Holy Crap you guys! Thank you so, so much for the reviews I got last chapter. You guys inspired me so much that I wrote a chapter of the story (which will come much later) right then and there. So thanks to: readernurse, Revenge of the Red Pen, Boxerbee, and the two Guests who reviewed and thank you to those who have favorited the story and/or are reading. I write this for you guys! XD

Also, I just saw the trailer for Merlin Season 5. Granted, it wasn't good quality and I couldn't see most of it, but just hearing it made me squeal like a fan girl. If anyone went to SDCC 2012 and filmed it at all, please, please, post in on youtube so myself and others can enjoy it.

Okay, now back to the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin...again.

Chapter 7 - For a Friend

Gaius stood up from the bench and went over to the book case. He pulled out a thick book and began rifling through its worn-out pages. Lancelot cocked his head to read the title: Curses and Magical Beasts.

"Wait, what are you saying? You think Merlin is actually cursed?"

"It would explain his behavior earlier today and the fact that the same wyvern Arthur described was in Merlin's room", the physician said while still searching the book.

"But still..."

"Aha! Here we go, I think I found it." Lancelot walked over to Gaius and looked at the page. On one side was the picture of the wyvern they just saw. On the other was a full description of the beast. "Listen to this Lancelot. It says: This creature is known as a were-wyvern. Like the wyvern, it is a distant cousin of the dragon except that it's a creature of dark magic. Since its essence is dark magic, it can only be controlled by the one who summoned it - not even the mighty Dragonlord can command it on his own. In the days of old, it was used by the High Priestesses to curse their enemies. With its ability to see aura, it will stop at nothing to bite the intended victim. There is only one kind in existence at a time. After its task is complete, it ceases to exist.

In the hands of a warlock, the bite is only needed to finalize the curse. For a sorcerer, a second phase needs to be implemented - the curse itself. After the curse is incanted, the victim will change into the were-wyvern at night. After the fourth night of full transformation, the victim's human body will decay and in its place will be the creature itself; he will suffer its fate and will remain a were-wyvern for the rest of his life or until summoned again. Then the cycle starts anew."

Gaius shut the book. Both physician and knight were left speechless. After five whole minutes of silence, Lancelot spoke up.

"So Merlin has only three more nights before he is stuck like that forever?"

"I'm afraid so".

"And the book doesn't mention a cure?"

"None"

"Well, we need to find him then. I'm going after him"

"Wait Lancelot, it's too dangerous to go right now. Who knows where he is?"

"I don't care Gaius. I am going after him", Lancelot stated firmly. "After all he has sacrificed for us, for Camelot, for Arthur - not once even asking for anything in return - it is the very least I can do for him".

Now, don't misjudge Gaius. The physician wanted nothing more than to find his ward, the man he always considered a son. However, he had to think about the consequences of this potentially reckless action. If he sent Lancelot, the knight could get injured. What if Merlin, in his wyvern form, bit Lancelot? Would he turn into one as well? If that was the case (though the book didn't specify), then they would lose two people to the curse. All in all, many things could go wrong if situations like these weren't properly thought through.

Despite his worrying, Gaius couldn't help but smile inwardly at the loyalty shown to his ward. Merlin has selflessly helped so many people, it's time he receives some kindness in return, he thought to himself. He looked at Lancelot to protest again, but was stopped by the determined look in the knight's eyes. Knowing that there was nothing he could say to change his mind, the physician sighed. "Be careful then. I doubt Merlin's in control of his actions right now."

"I will" he said as he headed out the door.

"And Lancelot". At this, the knight turned around to face Gaius one last time. "Promise me you'll find him".

The knight smiled before leaving the room. "I will" And he took off to find his friend.

Fangs, claws, darkness. Something was chasing him. Every time he turned to see it, he would only catch a glimpse of a blurred figure. A faint roar and he took off again. He was running, sweating - gods, it was getting harder to breathe... but he had to keep moving.

He turned around - fangs, claws, darkness - it was getting closer! Faster! Run faster! There it was again - that blood-curdling roar. A wrong step and he met the ground. He turned around for the final time and looked face-to-face with his doom.

Fangs, claws, darkness - and he knew no more.

Merlin jolted from slumber, sweating profusely. A new day had dawned, the sun was up - altogether, it would've been a peaceful way to wake up except for the nightmare and the fact that he had no idea where he was (well, he was in the forest, but that didn't count) or how he got there. To top it all off, he lacked a shirt, had no shoes and worse, his favorite neckerchief was gone. Well, at least I still have my pants!

"What happened?", he moaned to himself. Of course there was no answer. As he began to lift himself up from the ground, last night's memories flooded his mind all at once. He clutched his throbbing head and sank back to the ground. The wyvern's bite, the dark magic infecting him like a disease, the transformation, Gaius, Lancelot. Oh gods, did I hurt them?

At this point, Merlin couldn't stop shaking and he didn't know if it was because of the pain, the shock, or the combination of both. Nonetheless, the young warlock knew he had to get up; he needed to figure out how to expel the dark magic within him. Forcing his shaking body to rise, Merlin stood, regained his balance, and began wandering around to find help soon.

So the young warlock wandered and wandered and by the time he stopped to take a break, it was past midday and still no sign of anyone. Sliding down the trunk of a tree, Merlin sat on the ground and let his body fall limp. He had never felt so tired before in his life. Worst of all, he didn't have the strength to use his magic or call Kilgharrah for help. His magic was trying to fight off the dark magic. The end result was a stalemate that weaken him both magically and physically.

While figuring out what to do next, the snap of twig brought him back to reality. "Who's there', he asked. Being only able to barely move, Merlin moved his head in the direction of the noise. If he was in danger, he wanted to see what he was dealing with. Last night's nightmare came to mind, but Merlin shook the feeling away, telling himself that it was just a dream.

Whoever was there decided to step from the forest and happily greeted the warlock. When Merlin saw who it was, he sighed in relief. "Lancelot!..."

Arthur was not a happy man. First of all, he was woken up early because a few townspeople claimed to have sighted a dark, winged beast flying away last night. Yes, the description did match that of the black wyvern he saw the other day, but there was no need to stir him from slumber this early in the morning.

Then, Lancelot and Merlin had to go and bloody disappear without letting anybody know. Great!

And now, he was forced to track the beast down and kill it. Upon hearing the news, Arthur headed to Gaius' to consult the physician and to see if he knew anything about the creature.

"Gaius, can I talk to you for a minute?", he asked after entering the room.

"Certainly Arthur"

"Do you know anything about the creature from the other day...you know, the one that bit Merlin?"

Gaius paused for a moment. If he told Arthur about Merlin's situation, it would only make the prince act rashly. Despite what he may say, the physician knew how much Arthur cared for Merlin. They were brothers in everything but blood and only the ignorant were too prideful to see it. In circumstances like these, it was best to handle it privately. Besides, he had faith that Lancelot would be able to find his ward in time.

For now, he wouldn't tell Arthur.

"I'm not sure Sire" he lied. "All I was able to discover was that it is a creature of dark magic". Well at least that part wasn't a lie, he thought to himself.

"Okay Gaius, I'll be careful then", the prince said. As he made his way to the door, Arthur stopped and asked, "By the way, do you know where my useless manservant is Gaius?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. Last time I saw him was before I went to bed"

"Well, if you see him, tell him he better have a good excuse for not showing up this morning" and with that, the prince walked away leaving a worried physician alone in his room. Oh my boy, I hope you're alright.

It was still morning when Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (minus Lancelot of course) set out to look for the mysterious beast. Arthur felt weird not having Merlin by his side and vaguely wondered where he was. If he's in the tavern again, I swear..., Arthur thought to himself.

"By midday, we will all meet here" Arthur said when the group had reached the clearing in front of the gates. "If you're not back by then, we will assume the worse so please don't be late", he said looking at Gwaine in particular.

"Hey, I'm always on time!", the knight protested.

"If you're as punctual as Merlin, then we'll definitely be looking for you later on", Arthur joked.

"Where is he anyway?" Elyan asked, saying what was on everyone's mind.

"I'm not sure and I'm not too worried. Right now, we have a wyvern to catch and by the description, it sounds like it's the same one that attacked Merlin the other day", the prince stated. Everyone was all ears when he told them the news. "So let's find the beast and rid ourselves of this abomination", he proclaimed and with a burst of renew energy, the prince and the knights rode their separate ways.

By midday, everyone had made their way back to the clearing. Despite their valiant effort, there was no sign of the wyvern. Dismissing his knights for a restful rest-of-the-day off, Arthur went to the stables. He needed to ask the stable master a question.

"Excuse me" he said when he found him.

"Sire, what a pleasure it is to see you. What do you require?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you've seen Merlin or Lancelot today?"

"Hmmm...I can't say that I've seen Merlin... but Lancelot, if I recall, left in the middle of the night. I was up tending to one of the injured horses when he came in asking for one. He said that he had some 'urgent business' to take care of".

When the stable master finished, Arthur paused. Where did Lancelot go in such a hurry? What was so urgent that he couldn't tell anyone? Then it hit him. Maybe Merlin was missing and Lancelot probably went to find him. They were really good friends - there was no doubt that the knight would go after him.

Arthur then began to worry. If Lancelot left to find Merlin in the middle of the night and it was already past midday, then something could've happened to the both of them.

Merlin. The prince thought about the man who had become his first true friend. He was loyal and brave - all knightly traits - however, his gentleness and sage-like wisdom stood him apart from the rest. Anyone can act brave, but only a chosen few have the courage to confront their fears head on, despite knowing the dangers, to protect the defenseless. And fewer still had the wisdom to follow their heart and do what is right.

Merlin, no doubt, was also a man of mystery. He may not know much about him, but Arthur knew one thing. He was lucky to have a friend like Merlin and he hoped it would stay that way for the rest of their lives.

Snapping himself back to reality, Arthur looked at the patiently waiting stable master, requested a rested horse, saddled up, and rode off to find his knight and best friend.

So, that's the chapter. Tell me what you thought and don't think that I forgot about the three evil sorceresses just yet. They'll be showing their evilness again soon (maybe not next chapter, but soon nonetheless).

Can't wait for Merlin Season 5 this Fall!

Until later,

-STL13