A/N: Erm, well this is embarrassing! I think I have set a new record for procrastination for finishing a story. I hope that this comes as a nice surprise, although I can appreciate it might be a bit of a shock. They say that all good things come to those who wait but I'm not sure they meant this long!

I have always intended on finishing this fic - I just hadn't realised how long it has been, with time edging away. It can be easy to lose sight of things when you are busy trying to adult.

As previously mentioned, I do not own Merlin. If I did then there would have definitely been at least two more seasons before the final one!

*MERLIN* MERLIN* MERLIN* MERLIN* MERLIN* MERLIN* MERLIN*

Gaius came rushing into the room as quickly as his old legs would allow, having checked for a pulse on the two guards sprawled outside the room. They had just been knocked out but would have some heavy concussion to deal with when they awoke.

He looked at the scene in the room. A dishevelled Arthur panting in the corner and Merlin, tied to the bed. He quirked his eyebrow. "Sire?"

Arthur shouted before remembering to remove the beeswax from his ears. "The vampire came back. I've just replaced the garlic but turns out she can mind control Merlin and can still throw things with her mind or magic or whatever. Just managed to stop her getting him to jump out of the window!"

Gaius groaned. "She is stronger than I thought." He neglected to add that no doubt that was partly due to Merlin's magic. He walked over to the bed and inspected Merlin's neck. "Did she get him to drink her blood again?"

"No – but she drank more of his. It looked painful this time, judging from the look on Merlin's face. I think she enjoyed that part! Then she made him look into his eyes and it was like he was not even there, worse than ever before."

Gaius felt for his pulse. It was a little thready, but it was there. He sagged slightly. "I suspect it was because of the beeswax, she could not hypnotise him so easily unless she looked him directly in the eyes."

They sat in silence for a while until the sun started to rise. Gaius pulled the beeswax from Merlin's ears and untied him from the bed. He cleared his throat. "I shall return with some food to strengthen his blood."

Arthur scraped a chair to the side of his bed and looked down at Merlin. "You have to be the most burdensome servant ever."

Merlin stirred slightly before murmuring. "I think you have it backwards Arthur. I am sure this does not happen to manservants in other positions. You must be the cause!"

Arthur wiggled slightly uncomfortably. There may be some truth in Merlin's words. After all, as the King it did put a target on the back of anyone who associated with him.

Merlin came to full awareness then. "Why are my wrists sore? Hang on. Why is there rope in your bed?"

Arthur was spared from answering as Gaius came in then with a plate of liver and onions, Gwaine on his heels. Merlin gave a slightly sarcastic smile at the plate of food placed in front of him. Surely a steak for a man in his condition would be more appropriate.

Gwaine bounced a little on the end of the bed. "What on earth has been going on in here?" He looked around the room and noticed the garlic on the windowsill. "Vampire?"

Gaius and Arthur failed to hide their surprise at his comment. Gaius was the first to recover. "Yes. How did you know?"

"I've come across a couple of rumours about them in my time. Pretty much the only thing you fend off with garlic, apart from prospective women!" He waited for a laugh for a beat before moving on. "Too serious for that then?"

They all nodded. Arthur asked, "Have you heard of anything else that would work against a vampire?"

Gwaine nodded. "I have heard of a rumour that a wooden spear blessed by the druids can pierce the heart of such a creature."

Arthur groaned. "And where might we find a group of druids willing to do that for anyone who lives or is part of Camelot?"

"I didn't say it was with the druids. I happen to know that the spear is in the possession of King Bertram of Sussex."

Arthur racked his brains. He could not remember meeting him before or seeing his name in the royal family trees he had studied.

"Oh, that is just what he is known as – he is not exactly a King. He just likes to collect things of importance. He does not even live in Sussex. He lives in Somerset across the border."

Arthur smacked his forehead. "I think I would have preferred to find some druids." He noticed Merlin shifting his legs to get out of bed and put on his most commanding voice. "What do you think you are doing, Merlin?"

"Going with Gwaine to get this spear."

All three pairs of hands pushed him back to the bed. "Don't make me tie you back to the bed Merlin!" Arthur threatened. He coughed. "We had to tie you to the bed because the vampire lady had hypnotised you into trying to jump out of the window."

"Ah."

"I will assign Leon and Percival to guard you this time. Try not to get eaten while we find this wooden spear."

Merlin stuck his tongue out before nodding sincerely. "Thank you sire."

Arthur shuffled slightly. "Well, someone has to wash my socks. It has taken so long to train you properly I cannot face finding another servant.