Merlin was in a fog. That was the only way to describe himself right now: He knew what was going on around him but he seemed detached from it. Quickly though he managed to collect himself and re entered the world around him. "Are you alright Merlin?" Asked an obviously worried Gwen.
"Are you alright Merlin?" His mothers face swam into view. "Merlin...Merlin...MERLIN!" With a start, Merlin snapped his gaze to Arthur. Grinning slightly, Merlin slowly sat up. "Uh.." He broke off when he began to cough violently, his throat dry. Within seconds somebody was tilting a cup of water into his mouth. Percival. "Yeah, I'm.. I'm good." He admitted and, for once, he was not lying; he didn't hurt, he wasn't tired, he wasn't dying.
"What happened back their buddy?" Came Gwaine's lighthearted voice although years of learning how to read people informed Merlin that the drunkard was actually concerned. " I dunno," he began (he was sure he heard Arthur snort and then gasp when Gwen slapped his arm). "I wasn't feeling so good and then it suddenly got really warm and too much for me." He lied.
"I'm fine mother, he didn't hit me that hard." What was that? His thoughts were broken by Arthur clapping his arm and declaring "Well, seeing how generous I am (various snorts emerged) I will let you have the day off tomorrow but don't go swooning like a fainthearted lady again or else you'll be doing extra time." Merlin scowled then smiled and laughed slightly as Gaius forced them all to leave. Hurridly, he stood up and rushed to his room. Well at least he tried to.
"What do you think you are doing boy?" Came Gaius's stern voice.
"I have a job to do!" It seemed though, that Gaius was in a very stubborn mood.
"You just fainted boy and now you want to go gallivanting around the city! Codswallop! You will go to your room and you will sleep or Gods help you boy, powerful warlock or not, I will shove the most powerful sedative I have down that throat of yours!" Gaius voice became scary towards the end and despite all his training, Merlin couldn't help the look of fear that flashed across his face. Slowly, he backed away into his small room and carefully clicked the door shut. Laying on his bed, he closed his eyes in an effort to look asleep. Hours later, after being completely still and silent for what appeared to be years, Merlin heard the loud snores of his mentor in the main room. Smiling to himself, he crept out of his bed and away into the depths of the castle.
Percival knew something wasn't right. He also knew that everyone else had fallen for Merlin's lie about being sick but he hadn't. It was plainly obvious that Merlin wasn't ill and anyway, Percival knew that if he was, Merlin wouldn't have said. Looking out over the city, Percival gazed up at the moon and marvelled at its light. He always liked the night. Everything good that ever happened to him had happened at knight. His first kiss, his older sisters marriage, the first time he caught game. Looking closely though, Percival could make out a figure running on the rooftops and smiled softly. Raven. He, for one, did not believe that the man was guilty and knew that the accusation was ludicrous and for that reason, he didn't call the guards to ring the bell.
Ooh! Percival suspects! I have to say I didn't think Percival got enough love in Merlin. Anyway. Please tell me if you liked this chapter and what I could do to improve.