A/N: SURPRISE! I'm updating! I got such nice reviews from last chapter that I felt I owed this to you early. I would have replied to all of your reviews, but I didn't really have time because I decided to write the chapter early. Just know that you guys ROCK!

Some of you are very perceptive... I hinted at a plot point last chapter that someone picked up on.

And don't worry about Arthur. Why would I have brought him back if I was just going to kill him off? He will be fine. XD

Anyways, please leave a review for this chapter. I would really appreciate the constructive criticism. I have been working on improving my writing in any way I can and I would love your support and advice! XD

Warning: Violence... description of a wound...

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Chapter 11

Merlin sensed it a moment before it happened, the sound of a bow string twanging and a bold flying across the room. Merlin raised his hands to cast a spell, but it was too late, his magic to sluggish to act in time.

The bolt embedded itself into Arthur's chest and the king dropped to the floor.

Merlin rushed towards Arthur, throwing himself down next to the king. He could hear the commotion around him, shouts ringing through the air as a fight broke out behind him. He didn't pay attention to that, trying to focus on his injured friend. Without hesitation, he pulled the arrow out of Arthur's chest, the king unresponsive and silent. Merlin, feeling a flash of dread tossed the arrow aside, pressing his hands firmly to the bleeding wound, crimson coating his hands.

He closed his eyes, feeling his magic wavering under his skin. He tried to focus on bringing the wound together, his breath coming in small gasps as sweat dripped down his brow. Something was wrong with him... Why was this so hard?

He took a deep breath in through his nose, trying to force the magic through his fingertips. There was a flicker of gold, but it was gone in an instant. He tired one last time, focusing every last bit of energy, his arms trembling as magic bled out of his hands and over Arthur's wound.

The gaping red hole began to close, the blood flow slowing to a stop. Merlin slumped forwards, leaning against the floor as he tried to catch his breath. He reached forwards and pressed his blood coated hand to the side of Arthur's neck, feeling a weak, but steady pulse under his fingers.

"He's alright," Merlin muttered. "He's alright..."

Merlin stayed still, watching the commotion around him as if through a clouded lens. He was aware of a hand on his shoulder pulling him aside and sitting him down in a chair. A wave of dizziness forced him to clench his eyes shut.

"...Merlin?" He was aware of the voice after a few seconds. He looked up to see Gaius crouching over him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said. "You need to help Arthur. He lost a lot of blood." Merlin stood quickly, the blood rushing to his head and causing his vision to blur, darkening around the edges as if he were looking through a tunnel. He swayed for a moment, feeling as if the world were tilting.

"You need to sit down," Gaius said, trying to force the warlock to sit down on one of the chairs.

"No. I need to find who did this," Merlin said, brushing off the old man's hands and striding forwards, his eyes making out Leon in the swarm of knights.

"Did you catch him?" Merlin asked.

Leon nodded in affirmation. "We put him in the dungeon under guard."

Merlin didn't respond, turning to go back to where the king lay, his red cloak fanned around him, covered in darker crimson stains of blood. Merlin shuddered as he saw Arthur's still body, taking a breath to calm his racing heart. This was too similar to the night at Camlann, when Arthur had been lying in his arms, the breath slowly leaving his lungs, the color draining from his skin as his lifeblood spilled onto the ground.

"Will he be...?" Merlin couldn't finish his question, his throat closing up in unbridled fear.

"He will be fine," Gaius responded, finishing wrapping a bandage around the wound.

Merlin let out a breath, the fire leaving his blood cold and his knees weak. He sat down in a chair, letting out a breath and closing his eyes for a moment, one question flittering through his mind like a frightened bird.

What was going on?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Your magic didn't work?"

Merlin was sitting across from Gaius, his hands folded in his lap and his head turned towards the floor. Arthur was still unconscious, lying in a patients bed in the corner of the physicians large chamber.

"It worked, but it was.. I don't know how to describe it," Merlin said. "I.. It didn't flow as easily..."

Gaius nodded in understanding, patting the boy on the knee. "I'm sure it's fine. You body and your mind are still healing. Maybe your magic needs some time to heal too. Just give it time."

Merlin nodded, unable to banish the nagging voice in the back of his mind, the voice telling him that it was not okay, that his magic was not fine.

"Merl'n?"

Merlin jumped from his seat, rushing to where Arthur was stirring, his eyelids fluttering open.

"Arthur..." Merlin said. "How do you feel?"

"Tired..." Arthur responded, his eyes closing again.

"Wait! Wait!" Merlin ordered. "Gaius needs to check to make sure you're okay..."

"What happened?" Arthur said, his voice soft.

"You got shot by an assassin..." Merlin said. "But I healed you with magic."

"You did a terrible job," Arthur moaned. "I feel as if I was hit by a cart..."

Merlin laughed, stepping aside to let Gaius check Arthurs wound. There were several moments of silence as Gaius set to work. Merlin sat back down in his chair, shuffling his feet against the floor as he waited.

"Did you catch the assassin?" Arthur asked as Gaius handed him a small vial of medicine, ordering him to drink.

"Yes," Merlin said. "Leon wanted to wait to question him until you were awake."

"Good," Arthur said. "When will I be well enough to leave?"

"At this rate, probably tomorrow afternoon," Gaius said. "But that is only if you rest, sire! Complete bed rest for the day."

"Gaius... I have things I have to do," Arthur said.

The physician glared at the king. "I'm sure the kingdom can live without you for one day, Arthur... Besides Merlin will keep you company. I have some things I need to get in town."

And with that, Gaius left the room.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The next afternoon, Arthur was sitting on his throne, staring intently down at the figure before him. Merlin stood to the right of the king, eyes also fixed on the man.

He reminded Merlin of Daegol, his brown hair in disarray, his eyes flickering back and forth, unable to meet the kings face. Merlin felt a pang in his chest as he remembered Daegol, shaking off the feeling as Arthur began speaking.

"Why did you do it?" Arthur asked. "Was it for money? A chance at glory? I could have helped you if you had asked."

The man shook his head. "You are not Arthur Pendragon. You would be of no help to me," the man snarled. Merlin flinched at the harshness in the man's voice.

"I am Arthur," the king said in confusion. "What makes you think I am not?"

The man looked up now, his eyes resting on Arthur's own, piercing him like a knife, sending cold shivers up his spine.

"Arthur Pendragon is dead. You are a tool, a pawn in the sorcerer's quest for power," the man spat. "We do not trust you! We do not trust magic! Camelot is corrupt, and for that it will fall!"

TBC