My first fic to Merlin. I must say, at first it was just an idea of sick Merlin and Arthur's reaction on it, but since he treats his servant a bit "coldly", I thought some other things would be shown in this fic too. And Gaius is a bit OOC, because I think he could be mad with Arthur for treating so horribly Merlin, even if the wizzard is doing so much for him (remember the 13th episod of season1?).

Well then - review?

Chapter 1

Merlin didn't feel well.

Since three days the refractory cough was killing him. At first boy tried to ignore it, minding that he had the hell lot to do and even then Arthur was considering him as a slob. Besides – was it the first time, when Merlin had a cold? Things like this happens and you have to move on. And so Merlin was waking up every morning, he was making Arthur a breakfast, polishing his armor and doing all other things, patiently taking the cough, which was becoming more inconvenient and irritating with every day.

When after every attack of cough Gaius was asking him if everything is alright, Merlin was responding that it's only small cold. However, after some time Gaius became suspicious. Merlin was still assuring him that everything is alright, still the old physician kept asking and observing carefully his ward, which started to annoy Merlin.

However, the cough was only the beginning. Soon Merlin started feel also the pain in the muscles and sudden weakness. At first he thought, it was because of tiredness, after all he was doing activities that required a lot of physical strength (everyone, who tried to polish to shine quite big armor, knew about it). However soon Merlin realized that he's sweating a lot and that he has more problems with breathing. It started to worry him. It wasn't hard to see that something was wrong, that it wasn't just simple cold. With every minute he was becoming more and more weak. It happened a lot that he suddenly felt dizzy and he couldn't resist the impression, he will faint right here, right now, no matter, if he is bowing upon armor, cleaning the stables, or doing anything else.

It all seemed to not make any impression on Arthur. When Merlin was coughing, prince was ordering him to cover his mouth. When Merlin was stopping his labor to massage his aching joints, Arthur was ordering him to come back to work and not lazing around. When it finally happened that Merlin fainted, waiting for his master to end the training of soldiers, Arthur took the bucket of cold water and poured it on his servant's head.

"Don't sleep on the post, Merlin." He said with cold tone.

Boy's still strained lungs were catching breath with a lot of effort. Merlin shifted his head, trying to focus on the figure of his master, who was looking down on him with gaze filled by calmness and contempt at the same time.

"Come on. Get up. You're not here to rest. In fact you lately neglects with your job."

Merlin slowly and with a lot of effort got up from the ground. Because he was still swaying on his legs, he leaned on the nearest fence.

"I'm sorry, my lord, but…"

He wanted to say: "I'm sorry, my lord, but I'm not feeling very well", however the prince had cut him:

"No 'buts', Merlin. I don't care about your mere excuses. You have to do my orders."

"Yes, my lord." Merlin responded and coughed into his hand.

"Now come with me. We have few things to do."

Not saying anything more, Arthur turned back to his servant and started to walk to the castle's direction. Merlin fallowed him. Arthur was walking really fast, Merlin had to ran to him from time to time. Because of his aching joints, weakness and gasping, the march through the long corridor was for him one big martyrdom. With every step, Merlin was dreaming about getting already into Arthur's chambers and rest even for a moment. However, he knew that even if he will get there, his master won't leave him, just like that; that he will give him some task to do.

Suddenly Merlin felt, he won't take it anymore. He had to stop. He had to let his tired from frowst lungs catch the breath for at least few seconds. He stopped and leaned on the sill, hardly catching the air. He touched his forehead. It was flaming and wet from the sweat. His whole body was weak and in pain. He felt that if he will move from his spot, he won't have enough strength to go on.

When Merlin stopped, Arthur also stopped and looked back with resignation. Seeing his servant, leaning on the window, he sighed deeply and called:

"What is it, Merlin? Have broken your nail? Stop acting like a spoiled woman and come here!"

Merlin didn't give any respond. He only put his gaze on Arthur, who was untouched, however his patience could end with any time and then everything could happen. Probably Arthur was thinking that his personal servant want to get out from his work, the boy could read it from his cold eyes. Prince won't listen to him. But Merlin knew that if it all will take some more time, it will end bad to him.

So he moved from his spot. He started to walk in Arthur's direction, forcing his aching body to some effort. He was dizzy, but he was still walking, while Arthur turned back and directed to his chamber.

"Faster, Merlin. You're lagging like a an old lady."

He was hearing the steps of his servant, but then the other sound came to his ears. The sound of the body, falling on the stoned floor. Arthur's eyes widened. He immediately stopped and turned back. Merlin was lying unconscious on the ground. Prince ran to him and kneeled. He started to shake him violently.

"Merlin, Merlin. Stop pretending, idiot, and wake up."

But Merlin didn't respond. Arthur, on the other hand, discovered that his servant's body was wet and hot. Prince was startled for a moment.

"He's ill…" He whispered, still not believing in it.

The panic took the rule upon him. For a moment he didn't know, what to do. He wasn't sure, what exactly was with Merlin. After a moment to Arthur's ears came the sound of someone's steps. Then young prince got the hold of himself and started to call for help. The steps became louder and soon some knight ran to Arthur. Seeing royal son, he stopped immediately.

"Sire?"

"Quick." Arthur started, standing up. "Help me take him to Gaius."

"Yes, sir."

Gaius was examining carefully his ward, while Arthur was standing at the wall and observing everything with tension. In prince's mind was crowding lots of disturbing thoughts. Sweated and paled face of Merlin was reminding him about the event with poisoned chalice. Fighting with the poison and close to death Merlin was looking exactly the same, like sick and unconscious Merlin right now. Arthur tried to not think about it. For sure it was just small indisposition. For sure Merlin just had to rest, that's all. There was no reason to be worried.

Suddenly Gaius put his gaze on Arthur. There was some enmity or distance in those old eyes.

"Are you sure, you haven't seen anything unusual in his behavior, my lord?

Arthur rolled his eyes in thoughtfulness. Then he looked on Gaius.

"Only cough."

"Are you sure?" The physician kept asking, widening his eyes, like he was searching for some concrete answer. "Merlin wasn't saying anything about frowst?"

"No."

"Pain of joints?"

"No."

"He hadn't seemed to be weak or anything?"

"No, I haven't recognized something like that. Although…" Arthur suddenly remembered something. "He probably fainted this morning, during training, because when I returned, he was laying on the ground. I've woke him up with bucket of cold water. Then I ordered him to go after me and he fainted again. And now he's here."

"I see." Gaius replied, this time looking at prince with discontent alongside with disappointment. Then he covered Merlin with duvet, came to the table and started to smashing some herbs with mortar. He spoke after long moment of silence, which was definitely too long for Arthur: "It's pneumonia. I realized it earlier, when I was observing Merlin. He was betraying all the symptoms, though he was sure, it's just a cold."

"Is it something serious?" Arthur asked.

Gaius stopped making the pulp out of herbs, leaned his hands on the table and looked at something distant.

"It many times ends with death." He said with silent, calm tone, but still there was something accosting in it.

Arthur stunned. His eyes rolled on wet and paled face of unconscious Merlin. Some weird weight appeared on his chest, when he thought, his loyal servant may not survive it.

Gaius returned to work and said:

"I will try to cure him, but I'm not sure if my methods will be effective."

"Is there something I can do?" Arthur asked.

Gaius put his gaze up. The hand that was holding the mortar, clenched around the handle, while his face expression remained calm. If only Arthur could read his thoughts now… If only he could comprehend, what kind of feelings the trusted adviser of his father was feeling towards him right now… There was so much things, Gaius wanted to say to arrogant prince and the superior of his ward, but his natural carefulness was stopping him to do so. So the only thing, he said, was:

"For now I can't think about anything, my lord, but if I will need something, I will tell you. If that's all, let me take care of patient."

"Maybe I should stay with him?" Arthur looked once again at sleeping Merlin. "For now it's the only thing that comes to my mind."

Gaius violently put down the bowl and mortar, then he leaned hands on the table and for the first time after really long time he looked into Arthur's eyes.

"My lord, haven't you something to do? Your father won't be happy that you are sitting here, instead of fulfilling your royal duties?"

"Oh… yes." Arthur threw out from himself, a bit shocked by physician's reaction. Then he directed to the exit. "I will come later to see, how Merlin is doing."

Cracking lightly, the door closed behind him and Gaius was alone with his patient.