AN: The only thing remotely related to Merlin that I own is this storyline. And I guess the storylines for the other fanfics I wrote. But that's it!

Okay guys, after careful consideration, including of some reviews I got, I have planned out the rest of this story. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed - I know I've said it already but I still appreciate it lots! [insert a request from moi to vote on my poll]

The next morning, Merlin had barely woken up before a foul-smelling cloth smothered his face.

"Sorry, Merlin," Gaius whispered, before whipping the rag out of sight.

"Enter!"

Agravaine pushed the door to Gaius's chambers open.

"Good morning, Gaius! I had a bit of a headache this morning, and I was wondering if you could give me anything."

His eyes landed on Merlin, still laid out on the cot.

"Oh, I heard about Merlin. I am sorry, Gaius," he said with what he clearly thought was a comforting tone.

Gaius wasn't fooled. He knew Agravaine wanted to see for himself that Merlin was dead. Agravaine's gaze became more intense, and Gaius was sure he was looking for any signs of life. He was thankful he'd drugged Merlin in time.

"Here's a potion for your head," Gaius said.

Agravaine nodded. "Thank you, Gaius."

Gaius watched the noble go, downing his medicine as he did so, and got some comfort in minor revenge. If Agravaine's headache was fake, which he suspected, the king's uncle would be experiencing some unpleasant symptoms.

Unfortunately, to carry out their plan, everyone else had to be told that Merlin was dead as well, so that Agravaine wouldn't become suspicious, which meant that Gaius kept getting visitors offering their condolences. By the time he was able to wake Merlin up, the servant was so drowsy he nearly passed out eating his lunch (he'd been knocked out during breakfast).

Gwaine had also come around as well. He'd heard about Merlin somehow, and had burst in a panic into Gaius's chambers, nearly giving the man a heart attack, because Merlin had just woken up from his most recent drugging. They'd explained the situation and he had left looking considerably calmer.

0o0

Arthur was ready to get this mission over with. He'd woken up to George standing patiently over him. Arthur privately thought that if Merlin ever were to really die, sending George in his place would not be the best way to cheer him up. George's idea of conversation was "Lovely day for a hunt, isn't it, sire?" The only relief he got was that George did not mention Merlin's "death."

0o0

Merlin's head was killing him. He still had a headache from Agravaine's attack, and then Gaius had gone and drugged him who knew how many times so that he would appear dead to anyone who entered. And then, Gwaine had burst in, banging the door open as he entered. The noise had not helped in the slightest.

When Gaius felt it was safe to wake him, he'd done so, and Merlin had awoken feeling slightly confused. It had gone from early in the morning to nearly midday to early afternoon.

Merlin suddenly sat bolt upright on his cot. He waited for his head to stop spinning before he spoke.

"Wait - how late is it, Gaius? Hasn't Arthur left already?"

"Yes, he left a few hours ago."

"What!?"

Merlin tried to get off the cot, but once again, Gaius stopped him.

"Merlin, surely you didn't think Arthur would take you in this state?"

Merlin groaned in frustration. "It was my idea! Besides, what if they need help?"

"Merlin, you have a concussion and two cracked ribs!" Gaius cried in exasperation. "What do you expect to do?!"

"I think my healing spell healed one of my ribs, and you can give me something for the concussion."

"Oh, can I now?"

Gaius and Merlin had a brief staredown.

"I have to disappear, anyway, in case Agravaine comes back around. He thinks my 'body' is with Arthur," Merlin insisted.

Gaius merely handed him a bottle.

"For your concussion," he said quietly. "It won't make it go away, but it will clear your head some."

Merlin gave him a grin and downed it in one, ignoring the disorienting sensation it caused.

"Thank you Gaius."

He was about to leave when he heard Gaius speak up.

"And Merlin? Do be careful."

0o0

Gwaine shifted uncomfortably, and leaves crackled underneath him.

"Shhh!" Arthur hissed.

Gwaine rolled his eyes at Percival. "They probably won't even be here for hours."

"Still, would be kind of embarrassing if they found us trying to sneak up on them," Elyan muttered.

Arthur turned to glare at them. "Will you lot be quiet? We only have one chance at this!"

The knights quieted. Arthur turned back to watching from his position, eyes trained on the ravine below, waiting for signs of Morgana's attack.

Then an unexpected voice spoke up loudly, nearly causing Arthur to fall out from behind his cover of underbrush.

"What did I miss?"

0o0

Merlin had had no trouble getting out of Camelot undetected. He'd had much practice with his other adventures. He'd memorized how to get to the ravine specified on the map, and he walked for hours in silence, using a strengthening spell whenever his bandaged ribs or his head got too sore.

He was nearing the ravine when he realized Arthur and the knights were sure to be hidden, and he had no way of finding then. Cautiously, in case the mercenaries were around, he peered around the dense woods, looking for a sign of Arthur or the knights, when he heard something.

"They probably won't even be here for hours."

"Still, would be kind of embarrassing if they found us trying to sneak up on them."

Then the voice of one certain prat of a king spoke over them in a fierce whisper.

"Will you lot be quiet? We only have one chance at this!"

Merlin smiled. He knew those voices. Coming up behind the knights, he said "What did I miss?"

Arthur jumped, and Merlin smirked internally.

"Merlin!" Gwaine exclaimed. "Come to join the party?"

"You idiot!" Arthur hissed. "Do you want us to be found? And what are doing here, anyway? You have a concussion and two cracked ribs!"

"You sound like Gaius," Merlin grumbled, while Percival spoke up.

"A concussion and cracked ribs? Maybe you should stay out of this, Merlin. There will be fighting."

Merlin scowled at them.

"Well, I'm here, and I'm not going back 'cause I might get caught by Agravaine, so you'll just have to deal with it."

The knights still looked slightly worried for their smaller friend, but couldn't help be slightly impressed, once again, by his loyalty.

Arthur glared at his servant. Merlin tensed, ready for Arthur to insist that he go back to Camelot.

"You had better not get us all caught, Merlin."