Nearly two months had passed since Merlin disappeared. Arthur had sent out multiple search parties, each scowerring more of the surrounding kingdoms, each party returning short one warlock. Arthur was beginning to loose hope as he feared Merlin was never to return. And Arthur's heart broke more and more as he saw how Merlin's absence had begun to affect those around him. Particularly Gaius.

Gaius knew Merlin had the power to hold his own. But he also knew that Morgana's power had grown tenfold since they last caught sight of her. Gaius was thankful for the duity's he had to fulfill every day. They gave him something to keep his mind occupied. Every day he went about making sure King Arthur, Gwen, and the knights were feeling well. He made an extra effort to check on Arthur on most evening.

Arthur wouldn't admit it, but the more he talked with Gaius, the more he felt some peace amidst the chaos of searching for his friend. And it was when they talked, that if only for a brief moment, Arthur saw the light return to Gaius eyes. Arthur made sure that their late evening chat's always concluded in him escorting the court physician home to his chambers. As the months wore on, Arthur had taken to entering Gaius chambers and remaining till Gaius was ready to rest for the night.

Evening had befallen Camelot, and the weather was no better then it had been all week. Spring was just around the corner, but the torrential rain was most chilling. It was one of the coldest evenings to date, as Gaius settled in for the night. He could still hear Arthur's footsteps receding, echoing down the corridor that led back to the castle. A sudden flash of lightning cause the old man to jump. Glancing up Gaius saw the tail end of the lighting split the sky. He heard the reverberating thunder boom ominously, as the night promised to be another restless night. Evenings were particularly hard for Gaius, as his mind began wonder. He shivered as thoughts of Merlin, sick, and hurt seemed to materialize in his minds eye. As much as Gaius hated thinking of Merlin badly injured or worse, Gaius just wanted Merlin home. He didn't want to walk into his chambers any more, call out for Merlin, only to have the silence answer him back.

Just days before Gaius had given in to opening Merlin's bedroom door. He knew it would pang him to see it barren, but he needed to teach his heart to accept what his mind already knew to be true. All biet the one thing Gaius did not want to believe, he knew that if Merlin was at Morgana's mercy, Merlin couldn't hold out for much longer. Gaius had a feeling that Morgana wouldn't hold anything back in her unnerving search for Emyrs. Gaius sighed as he sat down on his cot. Gaius knew who Emyrs truly was. And if Morgana found out that she held captive, the very sorcerer she sought after so vehemently, Merlin was doomed.

Thunder boomed angrily as Gaius lay down, and pulled the covers over his shoulders. Turning to his side, the physician felt the first tear fall. Pulling the covers tightly around his shoulder's Gaius carried on the same nightly ritual he'd fallen prey to since Merlin had vanished. Gaius no longer fought the sorrow. The sorrow that seemed to burst forth, after being pent up throughout the day.

Once Gaius was asleep, the room fell quiet. The fire crackled as the soup he'd made for dinner went untouched. Gaius had gotten into the habit of making Merlin's favorite soup, in the hope that it would aid the swift return of his ward. But Gaius soon found that the soup tasted bitter. The soup did not taste the way it used to when Merlin had been there to enjoy it along with him. Gaius fell into a deeper sleep as the night war on. Normally the booming storm out side would've kept Gaius awake. But sleep had given Gaius a temporary reprieve.

Grief, as it seemed, was something Gaius had always been acquainted with. He held a deep respect for it. He knew that grief was the body's way of processing pain, both emotional and physical. So it was every evening that Gaius gave in to the weight on his shoulder's. But as every night yielded the same out come with Merlin's bed still being void, Gaius learned that he had an inner strength he had long since forgotten. Gaius's own grief seemed to startle him.

Whilst Gaius's grief held a power in it of itself, he feared what Arthur's reaction would be if he saw Gaius in such a state. And for that reason, he fought to hide his sorrow from the king. Gaius knew Arthur was feeling the same pain as he was. But he feared that Arthur would crumble if he saw how broken Gaius had become.

The night sky was set ablaze as a weary traveler struggled to make his way through the thick forrest. The traveler jumped as the thunder followed the lightning. Looking up, the young man could barely make up the silhouette of Camelot's walls. He knew he hadn't far to go. But he knew he had only just passed the limits of his physical strength. He was fully relying on what little magic he had left to aid him in his return home. He also knew that his body was fighting the horrendous poison that he had been forced to ingest. And not just any poison.

Merlin shook his head as visions of Morgana forcing the mandrake juice down his throat at knife point. Merlin shivered as he felt his stomach churn as the smell of the poison seemed all to familiar. The we earth reminded him of the smell of the soup he had been allowed to have. But Morgana had put mandrake in the food as well.

Merlin had lost track of how long Morgana had held him prisoner. But he saw her frustration grow every time she entered his cell. She was always accompanied by two guards, who acted as the predecesor to Morgana's interrogation. A few kicks to the stomach, shins, and arms usually had Merlin laying on his side with in moments.

It was every evening that Morgana would ask Merlin the same question. She was desperate to know the whereabouts of Emyrs. She knew that Merlin had enough affiliation with Gaius that he must have some idea of where the sorcerer resided. But every evening Merlin would refuse to answer. After every refusal, Morgana would have the guards hold Merlin upright, and she would force more poison down his throat.

As Merlin continued to struggle through the forrest, he half chuckled as he thought of how lucky he'd been. The last week of his imprisonment, Merlin had grown so ill from the poison he hadn't been able to keep it down. Merlin snorted as he recounted looking Morgana in the eye.

Morgana had forced him to his knee's knowing full well what was most likely to occur. She placed a knife to his throat, forcing him to face the cobblestone floor. The poison had already begun to seep up his throat when he Morgana spoke.

"Where...is...Emyrs..?" Morgana spat venomously.

Merlin groaned, and doubled over gagging ardently. He felt the cool blade press against his throat. It was too late. Merlin lurched forward and threw up all over the floor. Merlin felt his whole body shudder as he heaved ardently. Then suddenly, he felt his whole body jolt violently. The cool blade that had been held at his throat, was now embedded in his right side

Glancing over his shoulder, Merlin saw a smile twist it's way upon Morgana's face. She quickly pulled the blade out, causing Merlin to scream. Merlin had collapsed on the spot. That was the last detail of his capture Merlin could recall before he'd woken up in the forrest.

It had taken Merlin nearly a whole day before he'd found any landmark that gave him a sense of direction. He stumbled upon a lake and spent the night there. When he awoke the next morning, he nearly passed out as he realized that this particular lake was at least two days journey from Camelot. But all was not lost. Merlin knew of this lake, and breathed a sigh of relief as he now knew his way home.

The two days journey had stretched into a near six day journey, as Merlin's strength was wearing thin. He had used his magic to kill a rabbit, but found that the poison was too far embedded in his body to keep anything down. He was at least thankful that he could keep water down.

Merlin had tried in vein to keep his wound as clean as he could, but he could tell by the chills that overpowered him at night that he had a fever. He knew an infection, and he had one. His vision had begun blur, and he couldn't ward of the fits that seemed to catch him off guard suddenly. The pain was searing hot, and seemed to engulf every cell in his body. As evening would settle upon Merlin, he would start a fire and hope that he'd make it through the night. But the rain ruined any attempt to keep warm. Merlin knew that if he didn't find his way to Gaius soon, he would not make it.

Merlin shook his head in an attempt to pull himself from his thoughts. He knew it would not do, to dwell on all Morgana had put him through. His side however, seemed to remind him constantly that all though he was a warlock, he was human too. Human, and mortal.

Thunder boomed ominously as if to remind him of the time present. Merlin looked up and saw he was standing at the very edge of Camelot. Slowly, Merlin stumbled towards the bridge that lead to the court yard. The first set of steps that lead up to the main part of the castle seemed to carry on forever.

Merlin was shivering so violently he had to stop and rest every couple of feet. It wasn't until he made his way to the steps of the court physicians chambers, that Merlin felt his knee's wobble. He began to breathe loudly as he felt his head start to spin. Steeling himself, Merlin glanced down at his side. His blue tunic, was now a deep crimson color.

Merlin felt his throat tighten with tears as he realized how close he was to being home. To being safe. His stomach began to tie with knots as he feared what he would find when he opened the door to his home. He wondered for a split second if Gaius had noticed his absence. A wave of pain, called him to his senses. He moaned and fell sideways. The cool stone wall seemed to ebb his fever slightly. Merlin couldn't fight the sorrow. His shoulder's shook as he gave into the pain. He wrapped both arms around his middle as the pain surged forth.

Merlin began to whisper oath's to himself, as he fought to steel his strength. His legs felt like lead, and he didn't know if he could make it up to the door. He felt like his cries would turn into full blown wails at any given moment. Gathering his strength, Merlin groaned as he rose to a stand.

Turning around he placed his right leg upon the first step. The moment he bore his weight on it, a gush of warm blood emanated forth. Merlin bit back his groan with all his might. He fell to his haunches, gripping his side even tighter.

"Gaius..." Merlin whimpered.

Merlin reached forward and pulled himself up the stairs. His arms were trembling so badly, that Merlin was wheezing ardently. Every step seemed to cause a torrent of blood to emanate from his side. By the time he reached the last step, he realized that he might collapse if he stood.

"Oh...no..." Merlin wheezed.

Placing his feet under himself, Merlin slowly rose to a stand. He quickly braced himself, placing his hands on either wall to the side. Glancing over his shoulder, Merlin gasped as he saw the crimson trail that now lead up to Gaius door step. Merlin began to painic. Slowly he clasped the latch, and leaned his head against the door.

Merlin opened the door slightly, and slipped in. Closing the door behind him, he leaned against the wall. He was trembling as he scaned the room. He saw there was a pot of stew simmering over the flames that now lept inside the fireplace. Merlin felt tears sting his eyes as his nose caught the faintest smell of a stew that he remembered loving. Merlin had hoped that Gaius would have missed him. But the soup, made him feel ashamed. He seemed to always cause Gaius to worry.

The moment Merlin thought of Gaius, he glanced over to where Gaius's cot was. He saw the Gaius slumbering silhouette, and his heart broke. His legs started to shudder as he forced him self to not give in to the temptation to collapse on the floor on the spot. Merlin glanced up and saw that the door to his room was wide open. It was then that the length of the room doubled before his very eyes. Merlin glanced down, and saw the wound was gushing again. It was purely a miracle that he hadn't passed out by this point. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief as he realized his magic had been a constant aid in his ability to carry on.

Slowly, Merlin stumbled across the room. He stopped at table and paused. Breathing hard, he wrapped his arm around his middle. Gaius snorted suddenly, causing Merlin to jump. Merlin groaned as he felt his side gush once more. Shaking his head he stumbled over to the stairs that lead to his room. Reaching forward, he began to pull himself up each step. It wasn't until he reached the last step, that his body started to give out.

Merlin pulled himself up the final step, and screamed. Immediately Merlin crawled over to the side of his bed, and sat down with his back against the night table. He clamped his hand over his mouth, and looked down. His wound was bleeding badly. Merlin was shaking so badly. He placed his hands against his side and pressed down hard. Merlin groaned as he fell to his opposite side.

All time seemed to come to a stand still as Merlin lay still, holding his hands over his side. Merlin took in a deep breath and spoke as loudly as he could muster.

"GAIUS!" Merlin yelled.