Arthur had only 10 minutes left, hence why he started running. He had to get back to his manservant and hope that his companions had been able to find the other ingredients. Sprinting around the corner, he was faced with green, green and more green. An oversized plant had smashed its way through the window. Peering down through the broken glass, Arthur's eyes were immediately attracted to the jet black petals, then to seemingly enchanted Gwaine, and then to the plant vine about to crush his friend.

"GWAINE!" he yelled.

Immediately the knight started violently, gaping at the falling stem before diving out of the way. A loud thud echoed across the castle and Arthur jumped down from the window and slid down the vine to his friend's aid.

"Princess?" Gwaine asked, dazed.

Pushing his knight upwards Arthur replied "Yeah, now if I hold these plants off, you have to go and get that flower, okay?"

"Whatever you say." And with that they leapt into action. Arthur set all the attention on him by constantly smashing into the plants' veins, which, unfortunately, caused a green goo to spew out; Gwaine, on the other hand, was busy dodging the overlapping roots whilst being sure not to make any physical contact he case he was sensed. Making his way back towards the flower, the strange floating feeling started to take over again. No- he had to focus- get the plant- get the plant for Merlin. He kept repeating it in his head, and when he next looked down he held a now drooping rose in his fisted hand.

The plants were viscous, swooping down on Arthur in a consecutive pattern leaving no time to breathe. Hurry up, Gwaine Arthur pleaded, whilst he swatted away another leafy vine. Glancing backwards he just about caught Gwaine's wink and head beckon giving the command to leave, both men broke out into a sprint, plant limbs wobbling and sprouting behind them everywhere. They made it out just in time not to become plant food!

55 minutes gone

The great hall doors were yet to be opened. Merlin could now lean his elbows on the sand that was just below his neck. His lower half had become completely numb, but he knew he couldn't move any of it because the sand had become too tightly compacted together. Additionally, there was still the trickle of sand that was flowing, making the sand level cover now half of his neck. Swallowing thickly, Merlin tried not to think about it, or the pain that was now becoming overwhelming, or Eernseth who would wickedly insult him every now and then. This would all be over soon. He just had to hold out for a little longer. His form suddenly feeling very weak, Merlin felt his head slump slightly and felt the colour drain from his face. Hot and claustrophobic, raging emotions hit him at once like they had burst through a dam. He couldn't control the dizziness that overcame him.

Gwaine and Arthur hadn't spoken but between them had managed to find the way back. They came to a halt before the great mahogany doors, solid footsteps were then heard and they gave quick tense glances to each other before giving a sigh of relief as Leon came into view. Leon was equally relieved to see them, although slightly surprised by seeing his King covered in green slime, and Gwaine holding a barbed rose so tightly his hand was bleeding heavily.

"We got the rose and the blood!" Arthur exclaimed.

"And I have the scales!" Leon added.

"That means we have every ingredient needed. Now we can show that Eernseth what's what." Gwaine said, readying his sword.

"No, Eernseth can wait- Merlin is the our priority" Arthur corrected.

And with that he pushed the doors open, ingredients and friends at his side.

58 minutes gone

"The mighty Pendragon returns!" Eernseth bellowed at the top of his voice "Now tell me were you successful?"

"Yes. No thanks to you…" Arthur snarled

"Oh I do apologise about that…"
"LOOK if you two are done with the sarcasm as you can see I'm having a bit of a problem here." Merlin yelled out as Sand covered his mouth, his eyes flaring in alarm as his nose was now his only way of breathing.

"We're coming Merlin hold on!" Gwaine yelled

All 3 of them ran towards the sand timer as Eernseth looked on in amusement.

"How do we get him out?" Arthur asked aloud panic rising in his voice. The sand timer was completely sealed, glass covering everywhere and the sand climbing higher.

"Please we need to get him out!" Arthur exclaimed utter desperation plastered his face

Eernseth was quick to walk over his posture held the authority, and yet before he could say anything Gwaine dealt him a punch to the face, shouts were heard as Leon and Arthur turned to stop Gwaine. Eernseth silently stumbled upright and re-adjusting himself made a wicked smile to the knight almost pushing for more.

"Gwaine" Arthur said warningly, suddenly hearing a few muffled yells he swiftly turned back to Merlin only to see that there was no longer any Merlin- only sand. "NO, NO get him out… EERNSETH I SWEAR BREAK THIS GLASS RIGHT NOW" Arthur yelled piercing his sword into Eernseth's neck.

Giving a slight giggle Eernseth faked a curtsey "As you wish." And the glass was smashed to a thousand pieces the twinkling shards like diamonds seemingly shooting everywhere, sand flooded out like a river coating the floor around the knights before a body became visible, pushing through the sand Arthur delved for Merlin.

He pulled the young man up from under the sand only to find him unconscious- it seemed the room was silent as Arthur brushed away all sand from the man's face.

"Merlin?" He called

Gwaine knelt down with them too now- "Arthur we did make it he wasn't under the sand for long, see?" He said placing a finger on Merlin's neck "There's a pulse there but its weak , it has to be that stupid poison- we need to give him the antidote."

With a nod from Leon Arthur placed Merlin down and turned to face Eernseth "We have the ingredients… How do we make the antidote?"

"Tick tock, tick tock your time is fleeting- remember what I said? You may of got Merlin out from the sand in time but he only has another 10 minutes to live" The man sung

"So tell us the damn way to put these ingredients together then!" Gwaine spat coming face to face with Eernseth. Licking his lips and grinning evilly Eernseth pulled out a tattered piece of paper

"Well everyone it says here that a rose petal as dark as a raven should be torn to pieces before being soaked in blood as silver as the moon before being placed in a large scale… That's all I know… I suggest you get moving"

With that each man got on his own task, Leon fished out the scales from his pocket trying to find one large enough whilst Arthur and Gwaine got to soaking the torn up petal pieces.

"I take it we just shove this down him?" Gwaine asked mid-tasked

"I'm thinking so Gwaine" Arthur replied taking a quick glance towards Merlin.

Eernseth looked on with amusement, this game had been most fun in fact he was almost sad it was coming to an end- and yet he grinned because he couldn't wait to see this all end.

"I've got the largest scale I collected here" Leon exclaimed pushing the tough skin piece towards them

"Good" Arthur thanked whilst draining the liquid from the petals through his tunic. "Gwaine" He called causing the knight to hold out the scale as Arthur sprinkled the petals on top. Each man was sweating as they raced against the clock.

"Ooo… 2 minutes remaining boys" Eernseth cooed "Can't you see the life draining out of your little friend? You might want to hurry up sir Gwaine" He teased whilst blocking his way completely and cackling as he watched Gwaine's frustration grow.

"Quick Gwaine bring it over!" Arthur ordered, ignoring Eernseth knowing the knight could deal with him, and returning to his unconscious friend, swiftly lifting his head up.

"1 minute…" Eernseth's playful voice echoed around the hall

"QUICKER GWAINE" Arthur bellowed as the knight scampered over trying to be careful not to spill the precious antidote

"Coming your highness" Gwaine remarked

As he came down beside Merlin everything seemed to slow down, Merlin's mouth was held open by Arthur as Gwaine poured in every torn petal piece, heavy breaths were drawn as each of their efforts came to a close… silence grew and time passed… nobody moved and nobody spoke.

This seemed to stretch on for what felt like years, Arthur having an overwhelming amount of hope, anticipation and fear buzzing around him keeping his adrenaline high, his sense scanning Merlin all over for any signs of life.

"We were… did we, did we make it in time?!" Arthur called out

"You got the antidote down him within the last 10 seconds, however that may not of been enough time for it to work." Eernseth explained almost sadly.

"This is YOUR FAULT" Gwaine cried, tearing himself from Merlin to strutting towards a timid looking Eernseth.

"Now, now young knight wouldn't want to go against any –" But his voice was muffled as Gwaine's hand closed in around his neck. Eernseth only smiled as his breath was taken from him little by little, his strangled gasps grew.