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Lamia

Wet fingers ringed the damp cloth over a basin before bringing it over to the boy's head. Merlin wiped the cloth over Quin's brow, hoping to help the boy through his sickness. It was the fourth case of sweat sickness that day, and the numbers the day before weren't any better. But Gaius was needed near the other side of Camelot because of a mysterious illness. Arthur leans against the wall near Gaius, who is pouring over his books.

"Why don't you just have Merlin go?" Gaius asks.

"Merlin?" Arthur asks, incredulous.

"Yes Merlin. He can make a simple diagnosis and can report to me his findings."

"Merlin couldn't find his own back side!" Merlin frowns at Arthur.

"He is much more capable then you think."

Arthur shoots Merlin a look, but then shakes his head.

"Okay."

Later that night, Gaius gives Merlin his medic bag while he packs.

"I.... I couldn't."

"Of course, you can, Merlin. I have others and you'll need it."

Merlin takes the bag with a grateful smile, and Gaius smiles back.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

The knights, Merlin, Gwen, and Mary arrive at the village before nightfall. Merlin hastily makes his way to the hut where the patients were staying.

"They're alive, but only just. How long have they been like this?" He asks.

"Two or three days," Replies John Howden, a village Elder.

"We'll need some Belladonna to stimulate the heart. But for now, we will need blankets and hot water."

Gwen goes out to get the supplies. Merlin askes for a minute alone with the patients, and John stubbornly leaves. Merlin hovers over one of the patients.

"Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare!"

Merlin can feel the magic inside him, but it does nothing. Merlin closes his eyes, thinking of other spells.

"Butan þæt cwalu. Hrðe þon aidlian. Hrðe þon eðian. Bot ond tile." His eyes open a blinding gold but dies down quickly. Merlin looks back down towards the patient, but still no change.

A low hissing sound draws him from the sick man. He raises his head. The hissing grows louder. He walks outside, grabbing a fishing rod beside him.

"Leoht." A sphere of light appears in the warlock's hand. He quickly rounded the corner, gripping the pole tightly. The light, sensing his distress, brightened. He steps into an empty alley between the houses. The light uncovers a fallen silhouette. He drops the fishing rod and drops down to the body. The light illuminates his face. Lying there, was John Howden.

---------------------------------------(Morgana's POV) (3rd Limited)

Morgana stared at the girl in front of her. She wore ragged clothes and an afraid expression.

"Remember your role."

The girl had a reptilian voice, high but quiet. Eerie in its lifelessness. "Of course. Get rid of the knights. Break Arthur. What's in it for me?"

"You get the knights. And if you really care that much, you can have Arthur too."

She smiles, something deadly and cruel. Morgana smiles back. She would have her throne, even at the destruction of her brother. Morgana had a quick flashback of fighting Arthur with a sword.