Merlin stirred slightly on the bed. He felt warm and comfortable; in fact he felt so comfortable that he couldn't bare the thought of having to move at all. He tried to cast his mind back to the last memory he had, but it seemed to be nothing but a blur. He couldn't even recall why he was where he was, or even why he was there in the first place. His mind slipping back into the warm waters of sleep, Merlin wouldn't have complained if he was to die right there, wherever that was.
Arthur continued to stare out of the window; he was curled around the silk and velvet curtains. He'd given up staring at Merlin doing nothing, but for sleeping peacefully. He'd also given up staring at Dellarux, who himself had taken up residence in the luxurious chair.
The prince didn't know what to think anymore. His father had taught him magic was evil, and to an extent he had seen that it was. Yet this man had saved Merlin. And how did Dellarux even know Merlin? Was there something going on that he didn't know about? Arthur had never felt left out like this; he was always in the crowd at Camelot. But not here – here he felt like a no one. Looking out of the window, Arthur saw that the darkness was creeping back. It had been two days since they had come here, two very awkward days.
Dellarux hadn't moved since he had healed Merlin: he himself was rather tired. It had cost a lot of magic to keep Merlin going and to keep him comfortable. However, it would be worth it eventually. Oddly enough, he realised, he had all but forgotten about Arthur, the snake. He felt no sympathy for the prince – from what he had seen in Merlin's memories, the man was a stuck up prat, no different to any other royals. It was partially why he was so interested in Merlin – so few of the people he had met had the loyalty and patience that Merlin was gifted with; and that made Dellarux curious. He had also spent a few hours simply pondering his own feelings, and contemplating the idea of a companion. He desired one completely, one like Merlin, but that made him feel trapped. He knew Merlin would want him to change back Arthur and once, or if he did, then he would be obsolete once more.
A few hours later…
Merlin awoke again this time feeling more aware of the fact that he was alive and well. He was still comfortable, but no longer as comfortable as before, like he had being resting too long and now he ached. He groaned and tried to move.
"Slowly be careful with yourself," a similar voice chastised him gently in his mind.
"Where am I? What happened? How did I…?" Merlin replied easily; it was strange that he had developed the skill in so short a time.
"You fell from your horse and damaged yourself greatly. I brought you back here to safety so that you might heal and rest."
"You healed me?" Merlin asked.
"As much as I could. The rest your magic has healed. How do you feel anyway?" the concerned voice drifted back.
"I feel warm and safe…but uncomfortable, like I've being laid down too long; but I don't seem to have the strength to move," Merlin replied.
He heard the rustling of clothes and felt someone wrap an arm around his shoulders and waist. He was moved slowly into a more comfortable position, and laid on his back.
"Is that better?"
"Mmmm, yes, thank you," Merlin sent back.
"Do you need anything else?" Dellarux enquired softly.
"No. I think I might just sleep for a while…" Merlin trailed off, feeling sleep approach.
"MERLIN…MERLIN! Are you okay?"
Merlin groaned again. He would know that voice anywhere: Arthur!
"Leave him alone! He needs to sleep!" Dellarux hissed.
"He's being asleep for days! If he sleeps any longer he'll drop dead!" Arthur argued back. "What do you know anyway?"
"Mmmm…Arthur, stop yelling please," Merlin grumbled. "I'm awake and I'm fine, just please stop making such a racket…"
"MERLIN, YOU IDIOT, DO YOU REALISE HOW WORRIED I WAS!" Arthur didn't mean to yell, but the fact that Merlin had just responded to him lifted his heart a little and gave him hope for his friend. And for some reason this came out as a worried anger.
"Pendragon, if you don't shut up now, I will shut you up!" Dellarux snarled, voice low and dangerous.
"Dellarux, it's okay, I'm used to it; he does it every single morning," Merlin replied, eyes still closed as he tried in vain to gain a little more sleep.
"I do not do that every morning! Only when you're lazy and late…" Arthur joked. Unfortunately, Dellarux didn't see it that way.
"Silenco servitor," he muttered, and abruptly Arthur's mouth shut itself and refused to open again.
"There, now, get some rest, Merlin, if it's what you said you need." He turned and settled back into the chair.
Arthur looked up suddenly. Since when had Merlin said he needed more sleep? He certainly hadn't heard him.