My last chapter for today guys. I told you I'd make it up to you. Now I leave you to enjoy and review! (hint hint hint)

In all seriousness, I really want to know if you like this, because I don't know! :)

"Get out of bed, Merlin!" Was first said, unnecessarily loudly. Then came, quieter this time, but still very audible, "Lazy, useless servant."

Knock. Knock. Bang

Merlin jolted out of his sleep and again took inventory of his surroundings: in his bed, in Gaius' chambers. Good. He pulled his head of the magic book Gaius had given him years ago, upon his arrival in Camelot, and took a final look at the spell he'd been committing to memory when he fell asleep. He hid it under his pillow, figuring it would be fine for the time, making a mental note to hide it back under his floorboard later.

Bang.

"What?"

"Don't give me attitude, Merlin," Arthur snipped from the opposite side of Merlin's door. "Get out of bed. You're late. Again."

"I'll be right there, sire," Merlin said, uttering the sirewith much more condescension than he had anticipated.

"Now. And lose the attitude before you open the door."

Almost considering more backtalk, he decided the extra piles of chores Arthur would undoubtedly assign him after the fact weren't worth it, and he opened his door. Arthur stood with his back to Merlin, watching Gaius prepare some sort of remedy, or draught, likely one of the regulars he prepared.

"There you are. I do believe I gave you chores yesterday."

"Right. Uh, well, you see...uh, I...I got distracted."

"Why, yes. I can see that."

Arthur grabbed Merlin roughly by the shoulder and pushed him forward, throwing him down the short set of stairs in front of his door. "You have a busy day ahead, Merlin. My father is bestowing knighthood on one of my men in short time, and I do expect my armor to be polished before then. And you are going to finish the chores I assigned you yesterday."

"Whatever you say."

"Oh, Merlin," Gaius said, catching their attention before they left. He held out a small vial filled with a clear, colorless liquid and gestured for Merlin to take it.

"Take this."

"What is it?"

"It should help with your nightmares."

"You're giving this to me now?"

"Well, last night I attempted to prepare it for you..."

"Right."

As Arthur stood impatiently and with little interest, Merlin pulled the cork stopper out of the vial and held it to his lips, looking curiously at Gaius. Something wasn't quite right; the sleeping draughts he'd prepare for Morgana were a light blue in color, and he couldn't remember them having such a strong, acrid scent.

"Go on," Gaius encouraged, "drink."

Merlin shrugged a shoulder and tipped the vial back, letting the cool liquid slide down his throat; he had to resist the urge to cough it back up, it was so bitter.

"Not something I'd want to drink for pleasure," he groaned, coughing slightly and wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. The simple motion brought on a sudden feeling of light-headedness, and he wondered hard how the room started spinning around him.

"No, I don't imagine. You may go."

Merlin had troubles following Arthur's path out of the chambers, walking as if drunk, stumbling every now and again.

Gaius rolled the vial in his hand and closed the door behind his charge. He didn't have time to feel regret for his actions; he had remedies to fix up for various denizens of the royal court. Committing his final thought about Merlin and the potion, he hoped it would unlock the answers Merlin needed, or at least point the young warlock in the right direction.