A/N: Gaius' thoughts at the end of last chapter- If only I were a bit younger...
On a vaguely similar note, my loyal desktop of 5 years seems to be self-destructing. *sniff*
I've already upgraded the components about as much as I can (without replacing the motherboard) so this seems to be the limit.
Good thing I ordered that laptop I've been lusting after for a while.

Did I forget to mention we reached 300 reviews two chapters ago? Yes, I did.
Thanks again to sKyLaR KnIgHt- I think I may love you.

Nance: Thanks! Yes, I figured it was a good time for a little more lighthearted material :)

Arthur walked into the physician's quarters, seeking the reassurance of Merlin's presence before setting out to drug and kidnap his wife.
What he found was Gaius mixing up potions and an empty patient bed.

"Gaius? Where's Merlin?"

Looking up from his work with a raised eyebrow, the elder also looked over to the cot.

"Ah. I had to... restrain him." He shot a meaningful look at his ward's door, now secured against escape by a length of wood wedged through the handle and braced against the door frame.

The king was surprised at the precaution.
"Was that really necessary?"

The old man huffed.
"He was quite insistent on wearing himself out with his attempts to go with you. I suspect he's fallen asleep against the door, but if not you can go in and visit- just don't wake him."

Arthur nodded, moving to the door and easing the wood aside before finding that something was, in fact, preventing it from opening with ease.
Shaking his head, the monarch re-bolted the door.

"It seems you were right, Gaius. Well, soon I shall be off- wish me luck."

"Of course Sire."

The elder clasped the blond's hand and patted him on the back, politely sending him on his way before the king even realized it was happening.

"It's much easier when I can just say he's in the tavern..."
He muttered to himself, returning to his brewing.

Daegal had gotten used to his new mode of transportation about two hours into the flight- Emrys had told him to relax shortly after take-off and promptly fallen asleep- and was now even beginning to enjoy himself.

They were flying directly into a spectacular sunrise as they reached their destination and the young man found himself reveling in the brilliant colors, arms flung wide as if he could embrace the whole of it. He was a bit sad that it was ending- their mount swooping in to make a skillful landing on the tallest peak.

But there was work to do so the druid untied the rope and slid to the ground, catching a half-awake warlock as he made his own descent.

"I shall await your call nearby, young warlock."

Merlin nodded, giving a slight wave as the dragon once again took to the skies.
He had originally considered asking his kin for healing, but upon contact with the ancient had realized that the flight alone was taking all of his strength.
He couldn't bring himself to ask for more. The dragonlord vowed to do something about Kilgharrah's declining health once his own had improved.

He breathed deeply, feeling the latent power of the Cauldron of Arianrhod thrumming in the back of his mind and embracing its comforting presence.
"Help me settle by the water and get the cloak on. It should take Arthur around a day and a half to get here, but there's no sense in taking chances."

The youth did as asked, laying out the older man's bedroll and wrapping him in the voluminous dark blue cloak Gaius had produced from who-knows-where before making sure he was comfortable leaning against a strategically-placed boulder.

Daegal pulled on his own feature-concealing cloak and set about making camp, placing a small stack of blankets next to his companion in case of chill.

Merlin favored him with a grateful smile, snatching up one of the blankets and snuggling into it.
"I'm going to sleep as much as I can- wake me when Arthur arrives?"

"Of course."

The druid smiled at the sight of Almighty Emrys cuddling with a rough camp blanket, his face relaxed in sleep.

Meanwhile the wheelbarrow was once more pressed into a service it really wasn't meant for, smuggling the queen out of the palace and creating a minor stir among the guards concerning the small outbreak of disease the city seemed to be suffering.