The dawn of the next day kept over the horizon as Arthur and his knights rode towards Camelot. The white castle glowed like embers in the morning sun. The prince thought he'd never seen a prettier sight.

As they rode through the city, Arthur took note of how light the air felt. Everything was bright and cheerful. Happiness and relief surrounded him as he watched the villagers clean up after the disaster with the dorochas.

Arthur dismounted. He knew he should go see his father as well as Gwen, but before that, he had to see Merlin. The prince was desperate to know if his desperately useless, but fiercely loyal, manservant was all right. And if he was, why had Merlin survived? No Mortal...

He handed the reins of his horse to Leon without a word. None was needed. Arthur stared at the knight with an intense expression darkening his eyes. It plainly said, I'm going to check on Merlin. Now! Leon appeared to understand because he nodded.

Striding to the familiar place, Arthur took deep breaths. He tried to calm his nerves and prepare himself for seeing Merlin however he may be at this time. Reaching Gaius's chambers, he placed a hand against the door and slapped it twice in a pseudo knock. When the prince heard a grumbled, "Come in", he entered.

Gaius looked up as Arthur walked into the quarters. A grim smile crossed his face and happiness shined in his eyes. "Good morning, sire. I trust the remaining of the journey went well," he said. "Is it…"

Arthur raised a hand. He nodded his head. "It's closed," said the man. After Gaius let out a sigh of relief, Arthur asked, "How's Merlin?"

"He's recovering. He's quite weak and still very chilled. I am doing all I can for him," Gaius said in an authoritative voice. "He woke briefly and tried to get back to you. He's quite worried."

"Idiot. He shouldn't be up and about. He shouldn't be up, period. Gaius, why did he… why did he live? You said it yourself that no mortal has ever survived. Yet, he did."

"It's not up to me to say."

"Who then?"

"Merlin."

At that answer, Arthur sighed in exasperation. He could tell the physician was hiding something and it annoyed him, but the prince knew that pressing for the truth would be futile. "May I go see him," Arthur asked after a moment.

"He's sleeping, but yes," Gaius said as he stepped aside.

Arthur bound up the steps. Reaching Merlin's room, he briefly noticed Lancelot sitting at Merlin's bedside. But, it was the man in the bed who captured his whole attention. The man was covered in layers upon layers of blankets and yet, he still shivered violently. He was an ashen gray color. It was sickly and chalky looking and turned his stomach a little. Under his closed eyes were dark and heavy bags and he looked as if he were wasting away into nothing more than a ghost.

"Arthur, I'm so glad to see you," Lancelot said.

"I am glad to be here. Go get rest, Lancelot. I will call for you if anything changes," said Arthur. "You must be exhausted."

"I won't sleep, but thank you," Lancelot said as he stood and exited the room.

When the door was closed, Arthur sat down in the seat his knight had vacated. He leaned forward and stroked strands of hair away from Merlin's face. His lips went taught as he found himself pensive and deep in thought. To give Merlin some more heat, he pressed a hand over the young man's freezing forehead. That was the way he stayed for several hours.

He only moved, when the bundle of blankets that was Merlin shifted. It was different from the shiver Merlin did. Arthur wasn't quite sure how, but it was. "Merlin?" asked Arthur.

The man in the bed opened his eyes to small slits. "Prat," Merlin said through chattering teeth. He tried to smile, but it came out in a grimace.

"It's all right. You don't need to smile or even say anything. I do have a question for you. How? You're alive Merlin. You shouldn't be," Arthur asked.

"Magic…"

"Magic?"

"I have it," Merlin stammered.

Arthur took his hand away from his forehead and leaned back in the chair. He just sat there for a few minutes staring at his friend. "You're a warlock?" he concluded, to which Merlin nodded.

"Plans?"

"To get you rested so you can clean the stalls, polish my shoes, make my bed, and parade around in the Camelot hat."

Merlin laughed a little as he shivered. "Not mad," asked the warlock as his eyes flutter closed.

"No. I could never be. There's something about you, Merlin. Now, go to sleep. You need to rest," Arthur said. "We'll talk about… you when you're better, OK? Right now, just rest."

The prince stood. It was time to see his father and then to go see Gwen. He went to the door, but stopped. Glancing over his shoulder at Merlin, Arthur said, "Thank-you."

OK, that's it! I hope you liked it. :D I can't wait for tomorrows episode! Please review. I love reading them.