Disclaimer: As much as I would like to, I don't own Merlin!

By the time Gaius returned to his chambers his eyes were aching with tiredness and his limbs seemed to drag about him like useless, numb logs. He had spent the last few hours doing everything he could for Morgana, and had achieved next to nothing. Arthur had retired to his room a while ago, but Gaius doubted that he would get any sleep. Gwen had faithfully remained beside Morgana, although there was very little she could do either. Uther had been up a few times, never staying long. It was in his last visit that he gave Gaius permission to leave, the dead, resigned tone explaining to the physician that he had already given up. He didn't know how much longer Morgana had, but he would guess at less than a day.

The whole castle was dripping with despair.

Gaius stepped into his chambers and dropped his bag onto his desk, slumping down in his chair. He looked around for Merlin, but there was no candle lit in his room and he was nowhere to be seen. He frowned and then shook his head. Perhaps he had gone out to find Arthur. Gaius rubbed both hands over his eyes and then rose to his feet to prepare for bed. He couldn't wait to just stop thinking, stop worrying if only for a few hours...

The door opened and Gaius fought down a groan of fustration. He turned. Gwen was standing in the doorway, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears.

"Gaius... oh, I'm so sorry, I just need some more wolfsbane, I've run out..."

Gaius's heart melted for the girl. "Gwen," he said gently. "I'm sorry, but it won't help-"

"I know," she said quickly. "I just... I have to do something. Please."

Gaius nodded, understanding, and moved away to collect the herb. Gwen leant against the wall in silence, occasionally sniffing softly. Suddenly the door opened for a second time, and Gaius glanced up to see Merlin.

"Merlin," he said, offering a small smile. "There you are."

Merlin frowned at him and then looked around the room, completely ignoring him. Gaius arched an eyebrow but then shook his head and went back to his herbs. It was a difficult time for them all - perhaps Merlin was just upset.

"There's been no change with Morgana," Gwen said sadly. "Isn't there any way we could sneak you up there to help her? I'd help, I'd take the risk..."

Merlin turned to look at her, his eyes detatched and cold. His brow creased distastefully, as if he was looking at something nasty he had stepped in. "Who are you?" he demaned. "Last time I checked, worker scum don't talk to their betters."

Gaius, who had been holding out the wolfsbane to her, froze in horror. He stared open-mouthed at Merlin, unable to believe what he had just heard. Gwen's eyes were wide and tearful with shock and confusion, and worst of all, hurt. Without another word, she took the wolfsbane and ran from the room, barely managing to suppress a sob. Merlin tutted coldly and turned back to face Gaius, stepping into the room.

"Those slaves should be seperated from the rest of us. Its disgusting to look at them."

"Merlin!" Gaius cried, aghast. "What are... how can you... why would you say such a thing to Gwen?"

Merlin arched an eyebrow at him. "So they have names now, do they? Never mind." He rubbed his temple, a look of deep concentration flitting over his face. "You're Gaius, aren't you?"

Gaius was so thrown by Merlin's behaviour that he could no longer speak. Instead he just nodded blankly and slumped down in the chair. He pointed at the door. "You get out there and apologise to Gwen right now, Merlin!"

Merlin smirked. "I don't recall you being my father."

Gaius felt the blood drain from his face. Ever since Merlin had arrived in Camelot, he had been like the son Gaius had never had. Merlin knew that. Why was he saying such things? Those words were just so cold, so icy... he opened his mouth to question the boy again, but the door opened and a guard appeared, a limp figure hanging from his arms.

"Gaius, this man was found in the streets. We cannot wake him. Can you help?"

Gaius slowly tore his gaze away from Merlin. "What? Oh... yes, yes, bring him over here."

The guard placed the man on the bed Gaius indicated and retreated from the room. Shooting one last glance back at Merlin, Gaius bent over his new patient. He was a young man, wet black hair straggling around his face, his skin unearthly pale. His eyes were dark hollows in his head, and his chest was barely moving as he drew shallow, weak breaths in and out. But there was something about him that made Gaius uneasy... yes. He looked almost exactly like the enemy Merlin and Arthur had described. He straightened up quickly.

"Merlin, come and look!"

Merlin moved over to them. He looked down at the man. For a few moments he just stared in silence. Then he burst out laughing, the sound so strange and abrupt that Gaius flinched. That laugh was so evil, so dark, nothing like the Merlin Gaius knew. The old man felt tempted to shake him, to destroy whatever had turned Merlin's mind.

"Merlin!" he cried. "Stop that!"

Merlin doubled over, his eyes watering with mirth. He continued to cackle wildly, his lips drawing back from his teeth, like an animal. Gaius reached out to touch him, and then pulled his hand back, shouting again instead.

"Merlin!"

Slowly, Merlin's chuckles subsided and he straightened up, wiping at his eyes. "Ah, haha... sorry, its just the ridiculous irony of this whole kingdom. The ties here are so close that it is laughable... as you no doubt noticed..." he bent over the motionless figure. "You just won't die, will you? I must admit, I was sick of your face months ago."

That voice did not belong to Merlin. The body was Merlin's, the face was Merlin's, but the eyes, the words, the actions... Gaius felt a shudder rush through him. He stepped back until his back hit the desk, moving a hand discreetly across it in a vain search for some kind of weapon.

"You are not Merlin, are you?"

Merlin - or the person impersonating Merlin - turned and surveyed Gaius with a cool, sniggering smile.

"No, and for that fact I am extreamley thankful."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Loiran. And I will tear this kingdom to the ground for what your precious Merlin did to Nimueh."

"No..."

Merlin - no, Loiran - flicked his hand to the side and an invisable force snatched at Gaius and slammed him against the wall. He slid down it, landing in a crumpled heap at the bottom. Loiran stepped forwards and then stumbled, his eyes wide with surprise. He let out a groan of pain and clutched at his head.

"Nuh-no!" he snarled. "I'm in control, its my body now..." His head suddenly snapped up, and wide eyes fixed on Gaius's. Eyes that flickered with golden light and shone with truth. Merlin's eyes. "Gaius!" he gasped. "You have to kill him... he's going to kill Uther... Gaius, please, you must stop him! Arthur-" He broke off in a pained scream and then abruptly straightened him, the iciness returning to his face. "Stop interfering," Loiran growled.

He turned and strode towards the door. Gaius lay still in shock, one hand clutching at the wall as if searching for some anchor in reality. The final, desperate message from Merlin, the true Merlin, rang in his ears.

You must stop him... he's going to kill Uther...

Gaius's eyes widened in horror. He scrambled to his feet and gasped as his head swung. He must have hit it on the wall. Ignoring the pain, he stumbled towards the door. He had to get to Arthur, before it was too late.

Sorry this chapter was so short but I felt terrible for not updating for so long because of my holiday to Sweden. Hopefully you all didn't get bored and leave! :D Please REVIEW!!!

SUPRNTRAL LVR.