Hello all! Welcome to Chapter 28. Hmm I wonder what that title means? Gosh what could it be?

Thanks to Professor Paralelsky for beta-ing, and to you lovely readers :) And hugs all around for you reviewers! You know who you are :)


o}O{o

It was not often that Mordred made ill thought out decisions, but as he dragged his feet down an overgrown path in the forest, he was forced to consider he might have been a bit hasty. He blinked his tired eyes up, watching the sky peeking through the canopy which turned out to be another mistake since the light caused him to sneeze. It was high pitched and the force of it caused pain to spike through his skull. The boy groaned and sunk into a crouch, letting the herbs he was collecting for Gaius fall to the ground. Mordred kept his eyes clamped shut and willed a now splitting head ache away. It kept pounding though and every sound of the forest seemed to buzz together.

Giving in to exhaustion, Mordred chose to crawl to the nearest tree and lean upon it. Deciding that anger was too tiring to keep up, he settled on feeling sorry for himself. He only wanted to get out of the castle. Since last week, everyone had been treating him like a baby, though admittedly recovering from being poisoned was an arduous process. It was two days ago he had managed to find the strength to walk around. Mordred had not been left alone and while the company had been tolerable, the feeling of helplessness certainly had not been.

Only after a mild tantrum last night, did Mordred convince Gaius to attend to his rounds today. Gwen had volunteered to watch Merlin which meant that Mordred was left blessedly alone. And Mordred had come up with the bright idea of proving to everyone that he was not as fragile as they thought him to be. So after waiting a while after Gaius had left, Mordred grabbed his bag and set out to the forest. He should have considered turning back when his eyes became heavy before entering the courtyard, and he should have really turned back when he became dizzy after exiting the city. But Mordred had wanted to help Gaius, as well as prove a point.

The realization that he had been wrong caused his lower lip to tremble. Exhaustion had become a frequent companion during his recovery and the odd feeling in his body let him know getting up and walking back to Camelot was not an option. So he forsook the tree and curled up on the cool ground, almost instantly falling asleep. It did not occur to him to think of the dangers the forest held.

o}O{o

Ormod had to laugh despite himself. He was walking a few paces away from Ben, and the other druid was grumbling to him.

"You think it's funny?" the younger man stopped and wheeled around, brandishing his hands around to the trees. "Sneaking around the bloody forest, avoiding patrols and the others? All on the off chance that the boys happen to be frolicking in the trees?"

Ormod offered him a grin. "It is a little when you put it like that." Ben scowled and started walking, slowing his pace to wait for Ormod to catch up. "At least Isaac won't kill us on the spot."

"Selwyn might. He has always been a little off," Ben pointed out.

Ormod's smile turned a little tense and he refrained from defending the red haired man. So he sighed and kept his silence. Ben picked up his previous complaints, this time quieter than before. An hour past with little small talk until the younger druid suggested they split up.

Ormod's dark eyebrows drew together. "Are you sure that is wise? Tynan will not like it."

Ben grinned humorously and sauntered up a rolling hill, scattered with mossy boulders and old trees. "All the better if Tynan doesn't like it," he called.

"Happy searching then," Ormod sighed.

Ben scoffed louder than was safe, causing Ormod to wince and look around their surroundings. "We'd have a better chance of finding a unicorn than those brats. The sooner Tynan realizes that the better."

When the stocky druid fell from Ormod's sight, the light eyed man allowed himself to frown. He knew that once Tynan's patience for their patrols ran out, finding ways to break into the city again would occupy their time. But Ormod could only watch and wait so he kept going the way he was and eventually found a thin path barely visible through the undergrowth.

On a whim he decided to follow it, and realized only after it widened that he was far too close to Camelot. Just as he rocked to a standstill, he took a cautious look around. At finding or hearing no foot patrol, he breathed a sigh of relief but narrowed his eyes at what they found down the path. A large satchel was just laying on the ground, with picked herbs fallen halfway out of it. It was the sight of herbs that caused Ormod to feel dread. His feet walked hurriedly along on their own accord to get a closer look but stopped when he noticed the figure resting at the foot of a tree.

"Oh no," Ormod breathed when he recognized Mordred. The boy looked to be fast asleep but when Omord drew in closer he started to become worried. Mordred looked exceedingly pale and had most certainly lost weight, the dark shadows under his closed eyes contributing to his unhealthy pallor. The druid took a look around, feeling highly uncertain when Selwyn did not pop out of the trees. He advanced cautiously to the sleeping boy and hesitated when he stood over him.

The last time he had seen Mordred had not been on the best of terms and he highly doubted that Selwyn had seen fit to inform him that Ormod was on their side. But he casted his reservations aside, knowing that not only Ben was out there, but bandits too. "Mordred," he called.

When the boy did not respond, Ormod tried again and shook him lightly. Mordred did not react, his face not even twitching slightly. The druid looked up uneasily and pressed his lips together. "What happened to you?" he wondered aloud. After taking Mordred's pulse and looking him over for injuries, Ormod was left to wonder what do to since he could not very well leave him here. The seconds were counting down and before Ormod could make a decision he felt eyes on the back of his neck.

He vaulted up with his heart in his throat but sighed loudly in relief when he found Selwyn glaring at him through the trees. "You scared me," he accused the taller man.

"I wanted to see what you'd do," Selwyn informed him as he walked closer.

Ormod was offended despite feeling intimidated. "You still don't trust me?" Selwyn only eyed him perfunctorily on his way to Mordred so the younger druid stared at him while he knelt beside the boy. "Selwyn, what happened?"

"The less you know the better," the red haired man replied. He put his hand to Mordred's forehead, brushing his long fringe away before standing up. "Come." He began striding away from the path while Ormod stared disbelievingly after him.

"We can't leave him here," Ormod hissed.

Selwyn looked like he wanted to roll his emerald eyes. "There is a patrol heading this way, so unless you want to get arrested..." He motioned for Ormod to follow him, and the younger man did so after taking an alarmed look around. Selwyn led the way through the trees and climbed a small slope of lichen covered boulders to crouch behind them.

They kept themselves hidden and waited until a small troop of knights came riding down the path. Ormod shrunk away when the first of the knights came into view but Selwyn remained still. He scrutinized them with an intensity that made Ormod nervous they would be caught. But he followed Selwyn's lead and stayed where he was, watching and waiting for Mordred to be noticed.

One of the knights in the lead stopped abruptly a bare second later, his attention grabbed by the bag on the path. His dark eyes searched around and landed on the heap that was the eleven year old servant. "Leon!" he called and climbed off his horse to rush toward the boy. The knight who spotted Mordred first was quickly followed by the man Ormod recognized as Sir Leon. The square faced one gave Mordred a little shake and frowned at the Sir Leon.

"What's he doing here?" the man asked.

Sir Leon considered the bag of herbs and then Mordred again. "Collecting herbs by the looks of it. Mordred!"

"Is he alright?" One of the other knights called. They had to wait for an answer as Leon crouched beside the other man. He lifted Mordred so he was sitting, trying to call the boy once more. Ormod glanced at Selwyn when Mordred only stirred a little.

"We should get him to Gaius," the square faced knight said and stood up. "What was he thinking?"

Leon gave a humourless smirk while gathering Mordred into his arms. He stood up effortlessly and proceeded back to his horse. "He's stubborn, Lloyd, he likely wanted to prove himself." Sir Lloyd made a disapproving face but said nothing. He helped Leon sit Mordred sideways on the saddle before climbing up to his own horse.

"You've got him?" Lloyd asked and waited for Leon's nod before setting a course back to Camelot. He said something else but Ormod could not hear over the tromping of horses. He and Selwyn waited for the knights to be long gone before looking at each other.

"What happened?" Ormod demanded after standing up.

Selwyn rose out of his crouch and towered over the younger druid. "He was just picked up by a patrol," was his answer.

"Selwyn," Ormod growled.

The tall man sighed. "He's recovering from an injury," he admitted.

Ormod took in the information. "Camelot isn't as safe as you'd thought then."

Selwyn's eyes narrowed causing Ormod to want to take a step back. "It's safer than being dead."

Ormod conceded a nod. "Speaking of, Tynan is starting to get impatient. He will try to enter the city again."

"When?"

The dark haired druid shook his head. "I do not know. But he's resourceful and as strong as you are, he is not be taken lightly."

Selwyn nodded gravely. "That I know. Thank you, Ormod."

Ormod smiled. "You're welcome. I should be going now."

"Be careful," Selwyn warned.

"I will," Ormod said and turned away. "You as well." But when he glanced back at Selwyn, the man had already disappeared.

o}O{o

"How could you be so stupid?" Gaius' voice boomed inside the small room.

Mordred was on his bed, propped up by pillows and looking as petulant as the physician had ever seen a child. The boy's turquoise eyes flashed down to Merlin who was curled up against his side, staring tearfully at Gaius.

"You're scaring, Merlin," Mordred informed Gaius grumpily.

The physician immediately pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, even sighing loudly which had no effect on Mordred. Merlin huddled closer to the older boy when Mordred held him tighter. Gaius turned to his right expectantly and waited.

Mordred's bearing became nervous when he followed Gaius' gaze to Morgana. The lady had a stern set to her features and the rouge painted on her downturned lips enhanced her unimpressed air. "Mordred, why would you go out on your own?" she asked gently.

The boy winced and bit his lip, searching for an acceptable answer. It did not help when Merlin turned his large eyes on him and waited too. Silence settled inside the room which prompted Mordred to flounder for a response. "I- I just- I wanted- I didn't mean..." he broke off to pout and cross his arms across his chest. Merlin drew back and patted his arm before pouting at the two adults. "I'm not a baby!" Mordred burst out at them. "Everyone keeps treating me like one."

"Mordred," Morgana sighed, "no one thinks that. We are just worried about you, don't you understand?" She leaned forward and cupped his cheek. "You were very sick and you just need time to recover. You gave us all a fright just now."

Mordred found that he could not meet the lady's eyes. "I thought I could do it."

"You never did tell us what it was that you were doing," Gaius pointed out. His voice was noticeably less prickly than before but the question was still unwelcome.

Mordred kept quiet until Merlin started poking him. Luckily Gaius scooped the young child up so he was not bothering his guardian. "I just wanted to walk in the forest," he eventually said.

Mogana and Gaius exchanged looks before the physician leaned forward. "I find that highly unlikely."

Mordred glanced up at the old man and adopted a steely look, set to keep his mouth shut. He turned his head so his face was pressed into his pillow. A wave of exhaustion stole over him, making him sigh and shut his eyes. He was half way to sleeping before Gaius gently patted his head. "Get some sleep, Mordred," he bid.

"I don't want to sleep anymore," the boy mumbled with heavily blinking eyes.

Gaius left his hand at the back of the boy's neck. "Soon you won't have to. Just rest, my boy."

Mordred listened to him and within moments he was sleeping peacefully, drawing in slow breaths that were reassuringly strong.

A quiet sigh of a little boy brushed the silence and Merlin looked up at Gaius for comfort. The physician gathered the child into his arms and stood up, heading for the main chambers. Morgana took a long glance at Mordred's sleeping face before she followed. She shut the door gently behind her and offered a smile. "He's stubborn that one."

Gaius grunted in agreement while setting Merlin on the ground. The child grabbed a handful of Gaius' robes and trailed after him. Morgana watched as Gaius went to his work table and begin to prepare a potion she assumed was for Mordred.

"I will have to keep a closer eye on him," the physician told her.

Compassion passed over Morgana's pretty face. "You have been amazing, Gaius," she implored, striding forwards. "But you know how kids are. Remember me and Arthur?"

An immediate smirk donned Gaius' lips. "All too well, my lady." His grey eyes met hers fondly.

The physician looked down at Merlin and reached to give his shoulder a light squeeze. "Please, Merlin whatever you do, don't become a trouble maker when you get older," Gaius bid. Merlin made no indication that he heard, only keeping his face hidden in the physician's robes and missing the resigned look Gaius and Morgana shared. Mordred being ill upset Merlin greatly- he was more withdrawn than usual and when the older boy was sleeping, only interacted with Gaius and sometimes Arthur. It did not stop Morgana from trying though.

"Merlin," she called brightly, her painted lips smiling in a forced grin. "Would you like to help me make a menu for Lord Tiber's visit next week?" Both she and Gaius waited for a response that would not come. Her face fell only for an instant. "Later perhaps." The five year old must have heard the sadness in her tone for he turned to look at her. Morgana could not deny him a smile which earned a tiny one in return. "And Mordred can help us too, would you like that?" The lady refrained from beaming when Merlin nodded.

A sharp knock wrapped upon the door, capturing the attention of the three inside the chambers. Before Gaius could call out a welcome, it opened and Arthur strode through.

"Arthur," Morgana greeted in surprise.

"Hello, Morgana. Gaius," the blonde prince returned.

"Sire," Gaius hailed. "Say hello, Merlin."

Arthur smiled at Merlin who only stared unblinkingly at him. If the prince was thrown off, he did not show it as his smile remained the same. He turned to Gaius, glancing at the door to the back room. "Sir Leon reported to me that he found Mordred on his patrol. That he was unconscious?" Morgana could not hide a smirk, but she had the decency to by pushing a lock of ebony hair behind her ear.

"He is fine, my lord," Gaius told him, "he's sleeping now."

Arthur nodded but breathed out through his nose. "Why was he in the forest anyway? He knows it's dangerous."

"He's eleven," Morgana supplied, "and exhausted and frustrated."

The prince did not seem to like the answer, but refrained from speaking right away. "I will talk to him later," he decided.

"Perhaps inform the guards to not let him out of the city too," she said lightly but her eyes were fixed intently on him.

"He won't try again," Arthur said with certainty.

Morgana instantly frowned. "Don't be hard on him, Arthur."

"I won't," he promised.

"I'm certain he will appreciate your concern, Sire," Gaius mentioned. He had a smile playing at his lips and traded an amused glance with Morgana.

The prince cleared his throat. "I'm not-" he began but broke off upon peeking at Merlin. "..impressed by his behaviour. Right, Merlin?"

Morgana and Gaius looked to see the boy nod his head, causing both nobles to smile indulgently. "Well, when do you think he can come back to work, Gaius?" Arthur enquired.

The prince thought for a moment before answering. "Perhaps by the end of the week. Light duties only though."

"I'm sure Morris will be relieved. That poor man," Morgana joked.

Arthur scoffed loudly. "I certainly will. I don't know how I stood him before." Confronted with Morgana's glare, he rolled his eyes. The prince then looked at Merlin who stared back at him. "Remember you can always come and help him. Between you and me, I think he needs it." He was rewarded with a small smile but Merlin tightened his hold on Gaius' robes.

"What are you doing for the rest of the day, Arthur?" Morgana jumped in.

Arthur turned thankfully to her and went on a rant about sorting out a sensitive issue between two of his knights. Morgana seemed keen on the gossip though the prince did not want to be bothered continuing after he realized. It was not long before he searched for an escape route, finding it in Merlin. The child was still leaning on Gaius, staring at the floor like it broke his favourite toy. Arthur knew that Merlin sensed his gaze when he hid his face completely.

The prince sighed and Morgana took offence. She stopped talking to level Arthur with an icy glare that went unnoticed. "Merlin," Arthur called, "come for a ride with me." Morgana's gaze warmed into curiosity and she looked to Merlin who was eying the prince suspiciously.

"I'm not certain that is a good idea, Arthur," Gaius remarked.

"Nonsense. He can't sulk all day," Arthur declared, gesturing with his hand. "Come on, what do you say, Merlin?"

Merlin shook his head and looked to the back room but then at Arthur when he began to stride closer. Gaius was frankly surprised that Merlin did not duck behind him. The boy stayed where he was as the prince crouched in front of him.

"Look," Arthur said with little nonsense, "I know you are worried about Mordred but he's on the mend now." Merlin pouted which Arthur was clearly building a resistance to. Morgana looked suitably impressed when the prince continued. "He'll be sleeping for a while so why don't I teach you how to ride properly. Maybe we can even gallop."

Arthur had caught Merlin's attention. The young boy appeared to be seriously considering it, even looking up at Gaius to see what he thought. He wasn't pleased. The physician had a frown on his face, but no one but Merlin, it seemed, could say no to the prince.

"He will be safe with Arthur, Gaius," Morgana put in. "It will be good for him."

The physician smiled tensely and gave Arthur an assessing glance. "No galloping," he stipulated.

Even though Arthur was accustomed to getting what he wanted, he grinned cheerfully. The prince then looked at Merlin and extended his hand, smiling wider when Merlin grabbed his fingers.

o}O{o


Hope you guys enjoyed, but I think next chapter will be the popular one ;)

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