Arthur gave the appearance of leaving but after talking to the men he had guarding the room, he went back to the inside. The nurses told him visiting was over but he ignored then and walked in and sat by Merlin's side.
A few minutes later Lance arrived "Sir you really need to leave and get some sleep, nothing will happen and Merlin will receive the best care and your own wounds aren't fully healed." it was clear he was trying to not anger Arthur.
Arthur looked at Lance "There is no way I'm leaving him, so forget it"
Lance shrugged "We can't make you we know that, but please let the nurses do their jobs" he fully realised that it would take more than just him to make the gang boss leave, so it was pointless.
"I'm not a fool Lance, I just won't leave him" Arthur growled, he was tired and worried but nothing or no one would make him leave.
Once Lance had left and the nurses had come in and settled Merlin and got him into a new position, then they handed Arthur a blanket and pillow so he could make himself more comfortable in the chair. They left saying they would be in and out all night but to ring the bell if he was concerned. It was very clear to Arthur the women were scared of him but he really didn't care if it meant he could stay with Merlin.
After a while Arthur dozed in the chair but was woken several hours later when Merlin became restless once more. Arthur pressed the bell and then tried to sooth Merlin. The younger man responded to Arthur's voice. The nurses came in and left after making sure Merlin had settled once more. The minute they were gone Arthur very gently sat on the edge of the bed and with great care and with a gentleness very few would have believed him capable of, lifted Merlin so he was resting against his chest. All the time making sure Merlin's damaged hand stayed propped up on the pillows.
Speaking quietly and softly he told the slightly roused Merlin: "Rest Merlin I will stay here with you, you are safe I promise you" Arthur held the slender form in his arms as if it was the most precious thing in the world.
Even though the position Arthur was in was not the most comfortable, he stayed there. When the nurses checked Merlin they said nothing as they inspected his hand and took observations. Arthur stayed there until the morning. In fact, he was still holding Merlin when the surgeon came in next morning. The doctor raised his eyebrows "Who gave you permission to stay? And what the hell do you think you are doing." He demanded.
Arthur smirked "No one could have made me leave" he said quietly so not to wake Merlin who had smuggled into Arthur's arms and slept peacefully not even waking up properly at all. "Merlin was agitated not knowing where he was, I kept him settled, and he clearly feels safe in my arms."
The doctor continued to glare at the gang boss "You could have at least removed that! You already have your goons in corridors" he pointed at the gun in its shoulder holster on the table at his side.
"I made sure it was away from Merlin, but there was no way I would leave him unprotected." Arthur pointed out. Not in the mood to argue.
"Well get away now so I can check my patient. In fact leave the room until I am finished."
"I need a piss and something to eat, then I'll be back" Arthur picked up his gun and as he walked out he was handed a coffee and a bacon roll by his men who had just taken over from the night men.
"There is a change of clothes over there boss" Elyan told him "Your sister sent them"
Arthur nodded "Stay here while I go and get washed up in one of the rest rooms." He ordered them. Once he has stripped off, washed and changed, as well as shaved he went back and handed the bag with his dirty clothes to Elyan "Doctor came out yet?"
"Nope, Lance went in a few minutes ago though" Elyan told him. "And Galahad has phoned to say Merlin's parents are on their way."
Lance and the other doctor left the room at that moment. Lance looked at Arthur "As Merlin's parents have said you can be informed I can tell you Merlin seems to be doing well. He will have his dressing changed tomorrow and then all being well can go home. But that will depend on his mental state. I understand he was upset both times he woke."
"He was" Arthur confirmed. "It be expected surely"
"It is, but he may need professional help with that" the other doctor said clearly still annoyed with Arthur's presence.
"If he does I will get him the best." Arthur confirmed.
"Just keep off the patients bed, and don't leave your gun around or I will have to insist you leave." the surgeon demanded clearly unimpressed with the gang leader.
Arthur gave the surgeon a look that would have sent fear through his men's hearts if it had been directed at them. "You could try!" he snarled "Just remember who keeps this hospital running, without my help you would be in serious trouble funding it."
Arthur hadn't noticed Hunith and Balinor coming up the corridor with Morgana "Brother keep your shirt on" Morgana reached them and put her hand on her brother's arm "They are looking after Merlin after all"
Hunith and Balinor took in the picture and Balinor spoke to the doctor "Could you tell me how our son is and can we see him?"
The surgeon looked at the couple "Come with me and I will speak with you." he glared at Arthur once more and took Merlin's parents off with him.
Arthur went to go into the room but was stopped by Lance "Arthur don't rock the boat"
"You forget yourself Lance. I suggest you and this hospital remember who I am and what I do for you. Now let me pass" Arthur pushed past
Lance spoke out once more "I think we know that, but this isn't like you, don't antagonised people unnecessarily, we are doing our best for him" with that he walked off.
Morgana spoke once more "Calm down Arthur I know you are concerned but Lance is right. Don't make enemies you don't need. You aren't Uther, don't act like it."
Arthur whirled round "If I was Uther I would have said far more! I will not allow Merlin to be in any danger, nor will I leave his side" with that he went back to Merlin's side.
Merlin opened his eyes as Arthur walked in "Oh I thought it was Mum" he rasped out.
Arthur realised his oxygen mask was no longer over his face. "She will be here soon, breathing better now I see. How are you feeling?" Arthur's voice was tender once more.
"Doc said I could leave it off. Fell woozy the said it was the drugs." Merlin paused "Did you stay the night?"
"I did, you used me as a pillow, and you got a bit upset in the night so I comforted you"
"Thanks" Merlin blushed then closed his eyes briefly "I'm glad I'm out of there" his voice hitched, he was still clearly affected.
Arthur sat down and took Merlin's hand "No one will ever go down there again I had it filled in" he reassured Merlin "We got you out as soon as we could"
"How long….?"
"About eighteen hours" Arthur admitted "I'm sorry you had to suffer that. Move back with me and I will keep you safe"
"Arthur Pendragon apologising!" Merlin gave a weak laugh
Arthur smiled back "You won't hear it again!"
Then Arthur noticed Merlin looking at his bandaged hand his eyes wet "They said I lost part of it"
Arthur closed his eyes not sure what to say "They told us you will still have good use in what's left you still have your thumb and index finger that's the most important two, as well as your middle finger."
Merlin nodded weakly "I suppose"
"Don't be such a girl Merlin, you are alive and almost in one piece" Arthur said grinning to try to take the sting out of what he said.
"ARTHUR!" Morgana's voice rang out from the door "How could you be so insensitive?"
Merlin looked at Arthur's sister as she walked in "He's a prat that's how" but he looked down at his bandaged hand clearly deeply upset.
Morgana walked to the bedside "He is, that's for sure, how are you Merlin?"
"m fine" the pale man mumbled "tired"
Balinor and Hunith came in and immediately hugged their son, Hunith glaring at Arthur as she did so "You stayed then….after we left" she asked Arthur as soon as she had greeted her son.
Arthur nodded but chose not to comment further, that may have been due to the look his sister shot him. Merlin looked at his Mum "He helped mum when I have a nightmare"
Hunith said no more after that but she was clearly unhappy but instead spoke about Merlin's possible discharge. "The doctors say you hand is doing well and that you will have the dressing changed tomorrow and all being well we can then take you home"
Arthur was about to speak when Morgana kicked him and hissed "Don't you dare"
Arthur held back his comment, but he had already decided that Merlin was going back with him, where he could be guarded properly. There was no way the blonde would see Merlin in danger anymore. In the end it was Balinor who saved the day. "Let him rest woman" he told Hunith gently "We will worry about his discharge when the time comes, besides he might have his own ideas, don't forget he was planning on going to Gaius's. Just let it be for now."
He looked at Arthur and it was clear he understood his plans. "Mr Pendragon I need to speak your offer through with my wife" it still seemed strange to Balinor to say such a thing. "And now is not the time. I will let you know once things have calmed down. I'll come and see you."
"Anytime" Arthur said shortly.
"Come on Arthur lets go and get a drink and leave Merlin with his mum and dad." Morgana said firmly. It was clear to Arthur that she also wanted to talk to him. They left and went down to the canteen. She was the only one who could have got him to leave the bedside.
Once sat down Morgana looked at her brother "Don't push so hard brother, you won't do yourself or Merlin any good."
"I won't see him in that house, we can't protect him there."
"From what? After your display with Sarrum no one will go near Merlin you know that." Morgana pointed out
"You think? It might make him more of a target now people know how important he is to me" Arthur pointed out "Anyway I want him close, how else can I woo him?"
Morgana smirked "Woo? That's very old fashioned of you brother dear"
"You know what I mean you harpy" Arthur couldn't help but love his sister, she kept him grounded and he knew he could rely on her to tell him if he was being stupid. The only other person to do that was Merlin.
"Now might not be the time Arthur, he is going to be traumatised just take a couple of steps back." Morgana advised