Gaius pulled out a large book and began flipping through the pages. "Ah, here it is." Gaius began to read aloud. "To change a Time Lord into a human, one must use a chameleon arch."
"What's a chameleon arch?" Arthur asked.
"It's a complicated type of machinery that normally runs on advanced science, but we don't have the technology for it. Thankfully, the same effect can be achieved with magic."
"How?" Arthur asked.
"First, you're going to need some object to hold your Time Lord essence, in case circumstances change and you can go back to being yourself."
"How about this?" Merlin held up a golden locket with the image of a clock on it.
"That will do just fine," Gaius said, taking the locket.
"Now, I have to warn you," he informed them, "this will alter your memory".
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.
"You'll think you're a human and always have been. You'll forget that you are really a Time Lord. And..."
"And?"
"You'll forget about Merlin. Your adventures with him are to closely tied to your identity."
"You mean," Merlin asked, "he'll forget about me? About all the times we had together?" Gaius nodded. "Is there no other way?" He shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Merlin. There is no other way." Merlin and Arthur began to cry, knowing their friendship would be lost. On a sudden impulse, Arthur hugged Merlin. They shared a sad smile. "Now, when this is over, you must give the locket to someone you trust," Gaius said. "Someone you trust with your life and all your secrets." Arthur didn't hesitate.
"It goes to Merlin."
"Alright, now comes the part you'll both hate. But first, if you don't mind, Athur, I'd like to put a spell on you so you won't feel the pain." Arthur nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea." Gaius performed the spell, and Arthur fell asleep. Merlin began to cry. "I'll need that locket," Gaius interrupted. Merlin handed it over, and Gaius performed another spell. Merlin watched as a golden glow flowed out of Arthur and into the locket.
"That's it?" Merlin asked. Gaius nodded. Merlin sat solemnly for a minute, and then Arthur woke up.
"What am I doing here?" he asked.
"I just finished giving you your physical, sire."
"And how am I?"
"Just fine, sire, but you need some rest. You fell asleep as I was examining you."
"Oh. Well, I'll be going then. Thank you, Gaius," Arthur said, walking away without so much as a glance at Merlin. Merlin would never say anything about it, but that moment broke his heart, especially as Merlin realized that all his interactions with Arthur would be like this from now on.
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