In thanks to her very nice message, this chapter is dedicated to, and inspired by Emachinescat, as I was stumbling and an encouraging e-mail pulled it all together.

Arthur didn't want to sleep, he wanted to stay awake to make sure Merlin was alright. Merlin was sleeping soundly and was unaware of Arthur's concern, he was unaware of the fact that the dragon had saved him. He was lost to the world, at least for now. As far as Arthur could tell, he would survive.

Dawn was slowly creeping over the trees as Merlin slept, and so did Arthur. He had pushed the tip of his sword into the ground and crossed his forearms over the hilt, and his head rested on the pommel as he dozed, his legs curled under him. He stirred a little at the sudden cold wind, and then the beat of hooves jerked him to life. Arthur looked up, the fire had died down to neat little embers. The dragon had said it would die at dawn.

Arthur blinked and looked around sluggishly. Merlin was still sleeping, Arthur checked him, still tucked under the covers. He was still pale, the skin so light against his dark hair. But he was breathing better, and the burning heat of his body had died. Arthur turned to try and reignite the fire. He poked the embers angrily, but it refused to do anything, staying dull and damp in the morning mist.

Olwen was the first one to ride in. He cantered his horse down the pathway and turned the animal's head sharply as he saw them.

"Sire, how is he?"

"Still bad, get that fire stoked up again, we need to redress the wound."

Olwen started to. "We can wait for Gaius, the convoy isn't far away."

"Gaius came too?"

"The wound was serious. Merlin is in his care."

Arthur blinked as he realised Olwen was finding nothing wrong with the idea. Instead the young knight concentrated on reigniting the fire. It didn't take long for the flames to start licking up again, and Olwen fed a few more branches into the flames.

"He still looks pale," Olwen said.

"Get me some water, from the stream. I think the fever is cooling but we need to make sure of that.

"Of course, Sire," Olwen said and ran off.

When the rest of the convoy arrived they were inundated. Merlin remained asleep, unaware of the activity around him.

"Merlin?"

Arthur looked up at Gaius, who looked worried. The knights must have told him what happened, and how serious the wound was. Arthur blinked, he could hardly announce to Gaius now what had happened. He had to be subtle about it, and somehow make everyone think that Merlin had just been lucky, or that something he had done had helped.

"I've been washing the wound out. He was so hot before but I kept bathing him, now he seems a little better. I followed what he had said. I just did my best."

"Very well done by the look of it, Sire,"

Sat a little away from the action, still on his horse, Uther Pendragon watched the scene in shock. The knights dismounted and started to run around the campsite. For his son, the Crown Prince, there was nothing wrong with that. This time, however, they were doing it for Arthur's servant. Arthur started directing them about while Gaius prepared to redress the wound.

"How is he, Sire?" Leon asked Arthur.

"Weak, but he seems a little better this morning," Arthur said. He slowly and very groggily got to his feet, wiping a hand across his eyes, exhaling heavily. Gaius pulled the bandage back from the wound on Merlin's chest. It was still bleeding a little, the material of the bandage wet with blood, and sticky from the honey that Arthur had used. Gaius grimaced.

"Merlin said that was good for infections," Arthur said.

"It's nice to know he actually remembers some of the things I tell him. Yet, hopefully it will prevent any infection, not only in the wound but deeper in his system. Help me lift him a moment."

Arthur was about to help when Leon held him back and Robert went into his place instead, helping move Merlin onto his side. Arthur looked at Leon.

"You look exhausted," he commented, then pulled a flask from his waistband. "Here, it should help a little."

Arthur took a swig, coughing gently as the alcohol burnt his throat a little, but it did liven him up, spreading warmth out across his chest. He stepped sideways to get a little closer to the fire.

"We brought some food," Leon nodding at the cart. Arthur turned his head and realised exactly what Leon had been subtly doing. For the first time, Arthur noticed his father, still on his horse, and not looking very impressed with the scene around him.

"He was worried, I think."

Not about Merlin, Arthur thought to himself. As Uther realised Arthur had noticed him he dismounted from his horse. One of the attending soldiers ran to hold the horses' head as he walked towards Arthur, flipping his cloak out behind him. Arthur turned to head him off, and went to the cart, rummaging in the back for something to eat. He grabbed a chunk of bread. Until now, he hadn't really felt hungry. Worry over Merlin had taken all other feelings away. Now he was aware of feeling empty, and almost light inside. Pulling a small chunk of bread free he put it in his mouth, and he reached for a water skin.

"Arthur?"

"The bandits were dealt with, father," Arthur got down to business. "And thankfully there were only two injuries. I presume Sir Gareth was well when he returned."

Arthur hadn't even asked about him, he realised. Although, one of the others would have said something if that was the case. They were all still busy around Merlin. Gaius had appeared to have finished redressing Merlin's wounds and they were now getting the stretcher to put him onto the cart.

"Yes, he was. Gaius checked him, and was quite happy with the care he was given."

"That was all down to Merlin," Arthur said. He hadn't even been aware that Merlin was bringing medical equipment with him. The last few skirmishes had been so small that they hadn't had any serious cause for concern.

"He is a servant," Uther snarled. Arthur turned to him in shock. He didn't get a chance to answer. The knights were moving Merlin, under Gaius' supervision. Arthur looked at him, Merlin was still sleeping, but he looked better. His skin was always a little pale, but it no longer had the waxy, sickly tinge that was prevalent last night.

"Gaius, is he all right?" Arthur asked. Gaius looked as the knights carefully got Merlin onto the cart.

"Yes, Sire. The wound his clean, and the fever last night could have just been shock. What we need to be careful of is any underlying infection that may set in while he is weakened. The arrow has pierced his lung but it seems to be steady. Washing the wound regularly meant that very little blood went into the lung itself."

Arthur nodded. Gaius paused.

"Maybe you should ride in the cart My Lord, you look tired."

Robert had already brought Arthur's horse. He glanced at the cart. It would be an excuse to stay with Merlin, but feeling his father's eyes on him, Arthur felt a surge of strength. He couldn't let this linger. Straightening up his entire countenance changed.

""No, I'll ride. You stay with Merlin."

Arthur mounted up, the knights fell into formation around the cart and Gaius clambered up with Merlin. Arthur followed Uther ahead of the cart and for a moment the convoy just travelled along, until they reached a small junction. A narrow path dipped away from the main road. It ran down into a small valley, and on that damp morning, it was shielded with mist. Arthur knew it well enough, it would rejoin the main road a little way ahead.

Uther suddenly turned his horse. "Ride with me." He dug his heels into his mare and she ran off. Arthur swore under his breath and turning his gelding's head kicked it into canter. It gave a snort of surprise, and two of the knights behind him tensed their legs as their own horses jerked in reaction. Arthur waved a hand at them in a hint for them to stay and they pulled themselves back into the convoy.

Arthur struggled to stay with his father. Uther had had the advantage of surprise. Digging his heels in harder Arthur urged the horse on. The track was too narrow for him to overtake, but he knew the area well enough. He turned the gelding off the path and ran him through the forest. There was a tree trunk that had fallen years ago, clearing a run through. There was on thick branch across the path. The horse saw it and bunched his muscles underneath Arthur. He felt it and lifted in the saddle, sailing over the obstacle and he angled left, pulling up on the track. There were no hoof marks, he had beaten his father. Arthur stroked the gelding's withers and dismounted. The horse lowered his head and snorted through his nostrils. Arthur tied the reins off and let the animal start to graze at the grass and bushes.

Taking a firm grip of the saddle Arthur lowered his head and exhaled heavily. He listened as the mare ran up to them. The gelding tensing and shifting, pushing Arthur over slightly. He went with it and looking up, saw his father yank the horse to a haul. Uther looked angry, Arthur wondered if it was because of what he had done for Merlin, or because he had beaten him.

"Very clever," Uther said as he dismounted. He tied off the mare's reins and walked to Arthur. He let go of the saddle and moved forward, putting a hand on the horse's flank. The gelding twitched his tail, swishing against Arthur's stomach.

"I patrol the kingdom, and hunt here; I don't think there is an inch of it I don't know."

Uther smiled, looking a little pleased, and then he looked around. "It will be your kingdom someday."

"I know that."

"Then you need to behave appropriately."

"I do my duty. I do everything that is expected of me."

"You are not expected to fuss over servants!" Uther hissed, stepping forwards. Arthur lifted his chin, but he didn't back up, he was often tempted to under his father's anger. It wasn't an option any more though. He was the Crown Prince. He didn't just have to prove himself by obeying, he had to prove it by standing up for himself. Plus, a thought was starting to stir in Arthur that he might, one day, have to fight for Merlin.

"There would not be this issue if it was Sir Gareth suffering the more serious injury. If I had stayed with him, you would be praising me."

"He is a knight, someone of noble birth, someone who is sworn to be loyal to you, and this kingdom!"

"And Merlin is a servant, my servant." And Arthur decided to seriously emphasise the ownership. "He was in the middle of that battle, just as we all were. He was fighting, he always is. He is my manservant and he is required to attend me at all times. He hasn't sworn to it in court, in front of you, but how does that make him any less loyal?"

Uther glared at Arthur. Arthur looked back, catching the gelding's tail as he flicked again, almost into his face. He might have been tired, but his reflexes were not lacking.

"No one thinks any less of me for staying with him."

"You should have returned, order another knight to stay with him, that is all well and good, but your concern is not him! Not as the future king."

"He is one of my subjects, how is he not my concern?" Arthur asked.

"As a group, they are, individually not so!" Uther snapped. "You have to make hard decisions when you rule this kingdom."

"I know that, I know it is hard for you. It's hard for me to send them into battle, to see them die, not just fighting, but from the wounds they receive. Merlin even thought about it, he brought bandages and herbs to help. I didn't even realise he was doing that, but he was."

"He is Gaius' protégée, how is that something to be surprised by."

"No one asked him to do it, he just did. Merlin thought about it. He is unbelievably idiotic and stupid and clumsy," Arthur said, almost going into his usual rant. "But he is also unselfish and caring and if he had a choice he would give his life for me."

"So it should be. You are the prince of this realm."

"Yes, and you are the King," Arthur said. "And I believe you to be a good one, and I will learn from that. But it's not everything I see when I look at you."

He paused, taking a deep breath, this was hard. But the conversation had come to this. Arthur had to justify why he wanted Merlin so close. It was not as simple as just keeping an eye on him. He had tried to drive him away, with the work, the training, but Merlin just stoically stayed, unmoving under Arthur's anger. Merlin knew it was totally justified, and he didn't walk away from it.

"Really, what else do you see?"

Arthur paused, his heart straining under the emotion. He loved his father, he had never known his mother, Uther was his only parent, and so many times he had seem cold and distant, and then proved himself so constantly to care about him. But as he watched his father, Arthur had come to dread one thing about been a king. He looked at his father now and answered the question.

"I see a very lonely man."

It wasn't just a statement, Arthur put it to Uther as a desperate plea. If it wasn't for himself and Morgana, Uther would have no one. Arthur knew one day, he would have a wife, children, and a child that would rule the kingdom. But he didn't have that yet, and he didn't want to be as his father was. Arthur wanted to be a good king, but he wanted other things as well.

There was nothing more he could say. His father was staring at him as if he had never seen him before in his life, and Arthur couldn't help but regard him in the same dispassionate manner. They stared at each other as strangers, because they were. On some levels they were. It was bound to happen one day; Arthur felt the sudden snapping in him. That he had grown up, totally. He had always felt like such a child, so small in front of his father. Suddenly now he looked, and realised that had changed.

He had said all he needed to say so he turned and went to his horse's head, unfastening the reins, and flipping them over. The gelding snorted and lifted his head. Arthur gathered up the reins, put his foot into the stirrup and mounted his horse, settling himself into the saddle. But he didn't move, instead he turned to look at his father, and he waited.

Uther was still staring at him in shock. Arthur stayed still in the saddle as the gelding pranced underneath him. Holding him steady Arthur kept his eyes on his father and smiled, a little helplessly but with hope. Uther got the hint, Arthur would not ride off without him.

It was probably expected, after what he had said. That he should ride off, away from his father, but Arthur couldn't do that. He still felt so empty and light. There was no tiredness, just a feeling of calm, and steady acceptance. Uther was never going to like him. Arthur did all the wrong things, or at least he always felt like he did.

Uther turned and unfastened the mare's reins looking back at the route Arthur had taken.

"I should come out hunting with you more often," Uther said. He launched up into the saddle and looked at Arthur, whose smile eased, brightening at the offer.

"I'd like that," he said. And they both turned their horses up the pathway to rejoin the convoy on its way back to Camelot.