The hours were long and arduous. Théa had her hands full aiding Merlin's recovery, whilst Gaius, to keep from displeasing Uther, left his workshop to tend to Arthur and the others who were still awaiting treatment for their injuries. The moment Arthur had him alone in his quarters he subjected Gaius to a reem of questions.

"How is he?"

"I cannot say, sire."

"Well is he going to live?!"

"We do not know."

"How can you not know? Is it bad? Is it getting worse?"

"Hold still."

"I will not do anything until you tell me how Merlin is doing!"

Giving up, Gaius leant back in his chair and looked at the prince whose blue eyes were staring at him with both fear and dread. He could not lie to him. But he could not bring himself to divulge the whole truth. There was hope. If Théa could only manage it, there was hope... "When you delivered him to us he was slipping away. If you had been but a moment later I am afraid we might have lost him." Arthur visibly recoiled. "As it was, it was fortunate he had strong friends such as you. He has a small chance of survival. We are not giving up on him yet."

With a slight nod of his head as the information sank in, Arthur finally allowed Gaius to treat the wounds he had received from the creature's vicious attacks. It was so sad to see the Prince looking as he did. There was an air of guilt about him, as well as the huge amount of sadness in his expression. It was almost like he did not know what to do with himself whilst his friend was in such danger.

"There. You are done." Gaius stood from his chair, Arthur still seated on his bed. A moment or two passed, and then;

"When can I see him?"

Gaius sighed at the question. "Eventually. For now you must rest."

"I don't feel like resting."

"King's orders I'm afraid," said Gaius, hiding the slight tell-tale signs of this small lie. "I will send guards to give you updates."

Arthur watched as Gaius left, feeling deeply dissatisfied and immensely useless. The side of his head was throbbing now that the effects and excitement of battle had passed, and all his thoughts dwelled on the best manservant - the best friend - he believed he had ever known. Though it might not have been true, he felt responsible for Merlin's fate - and he was not going to sit in his room waiting to be told he was dead when he could be in there helping, being by Merlin's side.

In the workshop, Théa had made some progress. Her attempts at sealing the leg wounds had been successful and Merlin, though wrought with fever, was more conscious than he had been. Gaius had been strict that all means of Merlin's recovery should be science-based and practical, but there was such a slim hope of the remedies ever working that she was beginning to slip into a desperate state of nerves. She couldn't leave him like this knowing there was a better way. She could not let him die.

On Gaius' return, Théa sighed with relief. The old man did not seem happy as he made his way over to check on Merlin's state. "How is he?"

"Barely better, but better all the same. His wounds keep seeping, I cannot seem to stop them, but still he..." It was better to chance the suggestion now than later when hope had all but slipped away. "Gaius..."

"No."

"But you know I can do it!"

"I am not going to ask you to use your gifts on Merlin!"

Théa hung her head, tears stinging her eyes. Gaius also dipped his head, viewing the boy on the table. His voice was low, gravelly and worn as he spoke, a hand resting through Merlin's hair. "I am going to use them instead." Théa and Gaius' eyes met quickly. Gaius was swift to explain. "Do whatever you can to save him. Your natural gifts are now his last hope. Heal him. Bring him back. And if we are caught - I will take the blame."

"But Gaius...you can't..."

"Your lives are more important than mine. You can heal. Merlin can weave... it is right that your powers live on to protect Camelot should this ever be discovered. Take him out of danger, enough that he can begin healing on his own. Then should there be suspicious, queries, consequences - I will deal with them."

Several moments passed in silence. It was a fairly easy decision to make, but one which Théa was uneasy about taking. Risk being discovered and Gaius taking the blame - or let Merlin die? It seemed to be a small price to pay for the warlock's life but Gaius was... he was determined not to lose him, and Théa would honour that. Finally, with a small nod of her head she began to remove the cloth and swaddling which covered Merlin and expose his injuries to the air. The acid of the creature's bite was pungent now, almost sickening. Gaius walked to the opposite side of the bench, hands clasped infront of him. Théa brought her own hands to her mouth - breathed warmth upon them - then placed them gently over Merlin's legs. A glance to Gaius - a nod of confirmation - then a growing, glowing white-blue light spreading from Théa's palms and up into the air, filling the entire room with its energy and ecompassing Merlin's body like a coccoon.

Outside, blinded by the light and shocked to the core, the blonde prince stumbled back from the crack of the workshop door he had been hiding behind. As the wood began to shake Arthur blinked once, breathed deep, then ran down the hall, his heart beating faster than ever before.

----------------

"This wasn't what we agreed."

A laugh. "I believe you are in need of a memory spell..."

"I did not wish to help you by killing off my friends!"

"Hush."

Morgana fell silent with a swift wave of Nimueh's hand, her throat contracting and her voice leaving her. Satisfied, Nimueh smirked. "When you approached me I warned you that your friends would not be spared. You assured me you would not find fault in that arrangement and that it was necessary for the greater good. If you are having second thoughts I can always - release you to suffer the same fate as your guardian." A pause whilst Nimueh allowed her words to sink in, then she waved her hand. Morgana let out a breath, anger in her eyes but her temper kept under control.

"I realise the possible sacrifices which may have to be made, but I did not approach you with my proposition so you could use it as an excuse to play games with my friends!"

"Friends?" Nimueh hissed. "They are allies of the King. With them gone it is easier for the task to be completed."

"There is an easier way to Uther without further loss of life."

"Then I would love to hear your suggestion."

Morgana's whole body tensed. "Me. Use me. I can get closer to the King. More than I am now."

"That would have to be very close."

"I can do it. Weave your potions, your magic, whatever you use. I will deliver it to him."

Nimueh appeared to consider this a moment then looked at Morgana with a curious glance. "If you deliver it you will take the blame."

"I am prepared for the consequences."

The sorceress' eyes flashed with satisfaction as Morgana steeled herself for the answer. After several moments she appeared to make up her mind, and spoke her reply in a whisper before she vanished from the ward's side.

"You will be hearing from me."