A/N: This one is for sarajm, who wanted Merlin to fall prey to Arthur's pratishness in poor weather with a side helping of Uther ^_~
"Ah, it's good to be home! I can't believe we went out in this heat and the 'werewolf' wasn't even there." Arthur passed his reins to Merlin as the rest of the patrol dispersed.
"Aren't they supposed to be covered in fur? It probably has more sense than to come out in this weather." Which is exactly what I told you before we left.
"I don't know why you're complaining, Merlin – you haven't got all this padding and metal cooking you like a pheasant. You're not even sweating!"
"I also didn't get to cool off in the stream as everyone else did."
"Of course not; someone had to watch the clothes, and who better than the servant!" Arthur grinned and slapped Merlin on the shoulder, pleased with this judgment. "You should count it an honor to guard the royal-"
The prince froze, expression horrified.
"Sire, what-"
"My socks!"
Merlin blinked.
"Sorry, what?"
"Merlin, you have to go back. My socks are still drying by that stream!"
"How did you forget your socks?"
"They were sweaty, so I... I don't have to explain, Merlin; just go get them!"
"... You want me, alone, to go back – in this heat – to fetch your socks."
"Those are my lucky socks, Merlin! I only laid them out to dry the sweat and now – you have to get them. Well, what are you waiting for? Go now!"
The servant stood flabbergasted, mouth agape so that he looked the idiot Arthur thought him.
"You can't be serious. I'm to ride all the way back for that old pair of socks you won't let me mend – or wash?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. It's far too hot to be taking a horse out after being on patrol! All the more reason to leave now, else you might not make it back before dark."
He wanted to argue further, but all this shouting was doing nothing good for the headache that had been building for the past few hours.
"Better walk in the shade; your delicate skin is burning," Arthur smirked, waving a scowling Merlin on his way.
He grumbled all the way to the front gate, making a stop at the well for a drink and muttering imprecations into its depths as he hauled the bucket up. The complaints probably would've continued throughout the whole errand if it hadn't been so cursed hot, the sunlight bearing down on him like a stack of bricks.
He wasn't even halfway there when his legs gave out.
It came as a bit of a surprise, really. Yes, he'd been stumbling more than usual, but surely that wasn't anything to worry about... right? Wait, what was he not worrying about?
Then the vomiting started.
That prat... Was his last thought as he collapsed on the side of the road.
"Is he still pouting?"
Gaius jumped, having been so focused on his work he hadn't noticed the royal's presence.
"Sire?"
Arthur gestured to the closed door of the back room.
"Merlin; is he still pouting because I sent him back?"
The physician frowned.
"I haven't seen Merlin since this morning, My Lord. Are you saying he's still out in this heat?"
The prince squirmed a bit under the elder's disapproving stare.
"I'm sure he's fine, Gaius, he wasn't even sweating when we returned from patrol."
"What?" Aged hands reached, about to grab the royal by the shoulders before Gaius realized what he was doing and contained himself. "Was there anything else; did he look sick or seem disoriented?"
Arthur was taken aback by the intensity of the man's questions and his brow furrowed.
"No, nothing like that... just a bit of sunburn."
Gaius pushed his way to the door, snatching up his kit and waterskin.
"Where did you send him?"
The accusatory tone made Arthur feel guilty which, in turn, made him angry.
"Back to the woods... He's fine, Gaius, just being the lazy sod he always is – probably having a laugh in the tavern."
"Sire, it is unnatural to produce no sweat in such heat; Merlin could be in grave danger. I need to find him as quickly as possible or he may well die."
A frisson of fear snaked its way up the prince's spine.
"I'll take you."
Cold bit into his skin, bringing him to half-wakefulness. It was pleasant until it started to burn. His body couldn't seem to decide if it was cold or hot and -whoa. Movement caused his brain to spin inside his skull.
What's happening?
Switching his focus to external matters he heard yelling.
"Ugh..."
His head was killing him.
"Merlin?"
Arthur. Of course it was the prat causing him pain as usual.
"Are you awake, Merlin?"
Gaius. He would have answered, but his throat felt as if it were sticking to itself.
"We need to get him into the water, Sire."
"I... not far, now... will he...?"
He tried to hold onto consciousness, but only knew he'd failed when the shock of being thrust underwater brought him back around.
"...with me, Merlin?"
"Prat," the servant coughed. Arthur was behind him, arms circling his chest as they both sat in water up to their chins. "S'cold."
"Shut up and drink this."
A skin was pressed to his lips and he drank readily.
"Could be nicer 'bout it..." he mumbled, already drowsy.
The prince looked away, silent as Gaius appeared.
"Merlin, do you know where you are?"
"Wet?"
"Do you remember what you were doing?"
The youth frowned for a moment before recalling.
"Socks! I was fetching Arthur's socks."
Gaius looked to Arthur, the latter shamefaced as he confirmed.
"You're suffering from heat stroke, Merlin, but you're cooling down now; you'll be alright."
"Oh." That explains why it felt like he had no strength in his limbs – something that had become increasingly disturbing as his headache eased.
"Just rest, Merlin," Arthur's voice rumbled in time with the vibration against his back.
He hadn't been held like this since he'd been small enough to sit in his mother's lap as she told him bedtime stories. Those memories brought a smile to his face as he fell asleep.
Arthur stared out the window, barely looking when his door opened. There were only two people who entered without announcement and one of them was unconscious due to his own thoughtlessness.
"Father," he inclined his head.
"Arthur."
Uther regarded his son, uncomfortable with what he had to say.
"I know I told you that a servant's life is worth less than yours but... Arthur, you will be King one day. You have to be aware of your duty... know when you're making a sacrifice for the better and when you're being..."
"Selfish? Foolish?" Arthur supplied.
"Unreasonable." The king gripped his son's shoulders. "You have always taken after your mother, and I have often felt you let your heart lead too often. Still, you must remember to consider the limits of those who serve you."
The prince nodded, avoiding the elder's gaze.
"Thank you, father. I will do better in future."
Uther clapped Arthur on the back, giving a brief nod before heading for the door.
"I'll see you at dinner."
"Of course," the prince replied, forcing a smile until the monarch was out of sight. "Of course..." he mumbled, returning to his staring match with the stone of the courtyard below.
He had almost paid a great price for that lesson; he would not be forgetting it any time soon.