For the next couple of days nothing odd happened. Each day the knights took turns watching over Merlin. Gaius would change Merlin's bandages every couple of hours and would make sure he was okay. When no one was around he would heal him a little bit with magic. On day 10 after the attack Gaius gave Merlin permission to walk around, so naturally, he went to go find Arthur. It was Lance's day to watch over Merlin and he was not to happy being dragged all around the castle.

"Arthur!" Merlin called out as he spotted the king across the court yard. He turned to look at the two and when his eyes caught sight of Merlin Lance saw Arthur smile and light up in a way he has never seen before.

"Merlin, glad to see you up and walking again. How are you feeling today?" Arthur asked as he walked up to Merlin and Lance.

"Better now that I'm up and walking again. My ribs still hurt a bit. But other than that i feel good." Merlin replied as he leaned up against the wall.

"Hope he isnt to much trouble for you Lance I know how annoying he is when he wont stop talking." Arthur said turning his attention to Lance.

"Im not annoying, I know when to stop talking!" Merlin interrupted.

"Honestly Merlin, Arthur is right you do have your moments when you don't shut up and you ramble." Lance said with a laugh.

"Well then. That hurts guys." Merlin said as he pretended to whipe a fake tear away.

A random knight came up to Arthur and spoke into his ear and when he was finished he walked away.

"If you would excuse me I am wanted in the court. Get more rest Merlin I don't know how much longer I can handle having George as my man servant." Arthur said as he turned to leave.

"What is going on in court?" Merlin asked curiously.

"It is nothing of your concern." Arthur replied walking away.

"Arthur there is something going on I know it." Merlin started to follow Arthur, "And besides I will follow you until you tell me."

"Fine there has been a sighting of the men who attacked you. Now please Merlin go back to your room and rest." Arthur turned to face Merlin.

"I am coming with you to court. I have every right to know what's going on if it's about me." Merlin said as he started to walk towards the castle.

"No you are going to get more rest. You shouldn't be dealing with stress." Arthur said as he reached out to grab Merlin's arm.

"Look I will be fine. It is stressing me not knowing where these guys are and what they want. I want these guys caught."

"Fine Merlin you can come, but if I see one sign of you not being able to handle it I will have Lance take you back to your room." Arthur said as he crossed his arms over his chest, "deal?"

"Deal." Merlin said as he started walking towards the castle.

...

In the court room

...

"They were spotted in a town a half a days ride west. One of our spies saw them eating at a tavern. They were snooping around asking about Merlin." Gwaine reported.

"What did they want to know?" Arthur asked as he subtly looked at Merlin.

"They wanted to know anything. Where he lives, how long he has been here, if he has family, basic weak spots." Gwaine said.

Merlin's whole body posture changed. His face grew dark, his breath grew shallow, and he sank in his chair staring at the table. He couldn't help but remember what happened to him.

"Merlin are you okay?" Arthur asked seeing the change in the man. Merlin didn't respond, he just kept his eye on the table.

'My family? They want to know where my family is. Then my mother isn't safe! They will hurt her! Hurt her to get to me? But why what do they want with me? It doesn't matter I cant let them hurt her. She is all the family I have left!' Merlin thought.

"Merlin!" Arthur called startling Merlin making him jump slightly.

"Sorry." Merlin said.

"I knew this was a bad idea. Lance take him back to his room to rest." Arthur says as he got up and walked towards Merlin.

"I don't need to rest Arthur I need to get to my mother. If they find out where she is they will use her to get to me and I cant let that happen."

"I wont let that happen Merlin. I wont allow her to get hurt, I will send some knights to get her and bring her here." Arthur said putting his hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"I am going with the knights to get my mother."

"No you are not. I will not send you out when there are people looking to kidnap you. You are just starting to heal."

"She will not just go with some knights she is smarter than that. If I am there she will come with me." Merlin stood to face Arthur, determined to win this argument.

"No Merlin! I will not risk you being taken! Stop and think for a moment, what if when you leave and they find you what are you going to do? You couldn't face them before what make any other time different? You cant protect yourself because you are injured. I will send someone who your mother knows. She knows Percival and Leon, she will go with them and if you would like to send her a letter explaining things then go ahead but you are NOT leaving the castle walls. Do I make myself clear?"

"Arthur please, this is my mother. I need to be 100% sure she gets here safe. I will be worried and stressed until she arrives and I wont get much sleep. Which is not good for someone who is healing…"

"Neither is days of riding and the possibility of fighting." Arthur interrupted Merlin.

"But if I go, I will be safe because I will be with you and the knights. And lets face it, if you don't let me go I will find a way myself which would be 100x more dangerous and I would have a greater possibility of being kidnaped. I can walk normally so riding shouldn't be much harder. So please Arthur let me go make sure my mother is okay." Merlin begged

Arthur sighed and buried his face in his hand. "You wont stop until I let you go will you?"

"Nope." Merlin said.

"Fine you can come. But you always have 2 knights with you no matter what and if you start hurting you say something and we stop."

"Thank you Arthur." Merlin said with a big smile on his face.

"Everyone get ready we leave at first light tomorrow morning." Arthur said as he looked around the room.