Arthur woke yet again to see the green canopy of leaves above him as the morning sun streamed onto them in refreshing beams of light. He moaned and stretched, missing his comfy bed back in the castle. He sat up slowly, unconsciously brushing the mud from his back, the thin blanket falling from his shoulders.
Five of the knights were conversing as they took bites from their bread and cheese. He looked around for Merlin and saw him sitting with his back against the tree, Sir Leon next to him. Merlin was nursing a chunk of bread in his hands, his hair sticking up in various angles and, Arthur noticed with a wrench of his stomach, his eyes staring vacantly at nothing in particular. His pale face looked…well…frightened was the best word for it, Arthur supposed.
"Ah, Sire, you're awake." Commented one of the knights. Merlin's head snapped up.
"Arthur?" His voice was small and quiet, unlike his normal loud, idiotic self. Arthur moved over to Merlin.
"Any difference?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
Merlin shook his head jerkily as Sir Leon replied, "I'm afraid not Sire." Arthur sighed and leant against the tree next to Merlin.
"How's your neck?" Asked Arthur, gesturing to the spidery burn across his servant's neck and cheek.
"Sore…why? What does it look like?" Merlin's hand flew to his neck. Arthur realised no one had told him about the burn, he gave Sir Leon a look.
"Sorry, I…I forgot he didn't know." Mumbled Sir Leon.
"You have a burn reaching from your shoulder and stopping on your cheek. It looks pretty nasty, but hopefully Gaius can help in some way to stop it scarring too badly." Arthur kept his tone calm.
"Oh…" Merlin said, swallowing a lump in his throat.
"Sire, we should leave soon." Informed Sir Kay to Arthur, starting to roll up the blankets.
"Right." Muttered Arthur. "Merlin. Do you think you can ride? I can tie your horse to mine."
Merlin nodded and Arthur made to turn away to help prepare the horses when Merlin called his name quietly.
"Arthur…"
"Merlin?"
"Will…will I be able to see again? Will the black go away?" Merlin was trying his hardest not to choke on his words, making his voice sound strained. Arthur placed a hand on Merlin's arm.
"I don't know Merlin. I don't know. Lets hope Gaius can help." He squeezed his servants arm gently then helped him to his feet. Merlin wobbled slightly and flung his hands out to find something to help balance him. His hands met Arthur's sleeve and he clung to it until he felt steady enough to let go.
"Sire, are you ready to go?" The knights were all sitting astride their horses, waiting for the Prince and his manservant.
"Come on Merlin." Arthur led him over to his horse. The reins had been tied to the saddle of Arthur's horse, so Merlin, who had climbed up with the help of Arthur, clung to the horse with his arms around its neck.
Arthur climbed onto his own horse and led the others back to Camelot, regularly glancing back at Merlin with worry showing on his brow.
Merlin was trying hard not to show it, but he was scared. No matter how wide he opened his eyes all he could see was black. A never ending blackness that surrounded him.
He could hear the clip clop of the horses' hooves and the wind rustling in the trees. He could smell the musky scent of the trees and mud and feel the fresh air blowing gently in his face. But his eyes were rendered useless. He felt a prickling in his eyes and soon hot tears were slowly dripping down his face. He wanted to wipe them away, but he was too scared to let go of the horse, so he let them fall silently, praying that Arthur would not see.
The small group approached the castle and the guards came to greet them. Arthur jumped down from his horse the instant it stopped and hurried to help Merlin. The guards stared, extremely confused, as they watched their prince help his manservant down from his horse, not letting go of him when he was safely on the ground. Arthur turned to the knights, expressed his gratitude, and then led Merlin away to find Gaius.
"Are we going to Gaius?"
"Yes Merlin." Replied Arthur. "He'll be able to patch you up." Merlin nodded, unconvinced, but grateful for Arthur's attempt at reassurance. Arthur kept a gentle grip on Merlin's thin arm as he guided him through the halls. They had nearly reached Gaius' chambers when they bumped into Gwen.
"Oh, my apologies Sire." Gwen bowed her head slightly, but smiling as she looked up at the Prince.
"Guinevere." Said Arthur, happily surprised. Gwen was about to respond when she noticed Merlin.
"Goodness Merlin, are you alright?" She moved to touch his arm, but he flinched back in obvious panic, backing up against the wall. Eyes frantic, but never actually looking at her.
"It's okay Merlin, calm down." Arthur moved the hand on Merlin's arm to his shoulder. "It's just Gwen." Merlin's breathing slowed and he nodded, feeling slightly silly for his overreaction.
"Are-are you okay?" Asked Gwen with worry.
"We had a bit of trouble in the forest." Arthur explained. "I'm just taking Merlin to Gaius."
"I'll come with you." Her duties were unimportant if her friend was injured. Together, the three of them made their way to Gaius' chambers.
Gaius was sitting at his bench, reading through a book on herbs and their healing properties when they burst through. Gaius, slightly startled, looked over at the trio.
"Gaius." Started Arthur. "Merlin's injured." He did not elaborate but took Merlin by the arm over to Gaius, who stood to inspect the boy.
"Merlin. Are you alright? What happened to your neck?" Gaius questioned, leaning in to examine Merlin's neck and face.
"Fire…" Muttered Merlin. Gaius noticed something seriously wrong with Merlin. His head was turning slightly from side to side and his gaze was unfocused.
"Merlin." Said Gaius. "Tell me what happened."
"There was fire…my eyes…" Merlin's sentences were disjointed and made little sense to Gaius.
"We were in the forest, hunting down the sorcerer." Arthur took over and Gaius and Gwen listened with rapt attention. "We stumbled across this stone building which I investigated with the help of a few of my knights, leaving one other knight and Merlin outside to keep watch. Suddenly, and I don't know how Gaius, but the house suddenly caught fire." Gaius raised an eyebrow and Gwen gasped. "And Merlin, being the idiot he is, ran in to save me. Not that I needed saving." He added hastily on the end, glancing at Gwen. "Anyway, the building collapsed, knocking Merlin out and when he woke up he…he couldn't…see…" Finished Arthur messily. Merlin noticed vaguely that Arthur had left out the bit when he had passed out himself.
"Oh Merlin…" Breathed Gwen.
"What?" said Gaius sharply, turning back to Merlin, peering into his eyes. "Merlin? Can you see me?"
Merlin, feeling awkward and shaky, shook his head. "It's just…black…"
Gaius led Merlin over to a chair and immediately started on a paste to help with the burn on his neck and face. Gwen offered to help and Gaius asked her to bring him some fresh water. The Prince stood and watched Gaius gently spread the thick paste on the red burn, Merlin only wincing slightly.
"I must go and inform my father that I have returned. If you'll excuse me." He turned to leave the room.
"Thank you Arthur." Came the quiet voice of Merlin.
"No problem. Just don't expect this special treatment every day." Arthur saw Merlin's weak smile before he walked out the door to locate his father.
He had meant it as a light joke, to lighten the moment, but it lead him to wonder what he was going to do if Gaius could not restore Merlin's sight. Would he need to get a new manservant? He didn't want to admit it, but if that happened, he would miss Merlin. He would miss his sarcastic responses and his clumsy manners. Arthur frowned and shook his head. He was thinking like Merlin had died. He could still talk to Merlin if he was no longer his manservant…right?
Arthur found his father, pouring over a pile of parchment, a quill in his hand, in the Great Hall. He was sat at the end of the long table and looked up with delight when he saw Arthur approaching him.
"Arthur." He smiled.
"Father." Arthur nodded with respect, knowing his father wouldn't be smiling when he told him the news.
"You've killed the sorcerer I presume?"
"Erm. No."
"Ah, so you've captured him? Is he in the dungeons?"
"No." Arthur steeled himself.
Uther's smile faded and his face scrunched up into a frown. "What do you mean, Arthur?"
"We didn't find the sorcerer."
"Why did you come back if you did not catch him?" Growled Uther, loosing his patience.
"There was an…incident…and Merlin…he was injured so we came back to Camelot so Gaius could treat him." Explained Arthur.
"Why did you not send him back with one of the knights and continue your search?" Uther looked at his son in genuine confusion.
"I…I wanted to make sure he was alright."
"You don't trust your knights?"
"Of course I do! I just wanted to bring him back myself."
"Arthur. This has happened before." Uther stood and walked slowly towards his son. "I have told you. He is just a servant. Easily replaceable and-listen to me Arthur!" For Arthur had rolled his eyes and made to turn away. "He is not your servant, not your friend Arthur." Uther was now shouting.
Arthur stared at his father then slowly shook his head, turning on his heel and storming from the hall. He made his way directly back to Gaius' chambers, walking briskly, his father's words echoing in his head. He is your servant, not your friend.
He burst into the physician's chambers without any warning, causing the three occupants to jump. Gaius was mixing up some kind of powder, while Gwen was sitting on a stool next to his servant, rubbing his arm soothingly. Merlin now had some kind of paste on his burn and a white bandage around his head, covering his eyes.
"How is he?" Asked Arthur, walking further into the room.
"I'm sitting right here." Said Merlin irritably. "I can still hear you, you know."
Gaius ignored him. "The paste should sooth the pain and hopefully heal the burn quicker. The bandage is because I spread an ointment on the other side that should reduce the stinging in his eyes. However I fear there is nothing I can do for his sight, I will continue looking of course…but it doesn't look good Sire."
Hello again! Firstly guys...WOW...seriously, the amount of reveiws I recieved...You guys are amazing...ACTUALLY AMAZING! I love each and every one of you! And also for all the people that favourited this story and put it on their alert thingy! Thank you guys!
Hopefully this chapter is not too much of a disappointment... I don't like it as much as the first one...I think...
ALSO uhm, I don't think this will be a slash...so sorry for you hardcore slash fans XD This is probably set sometime in the third series, I don't think Arthur would react the same if it was set like, in the first series... I just wanted them to have a strong friendship...
I'm not sure where this story is going yet...but I'm sure I'll think of something. ;)
Free homemade brownie for anyone who reviews!
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