Epilogue

It had been a week since they had arrived back in Camelot, but no-one quite knew the full extent of what had happened while they were away. If Merlin was earlier to serving in the mornings because he couldn't sleep, no-one said anything. If Arthur spent more time amongst his friends, no one said anything. If Gwaine got off training because of an apparent "hand wound" then- yes, a lot of fuss was made because it was only a thorn from a bloody rose.

"Come on Gwaine- can't have you missing practice because you want to go bunk off with Merlin."

"This could be a fatal wound I'll have you know!"

"What- a splinter from a flower?"

"Oh come on; it was more like a dagger with the size of those thorns!"

"Whatever you say Gwaine, but Merlin needs to rest up and I'm sure he'd rather not have you bugging him." Arthur concluded leaving a grumbling Gwaine to his armour. Naturally, he still went back to the physician's chambers with a sack of apples to last the afternoon.

The man had affected Merlin slightly more than he would've liked. Seeing as he'd just about got himself back on top after the whole dragon thing, to then go through that hadn't been the best of things; but then again, he thought about how lucky he was to have great friends. Gwaine, of course, had been keeping everyone's spirits up, even if that did mean a surprise trip to the tavern! Leon managed to file the report on what had happened meaning that, naturally, no one would be able to find it through his complicated sorting system. Even Arthur had supported Merlin in various ways since they returned, this event had impacted them both, but had made them stronger as well. Merlin was glad for that, whether it was an increase in jokes or a reassuring pat on the back; it had all helped, even that hug from the second day of their return. Smiling at these thoughts, Merlin got back to reading his book. Having some time off to recover had been great so far, and Merlin intended to make it last as long as he

"MERLIN!" Looked like he'd have to push all other plans aside- Arthur was calling.

What they didn't know was their time with Eernseth wasn't over. He wasn't finished with a single one of them.