A/N:

This next one is for both HakuHunterNatural + readernurse (again with similar ideas) - AU to the Tears of Uther Pendragon part 2.

Also, sadly not the best title – I try to play with them as much as I can, but this one was difficult. I didn't to go with the obvious 'Tears of Arthur Pendragon'

*Insert standard 'I do not own Merlin' disclaimer here*

CHARACTERS: Arthur, Merlin & Kilgarrah

RATED: T

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort

WHAT IF...S03EP2, The tears of Uther Pendragon - Kilgarrah is unable to cure Merlin of the Serket's poison and he has no choice but to return to Camelot in his state.

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

Venom

Merlin was on his knees before the blonde witch, chains entwining his lithe form as the woman looked down at him with contempt in her cold, brown eyes.

'You intrigue me, Merlin.' She began slowly. 'Why does a lowly servant continue to risk everything for Arthur and for Camelot?'

The young man averted his gaze. He did not wish to look upon the woman who had corrupted and turned the King's ward to the side of evil.

'You know the answer, but you're not telling me. Why?'

Merlin swallowed the lump in his throat, but still did not meet her eyes. Panic was beginning to bubble forth as he tried to squash the magic that desperately tried to escape.

'Come on, time and again, you have put your life on the line,' Morgause pushed, crouching by Merlin. 'There must be a reason,'

The youth swallowed painfully, his cobalt eyes meeting hers briefly. 'I believe in a fair and just land,' he responded with conviction.

The witch smiled coldly. 'And you think Arthur will give you that?'

'I know it.'

Morgause rose and began to circle the boy, like a vulture waiting for death to feed upon.

'And then what? You think you'll be recognised, Merlin? Is that it? All this so one day, you can be serving boy to the king?'

Merlin tried not to look at her. She was cold and unforgiving and he feared her. The eyes that held no warmth or sympathy narrowed, as she inspected the boy.

'No...There's something more. Something you're not telling me, isn't there?'

The warlock met her gaze again firmly. 'I told you,' he murmured, trying to hide his panic.

She gave him a cruel half smile. 'Well...you can take your secret to your grave,' she spat, towering over him – her eyes flashing golden. 'Weorp Untoworpenlic!'

The chains that bound him glowed and crackled, tightening around his slight frame.

Merlin winced as the constriction left him breathless and watched as Morgause and the two men that had knocked him unconscious, disappeared over the ridge.

He was alone.

A slight breeze rustled through the undergrowth, and somewhere close by a twig snapped.

Panic rising as the young Warlock sensed something approaching, his eyes flashed gold.

'Abrecap Benda,' he incanted, desperate to escape his bonds.

The chains tightened, crushing his lungs – but he tried once more, his cerulean eyes catching movement from beyond the tree line.

'Irenfaestnunga onlucus me!' Merlin cried in desperation as the first monsters appeared.

The beasts were frightening – large and well armoured, they scuttled into the clearing on many legs, their large stingers bobbing in anticipation at\the morsel struggling before them.

'Min Strengest miht hate pe tospringan!' He bellowed – but it was no use! The chains pulled tight again, and Merlin's eyes watered at the strain.

More of the creatures were approaching from all directions. Small boulders tumbled from the outcrop behind him and he turned to the closest monsters.

'Anwendap eft wansaeliga neatu!'

With a flash of gold, his eyes shimmered and few of the creatures stumbled backwards – but it wasn't enough. They merely shook their great bodies, as though the spell was simply a nuisance.

Merlin tried to compose himself – there had to be a way to get rid of them!

'Forletap me a –'

Pure, burning agony sliced between his shoulder blades, and he grunted – his features contorting in pain and fear. Hot blood trickled from the wound in his back, mingling with the salty sweat that coated his skin as he pitched forward.

He could feel the venom at work already, coursing through his veins – but he could not give up. Not now.

There was one more thing he had yet to try.

With a deep breath, he reached for the powerful magic that pulsated at his very core.

'O Drakon!' He bellowed at the sky, his head thrown back as the magic words tore from his lips. 'E male ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!'

The powerful words of the Old Religion fled through the land, and the Dragon heeded his cry.

With a gasp, Merlin fell backwards, waiting for death and praying for it, when flames, hotter than a forge, blasted through the clearing, setting it alight.

The monsters shrieked and scuttled backwards, the conflagration consuming their brethren as the Great Dragon descended upon Merlin.

Black spots danced within his vision as giant claw grasped his midsection, and as he was lifted gently to the skies, Merlin fell into darkness.

*~*M*~*

His fingers twitched and pain overwhelmed his senses as he returned to them. Sweat dripped from his brow as he shifted in the cool grass and he slowly opened his eyes.

Merlin blinked the cobwebs away and forced his vision to focus, his eyes widening at the magnificent beast before him.

'I didn't think you would answer my call,' the Warlock said weakly, tremors wracking his limber frame.

Kilgarrah blinked his great golden eyes and tilted his head.

'Merlin…' the Dragon began - his voice as old as the earth itself. 'I could not resist a Dragonlord, even if I wanted too,'

The youth gave him a small smile, 'I'm grateful...thank you,' he panted, his chest heaving.

He tried to prop himself up the get a better view of the creature, but dizziness and pain overwhelmed him.

'Ow...my head,' he breathed, lying back slowly.

'Lie still, the Serket's poison is strong. I am sorry young Warlock – I have attempted to heal you of the poison, but it seems the incantation used to bind you has seeped into your core, preventing magical healing...'

Merlin sighed. Of course...he thought tiredly. Of course this would happen.

'I will rest only until the sun rises...then I will head for Camelot,' Merlin decided, trying to warm himself. 'How far are we?'

The Great Dragon chuckled. 'We are just a short walk from the gates. I have cast an enchantment to ensure we are not seen or heard in this clearing. Rest, young one...and hopefully the old man will think of something.'

The youth nodded carefully, the sudden movement blurring his vision. He closed his eyes.

Merlin drifted in darkness for what seemed like eternity, before a light nudge brought him back. His breaths came in harsh gasps as he opened his eyes, and it seemed that there were two worried dragons, peering down it him.

'Much as I detest to do so, Merlin – I must leave, and you must head to Camelot. I know that your strength wanes, but if it fails any further, there will be no hope, and you shall die,' Kilgarrah said gravelly, assisting the poisoned boy to his feet with an ivory claw.

Merlin swayed on the spot, drool spilling from his slack jaw. He tried desperately to spit it out, but found his mouth was not working.

With a jolt of fear, he turned away from the Dragon, and with heavy limbs, the young man stumbled his way back to Camelot.

*~*M*~*

Gaius was neatly recording his potion stocks when a very flustered Arthur slammed into the Physicians Chambers, brandishing a crossbow.

'Where is that halfwit?' He demanded, his furious eyes searching for any sign of the boy.

'Merlin?' The old man asked feebly, although he knew that the young Prince had obviously meant his ward.

'I've got no socks, no breeches and an archery lesson to go too. Merlin!' Arthur snapped in response, still peering around.

A loud thud at the door caught the Princes attention and he spun on his feet, hands crossed impatiently over his broad chest.

The aforementioned manservant leant against the door jamb, panting slightly – sweat beading his brow. The young man stumbled forward, catching himself on the edge of a workbench.

'Drowning your sorrows at the tavern again Merlin?' Arthur asked with an annoyed tone.

Merlin grunted, his eyes wide and glazed as his legs collapsed from under him, leaving him clinging desperately to the table.

'He's not drunk, sire,' Gaius managed softly, watching the expression of anger on Arthur's face morph into something akin to worry.

The dark haired youth tried to pick his legs up and stand once more, but fell forward, his eyes rolling back into his head.

The prince lunged forward and grabbed the boy around the midsection, slowing his inevitable descent.

That's when he noticed the bloody wound on his back.

'Gaius!' He called, frantic worry in his voice. 'He's been stabbed!'

Only Merlin, the idiot, could wake up in the morning, trip on his impossibly long limbs and land face first into some sort of trouble.

Only that usually meant stumbling up stairs, falling in a badger-hole, or giving himself a concussion whilst cleaning the King's armour – but this?

Arthur pressed his hand to the wound, flinching when Merlin groaned in pain and arched upward as his touch.

Gaius hobbled over as fast as his weary legs could take him, and peered at the young man who had become like a son to him.

He crouched wearily, ignoring the pop and creak of old bones and rested a palm upon the boy's cheek.

'He is burning with fever,' the physician said gravely. It seemed as though he was always saying something of the like when it came to his beloved ward. 'Could you move him to the bed, sire?'

Socks, pants and archery lesson forgotten, Arthur gave the old man a short nod, and lifted the light young man.

A pair of panicked blue eyes met his, and Arthur tried to reassure his friend with a smile.

'C'mon Merlin, you're like a sack of old potatoes...help me here!' Arthur huffed good- naturedly.

The young Warlock blinked, and tried to talk – but the only sound that escaped his throat was a cross between a moan and a gargle.

Saliva dripped from his lower lip, and as the King pulled him closer, he could feel his friend's uneven heartbeat.

With little effort, Arthur gently laid the boy on his stomach and without further instruction, began to slice the harsh material of Merlin's shirt away from the wound.

The regent almost gagged at the smell that invaded his senses as the deep gash oozed yellowing liquid.

The Physician joined them, minutes later with a bowl of hot water and a clean rag.

Merlin gasped and sobbed as Gaius cleaned the wound, the whole time, Arthur rested his hand upon the young man's shoulder.

'It's alright, Merlin. You'll be okay. I will find who did this to you and they will pay,' the king assured.

'Not a who, your majesty...it's more of a what...'

'S-serrr...' came a soft, slurring voice from below. Lips smacked and a grunt of frustration emanated from the injured servant.

Arthur crouched before him and gripped the boy's slack jaw with a firm hand. 'What is it, old friend?' he asked gently.

'Serkss...' Merlin tried again, but his tongue was far too heavy to sound the word out.

'Serket's,' Gaius offered, although it was not a question. Merlin nodded eagerly, but regretted the movement instantly, as dizziness overwhelmed him.

Arthur's heart clench, and suddenly – he felt weak. He had heard of these creatures that roamed the forests. Their sting was painful, debilitating and in most cases, fatal.

He scrubbed a hand over his lightly stubbled jaw. 'You always pick the most interesting ways to get out of work, don't you, Merlin?' The Prince murmured, his firm voice betraying the emotions roiling in his chest.

'Artrr...' he managed thickly.

'It's Ok, I'm just kidding,' he assured quickly, worried that he had panicked the young man.

Merlin shook his head weakly, and clutched at his chest – his blue orbs widening.

'S-sick...' he managed with great difficulty.

'Yes Merlin. You are. Again,' Arthur sighed.

The boy shook his head again.

'Gon' be sick,'

As Gaius worked at the wound, Arthur grabbed the closest pail, and held it under Merlin's chin, wincing in sympathy as he retched.

'H-hurts,' Merlin whimpered.

The Physician abandoned his ministrations, and rounded the cot. Moving his hand gently from where it clutched at his heart, Gaius replaced it with his own.

'Your chest, my boy? Is that what is troubling you?' The old man asked, his lined brow crinkling further as he frowned.

'Y-yes,' Merlin replied, taking a shuddering breath. 'F-feels like dying,'

Arthur dragged his lower lip through his teeth. 'What's going on?' he demanded.

Gaius took Arthur's hand and placed it over Merlin's heart. The Prince was not expecting to feel the irregular pounding beneath his touch.

Gaius met his gaze. 'He is having heart palpitations, sire and his blood pressure is dangerously high,' he explained gently.

'What does that even mean?' Arthur cried.

'Do not move your hand, Arthur, not one inch. I need you tell me when his heart stops.'

Bewildered, the Prince looked down at Merlin, whose lids were fluttered weakly – long black lashes kissing the pale skin beneath. 'What do you mean, stops?' He asked, his voice quivering.

The Physician held his gaze steadily. 'Merlin is having a heart attack, and I cannot prevent it. But you must be ready to turn him, so that I can get it started again,' he explained.

Arthur blanched. 'Will he die Gaius?'

The man hesitated. 'He may.'

He looked down again at the pale face of his best friend, to see that he had succumbed to the pain and exhaustion. That was when he noticed the unsteady thrum beneath his fingers increase rapidly before halting entirely.

With a choked sob, Arthur flipped the boy onto his back and stepped away, watching as though he was disconnected with the world.

Gaius discarded Merlin's tunic entirely and with his hands balled into fists, thumbed the boys frail chest.

'What are you doing Gaius?!' Arthur cried, as the thudding continued.

'Shut up and hold his shoulders!' Gaius replied frantically, as Merlin took an almighty breath, and screamed as his eyes flew open.

Limbs akimbo, he began to thrash violently, cries of anguish escaping his lips intermittently as he seized.

Arthur held tight, his throat constricting painfully, helpless to soothe the boy's pain.

Slowly, blissfully – the shudders ceased, leaving Merlin sweating and panting heavily in the bed.

'Gods above Merlin!' Arthur cried, as the tears he hadn't realised had fallen, dripped from his chin.

He looked up at Gaius. 'Tell me you can make him better, please,'

Gaius flinched at the pleading tone and sighed. 'I don't know sire...there is no cure for the Serket's poisoning. Either he will fight the venom and recover fully, or he will succumb and be lost to us within a matter of days. It is too soon to tell...'

Arthur squeezed his eyes shut, trying to abate the overwhelming panic that threatened.

All they could do was wait.

Sorry for the Cliffy! It was originally going to be shorter and then asked myself...who was going to stop Morgana and destroy the staff? Who was going to save the day? This will now be a two shot, with more angst and Merlin whump!

Stay tuned!