Arthur turned to Merlin as soon as they'd split up from the rest of the hunting party.
Merlin nodded and held out his hand. "Bregdan anweald gafeluc!"
His sword crackled with blue light and they continued on into the cave.
"We should be careful. Morgana warn-"
"Forgive me if I don't put too much stock in anything Morgana has to say," Arthur snapped quietly, not looking at the warlock.
"I -"
"Or anything you have to say."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Merlin flinch and duck his head.
They reached a cavern and a hiss cut through the air.
"What is it?" Merlin whispered and Arthur shushed him, trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from.
He heard rocks shift behind them and spun around. He shoved Merlin back and swiped at the great beast in front of him. He felt fangs sink into his shoulder just as his sword cut into its neck.
Everything went dark as the beast gave a dying shriek.
"Morgana asked me to check on him," Gwen whispered, stepping up next to Merlin so they were both standing in the doorway to Arthur's chambers.
"Gaius said the bite from the Questing Beast is a death sentence. Something about it having the power of life and death," he said, marching off and she followed. "I -" he paused, glancing around. "I tried to heal him, but nothing's working."
"Merlin," she gasped, glancing back towards the room. "The knights, Gaius, and the king have all been hovering over him. When… Please tell me you didn't do it in front of them."
"They're distracted, and I had to try something! He's dying, Gwen."
She bit her lip and nodded. "Just be careful. I know he's still upset, but he wouldn't want you to get killed trying to save him. Is there anything else you can do?"
Merlin frowned, thinking. "I've tried everything from the book, but there's one more place that might have information."
She scowled. "I'd rather you not talk to him."
"It might be our only chance."
"Just… take everything he says with a grain of salt," she sighed. "I'll cover for you if someone asks where you are."
Why do you search for the Isle of the Blessed?
Merlin pulled Hengroen to a stop and swung around to see a man standing at the edge of the road. His eyes widened as he recognized the druid and dropped down from the horse. "You're the one who took Mordred."
The man bowed his head. "I am Iseldir."
"Merlin, but you already knew that. What are you doing here?"
"We felt you near," he said, glancing back into the woods and Merlin thought he could see a few other druids hidden amongst the trees, watching them. "You travel too far south if you hope to reach the isle."
A flicker of images passed through Merlin's mind and he suddenly knew exactly where he needed to go. "Thank you."
"Why do you travel to the home of the priestesses, Emrys?"
"Arthur - Prince Arthur - was bitten by the Questing Beast. I was told I could find a way to heal him there."
Iseldir looked troubled. "If the Once and Future King is dying then you have no choice, but beware, dealing with the Old Religion can be dangerous."
"Don't you follow the Old Religion?"
"We do, but we respect the balance and seek only to live at peace with it. The High Priestesses use the balance to their own gain. They follow the Triple Goddess in her darkest aspects. Be cautious when you deal with what remains of them and know: a life can only be bought with a life."
Merlin nodded and climbed back onto the horse. "Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly."
Are you sure? the druid called as he rode off. The price may not be what you think. Do not take her at her word, Emrys.
Merlin narrowed his eyes and urge his horse on faster.
Gwen was relieved when she opened Morgana's door after hearing a knock to find Merlin on the other side. "Come in, Morgana's not here."
Once he was in, he held up a flask. "I need your help giving Arthur this."
"What is it?"
"Water from the Cup of Life. It will save him."
"Just like that?"
"Yes," Merlin said firmly.
She took it from him. "I'll do it while you distract Gaius."
They rushed to Arthur's chambers and Merlin went in first.
"Merlin! Where have you been?"
"I-I was collecting elderberry flowers. I know they can be used for snakebites so I thought -"
"They won't work for this Merlin. I know you -"
"What harm could it do to try though!? Please, Gaius, just show me how to prepare them."
Gwen stepped inside to see the physician giving in under Merlin's sad face. "What's going on?"
Gaius turned to her. "Would you mind watching over Arthur for a short time?"
"Of course not."
She waited until Gaius was out of the room to whisper, "Did you actually get any elderberry flowers?"
He shrugged. "They were tiny white flowers on a tree. I'm hoping they're elderberry flowers, but I'm sure to distract him either way."
"Good luck," she chuckled as she left, then she ran over to Arthur's side. She poured the water from the flask into a cup and brought it to Arthur's lips.
"What are you doing?"
She looked up to see the king standing in the doorway. "Just giving him some water. Gaius asked me to watch over him while he prepared some elderberry flowers for him."
He nodded and she gave him the water.
When Uther came closer she moved away so he could sit at Arthur's side.
Merlin looked up when Gwen entered his room.
"He's okay."
"That's great."
She frowned and sat next to his bed. "Then why don't you look happy."
He forced his smile a little wider. "I am. I'm just tired. Go see to Arthur. I'm going to take a nap."
She stared at him. "Are you -"
"I'm fine. Go on."
"Alright." She stood up, still looking worried. "Rest up. I'll come to check on you in the morning."
As he watched her leave, a small part of him wanted to say something, but he kept quiet.
Merlin opened his eyes with a frown, looking around to see he was in his room.
He was alive? Had the Old Religion decided to spare him?
Smiling, Merlin ran into the main room. "Gaius."
The only response was a groan.
"Gaius?" He went over to Gaius's bedside, surprised his guardian was still asleep. Usually, Gaius was the one waking him. He gasped when he got close.
Gaius was barely breathing and his face and hands were covered with sores.
"Merlin?" Gwen said coming in with a tray. Her eyes widened when she saw Merlin kneeling next to Gaius and she set the tray down and ran over. "What happened?"
Merlin bit his lip then dragged her away. "It's my fault," he whispered.
"What?"
"I…" he glanced at Gaius and ducked his head. "To heal Arthur, it was a life for a life. I offered my life for his -"
"You what!?"
"- but she's taken Gaius instead. The druids warned me, but I didn't pay attention."
"Who? What? Merlin, start from the beginning."
Merlin told her everything Iseldir had told him and about his meeting with Nimueh.
"Oh, Merlin."
"I need to go back to the isle. I have to fix this."
"You can't offer your life."
"I won't let Gaius die. Please look after him."
Gwen shook her head and he grabbed her hands.
"Please."
She frowned down at his hands and got a determined look.
"Okay, but at least go say goodbye to Arthur before you go."
He nodded and scowled. "I'm also going to give the dragon a piece of my mind."
"Good, I'll make sure Gaius is taken care of."
He nodded and left.
"Ah, Merlin," Arthur said when the warlock walked in.
"How are you?"
"Good."
"I'm pleased."
"Yes. Why do I have a feeling you had something to do with it?" he teased as he sat down in his chair.
"You know I would do anything for you, Arthur."
Arthur frowned and set down his cup. "About what happened with my father -"
"I'm sorry."
"You should have talked to me."
"I know."
"That said… I should have been more understanding about why you were so uncertain."
"He's your father," Merlin objected.
"And he's killed hundreds, thousands, of your people." He held up his hand before Merlin can talk. "We're never going to see eye-to-eye on my father, I think that's finally starting to sink in."
Merlin didn't know what to say.
"I'm still upset, but I don't blame you and you chose to do the right thing in the end."
"I never meant to hurt you," Merlin said softly.
"I know."
They sat in silence for a moment.
"I… Arthur, just promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'm not getting rid of you."
"I didn't think that."
Arthur watched him with a frown. "Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times…"
"Well, I know you. And you're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great king."
"That's very kind of you."
"But you must learn to listen as well as you fight."
"Any other pointers?"
"No. That's it. Just… don't be a prat."
"What's going on?" Arthur asked as Merlin turned to leave.
"Nothing."
" Merlin. "
"Gaius wants me to fetch some herbs. I just wanted to s-to say goodbye before I leave."
Arthur stood as he slipped out the door. "Goodbye."
"Gwen?" Merlin called as he stepped into the Physician's Chambers. He frowned when he found one of the chambermaids sitting at Gaius's bedside. "Hello, Rhian. Where's Gwen?"
"She said the Lady Morgana needed her."
That didn't sound like Gwen or Morgana. Gwen wouldn't leave Gaius's side without telling Morgana he was sick and Morgana wouldn't force her away unless it was an emergency. Wait…
Gwen stared at the island with trepidation as she put the map away and slid off Morgana's horse. She tied the horse to a tree and rubbed her neck. "Don't worry girl, Merlin will bring you home."
Carefully, she stepped down the hill to the boat docked at the edge of the lake. Climbing in, she glanced around with a frown as she realized she couldn't make the boat move.
"I, um, I've come to talk to the High Priestess Nimueh," she called nervously.
There were a few moments of peace that made her wonder if this was all for nothing before the boat suddenly jerked to life. It floated across the lake until it reached a tiny dock.
She climbed up the stairs to reach a courtyard with an altar at its center.
"Well now, this is a surprise."
Gwen turned to see Nimueh walking into the courtyard.
"It has been a long time since a maiden has come here. Not many are brave enough to learn from a High Priestess in a time such as this."
"I'm not here to learn. I've come to tell you to make things right."
"Oh," she chuckled, sounding amused. "And what makes you so certain you know what is right?"
"Merlin offered his own life for Arthur, you had no right to take Gaius instead."
The sorceress hummed and began to circle her, but she stood her ground. "So you're here on behalf of the warlock. Have you come to plead I take his life instead?"
"No, I come here on behalf of myself. Arthur and Merlin have a destiny together, which I think you know. He's going to come and beg for you to take his life for Gaius's. I ask you to take mine instead."
"And why should I do that? Gaius and I have our own history. Why should I put that aside?"
Gwen was surprised by her words, but pushed forward. "The people of Camelot need a physician, Arthur and Merlin do. I am nothing but a servant. I won't be missed."
She tilted her head. "You underestimate your own destiny, and your part in theirs," she hummed and reached out, plucking a golden chalice from nothing. "Tell me, are you willing to give your life for the future they will bring?"
Gwen hesitated, eyeing the cup.
"I'm waiting. Are you ready to die, Guinevere?"
She swallowed and nodded. "For them, I will give my life."
Nimueh held the cup up and began to chant.
The words were lost on Gwen as the world began to spin and grow dark.
She closed her eyes and saw a city. An island made of gold and lapis that shimmered like light through water. The place was beyond description and beautiful didn't begin to cover it. She reached out for it when suddenly its gates slammed shut in front of her and her eyes sprung open.
Someone was holding her, crying into her hair as rain fell down on them. She blinked up at the figure and spotted a familiar red neckerchief. "Merlin?"
"Gwen?" he pulled back to look at her and their eyes met. "Gwen, you're alive!"
She hugged him back as he buried his face in her shoulder. "What did you do?"
She should be dead. Had Nimueh taken his life after all? But then he'd be dead. Who else could she have taken?
"Nimueh's dead. The balance of the world has been restored."
"You…" she thought over that and her eyes widened. "You used the power of life and death? I thought only the High Priestesses could do that."
He shook his head and held her tighter. "I don't know. I just wouldn't let her take you."
She smiled and squeezed him back.
Arthur glared at the two as the finished explaining. "Merlin, did we not just have a discussion about telling me things?"
"In my defense, you were unconscious when I made the deal," Merlin said, not meeting his eyes.
Arthur threw a goblet at his head, which he managed to duck. He wasn't sure if it was the magic, but he was blaming the magic.
"We couldn't let you die, Arthur," Guinevere said.
"No more trying to give your lives for me, understand?"
The two shared a look and stayed quiet.
"Understand!?"
"No?" Merlin said and Arthur threw the pitcher at him this time.
It froze in the air, wine and all.
Merlin carefully scooped the liquid back into the pitcher and set it down on the table, muttering, "Would have made me clean it all up, ass."
"Arthur, you're the prince. People are going to die for you, you must know that," Guinevere said.
"Knights, soldiers, in the heat of combat!" he shouted as he started to pace. "Not servants literally exchanging their lives for mine."
"You're our friend, you prat. You'd do the same for us, wouldn't you?"
He opened his mouth to yell at the warlock, but nothing came out.