AN: Tones of thank you to everyone for their good responses. And since some of you wished to see a sequel for the last chapter, I couldn't exactly refuse to it, could I?

Disclaimer: Does it really seem like I own anything?

Chapter 6: Your heart on the line(Part 2)

Arthur looked up expectantly as the door to Gaius' chambers opened to reveal a dark bearded man in white robes. The physician just shook his head, not giving in more. The young king sighed deeply.

It was already the third healer that weak and none of them had been able to say or do anything worthy or helpful. As Arthur himself, they had no idea what to do about Merlin's condition. But how could they cure something, when they had no clue what it was in the first place? Merlin was getting weaker, hardly ate or slept and had become rather closed off. However now that he didn't have his magical powers, the listed seemed just like the ordinary symptoms of stress and overworking to the healers. Which resulted in them saying the exact same things, much to the king's irritation.

Arthur expressed his gratitude to the man, nonetheless. He tried to keep a neutral composure as he made his way to the said door. He didn't want Merlin to see him like that: disappointed, insecure, desperate, frustrated…Lost. He didn't want Merlin to lose hope.

Arthur opened the door silently and learned that someone else had already beaten him there. Gwaine was sitting on a chair near by the bed and was attempting to start a conversation with the distracted sorcerer. After all that had happened during the last few weeks, the knight had become awfully possessive of their friend and most of the times directly refused to let Merlin alone( or alone with anyone for that matter).

But what was more surprising and even a bit offensive was that he seemed to be making great affords at protecting Merlin from Arthur. Although Merlin had never had doubts about the king and made it clear that he was very much willing to accept Arthur's help, sir-Gwaine-drunkard didn't fully believe in Arthur. And that was pretty much annoying to say the least.

Merlin was sitting on the bed, his bare back turned towards the door. He had his hands on either side of him and even from the doorway, Arthur could see that he was clutching the sheets in a hard grip, making his knuckles equally white.

As soon as Gwaine noticed the king, he was on his feet at once. He walked to Arthur, still keeping an eye on the warlock.

"How's he?" Arthur asked quietly, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.

"Not…good." The knight replied, hesitantly. "He says it's alright, that we shouldn't think much of it, but I can see he's hurting."

The king nodded thoughtfully, glancing at Merlin. He wondered briefly if the whole incident meant that there no longer was a ban against magic…or at least shouldn't be. He'd been so focused on making his friend get better that he had forgotten that there were still people like Merlin out there, who were still being brought to justice. The matter should be considered as soon as possible, but for now Merlin was his number one priority.

"I wish to speak to him." Arthur said in a manner, which clearly said that he wanted some privacy with the warlock. Gwaine raised an eyebrow and looked at him skeptically.

"I'm not going to kill him, Gwaine." Arthur said with a deep sigh.

"Of course not." The other man assured coolly, puffing out his chest. "I shall be here."

The king groaned, rolling his eyes. As much as he liked the knight, this was just getting ridiculous. Gwaine sensed the king's foul mood and realized that if he didn't leave any time soon, he would be the one getting strangled.

"Alright. I'll go…" he said, clearing his throat for a better effect. "But…" he stopped midway. "I'll be right here…all the time."

Arthur nodded a few times, just to get rid of the man and just as the other disappeared from his view, he hastily made his way to the bed. Now he could finally look at his friend properly and his heart ached at the sight. Merlin's pale face was shimmering under a light layer of sweat, his hair was messy and not kept , and there were dark circles under his eyes. But what really got to him were the silent tears that were rolling down his cheeks.

"Merlin…?" he called, uncertainly, siting himself beside the man. His concern grew even more, as his friend hadn't yet acknowledged his presence. The warlock let out a shaky breath and Arthur couldn't stand quiet anymore.

"Are you well?" he asked worriedly, putting a hand on the other's shoulder.

"I think I should leave Camelot for a while, at least." Merlin blurted out so suddenly that for a moment Arthur thought he had imagined it. There was a dull 'thump' coming from the other side of the door, which sounded like someone's head had just collided with the door. But Arthur was still under the effect of the statement and too shocked to mind the nosy perks of one Gwaine.

"What? Why?" he asked, probably more harshly than he intended to.

"I…don't really know." The warlock answered, flinching slightly at the tone of the king, "Maybe I'll find something out there…maybe the druids will be able to do something…" he trailed off, not meeting the other's gaze.

"Alright." Arthur said after a while, now keeping his voice gentle. "If you think it necessary, we can go when Gaius finds that your condition hasn't…"

"Arthur…" Merlin cut him off, shaking his head. "I…didn't mean it like that. Like 'us'….I meant I should leave, you know, alone."

The king blinked a few times trying to register what this meant.

"Why do y-" finally when he decided to speak up, he was cut off.

"I don't know!" Merlin said angrily, while shrugging his tunic back on. "I just can't do this anymore! Can't stay here doing nothing. I feel so…useless." Now he was almost sobbing. "And every day it only gets worse. Magic is…was the only thing I had. Could do. If I can't use it anymore…"

"Merlin…Merlin, hold on…" Arthur interrupted the man's babbling, by putting an arm around his shoulders.

"What nonsense is that?" he asked softly. "You are most certainly not useless and never have been, Merlin. God knows I wouldn't have been able to build this kingdom without you…heck I wouldn't even be alive, in the first place."

"That's not true…" Merlin frowned. "You still would've been a great king without me."

"Probably." Arthur agreed with a teasing smile. "But I know I wouldn't be the same man I am today, without you."

The warlock didn't say anything and Arthur sighed.

"Merlin…" he said, seriously. "I promised you to do everything in my powers to return your magic. And that hasn't still changed. That's the least I can do to you…to show you," he struggled for the right words. "…how very thankful I am for everything you've done for me. For always standing by my side. It's my turn to take care of you."

Merlin looked up at him in awe and Arthur almost laughed at the surprised look on the dark haired man's face. But it was a pleasant surprise and Merlin soon smiled in gratitude.

"You really should return to your royal businesses, you know." He said quietly, snapping the king out of his thoughts. "You don't have to be here all the time."

"In fact, I think I do." Arthur said confidently, ruffling the younger man's hair. "You can't last a day without getting into trouble. And although I appreciate the fact that Gwaine has taken it upon himself to keep an eye on you…" he said the last part loudly, so that the mentioned knight could hear them. "I feel more than obliged to be here too."

There was a light snort coming from the doorway and a weak mumbling, something about 'princesses' and 'having no respect for loyal people'. But both Merlin and Arthur wisely decided to ignore the man's presence.

"Besides, "Arthur continued, "Guinevere is handling everything fine. There's no point in me to interfere."

Merlin nodded and a comfortable silence fell upon them.

"Thank you…" the warlock said eventually. "You know…for everything."

Arthur looked at his friend fondly and was about to respond when the door to the physician's chambers burst open.

Leon and a few other knights entered quickly and before Merlin could think about in how unusual manners they did it, Leon spoke.

"Your majesty." The knight began, with a quick bow and Arthur soon left his spot on the bed.

On the background, Merlin could see Percival give Gwaine funny looks, who just looked flushed and uneasy, obviously being caught eavesdropping.

"There is a woman, sire." Leon said. "A sorcerer."

To Arthur's raised eyebrow, the knight shifted uneasily, glancing at Merlin.

"She wishes to see Emrys."

AN: Ta-Daaa….here's your sequel. Hope you liked it. And I personally have no idea where this is going…Do you? Reviews are very much appreciated.