A/N: I really wanted there to be more fics based on "Hollow Queen" after it aired in the U.S. since I (obviously) love the episode. *sigh* I guess the sort of person who writes Merlin fics is the same sort of person who watches the episodes when they first come out...
Alright, all you authors who started 5x08 fics: you must finish them. I command it!
(So says the person who abandoned her own fic for more than a month...)

For anyone wondering what I was up to during that month, check out my new story "Ring of Ice".
The plot bunnies were very insistent that I write it as quickly as possible (to the detriment of my other fics).

Oh, I also set up a twitter account- Caldera32 at CalderaIsland- I'll be updating it with progress reports and whatnot (if there's a delay in future it'll be noted there).

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.

"Lie him down- get rid of anything he can get tangled in!"

Gaius and Gwaine rushed to remove the cloaks covering the young man as Arthur backed away and laid him on the ground.

"Should we hold him down?" The king asked, rather frightened by the way his manservant was flailing uncontrollably.

"No, just make sure he doesn't roll into the fire or otherwise hurt himself."
The physician had loosely rolled up one of the cloaks and jammed it under Merlin's head to prevent him from gaining further injury as his skull repeatedly raised only to crash back down again.

"Gaius, what is this? Is he getting worse?"
Gwaine had to all-but sit on his hands to keep himself from restraining his friend, watching him with pained eyes.

The physician was devastated.
"This... this is the last stage."

Gwaine looked away, tears making trails down his cheeks, but Arthur had to hear the words.

"The last stage before what, Gaius?"

Looking older than ever, he met his king's eyes.
"Death, Sire."

The royal was silent for a moment, the words echoing in his mind.

"No" he whispered, shaking his head.
"No, he can't die- there must be something..."

The elder averted his eyes, salt water leaking down his weathered face.
"Even if he survives this fit, he will only get worse. The poison will continue to damage him for as long as a month. I had hoped... but there is nothing more I can do."

"But he was getting better! Please Gaius, isn't there anything?"
He knew his pleading and desperate hope was only making the situation worse, but he simply couldn't lose Merlin- especially not like this.

The physician opened his mouth to give a negative reply when his eyes lit upon the youth on the other side of the fire, guilt-ridden face tear-stained as he hugged his legs to his chest.

"There just may be..." He rose abruptly, ignoring his sovereign's questions as he knelt down beside the druid boy.

The young man started, eyes refocusing on the person before him.
"Your camp- it has a healer correct? With magic?"

The boy was only fearful for a moment before determination sparked in his eyes.
"Yes."

"Do you think he would come- could he help Merlin?"

Resolve hardening, Daegal nodded.
"Of course he'll come- anyone would, for Emrys."

Gaius shushed him gently.
"You mustn't call him by that name where others can hear... now, how quickly can you bring the healer here?"

"As long as there are no bandits, it will only take a short time- we are very close."

Percival, who had been standing nearby as silent and unnoticed as ever, chose that moment to step forward.
"I can help him get there safely, I am... known to this particular group of druids."

"Very well- take Vidor with you, he has a good pair of eyes on him for night travel."
The trio jumped when Arthur joined the conversation- how long had he been listening?

Gaius eyed him warily.
"Sire, you do realize this would involve-"

"Magic? Yes." He sighed heavily.
"I won't pretend I don't have my reservations after what happened to my father..."

The physician flinched at that, but the king didn't notice.

"But if this is the only chance Merlin has, I need to take it- I can't just... let him go without doing everything possible to save him."

And he certainly couldn't withstand a month living in fear that Merlin would die at any moment if he did survive this fit on his own.

He stood and returned to his servant's side.
"What are you waiting for? Move out!"

Percival nodded, helping Daegal to his feet and grabbing a torch, collecting Vidor before disappearing into the night.

Arthur's anguished gaze remained trained on his friend as he continued to seize, the spasms showing no signs of letting up.

You've got to pull through this, Merlin. Help is on the way- just hold out a while longer.