They were hiding and Arthur seemed quite lost, as though his hope had gone away and Merlin just wanted to get his Arthur back. So he tried to talk him into himself again, pushing all the buttons he normally found to annoy the prince as much as possible to little or no response now.
That was when Gwen accidentally gave him the idea for getting Arthur back. "He's the voice of Camelot and our leader, why isn't he leading us Merlin?" She asked one day when Merlin yet again had to claim illness for Arthur.
Merlin had just smiled sadly, at Gwen and the others nearby who looked hopeful. "He's lost his hope, but he'll get it back. I know he will." Merlin assured them before hurrying back to Arthur's chambers.
Once in the kings room, Merlin went straight to look out of the window at the people down in the square, where they were fighting to act normally, struggling against the forces Morgana had inserted into the castle and their force. "Sire, come and look out of here will you?" Merlin called, knowing as usual these days that Arthur wouldn't argue at all only do what was asked or ignore him.
"What are you looking at?" Arthur asked once he joined Merlin at the window and when Merlin didn't show signs of speaking again.
"We're not sitting in silence while you are in here. None of your subjects are allowing themselves to live in fear, but they need the voice of Camelot back. Without their voice the people can only protest individually but with their voice they could drive out the pawns Morgana has sent in." Merlin said, still looking out the window, although he observed Arthur from the corner of his eye.
"They have their own voices, why should there be just one to unite them?" Arthur challenged but already had some of his old spark coming back.
Merlin turned to face him then. "What is a kingdom without a king? What is an army without a general? What is a protest without a directing voice? Who can order us about and be a general prat as well as our king?" He questioned, needing some confirmation that Arthur would leave his despondency behind him now.
"If they need my voice then I might as well give them that one thing." Arthur countered, grinning a little, the first sign of happiness he'd shown in days.
"You are the voice. Try and understand that at least. They need you. I need you." Merlin insisted.
"Well then, what am I doing standing around here? We can't sit in silence or live in fear while my people need me. Get my armour and let's get these spies driven out." Arthur decided, finding surprising energy from Merlin's words.
Merlin grinned, that foolishly happy, energetic grin and headed out to follow his orders. "Make your statement and make it clear, Mr Voice." He teased in a commanding tone as he got Arthur into his armour.