Hidden Royalty Chapter Fourteen

Balinor had stepped out of the room after the doctor was done with the agreed hour check-up. Everything went as it was supposed to go and Merlin had drifted in and out of consciousness as was expected. When Merlin was conscious, he would open his eyes and blink several times before closing them again. He never made any eye contact with anyone and Balinor and Hunith weren't even sure if Merlin knew where he was.

As Balinor had stepped out of the room to discuss some further improvement for the security with Lancelot, Arthur came into the room and had taken his place next to the bed. Arthur was bummed to say at least that only two persons were allowed in the room at this time, but it wasn't like he could do anything to change that decision.

Hunith smiled softly when he took a seat and saw that he immediately gripped Merlin's hand into his own.

Three more hours went by in quite the same fashion. Balinor and Arthur pretty much took turns with occasionally Will and Percy taking a place. Hunith remained at Merlin's side at all times. The doctor had come by to do several more test and Merlin was finally cleared from the oxygen mask. However, the chest tube was still needed as were the IVs with pain medication.

At around one in the afternoon, security had brought in some lunch for everyone, which existed out of a few basic sandwiches and some strong coffee. Arthur had picked a chicken sandwich as he had discovered those were Merlin's favourite and he was just feeling sentimental at this point.

Arthur was just munching on his sandwich and Hunith was drinking her coffee while reading a newspaper article that involved Merlin when they heard it.

"Chicken?"

It was said softly, almost like a whisper, and the voice sounded hoarse, but immediately Hunith and Arthur's head had turned towards the bed where they saw how Merlin had turned his head to the left towards Arthur and was actually looking at him. Arthur forgot the chicken sandwich immediately, letting it slide of his lap as he jumped up to cup Merlin's head between his both hands and bringing his lips down onto Merlin's in a moment of passion. When he pulled back he saw Merlin smile faintly before his face twisted in pain when he tried to sit up more.

Hunith had stood up as well and gently pushed her son down before running a hand through his hair. Merlin turned his head and smiled at her as well. She was close to tears to see her son awake and responding, although she saw that his eyelids were already started to droop a little bit again.

Merlin swallowed a few times and Hunith saw his discomfort when he did it, so she brought a cup of water with a straw to his lips and he drank it eagerly. Sighing with pleasure as he drank the cup in one big gulp.

When she put the cup down she turned to him and stared at him a few seconds. Arthur was sitting down again, but had pulled up his chair even closer to the bed than it already was and was once again holding Merlin's hand close into his and pressing his lips against the back of Merlin's hand, but now with a smile gracing his face.

"I'm going to get the doctor." Hunith announced after staring at her son for a few moments. She was careful to take the newspaper with her. When she had walked out of the door Merlin had been looking confused for a few seconds, not really understanding yet where he was and why. But it slowly came back to him of what had happened. He slowly turned his head towards Arthur again.

He coughed because of his still too dry throat, before asking, "Has the sho- … are you hurt?"

Arthur shook his head no but then gave a one shouldered shrug. "No, well not really. Nothing I can't handle. It's you that I was worried about."

When Merlin shifted in the bed, his face carried signs of pain again. He looked down and saw the bandages and then the tube sticking out of him and his eyes widened. He brought his hand up towards it but Arthur batted his hand away.

"No, don't touch it." He said stern with a scowl on his face. "The doctor had said it might be uncomfortable, just try to relax and don't think about it too much."

Merlin closed his eyes and whispered back, "Easy for you to say. There aren't things sticking out of you." He opened his eyes, but Arthur could see how tired he was. He bent forward and placed a hand against Merlin's cheek.

"Just get some more sleep."

Merlin nodded slowly, his eyes closing more and more. Before he was completely back to sleep he said one specific thing that made Arthur laugh out loud.

"I've cleaned my room mister neat."

~oOoOo~

Hunith had entered the room once more and the doctor had been able to wake Merlin for a short period of time to ask a few questions. Merlin was able to answer a few before he had become too tired to answer some more and drifted back to sleep.

The doctor had checked his wounds and they still looked the same, again no sign of any infection. He had beckoned Hunith to follow him and when they were outside the room, Balinor quickly came towards them and they both followed the doctor to a nearby office.

The doctor looked between both and smiled. "Merlin is doing really great so far. From how things are going, I suspect him to be fully awake early this evening. I will check him once more then and check his lung function. If everything is normal, I can take the chest tube out. We'll let him sit first and then slowly we'll let him walk around the room. At the same time we will gradually lower the pain medications, so he's more responsive and won't be so tired so easily. Of course if he feels any pain we can increase it again."

"That's great news." Balinor said and wrapped his arm around Hunith, giving her a quick peck on her hair.

"When can he come home?" Hunith asked softy.

The doctor shifted on his feet and looked down on the patient record. "It all depends on how he's doing today. If his vitals stay normal and we're able to extubate the chest tube today, than he can go home the day after tomorrow. But we will only allow that if he stays on complete bed rest for at least the end of the week and no stress or exertion."

"Of course." Balinor answered.

The doctor looked at Balinor. "This is normally none of my business, but because it's for the Merlin's best interest, I have to discuss it."

Balinor looked confused, as did Hunith. She shook her head lightly and looked at the doctor with narrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

The doctor shifted once more on his feet. He looked down to the floor before looking up to Balinor. "It has come to my attention, that Merlin doesn't know that you're - his father and that you would want to tell him soon about it. And normally it would be a big shock already if someone finds out who his parent is after so many years, but considering your - occupation, it's probably wiser that you would tell him about it in the hospital. Again, it's none of my business when and where you'll be telling your son, but we have to remember that Merlin's heart had stopped, twice. Even though his rhythm is steady now, we won't know what would happen if Merlin would be reacting badly to the news. At least in the hospital professional help is close-by and then-"

"No, no. I understand." Balinor interfered. "We'll take your advice in consideration."

The doctor nodded and left the room

Balinor ran both hands across his face and through his short hair. "He has a point Hunith."

Hunith sighed. "I know." She felt a hand being placed on top of her thigh. "I know we said that we would wait until Winter break, but - I don't know. Maybe we should just tell him. It's not like we have any more options left. Either tell now or in three weeks during Winter break, it hardly makes a different does it?"

Balinor just nodded his head and only said, "But let's wait until after the tube is out."

~oOoOo~

Hunith had intended to stay a few minutes longer with Balinor, mostly discussing on how to break the news but mostly because she just loved to be in his presence. But those minutes turned out to be close to an hour and she only went from Balinor's side when one other bodyguard had informed them that Merlin was awake again. Arthur had passed that on to him.

Hunith entered the room, feeling bad for Balinor that he couldn't see his son. Yet.

She smiled though when she saw her son more or less awake. At least he seemed more present than an hour ago, but still he looked very tired. Merlin smiled back.

"How are you feeling hunnie?" Hunith whispered, running her hand through his hair once more.

"Like I've been shot." Merlin answered with a small sly smile on his lips. He got a small smack against his arm from his mother. Arthur just shook his head in response.

"Always having to make jokes do you? And now seriously, please." She sent him a pointed look and sat down on the chair she hadn't left much these past days.

Merlin took a deep breath. "Tired." He breathed out. "And my side is a bit uncomfortable and sore." Merlin brought his hand up to lightly touch the bandage that was wrapped over the bullet wound. "And my skin is pulling slightly, but I can't really complain though. Things could've gone horrible wrong, I feel quite lucky."

"Well you're certainly being calm about it." Arthur retorted with a short chuckle. "'I think I would have screamed bloody murder if I'd be waking up with a bullet wound and a chest tube sticking out of me."

"Well a good thing then that I'm not you." Merlin grinned.

"So do you remember anything?" Hunith asked after a few minutes of silence.

Merlin shrugged with the shoulder of his unharmed side. "Bits and pieces. Not much. I remember Arthur walking backwards and then there was a loud sort of bang and then we turned around and that's pretty much it really."

"So you don't remember lying on the ground with me talking to you?" Arthur asked.

"No." Merlin answered. "Should I?"

"No. No it wasn't important. Just -" Arthur's voice started to crack. He took a deep breath. "I'm just happy that you're alright."

Merlin gave him a reassuring smile and lifted his hand to put over Arthur's, who's hand was lying on top of the blanket. Merlin's eyebrows drew together just slightly for a moment and Arthur looked at him with his head tilted.

"Merlin?" He asked. "Something wrong?"

Merlin stared a few moments ahead of him but then shook his head and came out of his daze. He grinned to Arthur. "It's… nothing. Must've been my imagination."

"What is?" Hunith asked, drawing closer.

"A dream." Merlin chuckled lightly. "A pretty messed up dream I guess. Your mind definitely makes weird connection when you're being unconscious."

Arthur and Hunith shared a look between the two of them. Merlin was babbling about something they didn't really understood. "A dream?" Hunith said. "About what?"

"You actually."

"Me?" Hunith responded, surprised tone clearly evident.

"Yeah you. And believe it or not, the King of Mercia." Merlin chuckled again with shaking his head in a playful way and he looked down at the duvet. Doing that, he didn't saw the alarming look going back and forth between his mother and boyfriend. Hunith had to keep her breathing calm and Arthur was silently encouraging to do so.

"I've only seen the man one time and am already putting you two together. Well I suppose you could do worse." Merlin prattled on, only looking briefly to his mother and because he was convinced on how ridiculously it sounded, he converted his mother's shocked expression for one of disgust. He laughed again and held his arm out, which could only just reach his mother's shoulder.

"Don't worry mum, I'd be a lousy Prince. For one I'd probably won't have enough patience to stand around for pictures."

Hunith simpered back at her son and swallowed into her starting to dry throat. She abruptly stood up, not being able to keep her hyperventilation in, that she felt bubbling up for Merlin for much longer. "I'll see if there's some tea."

"I'll help you. And I need to go to the loo anyways." Arthur said standing up and quickly coming up with an excuse to get out of the room.

Merlin still seemed oblivious to his mother's inner turmoil and instead sighed contently. "God yes. I could do with a cuppa."

~oOoOo~

Hunith stumbled out of the room, and not yet fell towards the wall opposite of the door. She supported herself at the wall, her breathing coming out in short quick breaths. Percy and Will looked concerned, but stayed at their spot in the hallway since Arthur was soon there next to her, as well as two other security guards that had been rushing towards her.

"My lady, is something wrong?

Balinor came quickly out of the adjacent room after seeing Hunith walk out the room, and saw Hunith now leaning against the wall. He quickly led her to the room he just came out of and set her down on a chair. One guard offered a cup of water and Balinor handed it over to her. She drank it but didn't say anything yet, still too shaken up. Arthur on the other hand pulled Balinor a bit to the side and explained what happened in the room.

Balinor gave a short nod and sat on his haunches in front of Hunith, he looked up to her and she looked back at him. He was pleased to see that she calmed down some more already. "You okay?" Balinor whispered. Hunith nodded softly.

"I am. It's just that - he was talking about you and I just. I don't know… I shouldn't be so paranoid about it. I mean he's going to learn about it soon…" Hunith took a deep breath and then blew it all out. "I'm just so worried on how he will react."

Balinor stood up and embraced Hunith while she still sat on the chair. He softly stroked through he curls. "We both are. And he's probably mad at first, but I just hope he'll accept in the end."

After some reassurances done from Balinor's part and telling her that he would call JJ again to tell that Merlin was doing better, Hunith pulled herself together and stood up to return to the room. She asked the security for some tea, because she couldn't come back empty handed. When Hunith and Arthur came back into the room, they found Merlin asleep once again. His mouth slightly open and when they were listening carefully they could detect a soft snoring sound.

~oOoOo~

It was later that evening that the doctors came for the final check-up of that day and seeing whether the tube could come out yet. It had taken Merlin a little longer to be more alert and awake, but now, close to nine o'clock the doctors deemed him responsive enough.

Hunith was allowed to be in the room, but Arthur was kindly asked to wait outside and so went to Balinor in the adjacent room. Arthur could see that the man was nervous and he had some idea on to why. If all would go well, than he and Hunith would tell Merlin about his heritage. It was hard enough for him to learn about it, so he couldn't grasp on how hard it would be for both parents to tell it and for Merlin to accept it. If he would accept it.

He kept Balinor company and sent a group text to Will and Percy about the fact that Merlin was awake enough right now to get examined and they would hear whether the tube would get out or not.

Will and Percy had gone home, because they would go to school again the next day, and they still had some project to finish. They weren't that keen on going back though, because they heard from some classmates about how the paparazzi were basically camping out in front of the school and since they were Merlin's friends they were prime target to ambush with questions, but Balinor made sure to have some security agents follow the two boys as well.

Also, Will did need some time alone to get fully used to the idea that his best friend of the past five years was a Prince and right now it was just weird to him.

Arthur handed a cup of water over to Balinor who sat head in hands on one of the chairs. He briefly looked up when the cup was put in front of him and sent a brief smile to Arthur and muttered a, "Thanks."

"No problem." Arthur said and pulled up another chair to sit on. They sat in a comfortable silence for some minutes until Arthur turned to Balinor, he looked at him. Balinor sipped his drink quietly and seemed to be in thoughts. Arthur could only guess what was on his mind.

"Are you -" Arthur began, but stopped midsentence, not exactly knowing how to ask. In the end he decided just to be blunt. "Are you excited to be a parent?" Once he asked, he actually felt quite stupid, what kind of question was that to ask?

But how stupid he might've thought the question was, he did saw the corners of Balinor's lips curl up behind the rim of the cup.

Balinor lowered his cup and turned to Arthur with the smile still on his face. "I am. I really do. I mean, it all depends on Merlin if he wants to get to know me, but I really hope he will." Balinor sighed softly. "But I have to wait to find out. And right now, I just hope that my son is alright."

Arthur smiled softly about how he heard Balinor talking about Merlin with so much love already, even though he barely knew Merlin.

Hunith came into the room minutes later with a big smile on her face. "The tube is out." She said while entering. "It only took seconds and now he has a bandage over the wound, but that should heal pretty soon." She made her way to Balinor and threw her arms around his neck.

"I'll go to him." Arthur muttered when he saw the two persons caught up in each other. He wanted to see Merlin again and he also wanted to leave, to avoid the smooching the two in love would most definitely do within the next minute. When Arthur entered the room, there was a nurse putting the last hand on the sling Merlin had gotten. But what Arthur made really happy was that Merlin was actually sitting up instead of lying flat on his back. He couldn't help it that he burst out in a full blown grin.

The nurse was finished her job and left the room, simply nodding towards Arthur as she passed him. Arthur made his way to Merlin, who although sitting up was leaning heavily against the backrest. "How're you feeling?" Arthur asked and sat down next to Merlin on the small bed.

"Better now." Merlin whispered and leaned to the side to rest his head on Arthur's shoulder. "I have to wear this stupid sling so I won't move my arm too much, which sucks because you know how much I use my arms when I talk."

Arthur heard Merlin sigh softly and it made him chuckle. He would've put his arm around him if Merlin wouldn't be injured, but since he was he opted for just linking the fingers of their hands together. "I'm sure you'll manage without the excessive hand gestures." Arthur said with a soft chuckle. "And besides, I think you got shot on purpose. Now I'm obligated to help you."

Merlin scoffed and lifted his head off Arthur's shoulder. Arthur could detect a small grin on Merlin's face. "Oi! I took a bullet for you and this is what I get. Some more gratitude is in order don't you think?"

Arthur leaned forward and left a feather light kiss in Merlin's neck. He drew back to see Merlin's reaction. "Is this a good way to start?" Arthur whispered and leaned forward again, leaving another light kiss. He felt that Merlin had tensed up slightly at the first kiss, but with the second Arthur felt him relax some more. Arthur heard Merlin's breath hitch up just the tiniest bit and he grinned against Merlin's skin. He deepened the kiss on his skin, starting from Merlin's right collarbone up to his neck and then his jawline. He kept on pecking kisses and nipping at the skin, right until the corner of Merlin's mouth. He tilted his head back once more to look in Merlin's eyes and slowly let his hand glide over Merlin's right arm right up to his neck.

Neither of them said anything, they just looked at each other. Softly breathing in and out.

Arthur curled his hand behind Merlin's neck and softly pushed him forward until their lips met. It was all Arthur cared for right now. No Prince business, no drama, just being with Merlin was all he wanted and needed right this moment. He was happy that Merlin's recovery went so well already and all his worries and doubts disappeared with this one kiss. It was such a small thing but with so much meaning.

They were interrupted by the door opening and immediately Merlin pulled away. His eyes shot to the door and saw his mother standing there. "Mum! I - er. This isn't -" He tried to think of excuses.

Hunith put up her hand. "Merlin, don't worry. I know." She smiled. Merlin seemed to have completely forgotten about how she saw Arthur kiss her son when he first woke up. Maybe he was still a bit woozy and unfocused at that moment.

Merlin just stared at her and then back at Arthur. He gulped deeply. He knew that his mother was alright (for now) that he spent time with Arthur, but he would never imagine that she would be fine of him being in a relationship with him. He would've told her eventually but wasn't counting on it to be right now. And he didn't know how to respond to the fact that she somehow knew about his relationship with Arthur and the fact that seeming perfectly fine with it. How was that even possible, he just thought that his mother was mostly playing the part of accepting Arthur, but he couldn't trace any discomfort in her face or posture and she seemed definitely okay with it.

But before Merlin could voice his thoughts, he saw his mother stepping forward and looking at Arthur first. She gave Arthur a soft nod and her facial expression did change to something Merlin couldn't really specify. He furrowed his brows and it deepened ever more when Arthur turned back to look at him and he saw that Arthur wore a same kind expression. Then, Arthur stood up and went to stand next to Hunith.

"W-what's going on?" Merlin asked softly. His eyes kept going back and forth between his mother and boyfriend. "Mum?"

Hunith breathed in deeply though her nose and turned to walk to the door. Merlin shook his head in not understanding what was happening and looked at Arthur, silently asking for some kind of explanation, but he didn't got one. All that happened was that the door opened and he thought he had lost his mind - or his sight at the very least.

Because it had to be an illusion, it couldn't really be the King of Mercia standing there. Merlin blinked several times, thinking he had some problems with his eyes or was imagining things, but each time he opened them he saw indeed the King.

Hunith hand slid into Balinor's and he squeezed it for reassurance. She glanced up to her son. "Merlin. There's something you should know."

~oOoOo~

Merlin stared at the covers. He didn't blinked, he didn't moved, he barely breathed and he just kept staring down.

"Merlin, please say something." Hunith pleaded and gripped Balinor's arm tighter in both her arms. She looked up to him in desperation, she needed to know what to do now.

Telling Merlin about his heritage was harder than she thought. The sadness her son's eyes had once she said that Balinor was his father was an image she would never be able to erase from her mind. As was the disappointed look he gave her for being lied too. It was too much for her to handle, but the silence Merlin gave her was the hardest of it all. She would've expected that her son would throw a tantrum, would shout, throw stuff, anything really but not this silence and it may have been the most excruciating outcome.

Then Merlin tilted his head up, but he didn't made any eye contact with any of the three persons in the room. Instead he turned his head to the wall. "Please leave." Was all he said, with the fingers of his right hand fidgeting with the top of the covers.

Arthur stepped forward, but Merlin's head snapped up to him. "You too." He not yet growled. Merlin's eyes held enough anger to get Arthur step back and Merlin went back at staring to the wall.

Balinor did try to give some reason but made the mistake (in Merlin's eyes) to address Merlin as 'son'.

Merlin shook his head, scoffed and he let the covers go only to bawl his hand into a fist. He stared Balinor deep into his eyes. "Don't. You have no -" They all could hear how Merlin's voice began to crack. Merlin looked away. "Just let me be alone now." He turned onto his injured side even when it gave him much discomfort, but right now he could care less about it.

Hunith stepped forward "Merlin -" But Balinor gently grabbed her arm and shook his head to her and gently pulled her out of the room. Arthur silently followed and closed to door.

The security in the hallway didn't move a muscle, but they couldn't say that they weren't curious on how it went. But they could've guessed how by just thinking how much time went by. It might've been eight minutes at most, that couldn't have meant a whole world of good.

Hunith buried her face into Balinor's chest and softly muttered, "We should've waited Balinor. We should've waited."

With her still in his arms, Balinor led her to the room next door. He stroked her hair and softly shushed her with reassurances. "It's okay Hunith. He would've found out sooner or later. It was time, it had been long enough. He needs some time to get used to it. He's fine." And so the reassurances went on.

Arthur still stood in the hallway and he needed time on his own. He kept seeing the look Merlin gave him, like he had just betrayed him. And perhaps he sort of did. He didn't told Merlin that he knew about him even it was just barely a day that he found out himself.

He knew he just should've told Merlin, but Balinor and Hunith had asked him not too, not until they had told him and he had respected that, but now he wasn't so sure of his decision.

"Leon." Arthur said and the agent was right at his side. "Please take me home." Leon nodded and led Arthur to a somewhat private exit that wasn't covered with news reporters or paparazzi.

In the hospital room, Merlin silently wept. He didn't know what to do with the information he just heard. And all he could think off was how everyone around him had been lying to him his whole life, the people he thought he could trust with his life just stabbed him right in the back. How could they keep this from him, what had he done to deserve that?

He turned to lie on his back, the skin around his shoulder area hurting from where he'd been putting his weight on. The skin was pulling and was hurting, but that pain was nothing compared to the pain he felt from the betrayal.

And now he was just supposed to believe everything his mother and his… father - supposedly- said. Like really… he was a Prince, who even makes that up. And why keep it from him. No why did his mother act like every royal was some fucking bad person, while he was one. Did his mother hate him too? Did his mother rather have that he wasn't born at all?

He choked back a sob. His eyes slowly closing against his will. He tried to fight it, but ultimately his eyes slid close. He was emotionally drained.

~oOoOo~

Balinor and Hunith had been going to Balinor's home in London for the night. They needed rest -in a bed, rather than the chairs in the hospital- and needed to freshen up. They wanted to go to Hunith's house, but they found out through the security that her house was swarmed with news-sharks.

Balinor made sure that he made arrangements with his security and the local police that the street would be cleared from any news reporter, paparazzi or any other spectator when Merlin would be going home today. Hunith and Balinor decided that it would be better for Merlin to be in his own home, especially after witnessing the reaction Merlin had yesterday after hearing the news. If they would go to Balinor's house, it would not end good they believed.

Balinor beckoned Lancelot to follow him into the room. Once the door had closed, he asked, "How did the night go?"

Always professional, Lancelot kept his stance. Standing up straight and hand clasped in front of him. But like always, his expression was soft and compassionate. "The Prince had been visited once by his doctor, but he was asleep at that time. The doctor will be here shortly to speak to you sir, he wasn't permitted to share any information with me."

"No. no, of course. Thank you Lancelot."

The guard left the room silently and only moments later the door opened again. It was Merlin's doctor, he nodded once to Balinor and Hunith before sitting down and opening the patient folder on his lap and went straight to the point. "I've examined Merlin early this morning, he was asleep at the time and woke up just once during the examination but somehow went straight back to sleep. I've assessed his wounds and they don't hold any sign of infections or blood loss, so that's good." The doctor waited a second before asking, "I understood that you've told your son about his parentage?"

Both Hunith and Balinor nodded at the question and the doctor continued at that. "It doesn't seem to have any effect on him, physically at least. His heart rate and blood pressure are normal and his breathing doesn't seem to be irregular. However, I cannot judge on his mental wellbeing, but I reckon if you give him time to adjust to the idea he should come round soon."

"We hope so too." Hunith softly whispered.

"And." Balinor began. "Can he come home today?"

Doctor Pearson looked down at the record, scanning a few notes before lifting his head up. "It would've liked to keep him here a day longer, but seeing that his condition was stable for the last two days, I allow him to go home if that's what you want. But under no circumstances he is allowed to move around or lift things. He needs to be on complete bed rest for at least the rest of the week, to not agitate the wounds."

"No, of course. We will make sure of that."

The doctor stood up and stretched out his arm. "I will examine him one last time and if I deem him strong enough, I will ready the discharge paper and he is allowed to leave after he had breakfast."

Balinor shook the man's hand completed with a nodding of his head. Hunith shook the man's hand as well and both watched the doctor leave and close the door.

Hunith put her hand over Balinor's, she squeezed it lightly. "Maybe it's better if I alone go home with him. If he's at home we can properly explain our story."

Balinor sighed. "You're probably right. He didn't reacted that well to me yesterday. Besides, I need to talk about some security improvements with Lancelot, but I'll make sure that there is a car ready to bring you two home. I'll come about thirty minutes later to give Merlin some time to get comfortable. I don't want to be in the house when you two arrive and him thinking that I'm forcing myself into his life. I want him to get to know me, because he wants too."

Hunith nodded and leaned forward. She kissed Balinor softly on the lips. "I just hope we can be a family soon." Hunith whispered when she pulled back. Balinor gave her a small smile.

"Me too Hunith. Me too."

~oOoOo~

Merlin was walking back and forth through the hospital room with the help of the nurse called Elena, who had tended to him the last couple of days. The doctors made some notes about it in the patient's record and then left the room. Merlin's legs felt weak after days of not using them, and he felt like he needed a lifetime supply of oxygen that tired he felt and he was about to give up, but kept going as he was being encouraged by Elena.

"Just a few more times and then you're done for the day." Elena said brightly.

Three more times and Elena brought him back to the bed where he sat heavily down on, slightly panting. She filled a cup with water and gave it to him. "You did great!" She said with a big smile. "If you'll do this every day for about five minutes and gradually build it up, you should be running around in no time."

Merlin couldn't help but chuckle at that. It was hard to stay frustrated around Elena. She was kind, sweet and was never in a bad mood. At least not in the two days he had seen her.

"Well, to be honest I'd already be happy if I could just walk without being out of breath." He gulped the cup down in one swallow and placed it on the tray.

Elena turned to him and shook her head. "Don't be so negative. You're like a miracle!"

Merlin snorted at that.

"No, I mean it." Elena continued. "Don't you know how lucky you are? Most patients I have seen that have been shot had to be in the hospital for about a week before they were finally allowed to go home. You're out of here in just three days Merlin. You should feel lucky." She picked up the tray with the now empty breakfast plate and shifted onto one hand. She placed the hand of her free arm on Merlin's shoulder and squeezed it for good measurement. "I know you think everything sucks right now, but give it some time and before you know it you can see sense in life again. Trust me." She nodded and smiled and walked out of the door, leaving Merlin alone with his thoughts.

He was sure that Elena wasn't talking about his injury, he knew she was talking about him being… he couldn't even say it, it still sounded like someone made it up. Like someone deliberately wanted to mess with him and his life.

Well someone did and not just someone. His mother of all people.

He was brought out of his thoughts by the door opening once again.

Speak of the devil. Merlin thought when he saw his mother entering the room… rather cautiously might he add. A scowl was immediately on his face. He still couldn't understand why his mother would lie and mislead him for the past eighteen years. And if she thought she would be just forgiven in one day, well than she was in for some disappointment, because he certainly wasn't planning on forgiving his mother just like that.

"I - I got the discharge papers." Hunith said softly. "Are you ready to go home?"

Merlin scoffed and stood up. "Which home? Ours, or some palace with all the bells and whistles? You know what, I don't even want to know. Just let's go." He turned around to compose himself just a little bit. But when he turned back around, he grimaced slightly as his arm jostled in the sling with the motion. Merlin pushed his shoulder forward to release some tension of the skin. His mother was at his side the moment she saw her son's face change and put a hand on his lower arm, but he pulled his arm away.

"Merlin please -"

Merlin wasn't even sure what she pleaded for and he didn't wait around to find out. He just stalked off to the door and when he opened it he was being stared at by eight persons dressed in black suits and one person he recognized in particular. Tom, Percy's brother. "Great, just fucking great." Merlin muttered under his breath.

Tom stepped forward. "Your highness please follow me."

"Don't call me that." Merlin grumbled, but somehow found it within him to just follow the guard. Maybe it was some curiosity buried deep inside him. But mostly because he told himself that he only did it because he wanted to get out of this place so he could set his plan in motion. Hunith quietly followed the pair and they were led to the same private exit Arthur had taken and there was already a car waiting.

Merlin got in and buckled his seatbelt. He made sure he would sit at the right, so the belt wouldn't agitate his sore side. He kept staring out of the window once the car started to move, not giving his mother or the two guards in the front seats any attention. He saw the immense crowd of people with and without cameras that had gathered in front of the hospital. So great, everyone in the country, possibly the world, knew about him before he even knew about himself. This just made him more determined to go through with his plan; to leave as soon as possible from all the people that lied to him.

~oOoOo~

Merlin knew that they were close to his home. The whole drive he hadn't said much, the only thing he had asked was where his phone was, which his mother gave to him. He then returned in ignoring everybody and looked through the messages he got. He got plenty -too many to count- messages from Arthur, telling him that he was sorry that he hadn't said anything. Merlin just scoffed at them.

There were some messages from Will, Percy and some people from school he sometimes spoke too. There were many many missed calls. All numbers were unknown to him, but he could just guess what the calls were about. He turned his phone off with a deep sigh and shoved it as best as he could into his pocket.

They drove on and were almost home when the car accidently drove through a bump in the road and making Merlin grunt with pain.

Tom looked into his rear-view mirror. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

"I told you. Don't call me that." Merlin muttered and readjusted the strap of the sling his arm rested in. The skin was itching and pulling and it drove him close to insanity. But he could finally see the street his house was in. Merlin saw that the street was cordoned off by police cars and motorcycles and was amazed by how many people and paparazzi and news reporters had gathered around just behind the barriers. They all wanted to see him and it made him slightly anxious.

He couldn't wait to get out of the car and into the house when the car drove up at the driveway. But he didn't had a key with him, so he had to wait until his mother would finally get out of the car and open the sodding door. When she had finally done that, he bolted out of the car. He was quickly followed by his mother and the two guards, but they kept standing in front of the house once Hunith told them it was better not to follow.

As soon as Merlin had entered the house, he made his way upstairs. It was difficult after not using his limbs for several days and he was already starting to get out of breath when he finally made it up and into his room. He ignored his mother's pleadings to talk to her, instead he slammed the door shut, turned on his TV on some random channel and turned the volume up loudly.

He felt the need to punch something, scream, anything. So he did. He shouted out a frustrated growl as he punched the wall his bed was pushed up against.

He sat down on his bed and cradled his arm onto his lap. His knuckles were red, but the skin hadn't broke by the impact. He looked around his room, normally it was so messy, but now, for once, he had cleaned it up. Just for Arthur.

Arthur.

How long had he known about him?

Was it all since the start? Had their relationship been just a joke to him?

Merlin shook his head. That couldn't be… but the longer he thought about it, the more likely it was to him. Because, why else would someone like Arthur fall for someone like him. Arthur would never even bat an eyelash at him if it wasn't because of his title as Prince of Mercia. And all that talking Arthur did about hating his titles was just a way to let him feel comfortable around Arthur.

Merlin wiped a stubborn tear from his eye. He wouldn't let Arthur change his mind. He would be leaving this country as soon as possible, and start his life somewhere else. Somewhere where no one knew him. Maybe go the States, maybe to some Asian country. He wasn't sure yet, but it didn't matter to him. He had nearly lived all over the world and he knew many languages. Besides, he was eighteen, almost nineteen, he was considered an adult in most countries.

Merlin looked around him, looking for the bag that held his passport and his emergency credit card and he was conviced that this was an emergency, if not national crisis! He would just use it to buy a ticket and withdraw some money and then put it away to leave as little trace behind.

He saw the duffle bag. Stuffed under his desk after he and his mum came back from holiday almost six months ago. His intention was to put it away later, but seeing that he wasn't the most efficient person in the world, he simply forgot. But now the bag was needed. He would stuff some clothes in it and go away. Away from everyone who lied to him. His heritage be damned!

He picked up the bag and his laptop from the desk and walked back to his bed and flipped open the laptop lid. He waited a few seconds for it to start up and used those seconds to search for the credit card and his passport.

As soon as the Google webpage was completely loaded, he went to the first airline company's website that popped up into his mind and searched for the first flight that would leave in about ninety minutes. He believed that it was enough time for him to go to the airport and go through security checks.

He looked through the time tables and saw the first possible option. In this case it was Rome and Merlin was okay with that. He knew some Italian, he would be fine.

He flipped open his passport and his eyes immediately fell onto his full name and in particular his second name. Linor - Balinor. Why did he never made that connection!

He angrily typed in his details and pressed print. He just thanked the lords that he had insisted once that he wanted to have a silent printer, it hardly made any sound when it was printing off the ticket and the loud noise from the TV muffled it even more. He walked to his printer and pulled the sheet of paper out of the tray and folded it in half and shoved it into his bag. He pulled some clothes from his closet and pushed them into his bag in the same fashion as he did with the ticket.

He was running on adrenaline and anger. Not a good combination.

He zipped the bag close with the use of only one arm and sat down onto his bed. His breathing coming harsh through his nose. He looked down at the stupid sling and gently pulled it over his head.

Now he needed some disguise. If the amount of reporters was anything to go by, his face would've been all around the news.

He was scouring in his closet, he knew that there was a hoodie somewhere. He had meant to throw it out some months ago, but he had just forgotten about it. He found it, somewhere at the bottom of his closet and gently pushed the arm of his injured side through the sleeve and yanked the rest over his head.

He sat down again. He needed to find a way to get out of the house unnoticed and after a minute he had the perfect plan.

He would climb out of the window in his mother's bedroom which was above the neighbour's garage. He could walk over it and lower himself from it. And there was a small patch of woods behind his house that would lead to the main road. He could go through that and flag down a taxi and go to the airport or station once he got to the road.

His fists clenched together again. Why didn't he see it sooner? How could he just believe his mother when she told him when he was younger, that she had inherited money from an uncle and that that the reason was they could afford all those things, like their expensive London house and the expenses they made when they lived all around the world. But now, now he knew where she got all her money from. Not from some uncle but from the Mercian King, no - his father.

He looked at the bag again. His fingers were already itching to grab it, but still something held him back from actually picking it up and he couldn't determine exactly what it was that held him back.

He waited a minute longer to think about it and then he made up his mind.