You know what, screw it. This has officially become a series. So, I'm just gonna keep writing chapters until I run out of ideas. Plus, if there's an idea you want to see written drop me a PM and I'll totally attempt it. Are you guys happy? You've broken me :)

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Leon was the first to notice that all was not well with Merlin. The poor boy was parchment pale, had dark, ugly circles under his eyes, and he seemed to be moving slower than usual. He also seemed to be rubbing his forehead, wincing when he came into contact with anything bright: from the sunlight to a dimly lit candle.

"Did you notice Merlin's been acting strange today," Leon muttered to Gwaine as the two stood outside the gate, keeping an eye out for any Saxons, Cenred's men, or any other potential threats.

"How so?" Gwaine asked curiously, a worry lilt in his voice.

"He just looks sick," Leon replied softly.

"Sick like how?"

"Just sick. When I asked him about it he said he was fine and walked away. You don't think he caught that flu that was going around a few weeks ago, do you?"

"He did help Gaius out," Gwaine consented with a shrug but still couldn't keep the concern off his face.

"Maybe we should ask him," Leon suggested just as their replacements started heading towards them.

"He's Merlin. Do you honestly think he'll answer us?"

"No, but he might answer to Arthur," Leon replied with a shrug.

"Then let's go talk to his majesty," Gwaine retorted sardonically, ignoring the small glare Leon threw him as the two started back towards the castle.

Arthur was in the middle of doing paperwork when the two knights stepped into his chambers. He held up a finger, putting the final touches on one, rather nasty report, before looking up and asking, "How do you spell crisis? I keep thinking there are two 'c's' in it, but Merlin," the blond shot a look at the spot where the dark-haired servant usually stood, "says there are two 's's' in it. Who's right?"

"I think Merlin is, sire," Gwaine murmured barely holding a smirk at bay.

"Is a crisis pending, sire?" Leon asked before Arthur realized Gwaine was mocking him.

"No, but I'm working on several defenses just in case." He wrote a few more words down before giving the knights his undivided attention. "What can I do for you?"

"It's Merlin, sire," Leon started slowly, folding his arms behind his back.

"What about Merlin? Has he been skiving on his duties again? I swear, today I found him napping on the job. He's mucking my stables now."

Gwaine opened his mouth to protest, but Leon quickly spoke over him. "No, sire, he's not skiving. We believe Merlin may be sick."

"Sick?" Arthur gave the two knights an incredulous look, one eyebrow raised. "And what made you believe this?"

Before Leon could respond, Elyan burst into the king's chambers through the open door. "Sire," he gasped gesturing behind him, "Percival found…"

"What?" Arthur was half standing, a worried look on his face.

"Merlin, sire, he collapsed in the stables."

Leon was certain Arthur murmured a word most kings' shouldn't use before sprinting out of his quarters, the knights hot on his heels. "Where is he?" Arthur called over his shoulder, taking the stairs down two at a time.

"Percival was carrying him to Gaius last I checked," Elyan replied quickly. Arthur nodded, redirecting his route to Gaius' chambers.

The foursome burst into Gaius' chambers just as the older man was shutting Merlin's door. Percival, who had been pacing seconds beforehand, stopped suddenly, turning his attention to Gaius.

"How is he?" Arthur demanded before anyone else could speak.

"He doesn't have that flu, does he?" Leon questioned worriedly.

"He's suffering from a migraine," Gaius replied softly, sifting through his potions. "He says he's been suffering through the pain all day, but while cleaning your stables," Gaius turned 'the eyebrows of doom' on Arthur, "he became dizzy and collapsed."

"See, we told you," Gwaine murmured to a guilty looking Arthur.

"I didn't know," the king murmured, looking down at his boots.

"He'll be fine," Gaius informed the knights and the king, finally finding the potion he needed. "He just needs some rest."

"And he can have it," Arthur said quickly, stepping forward. "He has the rest of today and tomorrow off."

"It's not your fault," Gaius stated quietly, after a beat, no longer angry at Arthur, looking far older than his seventy-some years. "He needs to be more vocal when he's ill."

"When will we be able to see him?" Gwaine asked curiously.

"Maybe tomorrow," Gaius replied already starting towards Merlin's room. "Be quiet when you leave please."

The knights traipsed out of the room, but when Leon looked back he noticed Arthur take a seat at Gaius' table. Barely holding a smile at bay, he had a feeling his king most likely wasn't going to leave until he knew, one-hundred percent, that Merlin was going to be okay.

"Good night, sire," Leon said softly before shutting the door behind him.