AN: Like I did for Plotting and Planning (and the third that is still being drafted… haha), I think switching between perspectives might help me. That way, I'm not too intense with my Merlin drama and my Arthur drama and can switch. Though, my Goth..

Despite his attempts, Merlin hadn't slept. He checked out of the motel, feeling the edge of his powers. His first stop was to the library, using (begrudgingly) a computer. He needed to get into admissions, find a place where he could put a phone and… He paused. How was he supposed to get his number on the file? Not for the first time did he hate technology. Still, with help from the library technicians, he set up an e-mail address. He started filling out the admissions form, the desperation for someone more literate in technology becoming a necessity.

Breathing in deeply, he felt the magic course through his body and into his fingers, the decision imperative. Someone who would do it, little to no questions asked. He knew he had control over forces of nature and supernatural but, could he control this, too?

He snapped himself out of whatever daze was holding him, finding himself on a chat website. Maybe he could control the internet. Still, the site seemed to be playing excessively loud, aggressive music. Merlin muted it, giving sheepish glances to the staff. He stared as CelticGuardian09 started typing.

With CelticGuardian09's help, Merlin was able to set up his phone and his computer. He asked very few questions about hacking into the hospital system (Merlin had a great story of how much he missed his grandfather for nought) and even less questions about the transcripts. Merlin began wondering if this person was himself, just tech-savvy. Even if he could have done it himself, his powers would have been drained the second he started. It was miraculous that he could muster even this. A greater portion of his powers was used to sway the lovely land lady (assuring that he was clean, despite the haughty laughter of Gaius and Arthur in the shadows) and that he was an impeccable tenant. He may have overdone it though, as he collapsed to his knees, panting and trying his best to regain control. His magic hadn't been like this since he was a child, unable to control it. The worst was the wait. The best was the wait.

He had regained his energy for magic though, he hated how ineffective the hospital was. He would have been on the phone instantly, alerting the relatives that their grandfather had passed. It was already the beginning of the afternoon before anything started happening. Refreshing his browser, he found that he was accepted into the school with a condition of a trial period (one month trial) on a scholarship. He readily agreed.

Around 3:30 or 4, he heard a ping. Convinced it was just outside or his imagination, he began writing a list of things he would need to buy (bed, couch, cups, tea set, tea pot, kettle) when he heard it again, more insistent. The floor in front of him seemed to shake. He put a finger to his wrist, to his head. Maybe it was PTSD from the World War. But, that wasn't quite right, either. It wasn't until his eyes landed on the phone that he understood.

He lifted the phone to his eye level, pressing the green button. It didn't answer. He sighed, fiddling with the phone until he had swiped with his thumb. He pressed the receiver (he thinks – it might have been the transmitter) to his ear. He paused, wracking his brain. Fortunately, the voice spoke. "Good afternoon, this is Angelica from London Bridge Hospital. Am I speaking with Taliesin Balinor?"

"Speaking." He was glad she knew his name, at least. He'd already forgotten Taliesin.

Her voice dropped a little, less professional than what she originally began with. "I'm sorry to disturb you but, is there any way you can come to the hospital this afternoon or evening?"

"Can I ask what this is regarding?" Merlin asked as he had overheard her say to clients.

"Your grandfather, Merlin Emrys."

Merlin tried to sit up straight, coach his voice into one that was concerned. "What about him?"

"We would prefer to have this conversation for you in person."

"Is he alright?" For a moment, he could see Gaius on his last legs, breathing erratically on a cot.

"I must repeat –"

"Is he dead?" His voice was smaller than he intended. It had been the first words Merlin spoke after Arthur's death – well, the only ones with any sort of emotion, anyway.

"… I'll patch you through to the attending physician."

"Wait –" Merlin sighed as the phone rang through. He furiously blinked the thoughts away, missing a time when he didn't care. Didn't even think to care.

"Good afternoon. Richard Bates' phone. I suppose I'm speaking with Mr. Balinor?"

"Yes." Merlin replied curtly.

There was a shift in Richard Bates' voice and demeanor. Somehow, it sounded sad. Of course, that was probably a façade. "I was the physician who treated your grandfather."

"I know. The secretary told me."

"… It is my unfortunate duty to tell you that he's passed on. I'm sorry for your loss." The authenticity of the condolence floored Merlin. If he hadn't been the actual patient, he may have believed him. "We do need you to come in and sign some papers if you want his ashes."

"His… His ashes?" Merlin paused, momentarily imagining a person being burned alive because of his orders. But no, the coroner wouldn't have live patients… That was a story Gaius' counterpart had made up… Right?

"Yes. There was a fire last night." His voice almost cracked at the incompetence done by an employee. "We have punished the persons' responsible but, unfortunately, a few of the deceased were burned in it. Your grandfather was one of them."

There was an echo of silence. Merlin hated how charismatic Uther was, as if he was actually upset to be having this discussion. The doctor coughed twice, returning to a more professional demeanor. "If you would like, we can leave the papers and his ashes at the front desk. All you'd have to do is go to the front desk and tell them your name."

Merlin pressed his lips together, his hands starting to shake. "… I'll be there this evening."

"As you will. Again, I am sorry for your loss." With that, they hung up.

Merlin walked into the waiting room of the hospital, feeling the door slam on his prison of white walls and people in white. To his right, people sat in plastic chairs, waiting with their various ailments. To his left was a door marked 'Staff Only'. His interested lingered on that door, the smallest shake of his head. Behind the counter, up two stories, is where he had spent the last five years only to return when he was healthy. The irony and insanity of his actions were not lost on him.

Jennifer was approaching, her similarities to Gwen giving Merlin pause and bite his lip. Five years of calling her Gwen. If he did so now, his entire cover would be blown. As he stopped in his reprimand, she bumped into him, dropping her pan. Luckily, nothing was fragile. She flinched at the loud noise, her eyes angrily crawling to his face. Was that recognition he saw? She shook her head and managed a smile. "Sorry about that, sir."

Merlin bent with her, helping her to organize the tray and eyes traveled to her name tag. "I got it… Jennifer."

She backed off as he lifted the tray in his arms, offering it to her. She gave him a wide smile and held onto the edges, slipping it from his hands. "You don't appear to be sick."

"No, I'm here –"

"Doesn't matter." Again, that grateful smile as she gestured to the counter. "Angelica will help you."

Just like that, she left him standing a few feet away from the counter. Angelica was at the file cabinet, skimming the contents as Richard talked about something. Merlin coached his face into one of remorse, noting that she rolled her eyes to hide her snake-tongue when she spotted Merlin. With a fake smile, she strutted across the area. Merlin tried not to blush as it transformed into a real one. "How can I help you?"

"I'm Taliesin Balinor." He answered, eyes on the wall behind her.

Just at the mention of the name, Angelica's smile faded. She nodded solemnly, fidgeting with a clipboard. "Yes. Your grandfather, Merlin. I'm so sorry. He was a sweet man. Though, he never mentioned a grandson…"

Clearly suspicious. But, what did she expect when a man came in with a stroke and started calling everyone Arthurian-themed names? Merlin shrugged. "He and mum didn't get on. Probably disowned her after a while."

The lie was simple enough. At least, her suspicion seemed to quell at the logic. "Well, Mr. Balinor, I'm sad to say that your grandfather's body…"

"I heard. What happened, exactly?"

"One of our night nurses set fire to the place." She spoke in a whisper, her eyes on Richard as she did. "The odd thing is: your grandfather was never reported as dead."

"Really?" How odd, indeed, he thought to himself, hiding his sad smile.

"Yeah." In a louder voice, she slid the clipboard toward him. "Fill that out."

He wanted to ask more but, she held up a finger and lifted the receiver to the phone. "Paging Dr. Bates, front counter. Dr. Bates, front counter."

Richard sighed from behind her, setting his clipboard on the small counter behind her. "Angelica, I'm right here."

"I don't know where you are half the time." She retorted.

Meeting Richard's eye, Merlin remembered Uther's temper. Would he have killed Elena for her incompetence? No, they had just said punishment on the phone. Did he get her fired? A black mark on an otherwise unimpressive resume? The panic started in his heart. He could feel his body swaying, hands on his arm. From the corner of his eye, he could see Richard's form, leading him to a chair. He gripped the arm of the seat. Odd that it had only just occurred to him the consequences of his actions. Merlin lowered his head between his knees, gulping in breath. When he was calmer, he straightened only to blink once. Twice. That face… That expression, so hard but so concerned… He had seen Arthur make that face a million times, doing his best to rule his kingdom. No… This is the brat. Not m… the prat. He could slap himself. Still, Merlin held those deep blue eyes that could almost be green in a certain light. And then, the thing spoke. "Are you alright?"

"Better." He'd had worse panic attacks than this.

"Here, drink this." He slipped a styrofoam cup into his hand. Merlin knew it would be water and sipped at it. While he was distracted, Henry glanced at the forms. "You haven't filled in the forms."

"Reality just hit me."

"Oh. Right. Of course." Under his breath, Arthur muttered 'duh, dumbass.' He righted himself immediately, the concern still there but muted. "Did you need assistance with –"

"No, thank you." Merlin set the cup down and picked up the clipboard, writing the 'obligatory' information. He was aware of Henry's proximity to him, watching his answers.

"Is he alright?" Dr. Bates asked after Merlin turned to the last page.

"He's fine. Panic attack, reality coming down on him." Merlin knew the Doctor was nodding along to Henry's assessment.

"Thank you, Henry. You can attend to Dorothy, now. Remember, she doesn't need more than two capsules."

Henry glanced back to the boy who was finishing the questions. "I think I should stay."

"Henry…"

"To be a politician is to show consideration and care." Henry recited.

Richard sighed. "That's true. But, there are others who need your attention more at this moment."

A stalemate. Merlin set the clipboard on the arm of the chair as Henry lowered his head, match lost, and stalked off. Bates, then, turned to Merlin and picked up the forms, his face falling. "Mr. Balinor… I can't express my sorrow enough. Your grandfather was… odd but, he was a good man."

You'd say that. You and your weird experiments, Merlin countered in thought. Dr. Bates continued. "He suffered from delusions. It's common in war patients. Constant poisoning from God knows what. And his heart…"

"Is his heart giving out what killed him?"

"Inevitably, it's what kills us all." Bates smiled a little at the boy. "Sorry, dark and doctor humor are usually combined." His face returned to professional, if not a little sad. "In the last minutes of his life, our scans show that your grandfather had an increased heart rate – almost one seventy."

He set the clipboard down, gesturing to Merlin. Merlin was unsure what he was doing until Dr. Bates put a hand on his shoulder and smiled softly at him. He removed his hand immediately after he squeezed his shoulder. Uther would never be this… Still, Merlin trained himself to appear blank. "He was a kind man. Even if he insisted on calling me Uther…"

How much could Merlin bear? He had remembered such words at Gaius' funeral. His own, he thought, would at least have some resemblance of his sass. "…Thank you."

"Now…" The doctor straightened his back, eyes on the counter. "I've left the urn with Angelica. A pleasure, Mr. Balinor."

Merlin nodded and watched him walk off. When his eyes returned to the situation at hand, they landed on a bulletin board. Merlin stood, studying and scanning each entry. With a slight smile, he wrote his name on the volunteer sheet, his phone number next to it. Even if he couldn't find Arthur, he could, at least, do some good. After all, these doctors were amateurs.

A/N: Hahahaha… Merlin versus Technology – Merlin wins. At least, some of the time. All and all, with Merlin jumping to conclusions, I'm excited to write the next Arthur chapter. So much frustration, so much betrayal, and, of course, pining and lust. Cause we knew Merarthur was going to happen.

Until next time, my darlings!