Thank you so much for the amazing support! Just as a warning, I am still writing this as it goes along, so trying my hardest to make the updates steady, but may slip!
The sun was filtering through the trees when Merlin forced his heavy eyes open. He hadn't slept that deeply since...since he couldn't recall when. His limbs were heavy with fatigue and his mouth was dry. For a moment, he was content just to lie there, staring up at the sky. For the first time in eight months, he was feeling more at peace. He had found Arthur, Gaius was here to look after the prince and the Knights were here to protect him. And Merlin...Merlin was here to make sure the royal was okay, the same way he had always done.
Finally, Merlin let his head roll to the side. Over the far side of the clearing, Gwaine, Lancelot and Elyan were talking in unusually subdued tones. Gwaine glanced over, but he didn't seem to notice Merlin was awake. Merlin didn't even notice them looking. Instead, he only had eyes for something much closer. Gauis was sitting against a nearby tree, watching Merlin with a small smile. But Merlin knew it wasn't only him the physician was watching. For directly in front of him, was Arthur.
The prince was sitting – itself a vast improvement – his knees drawn into his chest. Someone had had the sense to bring spare clothing with them, and someone – Merlin had no idea who – had managed to persuade the prince to put on the loose breeches. It must have been a struggle, but there could be no denying Arthur looked far more comfortable. His torso was still bare of clothing, although practically swamped with bandages. His eyes seemed far clearer than before. The pain and confusion still lingered, almost dominating. But it was also obvious that he was watching Merlin.
"Arthur?" The prince merely blinked as Merlin reached out to him, and seeing the way he tensed slightly, Merlin stopped himself. Merlin pushed himself upright, groaning as he forced the blood to flow through his limbs again. Gaius hurried over, handing Merlin a platter.
"Eat that, my boy. You need your strength. How are you feeling?" His questions made Merlin smile, glad that there could once again be a sense of normality. He had cut himself off from his friends too much during the last eight months, but as his gaze flickered back to Arthur, the smile vanished. It was for a good reason he had isolated himself. Maybe he should have done more..?
"Merlin. Don't." Leon's quiet voice coming from behind him made Merlin jump as he twisted his head around. The knight was leaning against a tree, arms folded but with one hand resting atop his sword, his fingers looking like they were itching to use it. Judging by his stance, he had been there a while. Merlin thought he knew what had the man so on edge though. Out of all the battles he had ever ridden in to, Leon had been the one consistent thing.
But even he was looking out of his depth here. As the man's eyes flickered to Arthur, Merlin knew why. The burn would have kept Arthur awake all night, and Merlin suddenly felt a stab of guilt that he hadn't tried to stay awake with him for some of it. Although considering the last thing he could remember was Gaius forcing a bottle into his hand, he somehow knew that he wouldn't have had a choice in the matter. So instead of explaining properly about what he believed the burn to do, he had slept. Meaning that his friends had been forced to watch it flare into life at regular intervals, keeping Arthur conscious. No wonder Leon was looking out of his depth.
"Don't you dare blame yourself for what happened here. You found the prince, no matter how long it took. You didn't give up." Just like that, Merlin knew what the underlying problem was. If Arthur had died, Leon would have known how to react. Instead, he was now left with a broken prince and having to explain to the King why the patrols didn't find him sooner.
"He'll be alright." Merlin's words sounded forced even to himself, but as he glanced over at Arthur, who was watching the exchange cautiously, Merlin did indeed feel a flicker of hope. There had been the original spark when he realised he had found Arthur, but on seeing the conditions and treatment he had undergone, that spark had been well and truly extinguished. But now, now Merlin was beginning to believe there may yet be hope. There was certainly something other than fear alight in Arthur's eyes now.
Struck by an idea, Merlin put his platter back on the ground, pushing it towards the prince. For a split second, Arthur looked like he was considering it, but then he pulled away, wrapping his arms around himself. Merlin merely sighed. One step at a time.
"Gaius? Do you think I could...could talk to you?" Gaius seemed to understand that Merlin meant in private. Or more specifically, away from the hearing of those who may be less than favourable about what he needed to talk about. Letting Gaius lead the way into an open space just outside of their clearing, Merlin sat down, his hands gripping his knees.
"Gaius, it's the burn. I don't know how to get it off him." Merlin knew there was no point in trying to soften the matter. Not when he knew that he needed to get back to Arthur was quickly as possible.
"What do you think it does?" Gaius was frowning in contemplation, his mind clearly beginning to think through what he knew in order to be able to make suggestions to the young warlock.
"I think it keeps him alive." Merlin responded bluntly. "He doesn't drink, doesn't eat and doesn't sleep. Every time he goes to lose consciousness, it brings him back again."
"Don't touch it!" Merlin blinked at the sharp tone in Gaius's voice before the physician seemed to regain some of his composure and smiled apologetically at the warlock. "I'm sorry, Merlin, it's just, if you try and remove it, you'll kill him." Gaius was glad Merlin was sitting down at the news, for the colour drained from his face. Gaius had no idea that it was only because of Arthur's injuries that had stopped Merlin from removing it, he just hadn't had the chance.
"W...what?"
"He needs to regain some of his strength. You say he hasn't eaten or drunk? If this has been going on for his whole disappearance, it is going to take a while before he can stomach it himself again. He won't be able to hold down the nutrients, and with the burn gone, he'll just disappear. He has to physically regain his strength.
"What about sleep though? He can't do that, it won't let him. I've seen it Gaius, every time he tries, it hurts him."
"You might be able to do something about that..." Gaius mused, looking thoughtful. "If we can build his body back up, let him be able to sustain himself..." Gaius's voice trailed off and the old man was clearly lost in thought. Merlin let him ponder for a moment, before he coughed gently, bringing the physician back into the present.
"What's that got to do with me?" Gaius leant forward, his eyes almost gleaming with excitement.
"If I can give him a sleeping draught, his body should relax. You should use your magic to nullify the pain from the burn. I believe it will die away if it does not rouse him, you said it did nothing against the poison. It's easy, we simply have to get Arthur into a deeper state of unconsciousness, not even the magic will be able to pull him out of that, not if it is battling yours."
"You want me to use magic? On Arthur?" Gaius's face fell a little.
"I know it is asking a lot. But with the draught, his mind won't be thinking straight. Merlin, if this works, it will overcome the magic of the mark; it will be as if hehas overcome it. There will be no need to remove it completely; no one will ask any questions."
"No." Merlin said flatly, his blood boiling. Everything made sense, apart from one thing. "I won't leave it on him if I can help it. Do you know what the mark signifies, Gaius? I willnot leave Arthur branded as a slave, I won't!"
"Merlin..."
"No, Gaius! He deserves better than that, he is better than that. Out of all the things they've done, I won't let that be the lasting mark on him." Merlin found his breath was hitching erratically and he was trying to hold back tears. Arthur had been proud for as long as Merlin had known him. To begin with, Merlin had believed the pride had been about the prince himself, and he had hated the arrogant prat for it. But now he knew that was not the case. Arthur knew he was good, no one could deny him that. But his pride now was for the kingdom that would one day be his. He was proud of his people, of the Knights he had raised from commoners. One thing Merlin was sure about however was that although these thugs had stripped that pride from him, Merlin was going to get it back!
"Merlin." Gaius sighed heavily. "Merlin, some marks can never be removed." He didn't just mean physically, and he knew his ward knew it. Whilst he had feared for the worst, this was beyond what he had been dreading. He knew there was a chance they would never get theirArthur back, and Gaius knew that would destroy the warlock more than not knowing where he was. "At least help me try to get him to eat and drink. We have to see whether we can fight off the burn first. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Come on, no doubt you want to be getting back to him?"
Merlin shakily stood up, trying to control his frantic heartbeat. How could someone have done this to the prince? He knew – even after his collapse – that there was still part of his brain that was struggling to process the scenes he had walked in on. Maybe it was the days of trying to nurse Arthur with the prince flinching away at every opportunity? Maybe it was because, unlike the others, he had actually seen what was being done? Part of Merlin knew it was because of his magic. His magic was what had got him into the building, and it was nothing to do with his control of it. For the first time ever, his magic had made him welcome rather than an outcast. Everything about the whole situation was wrong.
As Gaius set off back into the clearing, Merlin shuffled his feet. "Gaius? I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"I know, Merlin." With those simple words, Gaius led the way back into the clearing. Merlin immediately ran over to Arthur. The prince was curled on his side again, and as his servant approached, Merlin frowned.
"Gaius, he's shivering. Can't you do anything?"
"Stoke up the fire. I can't cover him with anything, there are still too many open wounds." Merlin knew what he was trying to say. Even Gaius hadn't brought it enough supplies, not considering they would be stuck here for a few more days until Arthur had healed enough to even contemplate travelling. Everything spare they had would be needed to re-dress the more severe of the wounds.
"And try to get him to drink this." Gaius handed Merlin a small goblet. One glance inside showed it was only water, but Merlin suddenly felt nervous. He had managed to avoid being seen as a threat in Arthur's eyes, always backing away whenever the prince reacted to him. Merlin knew it was selfish, but he would rather someone else do it. Before he could voice his opinion, he caught Gaius' eye. The physician jerked his head towards where Arthur was curled up, and Merlin followed his gaze. Arthur was still watching him.
Sighing, Merlin made a show of taking a long draught from the goblet. It was the only thing he could think of doing. Now he knew why Gaius had brought the goblet rather than the normal water skins. It was obvious to everyone what was in it. Stretching out his hand, he offered it to the prince. He was fully expecting Arthur to jerk away, so when a hand unfolded itself from his body, Merlin grinned. He reached out a little further, but left enough distance so Arthur would have to come to him. He didn't want to crowd the prince.
A shaking hand brushed momentarily against his as Merlin gave up the hold on the cup. Arthur's hand couldn't support the weight of it and it immediately clunked against the floor. Luckily, it stayed upright, for the prince's hand had barely been hovering against the ground as it was. Merlin bit his lip, but stayed where he was.
Arthur's eyes were burning in something that Merlin would have once said was concentration. He knew the whole clearing was watching, he could almost feel it hold its breath as Arthur managed to drag the goblet towards him. Merlin wanted to see the look on their faces, but he didn't tear his eyes away from the prince, scared it would be a dream if he so much as blinked.
Someone – Merlin wasn't sure who – sucked in an audibly breath as Arthur brought the cup to a stop next to his lips. He glanced back at Merlin, who smiled reassuringly. Very, very slowly, he tilted the goblet slightly, letting the base still rest on the ground. Merlin thought he would burst with impatience as Arthur's lips closed around the top. It was as if time stopped the moment the water touched Arthur's lips.
Although the burn had kept him alive through the lack of fluid, it had done nothing to quench the burning thirst. As with his injuries, it had numbed it enough to keep him sane, but now Arthur was feeling something cool, soothing and wet against his lips, he couldn't stop himself. One sip was taken tentatively, and then suddenly, Arthur was trying to gulp the rest.
"Merlin, stop him!" Gaius yelled, beginning to hurry forward as fast as his aged body would allow. The Knights sprung into action, all beginning to run towards the pair, but Merlin just lunged, knocking the cup away from Arthur with his elbow. By the time he had pushed himself into an upright position again, Arthur had scrambled away. He had yet to stand, but had managed to move a reasonable distance. Once more, his knees were drawn up to his chest and he wrapped his arms around them. Merlin had come to realise it was the same as when he had curled up by the fire. It was Arthur trying to make himself as small as possible, and it all but broke Merlin's heart every time he saw it. Arthur's eyes were wide and terrified as he shrunk back into himself at the sudden movement.
"Gaius, what's going on?" Elyan eventually called when silence once again fell over the clearing. Gaius sighed.
"I didn't realise he would actually feel the thirst. Rand, am I right in thinking that is the first time he has drunk something himself?"
Rand nodded. "For as long as I've known him."
"Gaius, what?"
"Give it a minute." The physician's eyes were locked on Arthur, and he was taking small steps towards the prince. It was obvious to Merlin he was trying to get as close as possible without Arthur realising he was there. Merlin realised what was about to happen and also began to approach his friend. He had just got into the distance where Arthur would normally shrink back when it happened. Everything Arthur had just gulped down came rushing back up again.
Merlin was by his side in a second, forcing him over onto his hands and knees as Arthur vomited. Gaius was directly behind him. Finally, the prince all but collapsed into a trembling wreck. Gaius took one look at Merlin and moved away. The warlock brushed Arthur's hair away from his forehead with the back of his hand. Arthur's eyes were glazed and dull, and Merlin knew his master had had enough of this.
"It will get better." He whispered, wondering if he was making promises that he couldn't keep. He had been so encouraged when Arthur showed some sign of wanting to drink; he could only hope this wouldn't put him off. If what Gaius had been saying was true, they needed Arthur to try and regain some of his strength. But whilst they could treat his wounds using force, Merlin knew this was something Arthur had to want for himself.
He wasn't sure how long he stayed sitting with Arthur, but a gentle touch on his arm made him jump, looking around to see Lancelot standing over him. The Knight caught his gaze and smiled reassuringly, gesturing for Rand to come over. Arthur had zoned out, he didn't seem to notice.
"Rand will sit with him. We need to talk to you." Merlin couldn't deny the flicker of doubt and uncertainty shoot through him at Lancelot's words. Or more specifically, his tone. His voice was cool, not his usual friendliness. Merlin nodded reluctantly, allowing himself to be pulled away from Arthur.
Merlin found himself back in the clearing he had been in with Gaius. But they weren't alone. Gwaine and Percival were already there.
"Merlin, we're going in." Gwaine said bluntly, his hand already resting on his sword. Merlin blinked at him.
"We have to make sure they won't come after him again," Lancelot added quietly, sounding more like his old self. "And we want you with us, you deserve to the peace of mind of knowing this is over."
Merlin couldn't help but smile, a flicker of power running through him as Emrys stirred. The men in that building had destroyed Arthur. It was all Merlin could do to make sure it would never happen again.
"Count me in."