Sorry!! This chapter is SO long!! It could literally be a chapter in a book, but I felt like this information made the story line better. Either way, I do hope you enjoy it still!

Prompt: Merlin is poisoned by Morgana.

Idea: By me! You can all still send in ideas if you want to. It would help a lot!

Disclaimer: Still am not the owner of Merlin... sadly.

P.S. There's a lot of POV change in this part
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"Keep up, Merlin!" Arthur shouted back to his servant. He, the Knights of the Round Table, and Merlin were out trying to catch Morgana and bring an end to her terror. She had already tried to slaughter Albion, who was her next target?

Merlin road behind his friends. His mind was still stuck on the fact that Arthur actually knew that Merlin had magic, and he wasn't going to do anything about it. Arthur and Lancelot were the only ones who knew.

Lancelot slowed his horse down to ride side by side with Merlin. "You okay, Merlin?" the kind Knight asked his friend. Merlin shrugged. "Does it have to do with Arthur knowing?" Merlin's head perked up. Lancelot understood. "It's not your fault, Merlin," he tried to comfort. "You did what you thought was right."

"And I risked all of your lives in doing so," Merlin argued. "I betrayed you all."

Lancelot shook his head. "This was six months ago, Merlin. You never betrayed us! And need I remind you that you nearly died trying to save Gwaine."

Merlin lowered his head again. He had told Lancelot all about what had happened. Lancelot was the only one he could trust at the moment. "I don't know what to do," he whispered in a broken voice. "I still feel like I need to do something to regain his trust."

Lancelot was puzzled. "You're Arthur's friend. He understands your magic. He hasn't killed you yet. He brought you out here with us."

"To hope that Morgana finishes the job," Merlin interrupted.

Lancelot shook his head. His heart was broken for his friend. He knew Merlin was struggling with what he had done in the past. He had broken his most sacred secret... to keep his magic hidden from Arthur.

After riding for a half of day without finding Morgana, they stopped to rest for a few minutes. Merlin walked away into the trees not even bothering to see if his friends needing anything first.

"What's wrong with Merlin?" Elyan asked specifically no one. "He's been acting strange lately."

"Lately?" Percival questioned, taking his saddle off his mare to give her a rest. "Try the past six months. Ever since he recovered from his stab wound, he's been acting funny. There's something not right about him."

"Maybe we should go check on him," Gwaine stated. He began to walk towards he direction Merlin went when Arthur gripped his shoulder.

"No, Gwaine," Arthur told him. "Give him some space. He'll be fine." None of the Knights could believe how easily their King had said that. Whenever something was wrong with Merlin, Arthur was the first one to go after him.

Arthur stared off into the woods. He was worried about his servant. Ever since he discovered his servants magic, Merlin had distanced himself from Arthur. He was going to give Merlin ten minutes alone... then he was going after him.

Merlin's POV
Merlin ran through the forest, far enough away so his friends wouldn't hear him scream. He hated himself. Why had he shown Arthur his magic? Why wasn't he more careful? Why was this eating him up so badly? Wasn't Arthur discovering Merlin's magic a good thing? Merlin fell to his knees and finally let out a long cry that he had been holding in for many months.

After a little while, Merlin heard noises in the bushes. Probably Arthur coming to get him. He dried his eyes and stood to his feet. "Okay, Arthur, I'm coming," he said loudly.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Doesn't look like Arthur's here at the moment." Merlin froze as he listened to the cold voice. He knew it all too well.

"Morgana," Merlin didn't even have to turn to see her face before she knew.

Morgana snorted. "Hello, Merlin!" Merlin turned to face her. She had the roughest scowl on her face than Merlin had ever seen. "You turned your back on me, Merlin! You broke your deal!"

"I didn't mean to, I-I-I didn't want to," Merlin stammered.

"Merlin!" Morgana and Merlin's heads both jerked to the side as Arthur's voice rang throughout the woods.

Morgana laughed lowly. "Arthur's, coming! Things just keep getting better and better."

Merlin clinched his fist. "You're not touching him!" he shouted. "I won't let you."

Morgana grinned wickedly. "I'm not here for Arthur." Merlin's fist loosened as he realized who she was after. He turned to run, but didn't even make it an inch before Morgana used her magic to bring Merlin flying backwards and landing on his back.

Arthur's POV
Ten minutes had passed. It was time to find Merlin. As Arthur went off into the forest, the Knights exchanged glances. Gwaine rolled his eyes. They knew Arthur couldn't stay away.

Arthur walked a good feet away. "Merlin!" he called for his servant. There was no respond. He finally emerged through some trees to find Morgana kneeling beside Merlin, who was lying on his back on the ground. Morgana held a vial in her hand with a black substance inside.

Arthur stood paralyzed. He stared at the sight in front of him, heart racing. "Get away from him, Morgana!"

Morgana smiled. "Why would I want to do that?" She popped a cork from off the vial. Arthur thrust out his hands.

"Morgana, please! Don't do this!" Arthur pleaded. He looked down at Merlin. The servant was half unconscious.

Morgana's face turned bitter. "This servant cost me a kingdom! Albion could be mine by now if it wasn't for Merlin!" Morgana giggled. "I know you and your Knights are out here trying to find me, stop me from taking over another kingdom. The truth is..." She paused for emphasis. "I've been following you all along." Arthur's eyes opened wide. "I've been waiting for this moment to get to Merlin."

Arthur cocked his head. "You were never after any of the other kingdoms?"

Morgana stood to her feet. "I need Merlin out of my way first!" She knelt back down and poured the black liquid into Merlin's mouth.

"No!" Arthur shouted. Morgana's iris' glowed gold and she vanished in a gust of wind. Arthur panted heavily. He swiftly knelt down beside Merlin. He would have tried to make Merlin spit whatever that was out if he hadn't already swallowed it.

Arthur shook Merlin violently. "Merlin!" Merlin's eyes slowly opened.

Merlin's POV
Merlin felt a warm liquid slick down his throat. His instinct was to spit it out, but he didn't have the strength to do it. The moment his tongue was coated in this liquid, he knew what it was. A gust of wind ruffled his shirt and hair, and someone knelt beside him. "Merlin!" he heard as they shook him hard. Merlin slowly opened his eyes. It was Arthur!

"Arthur?" Merlin could barely get the words out. His throat felt constricted, he felt nausea boiling in his stomach.

Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder. "What did she do to you?"

Merlin raised a hand to his throat as he tried to speak. "Poison," he replied hoarsely. "Morgana poisoned me." His throat was tightening with each passing minute.

"Can you heal yourself?" Arthur asked loudly. He was getting anxious.

Merlin shook his head. "It doesn't work that way, Arthur." Did it? Or did he just not want to use his magic in front of his King?

"You must try, Merlin!" Arthur insisted. "I can't lose you!"

Merlin took a deep breath and nodded his head once. He flipped his palms right side up and searched within himself for his magic. His iris' glowed gold, but faded away. He tried once more but got the same outcome. Merlin finally stopped and panted. "I can't," he said shaking his head. "It's affecting my magic." Arthur sat on his knees in silence. What was he to do?

Merlin's eyes slowly began to close once more. His head rolled to the side, his panting became normal, and he drifted into unconsciousness.

Arthur's POV
Arthur wasn't going to let Morgana get away with this. He was going to get Merlin the help he needed, he wasn't going to let his friend die.

"Come on, Merlin!" Arthur gripped his servant by the wrists and yanked him up off his feet and slung Merlin over his shoulder. He began his trek back to where the Knights had been resting. As Arthur emerged from the tree lines, the Knights rose into a panic seeing Merlin the way he was.

"What happened?" Leon asked. Lancelot ran up beside Arthur and helped him place Merlin gently on the ground.

Arthur sighed. "Morgana," he said softly. "She's been following us."

The Knights were puzzled. "Why would she do that?" Percival asked. "She could have attacked us from behind this whole time."

Arthur shook his head. "She didn't want us." He pointed towards his servant. "She wanted Merlin dead for throttling her plans. She poisoned him."

"Then we have to help him!" Gwaine stated.

"It's not that simple," Arthur argued. "Merlin is the only one who can identify the poison. What she used I had never seen before."

"Merlin could be out for a while," Elyan informed while gesturing towards the dying man. "We don't have time to wait around. We have to get him to Gauis."

"No!" Arthur felt a hand grip his wrist. He looked down to see Merlin staring up at him.

Merlin's POV
Merlin could hear voices arguing in the background. The Knights were discussing whether or not to bring Merlin back to Camelot. He couldn't let them.

His eyes suddenly shot open and he grabbed ahold of Arthur's wrist. As the King looked down at him, Merlin let out a rough, "No!"

Arthur placed his hand on top of Merlin's. "What is it, Merlin?" Arthur asked.

Merlin swallowed a forming lump in his throat before speaking. "We cannot find... the cure... in Camelot." He panted between words. Even speaking drained him swiftly. Arthur cocked his head. "This poison was made with magic. We must--" He was interrupted by a string of coughs. He tried again. "Only magic... can take this poison from me."

Arthur pursed his lips together. "Alright, Merlin." He patted the mans shoulder lightly. "Get some rest. The Knights and I will discuss our next strategy."

Merlin nodded his head and relaxed. His vision was darkening, but he tried to stay awake. He could feel something rising in the pit of his stomach. No doubt, it was some of the poison. It felt like acid as it rose through his throat. Merlin opened his mouth as white foam spewed forth and dripped down the sides of his mouth.

Arthur stayed beside him and used his own cape to wipe the poison from Merlin's mouth. "It's starting to settle, isn't it?" Merlin nodded his head in response. Arthur placed a hand on the servants forehead. It was hot to the touch.

Merlin could stay awake no longer. He didn't have the strength to even keep his eyes open. It wasn't long before Merlin once more fell unconscious.

Arthur's POV
It took Arthur a few minutes before he was able to step away from Merlin. "We need to find Morgana," he told his Knights, walking up towards the others.

"What?" Leon questioned. "Arthur, Morgana is the one that did this to him. Do you honestly think she's going to save his life?"

"She will if she wants to live." Arthur placed a fist on the hilt of his sword.

"Arthur, you're not thinking clearly," Lancelot told his King. "Don't let this cloud your judgment. You know there are other ways of healing Merlin."

"How?" Arthur questioned with a stern voice and look.

"I'm with Arthur," Gwaine cut in. "I say we make Morgana save Merlin or we kill her for what she's done."

"Gwaine, just stay out of this," Elyan warned him. He sighed. "Leon is right. Morgana's not going to help him."

Arthur thought for a moment before speaking. "Then we'll find another way." He turned away from Merlin and stepped over to his horse. He patted the horse tenderly on the neck. "We need to ride out now. I don't know how long that poisons going to hold off."

Percival tucked his hands underneath Merlin's legs and back and lifted him off the ground. He carried the young man over to Arthur, who saddled his horse. "Don't you think it's best to take him to Gauis?" Percival asked. "Maybe he can identify the poison."

Arthur shook his head. "No, that's not what Merlin wanted. Plus, Gauis is no sorcerer. He can't heal Merlin fully." Arthur held out his hands to help Percival place Merlin in front of Arthur. Arthur drooped his arms over Merlin's body to keep him from falling off the horse while Arthur still held the reigns to guide the horse.

"Let's move out!" Arthur told his men.

They had traveled deeper into the forest, farther from Camelot, for a good few miles. Everyone was getting tired. It would be dark soon. They needed to rest, and so did Merlin. "Arthur, maybe we should make camp for the night," Leon insisted.

"We need to press on," Arthur argued.

The Knights all slowed down. "Arthur," Lancelot began. "Merlin needs rest. He can't continue like this."

That got Arthur's attention. He could feel Merlin panting ever so slightly, his body felt warm on Arthur's arms. "Alright, Leon," he replied. "We'll rest for the night. But at dawn we set out again to find this sorcerer that we need." Arthur leaped off the horse first and helped Percival pull Merlin down-- Merlin practically fell off the horse into their arms. They gently placed him on the ground, Gwaine offering his cloak as a something soft for Merlin to lay on.

Merlin's POV
Merlin could feel a pair of strong hands grip his arm and pull him slightly. Merlin wasn't sitting on the horse very good without Arthur keeping him on. Merlin let himself fall from the horse. Only this time four hands caught him instead of two. He felt himself being carefully placed on the forest ground. His insides seemed to move as he moved. They hurt so bad! He couldn't describe the pain he was in. He wished to be unconscious now. It was the only thing that soothed his pain.

Merlin's eyes shot open. Unconsciousness was not going to take him again, even if he tried. Not now anyway. His surroundings were blurry, he couldn't make out anything. Only the voices that he heard made him comfortable.

"Merlin!" he heard Arthur exclaim and saw a blur of gray and blonde kneel beside him followed by a strong hand on his shoulder.

Merlin caught a scent of something dangerous, something evil. The dark presence was strong, but where could it be coming from? He didn't know. He just knew that they needed to get away from here.

"Arthur," Merlin moaned. It took great effort to get the words past his lips. "We... we need..." It ached to speak.

"Shh," Arthur hushed. "Don't speak, Merlin. Save your strength."

Merlin shook his head. "No, Arthur, listen to me!" Arthur's face held a puzzled look, one that was willing to listen. Merlin's eyes met the Kings. "There's something... out there... Arthur. We can't... stay here. We need... to move."

Gwaine squatted next to Merlin on the opposite side of Arthur. "What does he mean there's something out here?" he asked Arthur. "We haven't spotted anything for a mile now."

"He's delirious," Elyan chimed in. "The poison will cause him to think of things that aren't real." Gwaine still held a questioned look while starring down at his wounded friend. Merlin's breathing was very fast. His heart must have been racing a mile a minute.

Arthur may have agreed with Elyan a little. Merlin may have been delirious, but Arthur also knew of a secret that none of his other Knights knew. If Merlin warned them to watch out, then he was going to be alert.

He patted Elyan's shoulder. "Why don't you go get some rest." He glanced around at the Knights surrounding them. "All of you. I'll take first watch."

Arthur noticed the look on Lancelot's face. The Knight wasn't so sure that the King taking first watch was a good idea. Arthur was too attached to the boy. "I'll be fine, Lancelot," Arthur said to ease the man.

Lancelot still didn't feel good about this, but he wouldn't argue. He simple went and laid down on his bed roll. None of the Knights felt like eating supper, and they knew Merlin wouldn't.

Merlin was tired of listening to his friends. He just wanted to rest now. He let his head roll to the side and he fell asleep quickly.

Arthur's POV
Arthur stared down at his sleeping servant, the flames from the nearby fire keeping him warm. Arthur pulled his legs up to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. Merlin was growing so weak; his temperature rising. He didn't know how much longer his servant could last. Merlin was already so pale from massive blood lose.

Arthur lowered his face down into his knees. He just wanted to see his friend healed! He wanted Merlin to be okay again. How was he even suppose to find this sorcerer? Was he even on the correct path?

So many questions swirled in Arthur's mind. He didn't even want to think about them right now. He turned his gaze back upward to find Merlin staring up towards the sky. His eyes were blood shot and he panted heavily.

Arthur tried to speak to him not knowing if he would answer or not. "Merlin, what's wrong?"

Merlin continued to pant, but instead of answering, he turned towards Arthur and shot up straight.

Merlin's POV
Merlin laid on the makeshift bed from the Knights cloaks. He could hear noises in the distance, but they weren't sounds that any normal person could hear. He was hearing this sound in his mind.

The voice was calling out to him. "Emrys," it beckoned softly. "Emrys."

Merlin's eyes shot open. He panted heavily as the sounds rang throughout his head.

"Merlin, what's wrong?" he heard Arthur in a distance voice. Merlin didn't answer. He couldn't. The noises in his head made it impossible to focus.

Merlin continued to pant. He couldn't get the noises out of his head. They were driving him crazy! He could feel something begin to boil in the pit of his stomach. He sprang straight upwards; the pain inside of him gone... or perhaps it just ceased for the moment.

Merlin felt a hand on his shoulder and once more heard Arthur's concerned voice. "Merlin?" Merlin shrugged his hand away and stood to his feet.

The voice called to him again, only this time louder. "Emrys!" Merlin took off dashing into the forest. He was determined to find out where this voice came from. He knew Arthur was following behind him, but he didn't care.

Merlin stood in front of an entrance to a cave. The voice was calling from inside. Arthur's voice echoed in the distance again. "What's going on, Merlin? What do you sense? You can't go in there! It's too dangerous, and you're still injured!" Merlin didn't listen to what Arthur had to say. Instead, he dashed inside.

Arthur's POV
Arthur placed a hand on his friends shoulder. "Merlin?" He was concerned for his friend. What was going on inside Merlin's head right now? Merlin shrugged Arthur's hand away and he watched as the servant jumped to his feet. Arthur was worried; horribly worried! Arthur sprang to his feet beside his friend. He was concerned about Merlin's breathing.

When Merlin took off into the forest, Arthur stared dumbfounded for a second. He contemplated quickly on whether to awaken the Knights or let them sleep. He decided that he wanted to deal with Merlin alone. He chased after Merlin following his footsteps. "Merlin!" he shouted trying to catch up to him.

Arthur stopped behind Merlin as he stood staring into a dark cave. Arthur had a funny feeling in his stomach. "What's going on, Merlin?" he asked with a shaky voice. He thought about something else. Merlin's magic. It had to involve his magic; it was all making sense now. "What do you sense?" Merlin didn't respond. Did he even hear Arthur? Could he? Merlin stalked closer to the cave entrance. "You can't go in there!" Arthur shouted. "It's too dangerous, and you're still injured!"

Merlin payed no attention to him. Arthur was surprised when Merlin dashed into the cave. "Merlin!" Arthur screamed. Merlin could barely keep his eyes open a moment ago. How was he now able to run? Arthur didn't like it. He knew there was dark magic at work here. Arthur ran inside after his servant.

The cave was very dark. Arthur could hardly see where he was going. "Merlin!" he whispered. A bright blue began to shine at the end of the tunnel. Arthur cautiously followed the light. When he stepped through the tunnel, he entered another part of the cave. The blue light glowed brighter as Arthur stepped closer and he noticed Merlin lying on the ground in front of him.

"Merlin!" Arthur skid on his knees besides Merlin's body. He noticed something terrible wrong when he knelt down close. Merlin wasn't breathing! His skin had drained to look like a ghost, foam drizzled out the side of his mouth, his body laid completely still and was going cold fast.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted once more as he shook the servant violently. "Wake up!" This didn't make any sense. Merlin was alive and running a moment ago. What changed so drastically?

The blue light in the corridor began to take form. A woman dressed in yellow with blonde hair stood in front of Arthur and Merlin, a blue light engulfed her.

Arthur stared at the woman with wide and teary eyes. Her blue eyes pierced into his. "King Arthur of Camelot," the woman said tenderly.

Arthur didn't know how to respond. "Please, you have to help me. My friend is-"

"Dead," she interrupted. Those words pierced his heart. She nodded her head. "I see that."

Arthur searched his mind for the correct words. What was he suppose to do now? "Can you help him? Please! I can't bare to lose him!"

The woman crossed her arms. "Tell me, King Arthur, why should I save the boy? He has magic. You know that. Why should I save the life of a sorcerer when all you've done in life is take the lives of those like him?" She paused. "You should be glad he's dead."

Arthur lowered his head; tears dripped from his cheeks and on to Merlin's shirt. "Because he's my best friend," he simple replied. He turned his gaze back up towards the woman. "I can't live without him. He has saved my life so many times. I can't let him die this way. He thought he was doing good by forming an alliance with Morgana. I won't let her take him from me. He means the world to me. He is my best friend!"

The woman smiled and lowered her hands. "That is what I wanted to hear," she replied. "You two are destined for great things. I will bring the boy back." Arthur's heart raced. "And I will heal him from the poison within." She knelt down beside him and glided her hand across his body in the air.

Merlin's color suddenly returned to him; he broke out in a string of coughs.

"Merlin!" A smile grew across Arthur's face as Merlin's eyes opened. Merlin grinned back at him. Arthur turned his head upward to thank the sorceress, but she was already gone.

Merlin began to sit up, and Arthur helped him. Merlin wiped away the foam that was on the corner of his mouth.

"What happened?" Merlin asked.

Arthur's smile widened and he laughed drawing his best friend in close.