Please review this fic that I wrote yesterday between classes!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

Freya pressed the cool, damp cloth to Merlin's brow once again, before standing up and smoothing out a couple creases in the fabric of her lilac dress. Merlin had come down with the flu several days ago, but like the idiot he was, he'd ignored the symptoms and gone off to help Gaius with herb picking.

His legs were once again tangled up in the thin blankets, the sweat pouring off his forehead and soaking the sheet and mattress upon which he was sleeping restlessly. Freya clasped and unclasped her fingers, before bringing them to card through Merlin's unruly hair.

Wet from sweat, they stuck a little to her thin fingers. A cough from behind her startled her and she jumped back, tucking her hands behind her back. Arthur stepped away from the door, closing it a little behind him.

Freya swallowed as the king stepped in to the room. Even if Merlin was the king's servant, she still wasn't too comfortable around him. Before she knew what she was doing, her legs had bent and she was doing a curtsey, even when King Arthur had told her many times before that it wasn't necessary.

When she looked up, there was a faint smile of amusement on the king's face that was directed towards her, but it soon changed to an expression of worry when his gaze shifted over to his servant.

"How is he?" Arthur asked.

"There's been no change, Sire."

"Please, there's no need for the formalities when treating the ill or injured. My name is Arthur."

"Very well… Arthur." It felt uncomfortable to speak to the king using first names, but if it was his wish, then that was that. Arthur walked past her, blood red cloak swirling behind him and chainmail rattling as he sat down in the chair that she'd vacated. He reached for the cloth that was laid across Merlin's brow, and wrung it out replacing it with fresh, cool water from the bucket on the floor.

"You're Majesty!" She exclaimed, before clamping her mouth shut. Arthur simply looked at her with smirk on his face.

"He's my friend. Why shouldn't I care for him?" He patted Merlin's shoulder and Freya saw his fingers squeeze tight for a second. If she'd blinked, she would have missed it but that little show of friendship made her smile.

"I'll send up one of the servants to take care of him for a little while. You could do with some sleep and some food. There's a room just above us that isn't been used." It took a little than it probably should have for Freya to realize what the king was offering, and from his tone of voice, it was obvious that he didn't want an argument and that she should just go along with what he'd planned.

She nodded her thanks, and suddenly felt tired as the past night and day had been spent at Merlin's side and she'd barely left him for more than a few minutes. Freya finally nodded her consent, telling herself that she would only sleep a couple of hours before coming back to help take care of Merlin.

Her feet dragged a bit as she made her way up the stone staircase to the room, but she managed to get inside without being seen. There was an apple and glass of water next to the bed and Freya gratefully bit in to the juicy fruit before washing it down with the water.

The bed was the most comfortable thing that she'd ever laid on, and her eyes grew heavy as her head rested on the pillow. Not long after, she fell into deep sleep.

Freya blinked sleepily, before squinting as a ray of bright sunlight fell across her face. She yawned and shifted on the bed, letting the blanket fall from her shoulders as she sat up. It had been one of the best night sleeps of her life.

Suddenly, she remembered that she'd only wanted to sleep a few hours so that she could be more awake to tend to Merlin. Given the position of the sun, she'd slept at least nine hours. Quickly, she got up and straightened the sheets so that it didn't look as if anymore had been there. Making sure that hair was still tied back and that she was reasonably presentable, Freya left the room and entered the corridors.

There were a couple servants out and about doing laundry and bringing their masters food and drinks. Luckily no one saw her leaving the room, and she walked along at a slightly hurried pace.

Freya burst in to Gaius's chambers, looked around for the physician, and when she couldn't see him, ran up the three steps to Merlin's chambers. What she saw made her blink a couple times in surprise.

King Arthur was sitting in the chair, dabbing at Merlin's forehead and neck with a fresh cloth and clean, cold water.

"Ah. Freya, Merlin is doing better, but his fever is still rather high. I shall leave him in your capable hands." The girl could only nod as the king stood up, dried his hands on a towel straightened his cloak and walked towards the door.

"In case you were wondering, I haven't been here the whole time. I've been here just under an hour."

"Thank you Sire. I'm sure that Merlin will appreciate your concern." Arthur nodded and offered her a smile, before disappearing around the door and closing it quietly behind him.

Freya sat down in the chair that Arthur had just vacated and pressed her lips to Merlin's temple, letting them linger a little longer than strictly necessary. Out of the corner of her eye, Freya could see Merlin's eyelids flutter slightly before opening.

He opened his mouth to try and say something, but all that came out was a strangled groan. Freya grabbed a bowl and filled it with fresh water before offering it to the servant. Merlin drank greedily, water sloping around and overflowing as he quenched his thirst.

Merlin gave her a weak smile as she took the bowl from his lips and placed it on the small, crowded table at his bedside. She took hold of his hand and laced their fingers together as Merlin slipped back into slumber.

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