Summary: "'Camelot's enemies don't rest, Gaius.'" Gaius convinces Merlin to take a break from watching over the safety of Prince Arthur. Short one-shot. Set in the first two seasons.
Prompt: "What doesn't kill you might make you stronger, but it also tried to kill you, so you're allowed to take a rest after that."
Even Camelot's Greatest Defender Needs Rest
Merlin returned to the physician's chambers at the end of a long day, wiping at his sweating brow and brushing aside his sticky black hair as it tried to cling to his damp forehead. He strode past Gaius and climbed the stairs to his little room. He flung himself onto the bed and let out an exhausted sigh of relief as he closed his eyes. Finally.
"Merlin!" The court physician called, clearly baffled by his behavior.
The warlock groaned, but remained still.
He could hear the aged man climb the stairs up to the open door of the small room, could practically sense his presence in the doorway behind him.
"What was it this time, Merlin?"
"Angry sorcerer." He mumbled, an enraged face flashing across his vision.
"You should rest, my boy." Gaius advised.
"Trying."
"I meant tomorrow. Ask Prince Arthur for the day off."
"Camelot's enemies don't rest, Gaius. Or take days off." Merlin pointed out, opening his eyes and sitting up to face his guardian. "I need to keep an eye out for anything that might try to kill Arthur. Or me."
"What doesn't kill you might make you stronger, Merlin, but it also tried to kill you." The court physician argued. "You're allowed to get some rest. I'll simply tell Arthur that you're not feeling well."
The young warlock didn't have the energy to protest, so he nodded and flopped back down to his bed. "I'd like that."