The next few days went by without much issue. Arthur was anxious but fully recovered from his ordeal in the forest. He couldn't stop feeling like there were things lurking in the shadows, and just when he let his guard down they'd emerge, like hulking beasts in the night. He knew what he'd seen would come to pass if he didn't stop it. It didn't help Merlin was so distant- literally. He stayed as far away from Arthur as he could and still perform his duties.

"Really, you've got to stop worrying. Maybe that vision is months from now." Merlin suggested as he helped Arthur put on his jacket.

"No. It isn't. I know it's soon."

"You mean you think it is soon. You can't know."

"I just know." Suddenly the warning bell sounded in the distance. It chimed quickly in panic as guards began to hustle. A few stopped to try and escort him. But he waved them on. Arthur glared at Merlin who shrugged.

"Alright so maybe you did know."

"Come on!" They made their way to the inner keep. They ran into Leon who stopped catching his breath.

"Hood strangers have been fighting their way through the outer defense!" Leon reported. "They wield staffs… and magic. They aren't killing our men but they've set fire to the city. I don't-" he kept panting shaking his head. "I don't understand."

But Arthur knew immediately what they wanted.

"They're after my father."

Merlin groaned, "It is so hard to keep that man alive, you know that?" Leon's eyebrows shot up in surprise at his words but he said nothing. "Where was he last? The great hall?

"No, his chambers." Arthur was already head toward the stairs that lead to his father's wing of the castle with Merlin at his heels.

He found Uther and some of the city's attackers in the hallway, fighting them off with his sword, his one arm was completely limp and he was losing. Arthur rushed forward and barreled into the nearest assailant- knocking them to the ground. Merlin joined the king fighting the rest of his attackers. The hood flew back and Arthur gasped.

"Lanval."

His knight had tears streaming down his face. He was close to sobbing. "Arthur. They have her." He choked out. "Understand, they have her and they'll kill her if we don't-"

"Gloriana. Who has her?"

Lanval's face twisted into a look of pain. "Morgause came. She was too powerful. She- she-"

But before he could finish Uther took a blow to the head, falling to the ground. Merlin stood over him and called out, "Bordrand." The blue light Arthur had seen in the cave when he saved Merlin surrounded his servant and father. Their attackers flew back, hitting the wall. "Try and get him! See what happens!"

Merlin's gaze was fierce and steadfast, ready to take on the whole of the faeries force when suddenly another voice called out. "Wágþeorl." Merlin's wall faltered a moment as Morgause appeared from thin air, with her arm wrapped around Gloriana's neck and forcing her mouth closed with her hand. "Well, well. The prince's most loyal servant is one of us."

"I am not one of you."

"Why help the one who would see you dead? For your prince? To protect his poor, fragile heart? The man who can love no one but himself?"

"You're wrong. Just because he can never love me does not me he cannot love at all."

"Merlin!" Arthur called. Fear filled his insides like a cold wind, wrapping around him and freezing him in place.

Merlin didn't look back at him, just kept glaring straight ahead. Lanval scrambled to his knees, "Merlin, don't! You'll hit the queen!"

Morgause laughed. "He's right. You wouldn't want to hurt your precious new friend would you?" Merlin growled low in his throat. "Scyfe!" Merlin stumbled a bit, and his shield shattered. He put himself between her and the king. Her eyes flashed without her saying a word and so did Merlin's as he deflected an attack that smashed into the wall. Merlin dodged another and repelled one that only grazed Morgause's cheek. She smirked. Her eyes flickered from Arthur to Merlin and she outright grinned. "Ofstician."

Merlin's eyes went wide and he moved to protect Arthur without deflecting. There was a sickening sound of someone being stabbed and everyone froze. Arthur watched in slow motion as Merlin fell to his knees clutching his stomach as crimson blood seeped to the floor.

Morgause's cackling echoed off the walls drowning out the distance sound of fighting and screams. Arthur sprang forward to catch his servant before he hit the ground and laid him down. He quickly put pressure on his wound, hoping she missed everything important. While Morgause was distracted Gloriana quickly ripped the hand from her mouth. "Stice!" Morgause let go, clutching her hand as it bled out onto the castle floor. Lanval howled and lounged, stabbing the witch through the stomach.

Arthur wasn't paying attention though; he was mopping trembling, mumbling quietly to Merlin. "You'll be alright, Merlin. We'll get you to Gaius and he'll fix you up. Don't you dare do anything stupid alright? Just stay still for a bit. Leon came running up the stairs, "GET GAIUS!" The knight immediately turned around and ran. "See, he'll be on his way soon."

Arthur didn't even notice the faerie people retreating or Lanval kissing the queen and disappearing. "Merlin. Say something."

"I'm alright."

"No you are not! You're bleeding out all over the floor and Leon is taking his sweet time getting Gaius." Merlin's eyes seemed to be going in and out of focus, looking passed Arthur wistfully.

"You're safe. That's all I need."

"You need a doctor."

Merlin laughed, than coughed. He looked in his hand and there was blood. He closed his eyes and Arthur began to seriously panic. His father sat up behind him but he was focusing on Merlin. "No, no, no, no. Merlin. Stay with me. Please, don't do this now." He didn't respond this time at all and his breathing was getting week. "Merlin. You can't die here. You can't." He still didn't respond. Arthur used his free hand to stoke Merlin's hair.

Merlin's eye lids lifted enough for him to look at Arthur. His mouth twitched into a smile for a brief moment. "I love you." It came out as a rasp for breath. Arthur felt the tears stream down his face and roll off his cheeks.

"Shut up." He choked out, shaking his head. "Please don't say it like that. Not like it's your last words." Just then Gloriana and Gaius rounded the corner.

Uther began to protest but Gloriana outstretched her hand at him, "Mamera." his eye balls rolled back and Gaius and Gloriana came on the other side of Merlin. "Arthur, hold his head." Arthur did as told, moving up by Merlin's head and holding it between his hands. He gently stroked Merlin's forehead without even really thinking about it. Gloriana and Gaius stretched their arms out above Merlin and chanted something he didn't so much understand what it was as feel what they were saying. It was to heal. Merlin cried out, clenching his teeth just before calming down. His breathing became more regular and Arthur felt glee and relief pass through him.

Gloriana wiped her soaked brow. "Sorry it took so long to find him."

Arthur just grinned, "He'll be alright."

She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I- I'm so sorry. You didn't- You could have been-"

"It was Morgause. I know how fierce your people's love for you is. I hope to be even close to being as admired one day.

"I'll never be able to make this up to you."

Arthur brushed hair from Merlin's sweaty forehead. "You already did." Gloriana watched him watch Merlin.

"How do you not know?" She whispered, tears falling down her cheeks as she tried not to laugh. Arthur met her gaze, confused. "How do you not realize it when you feel it like that? I can't stop crying."

Before Arthur could say anything Sir Leon and a few guards turned the corner and Gloriana seemed to decide it was a good time to disappear. "Sire?"

"They'll be alright. Move my father to his room. I've got this one." Arthur lifted Merlin under his knees and behind his back, turning and heading for Gaius' chambers.

Gaius hurried after him, "Are you sure-?"

"Yes."