Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or any of the characters in the series, I'm just borrowing them from BBC to play with a little and I promise to give them back when I'm done. No copyright infringement is intended and I don't make any money from writing fanfiction.

A nasty surprise

Arthur wakes up to a less than pleasant surprise…

"Rise and shine!" Merlin sounded way more cheerful than anyone should have the right to be at this ungodly time of the day in Arthur's opinion. He grimaced as his manservant noisily stumbled through the room, placed some breakfast on the table with a clatter of plates and then went over to the window to pull the curtains. Bright sunlight suddenly shone into the room and Arthur pulled the covers over his head with a groan.

"Up you get, sire" Merlin said, grabbing the covers and starting to pull them off. Arthur let out a muffled string of curses and yanked them back. Then he turned on his side and mumbled something. "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that, sire."

"I don't feel so good today." Merlin didn't look too worried.

"You've already tried that excuse, sire. Now let's get you up." He tugged at the covers again and to his surprise Arthur didn't stop him. He frowned, took a closer look and realized that Arthur did in fact really not look too well. He was flushed, shivered and clutched a hand to his stomach. Merlin was a bit alarmed now and put a hand to his brow to check his temperature. Arthur's skin was hot and clammy and confirmed that Arthur did indeed have a fever. Merlin didn't get a chance to get some of Gaius' medicines before Arthur started coughing deeply, heaved himself over the edge of the bed and retched, Merlin narrowly managing to jump out of the way.

When Arthur had finished and limply slumped back against his pillows Merlin went to get him a cup of water and a rag to wipe his mouth with. Returning, he grimaced at the sight of the mess on the floor, knowing only too well that he'd be the one cleaning it up. When he passed the water to Arthur he saw something odd.

"Sire, is that what I think it is?" Merlin asked carefully.

"Stop talking in riddles, Merlin. What do you mean?" Arthur snarled and Merlin fought down the sharp reply he had right at the tip of his tongue. Even if Arthur was being a downright prat, he was still sick and both Gaius and his mother had taught him better than to upset a patient.

"That thing on the floor, sire" Merlin elaborated. Arthur rolled his eyes.

"And what would that be, Merlin?" he asked impatiently.

"A hairball, sire." Arthur paled as he considered the implications of this.

"I'll get Gaius straight away:" Merlin was out of the room in the blink of an eye.

Of course Gaius was away; today of all days some woman had decided to give birth and have complications and Gaius had gone to assist the midwife. Wouldn't she have chosen any other day than today Merlin angrily wondered as he rushed back to Arthur's chambers, carrying various vials and with one of Gaius' books hidden under his tunic. Slightly out of breath he tore into the room, only to find it empty.

"Arthur?" Merlin looked around, it was in the exact same state as he'd left it, except for the fact that Arthur's bed was unoccupied. Dropping everything that he was holding onto the bed and hiding the book in a cupboard, Merlin then proceeded to turn the whole room upside down. Still no Arthur. Panicking Merlin turned on his heel and ran towards the knights chambers.

"Arthur's gone!" he blurted out without preamble. Gwaine looked up surprised.

"What do you mean, gone?"

"Gone as in not here, not where he should be, not where I know!"

"Aha, that kind of gone" Gwaine mused, leaning back into his chair.

"Not funny Gwaine, please help me find him" Merlin said desperately, frantically pacing the room and gesturing wildly, and that was what made the seriousness of the situation dawn on Gwaine.

"Tell me what happened" he said as he quickly got to his feet and made for the door.

"No, wait!" Gwaine paused, looking confused. "I have to tell you something first" Merlin continued, nervously chewing on his bottom lip. "And you can't tell anyone else about this." Gwaine nodded and Merlin took a deep breath.

"I-have-magic-and-I-enchanted-Arthur-and-the-spell-went-wrong-and-now-he's-gone-and-I-can't-find-him-and-please-don't-hate-me" he blurted. Gwaine struggled to make sense of what he'd just heard as Merlin watched him anxiously.

"You have magic?" he finally asked.

"Yes." Merlin's voice was barely audible.

"And you've messed up a spell?"

"Yes."

"And now Arthur's gone?"

"Yes. But he's not really Arthur anymore."

"What?" Gwaine looked perplexed.

"Well, he is but not really" Merlin tried to explain. "Listen Gwaine, it's complicated and we don't have time right now. Please trust me?" Gwaine looked steadily at him for a second and then he nodded.

"All right."

Merlin shoulder's visibly relaxed and he exhaled deeply, a small smile on his lips.

"But when this is over you owe me the whole story." Gwaine added, mock-sternly.

"Of course." Merlin acquiesced, relief and gratitude clearly visible on his face as his smile went from hesitant to radiant. "Thank you."

"Right then, what do I look for?" Gwaine asked.

"A large ginger cat."

Gwaine roared with laughter.