I'm sorry for how late this is but I won't flood you with excuses, have another chapter instead.
As Arthur walked through the castle his thoughts were deep into what Gwen had suggested. What if someone had died? Originally he'd assumed it was something he'd done or said to offend him, but by now he knew it couldn't be. He'd insulted Merlin enough times in the past and he'd never reacted this badly so it had to be something important. But who could he have known that died? If it was someone in Camelot Arthur would have known too and he was sure Merlin wasn't close to any of his family other than Hunith since he'd never even mentioned them.
But thinking about Merlin's family he was reminded of the letter he read. Merlin had mentioned his father, what if something had happened to him? He knew Merlin had never known his father but just as Arthur had never known his mother, he knew that it would still hurt, even if he'd never met him. It was a possibility, he thought, but a very unlikely one so he soon put the thought out of his head.
Arthur was so deep in thought he didn't notice Gaius until he had already walked into him.
"Gaius! I'm sorry I didn't see you." He apologised, helping the older man up, his mind still on Merlin.
"It's okay Arthur but watch where you're going, you can't be daydreaming round the castle like that, and you are the Crown Prince after all."
"Sorry Gaius I've got other things on my mind I guess."
He looked up, a suddenly sad expression on his face. "Merlin?" he guessed.
Arthur nodded, "Gaius, you of all people-"
"I won't tell you Arthur," he interrupted. "It's Merlin's secret, it's his to tell; even if you are royalty."
"Fine, but I only want to help; you know that- you care for him more than anyone."
"I know that Arthur, and I'm sure Merlin will tell you when he feels ready. Now if you'll excuse me, some of us have jobs to attend to."
"Of course, thank you Gaius." Arthur bade him farewell as he walked off down the corridor but as he walked something dropped from the middle of his pile of things.
Arthur walked swiftly over and picked it up. He recognised the neat but rushed writing of Hunith.
My dearest friend,
I know you're doing all you can for Merlin and I cannot thank you enough for all you've done for us. Is he getting any better? You're like a father to him and I know the bond between you two and I know you must feel sorrow too, I know Balinor was your friend but the bond between a father and a son is strong, even if they didn't know each other for more than a few hours. If need be send him back home, only for a while, being away from Camelot might help him, if he can get away from the memory for a while maybe he can move on. I understand…
The page ended there but the letter continued on another page which presumably Gaius still had. Quickly Arthur placed the page on the shelf nearest and hurried away. Hopefully Gaius would realise what he was missing soon enough and re-trace his steps.
But what did Balinor have to do with anything? If Arthur remembered rightly he was the dragonlord they'd found but he'd never known he was Gaius' friend so that must have been how he knew they could find him because Gaius would never let a friend die. And then there was still the mystery of Merlin's father. Hunith said he'd only known him for a few hours, he assumed that must have meant when he was a baby, before his father left. If he died recently Merlin would be upset he hadn't had more time with him.
Arthur smiled to himself. That must be it. He hadn't even needed to ask Merlin after all, although something still needed to be done. This couldn't continue, he needed to sort Merlin out and he would do it soon.
