I love the holidays in general, but I hate how busy it makes my job. I also understand but hate how holidays and more hoarding bring about so many issues. u.u time to go back into hiding in the stories. Ugh. How can my job expect me to write (okay they don't give a - ) when they have my scheduled to work eight days straight? I mean come on…

Update: I was sent home due to a high fever and sick symptoms. Surprise, surprise. I'm not really sure what they expected.

It also doesn't help that I became the emergency owner of two fish, a neon tetra and a neon danio. And well, I didn't have a fish tank set up beforehand. Needless to say, things have been rather hectic trying to get everything together and keep these fish alive. If no one is aware, it takes about a month to establish a tank and I had like… 2 hours.

Warnings: This is shounen-ai, slash, gay, whatever. Arthur/Merlin Merlin/Arthur

Notes: (X) Is pov change and or time jump

Notes 2: I apologize if this has typos and weird dialog or anything. I'll do a more thorough check later, probably when I do edits for multiple chapters.

Notes 3: And because it's so close to Thanksgiving I want to once again thank everyone who's taking the time out to read this story and also when you review. I love it when I get a review, no matter how short, but seeing how popular the story is with traffic views is great too. So thank you everyone, I really appreciate you sticking around for this crazy story.

Chapter, 12

"Good." Arthur looked more determined than ever, and it killed Merlin that he would never get to use that determination to save Glencier. It was one thing to let Arthur think they had a real chance at a relationship until Merlin could wipe his memory or pawn him off on some lucky woman, another to send him into a brawl with a necromancer that couldn't die without meeting certain conditions. And you couldn't just send the once and future king, whatever that meant, because Merlin had yet to figure that out, into a fight with an undead creature or the sorcerer that'd summoned it and expect him to come out just fine. Not when this entire mess could be a trap to lure Arthur out of the city of Camelot, so said sorcerer or undead creature could kill him.

He'd hoped to spend a little more of his time with Arthur before having to wipe his memories, though. It wasn't fair that Arthur had just declared his love for him, and he already had to ditch him, but the alternative wasn't acceptable. Now Gaius would have to take charge of possibly having to wipe Arthur's memories because the more Merlin thought about the insane plan they were trying to pull off, the more he was almost positive he wasn't coming back. At least not completely. He shuddered just thinking about it.

An arm wrapped around his waist, and he looked up.

"We will destroy the necromancer. We'll cut the thing into a million pieces if need be," Arthur said, confidently.

Merlin nodded, trying to give his most convincing relieved look. Not the easiest feat, not when he knew he was going to be the one chasing after a lich, by himself, praying the summoner was nearby, which he doubted. I wonder how long I'll be gone. Would Gaius be able to keep everyone away while he attempted not to die? Gaius was good at misdirecting everyone for a few days, a week at most. Merlin would get a head start, but anyone following him would catch up soon enough, long before he could find the sorcerer and destroy the necromancer. Worse, whoever chased after him would know exactly where to find him, because it wasn't like Gaius could lie and tell Arthur to check all the taverns in Camelot first to give him some extra time.

"So, what's the plan," Gareth asked.

"We gather all the equipment and anything else we're going to need tonight and leave first thing in the morning," Arthur said in his leader voice.

"Gaius and I will make a list," Merlin said.

"You mentioned silver and iron weapons," Percival said.

"Yes, and it wouldn't hurt to have some blessed salt. Gaius, do we still have dill," Merlin asked.

"Plenty."

"Guess we'll start there." He tried to move out of Arthur's grip when the prince pulled him onto his lap. "Arthur!"

"I told you I'm not hiding our relationship."

That was hardly the problem. Well, it was, but not while he was in the tower surrounded by the people he trusted most. Which secret will get me killed faster? Dating Arthur or being a warlock? FOCUS! He took a breath. Okay. Now was not the time to panic. He would have plenty of time for that when he walked into Glencier alone and saw the army of undead ransacking whatever was left of the city. Ugh. He dropped his head onto Arthur's shoulder. I'm going to have my skin ripped off and get eaten and you'll never even be able to find my body!

Arthur jumped at the sudden addition of Merlin's head on his shoulder, his grip tightening around him.

The gathered knights looked from one another, each one frowning. Merlin didn't care if they approved of the show of affection or not. He was only getting one day. One day! One stupid single day to be with the person he'd been pining over for the last two years. It was more than what plenty of others got, but he still felt cheated. He deserved one final happy day before he walked off to his death, and Gaius had no choice but to remove all of Arthur's memories about him.

"My Lord," Gareth started. "Do you really think it wise to be so open? It's fine around us, but should King Uther find out…"

Merlin would have hugged Gareth if he wasn't being held hostage by Arthur, not that he was trying to escape. At least someone understood that the only heir to the throne should not be screaming his feelings across the world, not when that person was another male. Not until Uther had moved on to the world of the dead and to be truly safe. They should probably wait a few years after that.

Not that Uther had to worry too much. If he wasn't so against magic, Merlin would have accused the king of setting this whole thing up just to make sure Merlin died without Arthur being able to blame him. He knew the truth, though. Fate had done this because it had to clean up its mess before anyone noticed what it had allowed to happen.

Well, if I'm going to die, anyway. He wrapped his arms around Arthur.

"M, Merlin!?" Arthur didn't seem to know how to react to his sudden attack.

"I'm just enjoying myself for a moment," he muttered.

"F, fine…"

"My lord, think of Merlin's safety," Gwaine said, his voice weak.

"I will not live in fear."

"This has nothing to do with fear," Gwaine said.

"We are knights of Camelot, which includes protecting Merlin," Gareth went on. "Letting your father know you're in love with him will result in Merlin's arrest, minimal."

Getting arrested now might keep me alive a few extra days.

"Let him try," Arthur said, his voice growing dark. Everyone in the room, but Arthur shivered. "My father does not get the final say in who I marry."

Luca started hitting his chest, choking on a piece of cake, the other knights staring again.

"You've been together for less than twenty-four hours and you're already considering marriage," Gwaine shouted.

"See what I've been dealing with," Merlin said.

The amusement always hiding in Gareth's eyes vanished. "Prince Arthur, King Uther will have Merlin executed if he finds out."

"I will—"

"You cannot watch Merlin every second of the day! If that were possible, Merlin would never have gotten into any of the situations he's previously gotten into because we would have been able to keep him safe!"

"Merlin is not just my boyfriend, he's also my servant. I can keep him with me at all times—"

"You lose him on a regular basis just like the rest of us," Gareth growled.

Merlin snickered at the choice of words. The knights and Arthur did not lose him, okay, maybe once or twice during walks through the market, but most of the time he was purposely ditching them. It was always for a good reason, though. To stop a raging lunatic sorcerer or to send a magical creature somewhere it would be safe and not cause harm. To speak with a druid. ... Okay, sometimes he ditched everyone so he could be alone, but that was just as important as saving Arthur's sorry arse.

"This is hardly the time for this conversation! We need to help the people of Glencier first," Arthur shouted. "We can worry about my father and losing Merlin after that!"

"Fine, until then—"

"I am the prince," Arthur said, the warning in his voice clear. "You do not give me orders… and If people don't know that I've taken Merlin as my partner, the rest of Camelot, you included, will try and take him from me!"

Gareth looked shocked. "Merlin's like a little brother to all of us, or a pet," he yelled back. "No one wants to sleep with him, we just think he's cute and needs protection!"

I could have lived happily without hearing that. Though he'd known that was how the knights and plenty of others felt about him, anyway. It was one of the reasons it'd been so hard to look for someone else to redirect his feelings onto. Not that he was really capable of having a completely honest relationship with anyone besides the knights here or the druids. I should just have just told Arthur no. What difference did it make when they were going to have to wipe his memories in the end anyway so he didn't go into a state of shock that eventually led to into a frenzy thus getting Camelot leveled because the necromancer ate him? If they could find the proper spell. But really, what were the chances there wasn't one? The real question was, would Gaius find it quickly enough and more importantly, could his uncle carry out the spell properly?

Merlin tried to shove such an idea away, but it was too late. He really was selfish and wanted to remain Arthur's boyfriend despite the risks.

"If you think I'm stupid enough to believe that, you deserve a night in the dungeon," Arthur snapped. Merlin felt himself blushing as Arthur held him closer. "Merlin will be with me when we leave for Glencier. My father won't be able to get anywhere near him." He seemed to consider something and looked to Gaius. "… maybe help us think of a way to break it to him easily…"

"I'm not sure telling your father his only heir is in love with another man can be explained gently, my Lord. Especially when that other male is Merlin."

Arthur sighed. "I'll think of something."

"… We will stand beside you to keep Merlin safe," Gareth conceded. "But putting him in unnecessary danger," he shook his head. "Merlin will keep his word. He will not cheat on you."

"I'm not worried about Merlin. I'm worried about the rest of the world."

Probably a good idea. Considering how many people would try to kill him if his secret ever got out. Explaining that to Arthur would only result in a quicker death though, and he really couldn't die now until he dealt with the lich.

Gareth nodded. "Okay then… Merlin, what should we do first?"

"Eat before any of the food goes bad. Gaius and I can start putting the herbs we need in some sacks."

"You need to eat too," Arthur said.

"I had some cake," Merlin said, motioning to the dessert. He'd taken a piece before everyone else had arrived.

"Real food, Merlin."

"I had dinner with Gaius," he protested.

Arthur looked to Gaius, who nodded. "Fine." He released Merlin, the warlock removing himself from Arthur's lap before he changed his mind.

While the knights ate, Merlin and Gaius set to work gathering the herbs and blessed salt.

"What time should we leave," Luca asked.

"Sunrise," Arthur said, immediately. "I'd honestly prefer we leave sooner, but it would be foolish to run in unprepared. Everyone has winter clothing?"

"Merlin was the last one to hold out," Gareth said. Merlin looked up from the worktable and glared at him, the knight smirking.

"Glencier is as far north as we can go. They'll have had snow already. Everyone should pack accordingly for that," Arthur said.

"Extra blankets, dry firewood," Percival said.

"Something to block the wind so the fire won't go out," Lancelot added.

"I will ask how bad the weather was when the two men left. We may have to leave the horses in Lamate," Arthur muttered.

Merlin looked up from the small sacks Gaius and he was filling. "It's going to be that cold?" He'd known Glencier was at the most Northern part of Camelot, but snow already? It couldn't wait for the winter season to actually hit before it started dumping white fluff onto everything? Snow before the Winter solstice was against the rules! Now he not only needed to track down a lich and the sorcerer who'd summoned it, he had to do it in the snow. When would the injustices in his life end?

"I'll keep you warm, Merlin," Arthur said, his eyes dancing.

Merlin sighed. Not any time soon, it seemed.

"It's getting late," Luca said. "I'll go gather some firewood."

"We'll need shovels," Percival said, standing up.

"I'll go pack rations of dried foods," Gwaine said.

Gareth stood up. "I'll gather up some odds and ends that we'll need."

"I'll make sure the horses are prepared," Lancelot said.

"Everyone, bring up your weapons, armor, and anything made of steel and silver so Gaius and Merlin can rub the herb mixture on them," Arthur reminded them.

The knights agreed, each one saying their goodbyes as they left. Arthur joined Merlin at the worktable. "Want to come with me to get my armor?"

"I should stay with Gaius and help him with the mixture."

"Okay." He leaned forward and kissed Merlin on the cheek. "I'll be back shortly."

"O, okay." He nearly dropped the sage he was holding, his face burning horribly.

Arthur looked particularly proud of himself and left.

(X)

Arthur stepped out of the room and closed the door just enough to make it look shut. He leaned against the wall to the left of the door, Gareth on the right.

"How long will it take," Merlin asked.

"As soon as they fall asleep, it will begin working."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, Gareth shaking his head. He motioned to the steps and started down them, Arthur following.

"I knew they were up to something," Gareth muttered. "Merlin had that look in his eye."

"And after he promised me." He tightened his hands into fists as his anger washed over him. How could Merlin lie to him like that? They were a couple and couples weren't supposed to lie to each other! Or drug their partner's food for that matter. And the drugging wasn't even the first offense! His breakfast had contained a love potion antidote, his dessert a sleeping mixture. He was never going to be able to trust Merlin or Gaius with anything consumable again. Which was a shame. Gaius made really good soup.

Gareth glanced at Arthur. "You realize he did it to protect you, right?"

Arthur snorted. "And what exactly is Merlin going to do to 'protect me' from a lich?"

Gareth stopped. "... How serious are you about Merlin?"

Arthur glared at him. He'd known Gareth had wanted Merlin for himself deep down. "I intend to stay with him the rest of my life, so you can give up any thoughts on taking him from me."

"No matter what?"

"Yes."

"Even if his very existence breaks the law?"

"Merlin's existence doesn't break any laws."

Gareth frowned, his eyes no longer meeting Arthur's. "... There are things you aren't aware of my Lord." He held his hand up, Arthur stopping so he could finish. "If Merlin were thrown into the dungeon, he would never make it out alive."

Had Gareth gone mad? "Merlin's been thrown in the dungeon plenty of times," Arthur protested. Why would he suddenly die from being thrown into them now?

"The knights will keep him safe, but you must protect him, my Lord. Merlin needs you, even if he won't admit it."

Of course, Merlin needed him. That's exactly what he'd wanted. Otherwise his boyfriend might find someone else, not that anyone could ever possibly be better than him but that Lucien guy could read and for some stupid reason Merlin seemed to like that.

"I will be blunt. The only person you need to worry about trying to steal Merlin away is Lucien. He's the only one you'll need to order to stand down, but I don't think Merlin ever intended to date him."

"Merlin told me as much last night." Their pleasant time spent gathering herbs seemed like such a long time ago. Merlin had let go of all his usual shields and had spoken openly with him.

"Merlin, has certain… requirements for someone to match his tastes. You check all the boxes, but two."

What!? Arthur stared at Gareth. What could he possibly be missing from Merlin's 'requirements'? He was hot, smart, and the prince of Camelot! What else could he want? "What two!?" Was it the reading!? I'll have to read more. As much as he didn't want to, if it kept Merlin interested…. Merlin owes me.

"The knights have sworn an oath of secrecy. You'll have to ask him yourself."

"I'm—"

"Even if you order us, we won't break our promise. It's for Merlin's safety… Give him time. He will tell you. You're all he's wanted since he's arrived in Camelot. I'm only warning you because Lucien is the competitive type. I'd be weary of him."

That's fine. I'm the most competitive person in Camelot. Let Lucien try and take Merlin from me. If Lucien tried anything, he'd have him exiled. Well, if Merlin let him. The last thing he wanted to do was anger Merlin by exiling Lucien. He might never speak to Arthur again. Merlin will get over it.

"The knights are on your side, Prince Arthur. We all want what's best for Merlin and we all know that that's you."

The words took a moment to sink in. Gareth was actually on his side? He wanted Merlin and him to be together?

"We've been trying to convince him for the last year to just tell you. Lady Morgana has as well. Belden within the last few days. The castle staff supports you. The only one who's going to have a problem is King Uther."

"Why did no one tell me," he asked quietly. Despite that Arthur and Merlin had spent the last two years together, he felt like he'd missed out. They could be married already!

"Because you're the prince. The only prince. And Merlin begged us not to, and we owe him a lot."

"So I've been told." But it would have saved both of them a great deal of grief if Merlin had just come out and said something. But… Would he have listened and accepted Merlin's feelings two years ago? Even one year ago? He wanted to think he would have, but he wasn't sure. And what would have happened if he'd turned Merlin down? Merlin might have left immediately after, or his refusal might have crushed any feelings he might have had. He might have driven Merlin into Lucien's arms! Or anyone else's for that matter! I could have lost him… The thought alone sent a shiver down his spine and made him sick to his stomach. "Do you really think I should keep this from my father?"

"I do," Gareth said, without hesitation. "King Uther would love to find any excuse to be rid of Merlin."

Arthur nodded. He knew his father wasn't fond of Merlin, but he hadn't realized how deep that distaste went. If that was the situation he would have to accept it and trust Merlin. Hopefully Merlin was more trustworthy when it came to courting than he was with drugging food. "Fine. I will be more careful." He didn't want to. He wanted everyone in the kingdom to know Merlin was his partner and for them to stay away. But Gareth wasn't wrong. If his father despised Merlin, as he claimed, then he would be dangerous to his relationship.

Gareth looked relieved. "My lord… thank you."

"Just go see if Lancelot needs any help getting the horses ready."

Gareth grinned at him and left down the right side of the hall leading to the stables. Huh… Gareth had never followed his orders so smoothly. Usually he had to give some kind of snide remark, a protest, something. Had all of his back talking been his way of supporting Merlin? Just what had Merlin done for the knights to make them so loyal to him? Well, maybe they'd all get along better now that Merlin and him were together and happy.

(X)

The knights and Arthur returned shortly after to Gaius's tower, bringing with them any silver or iron items they intended to bring with them to Glencier. Gaius and Merlin assured them their items would be safe and ready by morning, and so they'd left to get some sleep.

Well, everyone but Arthur had left to get some sleep.

"Are you sure you used enough," Merlin asked, quietly.

"Yes," Gaius said.

Given how bright eyed Arthur looked, Merlin wasn't sure he trusted Gaius about that. The prince had grabbed a book off the public shelf, one on medicinal herbs, and had been consistently growling at it for the last twenty minutes or so. If Merlin didn't know any better, he'd have thought they were in a staring contest. "Arthur, you should go to bed. Gaius and I will finish here," Merlin attempted.

Arthur's eyes jumped to him, he looked relieved to have a distraction from the book. "You know I haven't been able to sleep lately unless you're by my side." He made it sound absolutely normal and like that claim was no big deal.

"We're dating now, you've practically declared me your fiancé already. How could you possibly be scared I'm leaving now?" Granted, that was exactly what he was attempting to do. Perhaps Arthur's instincts were warning him.

"Because you have a tendency to just disappear," Arthur said, throwing his hands up in frustration. The book flew onto the floor. Not that Arthur seemed to care. "You… YOU!"

Merlin sighed. "Stop coming in here to throw books!" He walked over to where the poor book had landed and set it onto the table. Arthur's hand immediately wrapped around his wrist. "It wouldn't be right to make Gaius do all of this alone." He motioned to the swords, shields, and armor set out across the room. "Not if we want to leave in the morning."

Arthur glanced from one item to the next before letting out a long sigh. "Alright. If it can't be helped." He released Merlin's wrist and got up, moving towards one of the bowls filled with green liquid and a towel.

"What are you doing?"

"Helping," Arthur said. "The faster we get this done, the faster we can both get some sleep."

Merlin rolled his eyes, grabbed another towel, and dipped it into Arthur's bowl. With Gaius's help, the three of them began rubbing the liquid into the steel and silver items.

It killed Merlin that they were wasting so much time to act like things were going as planned. With any luck at all, none of the knights, nor Arthur, would ever need to use these items to fight a lich, this one or any other that may appear in Camelot. A shame he couldn't tell Arthur that, so he'd leave and Merlin could sneak out. Alas, the charade had to go on.

"We need more water. Go fetch some Merlin."

"Alright." He stood up and grabbed one of the empty bowls Gaius had on the table.

"I'll go with," Arthur said, moving to his feet so fast, the armor he'd been working on crashed onto the floor. The three of them stared at it a moment, as if waiting for it to get up by itself.

"Go," Gaius shouted, pointing at the door. The two of them darted out, snickering. "You're a horrible influence, Merlin," he called after them.

Yes, because I showed Arthur how to be clumsy.

"You don't have to come with."

"And risk losing you?" He snorted, moving closer to Merlin. "I would never forgive myself if I didn't go with you and you never came back."

"Well, maybe stop shouting out our relationship to everyone so your father doesn't find out?" If Arthur continued to do so, Merlin really wouldn't be coming back.

Arthur stopped, and for some reason, Merlin found himself doing the same. "I swear to you, I will never let my father harm you… but… Gareth has convinced me to stop telling everyone so my father doesn't find out."

"Th, thank you." Arthur hadn't even realized the servant bootcamp he'd been enduring. How could he keep him safe from Uther? And he really didn't want to cause any more of a rift between Arthur and his father. Uther was the only family Arthur had left. But there wasn't much to worry about. After today, it was highly unlikely Arthur would have to protect him from his father.

"Merlin, I need you to trust me." He grabbed Merlin's forearm. "You cannot carry on like you alone are enough to face the world. You shouldn't have to and let's face it, you aren't capable of it."

You idiot. You've no idea. Merlin gave a quick look around. Satisfied no one was watching, he wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck. "Any world facing I do is to keep you safe."

"There's no point in saving me unless you remain at my side." He leaned forward to kiss Merlin, stopping short as Merlin released him, laughing. "What's so funny!?"

"Did you memorize all of these corny lines from some awful book?" Not even Gareth dared to utter such cliched words! They sounded like horrible dialog from a fairytale. "Did no one ever tell you that real princes don't talk like the ones in storybooks?"

Arthur's face started turning red. "I'm telling you how I feel!"

Merlin kissed him on the cheek, grinning. "I know. My life means absolutely nothing without you in it."

"So just say that next time and skip the laughing part!"

"Where's the fun in that?"

Scowling, Arthur kissed him again. They caught each other's gazes, both of them blushing before Arthur couldn't take anymore and looked away.

(X)

"How is he still awake," Merlin demanded in a whisper. They'd retrieved the water hours ago and despite the spiked food, Arthur was still helping rub the mixture on the armors and weapons, humming some random tune as he worked.

"By sheer stubbornness," Gaius said.

Merlin scowled. "Then he'll never go to sleep again."

"Just go lie down with him."

"He'll never let me go."

"We can deal with that after he's asleep."

Merlin glared at his uncle. "Fine." He let out a loud yawn, Arthur looking up from the armor he'd been rubbing the liquid into. "Gaius, will you be alright finishing up? I'm tired enough to puke."

"Don't you dare," Gaius warned him.

"The last thing I need you to do is collapse while we're fighting a necromancer," Arthur said, climbing to his feet. "Come on. You can go lie down and I'll help Gaius finish."

"But…" He pouted, trying to give his best sad puppy eyed look. "I'm not sure I can sleep without you next to me now." I can't believe I just said that.

Arthur's face turned bright red. "R, right! I'll um, I suppose I've no choice, but to stay with until you fall asleep then." He looked to Gaius quickly. "You don't mind, do you?"

Ha! And Gaius says my acting skills are horrible.

"Of course not, my Lord."

"Come on." He grabbed Merlin's hand and together they started up the steps to Merlin's room. "Either you're going to need a bigger bed—"

"I don't think a bigger one will fit in there—"

"Or you're just going to have to get over it and join me in mine."

Yes, because no one will question that, Merlin thought, rolling his eyes. It was one thing for Merlin to stay with Arthur when he wasn't feeling well, though even then, he'd often stayed just outside Arthur's room, lounging in the hall or on the steps rather than risk staying inside the prince's room all night. And it was a risk because Merlin had found out early on he was not to be trusted to share a room all night with Arthur. It often led to pining, dark thoughts, and on rare occasions, a stolen kiss. This might be the last time I see him though…

"I love you, Arthur."

Arthur turned to Merlin, freezing, his face turning a darker shade of red. "I… I love you too."

"... If something happens while we're fighting the lich…"

"Nothing will happen. We will defeat it, together."

Easy for you to say. Though that had been the narrative Gaius and he had been trying to convince everyone of the last few hours. The reality of what was going to happen wasn't that nice.

"Good thing I left the blanket in here."

"It's not cold." Merlin removed his boots and placed them on the other side of the bedside table, Arthur doing the same.

"No, but it's comfortable." He climbed into the bed, Merlin lying down next to him. Arthur's arms went around him immediately. "I still can't believe we're together."

"Me either "

"... You're happy that we are though, right?"

"Of course I am. I mean, we have a lot of challenges to overcome, but we'll manage. We usually do."

"Good… I'm sorry I didn't realize my feelings for you sooner."

"I'm surprised you realized at all." Merlin had been so sure just a few days ago even that Arthur would never even consider dating him. That there wasn't a single possibility that he cared for Merlin. What would he have done if he'd found a druid or Lucien hadn't gone on that inventory run? He could very well be lying next to Lucien right now instead of Arthur, the two of them saying goodbye.

I don't want to say goodbye. He sat up, Arthur looking at him questioningly. "No matter what stupid things I do, no matter how mad I make you, I really do love you! I—"

Arthur put his hand over Merlin's mouth. "Merlin, look at me."

"I am," he said, though it didn't come out clearly because Arthur hadn't removed his hand.

"This is not goodbye. We will survive this, both of us and all the knights as well. Okay?" Merlin nodded. "Good." He removed his hand and kissed Merlin, deeply.

(X)

"Merlin, get up," Gaius whispered harshly.

"No," he whined, clinging to Arthur's arm. It was too soon. He needed another hour or a lifetime in bed with Arthur before getting up.

"Don't even think about going back to sleep!" He whacked Merlin aside the head.

"OW!" He brought his hand up to rub the whacked spot, glaring at Gaius. "You're going to wake Arthur up!"

Gaius snorted. "A horse could sit on him right now and he wouldn't know it."

Merlin stared before shaking his head. "I've been thinking and… I can't…" What was more selfish? Running off without Arthur and possibly getting himself killed or going with him, lowering Arthur's chances of survival, but raising his own? Earlier he'd believed it was the latter, but Arthur had made a good point. He hadn't done well when Merlin had been on leave for three days. Would he be able to survive if Merlin completely vanished from his life, and possibly for good?

"Merlin, there's no time for you…" He frowned when Merlin looked at him. "You're having second thoughts."

"If I run off without him or die, he'll never forgive me."

"Putting Prince Arthur's life at risk is far worse than him getting angry with you." Merlin noticed Gaius's look had softened with his voice.

"I know that, but…" He looked at Arthur again and shook his head. "I promised him."

"Merlin, I did not just drug the prince and all the inner knights so you could go back on the plan. The lich will have started for the next town by the time any of them have enough sense about them to stand up."

Merlin gaped at him "How strong did you make that sleeping tonic!?"

"Strong enough," Gaius admitted.

Sighing, Merlin stood up. There was no way he could risk so many lives any more than he could risk Arthur's. "I do love him."

"I know, and so does Prince Arthur."

"... You'll watch over him, right?"

"As I always have."

"You'll make sure he eats?"

"Of course—"

"And gets plenty of rest? And doesn't burn down Camelot—"

"MERLIN!"

Merlin winced, his eyes darting to Arthur. The prince was still fast asleep.

"Just leave already so you can return home quickly and preferably safe."

Merlin nodded. "I will. And if I don't and Arthur can't handle it…"

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"Just... maybe don't do it unless he's trying to burn Camelot down."

"The faster you get going, the less we'll have to worry about Prince Arthur. Now go!"

"I'm going!" He left the room, Gaius following close behind him. Sitting on the table was the large pack they'd prepared before the get together. Herbs, salves, food, silver, iron, holy water, blessed salt, and a few hastily written spells. A bedroll, two changes of clothes just in case, and some water skins. He picked it up and slid the straps over his shoulders. "Alright."

"Be careful and don't screw this up."

"I won't."

(X)

Arthur waited in the bed, his face burning horribly. He wanted to chase after his idiot immediately, but Gareth had warned him to give Merlin a good twenty-minute start. Which he was perfectly fine with now because it would probably take that long for his face to return to its proper color.

And yet he accused me of being corny earlier. He started snickering. Merlin was just as much in love with him as he was him. To think that Merlin was willingly running off to fight a lich to keep him safe. Stupid beyond belief, but very touching all the same.

Merlin had forgotten one very important thing, though. Arthur was the sword in this relationship and God knows Merlin couldn't fight to save his own life, let alone to save Arthur's.

"..." The reality of that sank in. "Twenty minutes is too long." He climbed off the bed and grabbed his boots.

(TBC)