Thanks again to all those who reviewed:)
now on with the chapter.
Arthur hadn't realised he had been running until he all but crashed into the physician's door, Merlin still limp in his arms
Merlin's breath was ragged, sweat beaded down his forehead and once or twice, he gave a pitiful cough, this made Arthur's panic more intense and it showed in his voice.
"Gaius! Gaius, Merlin need's help!"
Gaius himself had been looking over his books when the flustered prince had burst into his chambers; he was about to reprimand Arthur when he saw his ward, then the words died in his throat.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Lay him on the bed," he instructed, his eyes not leaving Merlin's pale face.
"We were talking and he just collapsed, he's burning up and weighs less than a child! What's wrong with him?"
"I can't be sure unless I take a look at him," Gaius was trying to sound professional but there was an undeniable tremble in his voice. Merlin was like his son and seeing him like this hurt. An hour and an examination later, the physician sighed his head in his hands.
Arthur, impatient as he was wanted answers and he wanted them now!
"So what the hell's wrong with him?"
"Merlin appears to have a simple cold, or what would have been a simple cold if he was well nourished an well slept, but he seems to not have been eating or sleeping properly. His body is exhausted. All we can do is wait till he awakens," Gaius answered warily.
His diagnoses was straightforward enough but it still left so many questions unanswered, mainly why didn't he or Gaius notice Merlin's condition decrease so rapidly? Or was it rapidly at all? How long had this been going on?
Perhaps he had been a bit harsh on his manservant lately but surly he would have noticed this, but then again when was the last time he had seen Merlin eat? Or take a break for that matter? It seemed like Merlin was always doing something for him. Always working, never saying a word of complaint. Ok with a few words of complaint (Clot pole, anyone?) but he had certainly not mentioned anything wrong with himself.
Little did Arthur know that Gaius's thoughts were mirroring his own and that was worrying enough.
So the two sat by Merlin's bedside waiting for the young warlock to wake up, so they could get some answers.
So, when Merlin started to stir, they looked up hopefully but as Merlin started to thrash weakly without opening his eyes, they realised that he was not waking up at all.
Merlin was in the grasp of a nightmare, one that they were powerless to stop.
So what did you think?
Yeah i gave merlin a cold, you thought it was going to be somthing a little more life threatening ,didnt you?
Oh well please Review all those who review the chapter's will get longer.