A/N: Hey all, just a quicky. Thanks for all the reviews. Short chapter today, just so you know i haven't forgotten you all. Hopefully get into some real action next chap. Enjoy and as always R&R. Thanks.
Chapter 7:
Merlin felt like he was drifting, on a sea of nothingness. He could hear many voices around him and the distance the comforting cracking of fire consuming wood. His eyes fluttered open and closed as he tried his hardest to regain consciousness. He could vaigely see a face above his own and then a familiar voice.
"Come on you clot pole, time to wake up"
The warlock groaned and screwed his eyes such against the blinding sunshine above him. He was groggy and ached in places he didn't think he ever could. Finally he managed to crack his eyes open just a little.
"Thats better" Arthurs voice came again and Merlin was sure he was cracking a smile though his eyes were refusing to focus. "Gaius's sleeping draft sure seemed to do the job. Almost too well"
Great, Gaius has drugged him. And not for the first time he could remember, on many occasions the physician had drugged the servant into a sleep for what Gaius had said was 'for his own good'" Merlin rolled his eyes under his lids and pulled himself into a sitting position, to his surprise with little more than a constant ache of his wounded shoulder.
"Here" Merlin felt a cup thrust between his lips and he swiftly turned away.
"Not hungry" He brought his good arm up.
"You haven't drunk in nearly two days now, Gaius says you need to get your fluids up" The King tried pushing the cup again but the servant batted him off this time opening his eyes fully, his glassy pupils greeting his friends.
"Please. Don't make me" Merlins grumbled, still feeling rather drowsy.
"Merlin?" Arthur's tone changed to serious and the warlock almost flinched at the sound.
"I'm not sure its going to stay down" Merlin gulped and looked glumly at the water though taking it in his hand and bringing it to his parched lips. He sipped it slowly, suddenly realizing how thirsty he was he rushed the remaining down.
"Well if that isn't going to make you sick" Arthur tutted,"your not supposed to drink it in one go you idiot"
"Oh" the servant felt the cold fluid hit his stomach and it did several flip flops then stopped. He tried to swallow down the rising nausea, after several seconds he burped, feeling much better.
Arthur's laugher rang in his ears.
"It's not funny" Merlin scowled at him.
The King broke off the laughter after a moment and looked to friend. "How are you feeling?"
"Apart from like I've fallen down a ravine, been shot with an arrow, received concussion and a poisoned wound from a giant serpent. Never better" Arthur paled, and the warlock noticed. "I'm feeling much better thank you, surprisingly better than I did" Merlin added trying his best to smile be not really doing a great job. "What time is it?"
"Nearly noon" Arthur looked at the rising sun, almost at its highest point in the sky. "Gaius gave you something to make you sleep and you've been out all night and morning, I've been trying to wake you for hours" It was the kings turn to roll his eyes this time. "And your probably feeling not too bad due to the draught that Gaius gave you and said it was for the pain." Arthur pulled out a small vial from his pocket. "he told me to give you some every 4 hours but no more, its pretty potent apparently so he told me to be careful"
Merlin hummed "I know the stuff he must have given you"
Arthur pulled a small platter from beside him with a humble amount of bread, cheese and some fruit "Here" he plonked the item on the servants lap. "you need to eat, you need to get your strength up by tonight"
"What's tonight?" Merlin gingerly took a bite of the stale bread.
"Tonight we reclaim Camelot, and save Gwen" Arthur looked over again at the city in the distance. "And someone's told me I wont be able to do it without you"
"Is that so?" Merlin seemed almost back to himself to the King until what he said next.
"Are you sure you want to conspire with a sorcerer" he looked to his feet trying not to look at his king, he seemed to go back into himself again then.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Arthur said seriously this time. "I thought we were friends?"
"We are, were... no, i mean" Merlin stuttered and struggled to find the correct words, he could feel the unfallen tears beginning to prickle behind his eyes. "Magic is outlawed, I didn't want to put you in the impossible position. How could i tell you?"
"Then why did you come to Camelot?"
"I didn't fit in anymore in Ealdor." Merlin sighed, "my mother was getting so much grief from the village because of my special abilities. They used to tell her how much i was devil child. She knew Gaius, who offered me an apprentice position so i took it. It wasn't until later on i found out my destiny"
"Destiny?" Arthur frowned.
"It's my destiny to serve you Arthur" Merlin said this time with confidence in his voice. "I am here to help you unite the lands to albion and bring about peace and the acceptance of magic once again"
"And you believe all this?"
"I do" the warlock smiled grimly "I'd die for you tomorrow Arthur, if it meant that you could go on and be the greatest King Camelot has ever know. Well..." He stuttered again, "I have... nearly... a few times"
"We'll talk about this" Arthur said sternly. "But right now i need you to rest. And none of this dying for you nonsense Merlin. I know now. If we go down tonight, we go down fighting together. Deal?"
"Ok" the servant whispered, continuing his food slowly.
"Like brothers in arms" Arthur sounded like a knight this time. He pulled himself up to leave his friend in peace. "And Merlin," he added, "I'm not going to kill you. Not now. Not ever"
"Thank you" Merlin was barely audible.
Arthur smiled as he turned away. "I'm not sure about court jester" he voiced, "but court sorcerer has a nice ring to it"
And with that he left his friend in peace. He would rally the knights ready for tonights assault and return to dose Merlin's pain relief later. It was time for war. Morgana was going to regret this.