My disclaimers, etc, are in the first chapter if you wish to read them. However, somehow, I used far less curse words than usual. In fact, I don't remember if I've typed a single one in this story. Odd. LOL.

This chapter has no particular warnings, just general sadness again. Sadness and two boys in love. Enjoy.

Falls, Shivers, And Undeniable Concern:

Chapter Three: Please, My Love:

Merlin woke, shaking and gasping for air. Arthur bolted awake from where he sat still in that chair, his head on Merlin's stomach and hands clutching both of Merlin's. Those pale, clammy hands he had not released since the day before. Guinevere looked over from where she sat at the prince's table. "Fetch Gaius," Arthur ordered, getting up and titling Merlin's head back in hopes of helping him breath. Terror filled both boys and Arthur saw it reflected in the warlock's eyes looking up into his. "Slow breaths, dearest. Slow. You'll be fine. You'll be fine. I'm right here. Right here."

"A-A-Ar-Art-" He couldn't even get out Arthur's name. He stroked his hair and kissed his forehead repeatedly.

"Don't try to speak," Arthur said right as Gaius said the same upon entering. He ran to Merlin's side and placed his ear to his chest.

"It sounds like his lung has collapsed. I'll need to re-inflate it. I need something to do that with. A knife," Gaius told Arthur. "Be quick."

Arthur ran to do as told. He flinched when Gaius carefully stabbed Merlin's chest. Merlin immediately began to breathe easier. Arthur climbed across the unoccupied side of the bed and took up his hand. "Thank the gods," he breathed, kissing each of Merlin's knuckles. "He'll be all right?"

"He'll be able to breathe. If only…If only for a little while," Gaius said, sounding very tearful. He started to flee but Arthur grabbed his arm.

"I think you two need a minute." Gaius thanked him and Arthur kissed Merlin's forehead before leaving. He reluctantly went down to the kitchens for some food. He had been ignoring his grumbling stomach for the last five hours. "Will you also prepare some soup or something for Merlin?" he asked the chef. She nodded with a sad, sympathetic smile and hurried to do so. Since she was the only one present, he allowed himself to slump in his seat with his head in his hands. "The rumor mill of the castle begins here, doesn't it? Do not deny it, please. Everyone knows. I'd like to ask a favor of that mill." The chef nodded. "Please, spread word to the other servants that their prays would be appreciated."

"Yes, sire," the woman replied. He looked up to see her wiping her eyes. He handed her his handkerchief, one not covered with Merlin's blood, and she thanked him. "But you should know, everyone is already praying for his recovery, sire. Everyone loves him very much. He's such a sweet, kind boy. He may be clumsy but every time he breaks a plate, he gives me money so I don't have to pay for it from my own pocket. He helps the ladies with heavy loads, the boys too sometimes, and gives anyone help when they ask. He's won…He's wonderful. Everyone hates to think of him suffering, your Majesty." You could not miss the woman's breaking voice if you tried.

"Thank you. I'll pass that on to him. Also mention that anyone who wishes to see him; need only knock," he told her softly, trying to hide his tears and having a hard time speaking through the tightness in his throat. She nodded and reached over to pat his hand gently. She stopped and moved away when they heard the door open. He turned his head to find his father walking toward him. He did not rise though. He was still angry from a fight between him and Uther the day before.

(Flashback)

Uther pushed open the door to his son's chambers and stared at his son crying silently over the servant boy on his bed for a moment before walking to him. "Arthur, you need to rest," he said gently.

"I know, Father," Arthur replied. He wiped his eyes and stared steadily down at Merlin. "He's going to die."

"I know. There's nothing you could do, Arthur, and Gaius has told me over and over that he's suffering will worsen. Perhaps, the better option is…Well, ending it," Uther suggested. He watched his son tense.

"'Ending it'?" Arthur repeated in disbelief. "You want me to kill him? How you can you even suggest that? He's my friend!"

Uther looked down at the ground before walking to his son and patting his shoulder. "It would be the humane thing to do, son."

Arthur threw off his arm and shoved him away angrily. "No! And if anyone else tries to end his life, they will die by my hand!" Uther stared at his son in disbelief before leaving silently. Arthur sank into his chair again and clutched Merlin's hands. "None will touch you. I'll guard you with my life, Merlin."

(End flashback)

"Son, I've come to apologize for being so…insensitive," Uther told Arthur gently. "I didn't realize then what that boy means to you. We can give him a royal funeral or a knight's funeral, when the time comes, Arthur, if you think he deserves it. Anything you wish to do in his honor will be done."

"Royal," Arthur replied, shaking slightly. "He deserves it for always being by my side with more loyalty than you could ever imagine." The chef cast a knowing smile at Arthur. He flushed slightly under that smile.

"Son, I know the truth. You do not need to lie. Your true feelings were plain to me yesterday," Uther whispered. "I'm so sorry. What you must be going through…I have felt that pain. I fear it will not get better. And you without a reminder of him as I had you. I wish I could comfort you, Arthur."

"You're doing an awful job," Arthur told him with a weak laugh. Uther chuckled and muttered an apology. "But I appreciate you not scolding me for my affections towards him."

"Never. We cannot help who we love," Uther said gently. "However, if you ever love a sorcerer, you'll be disowned." Arthur smiled. "Now, go to him. I'll have your food sent up."

Arthur thanked him, inclined his head to the lady chef, and left to go to Merlin's bedside once more. Gaius had left, Hunith in his place, and Guinevere was on her way out. He stood at the foot of the bed and watched Hunith worry over her son with affection and sadness in his gaze. "I'm so sorry, Hunith. He wanted to go to Ealdor to visit you that day but I insisted he come with me instead. I didn't want to be apart from him."

"Oh. He only asks to visit me, to anger you," Hunith said with a smile. "If he really wanted to visit me, he would just do it. He likes when you get angry or offended. Without noticing, you give him time off from anger."

Arthur chuckled. "I do notice. I give him the time off to make him think I'm fair. To make him want to be near. I am a selfish bastard," he confessed. "Especially when it comes to Merlin. I want his every moment."

"He'd give every moment willingly, your Highness. He actually finds you quite entertaining. Considers you friends," she informed him. He knelt next to her chair and she took one of his hands in the one not gripping Merlin's firmly. "I wish he'd leave me at least one grandchild though."

Arthur smiled slightly. "We both loose the most important person in our lives the moment he draws his last breath, don't we, madam?"

"Indeed," she confessed sadly. They both looked at Merlin then she sighed and said, "I think I shall go fix him something to eat." She rose but did not move once she saw the door open.

"No need for that," Uther said has he entered the room, followed by a young servant girl with a tray of food. "I don't doubt that it is more than enough. Our lady chef went into a bit of a cooking frenzy once Arthur left the room."

"She seemed the type to do so when upset," Hunith replied. "Thank you, sire."

"My son's request, dear lady. Please, dine with me tonight." Hunith looked surprised but nodded. She asked for a minute to dress properly but he shook his head. "What you are wearing is fine. Quite lovely, actually. My ward, Morgana, will have many compliments for you, Hunith. May I call you by name?"

"Of course, you're Highness." Uther escorted Hunith from the room and Arthur claimed her chair.

The maid looked to him questioningly. "Bring his food here. I'll feed him." She nodded; looking surprised, and quickly brought him the tray as he situated himself behind his manservant and friend with the weakened boy once again leaning against him. Merlin moaned in complaint. "You must eat, Merlin."

"Too tired," Merlin whined. The servant placed the tray next to the boys on the bed and left. Arthur turned his head to kiss Merlin's head and Merlin let out a small, contented sigh.

"Please, love. Just some soup. You'll not get better on an empty stomach," Arthur reminded him lovingly. "Soup and water. It's all I'm asking." Merlin sighed but nodded. "Thank you."

Arthur lifted the spoon from the soup and brought it to Merlin's lips. Merlin took the spoonful into his mouth and hummed to show his approval. "I feel so pathetic, having to lean on you and be fed like an infant."

"Not an infant at all, Merlin," Arthur assured him. "How's your chest? Your breathing?"

"Better. Nothing to get excited over, however," Merlin said sadly. Arthur caressed his cheek again before bringing the spoon filled with soup back to his lips. "You called me love," Merlin pointed out before taking the spoon into his mouth again.

"So I did. Don't make me take it back." Arthur set the spoon down and picked up the goblet. Merlin turned to look at him rather than pay the drink any mind. "Drink, Merlin. I will leave if you don't."

Merlin drank then turned his attention to Arthur again. "But why, Arthur? Why call me love?"

"Do not worry about it, Merlin," Arthur replied firmly. "Now's not the time. You need to keep up your strength. Eat."

"But I wanna…I wanna…Arthur." Merlin started to fall back to sleep without finishing his sentence. Arthur shook him awake and continued to feed him, grateful he had dropped the subject. Then he allowed him to sleep with him as his pillow. He allowed himself to drift off as well; making sure Merlin was secure in his arms and warm. He woke to burning hot lips on his jaw and long, nimble fingers digging into his arms around Merlin. "Wake up, Arthur. You're making it hard for me to breath."

"My apologies," Arthur replied. He loosened his hold on Merlin's stomach and put a hand to his forehead. "Your fever is worse than yesterday. What shall we do for you?"

"Hold me tighter?" Merlin suggested. He was surprisingly blissful, despite his aching body and burning fever. Arthur's affectionate gazes and the tender way he called him love left him uncaring of his fate. He may die but he wouldn't care. He wouldn't care because until his last breath, he knew Arthur would show him nothing but care. He cared for only that.

"I thought I was impeding your breath," Arthur reminded him.

"I love you," Merlin told him before losing consciousness once more. Arthur nearly cried as Merlin began to shake in his sleep as if cold. However, his entire body was hotter than fire. Arthur lowered him to the pillows again and wrapped him in the blanket. He continued to shake.

Unable to locate the spare blankets, he collected his cloaks from his wardrobe and wrapped them around Merlin as well, hoping to at least stop his shaking. The shivering eased slightly but his fever would take longer to sweat out, if ever. "I love you too, Merlin," Arthur choked out despite Merlin being unable to hear him. He brought Merlin's hands to his lips and began to freely sob.

Outside the door, Morgana finally broke down upon hearing the prince actually cry. Guinevere ran down the hall when she saw her and quickly guided her to her chambers. The two wrapped their arms around each other and cried together. Down in Gaius's chambers, Gaius cried as well despite his pretense of strength while Uther held the sobbing Hunith in the royal dining chamber. All swayed constantly from hope to fear to sadness, as Merlin's sickness improved then declined repeatedly. His moments of strength and slight wellness were more torment than his moments of weakness and dire sickness. None felt the pain of that as much as Arthur, watching the love of his life through each of those moments.

"Everyone is praying for you, Merlin. I know you can pull through," Arthur told him sadly. He knew his hope was stupid. Merlin was dying. But perhaps there was one chance left, he thought. He leaned down so only Merlin could hear him and whispered, "Use your magic. Save yourself, my love. Please."

TBC once more

For some odd reason, I see Arthur as the type to use terms of endearment. I veered from my original plan here and wrote in Arthur knowing about Merlin's magic. I originally thought I'd have them confess their love, make out a bit, then Merlin tell him his secret and have Arthur totally love him despite it. So much for that. LOL. No. I like this better. Wouldn't you agree, dear readers?

Per usual, thank you all for reading and please, leave reviews. I adore reviews. LOL.