Finally out of bed
The next morning Arthur got up again before Rick's arrival and thus prevented Rick from entering the antechamber.
He had finished dressing when Rick knocked softly on the door before entering the room with the breakfast tray and a small package under his arm.
- Good morning sire - Rick said as he left breakfast on the table - they brought this for you sire
- Great, leave it on my desk please, I'll check it later - Arthur said, sitting at the table to eat breakfast.
- Apart from tidying up the room, do you need me to help you with anything else today? - Rick asked, as he began to make the bed.
- Yes, Gaius will probably allow Merlin to leave bed today, but he still won't be able to do some of his chores - said Arthur, while eating his sausages - so in addition to meals, today I will need your help in the afternoon practice with the knights
- Of course sire, I'll be there
- Excellent - said Arthur - did you polish my armor?
- Yes sir, it's in the armory
- Good job, thank you - said Arthur, who, remembering the letter he had written last night, got up from the table to go to his desk - Ah, before you start tidying up, I need you to deliver this letter as soon as possible
- Okay, I'll be right back sire - Rick said, taking the letter that Arthur had given him and leaving the room.
Shortly after Rick had come back to tidy up and then left the room taking the dirty clothes with him, there was a knock on the door.
- Come in!
- Good morning sire - Gaius said as he entered accompanied by Gwen, who brought Merlin's breakfast.
- Good morning - Gwen said with a smile.
- Good morning
- I'm sorry, but I can't stay to greet Merlin today, Morgana is waiting for me - Gwen said as she left the food on the table.
- Okay, go with her - Arthur told him - thank you.
- Is he still asleep? - asked Gaius
- I think so... - Arthur said, walking towards the antechamber - let's check it out.
Indeed Merlin was still sleeping when they entered the antechamber.
- Merlin? - Gaius said softly, trying to wake Merlin calmly.
- Merlin, wake up - Arthur said a little louder when he saw that Gaius had not been successful. After opening the curtains, he tried again - Merlin!
- Hmm
- Wake up, Gaius is here to check you up - Arthur told him.
- Good morning Gaius - said Merlin, opening his eyes and trying to sit up, slower than the day before.
- How do you feel? - asked Gaius
- Well... - replied Merlin, who had already managed to sit down - can I get up today? Please.
- We'll see - said Gaius, beginning his examination, - et's see those wounds
After carefully checking the wounds on his head and arm, and asking Merlin a few questions, Gaius had his verdict.
- Everything looks good - Gaius said with a smile, as he put the sling back on Merlin's right arm - You'll be able to leave bed today, but you won't be back to work yet
- Thank you!
- The head wound looks very good, so you no longer need the bandage - said Gaius, who had removed the bandage so he could examine Merlin's head, - but you must be careful not to get the wound dirty
- Of course...
- Remember, no heavy lifting, no bending down and no running - said Gaius - and if you climb stairs you should do so carefully and then take a short break.
- But Gaius!
- No buts Merlin, you are naturally clumsy... - Gaius said, raising his eyebrows to make the message clear - I don't want you rolling down the stairs or fainting from overexerting yourself.
- Don't worry Gaius, I'll keep an eye on him - Arthur said.
- Well... - said Gaius, who then looked at Merlin - but if you feel dizzy, even a little, I want you back in bed, okay?
- Okay - Merlin responded resignedly.
- Excellent - Gaius said, handing him a small bottle with a slightly yellow liquid, - take a sip of this before each meal, it will help with the pain and healing.
- Thank you Gaius
- Early tomorrow I'll check on you again - Gaius said before leaving the room.
- Are you hungry? - Gwen brought you breakfast - Arthur asked.
- Yes, thank you - said Merlin, getting out of bed - but I prefer to sit at the table to eat this time.
- As you wish - Arthur said, sitting at the table next to Merlin.
After breakfast they had taken the clothes that Gwen had brought the night before to Merlin's room. There Arthur helped Merlin wash before he put on one of Gwen's outfits: Brown pants, dark green t-shirt and gray scarf.
- Wait, I have something for you - Arthur said when he saw that Merlin had sat on the bed to put on his boots - I'll be right back
- What? - Merlin asked, confused as he saw that Arthur left the room and returned a few minutes later with several packages in his hands.
- This is for you - Arthur told him, handing him the package with the socks first.
- Socks? - Merlin asked confused - thank you...
- You'll need them to be able to use this - Arthur said, handing him the package with the boots.
Merlin looked in amazement at the two pairs of boots Arthur had handed him. One pair was a dark brown leather, almost black, with a pair of gray buckles on the side, very elegant. The other pair was a lighter brown, simpler in appearance, but of excellent quality.
- Those are for me?
- That's how gifts work Merlin... - Arthur said sarcastically - I suggest you use the light brown ones today, and leave the other ones for more important occasions .
- Thank you...
- There's more... - Arthur told him, handing him the belt.
- Oh, how nice - Merlin said, trying to adjust his new belt to his slim figure, but it wasn't that easy with only one hand.
- And as you can see, it has room for a dagger - Arthur said, helping him with the belt and finally handing him the dagger.
Merlin took the dagger and examined it carefully... The dagger was very beautiful, of very good quality, and it matched the buckle on his belt... And on the hilt there was something engraved... On one side there was a elegant M, and on the other side was a dragon, the emblem of the Pendragon
- Wow, it's really pretty... Thank you
- I know you still don't feel like a prince or a Pendragon... - Arthur told him - but you are... Even if it's not safe to tell others.
- Thank you - Merlin said excitedly, putting his new dagger on his belt - how do I look?
- As the prince's servant - Arthur said with a smile.
- What are you talking about?
- You still look like yourself, but a little more elegant... Gwen did a very good job choosing that fabric... - Arthur explained - it looks simple, but it's good quality
- Oh...
- I'm sorry I didn't think of this before - Arthur apologized.
- What?
- In improving your clothes... - said Arthur - I had noticed for a while that you were cold in winter and that your clothes were not that warm, but I couldn't give you something of mine or buy you something without the other servants suspecting something, or Uther becoming suspicious or get angry about it
- A while ago?
- Yes, before all this... - replied Arthur - you know that Uther and most of the nobles believe that servants are not important, and it would be frowned upon for me to be interested in your wardrobe... The same with the others. servants, all kinds of gossip would spread around the castle
- Oh, it's true
- But I should have thought about this fact that "the prince's servant" represents the crown as much as I do...
- Oh, I understand - Merlin responded - don't worry... And thank you for all this
Arthur didn't answer, he just smiled and looked at Merlin to see if he was ready.
- Well, if you're ready, let's go...
Arthur and Merlin headed to the council chamber. Arthur carrying the map and the papers with the different routes they had planned the day before, while Merlin walked next to him, half a step behind him.
- Arthur, I'm glad to see you - said Uther when he saw them enter the room - I hope you have improved the patrol routes.
- Good morning father, gentlemen - said Arthur, nodding to the king and some members of the council who were in the room - that's right, in fact I come to present to you the changes I have made.
- Excellent
Arthur spread out the map of the city and its surroundings on the table, and then began his explanation.
- As you can see, the surroundings of the city are divided into sectors: North, south, east and west... corresponding to each of the city gates - Arthur explained, indicating on the map what he was explaining - and each area It is divided into sectors according to distance from the city
- I see - said Uther, examining the map.
- We have several perimeters: 2 , 5, 7 and 10 miles around the city - Arthur explained.
- And what is this division for? - asked one of the counselors
- With this division it is easier to delimit the routes - Arthur explained - think of the routes as branches of a tree... Within the first perimeter the route begins along the official road that leaves from the city gate.
- I see... - responded another of the counselors.
- When crossing the second perimeter the route can take three different paths - Arthur continued with his explanation - when crossing the next perimeter each route is divided into two... And the same thing happens when crossing the last perimeter
- I understand, but why so many options? - asked Uther
- This way the route through the same area can have slight variations, which can help us cover more ground and confuse the bandits - Arthur replied.
- Confuse the bandits? - asked the same counselor that had asked a few minutes ago.
- This methodology allows you to vary which route to take at each of the forks in the route - Arthur explained - ... This choice can be made randomly, which would allow for not having a defined pattern that the bandits can learn.
Merlin watched in silence as Arthur explained the map, and as everyone present began to understand the changes.
- It would also allow that if a large group of knights leaves at the same time, it would divide into smaller groups to cover various routes at the same time - Arthur explained.
- Interesting - Uther replied, looking carefully at the map and the routes that Arthur and Merlin had drawn on it - it's a very good idea, good job.
- Thank you father - said Arthur, who looked quickly at Merlin before continuing - but I can't take all the credit... Merlin helped me with some ideas
For the first time since they had entered the council chamber, Uther looked at Merlin closely.
- What happened to him? - Uther asked Arthur, pointing to the sling with his eyes.
- He was injured during the attack on the hunting trip the other day - Arthur explained.
At Arthur's response, Uther looked at Merlin again for a few seconds, then returned all his attention to Arthur and the map.
- A method must be defined to be able to choose the routes and make it random - said Uther - but they must be defined before the patrols leave the city, so we know where the patrols are
- Yes, of course - said Arthur - I have several ideas that I would like to discuss with you.
For the next half hour, Arthur explained the various ideas he and Merlin had prepared.
After everything was defined, Arthur and Merlin returned to Arthur's room to schedule the routes for the next few days, and have everything ready to explain to the knights, and so that Merlin could rest a little, he had been standing next to Arthur the entire time they were in the council room
A few minutes later Rick entered the room carrying two plates of food. Seeing Rick enter, Merlin and Arthur began to clear the table where they had been working, taking the various papers to Arthur's desk.
- It's good to see that you are better Merlin - Rick said with a smile, putting both plates of food on the table - ... In the kitchen heard that you were already back, so they sent your food
- Oh, .. Ehm... Thank you - Merlin responded, somewhat uncomfortable that one of his companions was serving him - and thank you for serving Arthur in my place
- No problem - Rick responded - are you going to want water or wine with the meal sire?
- Water is fine - replied Arthur, who had been watching the interaction between the two carefully.
At first Arthur thought that Rick might be upset about having to bring Merlin lunch, or even a little scandalized that Merlin had the audacity to eat with Arthur, but to his surprise Rick didn't look angry, but rather very happy to see that Merlin was fine and able to talk to him. This was a good sign, Arthur thought, it was good that the servants were so friendly to Merlin, since in the future he would be his prince, and he didn't want there to be any kind of resentment towards him.
- Today's training starts at two - Arthur told him - Merlin can't help me with the armor, so I'll need you.
- Sure sire, no problem - Rick responded.
- Thank you, you can leave - said Arthur.
Rick bowed his head and left the room.
- Are you ok? - Arthur asked when he saw that Merlin looked distracted and had not touched his food.
- Ah, yeah... That was just... weird.
- What?
- Rick attending to me...
- There's nothing strange about it...
- I'm a servant like him... He shouldn't be serving me.
- You are a prince...
- ...
- You better get used to it, because in the future it will always be like this... And you will even have your own manservant
- What? No! - Merlin responded - unlike you, I do know how to dress myself... I don't need a manservant
- And who will keep your room clean and tidy? Or will wash your clothes? - Arthur asked - believe me... You're terrible at that...
- Ha ha ...
- Seriously... I'm glad you have such a good relationship with the other servants - tell him Arthur - in the future it will be good for you to have them on your side.
About an hour later Rick returned so he could take away the dirty dishes.
Merlin and Arthur then headed to the training ground. Arthur watching Merlin carefully the entire way down, especially when they went down the stairs.
Upon arriving at the training ground, where Rick was waiting for them with Arthur's armor, the present knights came to greet them, very happy to see Merlin in good condition.
- Merlin! Good to see you're better - said Sir Leon
- Yeah, you looked really bad the other day - said another knight
- You are already working? Won't it be too soon?
- I hope you don't have to be Target practice today
- Hey hey... Calm down - said Arthur - I understand that you are excited to see Merlin, but we must start practice.
The practice had already been going on for an hour, and without any big news so far. While the knights followed Arthur's orders, Rick helped by passing them the different weapons that Arthur requested: Merlin, on the other hand, stood by, sitting on a bench, tasked with handing out cups of water to the tired knights.
- Hey Merlin
- Oh, hello Gwen - Merlin greeted his friend, who had come to observe the practice.
- Do you feel better now? - she asked
- Yes... My arm still hurts though... - Merlin said, showing his arm that was still in the sling, - but my head is much better
- I'm glad to hear that - Gwen responded with a smile - I see that your new clothes look great on you.
- Yeah! Thank you Gwen, it is very comfortable and pretty
- Do you also have new boots? - Gwen asked, looking more carefully
- Yes... Arthur also bought me new boots and a belt... he even added a dagger - Merlin responded, showing the dagger to Gwen.
- Oh, it's very pretty - she said after looking at the dagger - I don't know what must have happened between you two that made all this possible - Gwen added, pointing with her hands at Merlin's clothes - but I'm glad it happened. .. It was time for him to admit that you are his best friend, and start treating you better
- ...Thank you Gwen - Merlin responded with a big smile.
Merlin really wanted to tell Gwen everything that had happened, but he knew it wasn't time yet. Plus he was a little afraid that Gwen or his other friends would react badly to finding out about his magic, he didn't want to lose their friendship.
- I'm glad you feel better now... Don't let Arthur force you to work too soon - Gwen said, looking at Arthur who was fighting León - take advantage of resting as much as you can.
- I will
- I must return to Morgana... - Gwen said - see you later
Shortly after Gwen left, Arthur signaled to Merlin that he would soon finish training. Merlin, as usual, went to ask other servants who were nearby to take care of preparing a hot bath for Arthur. Merlin assumed that Arthur would need Rick to take off his armor and finish sorting out the weapons that had been taken care of today, and that he wouldn't be available to prepare a bath for him.
Indeed a few minutes later Arthur finished training. Rick approached to help him with his armor, while Merlin tried to help with the armor as much as he could... It was not an easy task to do it with just one hand.
- Thank you, Rick - Arthur said once the armor was off his body. - Merlin will help me with the bath
- I understand sire
- I need you to finish tidying up here and taking everything to the armory - Arthur added - and then bring me dinner
- No problem sire - Rick responded - did I also bring Merlin's dinner?
- Yes, thanks Rick - replied Arthur
- Thanks Rick - Merlin added.
- No problem - Rick responded as he took the armor to head to the armory.
Arthur and Merlin were walking up the stairs on their way to Arthur's room. At first glance everything seemed normal, but when you looked closer you could see the concern in Arthur's eyes. They were walking a little slower than normal, Arthur walking next to Merlin, ready to react if necessary.
- Stop looking at me like that - Merlin said exasperated.
- What? I'm not doing anything...
- I'm fine Arthur - Merlin said - stop looking at me like I'm going to faint at any minute -
- Okay... But you can't blame me for believing that you could fall on a staircase - Arthur said with a smile, but without taking his eyes off Merlin - it has happened in the past.
- It isn't true...
- You're sure? I think it is...
- No
- Sure?
- Very sure, I've never falleeee... - said Merlin, who just at that moment had a small trip on one of the steps.
- Did you say?
- I didn't fall
- Hahaha But almost...
That night after Arthur's bath, Merlin could not use the water to take a bath himself, as he would wet his bandages.
Shortly after the bath Rick arrived with their dinner, where again there was time for Merlin to tell Arthur about some of his magical adventures.
- Do you remember the black knight who came to challenge camelot... The one who did not sleep or eat? - Merlin asked.
- The one I couldn't face because Gaius drugged me, and Uther locked me in my room? - asked Arthur, who, seeing that Merlin nodded his head, added - No, I don't remember...
- Ha ha... So funny
- I know... - Arthur said with a smile - What about him?
- He was... Tristan de Bois... - said Merlin - his wraith actually
- My... our dead uncle? - said Arthur - What's a wraith?
- Wraiths are tormented souls whose bodies have been raised from the dead and reanimated by dark magic. No mortal weapon can kill them and nothing can stop them until they achieve their revenge. - explained Merlin
- That's why Gaius drugged me
- Yeah...
- Do you know who did it?
- Yes... It was Nimueh.. of course - said Merlin - He swore in his dying breaths that he would rise from the dead and avenge his sister, the Queen
- Oh... - said Arthur, hearing that for the first time - but if no mortal weapon can kill him... How does Uther manage to do it?
- I accidentally gave him a weapon capable of doing it... - said Merlin - I "made it"... kind of... it was meant for you to have it, but Gaius and Uther locked you in here, and ruin my plans
-.What was it?
- A sword... Forge in a dragon's breath
- And where is it? - asked Arthur, wanting to see the sword
- Hidden where no one can find it - answer Merlin seriously
- What? Why? - asked Arthur confused - It must be a really powerful sword.
- It is... But neither you nor I are ready for it yet - Merlin said - ... Kilgarrah will kill us if we go find it
- Aren't you his dragonlord? Shouldn't he be the one to obey you?
- Yeah... But he's the one to forge the sword... - explained Merlin - and to be honest, I don't want to be responsible if someone steals it from you
- Yeah... Me neither... - Arthur said, eating the last thing left on his plate - so... you already met someone else in the family... Do you like it so far?
- I hope there won't be more wraith...
- Not that I know of... - said Arthur with a smile - ... but Mother has another brother, Agravaine
- Really? I've never heard of him
- I haven't seen him in a few years... But he used to visit a lot when I was little
- Oh... How is he? - asked Merlin intrigued
- He was always very nice with me... He used to say that I was the only thing left of his little sister - Arthur said - ... But we now know that's not accurate
- Oh... Hopefully I met him someday
- Yeah, I'm sure he will be so happy to know that he has another nephew
- Even if I have magic?
- I hope so... - Arthur said - ... But don't worry about it yet... It will probably be a while before we can tell him
- Yeah... - Merlin said, absently playing with the last of the food left on his plate - ...Do you think Gwen will still be my friend? ...after finding out about my magic, I mean... .
- Oh, I'm sure she will - said Arthur - ...she knows you well, and just like me she knows that you are not evil.
- I hope so...
- Well, since we finish our dinner, we must finish defining the last details of the patrols... - said Arthur, standing up - tomorrow we must present the changes to the knights
- I'm coming - Merlin said, standing up as well, and approaching Arthur's desk.
.
So sorry for the long wait...
megamiartemis7: Merlin didnt notice, because Gaius only put a couple of drops... it was only to make him a bit sleepy, not yo knock him out