Gwen gently rolled over the flower in her hands, getting a good look of the stem. She contemplated trimming it a little shorter to better match the vase, but stuck with her original decision to have them tall. As she was reaching to place it with the others Gaius came marching through the open door.
"Have you seen Merlin?" He asked without hesitation.
The serving girl was taken aback.
"Not since yesterday." She answered. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm not sure" the physician said through pursed lips. "Merlin didn't come home last night."
Gwen finished placing the flowers in the pot, eyes only temporarily off Gaius. This was just as much her mystery to solve as it was his. Merlin may be the physician's ward but to Gwen he was a dear friend. After a few moments of nothing but staring at each other Gwen finally spoke again.
"I haven't seen Morgana since last night either.. You don't think?..." She trailed off.
The physician shook his head before thanking her for the information and leaving. He passed Arthur's chambers on the way back to his own from Morgana's and paused. Carefully he knocked lightly on the door. No response. Gaius checked for any guards, and when none were in sight he pressed the door open, and peered into the empty room. There was no one. But Gaius noted the half eaten breakfast on the table and the clothes strewn across the floor. Merlin definitely hadn't been in.
Arthur sat at his father's side, not wanting to look anywhere other than his troubled father's face. He thought about all the times he had been in pain, on his death bed and how his father must have felt the same. He would live them all again to see his father well. He would fight a thousand battles. He would even consult sorcerers against his father's wishes if he thought that would help. Arthur shook the thought from his mind. It was proof enough to him that he was not yet fit to lead. What kind of king would go back on the laws of the land to suit himself while punishing others harshly for their own desire to better their lives. Despite not wanting to appear weak, he wished someone were there to comfort him. Merlin had not woken him up, he had yet to see Morgana or Gwen, and Gaius was doing his rounds. Leaving him only with knights that will look to him for guidance. He did not want to be anyone's counsel today, he wanted the comforting words of friends.
"I need him." He told himself.
Looking toward the sky he said it again. If their were gods, he didn't care who they were, not so long as they answered his prayer.
AN: Going to work on updating twice a week, but that may be difficult with my work schedule. At least I don't have AO3 level problems XD
hope y'all enjoy ~~ Myrien
