Hey Guys sorry for the wait really meant to have this done faster but between real life and having issues organizing idea's it's taken longer than expected … thanks for the reviews as always .. They are very welcome … ^v^ Ldy J. ^v^

Chapter 7

As he and Tailisen reappeared, Arthur was glad that this time he didn't feel quite as sick. Without concern for the slight dizziness he felt. Arthur looked around frantically for Merlin. "Where is he? Where's Merlin?" Arthur scans the familiar clearing from side to side, still does not see Merlin. He rounds on Tailisen grabbing a fistful of the old man's cloak. "This is where we left him, so where is he? You swore he'd be safe!" Seemingly unfazed by Arthur's actions Tailisen speaks of few words and that strange language his eyes flash gold and he inclines his head to something behind Arthur with a smile. "He was protected sire, as I explained no one could see him so long as he remained under the blanket that I covered him with."

Arthur was flooded with overwhelming relief as he spotted Merlin by the fire that he'd built. Noticing that the fire was almost out. Arthur rushes forward looking for anything he can use to stoke up the fire shaking his head. "Guess I should have let Merlin get that firewood he wanted so badly after all. I can't let it go out. I'm not any good at starting fires that's why I have Merlin…" Thought Arthur. Just when Arthur thought he would have to leave Merlin yet again in search of firewood. He hears a chant behind him and suddenly the fire blazes to life, along with a stack of wood. Arthur looks back over his shoulder. Tailisen shrugs. "Emerys does not need to be chilled and I now know that he would be agitated if you went off in the woods to collect firewood alone." He said with a smile. Arthur starts to get angry then he realizes that Tailisen is probably right. Thinking about all the times Merlin insisted on coming with him into the woods even for the simplest tasks. Arthur nods, "Thank you."

Tending the fire was just an excuse anyway. As soon as Merlin appeared before him Arthur wanted nothing more than two run to him. Dropped to his knees and beg for forgiveness. But now that he's no longer in the cave Arthur doesn't want Tailisen to witness that. He fears to look up on Merlin now. Afraid he would lose control in a fashion not be fitting a king.

Arthur tosses some of the magically conjured wood on to the fire shaking his head. "Merlin you are definitely a stronger man than most." Arthur says. Thinking about all the times he watched Merlin struggle to lug wood, water pails and such when he could've just conjured them. Or maybe, he could have conjured them? Yet another thing I'll have to talk to Merlin about. That is, if he ever speaks to me again.

Tailisen approaches Arthur, "I must be going now sire—"Just then Merlin begins to stir restlessly thrashing about and mumbling. At this point Arthur forgets his earlier reservations about what Tailisen witnesses and drops beside Merlin. He feels as if he suffered a blow to the chest on the jousting ground. As he's now close enough to make out what Merlin is saying in his frenzied state.

"No Arthur, please no… I've only tried to help you… Tried to save your life… I promise no more magic ever… I'll leave Camelot… I just… Wanted you to be king… Please don't hurt my mother… Please…"

Arthur, at a loss as to what to do. For he never received a whole lot a comforting gestures as a child or as an adult. He tried to remember what he'd seen Gwen do when Merlin was poisoned; he can't take much more of these pitiful Pleas. He reaches a tentative hand and touches Merlin's forehead brushing the sweat plastered hair out of his eyes. "sh… sshh… It's Arthur, Merlin Arthur… It's OK I am-"Arthur had to clear his throat. "I'm sorry, so sorry for what happened what I did. Shh...Sh... Merlin can you hear me? It's OK now, I'm not going to hurt you. No one's going to hurt you or your mother. Merlin!" At this point Arthur's voice starts to break and his tears start to fall. Out of frustration, shame and not knowing how to help Merlin for he is the one that always comforts everyone else. Just then Merlin starts to calm under Arthur's tentative touch. He opens his eyes a little. "Arthur?" Arthur smiles down at Merlin thinking that if Merlin could see him like this, he would tease him mercilessly. "Yes Merlin I'm right here."

Arthur can see that Merlin doesn't really recognize him yet or where he's at. Arthur sees the moment of recognition and realization. As Merlin's eyes go completely round showing a lot of white. A look of such terror and hurt. Arthur hoped never to see directed him. much less from someone that he… Yes, that he cares about. Especially the small whimpering sounds Merlin was making as he tried desperately to get away from Arthur.

This reaction causes all of Arthur's words to get lodged in his throat. Without thinking, just wanting to take that look out of Merlin's eyes Arthur reaches forward. Suddenly, Merlin lets loose a blood curdling scream. "NOO!" his eyes flash gold and Arthur suddenly finds himself sailing through the air landing with a thud several feet away from the fire and Merlin. As Arthur's lying on his back trying to shake off the landing he hears Tailisen yell, "Emerys no!" "This must be it, he's finally had enough he's going to kill me. Well after everything I've done to him it's no more than I deserve…" thinks Arthur. Lying there for a few minutes. Nothing's happening, Arthur struggle's to lean up on his elbows. Just in time to see Tailisen touching Merlin lightly and murmuring something he could not hear from as far away as he is. Arthur blinks to try and clear his blurry vision. Only to find Tailisen is standing next to him offering him a hand up. Arthur looks at the hand a moment then accepts it. Coming to his feet rather Shakely. Tailisen looks apprehensively at Arthur.

"Arthur, sire you must not judge Emerys by this action he is not himself. He would be most distressed if he realized he hurt you. He is very frightened and disoriented you must believe me!" Arthur raises a hand to stop any further pleadings. "Yes, yes… I can see very well that he is not himself. I'm fine, not hurt he owes me so much more than a little toss on my ass. You showed me what he can do. He could have killed me once again yet, he didn't once again." Arthur looks over at Merlin… And then back to Tailisen. "After what I've done how will I ever make things right?

"That question is not for me to answer. However, given what just happened I realize now that you must return to Camelot straightaway. I have placed another sleep spell on Emerys to help in his healing as before but I do not know for how long it will hold as he should not have awakened yet. Emerys is way too powerful to lose control of his magic through his emotions. I fear what might happen if he were to awaken alone with you again before you could calm him enough to explain." You must not be in a position to be hurt with his magic even accidentally. For he would not survive it once he come to himself. You are his everything damaging you would destroy him for reasons that can't yet be explained."

"We can't make it back to Camelot with Merlin in this condition." "With my help you can." Tailisen says with a smile. Too weary for words, Arthur just shakes his head "As you say, lord knows given everything I myself would rather be in Camelot right now than here." Tailisen acknowledges this with a chuckle." Please mount your horse and I shall take care of the rest this time. From horseback Arthur watch's as Tailisen levitates Merlin sleeping form placing him in front of Arthur. As Arthur reaches around Merlin for the reins positioning him against his chest for stability he looks at Tailisen.

"I can't possibly ride for Camelot with any speed this way."

"Patience Penndragon" Tailisen responds while pulling another piece of material out of thin air sort of like the blanket he used to cover Merlin. Arthur became just a little nervous as this strange earthy material begin to tie itself around Arthur, Merlin and the saddle. Tailisen clucks at Arthur's apparent discomfort.

"It's only to help you support him during the ride." With that comment the blanket that was covering Merlin which now appears to be in the form of a hooded cloak drapes itself over both Merlin and Arthur. Tailisen then goes to speak to Merlin's horse. Which Arthur himself finds terribly absurd. As Tailisen comes towards his own horse Arthur asks, "Is all this really necessary?" Tailisen looks up from speaking to the horse. "Yes it is you must get to Camelot as soon as possible you must get Emerys somewhere he feels safe. For when he wakes up only then may you have a chance to fix things. Given the situation they need to be fixed soon." Arthur replies in disbelief, "You expect me to ride straight through to Camelot from here when it took us two days to get here that's not possible. The horse would never make it. Especially, carrying two people no matter how small Merlin is." Tailisen just looks at Arthur "I have explained the situation and its importance to your horse. She understands. She's agreed to carry you straight through to Camelot. Also, she's agreed to accept my enchantment so that she'll have the strength to do it."

"The horse agreed?" Arthur asks skeptically. "Well of course… Tailisen says one can't go enchanting a horse without asking permission that would be rude. Once the ride is started you must not stop for anything or any reason until you reach Camelot otherwise the charm will be broken and you risk Merlin waking in a strange place again. You understand? "

"What if I run into bandits?"

"They will not notice your passage so long as you remain under the cover of the cloak. Remember Arthur, you must fix things between you and Emerys if there is to be any chance for Camelot or Albion. Maybe now is it time for you to have some faith and patience. As Merlin has shown in the past."

With that, Tailisen spoke some strange words to the horse and she shot off through the trees galloping smoother and faster than any other time Arthur had ever ridden a horse. Looking back Arthur saw that Tailisen had disappeared. He and Merlin continued to fly over the land toward Camelot. As if the horse had wings and was being chased by the hounds of the wild hunt itself from the fairy tales his nursemaid had told him. It was a completely jarring experience to be riding by so fast he couldn't recognize things as he pass them. It seemed like only an hour before he and Merlin reached Camelot's front gate he did not even pause to identify himself until he'd reached the front courtyard.

As soon as he slowed down the cloth and cloak that Tailisen had given him disappeared. And from the reaction of the guards it must've looked as if he, Merlin and a horse just magically appeared in the courtyard. Still giddy from the strange ride Arthur chuckles to himself at the thought. Of what the guards might think of his sudden appearance.

There are shouts all over the courtyard. Patrol guards come running weapons drawn. Until they realize that the "intruder" is actually the king and his servant. Arthur is busy trying to figure out a way to get off his horse without allowing Merlin to fall. When Gwyane, Gwen, Percival and Gaius come out of the main doors and down the steps toward them. Gwyane steps forward, "what happened to Merlin sire? Did somebody attack you? We'll gather the knights. I'll take Merlin to the Physicians quarters."

At these words, Arthur irrationally clutches Merlin to his chest. "No!" at the strange outburst everyone but Gaius takes a step back. Seeing them all stare at him. Arthur draws in a breath and then with a calmer tone says "no I'll take him. Someone just steady him so I can dismount."

"Yes sire," says Gaius as he proceeds to do what Arthur asked. Arthur slips to the ground a little Shakely thanks to his wonder ride. And still he reaches up gathering Merlin in his arms. And as he feels how light in frail Merlin is, the pain of his actions hits in full force again causing him to stumble slightly.

Gwyane reaches to take Merlin in his own arms. "Here sire let me help you?" Arthur moves Merlin out of Gwyane's grasp. For the first time meeting the faces of the group full on. upon seeing Arthur's eyes Gwen gasps, she and Gaius move at the same time to pull Gwyane back from making any further offers to help Arthur with Merlin. Instead with discrete looks they direct the knights to support Arthur on his way to Gaius's chambers.
Arthur doesn't say a word all the way there. He Carries Merlin to his little room lying him carefully down on his bed. Forgetting about all the other people in the room Arthur just stands there staring at Merlin. When Gaius clears his throat, Arthur remembers he's not alone with Merlin. His current behavior is not very king like. Arthur steps back discreetly wiping his eyes and nodding to Gaius to go ahead. Gaius listens for a heartbeat and sounds of breathing. Lifts his eyelids turns his head this way and that examining the bruising on his face and after undoing his tunic the bruising on Merlin's chest. Gaius steps back, staring hard at Arthur. The infamous eyebrow raised as he speaks. "It would appear sire, someone has beaten Merlin very badly." At this there were several "let's get the knights together! Which way did they go sire? Yeah, I'll give them a beating for Merlin!" That last remark had to come from Gwyane. At this, Arthur's shoulders hunch and he could not meet anyone's eyes.

"There's no need to form a hunting party tonight. " Arthur says halfheartedly.

"The culprits would be long gone by now."

Gaius having been paying attention to the Kings reactions. Called for everyone to leave the room except for himself Arthur and Gwen. Arthur having busied himself not looking at people. Noticed that there were no decent blankets or fresh clothing in the room that he can see. Finding this extremely annoying for some reason that he didn't want to admit. He turns to Gwen. "Love, I wish to see that Merlin is warm and properly dressed now but it doesn't appear that the fool has any decent blankets or clothing." With a smile and an eye roll Gwen replies." Well now Arthur, the Kings manservant can't very well afford things the king himself would find "decent" now can he?"

Arthur nods, "I see your point... So have one of the servants fetch some blankets or whatever that they would use for our quarters along with one of my sleep shirts and bring it here." Arthur continues to stare at Merlin. "On second thought have them prepare a bath and bring it here as well. He'll need washing before putting on clean clothes." So intent on starring at Merlin, Arthur doesn't notice the dumbfounded looks on both Gaius and Gwen's faces. Arthur looks from Gwen to Gaius. "Is there a problem?" Gwen clears her throat and smiles. "No of course not I'll see that it's done as soon as possible." Gwen says, kissing Arthur on the cheek and leaving the room. In search of servants to fill his request. Something tells her. He's going to become impatient very soon.

"Sire?" Gaius inquires tentatively.

Arthur looks at Gaius with a strange feeling that Gaius knows more about what happened. Then what he said earlier… "How could he know anything? I'm just being paranoid 'because I'm ashamed."

"Yes Gaius?"

Gaius takes a deep breath, "will you tell me what really happened to Merlin?"

Arthur looks away again. "No!"

Arthur takes a deep breath. "Ok yeah maybe, but not right now. For now, I just want to get him cleaned and dressed."

Gaius is stunned by this for a moment. "You mean to say you're going to bathe and dress him yourself, sire?" Before Arthur could form an answer Gwen returned. Followed by a procession of servants each carrying an item he requested. Gwen and Gaius Between them manage to direct the servants where to put there burdens. "You all may go." Arthur tells the servants. A series of discreet and confused eye flicks move around the room ending on the Queen. After all she told them to prepare a bath. Gwen Having missed the exchange between Arthur and Gaius is confused.

"Umm… Arthur, you did say you wanted Merlin washed and dressed?"

Arthur looks at the servants …"GET OUT!"

As the last servant left Gwen rounds on Arthur.

"Arthur! You didn't have to speak to them like that! They were – "Gwen stops mid scolding as she sees the pain in Arthur's eyes.

"I know you're right love I'm sorry … but I can't have them all in here …right now. They wouldn't understand."

"I'm not sure I do either sire, if you'll forgive me." Says Gaius

What did I miss? Gwen asked.

"Apparently, our king intends to bathe and dress Merlin himself." Gaius Says.

"Really?" Gwen says, trying not to smile that's sweet.

Arthur walks over to Merlin and starts removing his boots. "You're serious about this?" Gwen asks shocked

"It is the least I can do …" Arthur says.

"I see" said Gaius, in a tone that made Arthurs eye's snap in his direction. The tone wasn't lost on Gwen. "Arthur?"

The sound of his name brought His attention back to Gwen. "Love can you go settle the knights? Especially Gwyane. Left on his own he may start a mob." Gwen giggles. "Well he is fond of Merlin. Of course I will dear." Says Gwen kissing Arthur on the cheek.

After Gwen leaves Gaius start's to do the same. "No, Gaius you stay… please."

"As you wish sire."

"Sire?"

"Yes, Gaius."

"Are you responsible for Merlin's battered state?"

At that question Arthur is unable to meet Gaius's gaze.

"I see" said Gaius.

"It was a mistake. I – lost my temper I didn't give him a chance to explain."

"Explain what? Sire. Gaius thought he knew but given the dangerous nature of the subject… Arthur just continued to care for Merlin. As if he couldn't bring himself to answer the question.

Although Gaius thought he knew what happened. Especially since Arthur wasn't concerned that Merlin never woke during the whole bathing process.

Gaius says, "I didn't want to mention it in front of the others sire….." Arthur finishes tucking a freshly cleaned and dressed Merlin under the bedding he had brought in. then squaring his shoulders looks at Gaius... "What didn't you want to mention Gaius?"

"Just that …well you only left two days ago… but Merlin's healed as though his injuries are a week old, I personally know that's not possible." Arthur runs his hands through his hair in agitation. "Also you don't seem concerned that Merlin hasn't awaken since your return to Camelot …"

"Do you have a point Gaius?" Arthur asked.

"I believe that Merlin has been effected by some sort of Magical healing sleep…"

"You don't seem surprised sire."

"Tailisen told me, that he wouldn't wake until tomorrow. Then he would be healed." Arthur said.

"Tailisen the sorcerer?" Gaius asked.

Arthur kept talking as if Gaius hadn't spoken telling Gaius of how Merlin woke early once already and didn't react well and Tailisen putting Merlin back to sleep and his warnings…

"I see" said Gaius.

"I don't know when he'll wake. Tailisen said since he's so… so P—Powerful" Arthur watches Gaius as he talks of Merlin's power. Yep there's the eyebrow he remembered from childhood. "That he isn't sure how soon he'll wake up."

"Power? Sire."

"Don't pretend that much ignorance Gaius it is an insult. Magic …Gaius!" Arthur says. Through his teeth.

"Arthur…."

"No, I don't want to talk about it, right now…I'll speak to Merlin when he wakes. Is that clear? Yes, sire.

With that Arthur turns on his heel and leaves. Heading to his chambers via the kitchens to snag some Mead. Planning to drink himself stupid, it's the only way he'll get any sleep after today's events.

What do you think will happen when Merlin wakes? Will Arthur get a chance to make amends ?

Thanks for reading! Comments welcome.

^v^ Ldy. J. ^v^ :)