Author's Note: I'm sorry for not updating! I've been busy plus there have been several family crises lately.

As Percival carried the wounded man with his arms wrapped around his arms and chest, he looked down at him. The man might not be fighting the knight, but he sure did look furious. His jaw was clenched and cheek pulsed with the tension. His bright blue eyes were drawn into little slits as he stared ahead of them. His nostrils even flared now and then. This was one volatile person.

The burly knight did not like the warmth that radiated off the warlocks bruised and bandaged body. It was a tepid morning; however, Merlin should not be this sweaty or this warm. "He's got a fever. His skin's burning," Percival declared to the wary group.

Gwaine glanced at Arthur. "Think that's why he doesn't seem to recognize us," asked the wayward knight. "It makes sense."

"I don't know," said Arthur, as he stared at the ground in front of him (much like Merlin was doing). Arthur rubbed his face with his hands as he moaned a little and thought, I don't know seems to be the motto of the day, doesn't it? "I think we will have more answers once we get him back to Camelot. Gaius can get him bandaged up and eh can rest. Everything will be just fine. I know it. It has to be." The last part was whispered – it was said to himself and no one, but him was supposed to hear it.

By the time they had reached Leon and Elyan resting in the cool shade of the tree, Merlin's eyes had closed and he was dozing. That was probably a good thing. The King hoped it was. It meant that putting him on a horse would be easier. Truth be told, the blonde-haired man was nervous about that. He thought that Merlin might fight them. Seeing the two knights under the tree, Arthur was pleased to see Elyan awake and sipping on some water.

"Glad to see you awake, Sir Elyan. How are you feeling," asked Arthur as he came over to them.

"I'm fine," Elyan said. "What happened to you?"

"We heard wolves…."

Arthur nodded. "I was attacked. I'm fine. It's nothing – really. I've had worse," the King replied. "Gwaine managed to scare it away. He wounded it."

"You found Merlin," remarked Leon as Percival and Gwaine joined them. "He looks awful. What happened to him?"

"We don't know," Arthur said. "Right now, we need to get him back to Gaius. He's hurt and he's ill. We can figure everything out later. You also need to be seen by Gaius, Elyan."

"As do you," the dark-skinned knight pointed out. As he looked at the dirty man in Percival's arms, he frowned. "Where's his clothes."

"Does it really matter? There are more at the castle," grumbled Arthur as he helped Percival get Merlin on Arthur's horse. Arthur mounted behind the warlock and wrapped a protective arm around his thin chest. "Let's go."

After the other men get on their horses, they rode off to Camelot. As darkness just began to cloak the city, they darted through the gates. Even though the full moon was last night, it still looked quite full. Merlin didn't seem to react to it though. He didn't seem to react to anything. He just slept. The slumber continued as Arthur carried him to Gaius's chambers.

Without knocking, Arthur entered the spacious tower. A path of blood, dripping from the wounds of Merlin and Arthur, was left in their wake. The King did not see Gaius anywhere in the main area of the physician's quarters. "Gaius!" Arthur screamed as he pushed the things off the examining table and lays Merlin onto it. The pots, bowls, and spoons clatter to the stone floor and the glass things shatter with the impact. "Gaius!"

"What's all that racket about," demanded the grumpy doctor. He pulled on his tunic and fastened the belt as he came down the steps and into the room. "What's wrong?"

Arthur stepped aside to let Gaius see the shivering, sweaty man. "We found him, Gaius. We found Merlin," rasped the King. Now that they were home, Arthur felt very tired all of a sudden. With weariness, he sank down onto the bench, but he kept his eyes on the magic user lying in front of him. "He didn't seem to recognize us. I don't know what happened to him. I wish I did."

"We will figure it out. Don't worry. In all due time the truth will be revealed," Gaius said as he began to examine Merlin. "Was he in this condition when you found him?"

The King nodded his head. "Nearly," admitted the young man. "Gwaine stabbed him."

"Why?"

"He was attacking me…"

"I don't understand."

"I don't either," Arthur admitted. "There are too many questions and not enough answers. All I know is that he was a wolf and he attacked me. I think it…he would've eaten me if Gwaine had not intervened, but my wounds aren't bad. They're just flesh wounds. I took care of them earlier."

"Still, I need to examine them."

"Take care of Merlin first."

"Of course," Gaius replied. "Do you think you could get me some fresh water? I need to get the grime off of him and then maybe find him some clothes as well as a bathtub?"

"A bathtub," asked the King as his brow furrowed. "Why do you need a bathtub?"

"I want to get his fever down. A cold bath will help me," explained the Physician.

"I see," Arthur muttered as he pushed himself off the seat. He glanced at the unconscious and wounded man before he dashed from the room. Within fifteen minutes, he returned with servants bringing the tub, clothes, and water.

As the helpers left, Arthur nodded to them. "Thank you," he told them, to which they bowed their heads. Before they were even gone, Arthur had turned his gaze to Merlin. "Will he be all right?"

"I don't know. There's a lot of explaining to do," muttered Gaius as he wiped the dirt and stains off of Merlin's pale face.