Leon and Percival left the room much happier now Merlin had spoken. Arthur, Gaius and Gwaine remained. Gaius checked over his charge and smiled.
Looking at the figure in the bed he said
"I think we may have begun to turn the corner sire, but we must make sure not to tire him" he then left and went back to his chambers happier than he had been in weeks.
Arthur looked at Gwaine.
"Are you really ok with having a dragon here, all be it a smallish one, I know you will want to stay here regardless."
"If Merlin wants to see her, I will be pleased. Mind you she's the size of a horse as I remember so it could be fun." Gwaine would do anything for his friend.
"Right, I'll arrange for one of the others to watch Merlin tomorrow, and you can come with me to collect Aithusa from the great dragon. Let Merlin sleep for a while won't you"
Arthur turned and left the room glad to have it settled. The mood of every one had lifted with Merlin speaking; they all felt sure he would soon be back to the old Merlin once more.
The next morning Arthur went to Merlin's room to collect Gwaine. He had arranged for Leon to get there before him so he could take over the care of the young man. He nodded to the guards as he entered. Going straight over to bed he looked down at his friends pale face.
"Has he spoken again?"
"Not a peep even though I spent ages telling him some of my stories"
"That's not surprising Gwaine he's heard them all before"
"I resent that remark princess"
Leon looked up at the ceiling things never changed, now all they need was Merlin back.
"Come on Gwaine it's time we went to meet these dragons"
"I've changed my mind I'm staying here" Gwaine's voice had a hard edge to it that suggested he wouldn't back down.
"You aren't being given the choice Gwaine you're coming with me" Arthur wasn't prepared for Gwaine's stubbornness.
Leon realised there was going to be trouble, he knew neither man would back down. Ever the peacemaker he tried to intervene before things got out of hand.
"Gwaine I'm here now, and I can look after Merlin while you're gone."
"No way, the last time I left him he got hurt, I'm not leaving" it was obvious that the man was determined not to go anywhere.
Arthur turned on Gwaine, the past few weeks had been hard on the king, and he was worried about his friend and the changes he was trying to implement. And although he wouldn't admit it he felt jealous of the amount of time Gwaine had had with Merlin, there was no way he would back down now.
The two men's voices rose with their tempers. With that the door opened and Gwen came into the room. She took one look at the two men and then glanced at the small figure in the bed. Her shoulders went back and her face set and if either of the men had noticed they would have been worried. Leon saw the queen's stance and decided to keep quiet.
"Will you two idiots keep your voices down and think of something other than your own pride for once.
"
The two men stopped yelling and turned towards her. Gwen looked like she would kill the pair of them, and before either could open their mouths Gwen walked toward the bed and spoke to Merlin.
"Merlin calm down please" She sat on the edge of the bed and held Merlin's hand. It was then that the others saw the tears rolling down Merlin's face and heard his voice.
"My fault sorry….sorry…..sorry"
