Arthur's POV

I watched in horror as my maidservant downed the entire cup, of wine, that she just claimed to be posioned. It was like the entire hall was holding their breath as the Chalice fell from her nimble fingers. Hitting the stone floor which a loud clang. Her choked gasps as she frantically clawed at her throat for air was the only thing to distrub the horrified silence that had fallen. Not until her knees buckled and she lay spread eagle across the floor did the screams of the observing guests begin.

"GUARDS SEIZE HIM!" My dad screamed over the excited chatter of the guests. Glaring hatefully at Bayard as he was led away in chains. Racing to Merlins side. I dropped to my knees my hands frantically fluttering uselessly over her still form. Only when Giaus appear and push me out of the way did I realize my dads glare had turned to me.

"Arthur..." He began only for me to cut him off.

"SHUT UP! IF YOU HAD JUST LISTETO HER IN THE FIRST PLACE SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE FELT LIKE SHE HAD TO DRINK IT TO KEEP ME SAFE." I screamed hatefully.

"Arthur honestly control yourself she is just a servant easily..."

"Don't you dare say replaceable. Don't you dare brush off her sacrifice as if it was of no consequence. She risked her life to protect me and all you can say is she is just a servant." I spat my blue eyes flashing in my rage.

"Arthur honestly you are acting like a child. Its the duty of any good citizen to die for their king. Now stop this foolishness I will allow you to choose your next servant if it will make you happy." He sighed waving off my anger as if I were a child whining about a broken toy.

"You disgust me. To think I wanted nothing more than to be like you. How foolish of me." I whispered helping Giaus to lift the limp Merlin into my arms. Sending one more disgusted look at the king I headed for the physicans chambers as Gwen retrieved the cup.

"Quickly sire set her down here." Giaus commanded pointing to an empty cot as Gwen handed him the cup.

"Can you cure him." Gwen worriedly enquired wringing her hands together.

"I won't know until I can identify the posion." Giaus replied peering inside the Chalice.

"There's something stuck in here. Ah ha got it." He exclaimed using a stick to pull out a purple petal. Rushing over to a thick tome of medicine and posions. He frantically began flipping through the pages before finally stopping on one. He paled as he gazed down at the words.

"Giaus what is it." I demanded moving closer to look over his shoulder.

"Its the morteaus flower. An extremely deadly flower that can be used to create the most deadly of posions. The only cure is the posion itself. You need a petal from the same flower to be able to cure the posion. But the only known location is a cave in the forest of balor. An extremely dangerous place. Anyone who has entered have never come out alive." Giaus replied gravely.

"But what happens if Merlin doesn't recieve a cure?" Gwen asked chewing her bottom lip fearfully.

"I'm afraid if she doesn't recieve the cure in 5 days she will die. That flower is her only hope of survival." Giaus replied solemnly gripping the edge of the table in a deathgrip.

"Sounds like fun." Giaus head snapped up at that staring at me as though I had grown a second head.

"Sire you can't be seriously considering going after the antidote? You could die."

"So could Merlin if I don't. She gave her life for me the least I can do is give mine to return hers." I snapped already heading toward the door.

"Merlin was right. You really will be a great king one day." A soft voice whispered behind me. Turning to face Gwen I gave her a soft smile before leaving to prepare for my journey.

"You are not going!" My dad yelled towering in the doorway of my chambers. I could feel his disapproving eyes on me as I packed the last of my equipment.

"Dad if I don't go than she will die, and you have alreafy made it clear you aren't going to let the knights go so..."

"SHE IS A SERVANTS WHO CARES IF SHE DIES!" I stared at him stunned that he would say that.

"She is your citizen, and haven't you sworn a vow to protect your citzens?"

"Yes, but how am I protecting the citzens by letting their crown prince go on this suicide mission for one servant. You are not going and thats final."

"I'm sorry dad but I have made up my mind. I am going whether you approve or not."

"Than you leave me no choice. Until further notice you are confined to your chambers. You will not be allowed out until after she dies. Once she dies I will help you find a new servant. Guards do not allow the prince out of this room." Uther ordered sweeping from the room and bolting the door behind him.

"FATHER!" I cried racing for the door and pulling on it to no avail.

"One day you will thank me for this." My dads soft voice spoke through the door. Growling in frustration as his footfalls disappeared down the hall. I slammed my fist against the wall feeling helpless to save Merlin. It was as I was staring at my bag of equipment that an idea began to form in my head. Smiling and racing to my closet. I pulled out all my clothes tying them tightly together to make a rope. Tying one end to the bed post. I threw the other end out the now open window. Checking that it was indeed stable. I took a deep breath and threw myself out the window. Using my rope to scale the wall.

Feet hitting the ground, I silently whooped in victory as I raced for the gate under cover of night. I resolved to talk to the guards later about security as I found it far to easy to escape without being spotted. Making it into the forest and far away from the castle I sighed in relief as I headed for the forest of balor.

(Gwen's POV)

"How is she."

"No better I'm afraid. Giaus just went out for some more water." I replied not even looking up as I continued to mop Merlins sweaty brow.

"I just hope Arthur gets back in time." Morgana sighed sitting down beside me and grasping Merlins clammy hand in hers. I didn't respond as at that moment Giaus returned.

"Oh my lady. Have you come to visit Merlin?" He asked surprise clear on his face as he noticed Morgana holding Merlins hand.

"Of course I have. She's my friend too. I just can't help but worry though. Uther was pretty mad when he discovered Arthur had snuck out through his window. I worey he may do something to stop the cure from ever reaching Merlin even if Arthur gets back in time." She sighed squeezing Merlins hand a little tighter. Biting my lip I glanced down at the still form of our friend as thoughts of Uther ordering Merlin killed raced through my head. Morgana's right. The king won't stand for this disrespect to go unpunished. It was as these thoughts were running through my head that my eyes happened to land upon a bright red rash forming on Merlins neck.

"Hey Giaus whats this rash from." Giaus head, which had been bent over a tonic he was mixing, snapped up at my question. Rushing over he quickly began examining the red bumps forming on Merlins skin.

"This is not good. The rash isn't supposed to appear until the 3rd day."

"What does that mean Giaus?" Morgana asked.

"It means that magic was used to make the posion more potent. Which means Merlin only has 2 days before the posion kills her."

(Arthur's POV)

"HELP SOME BODY HELP ME!" Racing toward the source of the screams I quickly unsheathed my sword. I growl in anger as I see 3 bandits surrounding a young woman who sat petrified on the ground. Her wide watery green eyes stared in fright at the men towering over her.

"Awww don't be afraid. We will take good care of you." One of them laughed sneering down at her. Eyes flashing in anger I leaped down inbetween her and the bandits shielding her from their wandering eyes. Moving quickly I chopped them down where they stood before they knew what had happened. As soon as the last bloodied bandit had fallen I once more sheathed my sword. Turning to face the cowering woman at my feet. I offered her a smile reaching out my hand to help her carefully to her feet.

"Your safe now. Are you ok?" I softly enquired peering into her eyes.

"Y...yes I'm ok thanks to you. How can I ever repay uou kind sir." She asked smiling up at me and placing a hand softly on my cheek. I frowned as a feeling a deep foreboding hit me. There was something about this woman that just set all of my instincts on edge. Shaking off the feeling as paranoia I decided to ask her for help.

"Actually I am looking for a cave in the forest of balor. Do you happen to know where that is?"

"Ahh so you are seeking the morteaus flower than." My frown deepened at that. Eyes narrowing in suspicion I slowly placed my hand on the pommel of my sword.

"How do you know what I am seeking?" She merely smiled at me. Eyes glinting with an emotion I couldn't quite place.

"Why else would you be willing to go somewhere so dangerous. Everyone around here knows the only reason anyone would ever go there is for the flower." She laughed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Still suspicious but deciding she wasn't a threat I removed my hand from my sword.

"Anyway do you know how I can get there?"

"Of course, but it would probably be easier if I show you the way instead. Follow me." She said motioning me to follow. Still feeling slightly uneasy but not seeing any other choice. I took one last look back the way I came before following after her.

"By the way what is your name miss?"

"Cara. My name is Cara.