The next day Uther burst into Gaius's chambers demanding to know if Merlin was okay with Arthur trailing behind him. After being reassured that Merlin was going to be fine, Uther turned to leave along with Gaius. Cautiously approaching the slumbering figure, Arthur sat next to Merlin.

"I swear, if that goblin did anything to you, I will kill him." Sighing Arthur slumped back into his chair. It wasn't until many hours later that Merlin aroused from his unconsciousness. Groaning, Merlin positioned himself so that he could sit up.

"Finally Merlin, you're awake. I can't believe you could have been out cold for more than five hours." Merlin was about to reply but found no words escaping from his mouth. Frowning Merlin tried again to no avail.

"What's the matter Merlin, cat got your tongue?" Yet again Merlin tried to answer but only managed to mouth the word 'no'. Abruptly Merlin felt an itch in his throat and began to cough. Arthur rolling his eyes began to pat Merlin on the back.

"Merlin you can stop pretending now." Merlin mouthed the words 'I'm not pretending.' Seeing Arthur frown, Merlin got up and grabbed a piece of paper and a feather quill. Quickly dipping the end of the quill in a pot of ink and scribbling like mad, Merlin quickly wrote his message and shoved it into Arthur's hands. Arthur read, I am not pretending. I really can't speak. It's like my voice is gone. Getting worried Arthur looked up at Merlin.

"Are you sure you can't speak?" Merlin nodded in response. Sighing, Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm and dragged him outside into the corridors. Merlin struggled a bit on the way, but Merlin couldn't get his wrist out of Arthur's strong grip. Feeling Merlin's tugs, Arthur stopped and turned around. Merlin mouthed 'Where are we going?'

"It's okay Merlin we are just going to my chambers so that we can sort things out." Turning back around, Arthur continued to drag Merlin until they reached his chambers. Grabbing a seat and pulling it opposite his own, Arthur sat down motioning to Merlin to sit down too.

"Merlin who stabbed you in the leg?" Merlin mouthed 'Gaius', but upon seeing the puzzled face his brother was giving him, Merlin wrote it down. Reading it Arthur felt furious. Looking up at Merlin and down at the piece of paper, Arthur frowned.

"Merlin do you have any idea who might have done this to you?" Merlin shook his head. "I think it was that goblin." Merlin looked disappointed. But before he could respond, a servant knocked at the door.

"Come in."

"Sire, the king requests both of your presences in the Council Chamber." Quickly the servant turned to leave.

"Great, what is it this time?" Merlin shrugged. Silently both of them walked towards the Council Chamber. Uther sat on his throne waiting for his sons to show up. Hearing the doors open, Uther looked up and greeted them.

"Hello Merlin. Are you recovering well?" Merlin was about to reply before Arthur quickly stepped in.

"Gaius says that he is recovering just fine."

"Oh, really? Well that's good news because the king of Anthropoli is coming tonight." Upon hearing this both Merlin and Arthur rolled their eyes. King Gedrick was very impatient and bad tempered. Also he was known to be quite the feisty man.

"Now I told you he was coming in advance didn't I? He's only staying for a few days, mainly here for the peace treaties and all."

"If you would mind father, but Merlin and I have some more sword training to do."

"Of course, you may leave." And with that Merlin and Arthur swept away past the doors and into the corridors.

"Merlin, I suggest you retire to your chambers and take a rest. You look horrible." Arthur said without turning around. Both of them quickly paced towards their chambers before Arthur stopped at Merlin's chamber door.

"I'll see you later in the afternoon shall I? Anything you need call your servant okay?" Arthur said before turning around and leaving. Shortly after the door shut with a close, Merlin slowly walked his way to his desk where he sat down. Trying to buy some time, Merlin tried reading his magic book. Turning every page, Merlin felt really agitated. It wasn't that his magic was being deprived or suppressed from him, oh no, it was just that most of the magic he knows involves speaking the old religion. That was the problem. So upon reading an interesting spell, all Merlin could do was read it not actually cast it. After about half an hour, Merlin got bored and decided to sleep. He quickly got up from his seat and walked over to his closet. Hastily, Merlin quickly got changed and slipped under the duvets. Feeling comfortable, Merlin closed his eyes and let himself be carried into the oblivion of sleep.


AN: Like I said 'Please review'! The little button is waiting...

Sherlocked Kat