The next day when Arthur came back to the hospital, he brought something with him. Once he was allowed in, he rushed over to Merlin's bedside. He looked down at the man he loved and still couldn't hold back the tears.

Arthur leaned over and gently caressed his cheek before he leaned over and gave him a kiss on the forehead since his mouth and nose were still covered by the oxygen mask.

He then pulled up a chair as close to the bed as he could get it and gingerly took ahold of Merlin's left hand being careful of the IV that was attached there.

"Hey gorgeous, it's me. I need you to keep fighting for me okay. Mordred and I need you. We'd be lost without you so please fight for us." He stopped to try to compose himself before he continued.

He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the engagement ring. "Love, I have a question I want to ask you. I had planned on doing this tonight in a very romantic way but the circumstances have changed so here it goes. Merlin, will you marry me and make me the happiest man alive?"

Of course he got no response.

"Okay, well, since you didn't say no, I guess that means you accept." He carefully slipped the ring on Merlin's finger and then held his hand as he kissed the now ring clad finger.

XXX

It was a long 72 hours later when Dr. Kaye told them that they felt Merlin was past the most critical time so they stopped the medication that kept him heavily sedated.

Arthur was permitted to stay with him until he woke up. Within hours Merlin opened his eyes to see Arthur sitting in a chair pulled close to his bed. He was holding Merlin's hand and had his head down.

Merlin gave his hand a little squeeze. Arthur quickly looked up and when he saw that Merlin was awake, a huge smile broke across his face.

"God Merlin, I was so worried about you. How do you feel?"

Merlin tried to speak but couldn't with the oxygen mask covering his face and nose. He moved his left hand out of Arthur's grip and lifted it up to his face to remove the mask but Arthur stopped him and told him he needed to keep it on.

Merlin then noticed the ring on his finger and gave Arthur a confused look.

Before Arthur could explain, a nurse came in and once she saw that Merlin was awake she buzzed for the doctor. Arthur was asked to leave so they could examine Merlin. He reluctantly did but promised Merlin he would be back to see him as soon as he was allowed.

Arthur shared the wonderful news with Hunith, Uther and Morgana. He knew his sister would let Leon know so he could inform the rest of his crew. The guys had all been at the hospital daily waiting and praying for good news.

XXX

Almost two hours later, Arthur was informed that Merlin had been moved out of the ICU and was now in a private room on the surgical wing. The nurse explained that visiting hours were much longer there.

XXX

Arthur knocked on Merlin's private door before he slowly opened it. As soon as the two men saw each other, both were instantly sporting huge smiles. Merlin no longer had the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth. Instead he had a small oxygen tube under his nose and wrapped behind his ears.

"Hey you," Arthur said as he walked up to the bed and leaned over and gave Merlin a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Hey you," Merlin said back. His voice was rough from lack of use over the past several days but Arthur thought it was one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard.

The two talked for a few minutes before Arthur picked up Merlin's left hand and held it in his own as he played with the ring that was now there.

Merlin once again gave him a questioning look but didn't say anything.

"Oh, um, about that. I was planning on asking you to marry me Friday night during a nice romantic evening but then you had to go and be a hero and save Mordred so you kind of derailed my plans so I sort of proposed to you while you were unconscious and since you didn't say no, I took it as a yes so now we're engaged," Arthur rushed out. He took a deep breath before he nervously added, "I hope you're okay with that."

Merlin gave him a huge smile and nodded his head yes.

Merlin then signed to him, since his throat was sore from not using it, "I would really like to hear the proposal though."

Arthur stood up so he could push the chair out of his way. He then dropped down on one knee while he held onto Merlin's hand with both of his.

"I didn't get down on one knee the first time but that obviously didn't matter since you agreed," Arthur told him with a grin. He then turned serious. "Merlin, after our first date, I knew I wanted a future with you. I fell in love with you that day and the more I got to know you the more I fell in love. I don't know how it's possible but everyday I spend with you, I fall more and more in love with you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

Merlin smiled brightly and said, "yes, of course I'll marry you. I love you so much."

Arthur then bent down to give him a chaste kiss which soon turned into a deep kiss until Merlin gently pushed him away.

"I have to taste terrible," Merlin told him feeling self-conscious.

"You've never tasted better to me," Arthur told him before diving back in for another kiss.

They were interrupted a few minutes later by Hunith.

"I'll let you two spend a little time alone," Arthur told him. "She hasn't gotten to see you much because she kindly let me hog up most of the time when you were in ICU." He gave Merlin another big smile followed by not quite as deep of a kiss and whispered, "I love you and I'll see you soon."

"I love you too."