Merlin began to breathe heavy and his magic throbbed at his fingertips. He was ready to use it if he needed.

Slowly he backed off towards the entrance of the cave, maybe he would be in time to get away. He realized that the footsteps were getting closer and closer now, but he almost made it to the cave. There he would use a concealment spell at the entrance and wait until the surroundings were clear again.

Just a mere feet until he was there.

Just a few more –

Merlin yelped.

He hadn't realized he had been walking so close to the bank of the creek. He lost his footing and slipped into the creek, banging his head against a rock. He felt hands reaching out for him in the water and a figure standing above him, but that was the last thing he saw until his world darkened.

~oOoOo~

Merlin's eyes fluttered, he heard voices in the distance, but they sounded far away… too dull. His head hurt, he didn't know why.

"Why won't he wake up!"

"I don't know, Sire."

Merlin's eyes closed again.

~oOoOo~

A soft hand carded through his hair, it felt nice. Merlin breathed in deeply, contently.

"Gaius!"

The hand went away and Merlin scrunched his eyebrows together. Don't go, he thought.

Just moments later a hand returned on his face, but this one felt different.

Merlin's eyes fluttered.

"Yes, Merlin. Come on, open your eyes."

And Merlin did. Slowly his eyes went open and the first thing he saw was red.

A red sky. No, not a sky, it was fabric and it seemed familiar.

Where has he seen it before?

His eyes closed again.

Moments later his eyes shot open, his breathing picking up and getting more and more erratic. He rose, but arms wrapped around him. Arms that he didn't want them there. He needed to get them off, needed to get away.

"No. No. Please, no." Merlin muttered.

The arms tightened around him. A voice shushing him, trying to calm him down. "You're alright, shh, shh, shh. Calm down, love."

The words got through his mind slowly, bit by bit they became more comprehensible. But he couldn't be there, he couldn't be in Camelot. Gently he turned his head, gazing up into those bright eyes and his eyes teared up.

Gentle fingers wiped away the tears.

"Arthur," Merlin breathed out. "H-how?"

"Later," whispered Arthur. "Let Gaius examine you first."

Merlin's eyebrows knitted together. Examine him? He didn't had time for that, he needed to get the hell out of there… if Uther would find out. He nearly choked at that thought. "I can't - I can't stay." Merlin said, pushing against Arthur. "I need to get away." His eyes teared up some more. "How could you! How could you've brought me here, Arthur."

"Merlin, please. Your head."

"My head?" Merlin raised his hand, "What's wrong with my he-" he hissed when he touched the left side of his head.

"Gaius, please." Merlin heard Arthur beg and soon his familiar face swam into Merlin's vision.

"Merlin, just – just calm down." His old mentor said softly. "We'll explain everything, but not when you're in such state. Just, lie down."

Merlin didn't make any effort to move, he needed answers. What was going on?

Arthur instead made the choice for him and gently pressed him down on the matrass. Merlin's desperate and scared eyes sought his for any answer.

"Merlin," Arthur began, tenderly stroking his face and heaving a deep sigh. Merlin saw a myriad of emotion going through Arthur's eyes but couldn't quite pick the strongest one out.

"Merlin." There was another pause from Arthur.

After a deep sigh, Arthur finally answered.

"Uther's dying."

That was the one thing Merlin didn't quite expect to leave Arthur's mouth. His eyes widened.