Sorry, everyone. Life gets in the way sometimes.

"We have a problem."

"What happened? You were gone a long time."

"Yes. Your father suspects that there may be something or someone purposely spreading the illness. Each village reported that before they fell ill, a stranger travelled through."

"Those are border villages; surely they get people moving through often. Why remember this one in particular?"

"They remembered him because he claimed to be looking for his wife and child." Gaius gave him a pointed look.

"You don't think-" Arthur started. He looked at Merlin.

"Well, he appears to be looking for a woman with a small boy."

"Merlin escaped with his mother. There may also have been a man."

"How do you know this?" Gaius immediately joined him at Merlin's side.

"Merlin woke up not long ago. I- I asked him if there was someone I could take him to."

"And he answered you? He spoke?"

"Not exactly. It's the way he's been communicating with me. He shows me."

Gaius raised an eyebrow. "He shows you how?"

"It's like I can see what he saw and feel what he felt. Like I'm in his memory. I've never heard him speak."

"Does he touch you to do this?" Gaius asked.

"No. Not particularly. I was carrying him the first time and this time I was holding his hand does that count? Oh, and once he had a barrier up between us."

Gaius' eyebrows rose. "That is a powerful ability, Arthur. Has he communicated with anyone else?"

"Not that I know of."

Gaius nodded. "He must trust you a lot to communicate that way. There is no denying that you saved his life and you are undoubtedly one of very few people to treat him kindly." Arthur looked away uncomfortably. "Let's get back to the present problem. Even after inquiring at each village, the stranger stayed a few days. The reports say that the villagers thought he was watching them to make sure they weren't hiding his family. The day before he disappeared from each village, several of the villagers reported their homes broken into. They suspect that he was checking each home. The very next day, all of the children became ill and eventually the adults too."

"He must be looking for Merlin and his mother."

"Where is Merlin's mother?"

Arthur glanced at Merlin quickly. "I don't think she's still alive, Gaius. She was hurt enough to bleed steadily but keep running with Merlin. In the last memory she was stumbling heavily and I think she knew. She sent Merlin off by himself and led away the pursuers."

"How far away from where you found him?"

"On the other side of the forest, I think."

"You said there was a man with them, his father?"

"No, I think not. He was dressed as Cenred's knight. I think he gave them the horses and he took others in a different direction. I think he was the initial decoy. Merlin thought of him as a friend."

"Then it is most likely not him. Your father suspected that Merlin is the one being hunted. He will no doubt address you later."

Arthur sighed.

"The problem I mentioned earlier is this: your father wants me to go to those villages. On top of that, the returning patrols will soon be sent to me. We can't take the chance of Merlin being exposed in case the knights are infected. He can't stay here, Arthur. "

"Even in the back room?"

"No, Arthur. He's weak enough as it is. We don't know anything about the illness and it may even be spelled to target him." Arthur remained silent. He knew what Gaius was leading him to, but he held back. If his father found out, both he and Merlin would be in trouble.

"Arthur, I'm going to have to entrust him with one of the townsfolk. There's no other way."

Arthur sighed heavily. "Yes, there is. I'll take him. I… I'll make it work somehow."

"Are you sure? I know you are capable of treating his injuries, but are you prepared to care for a child? A very young and deeply traumatized one?"

Arthur looked at Gaius in surprise. He hadn't expected Gaius to try to talk him out of it. "It can't be that difficult. Can it?"

"Arthur, I'm not trying to discourage you. I just want you to prepare yourself. Merlin will be very confused, especially at the beginning. It will take time for him to accept that he is safe. It will be easiest for him to trust you because you saved him, but it will take time to settle in his mind. I'm sure he will also be missing his mother."

"Well, I can at least relate to that bit."

Arthur avoided Gaius' piercing gaze. "Yes. I suppose you will."

Arthur swallowed the lump in his throat. "So. What you are saying is that I have to be patient with him."

"Yes. Let him open up to you at his own pace. I think you will be fine, Arthur. I shouldn't be gone much longer than two or three weeks." Gaius then proceeded to instruct Arthur on all the medicine for Merlin and their individual schedules. He wrote it all down while Arthur mixed more of a supply. While they worked, Arthur tried to think of a plan to move Merlin. He knew if his father caught him, the consequences would be harsh. It would be too risky to move him during the day, but he couldn't delay too long or the returning patrol would arrive with Merlin still in Gaius' chambers. Finally, he decided that he would need Morgana's help. She arrived soon after he sent the messenger, looking worried.

"I need your help. I need to move Merlin to my rooms. We have to avoid being witnessed as much as possible, or word might get back to father. I hoped you could help me."

"Oh! Of course! He planned to ride with Katrina today. I can go with them and take them for a longer ride. Have you prepared your rooms yet?"

"I-" Arthur's blank look must have been answer enough.

"Don't worry about it! Gwen can prepare them. Gwen, I'll leave you here to help Arthur. You'll need to bring his medicines along as well."

Arthur was a little grateful that Morgana seemed eager to help. "Yes, Gaius and I have prepared a supply of them."

"I'll take those now if they are ready?" Gwen asked. She began packing the vials into a basket. Gaius reached over to help her.

"Have you packed his clothes?" Morgana asked Arthur.

"Er, well, no. I don't think he has any. I mean…" He looked at Gaius for help.

"He was wearing one of Arthur's shirts I believe. I haven't dressed him yet, to make it easier to check his bandages. I'm afraid I didn't even think about finding clothes for him."

"I suppose we could buy something," Arthur added, trying to be helpful.

"Don't be silly, Arthur. What do you know of buying clothes? No. Gwen and I can figure something out."

"I can take his measurements now. It will only take a minute." Gwen approached Merlin carefully. Arthur watched as she held a thread above his arm and knotted the length then moved to his torso. While she did that, Arthur turned to Morgana.

"There's also… I mean, someone will have to look after him while I train and attend my duties. If I begin missing too many, Father will suspect something."

"Gwen and I can watch him. I dare say he won't be doing much until he's healed anyway. You worry too much, Arthur. You can count on us. I'll go tell Uther that I'll be joining them."

"I'll prepare your things my lady."

"Nonsense, Gwen. You just get Arthur's room ready for Merlin. I'll have someone else ready my horse."

Arthur took Morgana's arm before she walked away. "Thank you, Morgana."

She kissed his cheek lightly. "Thank you, Arthur. I knew Merlin could count on you." Both girls disappeared into the corridor without another word.

Arthur and Gaius shared a quick lunch before Arthur helped prepare Gaius' travel kit. He helped Gaius change Merlin's bandages once more before Gwen arrived, saying that the riding party had left.

Though the rain had stopped for the day, winter's chill was settling around Camelot and Arthur wouldn't stand out for wearing his heavier red cloak. He could use its voluminous folds to hide Merlin from immediate sight. Remembering Merlin's reaction to being wrapped tightly, Arthur made sure to leave the blankets relatively loose around him. As he picked up his Merlin-bundle, Merlin stirred.

"Here, let me give him something to sleep," Gaius said when he noticed the reason for Arthur's pause.

"No, let him wake. He'll be less confused that way." Arthur settled Merlin in his arm and gently stroked his hair. "Merlin? Can you wake up?"

Merlin's eyes fluttered open and he squinted against the light in the room. He hiccupped and tensed until he recognized Arthur.

"Gaius has some sick people coming in and then he has to leave to help others. Until he comes back, you can stay with me. We're going to move you now. You'll be safe."

Merlin nodded and looked around until he spotted Gaius. Gaius walked closer and gently patted Merlin on the head. "Arthur will take good care of you, my boy. You'll behave for him won't you?" Merlin nodded again.

Arthur squeezed Gaius' shoulder. "Take care, Gaius."

"You too, Arthur. Remember, be gentle and be patient. I know you both will be fine."

Arthur nodded to Gwen and followed her out. He carefully draped his cloak around Merlin before stepping out into the courtyard. Halfway through it, he looked down and noticed Merlin peeking out, the gray sky reflecting in his shining eyes. Arthur figured it was probably the first time in days that Merlin had been outside. He held him tighter and whispered, "When you're better, I'll bring you out again." Merlin stared at Arthur and Arthur had the impression that Merlin didn't quite believe him.

He followed Gwen through side corridors where he was less likely to run into other knights or courtiers. The servants they passed were busy and paused only long enough to bow quickly. They reached his chambers without incident.

He was surprised to see just how much Gwen and Morgana had accomplished in such a short time. The fire had been built up and the room was pleasantly warm. A small cot had been placed near his bed and piled with warm blankets. His own sheets had been changed to the warmer woolen kind used in the winter and the floor rugs laid out. A small decorative chest sat on his table; he recognized it from Morgana's room knowing it was where she kept her sleeping draughts and beauty tinctures. He guessed Merlin's medicines had been placed inside.

"Guinevere, you are amazing." He turned to look at her as he shed his cloak.

Her cheeks reddened and she blustered as she reached for his cloak. "It was nothing, Sire. Anything I can do to help. Especially, you know… Merlin. He's so small and he looked cold in Gaius' chambers. And I noticed your winter gear hadn't been taken out. With the weather changing, I just thought, well, I didn't want you to be cold. Well, not you specifically, except, I mean of course you too..."

"Thank you," Arthur interrupted. He wasn't quite sure how else to stop her rambling and at the same time understood Morgana's fondness for her. He looked at Merlin who was looking around the room nervously. Since he was awake… "Guinevere, could you perhaps bring something for Merlin. To eat. Gaius said we could give him broth and work up to soft foods in a few days."

Gwen nodded. "Of course, I'll be right back."

"Well, Merlin, welcome to my room. Let's get you settled into bed then." Arthur approached the cot first. Out of curiosity, he sat on it first. It was no better than Gaius' bed. He glanced at Merlin thoughtfully and said, "I don't know about you, but I am fairly sure this cot would hurt you more than heal you."

He laid Merlin carefully atop the cot before turning to his own bed. Whipping back the covers, he rearranged his pillows to make a nest of sorts. He picked up Merlin once more and settled him into the pillows, unwrapped the blankets around him but left them beneath him. Then he pulled the covers back in place around him. "How's that, then? Much better than Gaius' bed, am I right?" He smiled at Merlin, trying to be reassuring. He could tell Merlin was still nervous, but wasn't sure what to do about it. He perched on the edge of the bed and studied Merlin. Merlin continued to avoid eye contact, but his drooping eyes gave away his fatigue. "Stay awake a little longer, Merlin. Guinevere is bringing you something to eat. You have to eat so you continue to heal." He sat there another moment, awkwardly trying to think of what to do next.

He didn't know how to speak to Merlin, much less how to comfort him. He tried to remember his childhood. He vaguely remembered some stories, and one nurse used to sing to him. Which was no help at all; Arthur had absolutely no intentions of singing. The longer he sat there, the more nervous Merlin appeared to get. Arthur tried harder to remember. "I have to admit, Merlin, that I don't quite know how to entertain you. When I was a boy, I was usually left to play with my toys while my nurses gossiped about." Merlin chanced a glance at him. "Oh! Toys! I wonder if any of them were kept. I think most of them were play weapons… I can't imagine those would comfort you at all. Morgana always had her dolls, you know, I think she still has them in her room?" Merlin looked a little confused and Arthur decided that was better than nervous.

He remembered something. He stood up and heard Merlin's breath hitch. "I am not leaving you, Merlin. I just remembered. My father had a chess set. I think it was a gift. The pieces were all carved with such incredible detail you would almost believe that they would come to life. For the longest time, I was only allowed to look at them but one day, I snuck into my father's room and dared to take one piece – a knight. He made me put it back of course, but I kept taking it until finally, he let me keep it. It's a little worn now, but it still…" Arthur tried to think of the word as he unwrapped it in front of Merlin. "I guess you could say it calls to me in a way." He traced the carved figurine with his fingertip. He could still hardly believe how lifelike it was; the knight looked like he had been frozen mid-swing with his sword, his horse in mid-step. He brought Merlin's hand out from under the covers and placed the figure in his hand. Merlin's eyes, however, were on Arthur, looking at him with awe. "You can have it now. It's not really a toy, but… it's all I can think of." He finished lamely.

Merlin studied the carving intently. He stood it up over the wrappings holding his injured arm to his chest and reached out to Arthur. Arthur took his hand and he felt Merlin squeeze his fingers lightly.

Then the moment was broken with Gwen's return.

I don't think I've said this yet, but thank you for all the reviews and follows. At some point, I'll respond to your reviews as best I can.