Summery: "It's been a week since he woke up and Merlin hasn't come to see him once." Sort of Post 1x13, a 'what if' fic.

Warning: Character death.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, All characters belong to BBC.

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It's been a week since he woke up.

The wound at his shoulder still hurts but it feels drastically better, he knows that this time it was too close for comfort. He can see it in his father's eyes, In Guinevere's face, in Morgana's relieved silence.

It's been a week since he woke up and Merlin hasn't come to see him once.

He climbed the stairs towards Gaius' rooms. When he reached the door it was ajar and he could see Gaius there, with his back to the door. He seemed to be staring into space.

Arthur walked in with as much royal air as he could muster while injured, which was still more than what the average nobleman could achieve. "Gaius, have you seen Merlin? My chambers are a complete mess, what is he doing that's more important than tending to his duties?"

Gaius startled, turning, and Arthur froze.

No…

Gaius' eyes were red and shiny, his expression seemed to crumple in on itself and he lowered his head.

No…

Time felt like it was slowing to a crawl as Arthur ran to Merlin's room.

No…

It was clean. It was empty. It was…

No…