I'm almost there, almost there... I desperately wanted to post something already to let you all know that. Yes. I am feeling better now! :) Thank you all for your kind words and tips! They helped more then you can imagine. Let's resume this little story~
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They both picked their heads up at the sound.
"Merlin?" Gaius was next to him in an instant, but his ward only seemed to be conscious as far as few pained moans went, however when the physician put his hand on Merlin's shoulder, he startled awake with a flinch.
"Uhh..! Nh..o.." He started to pull away.
"Merlin, it's me, Gaius." The old man said looking at the confused young man as he opened his eyes and looked around frantically; frightened, obviously having a hard time figuring out where he is, and why he is in such discomfort.
"No, Merlin.. you should lie down.." Gaius put some pressure on his shoulder to keep him down when he tried to get up, saddened by the realization of just how easily he managed to push him back, given Merlin's weakened state. But that changed, once the servant focused his eyes on his guardian, then his glance slipped over the elderly man's shoulder and spotted the king standing a few feet away from him; and Merlin eyes widened in panic.
He drew a breath in such a rush it seemed he will choke on it; and he was unable to take his eyes off the man that had tortured him, while he tried to back away as much as he could.
Uther was lost as to what to say, he didn't know what would be appropriate in such a situation, he couldn't very well apologize to a servant. The idea didn't even cross his mind, yet the boy seemed honest and he was the ward of his old friend, after all. He held his gloved hand out, trying to motion he means no harm, but his son's manservant was like a startled animal gone mad with fear.
"NH… OOO!...!" He pleaded with a hoarse voice as he twitched and jerked and shook and fought against the old physician's grasp and nearly pushed himself off the table; shoving off the potion bottles that were set next to his arm, and the vials toppled and fell to the ground, breaking and spilling the medicine. Gaius kept calling out to him and had to get a good grip of his ward to keep him still, knowing all too well even his hands were causing him pain.
„It's alright. No harm will come to you." Uther attempted, still holding his hand up, but his words didn't have much effect - if not startling the boy even more.
"I don't know! …Please!... Pl..ease… I don't.. I.." he fell back to the table his voice trailing off to whimper continuously repeating those words. „I don't.. I don't.. I don't.." Once again tears in his eyes he still looked at the king with dread and pleading, but what little strength he had, had already left him; and just lay there bloodied; naked and exposed; trembling in his every cell, horrified of what might come from the man in front of him.
"Calm down, Merlin! Be still.." The warlock might not have heard Gaius's words over his consuming fear, but exhaustion made him obey nonetheless.
"Excuse me, Sire, I need to tend to my patient." Gaius said sparing only a glance at the king and Uther knew well he was being dismissed by the elderly man.
"Should you see my son, tell him I'd wish to speak to him." Uther said then turned and left in a hurry. He had a strange feeling Arthur will sooner show up at the physician's chamber than at his own.