A/N: Because finals are coming up and it's a busy weekend, this chapter will be a little short. I might not even get a chapter up next weekend and the one after that is smack-dab in the middle of my finals (not my idea), but after that, it will be summer, and I will be back full-force. And a million thanks to my beta, DarkAngel2112, who got this back to me really fast!

That being said, reviews are always appreciated anyway, you know?

Chapter Four

One second, he was fighting off the exhaustion, picking up for Arthur, and the next he was in the midst of a nightmare. At least he assumed that's what it was; it started off the same as the others.

It took place in the same foggy, gray place as before. He couldn't see more than two feet in front of him, and that was all colorless murk anyway.

And then he heard her voice, as always. But this time it was missing the panic, as calm and dry she had been when he knew her.

"Merlin?"

His heard jerked up, and he looked around, desperately trying to see her. Was she out there in the mist?

"Merlin."

"Xyla?"

"Yes, it's me. Well, sort of."

He wished he could see her. "Where are you?"

"You won't be able to see me, Merlin. It's not that kind of nightmare."

Nightmare? Nothing particularly scary had happened yet. Which made him wonder… Raising his voice, so as to be clearly heard, he called, "Why is this one different from the rest of the dreams? Why do you sound more like Xyla?"

"I sound like her because I'm a voice from inside her head, magically pushed into yours. This one's different because Morgause and Morgana realized that you weren't getting the hint, and you would only listen to what I had to say if I spoke the same way I usually do."

He wasn't sure how to answer that at first, but at last he said, "Morgause and Morgana? I don't understand. What do they have to do with anything?"

"Merlin, I don't have time to explain everything. I met them a few days ago, and when they learned that I knew you, they thought they could get you through me. That's why they're sending dreams to you through me."

That didn't sound good. Worry blossomed in his heart like the dangerous Morteous flower, growing in the dark.

"What do they want with me?" Why not Arthur? Merlin knew they hated him, but surely they didn't have time for some petty revenge.

"Come get me."

Which wasn't really an answer. Did they want revenge? A way to get Arthur?

Or did they know?

Did they really have Xyla?

Yes, he knew they did. He could feel her through the fog, though he couldn't see her. Xyla.

"Where are you?"

"The Castle of Fyrien. They suggest you hurry."

And before he could so much as say 'You've got to be kidding me', he was grabbed and thrown unceremoniously out of what was unquestionably a nightmare and tossed into reality.

Once he was quite sure that Merlin was fully awake, Arthur thought he was kidding. Once he was assured that Merlin was serious, he made sure he was sane.

And when Arthur was positive that Merlin meant what he said, he refused.

"Merlin, you just passed out in my chambers. You're obviously sick and need to rest for a few days."

"Arthur, please—a vacation. Just for a few days," said Merlin, struggling to get up. Gaius and Arthur held him down. "It's important."

Arthur did not look like the importance impressed him in the slightest. "It can wait. If you didn't have to leave before you fell ill, you don't have to now."

Merlin rolled his eyes and looked like he wanted to protest.

"If you go off on your own and die because you're sick, Merlin, who will clean my chambers?"

Chewing his lip, Merlin shot Gaius and Gwen (who had come in with the water) a look, hoping for help. "Really, it's important."

Gaius raised his eyebrow, thinking that this must have something to do with destiny or something like it. With Merlin, it usually did.

Merlin wasn't worried about destiny at the moment, though. He was worried about Xyla.

Arthur shook his head. "Merlin, I'm sure Gaius agrees with me. You're sick."

"I'm not sick—"

"Then why did you collapse?"

Merlin tried not to curse. He paused, pushed Arthur's and Gaius's hands away, and leaned back down again. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his face with his hands for a second, taking a deep breath.

"Okay, Arthur," he said slowly, nodding. "I'll rest until Gaius decides I'm well and can get up. And then…?"

"We'll see about this 'important vacation'," finished Arthur, nodding. He felt his body relax now that Merlin seemed to be cooperating. The manservant had really worried him for a second, though he wasn't going to tell Merlin that; no need to give him material for taunting the prince.

Merlin gave him a smile, his blue eyes practically screaming 'trust me; I'm being honest'.

No matter what Gaius said to the plan, Merlin was sneaking out of Camelot tonight.

A/N: I know, I said it was short. But please review.