Still not much excitement but I prefer to write shorter chapters and update quicker. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The only thing that I own is the story that I wrote. Merlin belongs to the BBC.

Once the shock of seeing a starving and injured Gaius had worn off, Leon and Percival had immediately carried the old man closer to the fire and made him more comfortable. Gwaine had gotten him some blankets. Elyan, who know something about arrow wounds, checked Gaius's shoulder while Arthur tried to discover what had happened. Merlin just sat there in disbelief. He could sense that the wound was poisoned and that his friend didn't have long to live. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another person that he cared about. Fate was a fickle master and had taken everyone from him. When Merlin finally got over the shock, Gaius was sleeping and Arthur was discussing their next move.

"We need more men. We can't take back Camelot with only us." He was saying.

"When Morgana attacked, many knights and commoners fled to these woods. If we found them and they knew that you were alive, they would help us." Leon replied.

"Yes. We set off at dawn in pairs. Elyan and Percival, you head north. Leon, Gwaine head south. Merlin and I will head east, towards Camelot."

"What about Gaius? We can't leave him here on his own."

"He won't live that long." Everyone jumped as Merlin sat down with them. "He won't make until dawn."

"How can you be so sure?" Percival asked. "The old man is stronger then he looks."

"Not even the strongest can withstand a poisoned arrow. Not even Gaius." The servant glanced at his sleeping mentor. "What did he tell you?"

"Not much. Said that a knight helped him escape but was killed before he could tell Gaius his name. He was shot by an arrow and only just evaded them. Seeing the smoke from our campfire he headed this way and found us." The prince concluded.

"I think that we should get some sleep. Who wants first watch?"

"I'll take it." Merlin said, staring in to the flames. The other knights looked at each other before Gwaine offered second watch and Arthur third. The others slowly wandered of to find somewhere to sleep, while Merlin went to sit with Gaius. The old man looked frail and venerable compared to when Merlin had last seen him. When the others were all asleep and the only noise was the crackling of the fire and Arthur's snores, Merlin sent a mental message to Gaius. I'm sorry Gaius. I wish that I could save you. I'm going to tell Arthur about my gift soon and I wish that you could be there. Goodbye Gaius. Merlin didn't know whether he could hear him but it gave the warlock some consolation that Gaius could. It wasn't long before Merlin didn't hear Gaius draw another breath. He felt tears pricking at his eyes and wiped them away. His mentor looked so peaceful, lying by the fire with a content smile on his face.

When the fire began to burn low from lack of fuel, Merlin awoke Gwaine for his shift. The knight seemed to know without saying anything.

"He died, didn't he?" Merlin just nodded.

"It's time for your shift. Wake Elyan next." Then Merlin lay down and slept before his friend could say anything more.

It was just before dawn when Merlin woke up. Leon was the only one awake as he had taken last watch.

"Good morning Merlin. If this could be considered a good morning." The knight nodded at the body of Gaius.

"He died during my watch."

"Why didn't you wake us?"

"He looked so peaceful and I don't think that he would want me to deprive you all of your sleep. Imagine the telling off I would get from him. It wouldn't have been what he wanted."

Leon accepted that.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, before the others began to wake. After a hurried breakfast they broke up into pairs and went their separate ways to find the citizens of Camelot.

It all passed in a bit of a blur for Merlin as he was still mourning his mother and Gaius. They found scattered groups of knights and commoners and they eagerly joined when they saw the Arthur was still alive. They decided that they should stay where they were and not come to their camp in case Morgana discovered them. When they returned at dusk, Merlin and Arthur found that the others had had equal success. They had at least a couple thousand men willing to fight.

As Arthur began planning, Merlin sat on the edge of the clearing, thinking. Then without realizing it, he let the emotions that he had so carefully concealed break loose and began to silently cry.

This was all his fault.

Sorry for all the Gaius fans out there but I sort of wish that something would happen to Gaius in the actual show. Not kill him, but he goes away or something. Anyway, reviews are always appreciated and the next chapter will be up soon as it's already written.

There is a poll up on my profile on how you want Merlin to reveal his magic. Memories or a display of magic and then his memories. Please vote!