As the Disir threw the staff at Arthur, Merlin pushed the king out of the way as the staff made contact with his shoulder.

Merlin screamed in pain as he hit the cave's floor. As he allowed the darkness to claim him, he knew that the staff was poisoned and that there was no cure. He knew that he was going to die and accepted the fact.

"How is he?" Arthur asked as he watched Sir Leon apply a poultice to Merlin's wounded shoulder. Sir Leon was the next best physician at the time. Over the past years he had watched Merlin take care of those who got injured on missions and picked up a few things.

Leon stood and faced Arthur. "He's getting worse. If we don't get him to Gaius soon, he'll die."

"Why did that idiot have to push me out of the way?" Arthur asked to no one in particular.

Mordred, who had just come back from collecting more fire wood, answered. "His destiny."

"What exacty is his destiny?" Arthur asked, looking at Mordred. Merlin had mentioned destiny many times over the years, but the king always pushed the thought to the side thinking that Merlin had had to much cider. But now hearing someone else speak of the manservant's destiny, he was curious about it was.

"To serve you and help you unite the land of Albion," Mordred replied. "He's risked his life time and time again, just so that you would live to fulfill your destiny. Your's and his are intertwined."

"How do you know this?" Arthur asked.

"I grew up in the Darkling Woods and often took shelter with the Druids. They would speak of the land you two will build," Mordred explained.

"That means there's hope," Arthur said.

"Merlin is a stubborn man. He has always had this refusal to die. If anyone can survive a Disir staff, he can," Gwaine said, joining the conversation. "Remember the Dorocha."

Arthur fell silent as he remembered how Merlin pushed him back into the corner and jumped in front of the freaky ghost. At first they had all thought he was dead, but then the man made it known that he was still alive. They had quickly set to work, getting him warm and forcing a bowl of hot stew down his throat.

When the sun rose, Lancelot had offered to take him back to Camelot, so that Gaius could care for him. A couple of days later the two of them came back and he was the picture of health. It was if he had never been attacked.

"I remember," Arthur said quietly.

"He'll make it," Mordred said encouragingly.

Gaius watched as the knights carried a unconsicious Merlin into his chambers and set him down on the table.

"What happened?" Gaius asked, worry lacing his voice.

"The Disir threw a staff that was laced with poison," Arthur replied as he stood in the doorway. "Can you save him?"

"I will try everything in my power," Gaius replied in hopeless tone. If Merlin had been injured by a staff from the Disir, the only way to save him was through magic.

As the knights began to leave, Gaius took hold of Mordred's arm and pulled him to the side. "I might need your help."

"Why mine?" Mordred asked.

Gaius watched as the last knight to leave closed to the door then look back at the young man. "I know that you have magic."

Mordred's eyes widened in fear. "He betrayed me."

"Merlin did no such thing. I've known since I treated you for that infected wound you received so many years ago," Gaius explained.

"How can I help?" the young knight asked.

"There is no normal cure for what the Disir did. It can only be reversed by magic and I don't have that kind of power. Merlin is unable to it himself," Gaius said.

"I already tried to use magic while everyone else slept. It didn't work. If anything I think I made him worse," Mordred said. "I wish I could help, but I can't."

Gaius sighed, defeated. There was only one option left.

After bandaging Merlin's shoulder the best he could, Gaius went to go see, Arthur.

Arthur was trying to focus on the reports in front of him, but every word he read, reminded him of Merlin, who was fighting for his life. His train of thought was soon interrupted when Gaius walked into the throne room.

"How is he?" Arthur asked, skipping past the formalities.

"There is little I can do for him. I can ease his pain and try to preserve his life for a while, but soon that won't be enough. He'll eventually die," Gaius reported sadly.

"Is there anything we can do?" Arthur questioned.

"Only the Disir have the power to reverse what they did, but it comes with a price," Gaius answered.

"What price is that?" Arthur wondered.

"A choice. If you make the wrong one, then Merlin will die. Make the right one, he lives," Gaius explained.

"What's the right choice?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know, Sire. It depends on what they ask of you," Gaius said.

Arthur placed his hands on his hips and bit his bottom lip as he looked around the throne room. "Keep him alive for as long as possible. I'm going back the cave and have the Disir save Merlin."

"I will do what I can," Gaius promised.

Arthur walked into the armoury to get his sword and armour. As he reached for his sword, Mordred walked up next to him.

"What can I do for you, Mordred?" Arthur asked.

"I would like to accompany you. I believe that you'll need help," Mordred replied.

"I have to face this alone," Arthur stated.

"You'll have a tough decision to make. It won't be something you can answer alone," Mordred said.

Arthur looked over at the young man. The expression he wore told the king that he wasn't about to take no for answer.

"Be ready within the hour," Arthur said as he sheathed his sword and walked past the knight.