Hiya sorry I took so long to update. I kept putting it off and when I did finish it I never had the time to re-read it. Also New year in school, homework and so on.. I had help with ideas for this chapter by my friend : TheEyeOfTheFlame
Gaius
After fussing over Merlin, Gaius had gone to do his rounds. When Garson had pulled Merlin down to kill him, horror flooded his body and made him feel weak at the knees and when he heard the crunching of bones as a sword punctured skin, he was close to having a heart attack as he could not see who was hit. But as Garson fell to the side dead he couldn't help but rejoice. He had been shocked when Kay turned up after the duel as he hadn't seen him in years but all concerns had been set aside when he starting talking about the stories of Merlin growing up. When the suns descent starting getting low in the sky Arthur retired to his chambers and Gaius went on his last round of the day which was where he was now. He looked off into the setting sun before walking up through the lower town to the castle.
Merlin
"Kay not that I don't want you here, but why are you here?" Merlin asked. Kay turned towards him with a small smile.
"Can't I visit you?"
"It's been years yet you turn up now."
Kay looked down into his hands.
"Gaius sent word when you were missing, I came as soon as I could. I was scared."
Merlin gave a humourless laugh.
"You could have wrote like you have every other time."
"And I truly regret those times. I should have come to see you more," Kay patted his knee. "You need to rest, and I mean actually rest. You're still hurt."
Merlin nodded still looking down at his lap.
"I'll sleep on the cot, you have my room."
Kay went up to the back room, glancing back he left the main chambers.
Merlin watched him go in silence before swinging his legs around onto the bed. He wrestled his boots off and threw them to the side and pulled his chainmail over his head, which he didn't bother taking off earlier. He grunted as the movement pulled the lashes on his back. He laid the chainmail out neatly at the end of the cot and then slid his legs under the cover. Gaius slipped through the door as Merlin pulled the cover over himself.
"Merlin?" Gaius called softly. A soft mumble came from under the covers in response. "Come on I have to apply some clean bandages."
Merlin lifted his head slightly and squinted through tired eyes. He sighed and sat up in bed again. Gaius sat behind him on the bed and laid some supplies out on the table. He helped Merlin out of his shirt and unwound the bandages. He looked at his ward's back in thought for a few seconds before pushing them away. The infection had all but gone but a few stitches had been pulled in the duel. Reapplying a poultice he concluded to let the wounds heal by themselves and wrapped them up without stitches. Setting a hand on his shoulder he pushed down gently to get off the bed. Wiping away a stray tear that had escaped he gathered his things and wandered back over to the shelves.
"You're awfully quiet Merlin, is something wrong?" Gaius asked in a fatherly tone.
"Kay." He mumbled feebly. Gaius looked back with a hard look.
"Has he done something to you?" he asked, his voice rising. Merlin looked up in shock at the sudden change of mood.
"It's not like that, it's just..." He trailed off. Gaius raised his eyebrow waiting for him to continue. Merlin, noticing this, smiled to himself and looked back into his lap.
"I haven't seen him since I helped defeat those bandits years ago. Why does he turn up now after so long?"
Gaius' face dropped seeing his distress. He picked up a small vial containing a light purple liquid and went back over to the bed. He knelt down infront of him and held up his chin so he looked him in the eye. Merlin looked up with his crystal blue eyes which shone with unshed tears and met his gaze.
"Merlin, you went missing, anything could of happened to you, we were all terribly worried. Kay may not be your family but he thinks of you as his son. He has a right to worry about you. We all have duties maybe he couldn't spare enough time to come any other time. All that matters is that he's here now."
Gaius glanced up at the bandage wrapped around his temple and gently let go off his chin , took the pin out and unwound the cloth. Setting them aside he sat back and looked at him fully.
"Now I can see your whole handsome face." He smiled. Merlin smiled back which made Gaius' grin grow more. "Thats better, you look so much better when you smile."
Merlin's smile turned sad as he looked back into his lap. "Who did these?" He mumbled.
"Pardon."
"Who did these?" He said a bit louder holding up his wrists. "You certainly didn't."
Gaius smiled fondly again. "Arthur." He stated as it was not big deal.
"Arthur? Why?"
"He was worried about you. He wouldn't leave when I told him too."
Gaius glanced up at the gash adorning Merlin's temple.
"Better rewrap that." He sighed. Picking up some clean bandages he wrapped it up again. "Bandages don't look right on you."
Merlin looked up at him furrowing his brows. "I think they offer closure, a sign that it's all over."
This is just the beginning.. A distant voice sounded.
Merlin's eyes started drooping and he ran his hand through his hair. Gaius looked over at the table and handed the small vial over to Merlin.
"Here, it will help you sleep."
Merlin took the vial gratefully and downed it in one. He laid back and his eyes drooped shut instantly. Gaius got up off the floor shaking his creaky bones out for a second and planted a small kiss on his forehead.
"Goodnight my boy." He whispered. After pulling the covers over him he went across the room to his own cot.
Once he got ready for bed he spared Merlin a glance before blowing out the candle.
*~/0\~*
Morgana
"Hey." Morgana signalled a guard over. "Has Garson returned yet?" The guard shook his head and scurried off. Morgana snarled and turned back to the table. Her eyes caught her pendant, it was enchanted to be able to communicate with Garson. Her scowl twisted into a smile and she snatched it off the table and opened it.
"Wæfersyn mec Garson"
The surface flashed white before forming a picture, it changed to Garson's face but he wasn't moving. Morgana moved the pendant closer to her face, it was then she realised the worst had happened. Throwing the pendant across the room she screamed at the top of her lungs before breaking off into a sobs.
*~/0\~*
Merlin
"Merlin?" A voice asked.
"Merlin"
"Merlin!"
Merlin shot up in bed and regretted it instantly. Falling back with a grunt he turned towards Kay.
"Come on up you get, it's a new day!" He chirped. Merlin pulled the pillow over his head and tried blocking him out.
"This isn't Ealdor, Kay, I don't have to be up crack of dawn anymore."
"You do if you don't want to be late!"
Merlin lifted the pillow up slightly and looked at him confused.
"Late for what?" Merlin asked skeptically.
"Late for serving Arthur."
Merlin raised his eyebrows.
"If you didn't notice I'm healing."
"You fought fine yesterday I'm sure you can work."
Merlin groaned and flopped out of the bed. Wincing he sat at the table and scoffed his cold breakfast down then going to the back room to change into some fresh clothes.
"Come on Merlin!" Kay called up the stairs. Merlin came limping down the stairs pulling his jacket on.
"Yeah, yeah I'm coming."
*~/0\~*
"Rise and shine!" Merlin chirped yanking the curtains open the same way he had nearly a week ago.
"Merlin?" Arthur mumbled into his pillow. He rolled over and faced him. "What are you doing here?"
"Being your servant."
"You should be resting, healing, not here, go."
"Arthur I'm fine."
"No you're still weak and your rib is broken. Look even now you can't stand!"
Merlin looked down at his hand resting on the table keeping him up.
"I'm well enough to serve you."
"Alright then let go of the table."
Merlin looked back at his hand then back at Arthur. He slowly lifted it of the table and held up his hands.
"See completely fine."
They stared at each other until Merlin started to sway on his feet and he grabbed the table again. Before either could comment the door burst open and Leon stood in the door.
"An army from Mercia has been spotted approaching Camelot, they will be here in two days." Leon panted. Arthur's head whipped around to Merlin and he took in his horrified expression. He looked back as Leon left.
"Merlin." Arthur murmured. "I know what you're thinking."
"Thinking that I was right, yes I was."
"But that means..."
Merlin cringed. "That Morganas going to kill you."
Again I'm sorry that it had been left so long but I will try update more frequently from now on. R&R :)
