I'm sorry for the wait so... the story continues.
When Merlin came through Merlin was lying on his stomach on the cot used for patients.
"G-aius" Merlin croaked.
Gaius and Gwaine spun and rushed to Merlin's side.
"Merlin, how do you feel?"Gaius asked.
"Merlin tried to tilt his head but decided against it.
"Is that a trick question?"
"No my boy."
"I feel like I spent a nice torture session with Morgana, and she fed me to a whole flock of Serkets."
"drink some water." Gwaine said putting a glass of water to Merlin's lips. Merlin sipped the water gingerly. He also ate a piece of bread before welcoming the numbness of the darkness.
Percival walked into Gaius' chambers and took a seat next to Merlin's bed. He looked at Merlin's back and cursed silently. Long deep cuts dug into his back. He could see where Gaius had pulled out shards of glass and tips of knives. It was the first time he'd seen a whip like that. The strands were thick leather with embedded mail, glass and tips of knives that broke off and found their place randomly in the strands. When the first lash came down he watched as Merlin's back arched and eyes snap open. He felt his gut clutch as Merlin locked eyes with Gaius seeking strength from the only person the boy saw as a father. He watched as Gaius whisper words of comfort to his 'son'. And almost cried as each crack of the whip he mouthed words that he couldn't understand. He's know, for a while now, not that he'd say. Percival knew he was a quiet person, better at watching things unfold but not being in the middle of it. It was then he saw Merlin use magic to aid Arthur in the battle against Caerleon. When Arthur was facing a man who made me look small. He was about to strike him and Merlin's eyes shown gold causing the man's sword to swing to the opposite side. Then a second time when Arthur was on the ground and the large man held his sword behind his head for maximum momentum Merlin's mot moved and eyes glowed and the man's sword found the ground behind him. That was when he first found out. Percival could not deny he was ready to turn Merlin it till he saw Merlin with Arthur when they returned home. There was no hate in him, no desire to hurt Arthur, only love and respect. Percival could tell that Merlin saw Arthur as a older brother, even if he never told anyone. It was then Percival promised himself, wherever Merlin would go, he would follow.
"Get better, Merlin." Percival said before standing and leaving.
Gaius sat next to Merlin as the boy slept and smiled. The boy's elvish ears poked though his raven hair so that the tips were visible. Gaius rubbed the tip of Merlin's ear making him mumble and bury his face deeper into his pillow.
"You were right about the ears." Gaius whispered to Merlin who groaned. Merlin turned his head and blinked tiredly at his mentor. His hair flopped behind his head reviling his whole ear.
"I hate these ears." Merlin mumbled. Gaius laughed.
"You should be able to move around in a few days." Gaius said as he fetched Merlin a bowl of soup.
Three weeks Merlin was able to walk short distances, with supervision. To Merlin's surprise, Percival was the one who was with him the most. Percival followed Merlin, as he insisted he wanted fresh air. Merlin walked slowly, hunched slightly, through the courtyard, heading to the training field. Percival
followed a step behind Merlin hand ready to catch Merlin when he stumbled. Then a flash of purple made Merlin stumbled back, back away from the visiting prince. Percival immediately reacted, righting Merlin while stepping in-front of him. Percival kept his hand on the hilt of his sword eyes trained on the prince who had stopped and smirked.
"You will stay away from Merlin." Percival hissed. The prince said nothing but smirked and continue on.
"You alright Merlin?" Percival asked. Merlin nodded.
"Let's just keep going." Merlin said as he took the first step. Percival continued after merlin till they got to the field. Merlin found a spot in the shade and stood. He looked at Percival.
"Wi-will you help me." Merlin whispered looking down at the spot he wished to sit. Percival nodded and held Merlin by the forearms and lowered Merlin to the ground.
"Thank you percival. You can go train if you want to, I like watching." Merlin said. Percival nodded slowly and started towards the field.
"Percival, can you not tell the others I'm here, especially Arthur, he probably doesn't want to see me." Merlin asked looking down at this hands.
"Only if you're sure." Percival said.
"I am." Merlin said with a curt nod. Percival nodded and started to the others where they were training. Merlin watched them, like he always had. Watched them as they laughed, beat each other, watched as they would laugh when someone fell. It was as if nothing happened, but something did. The small string that bonded Merlin to Arthur was frayed. It no longer flexed as it did once, but stood ridged as a tree.
Arthur looked up to the sky as he laughed, his insides laughing with. Was this not what life was meant to be like, carefree, joyful?As his chuckles recided he lowered his head only to see a figure by the tree that stood on the outskirts of the training field. He watched as the figure struggled to stand. Then watched as the figure walk into the sunlight showing his thin tall frame, and retreat towards the palace. Arthur turned to his knights.
"Do any of you know who was watching us?" He asked looking carefully at each knight.
"Why?" Percival asked.
"Because whoever it was left in a hurry and looked injured." Arthur said. Percival dropped his sword and ran in the direction of the tree, stopping for a second before running the same way as the mysterious figure. Percival ran along the path till in the horison he saw the shape of smoeone kneeling on the ground. Percival rushed forward and droped to his knees next to the boy.
"'m sorry. 'm sorry." Merlin mumbled over and over. Percival put a hand on his shoulder and looked at merlin till he turned his head and looked at him with a watery blue eye.
"You have nothing to be sorry for merlin. You have gone through more than any man ever should. You are broken merlin, I understand that, I have been too. But let me help put you back together." Percival said. Merlin slowly nodded.
"B-but how?" Merlin asked.
"We talk I will tell you everything about me, every embarrassing moment, every mistake I ever made I will give you all my trust. Then when you are ready you can tell me. Alright?" He asked. Merlin looked at him and slowly nodded.
"Good lets go to gaius, I'm starving." Percival said helping the too thin man up.
AN) Alright I hope you guys liked this. I'm sorry if this came out as gay, that was so not my intent. Well I love when people favorite and follow but what I love more is when people review. Yes I am being forward so take the hint and REVIEW!