Hearing shouts, Gaius looked up at the balcony that overlooked the throne room. To his relief, Merlin was there. The solace that had washed over him and filled his heart dissipated as he stared at his ward. The young man was leaning heavily against the stone railing. Something was wrong.

As Merlin turned away from the opening and limped out of sight, Gaius followed the knights up the stairs. Seeing Merlin gently stroke the dead boy's face as he whispered, "You did good. You did good", broke Gaius's heart. There was so much sadness and pain within the warlock's eyes.

After the knights went to examine the corpse of the assassin, the physician went over to Merlin and the other body. Kneeling beside the young warlock, he examined the young man's fatal stab wound. "Come, Merlin," Gaius said. "There's nothing we can do for the boy. Let's let the knights take care of things here."

Merlin nodded as Gaius helped him stand. The warlock hissed as he put pressure on his leg. A flicker of pain crossed his face, but he didn't say anything. This worried the old man, but Gaius didn't question him. All answers would come with time.

The way back home was slow and arduous. Merlin and Gaius had to keep stopping due to the issue with the warlock's leg. By the time they got to their quarters, all of the color had drained from Merlin's face and he was leaning heavily on Gaius's arm.

Without a word, the physician gently eased Merlin onto the bench and then grabbed a bowl of clean water and a cloth. Knees creaking, Gaius crouched beside the warlock and rolled up the blood-stained pant leg. Unwrapping the wound, he cleaned the area so he could do his examination. Merlin hissed as Gaius pressed the cloth against the wound, but didn't say anything.

"I don't see any infection, but I don't like the ring around it. We'll have to keep an eye on it," Gaius concluded as he stood and got supplies to treat the wound. "You treated it well."

"It was Deagol. I didn't do it," Merlin whispered. It had been his first words since returning to Camelot.

"Deagol?"

"He's the stranger who needed my help with his sister," the warlock continued in a quiet voice, "and…and the boy who sacrificed himself to save Arthur."

"The boy you were kneeling besides," Gaius said as he doctored and wrapped Merlin's leg Hearing a sniff, the old man looked up. Tears were streaming down Merlin's face. "Merlin, boy, what's wrong?"

"I didn't think I'd ever come back. Morgana…she…she poisoned me. It was a trap Gaius. Deagol had no sister. He swore he didn't know. I believed him," the warlock explained, wiping his face. "But, he stayed. He gave me the antidote…at least he gave me something to slow the poison."

"I see. I am assuming you told him what to give you," Gaius mused. After Merlin nodded the physician continued. "How can you be so sure?"

"He told me what Morgana had asked him to do and why he agreed. He said that Gwen was a part of the assassination," Merlin replied in a tired voice.

"Boy! Are you an idiot? Are you trying to commit treason," declared the old man.

"Gaius, you've seen Gwen. You've seen how she's been acting since…" Merlin replied. He let his voice drift off. "She's been different. She's been changed and not for the better."

Gaius sighed and nodded. "Indeed I have," said the man. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Gaius. I don't know," Merlin muttered.

"You better think of something quick. Arthur's had two close calls in the recent weeks. They are too close together for my liking. If she's not stopped, I fear that third time's a charm and Arthur will be no more."

Merlin nodded, staring at his feet. His mouth was turned down in a frown as a few, stray tears fell down his face. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, the warlock looked up and into the eyes of his mentor.

"Such responsibility has been put upon your young shoulders. Sometimes, it doesn't seem fair," Gaius said as he took a seat beside his ward.

"No, it doesn't. I don't understand why Gwen of all people would want to get rid of me," Merlin said. "She had Morgana poison me!"

"Dark magic is afoot here. I am certain of it," Gaius mused, examining Merlin's eyes. "Open up..."

"Why?"

"Oh, stop being a stubborn patient and do as I say," Gaius snapped. After Merlin sighed and opened his mouth, the physician looked in. "Does it hurt to swallow?"

Merlin nodded. "Why?" he asked again.

"While it discolored your mouth and tongue, it has also caused blisters. You will need to gargal sage and salt infused water," said the physician. "Does anything hurt, besides your leg?"

"My back, jaw, and head," he replied, feeling just a bit worried. "What's wrong with me, Gaius?"

"Nothing that can't be fixed in due time. While the antidote this Deagol gave you slowed the toxins, it did not cure you. Can you tell me what the poison you were given looked and tasted like? Oh, and how did you get the puncture wound?"

"Morgana pushed me and I rolled down a hill. I think I landed on a stick or something," Merlin said as he thought about what Morgana poured down it throat. "It was thick and black and burned."

"Belladonna," Gaius said, his own face paling. "Come now, it's time to rest. You'll be fine. I'll make sure of it."

Merlin nodded. His body was worn; he felt weak and exhausted. The warlock stood and started for his room, but Gaius stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Oh, no you don't. You are staying right down here. You are I'll," Gaius declared as he lead Merlin to one of the patient beds. "You'll be staying right here until I declare that you've recovered."

Merlin opened his mouth to protest. He pressed his lips together when Gaius gave him the eyebrow. Reluctantly, the warlock took off his boots and helped his legs into the bed. Covering up, the warlock fell sound asleep; his head barely touching the pillow before his eyes had closed.