Once again, Merlin sat hunched over the table, scrubbing at a battered yet shiny chest plate. It was then the he heard Gauis's voice from down the corridor:
"I'm serious sire - he could have something seriously wrong with him!"
"Gauis, I figured that out a long time ago." said Arthur with a snigger. "Look, I'll keep an eye out for him but he seems fine besides the incident this morning becua-"
"I heard of no such incident?"
"Nonsense! I sent him straight... wait... what? You know what Gauis? I'll handle this." Said Arthur in such a fierce tone that even Gauis had the sense to scuttle back to his chambers in (relative) silence.
Merlin knew he was sooo dead. Once Arthur found out he had lied he would go ballistic, and he really didn't need that on top of everything he was dealing with at that time. Just as he was contemplating his options he heard Arthur burst through the chamber doors. He looked like he was about to go on an exasperated rant, but instead stood very close to him and spoke in a hushed voice.
"Now Merlin, if you'd kindly explain to me what this is that I have just heard about? And DON'T EVEN PRETEND YOU WEREN'T LISTENING!"
Merlin shot up from his chair as he racked his brains for valid excuses, but before he could come up with anything, he was taken over by yet another wave of unsteadiness, only this time he felt and overpowering amount of nausea come with it and a pain in his head so bad that even the softly candle lit chambers seemed too bright for his weary eyes. He swayed a little, feeling his knees preparing to buckle.
Suddenly all traces of anger had vanished from Arthur's face and before he had time to act, Merlins eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed with a thud.
"Oh Merlin... I'm so sorry..." said Arthur, staring helplessly at Merlin's pale sweaty face. Suddenly his eyes shot open and he swung his head to the side, and Arthur took this as a hint to pass the chamber pot. He rubbed reassuring circles on Merlin's back in an effort to soothe him as the tears poured down his face and he retched violently, non stop. When the process finally came to an end, Arthur picked Merlin up as gently as possible, trying not to allow the soft pitiful moans coming from Merlin make his eyes prick with tears. He hurried down to Gauis's chambers - this time, he would make sure the boy got the help he needed.
Merlin awoke to the sight of Gauis's face just inches from his, with one eyebrow raised, and a monocle wedged beneath the other. After a rather awkward moment of silence Merlin screamed and fell off the bed, rolling onto the floor with a small thud, followed by a loud groan of self pity. Now that he had gotten over the initial shock, he realised just how much pain he was in
