A/N: So someone messaged me about inconsistencies in this story- which is fine, if you see some sort of mistake I'd love it if you told me so I can fix it- but in this case I wanted to provide clarification. Some things in this story won't quite match up due to the difference in perception. For instance, when Merlin refers to the concoction that was used to loosen his throat in chapter six he identifies vinegar and gentian while Arthur in chapter seven only recognizes the vinegar. If I had written from Gaius' perspective all of the ingredients would have been identified. Similarly, from Merlin's point of view he was looking around wildly trying to see somethingwhile Arthur and company, from the outside, saw that his eyes were actually drifting about rather slowly. See how this works? Good.
I'm not trying to lecture anyone and I'm not feeling surly, I just don't want anyone to be distracted or disappointed thinking there are errors where there are none.

Now, enough of this nonsense, back to the story :)

Arthur closed his eyes, trying not to focus on the labored beating he could feel under his hand as he supported his friend.
At least it is still beating...

Merlin shivered slightly in his grasp and the royal frowned, noting the sweat forming on the pale brow.

"Was he sweating before?" He asked no one in particular, reaching up a hand to check the temperature.
"He's burning up! Gaius!"

The physician placed his own wrinkled hand against Merlin's forehead, shoving Arthur's aside as he did so.
"Move him closer to the fire- find something to cover him with."
He turned to shout at Sirs Vidor and Caridoc, still tending the flames.
"Is that water boiling yet?"

"Almost there!"

Arthur and Gwaine pulled the cloaks from their shoulders, wrapping them around Merlin's shuddering frame.

"I've got his shoulders, you grab his legs." The king directed and Gwaine hastened to comply.

Gripping the servant under the armpits, Arthur began raising him from the ground, nearly dropping him when the pained gasps and whimpers began tearing from Merlin's lips. The continued stiffness of his body unnerved them- even once completely suspended in the air it only bent slightly at the hips.

Faces creased in concern, the two men began carefully shuffling toward the fire.

They both were well aware that Merlin was one to keep his pain to himself, never complaining or asking for help when he genuinely needed it.
If he were aware at all, having to rely on them would only be increasing his distress.

Percival and Leon, having fetched a pair of saddle blankets and prepared a makeshift bed for Merlin by the fire, now appeared and held up the young man's drooping middle; frowning when the action caused the invalid to grow another shade paler.

It seemed an age before they moved the short distance to the fireside, trying their best to be gentle as they laid him atop the blankets.
Leon and Percival added their own cloaks to the pile accumulating on the servant's body.
Vidor and Caridoc, looking only slightly reluctant, also offered theirs.

Night had now fallen completely and the company huddled closer to the flames, Arthur and Gwaine reclaiming their previous positions at Merlin's side.

"The tea is ready, Sirs." Daegal said softly, pulling a leafy sprig of thyme from a steaming cup before handing it to the physician.

Gaius added a bit of cool water before handing the tea to Gwaine.
"Here we are, just like the water, take it slow. This should encourage him to sweat out the toxins and settle his stomach as well as help with the pain and coughing."

"Thank you Gaius." Gwaine swallowed thickly and placed the cup against his friend's lip, tilting it slowly and watching the servant's adam's apple bob.
"That's it, Merlin. Drink it all and you'll be feeling better in no time."

Arthur, once again propping Merlin up with arms and legs, noticed that the rigidity in his limbs was beginning to recede.
The previously uplifted arm was now close to resting on the blanket.

Another mouthful of tea and another swallow later, the dark-haired head flopped to the side, resting against the coolness of the king's chain mail.

"Gaius?" He yelled, fearing the worst despite the rough breathing he could hear coming from the man.

The physician, however, did not seemed disturbed by this development.
"He is only asleep, Sire. The tea tends to do that- though I was hoping we could get more into him before he succumbed."
He turned his attention back to his mortar and pestle where he was grinding an odd yellow root into a paste.

Arthur sighed in relief, bringing his arms up to hug his manservant before grasping his hand, frowning at the coldness of the bare skin.
He opened his mouth to call the physician once more when a violent tremor racked Merlin's frame.

"Merlin?" Gwaine put the cup aside and gripped the young man's shoulders.

What stiffness had remained now disappeared completely and Merlin melted against Arthur, completely limp.

"Gaius?" Arthur shouted, not sure if this was a good sign or not.
A quandary that was answered a moment later when the convulsions began.