So sorry for the late late late updates.
School had hit. Band has hit. So has everything else hah. But here's my update, expect more soon, for I am doing nanowrimo this year, so I won't be able to get on once November hits.. Well maybe...
But just a fair warning.
Arthur's breath froze, his shock consuming him as he looked at Merlin with shock.
"Wait, you can't see?" Arthur asked, sounding cautious.
"You didn't know?" Merlin's shock was apparent also, quickly replaced by guilt and shame. "I'm sorry, Sire, if I had known he didn't tell you I wouldn't have- wouldn't have snapped at you like that."
"I can understand why." Arthur said, "It's fine, don't be sorry." Merlin glanced over in Arthur's direction as Arthur took in the milky sheen coating the man's eyes. How had he missed that earlier?
Merlin was getting frustrated, he couldn't even see the man's expressions. He had no idea how he was standing, where he could possibly be at. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his never ending nerves as he heard Arthur speak again, sounding even more cautious.
"How did this happen Merlin?" Arthur asked. Merlin took a deep breath. He thought he knew, only one person could have been there watching.
"They burned my face with fire." Merlin lied. In all truth, it was Morgana, he felt her magic as the plasma ball had hit his face. He had thrown a shield over himself last minute so that he wouldn't feel the whole impact, making the plasma ball's force equal to a flame ball, only capable of burning.
"Why?" Arthur asked, "Did they just leave you to die?"
"No, sire. I escaped right after dusk." Merlin said simply. He heard Arthur's sharp intake of breath.
"We shouldn't have waited until morning-" Arthur managed to say. Merlin shook his head.
"The damage would have already been done, Arthur." Merlin sighed, "It's fine, I feel fine." Arthur couldn't stand knowing that the man wouldn't ever look him in the eyes again, that he wouldn't come to see anything again.
"It's still my fault-" Arthur started, only to have Merlin turn his head in his direction.
"No, it's not." Merlin said, almost sounding irritated with himself at something. "I should have paid more attention."
"You were sick, earlier, are you okay?" Arthur suddenly switched the subject, knowing that the topic they were on was a lot more troubling to Merlin for reasons Arthur couldn't fathom.
"Arthur, I'm fine." Merlin said again, Arthur finally realising with dread that the boy was trying to convince himself that as much as he was Arthur. "Just tired."
"Listen,"
"Arthur, no." He snapped, his jaw clenching as his eyes darted around, unable to see or focus on anything before suddenly relaxing in what seemed like defeat.
"It's my fault. I should have done something-" Arthur said, "It should have been me."
"Arthur, it had to be me." Merlin murmured. "I don't think I'd stand it if something happened to you instead of me." Arthur noticed the lack of amusement, the lack of the defiance that made Merlin, well Merlin,
"You got hurt because of me, and you won't even accept my apology?" Arthur snapped. Merlin closed his eyes, shaking his head.
"They meant to take me and harm me Arthur." Merlin's voice trembled as Arthur clasped the boy's shoulder. Merlin flinched back with a sharp gasp, almost unable to keep his magic from jumping at his defense, suddenly unable to breath, doubling over as he struggled to breathe in and out, his face consorted into pain.
"Merlin?!" Arthur snapped, "What was that about?"
"Nothing." Merlin gasped, fear etched deep into his voice as he stared off into space, his breathing coming in and out in a forced manner. "Get Gaius." Arthur jumped up at those words, running out of the room to get the old physician, who quickly came hustling into the room.
"Gaius-" Merlin gasped out, tensed, as he tried ignoring the man who was freaking out behind the physician.
"Arthur, do me a favor and leave." Gaius said, noticing the familiar strain in his ward's voice. Something was magically wrong.
"No, not until I know he'll be better." Arthur snapped. Merlin could almost see the look Gaius would send him, that would scare the King out of the room.
"He won't be alright for a while," Gaius said, "He needs sleep, so if you deny him that, I won't be able to allow you to come at all once he is rested."
"Fine." Arthur snapped, leaving the room as Gaius went to Merlin's side, feeling Merlin's magic moving restlessly within the poor boy.
"Merlin, my boy, what is wrong?" Gaius asked, looking at him with concern. Merlin forced a smile as he shook his head.
"My magic, I-I can hardly control it-" Merlin gasped out. "I don't understand why-"
"Merlin, calm yourself." Gaius murmured. "You're stressing yourself out."
"I can't help it-" the door to his room opened, Merlin's head quickly bolting to face the sound as Gaius turned to see Gwaine standing there.
"Is Merlin okay?" Gwaine asked, looking at the man with the burned face.
"Sir Gwaine, I'm going to have to have you leave also-"
"He's fine, Gaius." Merlin murmured. "He knows." Gwaine saw the man kind of turn his head away from Gaius' direction, who looked at the knight with plain shock on his face before it quickly switched to annoyance.
"Merlin you baffling fool," Gaius snapped, "I knew you were reckless, I knew you were an idiot, but to go so far as to let Gwaine see you-"
"He's my friend Gaius, it's not like I could have hidden it forever." Merlin said.
"Okay, well, as long as you don't say anything reckless." Gaius snapped at Gwaine. "I am going to put you to work, since you clearly have nothing better to do."