwhelming him. He mustn't get excited." Arthur looked appropriately abashed.

Merlin blinked slowly. Nothing was making any sense to him.

"Morgana," he whispered again, trembling. "Morgana, she wants to kill Arthur, we have to stop her, you have to tell Arthur not to come for me…"

He felt Gaius's wrinkled hand on his forehead. He closed his eyes at his mentor's touch. "His fever's rising again," he heard Gaius mutter to Gwaine and Arthur. "Fetch me a fresh basin of cold water." Hurried footsteps followed his directions. He was so tired….

"Merlin," Gaius called softly from somewhere far away. Merlin shook his head violently, eyes still closed, but regretted the movement instantly when his stomach lurched again.

"Tired…" he mumbled. "Want to sleep." The bed was so soft, and Merlin felt as though he were sinking into the mattress.

He heard Gaius chuckle. "I know you do. And I'll let you sleep very soon," he promised. "But first I need you to drink some water and medicine. Can you do that for me?" he asked gently.

Merlin sighed. ''Kay." he mumbled sleepily. He opened his eyes the tiniest crack, and allowed Gaius to prop him up against the pillows. Gaius held a water goblet up to Merlin's mouth, and tipped it forward. Merlin swallowed too big a mouthful, and choked. Liquid trickled down his chin as he coughed, and his eyes watered.

"Try again," Gaius coaxed, when he'd gotten it back under control. "A little more…nice and slow…" Obediently, Merlin took small and measured sips. The water soothed his parched throat.

When the goblet was a third emptied, Merlin shook his head. "I can't drink anymore," he whispered. Gaius patted his hand. "That's alright, Merlin. You did a fine job." He withdrew a small vial from the folds of his robes. "Now I need you to swallow this draught. It will help you sleep." Merlin eyed the murky vial apprehensively, but opened his mouth, and allowed Gaius to pour it in. He wrinkled his nose. "Disgusting," he shuddered. Gaius laughed again.

"What's so funny?"

Arthur and Gwaine had returned, with the water in tow.

"Merlin," Gaius said, smiling. He dipped a cloth into the water, wrung it out, and put it on Merlin's forehead.

"Feels good." Merlin's whispered, eyes drooping. Already the potion was taking effect. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into sleep.

"Sleep well, Merlin," Gaius said gently, smoothing his hair back.

"Mmhmmm," Merlin sighed sleepily, before the medicine lulled him into a deep slumber.