A/N

Hi. It's been awhile since I have written for this fandom...and this is not the sequel to "The Heart Spoke of No Sin"...sorry just can't seem to re-find the drive behind it and I don't want to follow up with something I don't think is good enough.

So instead there is this...a smaller. simpler story. It too has been a hard write but it's got tot he point that if I don't post it now I never will. So hope you enjoy.

The Tidy Room – Chapter 2.

Arthur stood quietly outside Gaius's chambers, unsure of what to do. He could hear sobbing coming from the rooms and knew it was Merlin. Part of him wanted to go in and comfort the weeping man but the other (much more reserved part of him) rebelled completely at that idea. Comforting and supporting upset people was more Gwen's area of expertise and for a moment he thought of rushing back to their rooms and getting her.

"Yes" he decided. "Gwen will know what to do."

But just as he was turning to leave the crying stopped and he heard Merlin get up and walk over to the table and sit down. Deciding that it was probably safe now to enter Arthur pushed open the door and went in. Just as he had supposed Merlin was sitting on the rough stool at the small wooden table, his back to the door.

"Hello Arthur." A small voice came from the hunched figure "What do you want?"

"How did you know it was me?" the King asked.

"You are the only one who would not knock first" Merlin replied.

"Oh, yes. I suppose…" Arthur's voice tailed off as he realised that perhaps (even though he was King) it might have been polite or more socially acceptable if he had indeed asked permission to enter the rooms. After all, Merlin was upset and worried. But no way was Arthur going to admit it so he just left the sentence hanging in the air.

"So what is the answer?" Merlin's voice was again quiet and almost flat.

"The answer to what?" Arthur replied distractedly.

Sighing Merlin turned round to face the King and repeated "What do you want?"

Startled by the look of complete exhaustion on Merlin's face Arthur suddenly could not come up with an answer. On his way over to check on Merlin Arthur had decided that he would ask for a lotion or tell him about some future event that needed planning; pretty much anything really in order to avoid the real reason for the visit.

As he stood there, trying desperately to remember his made up excuse, Arthur's mouth just took over and he found himself actually telling the truth.

"I could not sleep last night; I was worried about Gaius and I suppose about you too."

As he spoke the King could not quite believe what had come out of his mouth; but it was said now and he could not take it back. At least Merlin had the grace to look stunned at such an unexpected show of Kingly emotion. After a few seconds he managed to stumble a reply.

"Um…Thanks Arthur. I know Gaius would be touched by your concern."

What was left unspoken, but was relayed by his expression, was that he too was moved that Arthur had actually been able to state his concern. Arthur gave Merlin a slight nod of the head; both to indicate he understood Merlin's thanks but also to ensure that the manservant knew that this rare moment of emotional transparency was now over. And that it was not to be referred to again, ever, under any circumstances!

"Have you got everything you need?" Arthur stared at the potions and bandages on the table. "Are you ready?"

Merlin's face, already white, paled a little more but then he clenched his teeth and stood up.

"As ready as I will ever be" he said, gesticulating around the room.

That was when Arthur noticed the changes for the first time. Gone was the slightly grubby, disorganised dark room and in its place was a gleaming, well thought out healing room. The King could barely believe what he was seeing and he looked at Merlin with questions on his lips. But before he could ask what on earth had happened the young man shrugged and said

"I had to do something; this just seemed to happen." The youth paused and stared straight at Arthur "Do you think I did the right thing? Will Gaius be pleased or should I just put it back how it was?"

"Will this make it easier for you to care for Gaius and other patients whilst he cannot?" Arthur asked.

Merlin thought for a second and then just nodded.

"Then I believe that Gaius will be very pleased with what you have done."

A loud knock at the door interrupted them and Merlin yelled "Come in" before the King could do so himself – a definite breach in protocol but one Arthur was happy to let slid as a guard entered.

"Sire, I am to tell you that the soldiers bringing Gaius back have just entered the Court Yard and will be here in a few minutes." The guard bowed and left; the door remaining open behind him.

Arthur heard Merlin's sharp intake of breath and turned to look at the young man. He was used to Merlin taking things in his stride, often full of certainty and assurance when everything was falling down around him. But this time all the King could see on his face was fear and trepidation. And Arthur knew that this was going to be one of the hardest things Merlin had ever had to face. Without thinking he moved towards him and this time did indeed put his hand on the manservants arm. After a moment he whispered quietly.

"Don't worry, I am sure it will all be alright."

But his words proved to be hollow. For as he spoke the soldiers entered carrying a stretcher bearing the body of the old physician; his chest still and his face covered.

XXX