Hi everyone! Sorry for disappearing. School became a lot more technical and group projects more demanding towards the end. But I am back now. At work, but hopefully with a more/less stable schedule for a few weeks. Feel free to leave your comments!

Arthur was woken once more in the night by Merlin stirring in a nightmare. Not knowing what else to do, he settled for stroking Merlin's face and hair until he settled. The next time he woke up, it was to see Iseldir smoothing ointment over Merlin's feet. Arthur could feel the heat rising from Merlin even without touching him. The worried look from Iseldir was enough to clear away the remnants of sleep.

They rushed to prepare Merlin for the journey. Arthur would ride ahead to meet with his knights. Iseldir would take Merlin and meet him in Gaius' chambers. It was past nightfall when Arthur's party arrived, having stopped to hunt and justify the trip. Leaving his horse in Leon's care, Arthur quickly mumbled his excuses and headed towards Gaius' chambers.

Iseldir was there already. Muttering a hushed admonition, Gaius quickly closed the door behind him while Arthur checked on Merlin. Though his face was still flushed, his fever seemed lower. Looking around, Arthur noted that there were several books strewn about the room.

"Has he woken at all today?"

"Just a few times but he didn't seem aware. I gave him some water. He couldn't drink very much."

"Did you find the spell?"

"Yes. We'll need your help. Iseldir will incant while I force the collar off. I'll have to stretch it off him. Arthur, you may need to hold him down. The collar may react to the magic forcing it off."

Of all the questions running through his head, the one that made it out Arthur's mouth was, "You're going to make metal stretch?"

"Yes, unlike other collars which clasp or lock mechanically, this collar is spelled to fit its captive. Most likely, the boy has worn it for a while now, and it has simply accommodated his growth."

"Are you ready?" Iseldir said. He stood to one side of the table. Arthur held up Merlin.

"The incantation will call to his magic to help us which may cause him pain. Try to keep him as calm as you can."

"Right."

With a glance at each other, Gaius and Iseldir joined their hands over Merlin and began to chant. Merlin's eyes snapped open and Arthur saw his eyes glow in time with the chant. As soon as Gaius began to pull the collar, Merlin began to buck and cry out in pain. Arthur held him as still as possible and spoke in his ear. Still, the harder Gaius pulled, and the louder Iseldir chanted, the more desperately Merlin struggled. Just as Merlin began to choke on his cries, the collar stretched wide in Gaius's hands and he pulled it over Merlin's head. Arthur had expected Merlin to calm with the collar off, but instead he lost consciousness and his body bucked harder. As Iseldir concluded the spell, Merlin's body began to glow and Arthur could see thin glowing strands hovering all around him.

"What are those?" he said, pointing to the strands. He noticed some connecting himself to Merlin.

"Magic. We're seeing the flow being restored."

"These are connected to me…"

"Yes, what you are seeing are the connections. His magic is trying to trying to contain the flow in and out of his body. I would guess he hasn't been released from the collar for some time."

Little by little, Merlin's body calmed and the glow faded. When the glow faded completely, Arthur noted that Merlin looked better somehow, as if there was more substance to him. Beyond that though, he still looked as frail as before.

"Is it over?"

"Yes, now we need to see to –" Gaius was cut off by the sound of heavy footsteps in the corridor. Uther's voice could be heard through the door.

"Quick!" whispered Gaius. Handing the collar to Iseldir, he gestured him to the back room. With a flash of Iseldir's eyes, the books flew into the room after him and the door shut.

The door swung open. "Arthur, I heard you were here. What happened?" Uther stopped in the doorway.

Arthur strode over. "I'm fine, father. I merely came to ensure the boy was alright."

"Boy? What boy? Gaius?"

Gaius spoke up. "Yes, sire. Arthur directed one of the townsmen to bring this boy to me. I was just getting ready to treat him."

"What is the meaning of this, Arthur?"

Arthur knew the only way to head off Uther's suspicions, "He was being hunted by Cenred's men. I came across them while hunting. They were tormenting him. When I saw their colors, I challenged them. They were well within our boundaries, Sire."

"Men from Cenred's kingdom. You are sure of this, Arthur?"

"Yes, Sire. They were soldiers, bearing his crest. I have a cutout in my pack."

"You killed them?"

"Yes, all but one. He killed himself."

Uther raised an eyebrow at that. "What did they want with the boy?"

"They were sent to retrieve him. It appears he was, I mean, he is… a…" Here, Arthur hesitated. How could he explain what Merlin appeared to have suffered?

"If I may, Sire." Gaius moved to the table where Merlin was laid. Uther stepped closer. Gaius uncovered Merlin and lifted the shirt covering him.

Arthur was sure he'd never seen such surprise on his father's face. "He was a pleasure slave? He's so young!"

"Yes, Sire. I estimate him to be no older than seven years of age."

"Seven years? Why, I remember Arthur was twice this size at seven."

Arthur startled to hear his father's tone of voice. He rarely spoke of Arthur's childhood, and only with such tenderness when heavily drinking.

"Will you be able to help him?"

"I believe so, Sire. Arthur's help is much appreciated."

"Yes, well, Arthur, I will expect a full report in the morning. I don't care what they were after, Cenred should know better than to intrude on our lands without permission."

"Of course, father. Right after morning training."

"Very well. Good night." With that, Uther swept out the door.

They waited until his footsteps sounded in the courtyard before moving. Arthur found himself feeling very tired all of a sudden. He sat on a stool near Merlin's table. Iseldir made his way back into the room. Gaius appeared to be making a mental tally of Merlin's wounds. "We have a lot of work to do."

Iseldir laid a hand on his shoulder. "I can help alleviate some of that." He stepped up to the table, and laying his hands on Merlin's head and heart, began to say a spell. The candles had burned half their length by the time Iseldir finally stopped. He swayed on his feet. Arthur guided him to the stool. Joining Gaius at the table, Arthur felt disappointed.

Sensing his dismay, Gaius spoke up. "Your father has seen him, Arthur. We cannot completely heal him, but Iseldir has helped immensely."

"What did he do?"

"I completely healed the intimate wounds. I would not wish for any child to suffer such damage and the subsequent healing." Iseldir said from where he leaned heavily on the table.

"He also healed the largest of the wounds to much smaller sizes, including the one on his shoulder."

"Just enough that they are clear of infection and are easily stitched closed."

"I thought I heard a spell for broken bones?"

"Yes, I reset them and bound them in place with magic. It will be less painful for him that way, and they will be held together until the bones are completely healed. You'll have to bind them to avoid suspicion."

"Of course."

Arthur cleared his throat. "I apologize, Iseldir. I could not see all that you had done."

Iseldir smiled tiredly at him. "Gaius, perhaps I could stay the night. This day has been quite exciting."

"Of course. The back room is yours. Arthur and I will finish up here."

Noticing Iseldir's weakness, Arthur looped an arm around him and helped him up the stairs. "Thank you, Arthur."

"Right, Arthur. I'll make a list of things for you to mix."

Rolling up his sleeves, Arthur braced himself for a long night.