A/N: Hiiiiiiii! PLEASE PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!

I know, it's been so long. I've actually been working on this chapter the last few days, couldn't get it quite right at the time. Also had a pretty busy week. Regarding my posting schedule, now that my next semester is starting, I'm not going to be able to post as often. I will do my best to post three times a week, once weekly minimum. College, what can I say?

I hope you'll all bear with me!

With that in mind, hope you enjoy this long time in coming (but also super long) chapter. Love you all and please give feedback!

Chapter 23

Merlin's eyes opened blearily. Everything hurt. And his throat was so dry...He took in a breath to call for Gaius, then gasped as pain knifed through his abdomen. Instantly, he felt hands on him, propping him up on what felt like all the pillows in the kingdom.

"Merlin," he heard Gaius say softly. "Can you hear me?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly thought better of it and gave a weak nod instead. He felt the clink of metal against his teeth as Gaius tipped a cup of water to his mouth. The cool water soothed his parched throat, and he gulped it down gratefully. "Careful, Merlin," Gaius cautioned, "go slowly." Merlin did his best to take slow, measured sips.

With his thirst quenched, Merlin tried again. "Gaius," he croaked. Gaius smiled down at him, looking relieved.

"What happened?" he whispered.

"Morgana," Gaius reminded him. "Arthur brought you back here."

"Where is he?"

Gaius hesitated. "He had some business to attend to," he said brightly. "He'll be back soon. Lie back now, and get some more rest."

Merlin sensed Gaius was holding something back, but he was too tired to protest. His eyes closed without prompting, and he was soon fast asleep.

Gaius gazed down at his sleeping ward.

Gwaine edged closer to him. "I take it you didn't want to tell him Arthur's business was in Agravaine's cell?"

Gaius nodded. "Any excitement at this stage could set back his recovery."

Gwaine sighed. "I could do with some more excitement, myself."

"I'd be careful what I wished for, if I were you, Gwaine," Gaius advised, "especially after the events of the last few weeks."

Gwaine grinned. "I meant the usual excitement, Gaius," he corrected. "The Merlin and Arthur tormenting each other, and the rest of us egging them on kind."

"Arthur…" Merlin mumbled, brow furrowed, eyes still closed. The two of them jumped, anxiously, then relaxed when he continued on to mutter sleepily,"Ar...Athur...clotpole..dollophead..."

Gaius chuckled. "Wish granted, Sir Gwaine."

Arthur stood at the head of the table, hands clasped behind his back. The council gazed back at him expectantly. "You may be wondering why I gathered you all here on such short notice," he began. "You will also all have noticed that there is one missing from our number. The late Lord Agravaine."

He waited patiently for the murmurs to dissipate, then continued.

"Lord Agravaine turned traitor, and conspired with Morgana to kill me, so that she may sit on the throne, as the only remaining heir of Uther Pendragon, and sought to bring magic back to Camelot. They failed. But only partially."

He glanced at Gwen, who nodded encouragingly.

"This cycle of violence did not begin with Morgana and Lord Agravaine. It began with my father, twenty some odd years ago, when he declared a war on magic, after his reliance on it caused the death of my mother. He cited magic thereafter as evil." Arthur swallowed. "But I found fault with his philosophy over time. True, there were those sorcerers who sought to destroy Camelot, or use their powers to take advantage of others. But then there were times I encountered druids, sorcerers, magical beings that had done no wrong, but were shunned for the crime of being different. Good and bad alike, all were hunted under my father's regime. And I have come to realize," said Arthur, "That good and bad cannot be designated to forces of nature. Only to people, and the choices they make. Fire can be used to destroy, and to build. Water can give sustenance, and drown. Is it wrong to think that magic is the same?"

He looked at each member of the council in turn. "This started with my father," he repeated. "And it ends with me. Which is why we're here today." The silence in the room was deafening.

"It is time," said Arthur, "For the law to change."

After Agravaine's murder, Arthur wasn't taking chances, and ordered the guard on Merlin tripled, much to the latter's embarrassment.

"You'd think I was a princess in a tower," he'd muttered resentfully to Gaius. "And it's not like that'll stop her if she really wants to kill me." But though he wouldn't admit it, Merlin was grateful for the sentiment, and, as soon as he was up to it physically, showed it by teasing Arthur relentlessly.

"I didn't know you cared that much, Arthur," he'd snort when another patrol marched by the doorway. "Will I be moving into your chambers next?"

At which point Gwaine would have to restrain a red-faced Arthur from throttling his manservant, and Gaius would quickly put said manservant out with a sleeping draught.

"Merlin," Gaius sighed wearily one day, when Arthur stormed out of the room after Merlin went over the line with his cheekiness. "You need to watch yourself." He winced at the audible slam of the door. "Don't test me." the physician warned sternly, when Merlin gave a careless shrug, "I won't hesitate to put you to sleep again."

Gwaine chortled as Merlin blanched, and dragged his chair closer to the bed. "I'll take care of him, Gaius," he said, grinning. "You go placate the princess."

Gaius rolled his eyes, then hurried out of the room after Arthur. Gwaine looked down at Merlin, and the two burst out laughing.

Arthur breathed deeply, struggling to calm down. He gazed down at his hands, still clenched into tight fists. What was it about Merlin that set him off so quickly?

A shadow fell over him. He looked up, startled.

"You know he doesn't mean it."

"I know, Gaius," Arthur sighed, "But why won't he take it seriously? This is his safety we're talking about?" Once he started, he couldn't stop. Gaius let him rant.

"You'd think he'd care, at least a little bit. Maybe a thank you. Something! At least he can act a little afraid, because I know he is! He punched the stone wall in his frustration, but was left with nothing but a set of bruised knuckles for his efforts.

"Arthur," Gaius said carefully, as Arthur surveyed the damage to his hand, "Did it ever occur to you that that's the problem?"

Arthur snorted. "That he's an idiot, you mean, with no common sense? Of course!"

Gaius chuckled, but quickly grew serious. "He looks up to you, Arthur." he said gently, "I see it. He wants you to see him as brave. Capable. Strong. He hates feeling helpless, hates it when we worry about his welfare. He thinks so little of himself...I think he feels that he doesn't deserve all the attention."

Arthur looked stunned. "Doesn't deserve the..." he said slowly, staring at the physician. "Gaius, he nearly died!" He shook his head. "How can he think-"

"I didn't say it was rational, Arthur," Gaius interrupted, smiling at the young king. "It's just-"

"Merlin." Arthur finished. "I know." But he was also smiling.

"Alright Gaius." He squared his shoulders. "I'll keep it in mind. On one condition."

"Yes?" said Gaius warily.

"Next time you give him a sleeping draught, I get to force it down his throat."

Gaius chuckled. "I believe that's a fair deal."

Arthur marched back into the room, with Gaius following behind. Merlin and Gwaine quickly stopped laughing, looking slightly guilty.

Arthur walked over to Merlin. They looked at each other.

Gaius cleared his throat pointedly. "Gwaine," he began, "I wonder if you can help me with that errand we were discussing earlier."

"Errand?" Gwaine said blankly, "I...oh, yes, yes of course," he said quickly. "I'll just go with you, shall I? On that…errand." He jumped up, and hurried after Gaius.

"Subtle," Arthur murmured, taking Gwaine's vacated seat. Merlin rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"So," Arthur began awkwardly. "I'm-how are you feeling?"

Merlin shrugged, wincing at the sudden movement. "No change since the last time you asked me." His lips quirked up. "Half hour ago."

Arthur had the grace to look sheepish.

Merlin sighed. "I'm alright, I think. Or, I will be, anyway," he amended, shifting to a more comfortable position on the bed. "I have you to thank for that," he added, suddenly serious. "And I haven't yet. Thanked you, I mean." He cleared his throat self consciously. "So. Thank you."

Arthur waved his hand. "You would do the same for me."

Merlin blinked sleepily. Noticing, Arthur decided to get to the point.

"Merlin," he said solemnly, "I need you to answer me honestly. I'm serious," he added quickly.

Merlin nodded, looking curious.

Arthur took a deep breath. "Do you really think your life is worth less than mine?"

Merlin shook his head, nonplussed. "Where is this coming from?"

"That's not an answer."

Merlin hesitated.

"I…yes." he said slowly, "But what does this have to do with-"

"Merlin," said Arthur tersely, "I'll deny it if you tell anyone, but you're one of the bravest men I know."

Merlin stared at him. "Thank you?"

Arthur smiled. "Let me finish. You're one of the bravest men I know, and also one of the stupidest." Merlin scowled. Arthur fondly ruffled his hair, taking away the bite of his words. "If my life were in danger, would you be afraid?"

Merlin nodded grudgingly.

"If Gaius's life was in danger? One of the knights? Guinevere?"

"Yes, yes, of course," said Merlin, impatiently, "But what-?"

Arthur cut him off before he could finish. "Then stop acting so damn stoic." he snapped. "And don't think your life isn't worth protecting."

"But Arthur," said Merlin earnestly, "You're the king. I'm a servant."

"A life is a life." Arthur said quietly. "Mine is worth no more, and no less than anyone else's. Don't put mine above yours in importance, Merlin. True, you're a servant. But you're also kind. And brave. And loyal. And the greatest friend I've ever had."

"You're going to give me a swelled head, Arthur," Merlin quipped, flushing.

"I'm almost done," Arthur promised. "I said you're brave, and I meant it. But being brave...it doesn't mean you aren't ever afraid. It means acting despite the fear. I won't think any less of you if you admit to being worried about Morgana coming here."

Merlin gazed at him, wide-eyed. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it almost immediately, and instead continued to gape at Arthur.

"Merlin?" Arthur said warily. He felt a flash of panic. Had Merlin relapsed, somehow? Was the fever back? Had he been struck dumb?

"Merlin, what is it?" asked Arthur anxiously. "What hurts? Should I call Gaius?"

"No, no," Merlin said hastily. "I just...am I dying?"

Arthur blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Am... I...dying?" Merlin said it slowly, enunciating each word as though speaking to a simpleton.

"Of course not!" Arthur exclaimed, shocked. "Why would you say that?"

"It's just...the Arthur I know would never say something like that to me," Merlin explained, "not unless one of us was dying. And you look pretty healthy. So. Am I going to die?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Never mind. I didn't say anything, happy?"

Merlin grinned. "Clotpole."

"That's the last time I try to be nice to you, dollophead," Arthur warned. But he was also smiling.

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Dollophead? You, King Arthur, are using the word 'dollophead'? Now I know I'm dying."

"Oh, go to sleep already Merlin," Arthur grumbled. "Gaius will have my head for keeping you awake so long anyway."

"Not such good motivation," Merlin said thoughtfully. "Maybe if you offered me a day off...or maybe two-"

"Shut up, Merlin."

"Shutting."