A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! I decided to continue the story but it's looking like it might be longer than I originally thought so bear with me. Unless I'm dying you can count on updates at least once a week. I know this chapter is short but I wanted to get something up quickly for those of you who reviewed and followed so yeah... on to the story!
Merlin stared back at Arthur, confusion and a little bit of fear clouding his face, before whispering, "Who are you?"
And just like that Arthur's heart dropped straight out of his chest.
"It's me, Arthur, you big idiot." Arthur replied after a moment of stunned silence, crossing his fingers and praying to everything he could think of that Merlin was just confused, disoriented after being unconscious for so long. It might take a few minutes but eventually Merlin would smile and call him a prat and everything would be back to normal. Arthur's fragile hopes were dashed before they even had a chance to fully form; he was brought back to the present by the panicked note in his servant's voice.
"Where am I?" Merlin asked, swinging his eyes wildly around the room. He tried to get up but collapsed back onto the bed as his injuries made themselves known. "What's wrong with me? I don't understand!" He cried, breath coming in sharp gasps far too close together.
"Calm down Merlin, you have to calm down!" Arthur instructed, slightly panicked himself. He reached out to reassure Merlin only to have the boy flinch back violently, falling off the bed in his haste to get away from Arthur's hands. Merlin lay panting on the ground for a minute before his eyes rolled up into his head and his body relaxed, unconscious, against the ground.
Jumping out of his chair Arthur ran down the hallway as fast as he could, colliding with a startled servant as he rounded the corner. "Go get Gaius, quickly!" He commanded as the girl picked herself up off the ground. "Tell him it's an emergency!"
"Yes Sire." The girl replied with a low bow before hurrying off in the opposite direction.
Arthur turned on his heel, racing back to Gaius' chambers, hoping that Merlin had not woken again in his absence. He stopped just outside the door, smoothing his hair down and struggling to control his rapid breathing, and then quietly entered the room.
Merlin was still on the floor where he had fallen so Arthur moved him back to the bed, then paced the length of the small room until Gaius arrived. As soon as Gaius entered some of the tension left Arthur's shoulders, "He woke up while you were gone and had a panic attack."
Gaius moved swiftly to the bed, placing his hand on Merlin's forehead. "He doesn't appear to have a fever and his pulse is normal, it's probably nothing to worry about."
"Gaius…" Arthur began hesitantly, "he didn't recognize me."
The blood drained from Gaius' face as he realized the implications of Arthur's statement. "I see." Came the strained reply.
"Gaius," Arthur was almost pleading now, "he'll be okay won't he? His memories will return and he'll be good as new, right?"
"I… I don't know, Sire." Gaius said, hesitating slightly, "I've read about cases where… but then sometimes it takes months or even years… It's best not to think about it, Sire. If anyone can get through this, Merlin can."
They stared down at the pale form on the bed, each lost in their own thoughts but united in concern for the boy. Making up his mind Arthur walked to the door, "I want to be here Gaius, you know how much I do, but… Merlin was scared of me, I can't put him through that again." Arthur said, hurt and guilt warring for prominence in his blue eyes. "I think it's best for everyone if I stay away until he's ready to see me."
"I will keep you updated on his progress, Sire." Gaius replied, watching Arthur turn and stride from the room, closing the door softly behind him.
As soon as Arthur left Gaius hit the books, searching desperately for anything that would help him cure Merlin. If Merlin didn't remember Arthur then he wouldn't remember Camelot or his destiny; until Merlin's memories returned Camelot would be lacking its greatest protector. Gaius needed to fix Merlin quickly or the reign of the Once and Future King might be over before it had even begun.
Just then a low moan caught Gaius' attention and he rushed over to the bed in time to see Merlin blinking his eyes open.
"Hello Merlin. I'm Gaius, the court physician. It's good to see you're awake again." Gaius said softly, careful not to startle the boy.
Craning his neck Merlin looked around with apprehension before replying, "Where am I?"
"You're in Camelot, my boy."
"Camelot?" Merlin said, bewildered, "But I can't be, that's a three day journey!"
"Perhaps it's best to start with the last thing you can remember." Gaius suggested.
"Okay" Merlin hesitated, "I was in the woods with Will, my best friend, we were… racing I think… to the stream and back. I remember falling, I guess I tripped, but when I woke up I was lying on this bed and someone was yelling at me."
"That would be Arthur," Gaius clarified with a small smile "the king. You are his manservant."
"But… that's impossible!" Stammered Merlin, "I live in Ealdor with my mum, I've never even been to Camelot before!"
"Three days ago you were attacked and sustained a head injury that I believe is affecting your memory. I know it is confusing and scary but you are going to have to trust me until your memories return, can you do that?"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" Merlin asked ruefully.
Gaius shook his head; "No, but maybe this will help; let me tell you a story about a servant, a prince, and a coin. It all started one bright, sunny day when a clumsy, big-eared boy walked into my chambers and changed my life forever…"
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