Okay, hello everyone ! I hope you're all well (even after those two Merlin episodes) ! I really apologize for the lateness of this chapter ! I discovered that it's really hard to read a fanfiction while watching those fantastic episodes of Merlin ! I hope you don't hate me too much...

Anyway, here comes the time when I don't really know where to go with that story so if you have any ideas please, please, don't hesitate to tell me huh =D. But still, I'll try so somehow write a chapter per week. I say try huh.

Anyway, time for me to let you read !

Chapter Four:

During his morning's work Merlin had steadily felt worse and worse. Even if his only mission was to care about the Knights' weapon and to bring them water, which was ordinary one of the easy part of his job as manservant, he was feeling exhausted. His headache hadn't got better at all and, if possible, was worst because of the sun which was shining brightly. To the Warlock it looked like even the sun was laughing at him.

Because of the heat, his throat had also became dryer and dryer until he felt that even a bucket of water wouldn't suffice to humidify it. It was forcing him to cough which irritated it all the more. He was coughing so much that he felt a little breathless all the time. He had desperately tried to find a little corner of shadow to hide when the Knights didn't need him but none were available so he was left to suffer in the nearly burning sun. Of course he was now far too warmly dressed and was feeling far too hot and sweating profusely while shivering at the same time. All in all, he was feeling more than awful. He even was considering the possibility to use a little magic to make a Knight trip or something just to have an excuse to take him to Gaius. That almost looked like a good idea. Almost because he didn't want to actually see his mentor and worry him more than he already was.

He shook himself out of his daydreams when he heard one of the Knights calling his name in the middle of the clashing of the metal. Sighting, Merlin proceeded to get up from his sitting position but as soon as he was up he swayed violently, hit by a wave of dizziness. He closed his eyes to stop the world spinning, letting go of the water flask he was holding.

"Merlin", came the irritated voice of the Prince through the buzzing of his ears.

The Warlock didn't answer, focused on trying not to be sick or fall to the ground.

"Merlin? Are you alright" asked the voice of Lancelot closer to him.

"Yeah, yeah fine" managed to answer Merlin in a quiet and quivering voice before coughing so violently that he had to bend in too.

"Merlin for god sake! You're ill! Sit back down!"

"No, no, it's okay" tried to resist a breathless Merlin to Lancelot who was forcing him on the earth.

"Merlin, do as you're told for once" commanded Arthur who had finally decided to come check on his manservant after hearing Lancelot exclamation. Merlin grumpily complied.

"I'm fine, it's just a cough!"

"You looked like you were going to faint to me" said Lancelot in a concerned voice.

"I just get up too fast, that's all" interrupted Merlin, glaring at his friend.

"Lancelot is right. You're really not looking good and… You're burning up" exclaimed Arthur after having touched his forehead in a perfect imitation of a mother hen. "You should have said you weren't feeling well! You go to Gaius."

"No! Really! I'm fine! No need to…"

"Now Merlin. I would make that an order if I knew it would make you obey it but it would be of no use…"

"Arthur" began the Warlock.

"Merlin. No need to discuss it. Sir Lancelot, I trust you can take my idiotic servant to the Court Physician."

"Of course Sire" replied immediately Lancelot ignoring Merlin's glare which would have transformed him into a frog haven't they been in the middle of the training ground.

He then took hold of one of Merlin's arms and proceeded to slowly help the young man on his feet.

"I don't want to see you until Gaius say you're completely fine. Understand Merlin?"

Merlin didn't answer but instead turned his back to the Knights and made his way to the Castle. Lancelot and Arthur exchanged an exasperated look before Lancelot took off after his friend. It took him no time before he caught up with Merlin, who was pointedly ignoring him, staring straight before him, trying not to breathe too heavily.

"Oh come on Merlin! Stop being like that! You know we're just worry about you. You really look awful."

"Listen, I don't want to talk with you right now Lancelot, so if we can just do that so you can go back to training" replied Merlin a little more harshly that he wanted to.

"Okay. Okay" sighted Lancelot before putting a hand on the Warlock's back a new coughing fit erupted in his chest.

It was after far longer than usual that they arrived before Gaius' rooms. Lancelot knocked before entering, Merlin behind him. Gaius looked surprised to see them both there but immediately noticed the pale complexion of his ward and the sweat on his forehead.

"Merlin!" he exclaimed before coming in front of him putting one of his hand against his forehead and gripping one of his hand, feeling for the young man's pulse. "You've got a fever and you're pulse seems a bit weak. Other symptoms?"

"He was coughing pretty badly on the training ground and it looks like he was about to faint" said Lancelot before Merlin could say anything to lie about his current state of health.

"I was not!" cried Merlin before coughing once more.

Lancelot and Gaius exchanged a knowing look behind Merlin's back and Gaius guided Merlin towards the patient bed, helping him out of his jacket. He noted how Merlin was shivering even he was hot to the touch.

"You can go Lancelot. Thank you for bringing him."

"You're welcome. Take care both of you."

Lancelot went out leaving Merlin and Gaius alone in the room.

"Lie down while I prepare you some medicine will you" told Gaius, getting up and beginning searching ingredients.

For once Merlin didn't need to be told two time and gratefully laid down on the patient bed. It was not the most comfortable of the beds but it still felt as heaven to be inside and able to close his eyes. He was still shivering, feeling too hot and occasionally coughing but he had to admit that being in his home, surrounded by the scents of Gaius medicines, helped him. It was only a few minutes later that Gaius came in front of him with two vials in his hand and a pitcher of water.

"Drink this, it will help with the fever" explained Gaius.

Merlin took the vial and quickly drowned the content, grimacing because of the taste of it. He took a glass of water to erase the taste. It felt good against his throat.

"I will rub this poultice on your throat and then you will drink this second vial. It's made with lemon and honey so it won't taste so bad. Now take off your shirt please."

Groaning, Merlin complied and took off the two shirts he had put on, instantly shivering more. Gaius quickly set to work and in little time Merlin was once more dressed and was taking the second vial. Gaius told him to lie down a second time and then covered him with a heavy blanket.

"Thank you Gaius." Said Merlin as the old man turned to go back to what he was doing before the interruption.

"You're welcome. Now try to rest my boy."

Merlin smiled lightly then closed his eyes. In minutes he was asleep.

So ? Loved ? Hated ? Thoughts ? Ideas ? Please leave a comment ! I'm so anxious about this story ! You'll make my day !