Arthur and the others were all tired when they boarded the jumbo back to the UK. Once again they were travelling first class. Merlin tried to suggest that due to their environmental stance they ought to fly economy. The others told him to shut up, they all tried to avoid flying at all, preferring to use internet conferencing but if they must fly they would at least be comfortable. There were eight of them with the body guards and took up all of one corner of the first class area.

They all decided to have a lie down once they had taken off and agreed they would meet up in the bar later. Arthur and Merlin were next to each other. As they approached the end of their journey there was a shudder that went right through the plane. The captain's voice came over the loudspeaker asking passengers to remain calm but there would be some turbulence as they had engine trouble. The Stewardesses came round to ensure they all had the seat belts on and instruction was given as to emergency routes of escape should they be needed and how to brace.

Merlin looked at Arthur as if to say Dragons are safer. Another judder ripped through the plane. The pilot's voice was heard once more:

"We have lost all power on our left wing, we will be making an emergency landing, please remain calm and listen to all instruction carefully."

Merlin noticed that the plane was tipping severely to one side. Pushing out his magic he could see the effects of the engine failures. Realising that they would not make land unless he did something he acted. Merlin had never attempted to use this much magic before. His eyes went gold as he used his magic to support the wing in the air. He was trying hard to keep the wing level with the one on other side. The plane slowly righted itself.

In the cockpit the pilots couldn't understand what was happening. They had already sent out a mayday. They were now heading for Bulford military runway as they knew they wouldn't make London. It was the only runway long enough before London. Somehow the plane was remaining stable, but as they approached it began to wobble once more. The run way was in sight and they could see all the emergency vehicles.

Merlin meanwhile was sweating; Arthur had been trying to talk to him. He felt the plane stabilise and hearing sounds of stress coming from Merlin guessed he was somehow helping the plane to stay in the air. He couldn't believe it. Merlin must be using incredible amounts of power. He wondered if the young man would be able to keep it up.

The pilot warned them they were coming into land and to brace themselves. Arthur threw one more glance at Merlin and realised that that young wizard was not moving. The plane touched down and the noise was tremendous, it felt as if the aircraft was sliding along on its belly. As the plane stopped, all the passengers started to head for the emergency chutes. Arthur could see that Merlin wasn't moving he called to Leon. They quickly removed Merlin's seatbelt and pulled him from his seat. He was limp and unresponsive. Arthur went down the chute holding on to Merlin, with Leon going first. As they hit the ground Leon helped Arthur with Merlin.

All around was chaos as the emergency teams arrived. Quickly looking at Merlin, Arthur decided that he didn't appear injured. The body guards approached and they all moved to one side. They tried to shield Merlin from sight. Remembering what Gaius had said Arthur didn't want Merlin put in an ambulance unless absolutely necessary.

Looking at Merlin carefully he saw no signs of injury but Merlin was totally unconscious. Arthur slapped his face gently calling his name. Merlin stirred and mumbled before going still once more, lifting Merlin's eyelids he was surprised, not to say worried, when he saw they were still shining golden. There was no way he could allow the young man to be seen like this.

The emergency services were triaging the wounded. As they approached the group Percy told them they were all shaken but ok. They were told to move further away and await instructions. As the rest shielded Merlin, Percy and Arthur held Merlin up and walked him away from the plane. Leon used his mobile and rang Gaius telling him about Merlin. Gaius told them to try to wake the young man and warned them that due to stress he might develop a migraine. Eylan had a pair of eye protectors around his neck, as he had been sleeping before the emergency developed; he took them off and put them over Merlin's eyes.

They managed to rouse Merlin just enough to fool the busy emergency teams. Then they walked him to a nearby hanger to await the next phase of the rescue. Arthur spoke to one of the police who were everywhere by now. He managed to talk them into letting him phone and hire a minibus so he and the others could get back to London. They reluctantly agreed it at least got some of the passengers out of their way. Arthur signed a disclaimer and promised that everyone would make themselves available at a later date if needed. Then he rang Gwaine to tell him the news and ask him to meet them with Gaius, so Merlin could be checked over as soon as possible. Gwaine explained he was ready to come and told Arthur about Morgana's dream.

The minibus soon arrived from the nearby town of Salisbury and they managed to get Merlin inside without anyone noticing his condition. Gaius and Gwaine had left London and were travelling towards them, they arranged to meet up in a hotel in Basingstoke.

Arthur looked at Merlin's eyes, they had returned to their normal blue. Shaking Merlin once more he called his name:

"Merlin, wake up damn you, come on open your eyes." he was getting really worried.

"M tired" the voice was so quiet he nearly missed it.

"I know you're tired but open your eyes for me" Arthur pleaded.

Merlin's eyes opened to a small slit.

"Do you hurt anywhere?" Arthur asked.

"no, m td" Arthur gave up and let the young man sleep.

As soon as they pulled up in the hotel car park Leon went in and booked a room.

Elyan diverted the hotel staff by talking about the plane crash, while Percy carried Merlin past and up the stairs into the room. He laid Merlin down carefully on the bed. Arthur and Leon stayed with him while the others went to get something to eat in the restaurant downstairs. They hadn't been there long when a very worried Gaius and Gwaine arrived. Leon went and joined the others downstairs while Gaius started to examine Merlin.

He asked Arthur what had happened and looked at the blond man with amazement when he said that he thought Merlin had saved the plane and all on board.

"Could he have done it?" Gwaine asked in disbelief.

"Well it does sound likely, but the magic needed would be colossal. If he did and I see no reason to suggest he didn't, I suspect he will sleep for a long time. He has no other injuries I can see accept for bruises from the seat belt, but then I expect you all have those. It is a bit worrying that he didn't have his head down as the plane crashed, but from what you say it was fairly smooth all things considering." Gaius stood and looked down at the young man who had been in his charge all those years ago.

"I think the best thing we could do is get him back to London and let him rest."

Gwaine looked up at Arthur. "I drove the limo, we could easily take him back in that one of us could hold him."

"OK, let's do that then. We four can go back in the limo with Percy driving, the rest can follow in the minibus. We all need to get something to eat and drink first. We can leave in an hour. You're sure he doesn't need a hospital Gaius?"

"No I think best not Sire"

Arthur took Gaius down to get a drink and something to eat leaving Merlin in Gwaine's care. Just over an hour later they were on their way home.