Chapter Text
Arthur stormed down the corridor toward Gaius’s and his manservant’s quarters. For three days, he had been looking for his lazy, good-for-nothing servant. The same servant that seemed to be spending that three days at the tavern according to his keeper. He had just sent one of his knights after him. He chose Lancelot partly because he volunteered and partly because his other volunteer, Gwaine, would have joined Merlin in the tavern. Lancelot had only ben gone a day before he came riding back on his horse with Merlin riding behind him. As soon as Arthur saw them riding up from his bedroom window, he took off to greet them, only to be told that he just missed them. They had taken off before he could get there, and Arthur was furious.
Merlin didn’t even have the decency to check in with his regent after his romp. Lancelot was just as bad. He was a knight and knew to check in with Arthur as soon as he arrived. So now, Arthur was stomping his way toward the physician’s quarters to hear what kind of excuse Merlin could give. He managed to swing the door open without knocking before Gaius came running up and pushing the prince out of the room. He pushed the door to almost closed and said through the crack, “Sorry, sire, but I can’t have you exposed until I am sure what we are dealing with.”
Arthur’s anger dissipated with confusion. “What on earth are you talking about?”
Gaius looked worriedly backward before looking back through the crack at Arthur. “I’m sorry. I have a patient to see to. I promise to give you answers as soon as he’s stabilized.”
Gaius went to shut the door the rest of the way, but Arthur’s fist pushed back on the door. “Which one?” he asked.
Another look behind him made Gaius frown before answering. “Merlin. Lancelot exposed, but he doesn’t seem to be affected. I do not know anymore than that at this time.” With that, Gaius shut the door the rest of the way.
Arthur stood in shock, staring at the door. For a moment, he put his ear to the heavy oak, but without being able to hear, he leaned back to stare at it again. A beat. Another. Then Arthur stepped back feeling his heart flutter with anxiety. Just what the hell was happening? What was wrong with Merlin that he couldn’t lay eyes on him? Arthur’s breathing quickened, and then he began to pace. He paced for a good twenty minutes before a servant saw him and looked at him curiously. In embarrassment, Arthur took off back to his chambers.
He waited for word from Gaius. He went to the scheduled council meeting, and noticed the empty seat of the physician as well as the emptiness behind him where Merlin usually stood. He didn’t know what they had discussed. He could have agreed to anything.
At dinner, Guinevere came to bring him his meal and then coughed when he didn’t extend his usual invitation for her to join him. “Oh, sorry, Gwen. Please, have a seat and sup with me.”
Guinevere primly took the seat next to him, placing food on his plate as well as her own. “Your father had a good day today. He knows he is the king of Camelot. He knows you are his son. He doesn’t remember me, but that is probably for the best, but he didn’t ask for Morgana all day like he did yesterday.”
“Yes, yes,” Arthur said as he pushed potatoes around on his plate.
“He also said he greatly enjoyed his marriage to the troll Catrina.”
“Hmm, yes.”
“He also said that he would like for you to step down as the regent because his real son is an apple named William.”
“Yes, of course. Wait, what?”
Guinevere smiled knowingly before putting her fork down to look Arthur in the eyes to give him her undivided attention. “I was wondering if you were listening. What are you thinking about?”
Arthur shrugged as he looked back down at his potatoes. “I just don’t like not knowing what is going on in my own castle.”
“Is that really what is bothering you?” Guinevere reached out a hand and touched Arthur’s. He dropped his fork to look back at her. “I heard Lancelot and Merlin came back today and have been shut away with Gaius.”
“Exactly what I said! I don’t like not knowing what is going on in my castle.”
“Or maybe you’re a little worried about why Gaius kept you from going in? Maybe you’re worried about Merlin and Lancelot?”
Arthur scoffed. “Me worried? Maybe a little for Lancelot, but Gaius said he was unaffected.”
Guinevere stood up and walked around Arthur to massage the tenseness that had built up in his neck and shoulders. “Cara said she saw you pacing in front of the door. She said she watched you for at least two minutes before you noticed her and ran off.”
Arthur stiffened, but then relaxed slightly under her probing hands. “I wasn’t pacing because I was worried. I was pacing because I am mad. I should be told what is going on.”
“You think Gaius would keep it from you? I have a feeling that Gaius will tell you as soon as he is able.”
“I think he’s trying to cover for Merlin. That’s it. Merlin is falling down drunk and he didn’t want me to see him, so he is keeping him in there while they think of some excuse to give me.”
Arthur’s head jerked forward as Guinevere swatted the back of his head. Arthur jumped up and spun to look at her while he held the back of his head where he had been struck. It didn’t hurt at all, he was just shocked. Guinevere’s hand was over her mouth in her own shock, but looking at Arthur’s face, some amusement creeped into her eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry Arthur. I really don’t know what came over me.”
“Guinevere,” was all Arthur could say in shock and admonishment.
“I just… I’m worried about him, too. You know Gaius better than to think he is just hiding a drunk Merlin. I didn’t know that there was something wrong with Merlin only until you told me that Lancelot is unaffected, so you actually know more than the rest of the castle.”
Arthur blinked wildly at Guinevere before moving his hand from the back of his head. He knew that she had barely touched him, but the surprise of it lingered. He thought randomly about the times he had done the same to Merlin with more force. Arthur turned back to sit at the table again, and Guinevere took her seat beside him. “I really am sorry,” she said before taking a sip from her goblet.
“No,” Arthur said, “don’t apologize. I deserved it.”
“So are you willing to admit that you are worried about Merlin.”
Arthur swallowed. “Maybe a little.”