Standing in the background of the throne room, much like he'd done countless times while Uther held court, Gaius patiently waited for the time where matters of court were done. After having stood in attendance over the years for more items than he could possibly remember, the court physician looked not to Arthur, but to those who had wormed their way into position near the throne as advisors. A slight smile touches upon the physician's lips as he notes that Arthur held the same advisors that his father long trusted. That smile, however, fades when he looks upon the raven haired Lord Agravaine.

While there was no specific incident, comment, or action that set off alarms, there was something about the Prince's uncle that caused alarm. For Gaius, there was an unsettling feeling, or a protective instinct that screamed distrust when dealing with the overly pushy royal relative. From the day the Lord arrived, Gaius suspected that no good would come as a result.

So deep in his thoughts about Agravaine, Gaius entirely missed Arthur's approach and his quiet question regarding his attendance. "What? I'm sorry, Sire, I was deep in thought." Gaius quickly says as he finds himself facing the Crown Prince.

"I said is there something you need from me Gaius?" Arthur says pausing again to be sure no one was near enough to hear what he might say. "Is this something to do with Merlin?"

"It does indeed, Arthur," Gaius says softly in a low voice. "The situation has become most dire. Merlin's mood has become so dark that I believe it now affects both him and the child." Glancing around at a few lingering servants and advisors, the Court Physician frowns. "Perhaps we could go somewhere to discuss this matter in greater detail."

"Of course," Arthur says as he steps away from the physician and heads towards the throne room doors. "Come with me and we can continue while I observe my Knights at their training."

"Yes Sire." Gaius says as he follows Prince Arthur out.

A short time later, as Arthur stands with his arm crossed over his chest watching the Knights at practice, Gaius faces him and speaks in a low voice. "Merlin had committed himself into a certain role of service to you, sire. As you can imagine there were times he was not fully satisfied and times he felt underappreciated for his efforts. It was normal and for the most part accepted, save for his unique moments in which you are well aware."

The corner of Arthur's mouth twitches upwards into a hint of a smile. "Yes, I'm well aware of Merlin's unique attributes. They make life interesting."

"Over the past months, the change in his normal status as servant has brought forth a number of things out of his control. Where he found satisfaction in his previous situation, he finds none in his current one." Gaius says, pausing to find a means to explain the situation without confusing the matters presented. "He feels betrayed by a number of things in his life, most notably his body. He's given up hope for any affections or comforts that any other living creature can reasonably expect in a similar situation."

"He feels alone and isolated?" Arthur asks, displaying an uncommon understanding of what he's being told.

"He also feels the child will be defined more as the child of a Prince than a child of a Servant." Gaius adds looking intently at the Prince. "Without question he seems to feel as if his world has spiraled completely out of his control."

"He is right that the child will be a Prince or Princess, and that is how their lives will be defined." Arthur says firmly as he turns his glance towards the Court Physician. "I fully intend to acknowledge the child; though I have not yet figured out I'll acknowledge Merlin in the situation."

"That is understandable Sire," Gaius agrees. "His is not in a normal situation. He feels he can't endure his situation any longer. We need to find some way to help him find the strength to endure and perhaps to survive."

Arthur frowns. "I'll see if I can do something to cheer him up. I'm not sure what I can do to help Merlin." He says thoughtfully as if considering his options. "I'm not entirely comfortable with all this. I don't want to hurt him and there is such a thin line between support and personal invasion."

"At this point, I suspect anything would help." Gaius replies. "The matter between you and Merlin is delicate, and it's between you both to work out the details." Drawing his hands behind his back, the physician looks to the forest beyond the lower city. "It is also my hope that we could enlist the aid of Merlin's mother, Hunith."

"Brilliant idea." Arthur says turning his glance back towards the Knights. "Though some consideration must be given as to how she'll receive the news about how her son arrived in her current condition."

"True, but in the end, she's a strong woman who'll place the needs of her son above all else." Gaius says with conviction.

"Then send for her and then hopefully we can put the matter to rest." Arthur says as he turns to place a hand onto Gaius's shoulder. "And thank you Gaius, Merlin is very fortunate to have you as his Guardian."

Several hours later, as day begins the transition into night, the Crow Prince finally has the opportunity to return to his quarters. Finding himself before his chamber doors just as the maid from the kitchen is sent up with dinner; Arthur opens the door to allow the maid to enter with the tray of food and drink. "Thank you, Anne." The Prince says with a smile as the maid sits the large tray onto the table. "It looks like there might have been too much sent up again."

"I think a few of the staff are worrying that Merlin isn't getting enough to eat so they're adding a few things to hopefully eat a little more and get better." Ann says softly as if divulging a well-kept secret. "Would you like me to prepare the table My Lord?"

"I'll manage if Merlin isn't up to the task. This will be fine." Arthur says as he glances over the tray. "I'll have the tray set out on the table in the hall when we're done with it. Just have someone check the hall later this evening."

"I'll do that, Sire, and please enjoy your meal." Anne says with another curtsy as she slips out the door.

With the door closed, Arthur trails Anne's path back to the door. When he reaches the solid wood barrier, he sets the lock, blocking anyone and everyone from access to his chambers.

"Merlin?" He calls out as he moves through his chambers heading in the direction of the servant quarters. "Are you awake?" The Prince adds as he sticks his head inside Merlin's room. Surprise flickers over his face as he finds his servant's bed empty and made up. "Merlin?" he asks again as his gaze sweeps the room.

"I'm awake." Merlin finally replies from a chair behind the door. "Is there something I can do for you?" He asks dutifully without looking up.

"How are you feeling?" Arthur asks as he steps inside the room. "Is there any chance that I could lure you to the table to have some dinner with me?"

"I'm not feeling well. But that's no really surprise." Merlin says flatly without any hint of emotion. "But I could try toast and maybe some tea. They seem to be sending that up regularly."

"Good." Arthur says with a smile. "I'd be glad for the company."

Looking up as he carefully rises from the chair; Merlin offers Arthur a strange look. "I'm not the best company at the moment." He says flatly.

"Even at your worse, I always seem to find some entertainment from your company." Arthur chuckles as he steps back to allow Merlin through the open door first. "With any luck, you might actually enjoy my company as well."

"Doubt it." The raven haired young man snips back under his breath. "Is the kitchen staff still mad at me?" Merlin asks as he eyes the tray of food like a mortal enemy.

"Not sure to be honest," Arthur says as he moves ahead towards the table. "Anne seems to think that a few of them are starting to worry about you and several things have been sent up in the hopes to get you to eat. Personally, I wouldn't worry much about it. Those who can't accept that you were ill and not responsible for your illness will just have to learn to keep their mouth shut." Taking his normal seat at the table, the Prince leans forward and grabs a plate of meats and cheeses.

Leaning back in his chair, Arthur samples a few bites of the meat while he watches Merlin cautiously approach a chair on the opposite side of the table. "Is your stomach still rolling at the sight and smell of food? If it is, I can move the tray so not to set you off." The Prince asks as he pops a piece of cheese into his mouth.

"Would you mind?" Merlin asks as he stops a few feet away from the table. "Or I can just go back to my room. I can't seem to control my reactions to either the look or the smell of food."

"It's alright. It's no bother at all," Arthur says as he stands up and reaches for the tray. Juggling the tray with one arm, the Prince takes the plate of toast and puts it on the table, followed by a cup and a pot of tea. Crossing the room, the tray is left balanced on a small table that sits a good distance from the dining table. "Alright then, that should help."

Crossing back to the table, Arthur reaches out to place a guiding hand around his servant's back. When Merlin startles and pulls away, the prince is left with his mouth hanging open in surprise. "Really Merlin, you don't need to react like that to me. I won't hurt you again."

"I know. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." Merlin whispers in a deep emotional tone. "I think moving the tray did help." He adds as he steps around the Prince, aiming to sit in the chair opposite Arthur's favorite chair.

Standing in place, Arthur watches as Merlin takes a seat and then leans over the plate with the toast. In itself the toast looks dry and unappealing, but at least his servant seems willing to pick off small bites. "What's the matter Merlin? You seem torn apart by something on your mind, and I'm becoming more than a little worried about you."

Looking up at Arthur from under the shade of thick eyelashes, Merlin frowns as he chews slowly on his toast. "It's nothing to worry about, Arthur." Looking back at the toast, he sighs softly, "And I'm sure that Gaius and Agatha can tell you that the child is fine."

Surprise flickers over Merlin's melancholy expression as Arthur kneels down beside his chair. "I said I was worried about you" The prince says softly as he looks intently into his servant's eyes. "I trust that our child is fine because I can see all you are doing and enduring to assure its health."

When Merlin's head lowers his eyes, Arthur reaches to lift his servant's chin so to maintain eye contact. "I want to know how are you doing. I need to know that your needs are met." The Princes words are so gentle and caring that Merlin's eyes water.

"Why would you even care?" Merlin says as tears spill from his eyes. "I'm nothing compared to you. I am nothing to you. I'm just a servant." Freeing his chin from the Prince's grasp, he swipes at the tears rolling down his face. "I've become such a burden that we can't even get through a meal."

"Is that how you think of yourself, or how you think I view you?" Arthur asks as he rises to his feet. He shakes his head lightly while offering a slight frown. "You of all people should know me better than that. I rarely, if ever, show girlish traits. And while I may tease and torment you, I only do so if there is a chance for an interesting retort."

"Arthur, don't lecture me." Merlin sniffles. "I just can't bear it right now."

"No, I don't think you could." Arthur agrees. Reaching down the Prince pulls Merlin to his feet and draws him into a warm hug. "Well the door is locked and I think this is one of those rare occasions where hugs and coddling are the best choices for the evening. Do you think you could suffer through that with me Merlin?"

Resting his head lightly on Arthur's shoulder, a few sniffles escape from Merlin weary form. When it seems sure that the Prince isn't going to pull away, the raven haired young man wraps his arms around his master as if starved of affection. "I really appreciate this Arthur."

"Nonsense," Arthur replies as he lightly rubs Merlin's back. "If I hadn't been afraid that I might hurt you, we probably should have done this before now."

Much to the Crown Prince's delight, the evening turned out better than planned. The nice long hug gave way to Merlin consuming not only his toast, his tea, but a few bites of cheese. Encouraged by success, the evening continued with a bit of talking, relaxation, and a little bit of cuddling in Arthur's bed.

"Feeling better?" Arthur asks as he leaned his head against Merlin who was resting comfortably on the Princes shoulder.

Lightly rubbing the small bump on his belly, Merlin looks up enough to show the Prince a smile. "I'm happier at least." He says.

"That's something at least." Arthur says as he watches the light caresses Merlin his making on his stomach. "Does that help ease your stomach?" He asks curiously.

Merlin smiles again. "My stomach is up here." He says patting the skin just under his ribcage. "This…." He says moving his hand back to the small protrusion on his belly below his naval, "Is the baby. I like to think the little one likes the attention."

"May I see?" Arthur asks as he shifts, moving Merlin's head to the pillows beneath his arm, as he rises up on one elbow.

"Sure," Merlin says as he lifts up his shirt and then unlaces his trousers enough to lower the material so to expose the conspicuous bump on a normally flat and trim abdomen. "It's not that big yet, but enough to keep my stomach flopping."

A look of wonder spreads across Arthur's face. The corners of his mouth curl slightly as his hand reaches out to touch the outward evidence of his child's existence. As the Prince's fingertips touch the flesh of Merlin's stomach, a small laugh escapes Arthur's lips. "That is amazing." He says as he turns to look into Merlin's face.

Caught in a moment of shared intimacy and excitement, sends Merlin forward to capture Arthur's lips. At first dumbfounded by the advance, the Prince relaxes into the intimate moment, perhaps needing the physical expression of affection as much as his servant. Breathing becomes heated as mouths open and tongues begin to dual in a passionate expression of shared joy.

Much to the frustration of both participants, the intimacy is disrupted by a loud and very persistent knocking at the main entrance of the Princes chambers. Drawing back with an irritated growl, Arthur pauses to look down at the blush of passion painted on Merlin's slightly swollen lips. "Don't go anywhere." Arthur demands as he slips out of his bed.

Running his fingers through his blonde hair, Arthur maneuvers through his chambers, fully intent on getting rid of whoever had interrupted his evening. Unlocking the door and swinging it open, Arthur's biting remarks fall silent as his Uncle is revealed. The biting remark is exchanged for a more pleasant "What can I do for you Uncle?"

"A messenger has arrived from the east, and I thought you might like to be present for the report given." Lord Agravaine says as he peers curiously over his nephews shoulder. "Am I interrupting something?'

Shaking his head, Arthur finds the first tingling of suspicion that Gaius seemed to hold over his uncle. "Nothing I'm not glad to be distracted from. Paperwork at both its worse and best is draining."

"I had heard that your servant Merlin had taken ill." Agravaine says still looking into the Princes chambers. "I trust he's improved."

"Enough so that he's able to fulfill his duties to me." Arthur says flatly. "Let me get my boots and I'll meet you in the Throne room." With that, the Prince closes the door, closing any view of his room away from prying eyes.

Treading quickly back to his bed, the Prince leans over and gently kisses Merlin's cheek. "I have to go for a little while, get some rest." Then with a grin, Arthur reaches out to gently rub the small bump that is his child, "And you give your Daddy some peace little one."

Smiling like an idiot, Merlin watches Arthur pull on his boots and hurry off, disappearing out the door.