Merlin slept through the morning, afternoon, and well into the evening of the next day. The fever stayed high through most of it. However, Gaius was pleased to see it finally broke around dusk. The physician did not leave Merlin's side, not even when he seemed to be out of the woods. He stayed in his seat, staring at the warlock as he laced his fingers together and twiddled his thumbs. Eventually, Gaius drifted off to sleep.
At midnight, Merlin woke. His dark-rimmed eyes fluttered open and his gaze settled on Gaius and he smiled. It was a weak and tired smirk, but a smile nonetheless. Groaning, Merlin sat up and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. Then, he just sat there, staring at the floor and feeing exhausted.
The moan from Merlin woke Gaius. "My boy, how are you feeling?" asked Gaius as he looked him over. He checked his eyes, lung, mouth, pulse, and heart.
"Tired and my throat hurts," Merlin remarked. "But alive."
"You still have sores. They should clear up within a week. I'll get you some broth and then back to bed with you," Gaius said as he stood and stretched.
"What about Arthur? I-I need to get to work" stammered Merlin while watching Gaius get him some chicken broth.
"He can wait. He told me to keep you down – his words, not mine," said the physician.
"He was here?" Merlin asked as he ate the broth.
"Indeed, he was," Gaius replied. "Now, if you are feeling better, you make go to work in the afternoon – nothing earlier and nothing strenuous. Is that understood? You are healing."
"Yes, it is," Merlin said. Finishing the food, he handed the bowl to Gaius and lay back down. Soon he was back to sleep.
He slept for another fourteen hours straight. When he woke this time, Merlin felt much better. Gaius was not at his bedside. With shaking legs Merlin stood. He went up the small flight of stairs to his room. There, the warlock stripped from his clothes and put a fresh tunic, pair of breeches, socks and neckerchief on. Throwing his dirty outfit in the laundry bin, he went back downstairs and go himself a bowl of stew. Refreshed, he went and got the King and Queen their dinner.
Things were calm – too calm – although there was an aura of uneasiness in the air. Neither Gwen, Arthur, nor Merlin said anything about it though. The warlock served the King and Queen and they ate and drank their fill.
"So, Merlin, how are you?" Arthur asked.
"How was the girl?" Gwen asked.
"What girl?" Merlin asked, very confused.
"Yes, what girl," Arthur quipped. He also appeared baffled by the conversation.
"You don't have to play dumb with us, Merlin. It's perfectly all right to have relations," Gwen said.
"Indeed," Arthur agreed. His voice wavered a little. He didn't seem sure of how this conversation was going and the king did not seem to like it. "So, how are things?"
"Better," Merlin replied. "Much, better."
"Good," Arthur said, wiping his mouth. "You are dismissed for the night. You look a bit unwell anyway."
"Very well," Merlin said turning to head to the door.
"I'll come with you. I don't want to see my manservant spending the night in the tavern. You need rest and I want to make sure it happens," Arthur said, standing. "I shall return shortly, my Queen."
Gwen smiled. It was forced. "I will wait with baited breath for your return" she said. "Good night, Merlin."
"Night, m'lady," Merlin said, leaving the room with Arthur at his elbow.
"Tell me, are you well," Arthur asked in a gruff voice after they rounded a corner. "Tell everything of what happened. There is something going on. Now tell me. Now!"