A/N: Thank you again to anyone that responded to my previous chapters. Whether it be a review, a favourite or a follow. I really appreciate it.
Chapter Three.
Arthur looked up at the white coated man in front of him. Everything about him was completely wrong. He didn't look anything like what Arthur associated with sorcery. But then again he didn't look anything like any normal man Arthur had ever seen either.
"Are you a sorcerer?" Arthur blurted out. His head was still extremely foggy. Nothing was making sense. In Arthur's mind it was the only possible explanation for the man's strange attire and the peculiar artefacts surrounding Arthur's bed.
The man chucked lightly "I wish. My name is Dr Holden. I'm going to be looking after you during your stay here,"
Arthur relaxed somewhat. The stranger was a doctor. Surely that was a good thing. Especially if he was helping Arthur to get better. There was a friendly and somewhat comforting tone to Dr Holden's voice. Arthur felt safe despite the strange setting.
"Would you be able to tell me your name?"
"Arthur Pendragon" Arthur's throat hurt as he spoke.
"Arthur Pendragon. As in King of Camelot?" Dr Holden's voice retained its soft warmth but there was a slight tone of disbelief. Arthur figured that the doctor would never expect to be treating royalty.
"That is correct,"
"Okay," he scribbled something on the strangest looking parchment Arthur had ever seen. "Is there anyone I can contact? Let them know you're safe,"
"Send word to my wife, Guinevere," Arthur instructed, realising for the first time that she wouldn't know where he was. She must have been beside herself with worry.
The doctor nodded, making another quick scribble. "Is there anyone else?" he gave a quick sideways glance. "A carer maybe?"
Arthur noticed the doctor was somewhat uneasy. Perhaps he was nervous to be treating someone so important. No. It was more as if he was hiding something. Arthur thought for a second. "Please contact my manservant. His name is Merlin,"
Yet more scribbles. "Okay. Would it be okay if we performed some tests? To- ah-" Dr Holden faulted slightly "to check your progress?"
Martin and Brenda had waited around for a short while longer. After a few minutes the doctor re-emerged from the room containing Arthur.
"We are still no closer to discovering the young man's identity," he informed the couple. "He is insistent that he is King Arthur,"
"Poor boy," Brenda tutted. Martin remained silent. He did not know how to react. Everything pointed to the same two possibilities. Either Arthur was who he claimed to be. But that was impossible. The other option was that the young man was indeed delusional. The second option seemed most likely. He couldn't help but notice, however, a slight niggle in the back of his mind. Something Martin couldn't quite put his finger on, but something he wanted to get to the bottom of.
He knew the boy lying in that room was nothing to do with him. Not really. But he had dragged him from the lake. Martin could feel himself getting emotionally invested. He was going to see this through to the end. Get Arthur the treatment he needed.
The doctor was speaking again. "We're going to perform a few tests. Then Arthur will be transferred to the psychiatric department while we assess his condition. I suggest you go home and get some rest Mr Tucker,"
Martin nodded. Thinking about it he was extremely tired.
"Thank you doctor" Brenda said. She took Martin by the arm and lead him down the corridor.
"Do you think he has any family?" she asked. "Someone should let them know where he is. Someone's got to be worrying about him,"
Martin shrugged. "I'm sure the hospital will figure something out," he thought briefly about the old man at the lake. Martin wondered why the man hadn't made an appearance at the hospital. Perhaps he would know if Arthur had any family. He'd have probably informed them by now.
While Martin was lost in his thoughts Brenda called a taxi. He found himself day dreaming throughout the journey home and the rest of the afternoon. Several times Brenda tried to snap Martin out of it, but he found his mind repetitively wondering back to the boy from the lake.
"This certainly has been an interesting anniversary," Brenda commented that evening as they climbed into bed.
"That it has," Martin replied.
"I hope you're not planning on making it a tradition," she joked.
Martin shook his head. After a few seconds he spoke again.
"I'm going to visit him tomorrow,"
"Are you sure that's wise?" Brenda asked.
"Maybe not. But the boy doesn't seem to have anyone. I want to be there,"
Brenda nodded. She knew that once Martin had set his mind to something he would make sure he followed through.
"Good night, Martin," she said before turning over.
"Sweet dreams," Martin replied. He closed his eyes and started drifting off into a world filled with adventurte; with Kings and Queens and with knights and sorcerers.
Finally Merlin arrived at the doors of the hospital. He took a second to survey the building. It dawned on him that he had no idea which part of the hospital Arthur would be in. He wandered inside, trying to determine where to start. Scanning the room, Merlin noticed a large reception desk. That would be his best bet. As he approached it, his stomach started performing somersaults. Doubts entered his mind. What if Arthur didn't recognise him? Or worse, what if Arthur remembered their last days together. What if Arthur resented Merlin for his magic? Resented him for keeping it a secret? What if Arthur thought him a monster? Another thought entered Merlin's mind making him stop dead in his tracks. What if it wasn't Arthur at all? Perhaps he'd seen a different blond haired, chain mail wearing young man being lifted into the ambulance.
Merlin sank into a chair. He ran his hands through his long silver-grey hair, wanting to tear it out. He dug his nails into the palms of his hand in an attempt to get his emotions under control. Taking deep breaths he stood again.
"Can I help you?" a pleasant looking woman smiled up at him from the reception desk.
"I think my friend was brought in earlier today?" Merlin's stomach flopped from side to side as he spoke.
"Sure. What name?"
Merlin was about to answer when something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. A door swung open and out came a nurse pushing a wheelchair. In the wheelchair was a dazed looking young man. He was wearing a flimsy looking hospital gown. Much different to the last time they had seen each other. Still there was no denying it. It was definitely the Arthur Pendragon that Merlin had known and served all that time ago.
Arthur's gaze fixed on Merlin. He looked confused. There was a slight look of recognition in Arthur's eyes.
"Arthur?" Merlin ventured. If he didn't say anything Arthur would disappear again. Already the nurse was retreating towards another set of doors.
Arthur turned towards Merlin "You look familiar," he whispered. His eyes slid across Merlin's face. He seemed unable to focus. It was only then that Merlin realised he was still in disguise. Of course Arthur was unlikely to recognise him like this; old and bearded and dressed in modern day clothing.
The nurse had not heard Merlin speak Arthur's name. She was halfway through the next set of doors. Merlin made a split second decision and charged after her.
"ARTHUR!" he yelled, afraid of losing his friend again after coming so close to being reunited.
The nurse stopped, looking slightly bemused.
Merlin caught himself. "I'm here to visit my friend," he said, gesturing at Arthur.
"I'm sorry, visiting times are over," the nurse said. "I'm just taking Arthur for some tests,"
"No, I need to see him!" Merlin said, perhaps a little more forcefully than was necessary.
"I'm sorry. You may return tomorrow. Visiting times are from two until four and then six until eight," she smiled, though there was no warmth in her eyes. Perhaps due to the way Merlin had just spoken to her. Again he berated himself. With that she began to wheel Arthur away once more.
Merlin stood and watched the pair disappear down the corridor. He contemplated using his magic to stop the nurse but decided against it. He did not want to stop Arthur getting the treatment he may need. Sure, Merlin may be able to heal him, but healing had never been one of his strengths.