Chapter 6 – Arthur Saves the Day

By the time Arthur Pendragon reached Camelot dusk had settled. The only people he saw were the guards, who nodded him through the gates. The only things he saw were the town, plus the items that littered the town, and the natural surroundings. The first few stars were twinkling overhead and along with the many torches, the castle was illuminated brilliantly with a high rising crescent moon.

Arthur paused just inside the gate. He looked up at the sky and marveled at the grandness of the stars, the beauty of the moon, and the vastness of the sky itself. He felt so small and insignificant staring up at the sky.

The weight of everything that had happened lay heavy on him. He had faced some many particular things, most he had never dreamt of seeing or even speaking too. Plus, he had made a pact with the druids to stop persecuting their kind. Though he felt apprehensive about it, he felt like it was the right move. *How did I know Mordred meant not only his kind but also all other magical persons,* Arthur wondered. However, he dismissed it as his mind drifted to Merlin.

Dismounting, Arthur whispered to himself, "I do hope I have returned in time." With haste, he ran through the city and to Gaius's quarters. The Prince didn't stop until he got there and the only reason he paused was to knock and to catch his breath. With a brief, "Come in", from Gaius, Arthur tightened his hand around the bag of red ribbons as he entered the room.

Arthur's face paled as he looked upon Merlin. The young servant was lying prone in his bed. His eyes were closed and his fever glistened face was pale as the sweat soaked sheets he lay under. Merlin barely moved in his bed and his usually thin frame was thinner than usual – he looked as if he were wasting away. Arthur was barely able to tell that the man was in the realm of the living as he came over to the healer and his friend.

Kneeling beside Gaius, the prince handed the bag to him. "Here," Arthur said as he stared at Merlin. "I hope there is enough to help the others who are ill."

As Gaius took the bag, he opened it and peered inside. "Yes, there should be. Was it too difficult to get them?"

Arthur smiled dryly. "Well, I had to face a siren, a cow sized dog, a sphinx, and a giant snake to get it. Otherwise it was easy.

"My, my, what an adventure you had. What about the druids, were they willing to give you the ribbons?"

"Yes, but only after I agreed to help them once I become king," Arthur said as he watched Gaius tie the ribbon around Merlin's neck. "How long will it take to work?"

"I don't know. It shouldn't be too long. Will you stay and watch of Merlin while I go and treat the others?"

"Of course"

"I shan't be long."

As Gaius left, Arthur shifted to the stool where the healer had been sitting. Arthur took his friend hand and squeezed it. "You're always the idiot, aren't you, Merlin? You just had to let that ghost girl pass through you."

"Do you always have to be a prat? I didn't let any ghost go through me. She just did," Merlin whispered – his tone was barely audible.

"I never thought I'd be any happier to be called a prat than I am right now. Welcome back Merlin. Welcome back."