Today is my birthday so can Merlin belong to me for a second please?
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It is at times like these that Arthur almost wishes there was a way of knowing he is doing the right thing. But then again what choice does he have, really? Ewan is badly injured and they would not be sure of the extent of his injuries until a physician has had a chance to examine him. But anyone looking at him knows that the young knight is in very bad shape and needs the attention of a physician immediately. At the same time moving him could pose danger to the young life. Arthur feels caught between a rock and a hard place.
After much discussion, it is decided that Ewan needs to be moved to a secure and clean environment where he can recuperate in peace. In the end Arthur reasons that it would make sense to move all the injured knights to the Kinilworth estate as it is closest. He is not sure how Ewan's parents will take it but he knows that in the end all they would wish for is for the son to receive the best care. He instructs Merlin to make Ewan as comfortable as he possibly can.
Merlin gives Ewan a draft that puts him into a deep sleep before he takes a dagger and carefully chops off part of the protruding arrow. He knows that they cannot take it out at that point as the knight would probably bleed to death. Knights are quickly sent to the nearest village to borrow a cart that they could use to transport the injured knights. Arthur sends Leon to Leodegrance Castle to inform them of the events and to beg them for their hospitality in accommodating the party of knights. He knows that they have enough room, that though their castle is not as large as his, it is large enough to accommodate some of the knights. The rest of the knights could set up tents somewhere on the grounds. He would make sure to cover all costs that they would incur while there. They would hunt so that there would be enough meat to serve them all. He had instructed Leon to make sure the local physician would be waiting for them when they arrived. Percival is sent to Ewan's parents with a letter for them to make their way to the Kinilworth estates. He had hinted at Ewan being injured but the extent he had not. Arthur considers it better to inform them of the tragic events of that day personally.
The journey to their chosen destination is slow and testing as the heavens decide to open up once again. They try to shield the injured from the rains as much as possible. Regardless, everything they have ends up wet. When it gets too dark for them to continue, they are forced to make camp as they cannot risk travelling in the dark. Too many dangers lurked in the dark including that of getting lost. Arthur would have liked to push on so that Ewan would get the attention he needs but he knows that doing that would endanger more lives.
Sometime during the night, Merlin realises that Ewan has developed a fever. He is not sure whether it is because of the wound or he had just caught a cold because of the rains. He tries to use his magic but he had not yet mastered the healing spells well and therefore does not get the desired outcome. Instead the fever worsens making Arthur anxious to move on. Merlin uses some of the herbs he moves around with to contain the fever and hopes for the best. Never before have men ever wished more for dawn to come as the knights do at that point.
When they eventually make it to Kinilworth castle, they are wet, hungry and bickering amongst themselves. Arthur does not have any energy to stop them and he understands that it is stemming from a combination of exhaustion and frustration. They are received by Gwen's aunt and brother and a crew of servants. A room has already been prepared for the injured and they are immediately taken there. The physician is in the room, an array of vials, roots and herbs displayed on the only table in the room and already giving instructions to those carrying the injured. Ewan and the other injured knights are laid on the prepared beds according to the physician's instructions. A servant is assigned to help the physician. The physician, Sigmond, immediately sets to work. Merlin, though completely exhausted offers to help him, an offer that Sigmond acknowledges and accepts but only on condition that that he rests first. Merlin, though anxious about Ewan realises that he would not be of much help to the physician in his current state.
The physician's first task is to remove the arrow that is protruding from Ewan's chest. There is the obvious worry of him not being able to contain the bleeding. Then of course there is the issue of the fever, which he knows has already weakened the young knight's body. Sigmond knows that there are two possibilities as to the cause of the fever; either the arrow that struck him had been laced with poison or Ewan had caught an infection. Either situation is bad for the young knight. The physician knows the next few days are going to be critical. He shares this news with the worried king, an anxious looking Lady Katherine, and Elyan. After the discussion of the knight's condition, the king escorts Lady Katherine, Elyan in tour, out of the room to a lounge at the heart of the castle. It is the king's intention to discuss how they are going to inform Guinevere, because he knows that much as he would have liked to spare her the pain, she has a right to know. He can tell that Lady Katherine is visibly shaken and is barely containing the tears that are threatening to spill from eyes that are increasingly turning red. If he could have his way, he would have spared her and discussed the issue with Elyan instead, but he knows that as the guardian the lady would want to be present when decisions concerning her ward are made.
Elyan rings for a servant and orders refreshments. Arthur's body feels itchy and he wants, no, needs a hot bath like nothing else and would have gladly killed for one, but one of his main concerns at the moment is Guinevere. He knows that if they are to dispatch someone to Camelot, this discussion has to be done immediately.
After a few moments only interrupted by Lady Katherine intermittent sniffs, Arthur clears his throat to gain the attention of the other two.
"Lady Katherine, Lord Elyan, I am sorry to be a burden to you and your household by imposing myself and my men on you without much notice. We are eternally indebted to you for your kindness."
Elyan bows his head in deference to his sovereign.
"Sire, we are indeed honoured to host you. We would not have had it any other way except maybe a difference in circumstance."
Arthur acknowledges Elyan's obsequiousness and dives into the matter at hand.
"I have taken the initiative to ask Ewan's parents to present themselves here. I did not think it to be appropriate that they should be informed by anyone else regarding the situation we are faced with. I am not sure what their decision will be regarding their son being here but I thought since Gwen… I mean, Lady Guinevere, indicated that you were all friends, they would not mind overly much. But we shall learn of their decision soon enough. Although from Ewan's condition I daresay it would be dangerous to move him."
"Sire, we thank you for looking out for Sir Ewan. I am sure that Sir Robert and Lady Brianna will not mind. They will take whatever the physician prescribes as best for their son."
Arthur's other worry is Guinevere. From the little that he has leant of the lady, he knows that Gwen would prefer to be informed and he is anxious that he does that immediately. He, however, is trying to think of an appropriate way to bring up the subject when Elyan brings it up.
"Sire, my sister should be informed of the developments here. We humbly ask if you could dispatch a messenger to her."
"I was thinking the same thing. Does Lady Gwen have any friends that are around? She will need the comfort of a friend in the trying days ahead?"
"She has a few childhood friends but she tends to keep a lot to herself. Between her love for archery and horses she has little time for socialising." Elyan says with an affectionate smile causing his aunt to snort in frustration and Arthur can tell that the subject has been a source of argument between the older woman and her ward. Arthur remembers Gwen's love for the creatures and cannot help the smile that takes shape on his lips as a picture of Gwen hugging his horse comes to mind. Suddenly, a vision of spiralling curls and an angelic face lodges itself in his brain and he has to blink rapidly several times to get rid of it. He realises he has lost all sense of decorum. Her relatives are right here and her fiancé is fighting for his life. His feelings make him feel guilty and ashamed. Besides if her brother were to find out about the inappropriate thoughts that he has for his sister, he might be forced to defend her honour. He jerks himself back to reality and notes with unease that Elyan's eyes are trained on him narrowly. Great! All he needs is another person to know about his feelings for Gwen. Although he cannot see it happening, he knows for sure, killing the brother of someone you have feelings is definitely not the way to win the said lady's heart. Not that I am trying to win Gwen's heart, of course, because that would be just…inconsiderate and selfish and unscrupulous. And everyone knows how noble I am! Ewan needs Gwen more than I do right now. Arthur schools his features once again and clears his throat.
"I will ask my sister to accompany her. They seem to have hit it off. I will send the messenger promptly. If you do not mind I was thinking of not telling her how grave the situation is but stress that she is to come hastily."
"That would be best, Sire. Thank you once again"
"No need to thank me. I am responsible for my men after all," And though his throat constricts just thinking about it, "And Lady Guinevere is the intended of one of my most loyal knights. It follows that I would be concerned for her too for that reason (Lord, don't strike me for fibbing!). Besides, you have so graciously extended your hospitality to an army of hungry, dirty and noisy knights. It's the least I can do."
"Well sire, as I said before, it is our honour. If you are ready, I can show you to your chambers. I will assign you my manservant to look after you. I am sure you would like to take a bath."
"I do appreciate your offer, Lord Elyan but I have brought my own servant. I am sure he is sleeping in a broom cupboard or an alcove somewhere right now but I am sure I can manage. If you just show to my chambers, Merlin can take it from there.
As Elyan and Arthur leave the lounge, Arthur is shocked to see Merlin standing albeit sleeping on his feet like a cow. He looks relieved at seeing Arthur being escorted to his chambers. Arthur figures that it is because he does not know yet where he is to sleep otherwise he would have disappeared already. They reach the chambers and Merlin is grateful to see that a hot bath has already been prepared for the king. Elyan indicates a smaller room that is near the king's suite as Merlin's for the duration of their stay. He leaves them to settle down indicating that lunch could be brought to the king's chambers if he so wished.
Arthur's first mission was to send Merlin to find the messenger while he sat down to write short letters to both Morgana and Gwen and a third to the head of the royal guard, Sir Warrick, on the escort for the ladies . By the time Merlin comes back with Thomas, Arthur has finished putting the royal seal on them and emphasises to Thomas how important it is that he gets to Camelot promptly. Thomas departs for Camelot with strict instruction to make sure the ladies would be on their way to Kinilworth without delay.
Merlin helps the king get ready for his bath and lays out a clean tunic and breaches for him to change into.
Arthur is just enjoying the effect the hot water and bathing salts are having on his tired bones and is feeling himself slowly being lulled into a semi- conscious state.
"I cannot wait to see Gwen again although the circumstances are not the best. I actually did not realise it but I miss my little chats with her." Merlin says his countenance pensive.
Arthur just grunts noncommittally. Merlin approaches the tub.
"Arthur, I must advise you to tread carefully while with Gwen while we are here."
Arthur head comes up sharply at Merlin's statement.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that while we are here can you and Gwen try to not give each other the pathetic googly eyes and those stupid longing stares. In fact just stay away from her."
"Merlin, I am not a complete imbecile. Of course I already know that. Besides, I am not heartless. Ewan needs Gwen right now and I know I have no rights over her. So I have already resolved to stay away from her."
"Easily said than done. Besides I know your propensity for trouble Arthur."
"Wow Merlin that is a big word. Do you even know what it means?"
"Arthur, I am being serious. If you are not careful, you will either disgrace Gwen or her brother will challenge you to a fight to defend his sister's honour. Killing Gwen's brother will definitely cause any feelings she has for you to die a quick and natural death. Besides, you could end up badly hurt or dead and we know what that would mean for the kingdom."
"Merlin I have been taught to kill since birth. I could not lose to a boy who has hardly had any formal training."
"You are too arrogant for your own good. Gwen has told me that Elyan is quite skilled at the sword. Who knows he might be just be as good as you are or even better. Anyway, whatever happens, it is Gwen who will lose the most here. So just tread carefully here."
Arthur sobers up momentarily. All the things that Merlin has pointed are things that he himself had contemplated. He has a great concern for Gwen and would never want anything that he does to hurt her. He would rather lose one of his limbs than let that happen. In that moment, Arthur realises the intensity of his feelings for Lady Guinevere. He has never felt that way about any woman. There were always beautiful women that were being paraded in front of him by ambitious parents. He had a few dalliances that had not amounted to anything. With Gwen, he feels like he has been hit with the force of a tornado and yet they had barely touched. Is it even possible to feel so much for someone with whom you had done nothing more than have a few moment with. Apparently it is, but the dilemna is that Arthur has no clue what to do about it. He knows that she is not free but clearly something in him seems to ignore that every time. Now, it was even more complicated with Ewan fighting for his life. Gwen could very well be the reason he might have the will to win that fight. He just has to admit defeat. Gwen and him could never be. So why does he feel like he is about to choke whenever he tries ponder a life without Gwen, a life without experiencing her touch or the sensation of his lips on hers?
"Sire, is there anything else that you would like me to do?"
Arthur is visibly startled when Merlin speaks, forcing him out of his reverie.
"Merlin you can go. You can give instruction for my lunch to be brought here. I won't need you for the rest of the afternoon. You can come help me prepare for the evening meal."
Arthur needs time to think. He just needs a strategy to get over his feelings for Gwen because clearly it was no use pinning over what you cannot have. Besides he has other things to worry about. Injured knights and yet still no answer to the problem of who might be responsible for the attacks.
A/N So Gwen and Arthur are going to be reunited. Will their love die or blossom? Will Ewan live or die? Stay close!