... previously ...

In Sickness and In Health

"Stay … Arthur ..." Merlin pleaded. The prince tried to open the door but found that he couldn't, despite the fact that there was no obvious lock or latch on it.

"Merlin, let me out, or … or you'll be mucking out my stables for a whole week." Merlin grumbled and the door flew back open. "Better. Now can you mag … move back to the other bed?" This time he was in the perfect position to see it happen. It wasn't a wild whirlwind that he'd seen when other sorcerers transported. This was just a slight shimmer in the air and Merlin quickly disappeared from his bed and promptly reappeared in the one next door. Arthur shuddered at the sight and swallowed hard, his mind reeling with the implications. He was still desperately clinging onto the hope that Merlin had developed some strange magical disease which was making him able to do these things.

He continued his way back down the stairs and briefly adjusted the blanket around the young man, his jaw tightening and loosening as he did so.

"You and I are going to have a very long talk when you're better, Merlin," he whispered in a voice that was almost a snarl. "Don't think for a moment you're going to wriggle your way out of this one."

Merlin looked at him then, apparently, suddenly very aware. His blue eyes widened and his face arranged itself into such an expressive look of hurt and fear that Arthur's anger quickly dissolved and a lump came to his throat. The thin, pale young man continued to hold the Prince's gaze for a long time whilst, despite his better judgement, Arthur's annoyance, confusion and hurt slowly dissolved into nothing.

"Pathetic, Merlin," Arthur said eventually with a small growl, getting to his feet and storming towards to door. "Totally pathetic," he continued to mutter as he walked out of the main room and down the corridor. "As if I'd ever fall for that!"

A/N (1) So, what day is it today? Where did the original title come from? To good a co-incidence to ignore!

14. For Better Or For Worse

"How is Merlin this morning?" Arthur asked Gaius as they crossed paths in one of the castle's corridors.

"His fever broke last night," said Gaius with a broad smile, "so I'm confident he will have recovered by next week."

"He better had - otherwise ..." Arthur paused and shook his head, not confident about making violent threats against his servant considering their last meeting. "Is he up to visitors yet?" he asked, instead, hoping Gaius didn't know about his unscheduled appearance the other day.

"Ah ... yes, of course. He's asleep at the moment but ... later this afternoon ... if that's convenient?"

"Of course. Honestly, the things I do for that idiot," Arthur complained. "Doesn't he know I've got a wedding to prepare for?"

"Still pretending to be ill then, Merlin?" said Arthur as he walked into his servant's small room to find him lying in his own bed - still looking thin and pale, but rather better than he had the other day.

"Arthur, I'm really sorry about all this ... what with your wedding and I'm sure there's so much you need me to do." Merlin started to haul himself up.

"I'm joking of course, although your help will be appreciated when you're able." Merlin again attempted to rise, but Arthur put a firm hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. "When Gaius gives you a full bill of health and not before."

"I'm not waiting that long. He'll have me here for the rest of the year, you know he will." Arthur smiled slightly.

"So, what was it you were suffering from then? Gaius was very strict about letting anyone see you," asked Arthur as noncelently as he could.

"Ah, just a fever but ... you know, a serious one. He didn't want anyone to catch it – especially you or Gwen." Arthur noted that Merlin avoided his gaze during this.

"But, apparently, Lancelot was allowed to see you?"

"Ah ... he was ...?" And that was definitely a wince.

"Honestly, Merlin, was it just a normal fever?"

"Ah ... yes?"

"Not some strange illness that Gaius wanted to keep me from knowing about? Nothing ... magical?" Merlin's eyes widened at this.

"M-magical? Why would you say that?"

"Well, we've seen all sorts here, haven't we? I can understand if Gaius wanted to protect you from ... I mean ... if it were some strange magical disease then it might seem to ... my father ... as if the victim themselves were to blame when, if fact ..."

"Why would you think it was a magical illness at all?"

"Do you not remember anything from when you were fevered?" He asked, giving Merlin a very intense look, the young man paled.

"A-arthur? Did you visit me?"

"Yes,"

"But Gaius said ..."

"Yes?"

"Ah ..." Merlin frowned as if trying to remember. "You were ... I think ... You got me some water?"

"Not exactly. I couldn't find the jug."

"So ...?"

Of course, Gaius chose exactly that moment to put his head around the door and interrupt their conversation.

"It really is very good of you to visit, your highness but, I think Merlin needs to rest, especially if he's going to be well enough for the wedding."

"There is no way I'm going to miss that, Gaius," he pouted.

"Well then, you'd better get some sleep."

"But ..." He looked up at Arthur with the same, wide eyed expression he'd used when he was ill.

"Pathetic ... as I said before," said Arthur with a shake of his head. Merlin gave a little squeak, perhaps remembering something more. "This conversation can wait until he's stronger, Gaius."

"A little fresh air would do him good, Sire. Perhaps tomorrow? If the weather's fair?"

"Yes, we've lots to talk about haven't we, Merlin?"

"Ah yes ... about the wedding?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes, and that too," said Arthur with a predatory smile. Merlin swallowed heavily and quickly sank back down under the covers.

Much to Merlin's annoyance, he was only able to make it outside with Gaius supporting him on one side and Arthur on the other.

"There must be an easier way to do this," he grumbled.

"Really? What might that be?" asked Arthur, the question heavily loaded. He grinned as he saw panic flicker across Merlin's face, but quickly schooled his expression when Gaius raised an eyebrow and frowned at him. Merlin simply muttered a disgruntled response which, fortunately for Arthur, turned the physician's attention back to his ward.

"Language, Merlin! Honestly, if you weren't so ill ..."

"I'm sorry, Gaius, but it's just so frustrating."

"Here, let's rest here for a moment. Merlin, sit on this wall, in the sun and then you can easily shift over into the shade if it gets too much," said Arthur.

"Sire, are you sure that you're ...?"

"We're fine, Gaius. Lots to discuss and I promise I'll bring him back if he starts to feel ill. Honestly, I could probably pick him up with one arm and carry him, he's so skinny ... even more skinny in fact."

"Yes, I'll have a nutritious broth ready for you when you come home, Merlin."

"Oh joy," the boy muttered under his breath and Arthur chuckled, yet again forgetting that he was supposed to be annoyed with his servant.

"So, Merlin, about my visit the other day?" he said when the old man had left.

"Ah .. yes?"

"Oh, Merlin, you're up ... how wonderful!" Gwen ran over to their position and threw her arms around him, almost knocking him over, even though he was sitting down.

"Guinevere ... give the boy some air," said Arthur in a light-hearted tone.

"S-sorry. Oh, you still look so pale - you poor thing! Are you sure you're well enough to be out of bed?" She turned abruptly towards her betrothed. "You're not trying to get him back to work already are you, Arthur?"

"No, I'm not. I'm being exceptionally gallant and good natured and am simply here to help him to get a little fresh air." The scoff from Merlin was entirely expected and the young Regent grinned broadly.

"Oh, but you poor thing, we were both so worried about you and ... with good reason ... someone like you can hardly afford to loose any more weight. Are you sure you're alright? She put a hand up to his forehead and then gently stroked his head as if he were a little cat in need of a fuss.

"Guinevere ... it's not that I don't trust you and ... it is only Merlin after all, but ... do you really think you should be showering such affection on another man three days before our marriage?"

"Ah ... sorry," she apologised, although, interestingly, Arthur didn't seem even slightly jealous. Merlin wasn't sure whether he should be impressed or offended by this. Did he really not see him as any threat in that regard?

"Well, I am feeling a little ... weak and perhaps ... just another hug or ... a kiss?" he asked hopefully, putting a finger to his pouting lips and giving Gwen his best wide eyed, most pathetic look.

"Merlin," Arthur growled, whilst Gwen giggled and obliged him with another gentle cuddle. "You are in enough trouble as it is, without adding any more reasons for me not to trust you."

"Ah ...?"

"Arthur," Gwen scolded again, "As if Merlin could have done anything wrong yet. Be nice."

"I am actually being remarkable nice and ... considerate but ... well, if you don't mind, Merlin and I have matters to discuss. You know about ... the wedding and ... don't you have your own preparations to make anyway?"

"Yes, yes of course, you're quite right." She gave Merlin a gentle kiss on the cheek which had him grinning from ear to ear, and Arthur a short but passionate kiss on the lips and left them. Merlin watched the prince as he followed Gwen with his eyes, his cheeks a little pink and his eyes rather wild and hoped perhaps he might have forgotten what he wanted to talk about.

"So, Gwen said something about how worried you both were?"

"No she didn't. She just said she was worried. Why would I be worried about you?"

"No, I'm sure she said 'we.'"

"Your fever has obviously affected your hearing too, Merlin. Talking of which ..."

"I was thinking that I might be up for some of that stew Gaius mentioned," he interrupted brightly.

"He said it was broth, Merlin and don't change the subject." He knew it had been too good to be true.

"So, you visited me when Gaius expressly forbade it?"

"I am Regent of Camelot, you know. This is now my palace and I can go anywhere I like."

"Lucky you."

"Merlin, will you stop trying to distract me. Look, when I visited you, I told you I was cold and the next moment this blanket suddenly appeared around my shoulders." Arthur found it difficult not to laugh at the total look of shock on his servant's face. "Then you wanted water and somehow managed to move the jug towards you without leaving the bed ..."

"I think you're joking. T-that's just not possible."

"And then, to top it all, you did ..."

"Did what?"

"Left the bed." He snapped his fingers for effect. "Disappeared and reappeared in your own bed next door."

"But I can't do that, I haven't learnt that spell yet ... ah ..." Arthur grinned viciously. "Oh, bother!"

It was the day of the most anticipated wedding in thirty years. The marriage of Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot to the Lady Guinevere. Although she had now been accepted by the court as noble (by some with more enthusiasm than others), the commoners were feeling especially excited by the whole affair as Gwen had been 'one of them,' and if it could happen the her then, it could happen to them or to their daughters in the future. The whole city was decorated with ribbons and flags and everyone given a day off to celebrate with the royal couple.

"Although, what is the likelihood of this happening again?" said Arthur as an aside to Merlin as they waited for Gwen to make her appearance. "Someone who is not of noble birth marrying the future King?"

"It's highly unlikely, certainly," said Merlin. "In fact, it's about as likely as a Prince of Camelot being attended by his Court Sorcerer on his wedding day, I would think."

"Shut up, Merlin."

A/N (2) Okay, so not that much wedding stuff but I felt the need to reference Will and Kate somewhere in this and I honestly love the co-incidences.

As I publish this the deed is done (beautiful dress!) and I wish them both love, health and happiness.