'Arthur!' Arthur rolled in his sleep, sweat starting to drip from his forehead, his name in that all too familiar voice became a mantra in his head. 'Arthur! Help me!' Arthur rolled again, flailing his legs and arms. 'Arthur! Please! Help me!' That cry for help woke Arthur up with an alerted jerk. "Merlin!" Arthur looked around and his room came into focus. He took a deep sigh of relief as he sat up. A faint light from the embers of the fire Merlin had stroked after Arthur's dinner. 'Arthur!' Merlin's voice echoed. 'Get Gaius!' Arthur's panic returned in full force. Before he had time to process, he was bolting out of the room in his night clothes without his boots. He ran past guards who were suddenly on alert, but he didn't pay them any mind. All he cared about was getting to his best friend. Something was wrong. Something had to be.

In what seemed like hours to him, he finally reached the door to the Physician's suite and barged in loudly. Gaius stirred, but kept sleeping. Arthur ignored the older man and ran to the little room in the back where his best friend slept. He walked in and saw his best friend faintly, suddenly the candles were alight and Arthur could see Merlin's full profile. Merlin was far more pale than Arthur had ever seen him, and in sweat soaked clothes. 'Arthur, get Gaius.' Again, Arthur blindly obeyed. He hadn't had time enough to process how he was hearing Merlin, and he hadn't processed the candles lighting on their own.

Arthur returned to the main room and walked over to the older man. "Gaius."

Arthur tried. When Gaius didn't stir, Arthur shook his shoulder gently and said a little louder, "Gaius!" Gaius woke with a start. "I'm sorry to wake you, Gaius, but it's Merlin. Please come quickly!" The urgency and panic evident in Arthur's voice. Gaius got up immediately and followed the young king into Merlin's room.

'Gaius! Help me!'

"Merlin! My boy!" Gaius was at his side immediately and started examining the young servant.

"Your Highness, if I may ask, how did you know Merlin needed tending to?" Gaius asked as he continued to examine Merlin.

"I-" He started and stopped. "He- he called out to me. No that doesn't make sense, does it? I thought I heard him, so I came."

"Merlin. What happened to you?" Gaius whispered.

'I was hoping you could figure that out.'

Arthur gasped. "How?"

"Perhaps you should sit down." Gaius began.

"How can he respond when he's unconscious?" Arthur finished his question, ignoring Gaius completely.

'Arthur, I'm sorry.' Arthur stared at Merlin's frail form. 'Forgive me.'

"You hear him too, don't you Gaius?" But the older man wouldn't look at his king. "Gaius, tell me."

"Your Majesty-" Gaius started.

'I have magic, Arthur. If you choose to let me die, I understand, but Arthur-'

"Shut up, Merlin!" Arthur just stood there, in disbelief for multiple reasons: first Merlin had magic, second Merlin never told him, third Merlin thought Arthur was going to let him die. "What's wrong with him Gaius? How do we save him?"

"I don't know yet. I need time to refer to my books, but my Lord, this is the work of magic."

"Whatever it takes Gaius, save him. When you know what's wrong, let me know how I can help."

"Yes Sire." Gaius bowed his head then left the room to consult his books.

'You're mad at me.' Arthur heard in his head.

"Of course I'm bloody mad, Merlin! How could you not tell me?! I thought we were friends, and yet you hid this from me, all these years." Arthur paced the room, dawn was now breaking through the window.

'I wanted to tell you, a thousand times! It's just the time was never right: Uther hated people like me, I couldn't make you choose.'

"I've been king for several months now." Arthur crossed his arms over his chest as he gave Merlin's form his defiant look, then he looked at Merlin's pale face and Arthur softened with a sigh.

'I hope one day you can forgive me. Once I can, I'll leave, and you will never have to see me again.' Even though Merlin was communicating through his mind, Arthur could almost see the devastated look on Merlin's face.

"Stop being an idiot, your place is here." Arthur sighed again. "I have a counsel meeting to cancel, I will be back. Just don't die or do anything stupid while I'm gone." Arthur walked over to the side of Merlin's bed and pulled Merlin's bed sheet up to just below his chin. "If you need anything, you are to let me know immediately."

'I never knew you cared so much, Arthur.' Even like this, Merlin was still as cheeky as always.

"Don't get the wrong idea, I just don't want to hire another servant." Arthur turned to walk towards the door.

'Oh, and Arthur,' Arthur paused to listen. 'You're my best friend too.'

Arthur made his way back to his suites to find Lancelot coming towards his rooms from the other end of the hall.

Lancelot sigh when he saw Arthur. "Where were you? Some knights said they saw your running through the castle very early this morning and no one could find you since!"

Arthur walked into his room, and Lancelot followed. "Cancel everything. Tell Percival he's in charge of training sessions until further notice." Arthur started rummaging through his his wardrobe and grabbed his favourite red tunic and pulled it over his head.

"Arthur?" Lancelot began, "What is it?"

'It's okay, he's a good friend, you can tell him.' Came Merlin's voice in his head.

"You can read my mind?!" Arthur said clearly angry, only to get a confused look from Lancelot.

'I'm sorry. I'll try not to.'

Arthur sigh. "It's Merlin. He's unwell. I need to take care of him." He sighed, then realized what he said. "But do not let that get out!"

"Of course not, Sire! Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Cancel everything, say I went hunting or something. Tell Percival he's to run training until I return. I have to go now." Arthur walked past him, grabbing his boots on the way out. He went down to the kitchen to grab something to eat quickly, then returned to the Physician's suite. This time he knocked, and waited for Gaius to grant him access before entering.

"Any news, Gaius?"

"I have it narrowed do to a few possible causes, I'm working on figuring out which it is."

"Please hurry." Arthur told him then walked on into Merlin's room.

'You came back?' The surprise evident.

"Idiot." Was the only response he got. "Have you always been able to read my mind, and speak this way?" Arthur stood by the wall, leaning his right shoulder against it so he was still facing the form of his friend.

'I've always known the spell, but never used it. Not until I realized something was wrong last night.' Merlin told him.

"Why did you pick me to hear you, knowing it would expose your magic?"

'You wouldn't believe me if I told you.'

"Try me." Arthur challenged.

'I don't get to choose who hears me.'

"So anyone can hear you right now?!" Arthur was now worried, if some of his knights knew he was protecting a sorcerer, they would try to charge the King for treason.

'No, no! This specific spell works on bonds, only those who I trust explicitly, and who trusts me the same can hear me. But now that I know you can hear me, I can focus my thoughts to you. I'm just glad that even after you finding out, you still trust me.'

"I'm still mad, Merlin, and we will have a serious conversation when you're better. But right now, the focus is making sure you recover." Arthur walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. He took the cloth that was now on Merlin's forehead, Gaius must have put it there while he was gone, and dipped it into the basin of cold water before returning it to Merlin's forehead. "Just don't die, or I'll never forgive you." Arthur whispered.

'How could I? You would probably bring me back to life just to kill me all over again.'

"It would be a painful second death at that." Arthur promised. Arthur saw Merlin shift and strain, all anger disappeared and now he was full of worry. "Merlin. Merlin, what is it?"

'Gaius seems to have found it.' Arthur stood, gave his friend's arm a gentle squeeze, then went to find the Physician in the main room.

"Gaius?"

"It's not good Sire." Gaius' voice was pained.

"What can I do? How much time does he have?" The urgency not lost.

"I can make the remedy, but the ingredients are hard to find, it'll take a week to procure them, and then several days to return. I don't know if he has that long."

'I will make it, it'll take a lot more than that to kill me.'

"I'm going. Write me a list of everything that you need. I'll be ready to leave in the hour." Arthur said to Gaius.

'Clotpole, you have a kingdom to run.'

"I can't let you die, Merlin." Arthur tried to hide the crack in his voice.

'I've called a friend to help ' Merlin sounded so pleased with himself. 'I don't really want to die soon, so as soon as Gaius said there's a way, I called for backup.'

Just then, Lancelot sauntered into the room. "Gaius, I know this is going to sound weird but I thought I heard Merlin telling me to come see you."

"No, absolutely not. Merlin, I'm going."

'Stop being an idiot, Lancelot is more than capable.'

"Did you both hear that?!" Lancelot said looking from Arthur to Gaius.

"Lancelot, Merlin is- unwell. He needs help. Can you help us save him?" Arthur asked with resignation.

"Anything. But why is it that I hear him in my head?"

"He-" Arthur started then stopped.

'It's my magic, Lancelot. Please, help me.'

"Anything for you, my friend." Lancelot said solemnly. "What must I do?"

"I need ingredients. It will take about two weeks to gather everything and return." Gaius told him.

"Write down what you need, I will ready my horse and be back for the list." Lancelot was gone as quickly as he came. Gaius returned to his books and started drawing the list, so Arthur returned to Merlin. "You're going to explain something to me, and if you dare lie to me, I will throw you in the stocks as you are today!" Arthur growled at the frail body laid before him. Merlin stayed silent, so Arthur continued. "Why wasn't Lancelot phased when you said you could communicate because of you magic?"

'He overheard me once, with the griffin. I was casting a spell to help him kill the griffin, and he heard me.' Merlin told him honestly. 'I didn't intentionally tell him before you, if that's what you're thinking.' He said sarcastically. 'Arthur?' Merlin began when Arthur still didn't say anything. 'I am sorry for not telling you before. I shouldn't have hid this from you.'

"No, you shouldn't have!" Arthur barked, then took a deep calming breath. "I would never hurt you."

'Ha, tell that to the bruises from those awful training sessions of yours.' Merlin quipped.

"I'd never hurt you." Arthur repeated sincerely, as he walked over and sat on the edge of Merlin's bed. "Any ideas on who did this to you?"

'Yes, I know exactly who did this.'

"Who? They will be punished for their acts of treason against the crown!"

''Treason against the crown?' Arthur, I'm your servant, it's not like they did this to you.'

"But it was done to someone I care for, so they will pay. Now tell me who!"

'I can't.'

"Why?"

'You trust this person. I can't have you pick between this person and me.' The sadness evident.

"I trust you completely. You wouldn't cast doubt without just cause."

'Arthur, I can't tell you, but this person is working for Morgana. I poisoned her once and she's never forgiven me for it.'

"Does she know about your... magic?"

'No, but I'm the one she fears the most, she just doesn't know that.'

"Can you stop being so cryptic?" Arthur rolled his eyes, forgetting that Merlin couldn't see it.

'I am Emrys, Arthur.'

"Emrys? Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

'The Druids speak of a sorcerer, Emrys, who will help bring magic back to Camelot.'

"And that's you?" Arthur asked skeptically.

'That's me.'

"Why would Morgana be afraid of that?"

'The Druids also say that Emrys is the most powerful sorcerer to ever live, and he alone can bring about the end to Morgana.'

Arthur, seemed to find that incredibly funny, and was doubled over, laughing. "I didn't know you were a comedian too, Merlin."

'I am destined to protect the once and future king. You are my destiny, Arthur.'

"You are supposed to protect me? You? The man who can't even wield a sword, are supposed to protect me?" The incredulity was nearly dripping from Arthur's voice.

'Yes, me, Arthur. The one who has saved your royal arse more times than I can count. The one who drank poison for you all those years ago. The one who has stopped sorcerers, goblins, griffins, and dragons, from killing you. Stopped them all from destroying Camelot.' When Arthur didn't reply, Merlin changed gears. 'I hope one day, you can forgive me.'

Arthur didn't reply, he just got up, and went to the open doorway of Merlin's room to see that Lancelot had returned.

"Please, make haste." Gaius pleaded.

"I will be back before you know it. Just keep him alive until I return. I would blame myself, as I know Arthur will blame me as well if I don't make it back in time."

"Be careful." Arthur called from the doorway, drawing both Gaius and Lancelot to look at him. "Come back in one piece."

"Yes, M'lord. Watch out for him." The King nodded curtly and then Lancelot was gone.

'Travel safe, my friend.' Merlin called out to Lancelot.

Arthur stepped further into the room and took a seat on the bench in front of Gaius.

"Is something troubling you, Sire?"

"Is it true, that Merlin's destiny is to protect me?"

"Indeed, Sire." Gaius gaged Arthur's reaction, and when he got nothing, he pressed on. "Albeon is to be born anew, with the once and future king, with his ever loyal sorcerer at his side."

"And Emrys?"

"Emrys is the name given by the Druids. They call Emrys the most powerful warlock to ever walk the earth." Gaius explained.

"And that's Merlin? Ever late, ever clumsy Merlin?" Arthur deadpanned.

"You've seen Merlin, but never Emrys. Emrys is the most talented sorcerer I've ever known. His magic is beyond his years, even I cannot hope to know as much as he, when I practiced sorcery anyways. He is your greatest hope, Sire, your greatest ally. If all the evils against you and Camelot knew that Emrys was with you, protecting you, you would never see the likes of evils you see today.

"I, when I was young and practicing magic, knew the legend of a young sorcerer named Emrys, who will unite the lands. I hoped to meet him one day and learn from him, little did I know he was yet to be born. Arthur, Merlin is the only one who can protect you, even from yourself it seems." Arthur just stared at Gaius, taking in everything. Merlin was Emrys. Emrys was his destiny. Emrys was perceived to be the most powerful sorcerer. Emrys is the key to uniting the lands. Emrys was dying.

"You know who is working with Morgana. You know who is trying to hurt Merlin." Arthur stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes Sire."

"But you won't tell me."

"I cannot, Sire."

Arthur slammed his hands on the table as he stood up. "Why won't the two of you tell me?!" He roared! "If someone is hurting Merlin, I will do everything I can to protect him! Why is that so hard for you to understand?!"

"Sire, you know that's not it." Gaius said calmly.

"Then bloody well tell me!"

'Arthur...' Merlin's voice sounded so small in Arthur's rage induced mind.

"No! One of you are going to tell me everything, right now!"

Gaius sighed. "Very well, Sire, but you may want to have a seat." Reluctantly, Arthur obeyed. "Someone has only come into your life since Uther passed, and that is the person working with Morgana. Merlin followed them one night and was found by Morgana, ever since she's been trying to kill him before he tells you."

'I don't want you to have to pick between me and your family, Arthur. I never wanted that for you, even before.'

"Merlin, my boy, rest your mind now. You need it, and I need to speak to the King without you."

'Okay. Thank you Gaius, call me back when you need. And thank you too, Arthur. Thank you for not killing me, and for continuing to trust me.' Arthur felt something lift off his mind and he knew that must be Merlin's mind.

"Sire, there are things you must know, and Merlin must never know I told you."

"Go on." Arthur encouraged.

"Sire, though Merlin may be misguided in some of his ventures, all he has ever done was for you. Yes he uses magic, but it is all in devotion to you."

"Yes, I know. That's what he told me."

"With all due respect, Sire, I'm not sure you know the full extent. He is devoted only to you. He has risked his life countless times for you. He even traded his life for yours once. Sire, there is nothing he wouldn't do for you."

"Yes, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. The amount of times I've risked my life for him isn't a small about either." Arthur said defensively.

"Yes, Sire. I know." Gaius sat down across from Arthur. "Now that you know about Merlin's magic, what are you going to do?"

"I'm not going to kill him, if that's what you mean." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"What will you do, M'lord?" Gaius pressed further.

"I'm going to lift the ban on magic." Arthur said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I can't very well have Merlin walking around in a kingdom that isn't safe or welcoming of him. If he is as you say, then before we can restore Albion, we must first restore magic to Camelot."

"Might I say, you're taking this really well."

"It's a lot, Gaius, but I'm going to try. If he has protected me as you say, then it is my turn to protect him. I will lift the ban, Lancelot will come through with the ingredients, Merlin will have the antidote, and I will continue to protect Merlin still." Arthur stood from his seat and started to walk back to Merlin's door. "If it's alright by you, I'd like to take him to my rooms, so I can keep a close eye on him, and get some work done in the meantime." Gaius raised his eyebrow, but gave Arthur a slight nod.

Arthur walked back into Merlin's room, wrapped the blanket tightly around Merlin before lifting him into his arms. Merlin's head resting on Arthur's shoulder, and Arthur's arms wrapped around Merlin's back and under his knees. Arthur held Merlin closely for a moment before he began his walk out of the room, and on his way back to his rooms.

Arthur took the long, but less used way, the fewer questions, the better. Arthur held Merlin close, but felt himself shaking. This is the first time he let himself feel anything, and all he felt was pain and fear. He couldn't fathom the thought of loosing Merlin. Merlin had become the pinnacle of Arthur's life, even though just a few years ago the thought of Merlin sickened him, and now the thought of living without him made him want to die.

Part of Arthur was upset that he wasn't the one going to get what Merlin needed for the antidote, but another part of him was relieved that he was here to take care of the man in his arms. Arthur finally reached his rooms and carefully pushed the door open, trying his best not to jostle Merlin, and once they were inside, Arthur kicked the door closed. Arthur slowly walked towards his bed and gave Merlin one last squeeze before Arthur gently placed Merlin on the bed. Arthur carefully pulled the bedsheet out from under Merlin then pulled the bedsheet up and tucked Merlin in. "Don't die on me."

'I'll try not to.' Arthur jumped back in surprise, then took a calming breath.

"I thought you were resting your mind?"

'I was, but you think too much.' Merlin teased.

"You know, I really don't like that you can read my mind." Arthur reprimanded.

'It makes things easier. You don't actually have to talk out loud.'

"What all did you listen to?" Arthur ignored him and asked.

'Please don't worry, I will be okay. I trust Lancelot to come through with the ingredients Gaius needs. Everything will be okay.'

"Merlin, just focus your energy on getting better."

'Can I ask you something?'

"What?"

'What is going to happen after? If Lancelot gets back in time, if I recover. It's not like things can go back to how they were.'

"No, they can't." Arthur agreed. "When you're better, you will tell me everything, starting with the day you arrived here, all the way through. And I will listen, and hang off your every word. No more secrets, no more hiding things from me, Merlin."

'Yes, Sire.' Merlin responded obediently.

"Now, I have work that needs to be done, so either rest your mind or find someone else's thoughts to probe." Arthur stood and walked over to his desk. He found a fresh piece of parchment and sat down. When he felt the twinge in his mind, he knew Merlin had listened, and he began writing.

Being afraid of magic was all Arthur had ever known, and then Merlin walked into his life and flipped everything upside-down. Merlin made Arthur a better man, and a better king. Merlin gave Arthur a new perspective and showed Arthur the simple things in life. It was both surprising and not, that Merlin would do the same about magic. Magic couldn't be as evil as Arthur was raised to believe, simply because Merlin was not evil. Merlin had a kind heart and helped anyone who needed it, even if they didn't know they needed help. Merlin had helped Arthur after all, and Arthur never asked for help. But Merlin changed Arthur for the better. Merlin proved his loyalty and devotion time and time again, now it was Arthur's turn to do just the same.

Arthur would protect Merlin, and his magic. Now looking back, there were so many close calls that had no reason as to why or how they escaped or won, but Arthur figured the reason was lying in his bed, trying to hold onto his life. As Arthur began to write his decree, lifting the ban on magic, it was the most right and terrifying thing he ever had to do. If his father could see him now, his father would no doubt take action again this. But his father wasn't here, and Arthur was not his father, that's what Merlin always told him anyways. Arthur paused his writing and thought about the things he needed to do: first free those who train in magic, second deal with Morgana's pet lurking in Camelot, and third, tend to his manservant and best friend who needs him now more than ever.

Arthur was pulled from his thoughts by a loud banging on his door. Arthur scrambled to pull the bed curtains closed, as to hide Merlin's presence, then answered the door. "Arthur! I was worried sick! No one has seen you all day!" Agarvaine said in mock relief.

"Sorry uncle." Arthur replied as way of an explanation.

"I understand, the grief of loosing Uther was been totaling on you."

"It has." Arthur agreed, taking the out.

"Well, I will lead the council meeting tomorrow for you. You knight said you needed to postpone until tomorrow."

"Thank you uncle, but I am feeling better already. I will be fine to lead it. I should like very much for you to be at my side though. It would mean a great deal."

"It would be an honour." Agravaine bowed his head slightly.

"Uncle, if you wouldn't mind, could you call George and have him fetch me some food? I'm famished."

"Where is your servant boy?" The fake concern evident in his voice.

"Gaius sent him to fetch ingredients, I'm unsure how long until his return."

"Well, I will personally get you some food and find George for you as well. The King needs his servants!" Agravaine laughed joyfully then walked off.

Worried about being heard, Arthur said in his mind, 'Has he always been that fake, Merlin?'

'Always.' Came an immediate reply. 'You just never noticed because you have a thick head for a clotpole.'

'Watch it, you! I will throw you in the stocks!' Arthur replied as he shut the door then returned to his desk. "Tell me something," Arthur began out loud, "had you not been on your deathbed, would you have ever told me?"

'I'd like to think so. I hated lying to you. But was there every really a right time to tell you that I possess the thing you hate the most? That I am what you hate the most? I feared you hating me.'

"I could never hate you." Arthur replied automatically, he sat shocked for a moment, realizing what he said, then decided to quickly change gears. "You should've told me, Merlin."

'I know, and I'm sorry, Arthur. I'm sorry for everything I put you through. I hope, one day, after I'm gone, you can find it in you to forgive me.'

"Don't be stupid. You're not dying. We have a destiny to fulfill, don't we? The King and his sorcerer. Your only job now is to stay alive until Lancelot returns."

'Lancelot is well on his way. He took Percival with him, he thought Gwain might slow him down a bit, and try to stop at a tavern.'

"Well, at least Lancelot is considering speed over a good time."

Just then the door opened and in walked Agravaine with Arthur's meal. "Here you are, Arthur. I've also informed George you will need him this evening." He said as he put the tray on the large table.

'It's poisoned.' Merlin told him.

'How do you know?' Arthur asked as he approached his uncle.

'Once I'm out of the way, you're an easy target, blinded by the trust you have in your uncle. Please Arthur, don't eat that.'

"Well, come along. You need to eat." Agravaine goaded.

"Dine with me, uncle."

"Oh, I mustn't! Besides, there's only enough for one." Agravaine protested.

"I insist. Besides, I'm not that hungry anyway." Arthur implored.

"I can keep you company, if you wish. But I will not eat."

'Be careful.' Merlin said.

'I know what I'm doing.' Arthur barked back at Merlin. "Please, uncle, take a seat." Arthur motioned to the chair across from him.

Arthur sat there as his uncle began to talk about new laws and taxes that they should push forward. All of them hurting the citizens of Camelot and filling their coffers. Arthur then began to wonder if he was saying stuff like this the whole time, but Arthur had never noticed. "But we can worry about all that later. I do have something more pressing to speak to you about, nephew."

"Yes, uncle?"

"It's about your servant. He's always at the tavern, and slacking off his responsibilities. I think it's high time we found you a more reliable servant." Agravaine started gently. "He's a nice boy, however you need someone who will be on time and obey without talking back or questioning your authority. Honestly, some days I wonder why you keep him around."

"I keep him around because he is my friend, uncle." Arthur tried not to sound as affronted as he felt. Who was his uncle to say things like this?

"Is he? Or is he just after your kingdom? I don't trust him, Arthur, and you shouldn't either. He's- no, I mustn't."

"Go on." Arthur encouraged.

"I really shouldn't be saying this, but you deserve to know. The other night I caught him heading out of the castle late at night, so I followed him. He went to meet with Morgana. She is using him and how close he is to you for her own personal gain. They are working together to try and bring you down."

'Ridiculous.' Arthur could practically hear the eye roll from Merlin.

"I didn't think he was that kind of person!" Arthur feigned surprise, and by the look on Agravaine's face, he was buying everything that Arthur was selling. "Thank you for telling me uncle. I will take care of him as soon as he returns."

"Good, nephew. I would hate for someone, the likes of him, to walk all over you. Well, nephew, I will leave you for the evening. George should be up soon enough." Agravaine then got up and left.

'You know I wouldn't do that to you, right?' Merlin asked.

"Well, you did spend the last 5 years lying to me." Arthur deadpanned as he went to fill a basin with the jug of water from the day before. He soaked a cloth in it then walked over to the bed. He opened the curtains and sat on the edge of the bed and carefully dabbed at Merlin's forehead with the cloth.

'Arthur-' Merlin's voice in Arthur's head sounded broken.

"It's fine Merlin. I understand. I know that you are not the person Agravaine was describing. Don't worry." Arthur's fingers gently brushed Merlin's hair away from his forehead as he continued to dab away the beads of sweat. "Merlin, tell me, once you found out about Camelot's laws against magic, why did you stay?"

'I stayed for my mom. She sent me to Gaius for a reason, and I knew I had much to learn. Shortly after I arrived, I met the dragon and he told me about our destinies. I wanted to run because at that time my perception of you was not good, but I stayed, and I'm glad I did. I've learned a lot from Gaius, and a lot from you too.'

"The dragon? What dragon?"

'Um... the one who wreaked havoc on Camelot.'

"Merlin! What did you do?!" Arthur stared it him, if his eyes could speak, they would be spitting fire, not the dragon.

'To be fair, when I released him I didn't know he would hurt Camelot.'

"You?! You freed the beast?"

'If I didn't agree, he wouldn't have helped me save you. I didn't know what he would do! I swear! But I told him to never hurt Camelot again, and he hasn't.'

"If that's all it took, why didn't you tell him to leave before?"

'Only a Dragonlord can control a dragon.'

"Merlin..." Arthur growled.

'We went to find Balinor, who was the last Dragonlord, but when a Dragonlord dies, his powers are passed on to his son. I am the last Dragonlord.'

"Merlin." Arthur caught on. "He was your father. You watched him die and I told you not to cry over someone's death. Merlin, I am sorry. Had I known-"

'You weren't ever to know. That night when we went to fight the dragon, he knocked you unconscious. I told him to leave you and Camelot alone forever.'

"You lied to me about killing him? You spared his life?" Arthur asked incredulously.

'He is my kin, he is the last dragon, and I the last Dragonlord. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to save you as many times as I have.'

Arthur sighed. "Fine, okay. I get it."

'What are you going to do about Agravaine?' Merlin changed the topic.

"Well, he has to be stopped, I just can't be too obvious about it. But I have a plan."

'Are you going to tell me what that plan is?'

"No." Arthur replied firmly.

'Why? When I'm like this, all I can do is talk.'

"When you're like this, all you are is useless." Arthur countered. "Making me take care of you, a crowned King, waiting on his manservant hand and foot. Ridiculous."

'I never asked for you to take care of me!' The defensive anger that rarely came out, did. 'All I needed was for you to wake Gaius. You offering to get the ingredients for the remedy was your choice. You tending to me was your choice. If I'm that much of a burden to you, then leave me, Gaius can look after me, and if I die, so what? It won't be anything to you.' Merlin was hurt, and Arthur recoiled as if Merlin's words slapped him hard across the face.

"Merlin, no that's not what I meant. I meant-" but Merlin was gone from his mind, he knew it. "Merlin, I am sorry. If you're still listening to me. You know that I say stupid things without thinking. I'm just exhausted, and that's no excuse, I know. I just don't know how to process this yet. My best friend is an idiot who: hid his magic from me, is fighting for his life, and there's nothing I can do about it. It's killing me, Merlin, knowing that Lancelot and Percival being gone could come to no avail, it kills me to think of a life without you, you idiot. You were always supposed to live in those near-death experiences we've had, not me. But yet, you pulled both of us through and I didn't even know. So you have to live, Merlin. Whatever it takes. Fight for the destiny we're supposed to have. I can't bring about Albion without you."

Arthur sighed as he returned the cloth to the basin. "You rest, I'll be here if you need me." He then closed his bed curtains and returned to his work.

By the time the sky was pitch dark, Arthur had finished drafting his new decree that he would announce in the morning. He still didn't understand magic, and he was still very afraid of it, but Merlin was the most kindhearted, selfless man he had ever know. And if a man like that could have and wield magic, then magic couldn't all be evil. When Merlin is on the mend, Arthur would also announce that he had none other than Emrys at his side, hoping it would mean as much to magic users as Gaius had implied. Merlin would live, he had to.

Arthur rolled up the parchment and hid it in his drawer. Just because George hadn't shown up yet, didn't mean he wouldn't throughout the night. Arthur changed into his bed clothes and walked to the door to see a knight out front. "Tell George he needn't worry about waking me in the morning. In fact, tell him I'm giving him the morning off."

"Sire." The knight nodded.

Arthur slipped back into the room and closed the door. He walked over to the far side of the bed and slipped under the covers. He couldn't take his eyes off Merlin. 'Live, Merlin, for me.' Was the last thought before tiredness overwhelmed Arthur and dragged him into a deep sleep.

'Wake up you sleeping idiot!' Merlin shouted in Arthur's head.

"Ow!" Arthur exclaimed as he sat up in a bolt. "Geez, even when you're unconscious you're still just as annoying as ever."

'Well, someone has to make sure you're up on time.'

"And how would you know the time?"

'Gaius is awake. I asked him.'

"Urg." Was the only reply Merlin got, and Arthur got up and dressed himself. He went to his desk and grabbed the parchment that he'd spent so much time on, and headed for the door. When Merlin said nothing, Arthur assumed he was still mad from the night before, and he had every right to be. Arthur slipped out the door, without another word.

"No one is to enter my rooms at all, no servant, no knight, no one without my direct consent. Understood?" Arthur order the knight.

"Yes, Sire."

Arthur walked into the thrown room for the council meeting. This was going to be the beginning of massive changes in Camelot, he only hoped that it went over well.