A/N: Many many apologise for the very late update and any of my stupid typos. Im really edging to get a story finished, so ive finally got a chapter finished. Next one soonish hopefully. Enjoy, please R&R. : )

Chapter 5

Arthur stumbled after Gwaine, trying best to let the tears behind his eyes remain there. It was long before they met a small clearing and the smell of burning wood met them. A small collection of knights and civilians sat mingled together in the small encampment.

"Is this it?" Arthur looked around trying to estimate numbers his face fell.

"More come back all the time" Gwaine didn't turn around but carried forward with the young servant. "the city has not been overtaken long, many scattered into the surrounding area"

"Gaius!" Gwaine shouted around the camp and within a moment, the familiar stooped figure of the court physician came into view. His face lighted up at the sight of his ward but changed quickly as he hurried forward.

"Whats happened?" He pointed to a spot by the campfire and Gwaine gently laid the boy down being careful not to jar any injuries he may have.

Gwaine side glanced the King and frowned. "I don't know" I found him chucking his guts up and then he collapsed."

If possible Gaius's frown deepened further and his eyebrow hitched up. "He's burning up, fetch me some cold water" the man felt his wards forehead that was on fire. He then quickly examined him. Taking in a small gasp as he uncovered the ugly shoulder wound. The deep gashes were red raw and oozing infection from within. "Poison" Gaius said simply observing the warlocks uneven and strained breathing.

Gauis's face paled considerably at the thought of poisoning. "what happened sire?" he turned to the king, rummaging in his medicine bag, fumbling with bottles as they clanged together. There was silence. "sire?"

Arthur turned away and looked at his shoes.

"Arthur?!" Gwaine pulled the King by the shoulder and spun him roughly around. "he needs your help"

Arthur shrugged him off, stepped back and shook his head. "he's a traitor and a liar" He growled. "he's a sorcerer, i'm not helping him!"

"Your highness may have forgotten how many times he's saved your life." Gaius almost shouted and the surrounding knights took a small step back. They had not seen the man have such an outburst. "I suggest you give the boy some respect!"

Arthurs face hardened in anger. He unsheathed his sword holding it outright towards the physician. "And I am your King and I suggest you give me some respect!" he shouted.

Gwaine knocked the sword from the Kings hand then and stood tall between them, his fists clenched so tightly his hands turning white. "May I suggest you stop being such a royal prat and swallow your pride." The knight clenched his jaw. "otherwise this is going to turn ugly"

At that, a small moan came from behind them and silence came between all. "Ar...thur" Merlin's voice was weak and croaky and the Kings hardened expression melted immediately. He pinched the bridge of his nose in haste to not show his welling emotions.

"A giant serpent" Arthur whispered, turning away to hide his pained expression. "it must have been Morgana's doings, i was far worse hurt than he, but i think the dragon healed me?"

"Dragon?" Gwaine choked and laughed, "i thought you slayed that thing"

"Seems something else Merlin hasn't been telling me" Arthurs voice had softened considerably as his listened to the warlocks unfathomable babble from behind him.

Gaius bent down to his ward, placing a cool cloth on his forehead. Merlin was shivering and groaning, his face pale and clammy, fever was setting in. The physician searched in his bag and placed several drops from a vial onto the servants lips, following it with a small amount of water. Merlin swallowed eagerly though still not completely lucid, his eyes flickered open and closed every now and then, Gaius was sure he was picking up some of the conversation at hand.

"Merlin is the last dragon lord" Gaius stood up for a moment, his bones creaking and protesting at the movement.

"The last dragon lord is dead" Arthur shook his head, turning back to them, "Balinor died on the way back to Camelot, there is no dragon lord that i know of"

"The gift is passed from father to son" Gaius pulled up a nearby pail of water. Bending back down the servant he gently cut through the remaining shreds of Merlins shirt around his shoulder to revealing the angry red wound.

"But that would mean..." Arthur said no more then, but simply thought back to the day that Merlin had lost his father.

"He has lost much to help save you and Camelot" Gaius began to gently clean the wound then and Merlin stirred more as the damp cloth was brushed across the deep gashes. "steady my lad" Gaius gently pressed on the warlocks chest as he arched his back and grunted in objection.

Arthur turned his back, biting his lip hard at the sounds of his servants pained groans.

"Where is Gwen?" His voice suddenly shot out, he span back and faced several of his trusted knights who all avoided his eye contact. Silence fell among them. "Well?"

"I believe she is still in the castle sire" Gaius did not take his eyes from Merlin as he continued to tend to him, the boy seemed to have slipped back into unconsciousness for now, saving the King the agony of his cries.

"Then why the hell are we standing around here?!" Arthurs anger grew once again he pulled his sword up clenching his hand tightly around it, still surprised by the strength he had in his arms which had only been broken hours earlier.

"It's not that simple" Percival's face then came into view. "Morgana has the citadel surrounded, and from what has been said i believe the Lady is keeping Gwen hostage for now, she knows we will not give up on our Queen lightly"

Arthur threw his weapon down, burying the blade deep into the dirt, it quivered for a moment before stilling. The Kings eye moved to his once trusted servant. It was becoming increasingly clear that he was going to need his help. Like it or not. He exhaled deeply. "How long Gaius?" He asked.

"How long what my lord?" Gauis's voice did not waver while he worked, and he again did not so much as look at the king.

"How long has he been practicing magic in Camelot?" Arthur tried not to sound angry but seemed to fail.

"He was born with it" Gaius said simply, this time he looked to the warrior.

"Impossible" Arthur shook his head, "no one is born with it"

"There are some who say he is the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth" Gaius looked quizzically at the King.

Arthur smirked into a stupid smile. "Merlin?" he practically laughed at the thought but Giaus's face did not change. He was being serious.

"It is believed that Merlin, and the once and future King will unite the lands of Albion in peace" the physician then turned back, allowing him to take in statement.

Arthur said nothing but stood staring at the ground next to his feet. Merlin coughed weakly and the Kings eyes shot onto his servant. The warlock heaved as if to vomit but nothing came, his throat sounded dry and sore as he moaned between the bouts of retching. Gaius held him steady and mopped his ever damp forehead with a soft cloth. Only then Arthur really took into account the full image of his loyal servants body. His skin pale and clammy, beads of sweat collecting here and there and he shook ever so slightly. There was a deathly tinge of blue hue around his lips and the dark circles under his eyes made the boy look half dead already. Arthur gulped down the lump swelling yet again in his throat. Merlin was so skinny, his pale skin clung tightly to the bones below and for once the King wondered when his last proper meal had ever been.

"Will he live?" Arthur gulped down the lump and closed his eyes to the tears threatening to fill them.

"I wouldn't like to say" Gaius said simply. "but what i do know is the boy is stronger than you think, and I'm almost certain he has suffered worse and come through it"

That was it, Arthur broke then. Even as his knights watched on, the tears threatening his eyes spilled down his cheeks and to the ground. The Kings knees gave in and with a thud he came to rest next to his protector and friend. Gaius stood and ushered the knights back, as realizing the need for King to have some space.

"Arthur?" It was as if Merlin could sense his friends distress beside him. Even as he swayed on the edge of unconsciousness the warlock tried to wake himself to tend to his King. He moaned as he tried to move but his body refused and protested against the agony. He forced his eyes open only managing half way as the light also seemed to cause a great deal of pain. The warlock squinted at Arthur, not really able to focus, but he could sense the tears falling. "Whatever is the problem?" he was barely audible from his parched throat.

"I'm so sorry Merlin" Arthur choked out, for once he grabbed the frozen hand of his friend and servant. The pair very rarely if ever, shared physical contact. In fact if it ever happened the King would brush it off with an excuse of one sort or another but not this time.

"I'm so sorry Merlin, please forgive me"