A/N:

Thank you guys again for the reviews! I forgot to mention at the end of the last chapter, that this one will be a combined prompt for both Synk and Rotashark, as they have both suggested the same thing.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own – Alas, I do not…

CHARACTERS: Merlin, Arthur & brief appearances by Morgana and Daegal

RATINGS: T

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort

SE05EP8 – The Hollow Queen.

What if Merlin awakens to find Arthur by his side instead of Daegal?

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

Hollow Heart

Merlin stopped in his tracks, turning upon the younger boy who had insisted that his sister was ill. He was tired, sweating profusely from their long trek through the forest, and angry. He had begun to get suspicious when his mental cries of warning went unheeded by Daegal, and now – now the boy's silence, coupled by the guilty look upon his features confirmed his doubts.

The young Warlock stepped forward, fury flashing in his cobalt eyes as he gripped the other boy's wrist.

'You're not a Druid,' he said, ripping Daegal's sleeve away from his wrist to reveal the faded and smudged druidic mark. 'Who are you?'

Daegal looked away from Merlin, his eyes settling to a figure in the distance. Panic contorted his features, but Merlin had no time to follow his gaze.

Morgana's eyes flashed gold, and Merlin was thrown back by an unseen force. He sailed through the air, landing with a thud upon the jagged stone precipice, consciousness gone.

'You've done well…I knew it wouldn't be difficult. Merlin has a weakness for outcasts – especially Druids,' the sorceress spat.

Daegal swallowed the lump in his throat. 'Why are you doing this?' he inquired softly, watching in fear as Morgana approached the unconscious boy.

'Because Merlin has meddled in my plans once too often,' the wild woman replied, crouching by the Warlock. She took a small, black bottle from the folds of her cloak.

Unstoppering the vial, she forced his lips apart with gloved fingers. 'The agony you feel,' she began maliciously, pouring the black sludge down his throat. 'You'll be glad when death comes,'

She climbed back to her feet and tilted her head, watching as tendrils of black slid from the corner of his lips.

With a vicious kick, the young boy fell from the crag, landing in the gully below, his leg crooked at an awkward angle.

'Are you really going to kill the King?' Daegal asked in a small voice.

'Hold your tongue!' Morgana snapped as she turned to leave. 'Not a word of this to anyone – you're forgetting I still have a few drops left,'

The false Druid looked down upon Merlin's limp form – the man who was willing to risk everything to save his non-existent sister.

His eyes were downcast as the injured boy trembled in the leaves.

And Daegal walked away…

*~*M*~*

He could not get the image of the older man from his head...lying there on there on the hard ground, wounded and dying. Daegal shuddered at the thought.

But the witch...she had made it abundantly clear that he would perish if he opened his mouth.

With a sight, the young boy sat upon a fallen tree, his head in his hands. Why? Why had Morgana picked him for such a despicable task? Why didn't he refuse?

'Because you would be dead now, idiot,' Daegal murmured under his breath, he trembling fingers clutching at his mousy fringe.

Merlin had done nothing to deserve his fate, at least not to him...

I'm a coward...he thought dejectedly, a lone tear carving a track in his dirty face. Was he actually going to sit there, on a stupid tree, barely half a league from where the young Warlock lay dying - and feel sorry for himself?

It was true that he had not known the fate Morgana had in store for Merlin...but he knew that there would be an assassination attempt on the King.

With a deep breath, Daegal stood. If the sorceress was going to kill him for speaking, then so be it. He would die.

Merlin was a good man – he had neglected his duties as servant to the King himself in order to help Daegal, and even though he had been lying, about everything, the boy appreciated the sentiment.

He had made his decision. He was going to go to Camelot. He would warn Arthur of the attempt on his life and get help for Merlin while he was there.

After regaining his composure, Daegal set off in the direction of Camelot, his stride full of determination.

The young boy snuck through the gloomy citadel...all was quiet – the King enjoying a fancy banquet in honour of his royal guests.

It provided the perfect cover.

As quick as a shadow, Daegal headed towards the Physician's Chambers. Even if Merlin's guardian was not there, there was no doubt he would be far behind.

He stepped inside the circular room, sights and smells assailing him suddenly. Gaius would definitely be able to help him – his skill was legend throughout the Kingdom, and he would not allow Merlin to perish, whatever the cost.

A gravelly cough forced him from his reverie and he noticed he was not alone.

'Who are you boy?' the Physician asked.

'I-I am Daegal, sir,' he responded with a squeak.

Yes, the man was old – but the storm in his gaze frightened him to his very core.

'This is about Merlin, isn't it child?' Daegal nodded. 'What's he gone and gotten himself into now?' Gaius asked with a heavy sight.

The false Druid looked at his feet in shame. 'I...you see...I'm not actually a Druid – I lured your ward out of the castle under false pretences,' Daegal admitted, afraid to meet the old man's eyes.

'As I feared...what has come of my boy?'

'I r-really had no choice, Gaius...Morgana-'

'Morgana? She sent you?' The old man demanded, with a deep frown but his eyes...although they held much anger, the held so much panic for the well-being of his ward.

'She threatened to kill me...I didn't know what she was planning, but when I saw what she d-did to Merlin...'

Gaius gripped the boy's shoulders and gave him a shake.

'What did she do?'

Daegal gulped. 'She p-poisoned him and kicked him from a ledge. The fall was not fatal, but it was high enough. I also fear she plans to kill the king,' he explained shakily.

Gaius growled. 'Did you see what she gave him? Boy, tell me!'

The frightened young boy was shaking all over now – wracked with guilt. This was his fault, and Merlin could die because of it.

'I-I'm not sure what it was exactly – but it was black, and quite viscous,' he described. 'He was unconscious when she gave it to him,'

The physician blanched his eyes full of fear. 'Dear lords...' he murmured. 'I must get to Arthur!'

'Why? What did she give him?' Daegal asked his voice high and frantic.

'It sounds like Belladonna,' he replied, hobbling towards the door.

As he reached out to open it, an intrusive knock sounded against the wood. Gaius lifted the latch and the door swung inwards, revealing a rather livid King Arthur.

'Gaius – I swear if that useless manservant of mine is not back from his little jaunt at the tavern, I am going to hang him from his feet from the highest window – ' his eyes fell upon Daegal. 'Who are you?'

Daegal bowed deeply, and quietly introduced himself. 'You've replaced the bumbling twat then, have you?' Arthur inquired tetchily.

Gaius shook his head. 'No, sire – this young man has just revealed to me that...well, Arthur...Merlin is in grave danger,'

The young regent frowned. 'What's going on Gaius? Why should he be in danger if he is only knocking back a few drinks at the tavern?'

'Arthur! Merlin is not at the tavern! He never has been!' Gaius snapped, ignoring the look of shock on the Kings face.

Daegal shuffled his feet awkwardly as the Court Physician continued. 'Daegal summoned Merlin under false pretences – leading the boy into a trap set by Morgana. She means to kill you sire, but I believe she felt that Merlin was a hindrance to her plan...'

Arthur swore, glaring daggers at the young boy who was cowering beneath his gaze. 'What else, Gaius?' The King demanded.

'According to young Daegal here, Morgana has poisoned him with Belladonna...It could already be too late!'

The king swallowed the lump of dread forming in his throat, but quickly masked it. 'Daegal, you will accompany the Knights and myself only to show us the way. The minute he is found, I want you gone. The only reason I am not throwing you into my dungeons is because you had the decency to come back. Gaius – keep him here whilst I round up my Knights. We ride immediately,' Arthur said, running swiftly from the room.

Gaius only hoped that they found him before it was too late...

*~*M*~*

The early morning sun shone brightly through the trees, dappling the ground below in golden light. Crickets chirped their incessant song, and a cool breeze sent the dried leaves on the ground into a light tumble.

Merlin regained consciousness slowly, exhaling sharply as burning agony pulsed in his blood. His eyes rested upon the leafy canopy of the forest, and he blinked rapidly trying the clear his sight of the blurriness that smudged his surroundings.

He lifted his head slowly, dizziness, nausea and pain, his only companions. His head pounded and he felt a stinging ache at his leg, just below his knee.

The young warlock took in his surroundings slowly – he was lying in a shady gully, his memory fuzzy at best as to how he got there.

He eased his knee up, turning to the side so that he could inspect the damage to his leg. His limbs were leaden, but he managed to reach down to his knee, his fingers trembling as they brushed the ripped and bloody skin.

Merlin's gut wrenched and foamy spittle flew from his lips, the pain now reaching a horrifying crescendo. He fell back to the ground, pained gasps echoing around him.

Muscles tensing, he could feel his limbs convulsing as deep, painful breaths rattled his chest. Desperate and afraid, he reached for the magic that usually danced close to the surface – but it had retreated, too weak to release. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and the light sputtered as his convulsions worsened. To say he was terrified, would be an understatement – to say the pain was bearable would be a light. Merlin could feel the magic retreating further and further the more he tried to summon it.

Blackness crept into the edges of his vision.

I am going to die out here, he thought morosely.

The pain was so bad, he almost wanted to.

He took another deep, shuddering breath, and attempted to pull at the tightly coiled string of magic once more, but his energy was spent.

With a huff of defeat, the dark haired youth fell back into darkness...

*~*M*~*

As soon as the Knights had been apprised of the situation, they rode. It was well past midnight by now, but the full moon provided them with enough light to avoid mishap.

They rode hard, through the night – following the directions of the youth whom they all glared upon with suspicion. This was the boy who led another to harm, merely to gain his own safety and a hefty sum of gold.

Gwaine refused to even look at Daegal, but he didn't care what they thought of him – not now, when they had an injured and gravely ill man to find.

It was light now, the sun streaming down – they had not stopped for a rest since leaving Camelot, by the Kings orders. None of the Knights complained. They were just as anxious to find their gangly, clumsy friend – hopefully alive enough to help.

'He's just over that rise,' Daegal called, swallowing convulsively, afraid of what they would find.

Arthur urged his steed forward, leaping over the fallen tree that blocked his path.

Daegal pointed. 'She flung him backwards with magic and he landed there,' he said, pointing at the rocks that jutted over a deep gully.

'You're sure?' Gwaine asked, as Percival shot him a worried glance.

The younger boy nodded. 'Yeah...she kicked him from there. I doubt he would have moved,'

Arthur flashed him a furious glare as he dismounted. 'You can leave now, boy – as long as you are sure this is the place. But hear me now. If he is dead...you will have to run far and fast...'

The warning died on his lips as he peered over the precipice. 'Gods above,' he muttered his eyes wide.

Merlin was down there, alright – the boy hadn't lied...

'Oh, Merlin,' he said with exasperation. The boy did not look good, even from this distance. Arthur's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the sight of his friend, lying broken and (hopefully) unconscious in the dirt.

He wasted no more time – the King had tarried enough when the initial shock of seeing Merlin in such a condition froze him.

'Somebody hand me a water skin,' he ordered, reaching out to catch the proffered item.

'Be careful sire,' Sir Leon murmured as Arthur began to climb down the rocks. Gwaine and Percival followed closely behind, leaving Leon and Elyan to cool the horses down.

'He looks de-'

'Shut up Gwaine, please...he has to be alive,' he said, jumping the rest of the way. As the King and Knights approached their fallen comrade, their panic rose – Merlin's skin was gray and his lips blue; blood matted his dark hair and a line of frothy saliva had dried across his face.

Arthur fell to his knees next to the boy and shook him gently by the shoulders in an attempt to rouse him. Merlin didn't respond – his limp body flopping around like a rag doll as Arthur shook with more vigour.

'Merlin, come on,' he muttered desperately, pulling the stopper from the water skin.

His lids fluttered as Arthur dribbled some water across his lips.

With a gasp, Merlin's eyes flew open – greeting the three men with a wide-eyed stare of confusion.

'Ar-tur,' he managed. 'Y-you came...'

'Course we did you brainless sod! What are you doing sleeping on the job?' Arthur said, trying to lighten the mood.

Sweat beaded upon his brow as he blinked rapidly, trying to sit – but the movement caused much pain.

He looked at Arthur, his pupil's domination most of his iris, and gave him a weak smile.

'Someone had to come and save your scrawny ass,' Gwaine piped up, although his voice lacked its usual humour.

Merlin frowned and turned away, nausea curling his stomach as he dry-retched. Arthur held his shoulder has he took deep, ragged breaths.

'It's too late...' Merlin grunted, lying back on the ground to try and stop the world from spinning.

'Like hell it is Merlin – you've been living with Gaius for Gods know how long! Tell us what we have to do!' Arthur cried, making the boy flinch.

'There's...nothing,' he gasped, his eyes crossing briefly as he tried to focus on the King.

Gwaine gripped his hand. 'There must be a cure! Just tell us which herbs, and we will find them for you,' he assured, stroking the hot skin of his knuckles.

Merlin writhed painfully beneath them, grunting to prevent himself from screaming.

'C'mon – what do we need?' Percival pushed, pushing his sodden hair back from his forehead.

The boy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, his brow furrowing as he tried to remember. He sat up slightly.

'Rue...' he began thickly, his voice catching. 'It's got yellow flowers...and feathery leaves.'

He stopped again, leaning back his eyes closing.

'Stay awake Merlin!' Arthur pleaded, giving him an encouraging smile as soon as Merlin's cobalt eyes appeared again.

'Milfoil...ground into a tincture,'

The king turned to Percival. 'Can you collect them and do what he said?' Arthur asked, satisfied when he nodded and hurried off into the bushes.

Gwaine was already collecting firewood, watching as Elyan and Leon approached with the horses, having found a way down.

Merlin gripped the King's wrist, pure unadulterated fear flashing in his eyes.

'Hurry...' he murmured, beginning to shudder. 'Hurry,'

And he went limp.

'How is he?' Leon asked - his concern for the younger man clear. 'Will he make it?'

Arthur wiped the tears that were already beginning to form in his eyes.

'I don't know...he's burning up and shivering at the same time. I don't know whether to pour water on him or wrap him in blankets ' He sighed. 'Bloody, gaping wounds I can deal with...this is a Gaius thing...'

His oldest friend and first Knight gripped his should reassuringly. 'He is strong, sire – I believe he will make it.'

Arthur nodded slowly as he watched Merlin struggle to breathe.

'I hope so.'

Merlin's shudders had worsened as Percival brought the clear liquid to Arthur. His breaths were uneven and heavy – It was taking its toll on him.

Arthur gripped the back of Merlin's head, pleased to see that he had regained consciousness, and raised it, so he could drink.

The king raised the tincture to the boy's lips, his heart jumping as Merlin gripped his wrist weakly.

He gave a choking cough and rested his head back to the ground, pushing the water skin that was offered away with a slight shake of his head.

'Feel...feel my heart,' he gasped, guiding Arthur's hand to his chest, before leaning back, blinking sluggishly. He took several deep breaths and pursed his lips, trying to ride the pain.

'What's happening?' Gwaine asked.

Suddenly, Merlin's head jerked backwards, his neck tensing as his body began to convulse vigorously. Arthur kept his hand over the boy's heart, and watched in fear as his body jerked spasmodically.

'What do we do?' Gwaine cried, as Merlin grunted and gurgled, a deep frown of pain upon his brow.

'I don't think there is anything to do Gwaine – He will have to ride it out...' Arthur replied.

For several more minutes, Merlin jerked and groaned, but finally – thankfully – it was over.

His eyes slid closed as he lost consciousness, and Arthur scooped him up.

'We have to get him to Gaius...' Percival murmured, making room for the king.

Arthur's panic abated somewhat, however – the boy was cooling down and his breathing was returning to normal.

Merlin was far from ok, but he would live...

I hope you enjoyed that one! The next prompt is for Mika271170, who has requested something angsty with any characters between series one & two...bear with me, I need to put my thinking cap on!