A quick (and short) update because I was on a long and boring job with no screen-sharing! Woot! I have more written but I didn't quite finish it and I don't want to rush. With any luck, I'll finish it on today's job!

Let me know what you think!

The next morning was grueling. It was all Arthur could do not to lag during training. His report to his father had been short and tense. He wouldn't admit it, but he had hoped for some praise for defending their lands. Instead he was forced to watch as Uther called in senior knights to form a special patrol before being dismissed.

It was past noon when Arthur finally made his way back to Gaius' chambers… with Morgana in tow. Uther had asked Arthur about Merlin's status during lunch and Morgana had immediately swooned, (yes, swooned, no matter what she said). Now she pestered Arthur for details, who was Merlin, where did he come from, how old was he, and on and on until Arthur finally tuned her out. Morgana poked Arthur in the back. "Gods, Morgana, I don't know! He was hardly awake. Now stop asking questions! You'll see him soon enough and then you can go all mother hen over him."

"Mother hen! Is it really so hard for you to comprehend compassion, Arthur? I hope you weren't such a troll when you rescued him!"

"I'm not a troll!"

Gwen followed quietly behind them, shaking her head at their antics.

Gaius was dozing over several parchments when they arrived. Arthur signaled Morgana to be quiet while they approached Merlin. "Gaius thought it would be better if we kept him asleep for a while." He gently placed his head on Merlin's forehead, pleased that the fever was still low. He looked up at Morgana… who was most definitely doe-eyed and obviously holding back a squeal. And Gwen was exactly the same behind her. Girls, he thought.

Then Morgana elbowed him. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Stop smirking at me. I am not a mother hen. He's just really little and looks so hurt!"

"Yes, well it did take us nearly the whole night to finish treating him. That's probably why Gaius fell asleep. He's getting a little old, you know." Arthur turned to look at Gaius and jumped, er… was taken aback, when he was met with a sullen stare.

"Old? Why don't we tell Morgana who it was that fell asleep while mixing potions and ended up face first in the bowl?"

Arthur shook his head even as he heard Morgana snort behind him. Trying to stand taller, he turned back to Merlin. "He doesn't look much better."

"It will take time, Arthur. For now, we must focus on breaking his fever."

Nodding, Arthur picked up the bowl and washcloth and sat near Merlin's cot. As he began sponging at Merlin's forehead, he looked up and spotted Morgana's smirk.

"What?"

"Nothing." Turning to Gaius, she asked, "How old do you think he is?"

"I estimate about seven years old."

"He looks so much younger than that. And to think that he already bears so many scars!"

"Yes, well it appears that the malnourishment and physical abuse began long ago, but the other abuse is relatively recent."

"How can you tell?" Arthur asked.

Gaius gently lifted one of Merlin's wrists and unwrapped the bandages. "Most of the wounds we treated last night are only a few days old, such as this one here." He gestured to the bright red rope burns. "However, I noticed a lot of scarring in the same areas. It's not easy to see, but as we cleaned him, it became more apparent." Arthur leaned closer and noted that there were faint silvery scars higher above on Merlin's wrist. Gaius caught his eye and said, "Those wounds were all recent and he bore no scars there."

Arthur nodded and felt mildly relieved at that revelation. He was glad that Iseldir had chosen to heal Merlin's hurt before returning to his camp. He wanted to ask more questions but recognized Gaius' attempt to shield the girls. Morgana scowled at both of them, unhappy at being left out of the conversation.

Gwen finally spoke up. "When do you think he'll wake up?"

"Not for a few days yet. I want to keep him asleep until his injuries stabilize. It gives us time to think about long term healing and finding a home for him."

Morgana looked upset. "What do you mean, a home? Obviously we can take him in. Uther can surely take on another ward!"

Gaius shook his head. "I've already spoken to him. He suggests we find a home for him with one of the townsfolk."

"Well, that's nonsense. He took me in. Why not Merlin?"

Arthur dipped the cloth in the bowl again. "It's different, Morgana. You are of noble birth and my father made a promise to your father."

"Merlin could be of noble birth."

"Unlikely. He was a slave."

"Being treated like one does not mean he was born as one. Arthur, I can't believe you're agreeing with him!"

"I- what? I haven't even spoken to him yet! How can I agree with him?"

"Yes, but you're not fighting for Merlin either!"

"I don't even know him!" Just because I rescued him and he's part of some prophecy doesn't mean I owe him anything. Does it?

"Ugh. You're such a troll! How can you bear to see all the effort you put into saving him be handed off without a care? You don't have to do everything Uther says Arthur. You are your own man, and prince of Camelot. Grow up already!" Morgana began striding to the door.

"Oh, yes. Because rebellion is sure to get me what I want. It's not like it's treason or anything!" Arthur stood angrily.

Morgana paused in the doorway so suddenly, Gwen almost knocked into her. "If you believe that fighting for what is right is treason, then you're not fit to be a ruler!" With that, she swept out of the room.

Arthur was left gaping after her. How dare she question his ability to rule? And she never even gave me a chance to talk! Yet he still felt hurt and more than a little unsettled. What if he really wasn't fit to rule? He turned to Gaius. "I'll talk to Uther when he gets back." He swept out of the room, ignoring Gaius calling his name after him.