Disclaimer - i own nothing. Thanks to Matsukaze Tenma for the encouragment. :)

Red Sky

Merlin winced as he bent down to pick up the cup, silently cursing Arthur for having a good throw. His ribs were on fire, he straightened up and sat the cup back on the table. He looked around and finally realised something.

"Where's Gwen?" he asked spinning around on the spot, then made a mental note not to do it again after fighting a wave of nausea.

"She got up early to see Gaius, didn't you see her?" Arthur said looking curiously at his manservant. Merlin scratched the back of his neck gently shaking his head, not wanting to admit to his sleepless night. Arthur shook his head, brushing it off as Merlin being his usual unobservant self, disappearing behind the screen to get changed. Merlin - finally safe from Arthur's sight - wrapped his arms around his chest begging for the pain to lessen. He couldn't just admit to being in pain, others were suffering more than him. Arthur had lost the last of his family, Gaius wasn't quite the same and was too busy trying to save lives of the people Morgana injured. Merlin didn't want to distract him with something as little as sore ribs. He quickly unwrapped his arms as he heard Arthur cough.

"Is there something wrong Merlin?" Arthur asked no hint of teasing in his voice. Merlin shook his head.

"Just a little cold, why do you actually care?" Merlin covered, adding his usually taunt onto the end of his lie. It worked as Arthur rolled his eyes and mumbled something about ungrateful servants. Merlin shuffled over to the bed while Arthur sat down to eat his breakfast - shuffling hurt less than walking. He quickly made the bed then planned to sneak away. If he could get somewhere hidden he could heal his ribs without anyone even knowing they hurt.

Gwaine turned the corner with Percival sharp on his heels. They had already stopped by Gaius' who, had claimed his ward must have left early today as he was gone before Gaius woke up. They were now heading to the king's chambers the concern for their friend continuously growing. Percival stepped ahead of him when they finally reached the king's chambers and shoved the door. Gwaine winced as the door flew open, sometimes the knight didn't know his own strength. The door opened showing Arthur's face drop as they hear a yelp of pain. Merlin was lying on the floor holding his head.

Merlin had grabbed the empty tray from the table.

"I'll take this down to the kitchen then come back here okay?" Merlin said shifting on his feet. Arthur stood up giving him a nod and started heading for the desk. The crash made him spin around, years of training quickening his reflexes caused him to see Merlin being hit by the door, flying backwards and landing hard upon the stone floor. He could see Percival and Gwaine in the doorway both looking as shocked as he felt. They were all snapped out of their shock by Merlin emitting a yelp as he grabbed his head. Gwaine was by his side in an instant.

"Merlin mate, you okay?" Gwaine asked pulling Merlin into a sitting position, wincing as he saw the mark that covered his right cheek. That was going to cause a bruise. Merlin winced and looked at him trying to decide which Gwaine to answer. He shook his head and the three Gwaines blurred into one.

"Have you heard of knocking." Merlin asked motioning to the door, swinging in the slight breeze of the drafty castle. Percival looked really guilty. Merlin hid his pain in a grin.

"You know Arthur, I feel a bit light headed I fear I may have to take the rest of the day off." He joked trying to lighten the situation. Arthur rolled his eyes before acting seriously.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Please I've had worse." Merlin said shrugging his shoulders a bit as he stood up. At least now the pain in his ribs wasn't as bad, his head ached to an equal amount. Gwaine was shook out of his trance by that sentence.

"Speaking of having worse, what's this we heard about you rollin' around with some drunk in a fight." Merlin suddenly found his shoes very interesting. "The maids said you looked hurt." Gwaine continued watching as Merlin scuffed the toe of his boot on the ground. Arthur grabbed Merlin's shoulders assessing the damage to his manservant only to have said manservant shake him off.

"I'm fine seriously, it was just a minor misunderstanding," Merlin said. "Anyway I'm pretty sure I won." Arthur, Gwaine and Percival all burst out laughing. Well Percival's was more like a silent snort. Merlin grinned at his mates before shaking his head. He bent down and grabbed the tray, bringing it close to his chest allowing him to shield his ribs from anymore stray blows.

"Sires" Merlin mocked giving a half bow before heading out of the room. None of them saw the wince he gave as he straightened up.

"Merlin meet us at the training field when you done." Arthur called after him, watching the younger man disappear around the corner. Not noticing the slight shuffle in his step. Arthur slapped Gwaine on the back leading him in the opposite direction to the armoury leaving Percival to stare after Merlin. Something was wrong with him.

Merlin sat down on the bottom stair and hugged his chest. It wasn't meant to hurt this bad! He looked around before un-doing his belt and pulling his shirt up. He gasped as he saw most of his chest was a purple colour. He tugged down his shirt and left his belt off, he'd leave it in the kitchen and get it later. It might ease the pain, he thought. He snuck into the kitchen dropping the tray into the soapy water, he smiled at Alexandra one of the kitchen maids, and asked her to hold onto his belt. She gave him a confused look but agreed anyway. Merlin walked slowly down the corridor and wander out to the training grounds. He carefully sat down and watched the knights warm up. They were all twirling swords around. He laughed as he saw Gwaine advancing towards Elyan with a mace only to catch himself in his chest with it. Luckily he was wearing Armour but Merlin didn't laugh as long or as hard as the knights. The pain was getting worse.

"Merlin give us a hand will you?" Merlin looked around to see Andrew, one of the Skivvies for the training grounds, trying to move a target. Merlin got up and grabbed one side trying to ignore the pain. They lifted the target and half carried, half dragged it across the field to where the other targets were. Merlin forced another smile desperately trying to hide the pain from his ribs.

"Merlin? Are you alright?" Andrew asked quietly, knowing Merlin would be crowded by the knights if he asked too loud. Merlin bit his lip and nodded. Andrew looked at him carefully before walking off. Merlin stood next to Elyan and Gwaine as Arthur approached prepared to be lectured but was interrupted by Elyan.

"Hey Merlin where's your belt?"

"Huh?" Merlin looked down before remembering he left it in the Kitchen. But Gwaine answered for him.

"He doesn't need it any more 'cause he so fat," Gwaine joked slapping Merlin's stomach just below his ribs. Merlin gasped as the pain radiated through his body. The black spots were back clouding his vision. He could hear the knights calling his name but it hurt so much. He felt himself sinking to the ground and wrapping his arms around his chest.

"Merl…" then everything went black.