Arthur watched as Gaius worked at repairing the damage his father had done to Merlin. He assisted when necessary. The young king would run and get fresh water when the water that was being used became too dirty. He ground up herbs that would be vital for Merlin's recovery in the hopeful coming days.
Not once did Merlin stir or make a noise of any kind. The only way Arthur could tell the younger man wasn't dead was by the rise and fall of his chest.
After what seemed like an eternity, Gaius had done all he could. He finished the last of the stitches.
The physician looked over at Arthur. "I've done what can for now. Hopefully, it will be enough to get him on the path to recovery. We'll still have to watch out for any signs of fever. Help sit him up, so I can bandage him."
Arthur propped Merlin up into a sitting position and watched as Gaius wrapped the bandaging around his midsection several times.
"We must carefully move him to the bed. We also can't have anything over the bandages," Gaius explained as he finished bandaging the wound.
Arthur sat by Merlin's bedside, looking at his friend's pale, thin body. The younger man's midsection was covered in bandages, which were already turning crimson red after a mere few hours.
He watched as the sunlight began to filter into the small room Soon, the knights would be waking up, and their servants would be telling them what the guards told them. By midday, everyone in the castle and Lower Town will know about Merlin.
While waiting for Gaius to return from his rounds in the castle, Arthur sat alone in his thoughts as he watched Merlin breathe. The young king could not grasp a firm reason as to why his father would accuse Merlin, of all people, of being a sorcerer. Sure, his father didn't like him, but that didn't seem like a good enough reason for what he did and said. Merlin must've done or said something to Uther while he was still alive that made him want to get revenge.
Arthur's thoughts soon turned to all the miracles that had happened since Merlin had shown up in Camelot. There were all those trees falling at the right time, swords flying out of the enemies' hands before they could deliver a fatal blow. There were also the times when Arthur should have died but didn't. There was also the Dorocha, something no mortal can survive, yet somehow Merlin did and recovered before even reaching Camelot.
Just as he was fitting the pieces together, he was interrupted by someone speaking from behind him. "How is he?"
Arthur turned around to face the new visitor, "Only time will tell, Gwaine."
Gwaine pulled up a chair and sat on the other side of the bed. "How did this happen?"
"You wouldn't believe me even if you were there," Arthur stated.
Gwaine let out a short chuckle and said, "Try me. I've seen everything the Five Kingdoms has had to offer."
Arthur sighed and figured Gwaine wouldn't shut up until he told him. "It all started when Merlin and I were out on a hunt..."
When Arthur finished, Gwaine was staring at him with an indescribable expression. "Out of all of my years of travel, I have never heard of a story such as the one you just told, but I can believe it."
"Do you think my father was telling the truth? About Merlin having magic?" Arthur asked.
"I'd be lying if I said he was lying, but Merlin does have magic," Gwaine stated.
Arthur started at his Knight in disbelief. "What makes you say that?"
Gwaine snorted, trying to hold back his laughter. "He's not very good at hiding it. Most of the servants, guards and few Knights know about his magic."
"Why has no one said anything?" Arthur demanded, feeling anger swell inside him.
"Because," Gwaine started. "Uther would have killed him and everyone that knew. You would banish him in a fit of anger. Neither would have boded well for both of you. Your destinies are intertwined. He is meant to protect you and help you unite Albion. You are meant to be the Once and Future King. Without him by your side, you would be dead before you saw reason."
"So all his ramblings about destiny aren't the ramblings of one who has too much cider?" Arthur asked.
"Nope," Gwaine confirmed. "Now, what exactly do you plan on doing about it? Are you going to let Merlin live, or are you going to kill him? Honestly, I hope you don't kill him. He's saved your royal backside more times than I can count."
Arthur knew he wasn't going to kill Merlin. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did. He cared too much about the man. "I'm not going to kill him, but I am going to slap him upside the head once he is fully recovered."
Two days later, Arthur requested that Merlin be moved to more private chambers until he is fully recovered. Also, Gaius can care for him without anyone disturbing him. If someone were in need of his services, the guard that would be posted outside would inform him.
It took longer than expected to get Merlin moved due to his wound. The guards carrying him had to stop every so often so that Gaius could make sure the wound had not reopened. Arthur was glad that Merlin had yet to regain consciousness because he would be protesting about not being in his bed. He would also complain about the frequent stopping.
Once Merlin was settled into the bed, Arthur set up a chair by the bed and sat down. He had an hour before the second council meeting of the day. And Gaius had to go back to his chambers to gather some supplies had forgotten.
Arthur had made it clear that Merlin was not to be left alone until he awoke fully. The younger man was to be supervised in case his condition takes a turn for the worst.
After Gaius returned, Arthur made way for the council chambers. A lot needed to be discussed if he was going to repeal a certain ban. He needed everyone to come to an agreement before the change was made.
Over the course of the next three days, whenever Arthur wasn't busy, he would go and visit Merlin in his temporary chambers. He would sit by his bed and watch him breathing.
Gaius had confirmed that Merlin would, in fact, live, but his wound wouldn't be healed for a few months at best. The physician also stated that due to the severity of the wound, Merlin would likely be walking with a cane or staff for several months afterwards or perhaps the rest of his life.
Arthur would talk to Merlin about how he is starting the repeal of the ban on magic. He would tell him how messy his chambers have become and how his armour needs to be polished. The king hoped that the more he talked, the sooner Merlin would wake up and tell him to shut up. He was beginning to miss the sound of his servant prattling on and on about pointless things.
After spending a few hours sitting next to Merlin after supper, Arthur started falling asleep in the chair he was in. Something which wasn't an uncommon sight for those who walked in.
Merlin slowly started to become aware of the world around him. He became aware of the pain right away, but he quickly blocked it. Uther was more important. He had to deal with him first.
The next thing he became aware of was... snoring?
Do ghosts even snore? Merlin thought as he listened to the noise. After a few long seconds, he pinpointed the snoring. It was coming from Arthur.
Merlin sat bolt upright and quickly scanned the room, looking for Uther, thinking he knocked Arthur out again, or moved them back to the throne room. He quickly realized that there was no threat, but before he could voice it, Arthur was standing over him with his hand on his shoulder, looking down at him with concern.
"Merlin," Arthur said in a calm voice. "You're okay. You're safe."
"Where's Uther?" Merlin asked, a bit taken back at how Arthur was talking to him.
"He's gone," Arthur reassured as he started pushing Merlin back into a lying position. "Just lay back down while I have someone get Gaius."
Merlin looked at everything he could see while Arthur talked to someone outside the chambers. This wasn't his room. He didn't belong here. "Why am I in here?"
"So Gaius can care for you undisturbed. It was my idea," Arthur explained as he examined the crimson-red bandaging wrapped around Merlin. "Try to relax. I think you broke some of your stitches."
Merlin watched as Arthur carefully lifted some of the bandages that were wrapped around his midsection. He could see the blood that was coating his skin. He suddenly felt his stomach churn at the sight of his own blood. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Arthur quickly grabbed a bucket that was on the table and helped Merlin sit up enough to empty what was in his stomach. Once Merlin was done, Arthur laid him back down.
Merlin closed his eyes and didn't want to open them back up.
"Hey, don't be falling asleep on me, " Arthur said as shook Merlin's shoulder. "That's an order."
"I'm awake, you clotpole," Merlin replied. "I'm just resting while waiting for Gaius."
Despite Merlin's best efforts to stay awake, he ended up falling back to sleep before Gaius showed up.
While Gaius set to work restitching his ward's wound, he asked Arthur about what Merlin did in the time he was awake.
Arthur explained how Merlin sat straight up with fear in his eyes and asking about Uther. He then pointed to the bucket that held Merlin's former stomach contents.
Once Arthur was done talking, Gaius looked at him and stated, "He should sleep easier now that he's in a more natural state of sleep."
"So that means he won't sleep another five days?" Arthur questioned.
"No less than another day or two," the wisen physician estimated as he looked at Arthur's tired eyes.
Gaius reached into his medical bag and pulled out a draught. "Take this, Sire, and go to your chambers. You need a good night's sleep. I'll be sure someone brings you breakfast in the morning."
Arthur took the sleeping draught from Gaius, planning on taking it as soon as he was in his chambers. "Just don't let it be George. All he talks about is brass and polishing techniques. And wake me if there are any changes."
Gaius bowed his head. "Of course, Sire."
Arthur slept soundly and undisturbed until mid-morning. He awoke to his chamber doors being opened. He opened his eyes and saw his beautiful wife looking at him.
"Good morning, Arthur," Gwen smiled as she walked over to their shared bed.
Arthur sat up and rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. "Good morning, Guinevere."
"Whatever Gaius gave you to help you sleep worked wonders. I don't think I've seen you sleep so much or so soundly in the past week," the Queen stated.
Arthur let out a yawn as he got out of bed. "I'm going to go check on Merlin before I start the morning council meeting."
"You're going to eat the breakfast the kitchen has prepared for you first," Gwen said sternly.
"I'll grab something and eat on the way," Arthur reassured, thinking his wife just didn't want him to starve.
"No," Gwen insisted. "You will eat a proper breakfast. You haven't eaten except for a few bites here and there. You can't keep going like this. If Merlin were here, he'd probably try shoving the food down your throat. Merlin would also be telling you that you can't keep going about your days like this because of him."
Arthur nodded in understanding. He hadn't even realized that he wasn't eating enough. "You're right, Gwen."
The Queen smiled triumphantly as Arthur conceded to her point of view.
Arthur sat at his seat and listened as the council members bickered back and forth
"Magic is evil. Merlin is no exception," Lord Barcus stated for the millionth time. He looked over at Arthur. "Him saving you so many times is probably part of his plan to kill you and not be suspected. He must die."
"If that were true, the lad would have asked for recognition a long time, okay? The only time he received any was when Uther made him Arthur's manservant all those years ago," Geoffrey argued. "How can he be evil? He doesn't have it in him to kill a bug, much less a man. If he did commit such an act, the guilt would eat him alive."
"He was brought into this world to protect Arthur and help unite the land of Albion. In the newly united Albion, magic would be free," Leon insisted.
"Anyone who decides to practice magic is evil. Their purposes might have been well intended at first, but the magic corrupts the soul. The boy has been lucky thus far, but sooner or later, he will be just like Morgana. Burn him to save him from himself," Lord Carn said.
This is where Gaius cut in. "Merlin didn't choose to practice magic, and neither did Morgana. They were born with it. I admit to suppressing Morgana's with a draught I had her drink at night. Perhaps if I hadn't, she might not be so evil. But Merlin's was never suppressed; he was making things move and whatnot before he opened his eyes. It wasn't until he came here that he learned why he was born with it. He has only used his talents for good and will continue to do so."
Arthur pondered Gaius' words for a moment, then said, "Magic is a tool like a sword. It is the person that wields it that makes it good or bad. Am I right, Gaius?"
"You are correct, Sire," Gaius answered.
"Anyone still against?" Arthur asked.
The chambers were once again filled with bickering. Arthur groaned inwardly and listened.