"Merlin, I need to talk to you."

A day had come and gone since Arthur had visited. He had not returned. Merlin barely registered the days and nights anymore; they were a blurred mixture of pain and shallow sleep.

Gaius entered the boy's bedroom and sat on the floor at Merlin's head.

"I have a proposal to make," he began cautiously. "I refuse to sugar-coat what's happening: you are dying."

"Yep," Merlin agreed, nodding solemnly.

"Uther will see you dead either way by the end of the week," Gaius said heavily.

"Can't wait," said Merlin.

"Merlin," Gaius said, watching the boy's white face. "I am sorry. I should have been more aware of your symptoms. Your internal bleeding is very serious, and I failed you. I am sorry."

"Not to worry," Merlin said, waving a hand.

"Okay," Gaius said. "Here's what I think we should do. I will use all of my medical knowledge and ...my knowledge of healing sorcery, combined with your incredibly strong magic. I want you to try to heal yourself using magic."

"But Gaius, if I am healed then Uther will know for definite that I have magic, and will kill me anyway," pointed out Merlin.

"I know," Gaius said. "That's why I think you should then leave Camelot."

"What? But... Camelot is my home!" Merlin protested.

"Well would you rather be home and dead or somewhere else and alive?" demanded Gaius crossly.

"Hmm," Merlin thought about it. "Yeah, okay. Let's give it a go, why not, why not?"