Gwaine helped Amarah up the stairs to Gaius' room even though she insisted he not. He placed his hand around her side keeping pressure where the stitches had ripped. Merlin stayed silent until they got inside.

"Here, you will need to lay down." Merlin said clearing off a table. Gwaine propped her on it and then walked behind her to help unlace her corset. Amarah started to breath quickly.

"You don't need to help Gwaine. You should leave." Amarah said almost harshly.

"I caused this trouble, I am not going to leave you. Besides, it is nothing I haven't seen before."

Merlin dropped a few bottles on the floor.

"I don't need help." Merlin replied gathering himself and the rest of the supplies, quickly kicking the broken bottles out of the way.

"You don't seem to have the most steady hands friend." He turned back to Amarah " Arms out, slowly." Gwaine pulled the corset away leaving her long white shirt. She made a pained sigh as he pulled the corset away. Blood from her wound hand stained the side of it.

"Really Gwaine, Merlin is quite capable." She tried again.

"I'm not leaving." He said firmly.

"Lay down now. Slowly." Merlin instructed. He had set up the silk thread and cleaning supplies on another small table and pulled it up next to her. Gwaine took her hands and slowly helped her lie down. Merlin paused and looked up at Amarah.

"Ok, I'm going to take a look." He started to peel away the shirt from the wound. It had got caught against the flesh. He could feel the vibration of magic under the thin cloth. He wished Gwaine had left.

"Wait!" Amarah stopped him with her gloved hand. "Do you have something for the pain?" She asked, her eyes desperate.

Merlin put the shirt back and reached across his table. He grabbed a small blue vial.

"Here, just take one small sip -" but before Merlin could finish his sentence Amarah had grabbed it and downed the lot.

"Wait!"

Her eyes went glassy, rolled up and closed. Merlin looked at Gwaine who shook his head.

"How long will she be out?" He asked

"Overnight if not longer." Merlin replied

"Well, we don't need to worry about her squirming around now."

Merlin nodded and went back to the delicate task of lifting her shirt away from the wound. It was different now though, before he could feel the distinct vibration of magic, now it was so faint he barely recognized it. Merlin was grateful for it.

Merlin slowly pulled her shirt up until it rested right below her bosom. She had ripped several stitches and it was taking all of his concentration to pull the broken threads away as gently as possible. He was concentrating so hard he didn't notice Gwaine lean over her body.

"What are these bruises from Merlin?" He asked quietly.

"She fell off a horse. Can you hand me that cloth?"

When Gwaine didn't respond Merlin looked up to see him place his right hand on her stomach and wrap it around her waist. The bruises matched the outline of his hand, though they were a bit larger.

"Hey!" Merlin yelled as Gwaine moved Merlin's hand away from the stitches then gently grazed his hand over her side and up across her chest.

Merlin made a noise to stop him but he continued. Gwaine pulled away the thin fabric from her shoulder and collarbone revealing what he had been looking for - more bruises.

Gwaine wrapped his left hand around her collarbone and shoulder lining up the bruises with his hand print once more. He stood there for a moment both hands resting on the set of blue black spots.

"These bruises aren't from falling off a horse."