I was bored, so here's another chapter :)

Merlin looked down and realized Arthur was listening intently. "The weapons of the knights were useless against the dragon's power, so the kingdom had to search for help from a man who was known as the last dragonlord, a man who could speak to dragons. The prince and his trusty manservant ventured into enemy territory in search of this man who might be able to save the kingdom. But… but the manservant knew things that the prince didn't. You see, the manservant had made a terrible mistake. Not that he'd had any choice in the matter, but it was a mistake nontheless. And there was another secret, one that had him nearly bursting at the seams with uncertainties, one that he desprately wanted to share with the prince, because they both knew that in another life, they'd be best friends. In fact, they already were, in every unofficial way."

He paused a moment, looking to Arthur who was becoming increasingly interested. The man had known that his servant was hiding something during that trip, but he'd never been able to figure out what.

"Anyway, they continued, and found the man called Balinor. Well, technically, the manservant found Balinor, as the prince had fallen unconsious because he's a dollophead who thinks he can use sheer willpower to conquer an infected wound. Balinor helped the prince recover, but when they stated their request, refused to offer his assitance." Merlin wanted to avoid mentioning Uther as much as possible, so skipped the reasoning behind Balinor's answer.

"So they left, but soon after, the dragonlord changed his mind and decided to join them. The prince and his manservant were relieved, and for one night, it seemed like everything would be okay. It was short lived, however, when they woke the next morning to an attack of enemy knights. The manservant would have lost his life then, but Balinor… jumped in front of the sword to protect him, sacrificing his own life for that of the manservant." And just like that, the lies began to unwravel. Merlin spoke faster, almost feverishly. "And I… the manservant held him and begged him to live, but Balinor knew it was his time, and told him that he believed in him, told him that he knew the manservant would make him proud, because they both knew something that they hadn't a couple of days before. Because laying there, dying, was a father. And the one holding him… was his son."

Arthur's eyes widened, and he shifted to sit up a bit more, disregarding the pain. "Merlin, I had no idea." But Merlin had gone quiet, and in the dim candlelight he made out the dark circles under his sunken eyes, and the tremor that had increased tenfold in the last few minutes. If Arthur couldn't see his dry cheeks, he'd have thought he was crying.

"I'm so sorry… and I'd told you that- Oh." Arthur realized the pain he'd caused Merlin during that time, telling him that he should not cry for any man, but he hadn't known that man had been his father. Merlin had both met and lost his father in less than 24 hours, and Arthur had been there, yet Merlin still faced it alone.

"I'm sorry, Merlin." It was all he could think to say. Merlin should be angry, he should yell at Arthur for being so heartless, but he wasn't. At least, it didn't seem like it. He sighed, a sad smile gracing his lips.

"What for? It wasn't your fault." When Arthur couldn't find any more words, Merlin stood. "You should rest, Sire." Merlin saw the fear beginning to manifest in his prince's eyes.

"M-Merlin,"

"Don't worry," he said, dragging his chair over to the window where he could look out at the sky, "I've no intention of leaving you." And with that, he planted himself in his seat, reflecting silently on what he'd revealed to Arthur. It wasn't everything, but it was a start, and a rather decent start at that.

The prince watched his manservant for a few minutes before sleep claimed him.

oooOOOoooOOOooo

He woke the next morning to Gaius's voice. "Merlin?! Merlin!" Arthur sat up at the commotion and saw Merlin huddled in the corner, eyes glazed over and looking as if he was running scared. He struggled weakly against Gaius, who after taking hold of his flailing wrists, put the back of his hand to his head worriedly. He then took Merlin's hand and pinched the dry skin, watching as it slowly returned to its place.

"Oh, for God's sake, Merlin!" He reached for the goblet on the table and filled it with water from the pitcher, holding it to the boy's lips. He drank it, and Gaius repeated the process two more times.

"What's happening to him, Gaius?!" That was the first time the old man had noticed Arthur.

"He's severly dehydrated, and it would seem he'd reached the stage of delusions. I fear he hasn't been taking very good care of himself."

Leaving Merlin for a moment, the physician filled the goblet again then rushed to his bag and removed a couple of herbs he had already grinded, stirring them into the goblet. With an added scoop of honey, he carried it to Merlin and made him drink it, and once it was completely finished, he helped him to his chair.

In the morning light, Arthur realized how frail and weak Merlin looked. He was much thinner than Arthur remembered, when had that happened? It seemed like he might just be blown away by the autumn breeze if someone so much as opened a window. Surely it couldn't have all been in the couple of days he'd been laid up, so how could he have missed it? He'd been caught up with his father's punishments, he'd paid no mind to Merlin during the whole ordeal.

"Will he be okay?"

"I believe so. He just needs to rest."

" 'm fine," Merlin mumbled.

"Merlin, don't be ridiculous. You can hardly speak!" Arthur protested.

"He's right, my boy."

The manservant looked Gaius in the eyes and spoke with a respectful defiance. "I won't leave him."

Gaius understood, of course. If there was anyone who could truly protect Arthur from his father, it was Merlin. Still, he couldn't allow the boy to continue in this manner. "You will be of no use to anyone if you remain incapacitated. I'll stay with him. You know how to treat yourself, but I swear, if you cut corners, so help me I'll-"

"Okay, Gaius." It was surprising to actually win an argument with Merlin, but it was obvious that he was out of strength to protest. He went to the door and asked the nearest guard to send for Gwen, who would be able to help him down to the physician's chambers and to assure his ward got what he needed.

REEEVIEEEW!