A/N: Been a long time! Well, I've been working on a piece for a friend and got a bit stuck in the middle so I wrote this as a break. Nothing special, but better than the literal nothing I've been writing for weeks and months. Hope you enjoy this fill for a prompt by sarajm
"Council dismissed," Arthur announced with relief.
They'd been in session all morning, squabbling over taxes and how they should be spent. He hadn't even had the comfort of knowing Merlin was at least as bored, trying to stay awake as he stood in the background. In fact, he hadn't seen Merlin all morning. This wasn't particularly unusual on days after feasts as Gaius often required help dealing with the fallout of a night of drunken revelry. Perhaps he had taken lunch to the royal chambers instead of the council room...
"Sire," Leon bowed before falling into step behind him, "the morning training session went well. I believe some of the squires may be ready soon."
"Always good to hear."
The knight commander continued his report in more detail for a few paces before Gaius came into view in front of them, face more wrinkled than usual.
"Gaius, how is Merlin doing?" Leon asked, bowing his head slightly in deference to the elder.
Arthur interrupted before the physician could respond.
"Has something happened?"
The knight's eyebrows rose for a moment before he smoothed his expression into something more neutral. Gaius sighed.
"He collapsed while cleaning up after the feast last night. It seems he has been ill for the past week and made himself worse by trying to hide it, the foolish boy. I apologize for not making certain you were informed, Sire."
Arthur shook his head.
"No, you had other things on your mind." He stopped there, unable to voice his own concern on the matter, but Gaius answered regardless.
"Indeed. What may have started as a small chill became something far more serious since it went untreated." Gaius' frown deepened as he mumbled "sometimes I think he's trying to drive me to an early grave..."
Leon placed a comforting hand on the old man's shoulder.
"Will he be alright?"
"It's too soon to be certain, he is likely to get worse before any improvement occurs, but Merlin does have a way of pulling through."
Arthur's face twitched at that, thinking how true that statement is.
Leon gestured to the empty basket Arthur hadn't noticed until that point.
"Did you need someone to collect herbs for you? I could-"
"I thank you for the offer, Sir Leon, but I'd feel much better collecting these delicate plants myself." He hesitated a moment, eyes flicking to Arthur then back to Leon. "I would appreciate it if someone would watch him while I'm gone. He has had some bouts of delirium where he tries to get out of bed..."
Arthur cleared his throat.
"I will see that someone keeps an eye on him, Gaius. Sir Leon, you will go with Gaius and provide what aid you can."
Leon bowed his head as Gaius conveyed his thanks.
"Well then... I suppose we'll be on our way. Sir Leon?"
Leon nodded and held Arthur's gaze for a moment before clapping him on the shoulder and trailing behind the elder.
Arthur let out a long sigh and squeezed his eyes shut, taking a moment of stillness before setting course for the infirmary.
Merlin wasn't in the main room, but that wasn't too surprising; Arthur steeled himself before opening the door to the back room.
Steam billowed out and Arthur coughed a few times before entering the chamber and sealing it shut once more. A cauldron of herb-laden water balanced precariously atop a brazier next to the bed was the source of the minty steam – which wasn't entirely unpleasant once he'd had a moment to adjust to it. In fact, he found he was breathing a bit easier despite the humid atmosphere.
Pulling his attention from that distraction, he focused on the man in the bed.
Up to this point he'd managed to tell himself it couldn't possibly be anything serious; Merlin would surely be up and about the next morning.
That clearly was not the case.
Merlin was pale in the meager light filtering through the shutter, harsh coughs making his entire body curl up on itself and leaving him groaning hoarsely in their wake. Sweat made his bedclothes stick to him and his blanket, while still partially tucked around his legs, was twisted about one of his arms and doing nothing to keep his torso warm.
Arthur's face pinched inward. How could he have not seen this? Merlin looked like he'd lost a whole stone of weight! That didn't happen in a day – probably not even the week Gaius had suggested.
What kind of leader – master – was he if he couldn't even see what was right in front of his eyes the whole time?
Merlin started coughing again, a ball of phlegm flying out and soiling the blanket.
It was disgusting and made Arthur feel even more guilty – which made him angry. Why had Merlin hidden his illness to begin with? Did he think so little of Arthur that he expected to be denied rest? Did he think it would just go away?! What right did he have to make h- Gaius and Leon worry? Why did he have to be such a selfish little, little...
"Idiot!" He hissed, grabbing Merlin's now wildly-flailing arms and stuffing them back under the blanket before tying the corners to the bed frame, trapping the invalid within.
"That's your punishment," the king pointed a finger at his friend before crossing his arms and sitting on a stool to watch Merlin squirm, blanket straining to contain him when he started coughing once more.
Arthur wet a cloth and placed it on Merlin's forehead when the younger man settled, whispering:
"And mine."