A/N:

Well aren't you guys lucky! You've caught me in a writing mood, so here is the next one. This is for Brocelande.

An AU to S05Ep9 – With all My Heart: When Merlin fell down the cliff, he seemed injured, but nothing came of it. He is far more hurt then he let on, and once the adrenaline of saving Gwen wears off, Arthur regrets not asking Merlin if he is OK. Because clearly, he isn't

CHARACTERS: Merlin, Arthur, Mordred and Guinevere

RATED: T (because I like whump and stuff)

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

For his King

'You still there Merlin? Don't tell me you've gone into a sulk,' Arthur said with exasperation as he readjusted his wife gently over his shoulder.

'I'm not sulking,' Merlin began almost petulantly, as he shifted the many bags he now held. 'I'm carrying a load even a horse would struggle under,'

The King smiled slightly as he pictured the scowl on the young man's face. 'I will do you good,'

Merlin scoffed and rolled his eyes. 'It would do you good,' he mumbled, adjusting the strap of Arthur's satchel so it didn't dig so horribly in his shoulder.

'I'm already good,' Arthur responded.

'Well, maybe I-'

Arthur had been utterly terrified when he turned to find his friend nowhere in sight – and even more so, when he found the young man lying unconscious, way down in that ravine.

He had felt so physically sick, bile crept up his throat – but he forced himself to swallow it. He couldn't be sick when his servant needed rescuing.

Needless to say, he had thanked all possible deities he could think of when Sir Mordred came along.

It hadn't taken the young Knight long to free him, and Merlin had regained consciousness sometime later, insisting his only injury was a nasty bump on his head.

Now Arthur was wishing he had ignored the stubborn man, and continued his ministrations.

For a while, he had been sidetracked – he had his beautiful wife back, not the murderous monster that Morgana had created through her sadistic mind altering torture.

As they rode, he held his Queen tightly in his arms, afraid to let go – fearing that if he did, even for a second, she would disappear.

Guinevere nuzzled happily into his chest, her dark, almond eyes peering up at him, so full of love that Arthur's heart clenched.

He gave her a gentle smile and pressed his lips to her forehead, savouring her sensuous odour. Gods, was he going to give her night she wouldn't forget when they returned to the castle.

A slight frown crinkled her brow as she peered over her husband's shoulder, her eyes settling upon Merlin, who was riding quite a distance behind them.

'What is it, Gwen?' Arthur asked quietly, noticing the worry in her eyes.

'Arthur, did anything happen to Merlin before I woke? Something I missed?' she asked meeting his gaze.

The King frowned a little. 'He did take a tumble down a ravine and was unconscious for some time. When he awoke, he assured me that he was uninjured,' he replied, his voice taking on a hint of panic.

Her warm, brown eyes flickered back to the man behind them.

'Did it occur to you that he hid the truth, so you could concentrate on bringing me back?'

Arthur blanched. It had, but only for a moment – he was so caught up in the joy of having his Gwen back, the well-being of his best friend left his mind completely.

Gwen admonished him silently and leant forward to let her husband dismount the horse.

The raven haired youth was bent over in the saddle, his grip so tight on the reins his knuckles where white.

'Merlin,' Arthur began softly, approaching the slowing steed, feeling incredibly guilty upon seeing the pained look on the boy's pale face.

His manservant blinked owlishly, his eyes red from exhaustion. 'Arthur...why have we stopped?' he slurred, the words tripping over his heavy tongue.

Arthur swore colourfully. How could he have not noticed his friend's condition deteriorating before him?

'Because you, Merlin, being the stubborn arse that you are, failed to tell me that you were hurt,' he replied, his arm snaking around Merlin's waist to lift him from the horse.

The young man cried out – no...he screamed at the gentle touch, and Arthur jumped away, confused .

He swayed in the saddle, his eyes sliding shut as he fell to the side. The King was spurred into action and he gripped the young man, slowing his descent.

Sir Mordred, upon hearing the pained scream, stopped the horse and jumped from its back.

'What's going on, Sire?' he inquired, looking upon Merlin, who was now lying in the King's lap, movements sluggish.

'He lied to us – he said he was alright...but he isn't' Arthur said, fear lacing his words.

Mordred crouched beside his King, and they both watched as Gwen, being the gentle soul that she was, went into nurse-mode.

She looked up at her husband, her heart wrenching at the look of panic in his eyes.

'Arthur, I need you to keep him absolutely still for me, ok?' she asked, gripping his hand gently. She turned to her injured friend and touched his brow gently. 'Merlin, can you hear me?' she asked, noting the sweat that beaded upon his alabaster skin.

He nodded almost imperceptivity and his blue eyes opened slowly. She gave him a caring smile, and tried to smooth the frown of pain that wrinkled his brow. 'I need you to tell me where it hurts the most,' she said, cupping his sculpted cheekbones.

'M-my chest,' he murmured, eyes rolling up to meet Arthur's.

Gods above, hurt was a vast understatement as far as he was concerned. Every breath he drew brought stabs of pure agony to his lungs, and he could taste metallic wetness at the back of his tongue. Even if the internal injury was not too bad to begin with, he had let it go unchecked for far too long, and now he was suffering with a pain he never would have thought possible.

Gwen lifted his tunic tentatively and fell back with a gasp of horror, her hands flying to her lips.

His entire chest was mottled with purple and red, bruising so harsh she now understood the scream of utter agony that flew from Merlin lips earlier.

Three ribs poked through the skin of his chest, blood pooling at the wounds and the others crushed inwards, no doubt lacerating his lungs.

Composing herself, she gently probed the area, eliciting a small cry from the boy and blood splattered his pale lips.

'Gods Merlin, why did you not say anything?' Arthur gasped, leaning over to inspect the damage himself.

'You had to save Gwen...' he whispered, coughing deeply – splashing the king's face with red. Arthur flinched, but not in disgust. He was rattled. This injury was so severe; he began to fear for Merlin's life.

Tears fell from Guinevere's eyes unbidden. This unbelievably sweet man had kept his injuries to himself for her, so Arthur could continue the quest and bring her mind back.

'Oh Merlin, you stupid man...why?' Gwen asked, leaning down to kiss his brow.

He smiled. 'Because...it was breaking Arthur's heart to know you had suffered at the hands of Morgana for so long...he needed you back more than he needed me to be alright,' he explained tiredly.

Mordred gripped his shoulder.

'You should have told one of us,' he said softly.

Merlin shook his head. He couldn't explain to them why...he wouldn't have been able to save Gwen with magic if they made him turn back.

Gwen peered up at Arthur, her eyes full of fear and guilt.

'We have to get him to Gaius, quickly. He is bleeding internally and...'

'He could drown in his own blood if we don't hurry,' Mordred finished when she could not.

With a nod, Arthur lifted the young man into his arms, biting back the tears that were beginning to fall at his screams of pain.

'Leave me...' Merlin gasped, blood bubbling forth.

'I will not,' the King replied, cradling him.

'Please –'

'No,' he said firmly, holding Merlin to his chest. 'Mordred, ride back to Camelot as hard as you can, and tell Gaius to ready his chambers. We will be as fast as we can,'

The young knight nodded in assent, running back to his steed and mounting it smoothly. As he disappeared at a gallop, Arthur turned to his wife.

'I don't think he should ride...we are close to Camelot now, less than a day – but riding will not be good,'

Gwen nodded, and gave him a tired smile. 'He will be alright, love. He is strong,'

Arthur looked down at his friend, who was now blissfully unconscious. 'We must not tarry then, my Queen. I fear he has not the time,' he responded gravely.

As they began to walk, Gwen leading the horses, he prayed silently that the boy would live.

*~*M*~*

Merlin came to himself slowly. He could hear murmured voices and firelight flickered in his vision. He was lying in a large, soft and comfortable bed – surely not the King's?

He tried to sit up, but cried out as the pain threatened to pull him under once more.

'Hush Merlin, sit back boy, or you will damage yourself further,' came Gaius' gentle voice. His vision swam as he struggled to get out of bed. 'C-cant be in Arthur's bed,' he stammered weakly.

'Calm down, you idiot, Gwen is resting in our bed. Gwaine came out to meet us in the courtyard when we returned – he insisted we brought you to him chambers,' the King said gently, stepping into his vision. 'Didn't I tell you some years ago, after that incident in the cave, that you weren't to scare me like that again?'

Merlin met his pleading gaze and found himself smiling.

'I don't remember promising anything,' he replied, nestling into the soft downy pillows. 'Where is Gwaine, anyway?'

Gaius smiled and rested a hand upon Merlin's forehead. 'He was feeling slightly ill after witnessing the impromptu surgery I had to perform to keep you alive. He has gone to clear his head and get us some food. He will be happy to see you awake,' the old Physician explained with a tired smile.

It was as though the mere mention of his name was a summons, and seconds later, the young and scruffy Knight pushed the door open with his foot, as his hands were full with a tray laden with every kind of food imaginable.

Upon seeing the delicious morsels, Merlin found that he was incredibly hungry, despite his pain.

Gwaine set the tray down on his table and grinned at the now conscious servant.

'Good to see you awake, mate – you had us all a bit worried, especially princess,'

Arthur glared at the Knight but remained silent.

'How did you get so much food, Gwaine?' He asked, eyeing the pile of delicious looking food, which sat so far away from him. The Knight followed his gaze and chuckled.

'As soon as they found out about your plight, they were only too eager to provide you with nourishment, and a young maid,' he began, reaching for the tray and producing a small, but incredibly beautiful purple blossom from amidst the feast. 'Told me to give you this. She told me to give you a kiss too, but I politely declined and encouraged her to do it herself. Pretty young thing she was,' he finished with a wink.

Merlin flushed as he took the flower gently. A small knock sounded at the door, and Gwaine raised his head slightly, a secret smile on his lips. 'Ah, that would be the young lass now,' he murmured, watching Gaius open the door.

'I brought some fresh water for Merlin,' came a timid voice.

If it were possible, he blushed further.

Arthur chuckled as the young woman entered. She was indeed, very pretty – and her cheeks went pink upon seeing Merlin examining the flower intently. He looked up, his gentle cobalt eyes, peering into her wide green ones.

'Thank you, miss,' he breathed, placing the bloom on his chest as she approached.

Gwaine laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. 'Sorry love, I couldn't bring myself to do it,' he grinned.

Merlin saw the girl take a deep breath and stride towards him. He had no time to think before her lips were on his, ever so gently, kissing him.

He relaxed slightly, and was a little disappointed when she pulled away, bowing deeply.

'I hope that you feel better soon, Merlin,' she murmured – racing from the room.

Arthur chuckled upon seeing the look of embarrassment on his friends face.

'I couldn't have said it better myself,' Gwaine said with a grin, tousling his hair.

'Shut up,' Merlin mumbled with a smile of his own.

As he settled down to eat, he swore he would find out the name of this girl and make it up to her.

Couldn't help it – that little OC was an afterthought, really! Hoped you enjoyed it!

Next prompt goes to both HakuHunterNatural + readernurse (again with similar ideas) - 'What if' SE03EP2

Kilgarrah is unable to cure Merlin of the Serket's poison and he has no choice but to return to Camelot in his state?