"you're far too cocky for someone who has only just recovered from nearly dying."

[1.13 — Le Morte d'Arthur]

In life, you don't always realize how important someone is to you until you almost lose them. To lose someone that you love before you even know that you love them is a pain little can compare to. To sit in a chair and wait for death to overcome them, knowing that you are helpless and nothing you could do would save them was agonizing. It is as if you can't breathe as you watch their life leave them.

And it was not until Arthur Pendragon was dying that Illyria Lytar realized just how strong her feelings for the Prince had become.

It had started off as a normal day. Arthur, along with Merlin and some knights, had gone out hunting. There had been reports of some beast lurking in the woods on the outskirts of the woods, and they went to investigate. While they were tracking the creature, Lia and Gaius were in the council chambers, sitting through their meeting. However, the council meeting was disturbed by Arthur barging in, followed by his knights.

Arthur immediately went into detail about the creature they had encountered in the woods. Lia had never heard of something so terrible. Whatever it was, it had the body of a cheetah and the head of a serpent — and judging by the still frightened look on Merlin's face, Lia could only assume that it was huge. It had killed Sir Bedivere, and they were lucky no one else had been injured. While the creature seemed to puzzle everyone else, Gaius apparently knew exactly what it was.

"The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast," he told them.

"Surely that's a myth," Arthur claimed. Lia didn't understand how he could deny such claims after seeing the beast himself.

"According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval," Gaius explained.

"Gaius," Uther said in an almost warning tone, "it's an old wives' tale."

"Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic," Arthur said. Mythical beast or not, it had to be stopped. "The people fear it will enter the city."

"Then we must kill it. Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn," Uther ordered.

Uther dismissed them all, and the knights left, knowing they would need a good night's rest before the next day. Lia trailed after Merlin but paused when she noticed Gaius stayed behind. She couldn't hear all the way from the door, but whatever he had said to Uther had upset the King.

Perhaps it was the warning from Gaius or the fact that even Arthur looked scared at the thought of facing the best again, but Lia was worried. It felt like something was about to change.

Once Gaius finished up with Uther, he joined Lia. Along with Merlin, the three of them made their way to the physician chambers. Merlin began preparing everything that he would need to hunt down the beast the next day while Lia sat silently and watched him with a worried look on her face.

"This is no ordinary beast, Merlin," Gaius warned, walking over with a book in hand.

"Don't worry," Merlin said, smiling. He didn't seem to have the same bad feeling that Lia and Gaius had.

"No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uther may not respect the Old Religion, but it is very real. To face a beast such as this, you must understand where it came from," Gaius insisted.

"What do you mean?" Merlin asked, finally beginning to listen to him.

"At the very heart of the Old Religion lies the magic of life and death itself. The Questing Beast carries that power," Gaius explained. "One bite, you die, and there is no cure."

That night, as Lia and Merlin were preparing for bed, the young warlock noticed how Lia would nervously glance at him and then go back to brushing her hair out of its braid.

"What is it, Lia?" he asked, finally having enough of the nervous glances.

Lia put her hairbrush down and turned in her seat to face him. "I'm just worried about what Gaius said. Merlin, you must be careful. You can't let it bite you."

Merlin smiled softly to reassure her. "I'm always careful."

She scoffed and shook her head. "That's highly debatable."

| | |

That morning, Lia had gotten up early to accompany Merlin to the courtyard. There, all the Knights of Camelot had gathered, ready to set off after the Questing Beast. Despite her worry, Lia managed to put on a bright smile, which the slightly nervous knights welcomed. Nothing like their favorite of the physicians sending them off to calm them down.

"You'll be careful, won't you?" Lia asked Leon. As she spoke, she reached up to adjust his red cape.

"Are you worried about me, My Lady?" Leon asked, smirking down at her.

"Of course," she said, not even bothering to make a teasing joke. "I worry so much about all of you when you go on quests like this. You'd better be in perfect condition next time I see you."

"Worry not, Lia," Arthur said, appearing at their sides. He had a confident smile on his face and he slung an arm around Leon's shoulder. "I'll return him to you fighting fit."

"And I expect you in the same condition, Sire," Lia said, smiling softly. "It would make my job much easier if you'd simply not get harmed."

"Ah, I see. It's not that you care. You're just too lazy to stitch me up," he said, chuckling.

"Oh, absolutely," she said, faking a serious face. It made Arthur smile, and he knew it was much more than that. Somehow, going out and knowing that Lia cared about his safety made Arthur a bit more confident in his ability to kill the creature. Perhaps it was because slaying the beast meant returning back to Camelot and seeing her smiling from his victory. For a moment, the pair shared a meaningful look, which Leon pointedly turned away from.

"I promise to return in perfect condition," he said in a gentle tone. He was promising to return to her.

"I'll hold you to that." Then Lia cleared her throat and glanced away, breaking the small, intimate moment. "You should probably get going. I'll see you when you get back."

Arthur nodded before instructing the knights to line up. As he addressed them, Lia moved to the steps of the palace to watch. Merlin had glanced back at her over his shoulder to offer her one last comforting smile, assuring her that everything would be alright.

"You've seen the foe we face. It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best knights in the realm. We can, and we will kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom," Arthur told them. Then he drew his sword and held it out. "For the love of Camelot!"

The knights copied his actions with their own weapons. "For the love of Camelot!"

"ARTHUR!"

They turned to see Morgana rushing from the castle. She was hysterical, dressed only in her nightgown as she dashed down the stairs and right to Arthur.

"Morgana, what are you doing?" Arthur asked her.

"You cannot face it!" she shouted. Morgana tried to grab a hold of him, but Arthur grabbed her wrists tightly.

"Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of," he told her in a calm voice.

"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things," Morgana said in a weak voice. "You cannot go!"

"She probably had a bad dream, Sire," Merlin whispered quietly to Arthur. Lia rushed to Morgana's side and wrapped her arms around her. "Lia will take her to the physician chambers."

"No!" Morgana shouted at him. She tried to pull away from Lia but she did not let go, not wanting Morgana to harm herself in such a state. "I will not let you go!"

Arthur looked to Lia almost helplessly. "Please, Lia, get her inside."

"No!" Morgana shouted.

Merlin helped Lia lead Morgana back up the steps as she continued to panic. "I will make sure he's safe, My Lady. I promise," Merlin assured her.

Arthur watched as Lia gently guided Morgana back into the castle, doing her best to console the ward. He had no idea what had gotten into Morgana, but whatever nightmare she had must have been terrifying. But that's all it was, he convinced himself — a nightmare.

Once the doors of the palace had shut, Morgana tried to pry herself from Lia's hold and run back outside.

"Gana!" Lia shouted in a firm tone. She held the sides of Morgana's face, forcing the ward to focus on her. "Morgana, they have no choice but to go."

"No! H - he's going to die!" she claimed, choking on a sob. "Arthur's going to die!"

Morgana then threw herself into Lia's arms as she continued to cry and scream. Lia could do nothing but hold her tightly, trying to quietly calm her down. But in the back of Lia's mind, she was anything but calm. Because, if Morgana had dreamt Arthur's death as she had dreamt so many other things that came to pass, then she felt as if all the hope had left her body.

Death was coming for Arthur Pendragon.

| | |

Lia felt as if all the air left her lungs as Merlin burst into the physician chambers. Two guards followed with Arthur on a stretcher. In one sweep, Merlin knocked everything from the workbench, where the guards set Arthur down. Gaius and Lia rushed to the Prince's side, who wasn't moving.

"What's happened?" Gaius asked them. With shaking hands, Lia pulled back Arthur's armor to reveal the ghastly wound. "He's been bitten."

"I tried to save him," Merlin told them weakly.

"You must tell the King," Gaius ordered to the guard, who rushed from the room.

"There must be something you can do," Merlin said.

"I wish there was," Gaius muttered.

Merlin looked at Lia, whose lip was beginning to tremble, for half a second before rushing off to their chambers. "I'll find a cure!"

"Merlin!" Gaius shouted.

"Trust me!"

"Can you hear me, Arthur?" Lia asked, brushing blonde hair off of Arthur's sweaty forehead. His fever was already far too warm. Though she got no response — Arthur was hardly breathing.

Merlin then rushed back into the room with his magic book in hand. "Here."

"The King'll be here any moment!" Gaius protested.

"He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do," Merlin said. He would not let Arthur die — not like this.

"That is a lament of all men," Gaius said.

"Gaius, he's my friend," Merlin said in a pleading tone. He glanced at Lia, who would not tear her eyes from Arthur. To her, he was more than a friend or at least one day he would be. Merlin would not let the world rip Arthur away from her like it had everyone else in her life.

Gaius saw the desperation on Merlin's face. "Then save him."

Merlin did not hesitate to use his magic to flip through the book, searching for healing spells. As he reached them, he faced Arthur and tried the first spell. When nothing happened, he tried another. And then another. Each time, Arthur's condition remained the same.

"Maybe the spells need time to take effect," he said, watching Arthur carefully.

"The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn—"

Gaius was cut off by Uther shouting as he approached the physician chambers. "Where is the Prince? Where is my son? Arthur!" When Uther entered the room and spotted Arthur on the table, he rushed to his side, cradling his head. "Do something, Gaius!"

"I am trying, your majesty," Gaius told him. They hadn't had any time to attend to Arthur.

"Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die," Merlin said to Uther.

Gaius gave him a pointed look, knowing it was dangerous to make such promises. "I will do everything in my power."

Uther suddenly threw Arthur's arm over his shoulder before lifting him in his arms. "I'll bear him to his chamber."

Lia quickly threw several supplies into a basket before she, Gaius, and Merlin followed Uther. Lia felt as if her heart was breaking as Uther carried his body across the courtyard, several onlookers stopping to watch. And then Uther, overcome with grief, collapsed. Four guards immediately rushed to his side, lifting Arthur from his arms and taking him to his chambers.

Lia knelt by Uther's side and placed a hand on his shoulder as he cried. "You must be strong, My Lord. Be strong for Arthur," she said in a gentle tone.

Slowly, Uther let her help him to stand. He could not take his eyes off of Arthur's body as they carried him away. The King took a deep breath before following the guards. Lia was right, he knew. Even with his son in such a state, Camelot needed their King. He had to be strong for his people, himself, and for Arthur.

| | |

Every moment that Lia spent at Arthur's bedside felt like pure agony. Nothing she or Gaius did made any difference in his condition. The only thing they could do was make it easier for the Prince, hoping that he wasn't in pain. Lia had volunteered to stay in the Prince's room in case his condition grew worse overnight. No one had seen Merlin after they brought Arthur back, though things were much too hectic to wonder where he'd run off to.

It was quite late in the night when Merlin arrived back at the physician chambers. He had been in the Dragon's Cave, searching for answers — ones he knew Gaius would not like. 

"Merlin, you're back. I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing," he said, holding out the concoction that he had just finished brewing.

"No. We have to save him," Merlin said. As he spoke, he began packing.

"You've already tried," Gaius reminded him. Magic had been pointless.

"The beast comes from the Old Religion. The cure must come from there as well," Merlin said.

"There are not many left with such an art," Gaius told him.

"You said yourself, the Old Religion is still alive, and there is an island beyond the White Mountains—"

"No!" Gaius said sharply, cutting him off. He looked alarmed at the mere mention of the island.

Merlin stopped his packing and saw the look of recognition on Gaius' face. "The Isle of the Blessed. You know it?"

"It was said to be the center of the Old Religion — the focus of its power," Gaius told him.

"Why did you keep this from me?" Merlin asked in an accusing tone.

"Because it was too dangerous, Merlin."

"It's our only chance! I have to find it!" he shouted, going back to packing.

"And once you are there, what will you ask?" Gaius questioned.

"For Arthur to be saved."

"The Questing Beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate," Gaius said.

"Then I will convince them to change their minds!"

"It is not that simple! The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return," he explained. "Merlin, please, I beg of you."

Merlin shook his head, his decision already made. "I'm sorry, Gaius. Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly."

"And what would Lia think?" Gaius asked, desperately trying to change Merlin's mind. For a moment, Merlin hesitated in his packing. "How would she feel knowing you are going to sacrifice another for Arthur to live? Knowing that an innocent will die in his place?"

He knew, of course, Merlin knew. If Lia had known his plan — to sacrifice himself — she'd never let him go through with it. To Lia, he knew whose life she valued more. But Merlin did not care. He did not care about Lia's overwhelming sense of humanity and selflessness, nor her unwavering love for him. Lia would forgive him for his actions one day and she would have Arthur by her side when she did.

| | |

Lia hadn't even known that Merlin had left Camelot early the next morning. He had not come to say goodbye and explain his plan, and she was busy watching over Arthur. As time went on, Arthur's fever worsened and his pain grew. Nothing that Lia or Gaius gave him would calm him as Arthur continued to stir in a fitful sleep.

Uther had hardly left Arthur's chambers — he was afraid he'd leave and his son would be gone when he returned. Lia quietly watched from across the room as he sat by Arthur's side, feeling his burning forehead. Arthur continued to fidget restlessly.

"Shh. Sleep, Arthur," he whispered.

It was silent as Uther watched over his son. Lia couldn't bring herself to interrupt the moment between a father and his dying son. But the King could not remain forever, as he still had duties to perform. He looked to Lia, who was watching Camelot through the window — he appreciated her attempt at giving them privacy.

"You'll stay with him?" Uther requested earnestly. "I do not want him to be alone."

"I shall not leave his side, Sire," Lia assured him. Perhaps there was a double meaning to her words, though neither realized it at the time.

As Uther left the room, Lia realized that it was her first time alone in the room with Arthur. Hesitantly, she took the chair next to him with Uther had left empty. Lia took in a shaky breath as she looked over Arthur's appearance. His skin was pale and sunken in, covered in a sheen of sweat. Arthur already looked dead, she thought, and tears welled in Lia's eyes.

Lia grabbed a towel and dipped it in water before bringing it to Arthur's face, tending to his fever. Her hands shook as she did so, telling her just how scared she was to lose Arthur.

"You're not going to die, Arthur," she said, taking in a shaky breath. Lia knew he could not hear her, but the words were weighing on her chest as if she said them, he would magically recover just to prove them true.

"You will not die, because I know that one day you will become a great king — far greater than your father could ever be. And I know that you will live to be the man that I know is inside you, Arthur. Every time I look at you, I am filled with hope, because I can see a Camelot that is fair and just and kind. I see a king that the people love and are proud to call you their sovereign. You must live for the Camelot that's to come."

"You must live for me," she said, her voice cracking. Slowly, she held his hand, which had grown cold, up to her mouth to press a gentle kiss to his knuckles. Lia spoke in such a quiet whisper that she almost couldn't hear her own words. "I cannot lose you before you were even mine."

| | |

Merlin had been gone from Camelot for an entire day, but Lia was none the wiser. Gaius didn't have it in his heart to tell her of the quest Merlin had set out on. The physician simply let her watch over Arthur, knowing that she needed the time with the Prince. With her volunteering to stay with him and no complaints from Uther, Gaius had returned to the physician chambers. There wasn't much to be done. It seemed all they could do was wait for Arthur to pass.

Though everything changed when Merlin burst into the physician chambers, out of breath.

"Merlin!" Gaius said, not expecting his sudden arrival.

"We need to give this to Arthur," Merlin stated. He handed Gaius a decorative container full of liquid.

"What is it?" Gaius asked. He was still skeptical of how Merlin came about it.

"Water drawn from the Cup of Life. If Arthur drinks from it, he will recover," Merlin explained. "Please hurry."

Gaius began to walk out but paused to face Merlin.

"What are you waiting for?" Merlin asked him. They had to get it to Arthur before he died.

Gaius pointed the container at Merlin accusingly. "What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?"

Merlin kept his expression blank and passed Gaius to head to Arthur's room. "We don't have time."

"Merlin!"

"Don't worry, Gaius!" Merlin shouted. "Everything's going to be alright."

Lia hadn't been expecting for Gaius and Merlin to barge into Arthur's room. In fact, she had been about to nod off when they ran in, startling her. Before she could ask any questions, Gaius opened the lid to an odd-looking container. Merlin held Arthur's head up while Gaius poured whatever liquid was inside down his throat.

"What is that?" Lia asked, confused. As far as she had known, Merlin hadn't been successful in finding a magical cure. Though, perhaps he had found a recipe for a potion for them to try.

Before either of them could answer her, Uther entered the room as well, asking similar questions. "What are you doing, physician? What are you giving him?"

"It's a... It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant, an ancient remedy for poisonous bites," Gaius quickly lied. The fact that he lied told Lia all she needed to know — it was a magical cure. Some way, somehow, Merlin had found one.

"A cure?" Uther asked hopefully.

"We hope," Gaius said, not wanting to give him a definite answer.

"Do you really think it will have some effect?" Uther asked, watching Arthur carefully.

"It's our last resort, Sire," Gaius said. Then he poured the rest of the liquid into Arthur's mouth, who managed to swallow it. Gaius glanced from him to Uther. "Perhaps you should allow him to rest."

"I will not leave him," Uther stated.

"Very well," Gaius told him. He nodded for Merlin and Lia to follow him from the room. Lia did so, already having ten questions she wanted to ask.

"Could Lia stay?" Uther asked. He didn't look from Arthur as he spoke, missing the surprised look on each of their faces. "It would comfort me to have a physician near in case his condition changes, even if you are just an apprentice."

"Of course, Sire," Lia said. She took a seat on the opposite side of Arthur's bed. It seemed her questions would have to wait for later, but she had to admit that she was anxious to see if the cure worked.

The pair sat in silence for a long time before Uther brought himself to speak. "Do you really think he could be saved? Or do you think it is foolish to hope for such things?"

If Lia was surprised at him seeking her council, she kept it to herself. "You know, Prince Arthur asked me something rather similar when Lady Morgana was ill."

"And what did you tell him then?"

"You cannot give up hope, My Lord, for the moment that you do is the moment that Arthur will be lost to your heart," she said softly. "Arthur is strong, Sire, stronger than any of the guards or Knights of Camelot. If anyone could survive such an attack, he would be the one."

Uther looked away from Arthur for a moment to study Lia. "How does one remain as optimistic as yourself when you've already lost so much?"

"My mother used to tell me that if we believe that tomorrow will be better, then we can bear the hardships of today. I do my best to remember her words in times like these."

For a moment, Uther's face fell slack. Unknown to Lia, he had heard those words before, though he could not remember where after so many years. Though he could recall a gentle voice that reminded him very much of Lia's.

Lia was clueless as the King wracked his brain, trying to remember who had said that phrase to him. She did not know that he was trying to picture Lia's mother in his head, wondering if he had ever met her before. Perhaps it was because his mind was too consumed with his son, or perhaps he'd remember on another day, but Uther stored the words in the back of his mind.

Once again, he was puzzled by the origins of the physician's apprentice. But one day, Uther knew he would discover all that he wished to know. He need only be patient and continue to watch her carefully.

| | |

After a day of waiting, Uther had managed to fall asleep, hunched over Arthur's bed. Once Gaius had arrived, Lia stood and joined him near the door. She watched as he nervously paced, waiting for Arthur to show signs of waking up. It's what they were all waiting for.

And eventually, it happened.

A low groan left Arthur's lips and his eyes fluttered open. Slowly, he turned his head and saw his father at his bedside. Uther woke quickly, hearing his son stir. "Arthur," he said in a relieved tone.

Arthur, still in a daze, looked around his room once before leaning his head back down. Uther didn't want to leave Arthur's side, but Gaius needed to check the Prince's vitals now that he was awake. So, Uther moved back and let his court physician work, making sure that Arthur really was going to be alright. It would be a long time before Arthur felt himself again, but he would live, and that was what mattered.

Soon, Gaius finished checking on Arthur and left to go back to the physician chambers. He needed to get a few herbs and medicines to bring back to Arthur to return his strength, as well as inform Merlin of the Prince's recovery. That left Uther and Arthur alone with Lia, who was busy cleaning up Gaius' supplies he had left out.

"I thought we'd lost you," Uther said, putting a comforting hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"Don't worry, Father, I'm not going to die," Arthur said, still sounding weak. "I think there's someone watching over me, keeping me from harm."

"Maybe you're right. On your long journey to become King, you will need a guardian angel," Uther said, smiling. And for a moment, his eyes fell on Lia's back. "Lia, will you change his bandages? I shall inform the court that their Prince lives."

"Of course, My Lord," Lia told him. Uther nodded to her once before exiting. Lia gathered fresh bandages and a cloth to clean Arthur's wound, and he watched her carefully as she did so. When she finally sat next to him, she had that soft smile on her face that he loved so much. Though, he could see from the red around her eyes that she had been crying.

"You were worried about me?" It was a statement more than a question, and they both knew it.

"Of course," she said, beginning to remove his old bandages. He winced as it pulled at his wound, but he didn't complain. "If you died, I'd have no one to make fun of Merlin with." Arthur managed a weak chuckle. "I knew you'd be alright."

He watched Lia, just studying her concentrated face as she took care of him. Arthur couldn't remember much from his dying moments, but he could remember her. He didn't think he'd ever forget her sweet voice pleading with him to stay alive. To stay alive for her. "I can remember you talking to me."

"You can?" she asked, not looking up from his chest.

"You stroked my forehead," he said, with a small smile.

"I was tending to your fever," Lia said, shaking her head. "That's sort of in the job description, Sire."

"You never lost faith."

"I was just talking," Lia said, beginning to apply the fresh bandages.

"Tell me again what you said?" he asked, his tone growing playful.

"I wouldn't remember," she said, though her cheeks heated up — they both noticed.

"Yes, you do," he insisted.

"No, I don't."

"Come on. Something about the man I am inside," he said, grinning. Lia avoided looking at him, instead finishing with his bandage. "Lia," he said in an almost pleading tone. "Tell me again how I fill you with hope."

Lia scoffed and shook her head. "You're far too cocky for someone who has only just recovered from nearly dying."

"Ah, but I lived," he said, giving her a pointed look. His grin turned into a more caring look. Arthur took her hand, which had been smoothing down the bandage on his chest, and brought it to his lips. "I promised that I'd return to you. I will never break a promise to you."

Lia felt as if her heart had jumped to her throat and she struggled to find words as Arthur watched her, his blue eyes fixed solely on her as if she was the only thing he cared about.

"Well, I believe your exact words were that you'd return in perfect condition," Lia said after a moment.

"My apologies," he said, smirking. "I'll have to find a way to make it up to you."

"I'll hold you to that," she told him. Then Lia brushed some of his hair off his forehead. "You should rest, My Prince."

| | |

Lia felt light as she returned to the physician chambers. Somehow, despite all odds, Arthur was going to live. With a large smile on her face, she rushed to her shared chambers with Merlin, who was sitting on his bed. Lia tackled him in a hug, almost knocking him over.

"I don't know how you did it, Lin, but you are amazing," she told him. "I know you won't hear it from Arthur, but know that I am so grateful and am proud of you."

Merlin smiled weakly and continued to hold her. "Thank you, Lia."

Once they finished their hug, Lia got up and started to get ready for bed. She had hardly rested at all the last few days and would welcome a good night's sleep. She did not notice the way that Merlin was carefully watching her as if committing her face to memory — as if it were the last time he'd see her.

"Illyria, you know I love you, right?" he asked after a moment. "More than anything."

Lia glanced at him over her shoulder with a goofy smile. "Of course, Lin. I love you too." Then she went back to picking out a dress for the next day, unaware of the inner turmoil that her best friend was going through.

"And you know that I would do anything to make you happy, right?"

Lia untied the pink ribbon from her hair and stared at Merlin, tilting her head. "And I, you. Merlin, what's this about? You're acting odd."

"I'm always acting odd," he said, forcing a smile.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" she asked. Lia made her way over to Merlin's bed and sat next to him. Immediately, he tucked her under his arm, pulling her closer.

"It's really nothing," Merlin lied. "I'm just glad to have you in my life and that you're safe and happy."

Lia wasn't sure what was going on with Merlin, but she also knew he was too stubborn to tell her what was really wrong. But even if she didn't know what was wrong, Lia wouldn't let him go through it alone. "Yes, well, you always make me safe and happy, Lin," she said, smiling. "I'm not sure what's bothering you, but it sounds to me like you could use a sleepover."

Merlin smiled his first real smile in days. Ever since they were children, they'd ask to have a sleepover whenever the other was going through a rough time. Even after Lia's father had died and moved in with Merlin and Hunith, they'd still curl up on the floor next to each other, not leaving each other's sides. If Merlin was about to die, then spending his last moments with Lia next to him was probably the best way to go.

Lia had no trouble falling asleep. There was nothing to keep her awake — Arthur was going to get better and she was in her best friend's arms. But Merlin was a whole other story. It wasn't Lia's soft snores or the loud storm that was going on that kept him up. He sat awake for most of the night just waiting for death to strike him. He wondered if it would be painful or sudden. He pictured how distraught Lia would be when she woke in the morning. Guilt consumed him as he thought of Lia, but she would be alright, he convinced himself. She had Gaius, Morgana, Arthur, Leon, and Gwen to comfort her. Eventually, Lia would move on.

With thoughts of dying consuming his head, Merlin didn't even realize he had drifted off to sleep.

| | |

It took a moment for Merlin to register the fact that he was alive. The sun was what woke him up, and slowly he opened his eyes. Lia was still asleep, curled into his side, and Merlin stared down at her with a confused expression. Then he bolted upright, waking Lia with his sudden movements.

"I'm alive," he muttered in disbelief.

Lia, still half asleep, ran a hand through her messy hair. "What are you talking about?"

Without explaining himself, Merlin jumped out of bed. Lia was confused, never having seen him so chipper in the morning. She followed Merlin as he entered the physician chambers.

"Gaius! I'm alive!" he exclaimed. Lia was going to ask Merlin once again what on earth he meant, but stopped when she saw Gaius leaning over a collapsed figure on the floor. "What is it? What's happened?"

"Merlin, stay there!" Gaius ordered. "Lia, keep him back."

"What's wrong?" Merlin asked. Lia grabbed his hand but he yanked it from her grasp before going to investigate.

"No, don't," Gaius warned.

But Merlin didn't listen. He and Lia walked over and saw that Hunith was the one on the floor. Her skin was covered in horrible sores and she was struggling to breathe. Lia couldn't believe she was still breathing. A horrified look fell on Merlin's face.

"Mother," he breathed out, dropping to Hunith's side.

"Merlin," Hunith muttered weakly.

"What's happened to her?" Merlin asked, holding his mother.

"She's gravely ill," Gaius told him.

"Do something!" he shouted.

"If I only could."

"Please, Gaius!" he begged.

"Merlin, this is no ordinary illness," Gaius said.

"This cannot happen," Merlin whispered.

"Who did you meet at the Isle of the Blessed?" Gaius asked. Lia frowned. She had no idea what the Isle of the Blessed was, or that Merlin had gone to it. Perhaps that was how he saved Arthur.

"Nimueh."

"Nimueh?" Gaius repeated. Lia didn't understand. Why had Merlin gone to meet the sorceress who had tried to destroy Camelot countless times?

"It was as you said. She demanded a price, but I bargained my life, not my mother's," Merlin explained.

"Bargained your life for what?" Lia finally asked.

"For Arthur's!" he shouted.

"Merlin. I wish there was something I could do," Gaius said in a gentle tone.

"I will make you better. I will," Merlin told Hunith, holding her hand. Then he stood and quickly rushed out of the physician chamber without an explanation.

| | |

Lia was waiting for Merlin when he returned from the Dragon's Cave. Gaius was still attending to Hunith, who was lying in Merlin's bed. When Merlin entered the physician chambers, he spotted Lia sitting down and staring into the fireplace. He knew she knew he was there, but she did not face him.

"Gaius told me what you did," she said in a quiet voice. "That's what all that was last night, right? You were saying goodbye."

"I thought it better if you didn't know," he murmured.

"And I was just supposed to wake up with you dead in my arms?"

Merlin could hear the hurt in her tone. "I did it for you, Lia, and for Arthur—"

"I don't care about Arthur!" she shouted. Lia stood and turned to face him with tears welling in her eyes. "Losing Arthur is nothing compared to losing you, Merlin. How could ever think that I would want you to sacrifice yourself to save some man I have a crush on."

"But one day, he's going to be more than that. He has to become the King of Camelot and you have to be at his side. The Great Dragon made that very clear—"

"The Great Dragon is not your friend!" Lia interrupted. "I am! And you lied to me! How could you do something like this and not tell me?"

"You wouldn't have changed my mind," Merlin muttered, looking to the ground.

"You didn't even give me a chance to say goodbye," Lia said, her voice cracking. Then she choked on a sob and turned back to the fireplace. "This is the cruelest, most selfish thing you've ever done, Merlin. I can't even look at you."

"Lia—" Merlin stopped himself when Gaius quietly exited the other room, finishing up with Hunith. "How is she?"

"She's sleeping," he replied. Then Gaius came to sit by Lia.

"I have to save her," Merlin told them.

Gaius shook his head. "You cannot."

"If the balance of the world needs a life, then Nimueh must take mine." Lia clenched her eyes shut, but that did not stop her tears from falling at Merlin's decision.

"No, Merlin," Gaius told him.

"Yes," Merlin said, ignoring his warning. "I will return to the island."

"You are young. Your gifts — your destiny are far too precious to sacrifice."

"My destiny?" Merlin asked, growing more and more upset. "This is my mother. My powers mean nothing if I cannot save her. You have taught me so much. Taught me who I am. Taught me the purpose for my skills. Taught me that magic should only be used for great deeds. But most of all, you have always taught me to do what is right."

"Merlin," Gaius said softly.

Merlin sniffled and wiped under his eyes. He glanced at Lia, who still would not look his way. "I need to say goodbye to Arthur."

Once Merlin was gone and the door closed, Lia stopped holding back her sobs. Had she been standing, she would've collapsed, unable to keep herself up. Gaius wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

"I - I can't l - lose him, Gaius," Lia said, choking on her tears. "He can't. I - I don't want Hunith to die, b - but I just can't lose him." 

| | |

After his talk with Arthur, Merlin made his way back to his chambers. He had hoped he could make things up with Lia, not wanting to leave on a bad note. But he also understood why Lia was hurting so much. Had the situation been reversed, he would've been furious at Lia for not coming to him.

But Merlin could not apologize as soon as he arrived. He was surprised to see Gwen sitting by his mother's bed.

Gwen could tell that something was wrong with Lia but she didn't know what. She could tell that the apprentice had been crying, but she chalked it up to her being upset about Hunith's condition. But Lia hardly spoke when Gwen came to visit and see how Merlin's mother was. The two girls sat quietly by Hunith's side, watching over her.

"Gaius had to go and get some supplies," Gwen told Merlin as he came in. "I thought I'd help Lia keep an eye on her until you got back."

"Thank you," Merlin said, thankful for the gesture. He kept his eyes on his mother, who was barely hanging on.

"I'm sorry," Gwen said as she got up from her chair and joined Merlin's side.

"No, she'll get better," Merlin said confidently. He pretended to not notice the fresh tears gathering in Lia's eyes.

"I've tried to make her feel comfortable," Gwen said, glancing back at Hunith.

"You have such a good heart, Gwen," he told her. "Don't ever lose that."

Gwen looked at Hunith one last time, and then to Lia, who looked as if she was about to cry. She could tell that the three needed to be left alone, so she exited the room, muttering a soft goodbye.

Merlin watched Lia for a moment, but she wouldn't acknowledge him. So, he moved to take the chair that Gwen had been sitting in. He softly grabbed Hunith's hand.

"I'm going to make you well again. I promise. You'll see," he whispered.

Hunith forced a smile despite the fact that it hurt to move. "You're such a good son."

"But I don't want you to worry about me. I know that the gods will look after me and that one day I will see you again," he told her. Lia abruptly got up from her seat and left the room. She couldn't sit and listen to him talk about sacrificing himself.

"I will miss you," Hunith told Merlin, drawing his attention away from the door that Lia had softly shut.

"I will miss you, too," he said. Then, Merlin grabbed the rabbit's foot that Gaius had gifted him and gently placed it in his mother's hand, hoping that it would protect her.

| | |

Lia had never returned to her and Merlin's chambers. He figured that she had gone to stay at Gwen's house for the night, still upset with him. But Lia did not let her anger stop her from going back in the morning. She wasn't going to let Merlin slip away.

Merlin had been packing when Lia arrived. He froze when he saw her, holding her own bag in her hand.

"What's that for?" he asked.

"I'm angry at you, Merlin," she stated. "I've never been so angry at you. But I'm not letting you go to the Island of the Blessed all on your own. I'm going to be with you right up until the end."

Merlin felt himself getting a bit emotional, so he simply wrapped his arms around Lia. "I'm so sorry."

"I cannot imagine a world without you, Lin," she muttered, shoving her face in his chest. "Where's Gaius? Have you already said goodbye?"

"No," Merlin said, pulling back. "He must have gone out."

Lia frowned and shook her head. "Gaius wouldn't risk not seeing you before leaving."

"Well—" Merlin cut himself off when he caught a glance of a letter sitting out. It had his name scribbled on it and must have been from Gaius. Lia stood next to him and read the letter over his shoulder.

Dear Merlin, Lia, my life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it, very little that will be remembered. In contrast, Merlin, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you, and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest warlock ever. Live at Illyria's side, as she needs you far more than she needs anyone else. To have known you both have been my greatest pleasure, and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honor. You and Illyria are and always will be the son and daughter I never had.

"No!" Merlin shouted as he finished the letter.

Merlin and Lia ran from the castle faster than they ever had and got a horse from the stables. Together, they raced out of Camelot, rushing to get to Gaius before it was too late. Once they reached the shore, Lia spotted an island covered in crumbling stone structures in the distance. Merlin used his magic to summon a boat which took them across the water. Once they were close enough, Merlin jumped from the boat and ran through the island, Lia following closely.

When they reached the very center of the island, they were met with a horrible sight. Nimueh was standing over Gaius, who was lying unmoving, and she was holding the golden cup of life over her head, chanting a spell.

"Stop!" Merlin shouted.

Nimueh looked at him as if she expected him to show up. "Back again so soon, warlock?"

"What have you done?" Merlin asked, looking at Gaius' body.

"Your mother is safe," she told him. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Have you killed him?" Lia asked, her voice shaking.

Nimueh smirked at her. "It was his wish." A small gasp of pain left Lia's lips — she wasn't prepared to lose Gaius so suddenly

"I bid my life for Arthur's, not my mother's, not Gaius's!" Merlin shouted angrily.

"The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies! Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken," Nimueh declared. "Gaius knew this."

"It is not the Old Religion that has done this. It is you," Merlin accused.

Nimueh smirked at him. "Come now. We are too valuable to each other to be enemies."

"No, I share nothing with you!" Merlin yelled.

"With my help, Arthur will become King—"

"I will make Arthur King. But you will never see that day," Merlin said.

Then he put out his hand and said an incantation. Orange energy shot from Merlin's hand, straight for Nimueh, but the sorceress easily blocked the attack.

"Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. I am a priestess of the Old Religion." As Nimueh spoke, a ball of fire formed in her hand. She sent it towards Merlin and Lia, who each ducked out of the way before it could hit them. Merlin got to his feet, but Lia just crawled back, not wanting to get hurt during the fight. Nimueh prepared another fireball. "You, too, are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me."

"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic? Never," Merlin told her.

"So be it."

"No!" Lia shouted as the fireball hit Merlin. It sent him flying back. Nimueh watched with an amused smirk as Lia rushed to Merlin's side to check on him. Merlin groaned lowly, feeling as if his entire chest was on fire.

"Pity. Together we could've ruled the world," Ninueh said, before turning to walk away.

"Merlin, you have to get up," Lia said quietly, trying to get Merlin to open his eyes.

A few seconds later, Merlin's eyes flashed open with a new determination in them. Lia silently watched as he rose to his feet, glaring at Nimueh's retreating figure.

"You should not have killed my friend," he told her in a dark tone.

Merlin looked at the storm clouds that were brewing above, raising his hand. Then, powered by his magic, a bolt of lightning Nimueh. They watched as her body exploded, the attack too much for her to handle. Nimueh was dead, and it looked as if she had never been there in the first place.

Lia quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed to Gaius' side, Merlin following her.

"Gaius," she said, shaking him softly. Merlin helped her turn him on to his back.

"Gaius!" Merlin called, trying to wake him. The both of them began crying as Gaius remained unmoving. Merlin looked to the sky, which was pouring down rain, and yelled in frustration. "No. No!"

Lia sobbed into Gaius' chest but froze when she thought she felt him move. She sat up straight and saw that Gaius was beginning to stir.

"Merlin," he muttered. "Lia."

"Gaius," Merlin said in disbelief. Lia hugged him tightly. "Gaius, you're alive!"

"What did you do?" Gaius asked them.

"Nimueh's dead," Merlin told him. "The balance of the world has been restored."

"You amaze me. You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great warlock of you yet," Gaius praised, still quite exhausted from almost dying.

"So, you believe in me now?" Merlin asked, smiling.

"Well, I would do - if - if you could stop this blasted rain," he muttered.

The three of them laughed before leaning against the stone altar. Somehow, against all odds, they had all survived. Merlin had saved them, himself, his mother, Arthur, and all of Camelot.

| | |

"I can't believe you're doing this!"

"You deserve it."

"The fact that Uther even allowed this is preposterous."

"I told you — making me sad is illegal," Lia said, giggling.

"Yes, but asking the King to put me in the stocks to help cheer you up is a bit too far, don't you think."

Lia responded simply by throwing a rotted squash at Merlin's face. He cringed as the children surrounding Lia laughed at his misfortune. He supposed that he really did deserve it, but that didn't make it more enjoyable for him.

"Would you rather I tell Leon and have him beat you up?" Lia asked him, crossing her arms.

Merlin immediately shook his head — there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the knight would keep his promise. And even though Arthur hadn't fully healed from being attacked by the Questing Beast, he'd likely stand back and watch. No, it was better for Merlin if they never found out just how badly he had upset Lia.

Merlin groaned and let his head hang. "Just get on with it, then. But no potatoes! Those really hur — ouch! Lia, I said no potatoes!"