Hunting trip
The next morning they wake up early. Merlin made a quick breakfast and then the hunt began.
Around noon Arthur had already managed to capture several prey, so they were already beginning their way back to Camelot.
- We're going back, or you wanna continue hunting? - Merlin asked as he got on his horse.
- Let's go back, but if we see something on the road we'll stop - Arthur answered, getting on his horse as well.
- But you've had enough... - Merlin said.
- It is never enough - replied Arthur - you have to take advantage of the good days
They had only been riding for about 10 minutes, when everything changed
Suddenly Merlin's horse reared, raising its front legs and throwing Merlin to the ground.
Arthur, who was riding in front of Merlin, as soon as he heard the commotion, he turned around to see what was happening. Arthur watched in almost slow motion as a pair of arrows flew at Merlin from both sides of the path, and as Merlin fell to the ground with a crash.
His knight instinct acted immediately. Arthur jumped down from his horse, and drew his sword ready to fight whoever had attacked them.
- Merlin!? - Arthur shouted, trying to go check on Merlin, but he was interrupted by the appearance of three bandits who jumped from the bushes that surrounded the path, and began to run towards him, sword in hand.
Despite being at a disadvantage, three against one, Arthur did not feel intimidated, after all he was the best swordsman in the land.
- Merlin?! - Arthur yelled again, while he moved his sword with great agility. He had already defeated one, there were two left
With a flick of the wrist, Arthur managed to disarm one of the bandits. Giving a quick turn, he managed to impale the bandit behind him with his sword, and with one last kick he brought down the bandit he had disarmed first.
- That wasn't so hard - Arthur said as the three bandits fell to the ground. He immediately ran to see Merlin
Arthur reached Merlin and knelt down next to him. He was breathing but unconscious
- Merlin? - said Arthur, examining Merlin for injuries.
Quickly Arthur noticed that an arrow went through his upper arm, and that there was a lot of blood running down his neck.
- Oh, no... Merlin, you have to wake up - said Arthur, while he moved Merlin's head gently to locate the wound
Falling from his horse, Merlin had hit his head on a rock on the ground. Searching through the fleck of hair, Arthur could see that the wound on the nape of his neck was not that large. However, he had no way of knowing if the skull had received any damage.
Remembering what had recently happened to Morgana, Arthur began to imagine the worst possible scenario, but before he panicked, his knightly instincts kicked in again, managing to calm down just in time.
- I have to take you to Gaius... - Arthur told him - ... But for that you must wake up first...
Arthur knew he had to act fast. Merlin needed Gaius, but he knew it wasn't a good idea to move him if he was still unconscious. For the moment he would have to treat the injuries as best as possible.
Carefully, and remembering the basic training Gaius has given him on how to treat some wounds during battle, Arthur got to work.
The most urgent thing was to stop the bleeding from the head wound. From his bag he took out a clean shirt and his water bottle... he first tore the shirt into several strips of cloth so he could use them as a bandages. Taking one of them and drenching it with water, he gently cleaned the wound, finally bandaging Merlin's head.
Immediately he focused on Merlin's right arm, where the arrow that crossed the upper arm from side to side. Careful not to move the arrow too much, Arthur snapped off the tip, then slowly began to withdraw it. Luckily Merlin was unconscious, or this would have hurt a lot. As soon as the arrow was out, he cleaned the wound with a little water and proceeded to bandage it. Using Merlin's neckerchief Arthur made an improvised sling
It was the only thing he could do at the moment, they hadn't brought many supplies since they expected to return to Camelot today, so he didn't have anything to put on the wound and prevent any infection... He just hoped that Merlin would wake up soon.
Since he didn't know how long it would take for Merlin to wake up, Arthur made a small fire and used his jacket to cover Merlin.
Arthur sat in front of the fire next to Merlin, and with nothing to do but wait, he began to reflect on everything that had happened in recent days and his relationship with Merlin.
Since he was little, Arthur had had problems relating to other children, not because of personality problems, but because everyone treated him differently. Arthur could see that no one was really honest with him, everyone only noticed that he was the prince... This led him to distrust all his "friends", he knew that they didn't really consider him their friend, so he acted the same way with them, never trusting someone enough to be able to call them friend
The fact that Uther always told him that they were his subjects, not his friends, had only reinforced his beliefs and his refusal to make friends. The easiest way to avoid making fake friends was to be arrogant... That way no one would pretend to be his friend, everyone would just treat him like the prince
That had worked very well, until Merlin came to Camelot. Merlin had been honest with him from the start. He hadn't cared that he was the prince or his arrogant personality. He had simply seen him as Arthur, and had treated him that way from the start.
At first it was strange for him, but very quickly they had established a relationship... Like brothers... Normally they bicker over nonsense all the time, they tease each other and they trusted each other... he had told Merlin things that he had never even thought in the presence of someone else...
His whole routine had changed since Merlin's arrival... His personality had changed, so people loved and respected him more... The patrols weren't so serious and boring anymore... The council meetings were still the same boring, but at least afterwards he had someone to laugh with at the stupid things that some said there... Even the most difficult and terrifying battles had been easier to face knowing that Merlin would be by his side...
Arthur looked at Merlin for a few seconds, who was still unconscious... And yes, since Merlin arrived he had also discovered that you cares a lot about the well-being of your friends.
Before Merlin, he would not have challenged his father for going in search of a simple flower... things had changed... Now during patrols or hunting trips he feared being attacked by bandits and not being able to defend his unarmed servant... Every time they camped overnight he slept with an aye open so he could watch out for someone attacking them, so he had time to warn Merlin... Every time Merlin was accused of witchcraft (too often for his liking), he was afraid that this time the sentence would be carried out...
Every time Merlin disappeared for a long time, he imagined that he was in trouble... now he knew that his suspicions were true, and that only increased his concern.
When Gaius had told him that his twin brother had been born with magic, Arthur had been very surprised, and he wasn't quite sure if he could ever have a relationship with him... I mean, his father had always said that sorcerers were evil...
But as soon as Gaius said Merlin's name, all his worries had immediately disappeared, if he was sure of one thing, it was that Merlin wasn't evil ... It had been a great surprise to find out about Merlin's magic, and he was still a little hurt that he hadn't told him, but he understood the reasons... And frankly, he was glad to have found out this way, since he wasn't very sure how he would have reacted if he had found out before or in other circumstances
It was very curious how in just a couple of days, his feelings towards Merlin had changed so much. It was no longer undeniable that they were friends, and that he cared obout him... But all of his older brother instincts had come to the fore.
He was the eldest by less than an hour, but he really felt that he not only had to worry about Merlin's well-being, but that he had to protect him... Physically and emotionally... No one, or anything, would harm Merlin if he could help it... Just as his mother had protected him, so would he.
A little over an hour had passed and Merlin still hadn't woken up... Arthur was beginning to get nervous again.
- Come on Merlin... Wake up! - Arthur said frustrated.
To his surprise, Merlin began to move, still not opening his eyes though
- Merlin? Merlin, can you hear me?
- Mmm... - Merlin murmured, trying with great effort to open his eyes.
As soon as Merlin managed to open his eyes, he saw a blur above him that repeated his name. Little by little his senses began to return… his sight and hearing, and also the pain...
- Oww - Merlin complained, his head and his arm hurt like hell.
- Merlin, you finally woke up! - said Arthur cheerfully
- Ar... hur? - slurred Merlin, who, a little alarmed, tried to sit up.
- No! Don't move... - Arthur told him, preventing him from sitting down - how do you feel?
- Hurts... - Merlin answered, still slurring his words a bit - wha... ppend?
- Some bandits attacked us... You fell off your horse... And an arrow pierced your right arm, so don't try to move it
- Okay...
- We need to go back to Camelot... You need Gaius - Arthur said worriedly, Merlin was finally awake, but he looked somewhat disoriented and was still slurring his words - I'll help you sit down, ok?
- ... Key...
Arthur carefully placed one hand behind Merlin's head, and the other on his back, and slowly sat him up.
- How do you feel?
-..izzy...
- Ok...stay there for a second, don't move...
Arthur quickly put out the fire and collected all of his things, and tied Merlin's horse to his, before returning to Merlin.
- Okay, now I have to get on the horse, let's go... - Arthur said, taking Merlin by the waist to stand him up.
Merlin could barely stay on his feet, he was swaying from side to side.
Thanks to how thin Merlin was, Arthur managed to get him on the horse without much effort, and then sit behind him, hugging him around the waist with one hand and pulling the reins with the other.
- How are you feeling? - Arthur asked.
- Fine - answered Merlin, closing his eyes to try to diminish the dizziness
- Lay your head on my shoulder if you want, but don't fall asleep... - Arthur told him, while he ordered the horse to start walking -... I'm pretty sure you have a concussion
- Tired...
- I know... But you need to stay awake... So keep talking
The rode back to Camelot was slow, as Arthur didn't want a sudden movement of the horse to further damage Merlin, but luckily they weren't very far, so it didn't take them that much to reach the citadel
As soon as they arrived at the citadel, Arthur ordered a guard to go for Gaius, and tell him to wait for them and be prepared
Arriving at the castle entrance, Arthur jumped down from his horse, and helped Merlin down.
Merlin, who was still feeling a little dizzy, had to support almost all of his weight on Arthur to be able to stay upright, and walk towards Gauis's bedroom without tripping.
- What happened? - Gaius asked when he saw them enter.
- We were attacked by bandits - replied Arthur
- Lay him there - Gaius said, pointing to the place he had prepared as soon as the guard told him they were coming here.
- He hit his head in a rock when he falls from his horse - said Arthur, while he helped Merlin to lie down - and an arrow pierce his upper arm
- I see - said Gaius, as he approached to check on Merlin - did he lose consciousness?
- Yes, he was unconscious for a little over an hour - Arthur replied.
- Do you feel dizzy Merlin? - Gaius asked, as he continued to examine Merlin.
- Yes, a little - answered Merlin, who was still slurringg his words a little.
Gauis stopped examining him as soon as he heard Merlin, and turned to look at Arthur for answers.
- He's been slurring his words ever since he woke up...Though it's been getting better
- I see... - Gaius said, finishing his examination - ...I can't be sure, but I think you crack your skull Merlin
- It's going to be OK? - asked Arthur worried
- It's not as serious as what happened to Morgana a few weeks ago, but it's still something to be careful - Gaius said - you need to rest Merlin, and I'm serious... Or this could get worse
- Alright - answered Merlin
- I must go to inform Uther of what happened... - said Arthur - I will return as soon as I can
- Don't worry sire, I'll take care of him
- Do as Gaius tells you - Arthur said to Merlin before leaving the room.
Arthur was walking towards the council chamber to speak with his father when he ran into Gwen.
- Sire! - Gwen said approaching him - I heard that Merlin was hurt... is he okay?
- He will be... Gaius is taking care of him now
- And you? - Gwen asked worriedly, seeing blood on Arthur's clothes.
- Yes, I'm fine.. it's from Merlin
- What happened?
- Some bandits attacked us and Merlin fell from his horse
- Oh... I'll go check on him...
- Gaius said that he had to rest - Arthur told her - could you make sure that he listened?
- I'll try... You know Merlin..
- Exactly... That's why Gaius needs help.
- I'll see what i can do
- I have to go talk to my father.
- Sure ..
Entering the council chambers, Arthur found Uther and some members of the council
- Arthur, you're back - said Uther - how was the hunting trip?
- It was going very well, until we were attacked by a group of bandits - replied Arthur
- Are you injured? - Uther asked, noticing for the first time the blood on Arthur's clothes.
- I'm fine... The blood is not mine... - said Arthur - ... But the attack was very close to the city walls
- How close?.
- Just a couple of miles... - Arthur replied - ... some patrols and I will leave first thing in the morning to make sure there are no more groups so close to the city... And we must also increase security in the citadel, just for precaution
- You're right - said Uther - prepare everything for tomorrow, I don't want bandits hanging around so close
- Yes sire - Arthur replied, bowing before leaving the room
Arthur wanted to go check on Merlin, but first he had to organize the patrols for tomorrow. Luckily in the corridor he met Sir Leon
- Sir Leon! - said Arthur - I need you to summon the knights... I'll see them in the armory in an hour
- Yes sire! - replied Sir Leon before walking away down the corridor
Arthur then quickly made his way to Gaius's chambers.
Entering, Arthur found Gwen sitting next to Merlin.
- How you're doing Merlin? - asked Arthur, approaching him.
As far as he could see, Gaius had already changed the bandages on Merlin's head and arm, and his neckerchief was back on his neck.
- Fine... - answered Merlin - just a headache
- I'm not surprised... With how hard you hit that poor rock - Arthur replied with a smile
- Clotpole
- Arthur... Be nice - Gwen told him
- Sorry, the habit .. - replied Arthur - So, Gaius... How is he?.
- He'll be fine... If he rests... - Gaius said, looking accusingly at Merlin - he needs absolute bed rest for a few days, to prevent brain swelling... And after that he should take it easy for a few more days.
- I see... - replied Arthur - ... I have to go out with the patrols early tomorrow to see if we find any more bandits... I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of ensuring that he rests
- I don't need a babysitter! - Merlin said offended
- Oh, you do - they all answered at the same time
- Can I leave that to you? Arthur asked.
- Of course sire - answered Gaius.
- I'll go talk to Morgana... I'm sure she won't mind if I help Gaius - Gwen said, standing up and leaving the room.
- I'm so glad you're okay Merlin, you had me very worried... - Arthur told him
- Really?
- Of course you idiot! - replied Arthur - now that I think about it, I think we should add a chain mail
- What?
- If you had been using one today that arrow would not have gone through your arm - replied Arthur.
- On, come on! You don't use a chain mail during hunting trips...
- Yeah, I know... But I always have my sword with me to defend myself
- I don't need a chain mail, I can protect myself with my magic... I also always protect you with it
- It didn't work if you are unconscious
- Oh, yeah... Like you never been unconscious before! - Merlin replied exasperated - I've had to drag you unconscious ass over the woods many times!
- Wouldn't be a bad idea... - Gaius said, interrupting the discussion and handing Merlin a small bottle, - Here, that will help with the pain and nausea for now
- Thanks - Merlin said, taking the bottle with his left hand
- When was the last time you ate something? - Gaius asked.
- Breakfast... - answered Merlin - but I'm not hungry...
- You have to eat to be able to recover - said Gaius
Just at that moment Gwen walked back into the room.
- Morgana said it was okay for me to help Gaius take care of Merlin - Gwen said.
- Excellent - answered Arthur - could you go to the kitchen and ask them to prepare something for Merlin? Gaius?
- For the moment we need broth... In order to not increase the nausea
- Okay, I'll go fetch some - Gwen said, approaching the door.
- Gaius, you must be careful in case Morgana tries something these days - Arthur said - ... Against Uther or Merlin
- Yes sir, I know
- Thanks Gaius... I'm sorry, but I have to go and prepare the patrols for tomorrow - said Arthur - I don't want you to get out of that bed until I get back, did you hear me?
- But Arthur! You can't go without me! - complained Merlin - and if more bandits appear, or morgause take advantage of the occasion...
- Don't worry... I've done thousands of patrols without you Merlin... Besides, I won't go alone, there will be several patrols, with several knights in each one - said Arthur - ... Just dedicate yourself to rest... You're always complaining that you don't have a day-off... Take advantage of it
- A day-off? Being here in bed is not a day-off! I will die of boredom
- I really don't have time to discuss this with you Merlin... - Arthur told him - ... Rest and do what Gaius and Gwen tell you... Or you'll really die of boredom when you have to clean the boots of all the knights and castle guards
- You wouldn't dare...
- Try me... - said Arthur, turning around and leaving the room.
Arthur went to the armory where the knights were waiting for him.
- Gentlemen... Today I was attacked by bandits just a few miles from the city walls - Arthur said - so tomorrow morning patrols will go out in search of more bandits
- How many men were, sire? - asked one of the knights
- There were only three of them, but they were very close... We must make sure that there are no more groups like that hanging around the city.
- Are you alright? You're not hurt? - asked Sir Leon concerned, pointing to the blood on Arthur's shirt.
- I'm not hurt... But they hurt Merlin - answered Arthur, who, seeing the worried faces of several of those present, added - ... He'll be fine, Gaius is taking care of him.
Many of the knights got along very well with Merlin, as they had shared with him on countless occasions on patrols or battles. This was a very good thing thinking about the future when they found out that Merlin was a Prince… At least he already had several allies.
- We will cover 10 miles in all directions... I want two patrols leaving from each of the city gates, and for them to search the entire area that corresponds to them - said Arthur, showing the map of the forest that surrounded the city and what area it was up to each of the patrols - and I want three patrols distributed in the citadel and the lower town.. In addition to an increase in the number of guards at the gates
- Yes sire! replied Sir Leon, who was his right hand among the knights.
A couple of hours later, when he had already designated the patrols, their routes, and the new tasks of the guards, Arthur went back to Gaius's chamber to see how Merlin was doing before going to bed.
Knocking on the door, Arthur poked his head into the room. It was silent and there were a few candles burning.
- Gaius? - Arthur asked quietly. Looking more carefully around him, he saw that Merlin was sleeping peacefully, while Gwen was at the table grinding some herbs.
- Hey - Gwen said as she saw him enter.
- Hello... How is Merlin doing?
- Okay... Gaius gave him permission to sleep a few minutes ago - Gwen replied quietly.
- Thanks for taking care of him
- There is no need to thank... he is my friend - Gwen replied- I'm glad that you're here for him too
- Where is Gaius? - Arthur asked.
- He went to look for some herbs
- To the forest? At this hour?
- He said they must be harvested at night...
- I'll see if some guards go looking for him and accompany him back... - said Arthur -... And it will be better to start looking for a new assistant for him.
- So, Merlin won't be helping him anymore?
- No, not at the moment.. unless it is necessary
- What happened? - Gwen asked looking at Merlin.
- You know I can't tell you .. - replied Arthur, approaching the door - but don't worry, Merlin and Gaius will be fine...
- I hope so...
- I have to go talk to the guards about Gaius... - said Arthur - good night
- Good night