This last week as sucked. On about Wednesday or Thursday, these mysterious marks appeared on my neck. I figured they were bug bites of some sort: spiders, ant, bed bugs. So I was just waiting for them to go away on their own. But they have been getting worse, they're itchy and my skin feels like it's burning and the side of my throat is swollen. At a doctors appointment today (for something unrelated) I was informed I have shingles.
I am fucking miserable right now. :(
The ride back to Camelot took two days.
Two long days for Arthur.
Col was driving him crazy. He could not figure out the mystery that was the raven haired, sapphire eyed boy.
Arthur was cautious around Col, talking to him gently, never moving too fast so as not to startle him. He checked the burns from the fire every morning and night. They were making him a bit concerned, and he was anxious for Gaius to take a look at them. He had Col sleeping on his cloak, pulling the edges around the boy to cover him once he fell asleep.
He was hoping that the boy would warm up to him once he realized Arthur was not a threat. But Col seemed to be getting more nervous, his face always clouded with fear. He watched Arthur like a hawk, scooting away anytime Arthur got too close. Arthur felt guilty every time he made the boy get on the horse, Col's breathing quickening to the point it made Arthur scared for him
"Camelot!" called one of the Knights.
Arthur left his thoughts, glancing up to see the majestic castle rising above the trees, the setting sun lighting it up from behind. He smiled, warmth flooding his being at the sight of his home.
Col was also looking up at the castle, but sitting behind him, Arthur could not see what sort of expression was on his face.
"We're home, Col," said Arthur happily, patting Col's stomach with the hand that was wrapped around him.
He got no response.
He hadn't really been expecting one.
They rode through the lower town, people talking and pointing excitedly. Word had reached the castle by the time they entered the courtyard. King Uther and the Lady Morgana stood on stairs to the castle, watching the Knights ride up. The King's usually impassive mask flickered a bit as the noticed the boy sitting in front of his son.
Arthur dismounted his horse, pulling Col down and handing the horse off to a stable hand.
The Prince strode toward the King, hearing Col settle into step behind him.
"Father," he greeted with a slight bow.
"What have you to report?" asked Uther.
"The bandits have been taken care of," replied Arthur.
A smug look crossed Uther's face. "Very good." He nodded to the Knights, watching as they dispersed. The King eyed the boy currently trying to meld into Arthur's back. "Who is this?" asked Uther, distaste clear in his voice.
Arthur cleared his throat nervously. "Father, this is Col. He, uh…" Arthur paused, searching for a good way to explain this.
Uther raised a brow. "Yes?"
Arthur swallowed, steeling his nerve. "We came across a man in the forest who we stopped to ask for information regarding the bandits." Arthur took a deep breath before continuing on. "He had bought Col a year ago. He had him chained to a tree, and he was starving him, and beating him. I couldn't leave him there."
"So you just decided to take him from him?" hissed Uther.
Arthur sputtered, stomach dropping. He hadn't even considered just taking the boy away.
This next part was not going to go well.
"I bought him," he replied quietly.
Rage flared in the King's eyes. "You what?" he thundered.
Col pressed up so tightly against Arthur's back it was actually painful. A silence fell over the courtyard as it's occupants turned to look at the King.
"Council chambers. Now," barked Uther, turning and storming back into the catle.
Arthur sighed, untangling himself from Col's clutch and heading up the stairs, pushing past Morgana. He could hear Col trailing behind him.
Arthur stood tall and strode into the Council Hall. "Father," he began.
"How dare you?" thundered Uther.
Arthur opened his mouth to retort, but the King's gaze was not focused on him. It was fixed behind him.
Arthur turned to find Col, trembling from head to foot, fearful eyes focused on the King. Arthur swore under his breath. He had forgotten to tell Col to wait outside the doors for him.
He backed up to Col, standing in front of him. "Father, please, it's my fault. He doesn't know. I forgot to tell him to wait outside-"
"Arthur, what the hell is going on?" roared Uther.
Arthur could feel Col crouch down, grasping the legs of his trousers and burying his face in the back of Arthur's knees. "I couldn't leave him there, Father. He would have died. I had to save him. Surely you understand," pleaded Arthur.
"You bought a slave," growled Uther. "Do you realize how this looks? The Prince of Camelot buying someone? What are you planning to do with him?"
"Well, I… I hadn't really thought about it," answered Arthur truthfully. "I just wanted to help him. Get him fed and clothed. I feel like it's my duty to take care of him.
"Damn it, Arthur, he's not a pet."
"I know that," snapped Arthur. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Please, Father, just let me help him."
"No," said Uther forcefully. "You will take him to Gaius. He can care for him and find a place for him once he is well."
"Father," whined Arthur.
"Now," replied Uther, his voice eerily calm.
Arthur stared at him sadly, bowing his head slightly. "Yes, Sire." Arthur freed himself from Col's clutches, yanking him up. "Come on." He pulled him from the Hall, wearily making his way to the Physician's quarters.
The servants gave him and Col curious looks as they passed. Arthur ignore them, staring straight ahead. He clutched Col's sleeve, dragging him along. In his anger, he temporarily forgot about Col's injured foot, and his pace made it hard for the boy to keep up. He stumbled occasionally, but Arthur didn't pause until they were standing outside Gaius' door.
Arthur knocked before pushing it open. Gaius looked up from his work bench as Arthur stepped in.
"Prince Arthur," greeted Gaius with a smile. "What can I do for you?"
Arthur reached behind himself, pulling the boy forward. "I would like you to meet Col," he said.
Gaius dropped the vial he was holding, staring at the boy's face. Col eyed him nervously, taking a small step closer to Arthur as Gaius walked forward. His eyes were searching the boy's face, his mouth hanging open slightly.
"Is something wrong, Gaius?" asked Arthur, unconsciously taking a step to place himself partly in front of Col.
Gaius shook his head slightly, still staring at the boy. "Nothing." He coughed, looking to Arthur. "Sorry, Sire. He just reminds me of someone I used to know," he explained, glancing at Col again.
Arthur's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't press for an explanation.
"Where are my manners?" Gaius suddenly exclaimed. "It's very nice to meet you, Col. From where do you hail?"
Col buried his face into Arthur's shoulder.
"Sorry, Gaius," explained Arthur, "forgot to mention, Col doesn't talk."
Gaius turned to him, his eyes full of curiosity.
Arthur sighed. "He was a slave to a man we met in the woods. He was starving him and beating him. Col has terrible sunburns, because the man didn't have him clothed. I had to help him," he said, his tone making it clear he was desperate for someone to understand.
Gaius nodded, not questioning his reasons. "If he doesn't speak, how do you know his name?" he asked.
Arthur smile slightly. "I gave him the name."
Gaius also smiled. "Well, what can I do for the two of you?"
Arthur swallowed nervously. "Um, Col accidently burned his foot and leg," started Arthur. "He has the sunburn, and some cuts that seemed minor, but I didn't really check them out."
"Bring him over here," said Gaius, walking over and clearing the cot that sat in the room.
Arthur led Col over, gently pushing him to sit.
"Let me see the sunburn," requested Gaius.
Arthur grasped the bottom of the tunic Col had on, pulling it off over his head. The boy began to shake, his shoulders hunched slightly. Arthur also untied the neckerchief, sighing sadly as the leather collar came into view.
Gaius leaned down to look. Arthur was grateful that he didn't reach out and touch the boy. "Have you been using the salve I sent?" he asked.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, twice a day."
"Very good. I can see it is already beginning to help. Where is the other burn?"
Arthur crouched, rolling up Col's left pant leg. He unraveled the make-shift bandage.
Gaius crouched down beside him, peering at the boy's leg. "This is not good," he muttered, leaning in closer and gingerly touch the burn. Arthur saw Col flinch. "This is infected."
Arthur sighed, running a hand over his face. "I tried to treat it with the salve too, but it didn't seem to be working."
Gaius nodded, straightening back up. "The salve is not strong enough for that wound. Fortunately, I have a paste I can make that should help to rid him of the infection." He walked to his work bench and combined the ingredients he needed before adding water.
Arthur gently patted Col's arm and stood, walking over to Gaius. "There's something else," he told Gaius in a quiet voice. "My Father won't let me continue to care for Col. He has told me to leave him in your care until he is better, and then that you should find him somewhere to stay afterwards."
Gaius sadly glanced at Arthur. "Alright, Sire," he replied, picking up the bowl of paste. Arthur watched as he crouched in front of Co and gently began to apply the paste to his leg. Col kept his eyes glued to the old man, his breath quickening.
Arthur slowly made his way to the door, cursing his Father in his head. What harm would it do to let the boy stay with him? He felt like he was destined to help the boy. It was killing him to walk away.
A blood chilling wail rang through the room, accompanied by the shattering of glass.
Because I'm a bitch when I'm crabby, and crabby when I am in pain, I decided to end it with a cliffhanger. Good reviews are like medicine. They make me feel better. :)