A villager had sought an audience with the king that morning. "My lord, our village has been attacked by a gigantic beast, it has taken many men into its lair, a cave close by to our village. The people are so scared it will return. If there was anything you could do for us, we would be forever in your debt."
"Arthur, see that this beast is destroyed before it causes further harm to these people."
Uther and Arthur were having lunch together, Uther was trying to offer Arthur any advice he could. "I don't understand why you would want to attack it in its lair Arthur, seems like a sure way to get trapped in with it." Said Uther. "Father, in the open, it can run wherever it likes, we can't corner it, trap it, it makes it much harder to kill it. Believe me, I've faced creatures like this before." "What, and ended up dying? Said Uther, starting to get frustrated. "Arthur, I know you think that your own quick wit and skills save your life, but you have to acknowledge the luck involved. Getting stuck in a cave with a huge creature will not help." "Easy for you to judge my skills, sitting here safely in Camelot." Said Arthur. "Fine, ignore my advice, do it your own stupid way, I'm sick of having you question my judgement on everything. Just get out of here Arthur."
Arthur stormed out.
"Merlin, I have no idea what your facing, but I think it will be up to you to destroy it, if it is as big as the villager claims, it must be conjured from magic, but the question is, by whom?" Mused Gaius, as Merlin prepared for the journey ahead. "Don't worry Gaius, I've got this, it's just protecting Arthur from himself that makes it hard work." Laughed Merlin as he left.
Arthur and his men left at first light, despite Uther's attitude, he was quite worried for his son, the man had told them that even though this beast seemed to have no special power, it was humongous and extremely bloodthirsty.
The group had returned,4 days later, carrying an unconscious Arthur. "What happened to him?" Gaius asked as he hurried into the chamber."One of the knights was cornered by the beast, Arthur tried to help him and it picked him up with its teeth, and threw him across the cave. Leon managed to take the beast down, but it was too late, Arthur was already injured. He was bleeding so much- we just wanted to get him back to you."Explained Merlin, who was clearly exhausted himself. "Gaius, can you tell me if he's going to be alright? That's all I want to know right now." Said Uther, who took a seat on his bedside. "Almost all the ribs on the right side of his body are crushed, which makes it amazing he hasn't punctured a lung. His right arm is broken, and he has lost so much blood. I have treated him the best I could, Sire. I believe he will recover, but he will be in a lot of pain." Gaius said.
Later that night, Uther sat by his son's side, caressing his forehead. "I feel as if I have sent you to danger one too many times Arthur, I can't bear to lose you. I have lost everyone I have ever loved. I'm sorry for what I said to you before you left. I couldn't ask for a better son. I love you Arthur, I always have and I always will." Gaius came in to check on him. "Has he woken?" He asked. "No, he hasn't been fast asleep though, he's in too much pain. Is there nothing you can do for that Gaius?" "No, I'm afraid I don't want to risk putting anything into his bloodstream with the amount of blood he has lost." Gaius sighed. "Why does he always have to be the one getting hurt?" Uther chuckled. "Because he is always the one putting his life in danger for everyone. He is to selfless. Go to bed Gaius, I will stay with him. Thank you for everything you've done." "Goodnight, my lord."