A/N - See I didn't forget about you all!
Please check my profile page for my apologies. This chapter has not been beta read. I figured that you would not want to wait the extra week the beta process takes. I did have my 13 year old look it over for obvious errors and I have read the entire chapter out loud so I think I have caught all the really glaring errors. Please enjoy this next installment and I thank you once again for your patience.
Alice I

Chapter Fourteen

Arthur rode on as fast as he could manage while pulling the travois along the on road behind him, which amounted to a reasonable cantor. Sir Leon rode beside the Prince in silence while almost unconsciously scanning the trees and forest along either side of the road keeping alert for any new attacks. He was well aware that they were safely in Camelot's territory, but the obvious injuries to both the Prince and his manservant kept the older knight on his guard.

Arthur's only thought was to get Merlin back to Gaius who would be able to take over his care, but as he rode along he couldn't help beginning to take note of his own injuries. His left arm was aching as the sliced fabric of his tunic stuck to the dried blood along his bicep and his right shoulder blade stung with each bounce as his horse trotted along coming closer to the city and home.

Leon found himself focusing on the blood staining Arthur's tunic and after nearly half an hour of riding by his side could hold his tongue no longer. "What happened, Sire?"

Arthur was pulled from his reverie by Leon's question and felt a shock of panic run through him. He assumed that Leon was asking about Merlin's injuries and he realized that he needed to concoct a story that would keep them both out of the gallows. Keeping everything as close to the truth as possible seemed the best idea so he turned his head toward Leon as he spoke.

"We were hunting in the forest of Essotier, but were not having much luck. You know what Merlin is like on a hunt..." he added, knowing that Leon would draw an apt image in his mind of Arthur's hapless manservant stumbling through the forest scaring away any possible game.

Before he could continue with his story Leon interrupted, "The forest of Essotier? Sire, those woods are rife with evil."

Arthur scoffed at the implied danger of hunting in the forest and continued his tale. He told Leon about coming across Inalira carrying her husband through the forest to a small village that had a healer in the very same travois that he now used for his manservant. Leon was quite impressed by the tale of the woman heavy with child being able to pull a full grown man over the uneven forest floor without benefit of a horse.

As Arthur warmed to his subject he found that the truth was actually quite a remarkable story that shouldn't raise any real concerns. It was easy enough to believe that an injured peasant must travel far to seek medical help when a serious injury was involved and Leon never hinted at wondering about the druids that were known to live in the depths of the forest.

"After we saw Inalira safely to the healer, Merlin and I continued west to the foothills of the mountains. We camped in a high glade overlooking a small valley at the base of the western arm of the range. When I woke the next morning Merlin was already up and had left the camp. I saw him down in the valley below just sitting there staring off toward the foothills when the most remarkable thing happened."

Leon's curiosity was piqued at that introduction as were the two other knights who were riding alongside the small party headed toward Camelot. They still kept their eyes on the surrounding forest but moved closer to the Prince and Sir Leon to hear the story Arthur was telling.

"A young deer entered the valley, and to my utter amazement it slowly walked right up to him."

Leon seemed incredulous. "To Merlin, Sire?" Arthur smiled at the stunned voice of his finest knight. "You are talking about the same Merlin that manages to scare off almost every bit of game within forty yards when we go out hunting?"

"The very same. It was the most remarkable thing I have ever witnessed. This wild deer stepped up to him and actually allowed him to pet it."

Arthur couldn't tell if Leon believed his recounting of these events until the older knight spoke. "Well, I suppose it is possible. Merlin has always had a gentleness to him that is almost girlish. Perhaps the deer mistook him for a maiden."

That comment earned Leon muffled laughter from the other knights, but the laughter died away when it was clear that Arthur was not joining in. Leon must have feared that he had upset the Prince for he continued in a contrite tone.

"I meant no disrespect, Sire. I know what Merlin means to you."

Arthur looked at Leon and wondered if that statement were true. He doubted it, since even he himself didn't really know what Merlin meant to him until he had almost lost his friend. He continued on with the story of how Merlin was injured and the effects of the poison on the arrow. It was at this point that Arthur had to carefully diverge from the truth in order to explain their time spent with the druids before his return trek home with Inalira's travois.

Hearing how sick Merlin became, it wasn't hard for Leon to understand why Arthur chose to seek out the nearby healer rather than attempt to get the young man all the way back to Camelot immediately after such an injury.

"While I mean no disrespect to your servant my concern, Sire, is for your own injuries. Were they a result of the bandit attack or Cenred's soldiers?"

Arthur shrugged at the question. "The bandits were handled easily enough. They weren't trained soldiers and there were only three of them. Cenred's men, on the other hand, were a different matter. I wasn't expecting them to attack me especially after I identified myself. These..." Arthur raised his injured arm, "...were a result of fighting them. In my own defense it was five to one at the time, but I still managed to come out on top."

Within the next hour of riding, the spires of Camelot came into view and Arthur began to relax a little knowing that Merlin would soon be in the care of the court physician. He glanced back at his manservant and saw that the young man was still unconscious. He frowned as worry for his friend increased. He felt sure that Merlin should have woken up by now. Arthur picked up the pace a little, determined to get the young man to Gaius as quickly as possible.

One of the knights riding alongside Arthur's party rode ahead quickly, Arthur assumed to alert the court physician. As they rode in through the gates and up to the courtyard Arthur saw that not only was Gaius there, but also many guards, several of the knights who were not out on patrol, and the King.

Arthur cringed inwardly when he saw the deadly look on his father's face. He knew that as the Prince it was his responsibility to report to his King immediately, but he was more concerned with getting Merlin the help he needed. This was one of those times that Arthur hated it when duty had to come first. As he brought his horse to a halt he swung his leg over his mount and jumped down. As his feet hit the flagstone a sharp pain lanced through his back due to the wound across his shoulder blade. He inhaled sharply, but that was the only sign that he was in pain and he didn't think that anyone was close enough to hear him.

"Gaius!" he called out sharply, but he needn't have, since the aging physician was already walking quickly toward the Prince and the travois that Merlin lay on still unconscious. "Merlin has been seriously injured. He was shot with an arrow poisoned with Belladonna."

The color drained from Gaius' face at that announcement. "How long ago was the injury?" he asked, fear clearly evident in his voice.

"It happened three mornings ago."

That stopped Gaius for a moment as relief spread across his features. "Three days? I do not mean to doubt you, Sire, but if he had been poisoned three days ago with Belladonna he would surly have died by now."

As Gaius spoke he knelt down to look at Merlin and his injured arm. "Who applied this bandage?"

"I did, Gaius. I assure you it was Belladonna. He nearly died, but I was able to find a healer in a small settlement who saved his life, but he is still very ill."

The relief that had washed over the old physician's face melted away, but before he could say anything else Uther's booming voice was heard throughout the courtyard.

"Were you also poisoned, Arthur? Those wounds look fresh." the King said, pointing at Arthur's bloodied tunic.

Gaius stood up and stepped closer to Arthur to examine his wounds with a chastised look as the King glared in his direction.

"I am fine, father. My wounds are only superficial and, yes, they are fresh. I have much to report to you. These can be dealt with to after my report." Arthur said, as he made to follow the King into the castle.

"No, Arthur, go with Gaius and have your wounds attended to first. I will await you in the throne room." Uther turned to the two knights who had arrived with Leon and the Prince. "You two take the boy to the physician's quarters. Sir Leon, please see to Prince Arthur's needs and report to me afterward."

Without saying another word Uther turned and strode off toward the castle steps. Arthur was surprised by his father's announcement. He fully expected the King to want to speak to Arthur immediately about what had happened, but the King could still take him off guard from time to time.

Once Merlin had been deposited in the low bed by the fireplace Arthur shooed the knights out of the physician's chamber. Leon lingered behind attempting to fulfill the Kings orders by staying with Arthur, but the Prince had other ideas.

"Sir Leon, please go and assemble the knights. I will come and give them orders when I finish speaking with the King about Cenred's soldiers."

"Sire, the King asked me to..."

Arthur stopped Leon with a raised hand before he could continue. "I am fine here with Gaius. I understand that my father wishes you to report to him, but there is little you can tell him. The King told you to see to my needs, and I need you to assemble the knights in the training field. I am uncertain how the King will react when he hears of Cenred's mens treachery. We must be ready to carry out what ever orders he gives. Once you have the knights assembled you should meet me back in the throne room when I relay my report to the King."

Leon looked uncertain for a moment until Arthur's hard gaze decided the matter for him. Arthur knew he was making sense. If Leon were to report to the King now he would have nothing of consequence to tell him, and what little he did know could cause the King to make a rash decision based on emotion rather than fact. Arthur knew that Leon trusted him to know what he was doing, especially when it concerned the safety of the kingdom and when dealing with the King. Leon bowed to his Prince and turned swiftly to leave the chamber.

While Arthur was speaking with Leon, Gaius had taken the time to unwrap Merlin's arm and examine the wound. Once Leon had left, the physician stepped over to Arthur and told him to remove his shirt.

"If you need to report to the King then I had better get on with attending to your wounds, Sire."

Arthur could tell that Gaius was almost bursting with questions about what had happened, but being an excellent physician and proper courtier, he held his questions at bay until he could preform his duty.

"These wounds are a little more than superficial, Sire. They will require stitches. Take a seat up here on the table while I get supplies."

Arthur obeyed, knowing he wanted to get this over with so that Gaius could tend to Merlin. "Will he be alright, Gaius?" Arthur asked, as he turned his head toward the young man lying on the small bed.

"I believe he will be fine. His vital signs are good, his fever is not too high, and his wound has been skillfully tended to. As a matter of fact, I would venture to guess that an extremely skilled healer or physician has already cared for Merlin. I should like to meet this village healer who posses such skill."

Gaius raised one eyebrow in an expression that Arthur was all too familiar with. It was a look that the aging physician had given him countless times in the past to indicate he knew that Arthur had not told him everything. The stress he put on the term village healer also indicated to the Prince that Gaius doubted his story.

Gaius' hands moved quickly with practiced ease in cleaning and stitching the wounds on Arthur's arm and shoulder. He knew full well that Arthur would object to having his arm in a sling so rather than attempting to make the young Prince wear one he opted instead to wrap the Prince's shoulder and arm separately in tight bandages.

Arthur understood Gaius' need to gather as much information about Merlin as possible and was not surprised by the next question that the court physician asked. "How is it that you are so certain the arrow that pierced Merlin was laced with Belladonna?"

Knowing that he would not be able to fool Gaius, but also knowing he could not betray Merlin, the Prince chose his answer carefully. Arthur knew in his heart that Gaius would never turn Merlin into the King if he were to find out about Merlin's magic, but the druids had been very clear on the point that Arthur must not allow anyone to find out that he knew about Merlin's secret.

"There was a village nearby that had a healer. I described the symptoms to her and she identified the poison as Belladonna. He was very sick, Gaius, he even stopped breathing for a moment."

Gaius paled visibly when Arthur said this, and the Prince knew that Gaius believed him.

"This healer saved his life. We stayed at the village until Merlin was well enough to be moved. The healer made up some stuff to clean his wound and showed me how to make it so that I could keep it clean during the trip back to Camelot."

Gaius' eyebrows raised even further at that statement. "When I am finished with your stitches I will need you to show me this cleanser and how you were instructed to prepare it. That will help me to know what has been done for him thus far, and allow me to gauge how best to help Merlin."

It only took Gaius a few more minutes to finish tending to Arthur's injuries and he felt much better with the bandages tightly binding his wounds. Arthur then took out the kit that Nelora had put together and showed Gaius what he had been instructed to do.

"This cleanser is uncomfortable, but it did seem to help when Merlin's arm clearly became infected. I don't know what all of these ingredients are..."

"Not to fear, Sire. I am familiar with them. The preparation is unique and if I didn't know better I would suspect that your healer was a druid. This technique is reminiscent of their medicine."

Gaius watched Arthur carefully when he said made that statement and judging by the stunned and almost panicked look in the prince's eyes he knew now what Arthur was trying to hide. He had gone to no village. He had taken Merlin to the druids.

"You said his arm became infected. Tell me about that."

Arthur cleared his throat and tried to speak in a even tone. His heart was hammering against his chest at what Gaius had just said. "He developed a fever that had no sweat. Nelora said that it was dangerous. She said that once he started to sweat that was actually a good sign."

"Nelora?" Gaius asked interrupting the Prince.

Arthur hadn't meant to let that slip, and hesitated for a moment. "Yes, that is the name of the healer who tended to Merlin."

Arthur was worried now that he had betrayed the druids, but Gaius didn't push the question any further so he continued.

"When I made camp and was supposed to change his bandage, I noticed thick yellow puss coming from the wound. I used the cleanser to wash it out. It caused him a lot of pain, but it also roused him enough to give him the antidote for the poison."

"Antidote?" Gaius asked somewhat alarmed. "Preparing an antitoxin for Belladonna is no simple task. It takes great skill, and I would doubt that a small village healer would have the knowledge or experience to properly brew it."

Arthur just looked at Gaius not knowing what to say to this. Nelora was described by the druid council as one of the finest healers amongst their people. How was he going to explain that this village healer was so gifted, especially given the fact that Gaius already suspected that something was off about Arthur's story?

"I... well it seemed to work, so maybe she learned it from someone who had more skill."

Arthur knew that his explanation was more than a little weak as evidenced by the suspicious look that Gaius cast at him. There really wasn't anything he could do about it, so he simply handed over the antidote and let Gaius form whatever opinion he wanted to. His main concern at that point was what Gaius would tell Merlin when he woke. Arthur still wasn't sure what Merlin remembered. He remembered what he had done to put Merlin on his guard, and wondered if the same tactic would work in this instance.

"Gaius, Merlin was out of his mind with fever and the effects of the poison. He said some things that... I don't know how to put this."

Gaius' entire demeanor changed abruptly when Arthur hesitated. He seemed to suddenly become very concerned by what Merlin may have said in his delirium, or at least that is how Arthur interpreted the now cautious set to the old physician's facial expression. He hated fooling the old man this way, but he had to keep Merlin's secret and Gaius was far to crafty and wise to assume he would miss some random statement Merlin made.

"He said things that made no sense. Things that could be dangerous if heard by the wrong person. Please try to understand what I am saying. I don't want anyone talking to him when he wakes up until I have had a chance to see him first. Please, Gaius, you must trust me in this."

Gaius bowed deeply and promised that he would abide by Arthur's request. As the Prince left the physician's chambers he glanced back to see a deeply concerned look on the court physician's face as he bent to attend to Merlin. He stepped out, but stayed put for a moment on the other side of the still open door listening.

"Oh, Merlin, what did you say? If Arthur suspects your secret... Oh my dear boy, what are we going to do?"

TBC