Chapter 21
"How much longer, Gaius?" Arthur asked frustratedly. It had been a week since they'd brought Merlin back, and there was still no marked change.
Gaius sighed. He too was worried, Arthur knew. The boy was like a son to the physician, and his illness weighed heavily on him.
"I do not know, Sire," Gaius said finally. "Merlin's been through a taxing ordeal. His body needs to recover. It takes-"
Arthur cut him off. "Time!" he snapped, rolling his eyes. "I know, I know. Sorry," he muttered, abashed, when Gaius gave him a look. Now it was his turn to sigh. "I just … I really … I just miss him, Gaius." he confessed.
Gaius patted him on the shoulder. "I know," he murmured. "So do I."
Gwaine poked his head in. "Any change?" he asked, looking from Arthur to Gaius. He groaned when they both shook their heads, and strode into the room. They watched warily as he came right up close to Merlin's ear. He cupped his hands over his mouth, and yelled loudly, "WAKE UP!"
"Gwaine!" Gaius yelled in a furious whisper, "What do you think you are doing?"
Gwaine had the grace to look sheepish. "I'm sorry, Gaius, I had to try and do something!" The woebegone look on the knight's face was so comical that Arthur had to laugh, and Gaius couldn't help but join in.
"Well, it can't hurt, at any rate," Gaius said with a sigh. "Who knows? Maybe he actually heard you."
"I'd be surprised if anyone hadn't." Arthur added, grinning. Gaius chuckled.
"Why are you here, Gwaine?" Arthur asked curiously, as Gwaine grabbed a chair and plunked down by Merlin's side. "It's my night, remember?"
Gwaine snorted. "I'm done with that infernal schedule. I'm coming whenever I want to."
"You can't!" Arthur protested, "Gaius said only one visitor at a time! He won't let me stay if you do! Gaius!" Arthur whined, when Gwaine just shrugged. "Tell him!"
"It's worse than being in a nursery," Gaius muttered irritably. He had his back to them as he measured out a dose of medicine. "Gwaine, Arthur's right, it's his turn, though heaven knows why I haven't banned both of you from this room, the ruckus you two make. You can both stay for a little while, then one of you needs to leave. I don't care who," he added, when Arthur opened his mouth to complain. "Now, make yourselves useful and come help me get this draught into Merlin."
Argument forgotten, they hurried over to oblige. It had become second nature by now, and they had the routine down pat. Gwaine held Merlin down, and Arthur pinched his nostrils shut as Gaius tipped the medicine into Merlin's open mouth. He closed it quickly, ensuring all of the dose made it down. When Merlin swallowed automatically, they all relaxed.
"He didn't put up as much of a fight this time," Arthur remarked.
"Perhaps his body is getting used to it, and it's becoming a reflex, like breathing," Gaius mused.
"Or maybe he heard me and he's waking up!" Gwaine threw in hopefully. He looked carefully at Merlin, searching for any sign of consciousness. When he found none, his shoulders slumped.
"Guess I'll go with Leon to the tavern," he muttered dejectedly. He rose, and made to shuffle slowly out of the room. Arthur felt a sudden stab of sympathy for his knight. Merlin and Gwaine were thick as thieves, and Arthur knew Gwaine considered Merlin his closest friend.
"Wait! Gwaine!" he called after the knight. Gwaine turned at the doorway, and looked at Arthur questioningly. "I forgot," Arthur lied, thinking quickly, "I...I have a council meeting tonight, and an early shift tomorrow. I won't be able to stay here tonight. Would you like to stay?" he offered.
Gwaine brightened, and hurried to take the chair Arthur offered, nearly knocking it over in his eagerness.
A familiar voice spoke out quietly. "I can't believe he fell for it, can you Gwaine?"
Three heads whipped around. Three faces lit up.
"Merlin!" Gwaine roared, throwing his arms around the neck of the now alert and smiling young warlock.
"Careful," Merlin protested weakly, "Recovering from near death, remember? I still need to breathe. Kidding," he grinned, when Gwaine immediately released him.
"You git," Gwaine growled, but he was also smiling broadly. Merlin laughed as Gwaine gave him a very soft punch in the shoulder.
Merlin looked at Arthur, eyebrow quirked up. "Lost for words?"
Arthur opened his mouth to throw back a snarky retort, but he couldn't talk around the sudden lump that had appeared in his throat.
He too hugged Merlin. "I'm just glad to hear your voice," he managed to croak out.
"I think we all are." Gaius put in, smiling down at his young ward. "You gave us all quite a scare." he added mock sternly. Merlin smiled tiredly. "Sorry," he whispered.
Gaius quickly went into business mode. "Now, as happy as we are that you're awake, I do need to examine you. Gwaine, Arthur, I'll need you two to restrain yourselves for just a few more minutes while I check our friend over."
Arthur and Gwaine shuffled back to give Gaius room, and the physician got to work.
"Your fever definitely went down," noted Gaius as he felt Merlin's forehead. "Are you cold? And don't downplay anything," he added warningly, as Merlin started to shake his head.
Merlin shrugged. "A little," he admitted. Gwaine hurried over with yet another down quilt.
"Thanks," Merlin said gratefully, as Gwaine wrapped the blanket around him.
Gaius looked into his eyes carefully, then instructed Merlin to raise his arms, then legs, one at a time, wiggle his fingers, wiggle his toes… He asked Merlin basic memory questions. When Merlin completed all the tasks properly, Gaius pronounced himself satisfied.
"Maybe he really did hear you, Gwaine," Gaius chuckled. "That might be the only explanation for how this happened so quickly!"
Merlin's eyes opened wide. "So that wasn't a dream, you yelling in my ear!" he said accusingly.
"Ha!" Gwaine pumped his fist in the air. "And you both thought I was crazy!" He patted Merlin on the shoulder. "You're welcome, friend. I'll expect credit for this treatment method when you put it in your medical books, Gaius," he added, turning to the physician. Gaius laughed. Merlin also smiled, but he was already looking exhausted, something Gaius was quick to notice.
"You, young man, need rest," he said sternly, as Merlin tried and failed to stifle a yawn. "Sleep, and then we'll get some food into you," Gaius decided.
Arthur nodded. "Let me know what you need, Gaius, I'll have it brought from the kitchens, no matter the hour. I'll cook it myself if the staff are sleeping," he added. He looked down at Merlin. "Think you'll be up for some mutton chops? Or maybe just some bread," he amended hastily, when the boy's face turned green.
"Bread," Gaius confirmed. "Perhaps some vegetable broth. We'll take it slow," he promised the still whey- faced Merlin. Merlin nodded weakly. His eyes drooped, and he yawned five times in a row.
"Sleep!" ordered Arthur, sitting down next to Gwaine. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gaius open his mouth, no doubt to protest their blatant disregard for the one visitor rule he'd imposed, then close it quickly with a smile.
Merlin meanwhile, was nodding off. Gwaine scooted closer to the bed, and ruffled his hair. "Wake up soon," he whispered, "or I'll yell in your ear again."
Merlin smiled sleepily, then closed his eyes. His breathing grew soft and slow.
"Sleep well, Merlin," Arthur murmured into the sleeping boy's ear, ignoring Gwaine's smirk. He looked at Gaius. "Well?"
Gaius smiled broadly. "I think we can safely say that we've turned a corner."