It is near enough midnight when the rhythmic clatter of hoof beats finally sounds on the cobblestoned courtyard. King Uther hurries out to greet his son, but stops dead when he sees a second figure in the saddle. A thin, pale figure with long, wild, black curls. Arthur skilfully swings himself down from the saddle, and lifts Morgana's unconscious frame into his arms.
He's alarmed by how little she weighs.
"Morgana..." Uther breathes, scarcely able to believe the evidence of his own eyes.
"Guard!" He suddenly snaps to his senses, and summons one of the soldiers on duty to assist. "Go on ahead and wake the court physician," he orders. The guard hurries away to do as he is bid, and Arthur follows him, though by now he knows his way to Gaius's chambers. He has spent enough hours in there with broken and bandaged limbs after falling off horses or particularly vicious play fights.
When he reaches the familiar oak door, he finds Gaius already awaiting him. The guard, it seems, has already gone back to his night duty, for the physician is alone.
"Lay her on the table, if you would, Arthur," Gaius says, politely enough, but Arthur can hear the strain in his voice.
Arthur follows his instructions quickly, and then leaves, knowing that Gaius prefers to work alone. Anyway, he knows he must report to his father.
A/N: This is the penultimate chapter, so thanks for sticking with this story until now
K