A/N: Now entering the slow part of the story...
"Arthur?"
The king snapped back to the present at the sound of Leon's gentle inquiry and pulled himself up.
"Right. We'll camp here for the night- Leon and Percival, you two see if you can find the necessary materials to make a litter for Merlin so we can pull him behind one of the horses tomorrow."
"Actually, Sire-" Gaius interjected as respectfully as possible "it would be better if he rode with someone; both for warmth and to keep an eye on his condition."
Arthur nodded.
"Good- we'll also arrive home more quickly that way. Very well, I see Sirs Vidor and Caridoc have made supper so once you have all eaten be sure to get a good night's sleep- we'll leave at first light."
The men nodded their understanding, none daring to question their ruler's apparent intention to keep watch alone all night.
Releasing his breath in a huff, the king settled back on the ground and absently accepted the bowl of stew being handed to him.
He ate a few spoonfuls, the food tasteless in his mouth, before putting it aside and staring at his manservant.
Merlin remained as pale and still as the dead.
Worming his hand under the layers of Camelot red, Arthur found the man's hand to be cold and clammy.
"Can he really recover from this, Gaius?" He asked softly.
On the other side of the body Gwaine glared at him before the look faded into one of pained understanding.
"Anything is possible, Sire- particularly with Merlin."
The royal snorted lightly.
"That is true."
"Could you hold his mouth open?"
The physician asked, Arthur and Gwaine both reaching forward to do so.
The king allowed his knight to perform the task, opting instead to keep ahold of his servant's hand.
Scooping up the yellow paste he had dedicated so much attention to, he began coating the inside of his ward's mouth.
Arthur was heartened to see the action cause a few twinges in the otherwise slack face.
"This goldenseal will help heal the sores and fight infection."
Gaius explained, needing to fill the heavy silence.
"Good..." Arthur murmured, not really paying attention.
He's so cold...
Coming to a decision, the blond stood abruptly.
"Sir Gwaine, help me with this" he said, fumbling with his armor.
Sensing something in his sovereign's tone, the typically rebellious knight complied without question.
Layers of metal removed, Arthur lifted up the edge of Merlin's covers and laid down next to the other man.
His body revolted at the cold contact, but he nevertheless pressed himself up against his friend's side.
Quickly catching on, Gwaine had called Percival over and shucked his own chain mail before taking up position on Merlin's other side.
Looking across to his subordinate, Arthur said "You realize you can never tell him I did this- or anyone else, for that matter."
The blinding grin he got in response was not reassuring.
"Now, Princess, would I do a thing like that?"