Hey! Sorry I haven't updated in FOREVER!!!!! I've been super busy with everything in my life! I recently got engaged 💍 and have five months to plan a wedding so that's been stressful! But here is finally another chapter! Sorry if it seems a little rushed!

Prompt: Arthur is being controlled and hurts Merlin enough to kill him.

Idea by: little ol' me. :)
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Merlin stared out the castle window past the gates into the field. His heart was racing fast. He had not seen Arthur in three days. His King wouldn't let Merlin go with him, and when Merlin tried to follow behind him, Arthur had a Knight escort him back to the castle.

Merlin heard a knock on the door that made him jump. He turned around to see Lancelot step inside his chamber. Merlin moved his gaze back towards the field outside.

"Gaius told me I would find you here," Lancelot said quietly. Merlin didn't respond. He kept his eyes glued to the window. Lancelot sighed. "He also told me you haven't eaten anything yet today." The sun was going to set in a few hours. Lancelot walked over to his friend and placed a sturdy hand on his shoulder. "I didn't want to bring you back, Merlin, but you heard what the King said."

Merlin shrugged Lancelot's hand off. He was still upset with the Knight. Lancelot should've known to let Merlin go back out and try to find the King and his company. But Lancelot wouldn't even let him leave the chamber he shared with the physician until Arthur returned.

Another sigh came from the Knight. "You're going to make yourself sick if you don't eat anything. Arthur will be back soon." As Lancelot said that, Merlin's eyes lit up. The servant boy jumped up from where he sat and ran out of the chamber.

Lancelot was dumbfounded as to why Merlin had just run like that. He leaned forward to gaze out the window to see Arthur and the Knights come riding through the field towards the castle. Lancelot took off out of the chamber and followed after Merlin.

Merlin raced down the stairs, through the halls, and down the stairs to the courtyard as Arthur and the others rode in.

All the Knights looked happy to see Merlin, everyone except for Arthur who stared at him with a face full of hatred; his blue eyes staring straight at the servant.

"Merlin!" Merlin turned his head as Gwaine embraced his friend warmly. "Traveling just wasn't the same without you." He patted his friend on the shoulder roughly.

Merlin smiled widely. "At least I didn't have to put up with your jokes," he teased which sent Gwaine and many of the other Knights into a roar of laughter. Lancelot came running down the stairs to meet up with his friends. Merlin's gaze went back to Arthur, who still sat on top his horse with his eyes focused on Merlin.

Merlin stepped up a little closer to his King. "Can I unsaddle your horse for you, Sire?" Merlin asked kindly. Arthur leaped off his horse. He didn't waste any time in messing with his things. He walked straight up to his servant, Merlin backing slightly away from him, and raised a fist. With one swift movement, he planted his fist on Merlin's chin sending the young man to the ground. The rest of the Knights could only stare in awe at what had just happened.

Merlin turned his face upward to see the anger on Arthur's face. Merlin wiped away some blood that began to trickle down his chin from the split lip Arthur had given him. Merlin was shocked! Why had Arthur done that? What was Arthur so mad at? Merlin watched as he balled his hands into fists again.

"Whoa, whoa!" Elyan stepped in between the King and his servant, Percival held his King back while Lancelot helped Merlin to his feet. The young man winced as he was dragged to his feet from the pain in hitting the cobblestone ground with such force.

"What has gotten into you, Arthur?" Percival asked. Arthur pulled himself away from Percival. The look on his face never changed.

Arthur stepped a couple inches closer to Merlin; Lancelot stepped in front of the servant boy before his King could do any more damage to his friends face. Arthur gritted his teeth as the anger boiled deeper inside. "Guards, arrest him!" Arthur pointed an accusing finger at his servant.

Merlin's eyes widened as two guards stomped down the stairs and towards Merlin. The two men gripped Merlin's arms and began to drag him away. The servant boy fought against the guards who yanked him up the stairs. Merlin kicked and pulled away from them all the way down the cells where they threw the young man inside. As the cell door locked Merlin in his prison, he jumped to his feet and ran to the door clenching his fingers around the cold, iron bars.

"There has to be some mistake!" Merlin cried out as the guards marched away. Merlin slammed his hand against the bars. He stepped over to the back wall, leaned against it, and squatted down. What was going on? Why was Arthur being this way? Merlin couldn't find any reason for Arthur to lock him away like this. What had happened to his best friend over the past three days? Merlin wiped the blood from his mouth once more.

Arthur's POV
Arthur began to unsaddle his horse as Merlin's yelling died away. The next thing Arthur knew, Gwaine was right in his ear shouting. "What is wrong with you, Arthur?" he screamed.

"What are you talking about, Gwaine? I'm perfectly fine," came Arthur's reply. He really just wished that all the Knights would leave him alone. He didn't want to deal with any of them right now.

Arthur began walking away when Leon placed a strong hand on his Kings shoulder and swung him around to meet the Knight eye to eye. "Arthur, you know what you just did was wrong!" Leon shouted. "You just punched your best friend in the chin! You had him thrown in jail and for what?"

Arthur's blood boiled as Leon raged on. "I did punch Merlin in the face, and you know what? I don't care!" he exploded. "Another word and I'll have you locked in there with him." The Knights stared at him in shock. How could he talk like that about Merlin? The man he loved as a brother. Arthur stared back at each of the Knights until he finally turned away and stomped up the stairs.

Arthur had never been so angry in his life. He burst through his chamber doors and unclasped his sword from around his hip, throwing it on the table in front of him. All that was on his mind was Merlin. How Merlin caused Arthur so much pain and heartache, how everything that had happened in the past four years was his fault! Arthur despised his servant. He wanted nothing but to see him dead, and the worse part... he had magic.

A knock at the door brought Arthur back to reality. "Come in," he called out. The door opened slowly as Gwen stepped inside. Arthur sighed, "Guinevere. I thought you were one of the Knights."

The servant girl slowly stepped inside. "Arthur," she began softly. "What are you doing?" Arthur looked at her with a glance that said he didn't understand. "You just hurt your best friend," she continued. "I saw you from the window. How could you do such a thing?" Tears trickled down her cheeks slowly.

Arthur snickered. "You know nothing, Guinevere! You're just like the Knights! No one can control me! None of you understand!" He slammed his hand against the stone hearth as his anger erupted. Arthur flung himself towards the servant girl. She coward backward as Arthur began to step towards her.

Arthur stomped down the hall and down towards the prison where Merlin was being held. Every servant he passed either ran away or turned their faces from his. Arthur noticed each one. Was this how it would be for now on? Everyone he knew cowering away from him; frightened? The truth was... Arthur kind of liked it. He had never felt so much power in his life!

As Arthur marched into the dungeon he found Merlin's cell. Arthur stared into the cell and watched as his servant winced from the growing pain in his head. Arthur's face turned vial. It was as if he was looking at a filthy animal, no! He was worse than that. He was a putrid sorcerer!

"Arthur?" Merlin finally recognized the man in front of his cell door. Merlin crawled to his knees from his sitting position. "Arthur, what is going on? What have I done?"

"Guards!" Arthur called out. One man came to his side. "Unlock the door," Arthur commanded him.

Merlin sighed. Had Arthur finally recognized the mistake he had made? Was he about to fly into the cell and give Merlin the manly hug he thought he was going to get when Arthur first rode into town? As the cell door swung open, Arthur stood firm in the doorway, his eyes burning with fire.

As Arthur stepped inside the cell, Merlin watched him closely. The King balled his hands into fists as he stepped closer to his servant. Merlin began to scoot away until his back rammed up against the wall. Arthur reached down and gripped Merlin by the collar, yanking him up to his feet.

"Arthur, please listen to me!" Merlin cried out. He couldn't get another sentence in before Arthur swung his fist at Merlin's face. Merlin landed on the ground once more slamming his hands against the cold cobblestone. He spat a string of blood from his mouth. "Arthur, please..." He was cut off when Arthur swung his foot into his friend's rib cage. Merlin cringed at the pain as he knew some ribs had just cracked.

Arthur couldn't stand to look at his pathetic excuse for a servant. He watched as Merlin tried to helplessly crawl away, but Arthur wouldn't let him. He swung his foot into the servants' side once again. The pain that Arthur saw on the young mans face brought him pleasure. "You are nothing to me, Merlin!" Arthur shouted before kicking him once more. "You are a worthless servant and certainly not my friend!" Another kick to the side, this one harder.

"Guards!" Arthur shouted. Two guards stepped in. "Restrain him." The guards picked up the servant from off the floor and chained his hands to a set of manacles that would only allow Merlin to stand or sit; he couldn't move or lay.

Merlin panted heavily as his eyes slowly focused on Arthur. "Why are you doing this to me, Arthur?" It hurt to talk. He could feel the bones in his ribs moving as he spoke. It made him wince.

Arthur stepped up real close to Merlin. "Because who could ever like someone like you?" Those words pierced Merlin's heart. "You... have... magic," he spat. Merlin's jaw dropped open slightly. Arthur thrust forth his hands and slammed Merlin into the wall behind him hard. Merlin could feel his head impact the stone roughly. Merlin fell to the ground in pain, but the manacles halted him from falling over. He dangled there on his knees.

Arthur smirked before stomping out of the cell. Merlin opened his eyes slowly to watch as Arthur left; his eyes were blurry. As the guards locked the cell door behind Arthur, a quick flash appeared with a figure standing in its midst. Merlin blinked thinking it was just from hitting his head, but then it came again and Merlin saw the figure more clearly. Morgana flickered in and out as a ghost, and Merlin understood. Arthur was being controlled by Morgana. It all made more sense now! He knew Arthur could never be this way by his own will.

Merlin began breathing heavily as he tried to stand on his feet. "Arthur," his voice came out in a whisper. "Arthur, Morgana is—" Arthur began to walk away before Merlin could finish. Merlin fell back down to the cold stone floor and his vision went blurry then dark.

Gwen's POV
A whole day passed before Gwen built up the courage to walked up the stairs to the physician's office, a grim expression on her face. She knocked on the door softly before opening it. Gaius stood inside.

"Ah, Gwen!" Gaius exclaimed. "What can I do for you?" Gwen's frown never wavered.

"It's... about Arthur," she began slowly. "He's not acting like himself." Gaius leaned back on his stool. Guinevere stepped inside farther and nearly ran to Gaius' side. "Gaius, what is wrong with Arthur?" Tears started welling in her eyes. "Why is he treating Merlin this way? What has Merlin done to Arthur?" She shook her head. "He beats Merlin every day! Merlin hasn't eaten at all."

Gaius sighed deeply. "I wish I knew. But you're right; he is definitely not our King. Something must've gone wrong on their expedition." He stood to his feet. "Come on, Gwen. We need to get down to the dungeon. Maybe Merlin will know something."

Gwen followed the old man as he exited his chamber; she was very confused. "Merlin? What will Merlin know?" She swiftly ran down the stairs. "He was shocked when Arthur took a swing at him— as was I and the Knights. How do you expect Merlin to know?"

Gaius stopped in his tracks. He forgot about Gwen not knowing Merlin had magic. Gaius was wishing Merlin would figure something out by his magic, but how could he do that with Gwen beside him? "Let's find one of the Knights instead," he offered. "They were with Arthur. Maybe he started acting this way before he came back to Camelot."

Guinevere continued to follow Gaius around the castle. She was beginning to think Gaius was losing his mind with this current situation. Arthur and Merlin were practically brothers! Maybe watching this scene from earlier has made Gaius lose his mind in grief.

Merlin's POV
Merlin slowly began to open his eyes. Everything on his body hurt... but not as bad as his stomach and head. His stomach felt like it was beginning to eat itself and he knew he had an awful concussion. Merlin tried to lift himself upward but cried out in pain. He looked down at his side and noticed a deep shade of red darkening his blue shirt and brown, leather jacket. He tried to move again, but the pain was worse this time and he cried out louder. A rib must be broken and puncturing through his side. He looked over at his burning wrists. The metal had begun to slice into his skin leaving blood to drip on to the cobblestone floor.

Merlin knew he wasn't going to last much longer. A wound this size and his head injury could very well kill him. He could already feel himself beginning to slip away into darkness again.

He heard the sound of a cell door lock opening. He squinted his eyes to get a better look. Arthur stood at the entrance to the cell staring down at Merlin's broken body. Merlin began to breathe heavy as he tried to speak. "Arthur... Arthur, listen to me. Morgana's... Morgana's con-controlling you." It hurt with every word he spoke.

Arthur didn't say a word. He turned to leave as Merlin once more was surrounded by darkness.

Gwen's POV
Gwen and Gaius finally found Gwaine walking through the halls when they stopped him. "Gwaine!" Gwen called out. He turned to face them.

"Gwen! Gaius!" He smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"I need you to tell us exactly what happened while you were gone," Gaius stated. "Everything that Arthur has done while he was gone."

Gwaine looked down towards the ground in a thinking state. He didn't seem to recognize anything unusual happening. "He was just the same as always. He didn't act suspicious at all." Gaius sighed and looked at Gwen with a defeated expression. Gwaine perked up. "Wait a minute!" he exclaimed. "There was a couple hours where Arthur disappeared. We tried to find him but couldn't." Gwaine shrugged. "He acted like himself until the moment he saw Merlin."

Gaius again looked at Gwen. "We need to get to the dungeon and find Merlin." They both took off leaving Gwaine behind.

Gwen felt her heart begin to race fast as her and Gaius both rushed down into the dungeon. Gwen couldn't even imagine what Merlin might look like. Her and Gaius both walked the cells looking for their friend. When they found him, Gwen's stomach sunk and so did her heart.

She pulled on the old man's arm. "Gaius, we have to get him out of there!" She gestured towards the cell. "Look at him!"

Gaius couldn't take his eyes off his ward. "Yes, Gwen, I see him. But sadly, we cannot simply get him out. The King has given orders not to let anyone in."

"So we can't even go inside to see him?" her voice became teary. "Please, Gaius!"

Gaius sighed. "I'll see what I can do." Gaius walked off to talk to the guards while Gwen stayed behind.

Gwen grasped the metal bars in front of her and placed her face up against them to look at the servant boy inside. "Merlin," she whispered. It killed her to see him like this.

Gaius came back with a guard. "He's agreed to let us in so I can mend his wounds." Gwen stepped out of the way so the guard could unlock the cell. Once he did so, Gwen was the first one to run in.

She knelt down in front of Merlin and covered her mouth with her hands as tears streamed down them. "What has he done to you?"

Gaius knelt down beside Guinevere to get a closer look at Merlin; he didn't even have his medicine bag with him to treat Merlin's grotesque injuries. "Merlin, can you hear me?" he asked.

Gwen gently caressed Merlin's cheek. She could feel the warm blood seeping through her fingers, but she didn't want to move her hand.

Merlin's eyes slowly fluttered open. Gwen's smiled widely as she noticed Merlin's eyes lock on hers.

Merlin's POV
Merlin's eyes fluttered open when he felt a soft hand touch his cheek. He glanced around the chamber; his eyes not focusing. He couldn't even begin to describe how much pain he was in right now. His focus kept becoming clear then back to blurry.

Merlin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He pushed himself harder to get the words to flow. "Arthur..." He couldn't finish his sentence. He found himself becoming weaker and his energy draining by the minute. He winced and groaned as he drew in a shaky breath.

Gwen kept smiling at Merlin to stay strong for him. "Yes, Merlin, I know," she whispered. "Arthur's not going to hurt you anymore. I won't let him."

Gaius couldn't bear to look at Merlin any longer. His heart broke for his ward. "Merlin, I'm going to try and patch some of your wounds," Gaius spoke gently.

Merlin tried desperately to speak to Gaius, tell him what he had seen. "Gaius... Arthur is..." Gwen shushed Merlin to save his energy. Merlin shook his head slowly and panted heavy. "No," he argued; wincing with the pain. "You have... to listen. Arthur he... is under the influence... of Morgana." Gwen and Gaius exchanged glances at what Merlin said. "You have... to save him." Merlin's head dropped down as he fell into darkness.

Gwen shook Merlin gently. "Merlin?" He didn't respond. "Gaius, what does he mean?"

Gaius shook his head. "He's obviously dilutional. No food or water can make you hallucinate." Gaius hated to lie to Gwen, but she could never find out about Merlin's magic.

"We can't keep him here, Gaius," Gwen told the old physician as tears filled her eyes. "I can get the keys from Arthur. I'll sneak into his chamber and grab the keys."

Gaius nodded his head and Gwen took off. "Be careful!" he shouted in a whisper to her. It didn't take long before Gwen returned and Gaius unlocked Merlin's shackles.

Gwen caught Merlin as he fell into her arms motionless. The shackles had begun to cut into Merlin's hands leaving deep and infected wounds. His beaten and bruised body felt fragile in her hands.

Gaius placed one of Merlin's arms over his shoulder. "Come on. We'll take him to my chamber where I can bandage him better." Gwen placed his other arm over her shoulder and began to carry him with Gaius' help.

As they walked out of the dungeon, Gaius noticed how the guards had disappeared. "This can't be good," Gaius said out loud.

Gwen shook her head. "Don't worry, Gaius. I told them they were needed in the kitchen." She couldn't contain her grin. "The ladies will be shooing them away the moment they step foot in there."

Gaius chuckled slightly. Gwen was definitely a smart girl. The two of them carried Merlin through the castle keeping Merlin hidden and out of sight from all the guards that passed by. They brought the young boy to Gaius' chamber where the physician could begin healing the boy that was like a son to him.

The two gently laid Merlin down on his own bed in his chamber, Gwen carefully laying his head down on his pillow. "He'll be safer here. If Arthur comes into my chamber he won't see Merlin."

"What are we going to do about Arthur, Gaius?" Gwen asked concern.

Gaius sighed. "Well, right now I'm going to do whatever I can for Merlin. Arthur will have to wait."

"But he won't stop, Gaius!" Gwen argued. "Arthur will find Merlin." Her voice began to shake. "Arthur will kill him! Look what he's already done!" She threw her hand down towards the beaten boy lying broken in his bed. "We have to do something!"

Gaius swiftly ran out of the chamber. Gwen was puzzled and followed him. She ran down the stairs to find Gaius rummaging through some books. "Gaius, what are you doing?" Gwen asked in a loud voice. She was beginning to become aggravated. "Merlin is dying! And you're looking through books?"

Gaius held up a finger. "Maybe Merlin was right." Gwen's face turned more puzzled. "We can't explain Arthur's actions. What he is doing to Merlin isn't Arthur. The only explanation has to be what Merlin said."

Gwen shook her head confused. "Gaius, I'm not understanding."

Gaius lifted his head from reading the pages in front of him. "Morgana is controlling Arthur! And we have to stop her."

Gwen's heart raced at the thought of that witch controlling Arthur. "How are we going to stop her, Gaius? She doesn't want us, we don't know what potion will make her leave."

Gaius' eyes shifted upward towards the room that held the broken boy. "We have one thing she wants."

Gwen glanced between the door and the old physician. She quickly shook her head. "No, Gaius, no!" she screamed. "Merlin's hurt! We can't use him to help Arthur! Arthur will tear him to pieces! I won't allow it!"

"Gwen," a soft, hoarse voice called from behind her. Gwen swiftly turned around to see Merlin stumbling down the steps, his hand clasped gently over his side where the rib had punctured his skin.

"Merlin!" Gwen and Gaius both ran towards him. Each caught one of his arms as he almost fell. "Merlin, what are you doing out of bed?" Gwen asked. "You're not well!"

Merlin panted heavily as he tried to speak. "I heard you... talking about Arthur. You need... me." Merlin tried lifting himself up to stand on his own, but his ribs moved inside of him as he tried to stand upright making him cry out in pain.

Gaius tried to turn Merlin around. "We need you alive, Merlin," he told his ward. "You won't be any good to us if you're up walking around and we have to come save you."

Merlin pushed Gaius away from him. "You must... let me help you," he argued. Only I... can save Arthur."

Gwen stared at him puzzled. "Merlin, you are not well. We can rescue Arthur, you need to rest." Gwen and Gaius both gently lead Merlin back into his chamber.

"No!" Merlin shouted. He bolted back down his stairs and through the chamber; the pain in his side caused him to fall to the floor right as he arrived at the door.

"Merlin!" Gwen screamed. Her and Gaius both rushed to his side. They tried to help him up, but Merlin wouldn't let them touch him.

"Leave me alone!" he yelled. The two backed away and watched as the broken young man pushed himself up on to his elbow and then to his feet, crying out in pain as he moved. Gwen's heart broke as she helplessly watched him. Merlin stood to his feet panting. "I am going to help Arthur," he stated. "And I won't let you stop me."

Gaius sighed. He knew he couldn't persuade Merlin to rest when the boy knew that his friend was in trouble. "Alright, Merlin. Let's figure this out and get you cleaned up."

Merlin shook his head. "No, let Arthur see what he did to me. If he's still in there then him seeing me like this could help him come back."

"Merlin, you need medical attention," Gaius tried to reason. "That rib coming out of your side could kill you if it's not fixed."

Merlin turned and opened the door to the chamber. "We don't have time, Gaius." Merlin shuffled his feet out the door. He ached all over. His ribs still continued to move with each step he took, his head pounded from being slammed into the stone wall, his hands burned where the chains dug into the flesh on his wrists... but yet he continued on. He trudged all the way to Arthur's chamber.

Gwen stopped him right before he could go inside Arthur's chamber. "Merlin, wait!" She shouted in a whisper. "You don't even know what to do! You have no idea how to bring Arthur back."

Merlin grinned slightly trying to have strength for Guinevere. "I will bring him back." With those words, Merlin opened the door to Arthur's chamber.

Arthur's POV
Arthur stood inside hovering over the table using the palm of his hands for support. He stood up straight at the sudden barge through his doors. Arthur's eyes lit up when he noticed who had just walked into his chamber. "Merlin," he whispered. At first, he marveled at the state Merlin was in. He looked so bruised and battered... and Arthur knew why. He had done that to Merlin. He was the one who had broken his servant. Arthur wanted to run up to Merlin and apologize and hug him and tell him how sorry he was... but something prevented him from doing so. Instead, anger began to rise within him. Hatred poured out into him at the very sight of his servant.

Arthur crossed his arms. "Merlin, you're bleeding on my floor," he said plain and clear. He watched as Merlin gritted his teeth and clenched his side; his hand was soaked in a crimson color. "How did you get out?"

Merlin stood up straight and replied, "That doesn't matter." He stepped closer towards Arthur. Arthur uncrossed his hands and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword that rested on his hip. Merlin knew he wasn't getting any closer.

Arthur smirk. "Whatever you say, Merlin," he began. "You might as well tell me. No matter who they are, I'm still going to put them to death for breaking out a sorcerer." Arthur smiled. "Even if that was Gaius."

Merlin narrowed his eyes in anger. "Arthur, you need to stop this," he said calmly. "Morgana is controlling you. You have to fight her!" He edged closer. "Look what you did to me, Arthur!"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'm about to do much worse, Merlin," came his smart reply. "I don't know what you're talking about, but Morgana isn't controlling me. I've finally come to see the light about your magic. You're just as pitiful as every other sorcerer out there."

Something inside Arthur cringed. He knew that what he was saying hurt Merlin deeply. Arthur didn't know why he was saying the things he was. It was almost as if he couldn't control his own mouth. Arthur loved Merlin like his brother! He would never say such hurtful things! Especially about the one thing that Merlin held dear to him... his magic.

Arthur felt something inside tug at his soul and it brought him pain. He was caught off guard and stumbled around trying to get his bearings. He looked up to see Merlin pointing at him with an open palm while speaking some strange language that Arthur couldn't understand. As Merlin grew louder, the pain grew worse. He almost fell to the ground once.

"Stop!" Arthur shouted. He knew what Merlin was doing. "You dare use magic on your King?"

Merlin never stopped. He kept growing louder and louder, the pain in his own body worsening. Merlin fell to his knees suddenly feeling drained. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up. His vision was already starting to blacken again. Maybe he should've let Gaius patch him up after all.

Arthur rightened himself and laughed at the pathetic servant. "Is that all you got? It's going to take a lot more than that to bring me down!"

Merlin took a deep breath and then let it back out again. He climbed back up to his feet to once more try and free his friend; this time, he pushed himself to the limit. Merlin felt warm liquid running from his nose and he knew it was blood.

Arthur felt the aching tug return. Like someone was trying to separate two souls from each other. With one swift move and shout from Merlin, the tug snapped in half and the pain ceased. Arthur stood there dumbfounded at what had just happened. But most importantly... his heart ached for the torment he had put his servant through. Arthur looked up just in time to watch Merlin as he began to crumble. Arthur sprinted towards Merlin, caught him in his arms before he could hit the ground, and gently lowered him down to a lying position; Arthur never let him go. Merlin cringed and moaned in Arthur's grip.

"Help!" Arthur screamed. "We need help!" He looked down at the broken young man and tears began to weld up in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Merlin!" he cried. "I'm so so sorry!" Merlin shivered violently unable to answer his King.

Gwen and Gaius came running inside the chamber. Gaius first lifted Merlin's eyelid to make sure he was still responsive. "We need to get him to my chambers, Sire."

Arthur swiftly nodded his head. He shifted his hands under Merlin's back and legs and carefully lifted him from the floor. He and Gwen both followed Gaius back to his chamber.

Gwen's POV
Guinevere heard screaming coming from Arthur's chambers as she stood outside the door. Gaius had forbidden her to go inside. He had said it was something Merlin had to do alone or else the remedy wouldn't work. But what remedy? Gwen didn't remember seeing one.

She waited anxiously for the doors to open and to see both her boys alright. She wanted Arthur back, and she wanted Merlin to be alive. She paced back and forth while she waited; Gaius never left her side.

"Help!" came a cry from inside. Gwen perked up at the sound of Arthur's voice. "We need help!" That was her cue.

Gwen burst the doors wide open and she and Gaius ran inside to assist. Her heart dropped at the sight of Merlin.

Arthur's POV
Arthur gently laid Merlin down on Gaius' bed like the physician asked. He was careful to not let Merlin's head drop down on the pillow hard. All he wanted to do was be there for Merlin. He couldn't believe what he had done to his manservant. He felt beyond awful!

"Help me patch up his wounds," Gaius told Arthur. He handed Arthur a bowl of cold water and some bandages. Arthur nodded and gently began to wipe away the dried blood around Merlin's infected wrists. Once the blood was gone, he wrapped the white bandages around both wrists. While he did that, Gaius worked on resetting Merlin's broken rib and patching it up before Merlin had a chance to lose any more blood; Gwen wrapped his head.

Gwen was silent at first, only glancing over towards Arthur. Arthur was the one to speak first. "I know what you want to say, Guinevere," he started. Gwen didn't answer. Arthur sighed. "I was too weak. I should've resisted Morgana more."

Gwen shook her head but didn't say anything. She finally looked up at him and grinned. "I'm just glad you're okay." She looked back down at Merlin and squeezed his hand before walking away.

Gaius patted Arthur's shoulder. "He'll wake up soon," he assured Arthur. "Get some rest."

Arthur shook his head violently. "No!" he argued. "I will not rest until Merlin is well again." Arthur hung his head as tears ran down his cheeks. "I could've killed Merlin," his voice was only a whisper. "I practically did."

Gaius sighed. "It wasn't your fault, Arthur," Gaius reasoned. "Morgana was controlling you." Arthur laid his head in his hands and wept quietly.

A couple hours passed before Merlin finally opened his eyes.

Merlin's POV
What had happened? was the first thing Merlin thought. He glanced around only with his eyes, his head not moving. The room was blurry at first, his head pounded at the back of his skull, his ribs ached, and his wrists burned. What else could go wrong?

Merlin's vision cleared and Arthur came into focus; Merlin noticed the blonde hair first. He moved his fingers slightly to try and get his attention since the King wasn't looking at him. Arthur didn't notice. Merlin opened his mouth to speak and the words came out very hoarse, "Arthur."

Arthur sprang upright and saw how Merlin was looking at him with a small grin. "Merlin!" Arthur shouted. He leaned in close beside his best friend.

Merlin felt so happy to see his friend back. He was so relieved to know that Arthur was back in control. He sighed. "Glad to have you back," he joked.

Arthur smiled and laughed. He didn't know what to say. He was just thrilled to know that Merlin was okay. But Arthur couldn't keep the tears from rising once more. "Merlin, I am deeply sorry for ever hurting you!" His voice cracked as he tried to choke back his tears. "I never meant any of the things I said either! I should've been strong enough to resist her!"

Merlin's face went still. "No one can resist her, Arthur," he informed. Arthur opened his mouth to speak more, but Merlin silenced him. "Please don't apologize anymore. It wasn't your fault. I understand." He smiled again. "I'm just glad to have the real you back!"
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Hope y'all enjoyed it! Lemme know if y'all have any ideas for this book! 😁