Well here it is, sorry for the wait. I was unsure what to do for some of the chapter, big case of writers block and if I actually wanted Mordred to do what he does in this chapter. Um yeah, I don't know what I think about it, so tell me what you think I hope I did good for y'all.

Merlin's condition wasn't improving. And it had everyone close to him in foul moods. The only thing that was good, was that it wasn't getting any worse. With Gaius' treatment the wounds seemed to have just remained stagnant in whatever process they were in. Gaius assumed it was the repercussions of the spell Merlin did, combined with the cuffs, and collar.

Arthur had taken to training, especially since Gaius has banned him from his chambers except for one hour a day. Gaius told him it wasn't doing anyone any good for him to just be there staring at Merlin like he was a lost puppy. So Arthur trained, and he had taken to training with dummies since he sent four knights to Gaius, because he had been a little to harsh.

Gwen was helping Gaius, but she couldn't do too much in his chambers due to the fact that she always looked like she was going to be near tears. Merlin was one of her closest friends. She was grateful to help, but she hated not being able to help Merlin.

Morgana was planning. Brooding. She was doing anything she could to not think about the fact that Merlin was clearly dying, despite what Gaius said. She was trying not to think about how they had yet to come up with a plan to return to Cenred, to at least get the keys. That couldn't be blamed on anyone person, any plan they came up with seemed more ludicrous than the last.

Mordrid however, had taken to being inconspicuous in the castle. The cook thought he was the most precious thing to walk on two legs, so he got plenty of food. He however had a plan, a plan he didn't tell anyone else.

Mordred snuck out of the castle. His control over his powers was much stronger than it used to be, and it made the task easier than he ever expected. He then began to make his way to Cenred's kingdom. The boy figured he could easily get what he wanted, easier than anyone else, and be in less danger doing so.

He had been gone a day before someone realized he was gone, and that someone was Gaius. The old man had taken to caring for Mordred, so it didn't take him long to realize when the boy was gone, and not just off exploring like he should. Morgana came storming in, "How could you let him go, Gaius?"

Gaius' eyebrow rose higher than she had ever seen it, "My lady, it is hardly my fault. The boy is a Druid, staying in one place can hardly be easy for him, especially a place in which if anyone outside our little group found him would kill him because of Uther's orders."

Morgana huffed, but she could not argue with Gaius' reasoning. "Where do you think he has gone?" She sat down next to Merlin, and grabbed his hand, and stroked it with her thumb.

Gaius shrugged, "I'm unsure, perhaps back to the Druids."

Morgana nodded. Merlin was looking worse. The cuffs chaffed horribly, and she couldn't even look at Merlin's neck anymore. The collar looked as if it was melding into his skin. Merlin didn't really look any worse than he had, but he certainly didn't look any better.

"Has he eaten anything?" she asked.

Gaius sighed, "He hasn't woken up, but I have managed to get some gruel down his throat the same way I get the pain relievers." She nodded, she had seen Gaius hold Merlin's nose, and stroke his throat to get the liquid to go down, she had also seen him use the technique on countless knights and nobles during tournaments.

"How is Arthur handling it?"

Gaius looked at Merlin then at her, "My lady, between you and me, if Merlin doesn't show any signs of getting better soon, I fear for the health of the prince."

"But Arthur is fighting fit," she argued, not believing she actually said that. She knew Merlin would have said something like a little too fit, or getting fat. She had heard their banter, it was quite a joy to her day.

"Not his physical health, his mental health. I fear his head has not been right since he saw Merlin on the battle field." Morgana was about to say something, but Gaius continued, "And not because of his magic. You and I both know the prince and Merlin are close, probably more than a servant and his master should be."

Morgana nodded. "What are you saying, Gaius?"

"Do you remember when Gwen was accused of sorcery because of her father?"

Morgana nodded again, "Yes, I stayed in the dungeon for her."

"Now picture if what is happening to Merlin had happened to Gwen, and you were Arthur. Surely you wouldn't be fine."

"No, I suppose I wouldn't."

"Despite both their protests, Merlin and Arthur are very close friends. I know how hard this has been on myself, and I cannot begin to imagine the type of pain Arthur is going through."

"It's different for each of us."

"It is my lady."

It had been five days since Merlin had been in Camelot. Though on foot, he traveled fast, and faster alone than he did with people. His plan had worked, though not perfectly. He never intended on being caught, nor did he intend on killing so many. But he had to do it. He just wished he had killed Cenred, that was one thing he couldn't do. But the man was a fool, he had learned that easily, and getting the keys he needed was easy as well.

He didn't like the way the keys felt in his hand. They had bad magic. They made him feel uneasy. He was tired when he came back to Camelot, and was sneaking in, when exhaustion from his journey took him, and he fainted.

Arthur had been coming in from patrol when he saw the boy, "Mordred," he yelled but caught himself looking around to make sure no one noticed him. He picked up the Druid, and made his way to Gaius'. He just hoped no one saw him.

"He just collapsed," he said, as he entered the room.

Gaius cleared of his table and motioned for Arthur to set him down on it, "Pull the cot out of his room, it seems to only be exhaustion."

"I knew he was gone, but where did he go to that would have him just collapse?" Arthur asked, as he opened the door to Merlin's chamber which was clean. At least Mordred was neat.

Gaius was checking the boy's pulse, when he turned his hand over, he saw the keys, "I think he was trying to help." He said holding the keys up for Arthur to see.