Sorry for the long wait, I am just the laziest Merlin fan at the moment...The loss has hit me hard :'(

As the King of Camelot Arthur tended to keep his emotions firmly locked away, especially in serious matters. But one look at the now unconscious Merlin had those walls crumbling as he scrambled to maintain some piece of composure in is panic. He hurried ahead of Percival who was carrying Merlin as Gwaine ushered people out of their way and slammed doors open far to roughly but Arthur ignored it and carried on heading for Gaius' chambers. They were a few feet from the physicians room when Merlin stirred, blinking sluggishly, Percival paused for a moment but then continued, ducking through the now open door into the room where Gaius and Leon were waiting.

Gaius' eyes widened slightly at his injured ward but he fell into his healing mode quickly as Leon had informed him of the situation.

"Place him on the cot and then get me some clean water." He ordered as he grabbed a wicker basket filled with medicinal bottles and moved to Merlin. Arthur, Percival and Leon backed away and Gwaine run off for water. Percival sat down heavily on the steps to Merlin's room and buried his head in his hands as Leon patted him on the back grimly. Gaius leaned over the now conscious Merlin who was staring at the ceiling and waved his hand over the young man's face. Merlin blinked slowly turning his head slightly to look at his mentor.

"Merlin can you hear me?"

The warlock nodded but stopped quickly hissing through his teeth in pain.

"Where does it hurt my boy?"

Arthur stepped forward.

"He's got a lump on his head, he says he fell."

Gaius brushed back Merlin's wet hair to reveal the red lump on his forehead and tutted. At that moment Gwaine, Gwen and Elyan rushed through the door. Gwaine deposited the bucket next to Gaius and stood next to Percival as Gwen dropped to her knees on the other side of Merlin. Gaius frowned at the amount of people in his small work space but did not complain, knowing how close Merlin was to everyone not only him

"Gwen could you find a cloth, wet it and place it on his head please."

The Queen of Camelot nodded and hurried around looking much like the serving girl she used to be. Rummaging around in the basket Gaius pulled two vials out and pulled the stoppers from them. Merlin eyed them warily through his glazed eyes, well aware of their disgusting taste even in his discomfort.

"For the pain." Is all the elderly Physician said placing them to Merlin's lips to swallow. Gwen knelt back down and dipped an old piece of cloth into the bucket and folded it onto Merlin's head. He immediately tensed up and shut his eyes in pain but as the cool sensation travelled through his skin amd Gwen softly stroked his hair he relaxed.

"Now then Merlin, does anywhere else hurt?"

"My back." He rasped.

"Arthur, Gwaine, I need you to turn him onto his side." Gaius instructed as he and Gwen gently pulled Merlin's jacket from his body leaving in his soaked tunic. The pain killer was starting to work Gaius had noted as Merlin struggled to keep his eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time

"This won't take long Merlin but try to stay awake so I can find out where you're hurt."

Merlin made a noise in the back of his throat and opened his eyes. Gaius instructed Arthur to place his hands on Merlin's legs and hip and Gwaine, his shoulders and head.

"On three gently pull him toward yourselves. Right, one…two…three…"

In one motion Merlin found himself facing Gwaine's chainmail covered chest. Gaius worked quickly tugging Merlin's tunic up and pressing his fingers along the top of the young man's spine and working his way down. Halfway down Gaius noticed a red mark and pushed against it, Merlin's reaction was immediate as he arched his back way from the Physicians hands and grasped Gwaine's shoulder tight enough to turn his knuckles white. Gaius nodded to himself pulling Merlin's tunic back down and gestured for Arthur and Gwaine to place him back to his original position. The old man patted Merlin's shoulder.

"You can go to sleep now, my boy."

Merlin smiled faintly closing his eyes. Arthur watched his servant for a while as his breathing steadily got deeper before looking back to Gaius.

"Is he going to be alright?"

Gaius nodded.

"I have not found anything to damaging, a sprain to his lower back and slight concussion. He'll need to be woken every few hours to check there's no serious damage to his head but he won't be able to work for a few weeks."

Arthur nodded letting out a breath he had not realised he had been holding. Gwen had pulled a stool up and now sat beside her friend grasping his hand in his.

"Is there anything else he needs Gaius?" she asked her lovely face creased with concern.

"Well, I don't want to put you out Your Majesty but…"

"Gaius I will give anything for Merlin, what is it he needs?" She enquired.

"He needs a decent bed." Gaius replied albeit a bit too bluntly. "With his back like it is I foresee more problems if he wore to sleep in this cot or his own bed."

Gwen nodded in understanding as Arthur spoke.

"I will have a guest room prepared for him."

"No," interrupted Gwen, "The guest rooms are on the other side of the castle, it is too far for Gaius to go every day."

"Then where are we going to put him?" Arthur asked his wife.

Gwen looked up at him with a smile that could melt butter and Arthur feared her answer.

"He shall stay in your chambers; after all you have a mattress made for a King!"

The Knights all burst into laughter and even Gaius could not hold back a smile as Arthur gaped like a fish.

"Was goin' on?" a slurred voice asked as everyone's laughter slowly died down. Gwaine stepped up to Merlin's bed chortling.

"You're going to be getting into the Kings bed my friend!"

Merlin's confused look only assisted in Gwaine mirth and the Knight had to leave the room to calm down. Gaius smiled down at Merlin reassuringly.

"Do not worry yourself Merlin but should you wake and find yourself in a different room be thankful. Now continue sleeping you need rest." Ordered Gaius.

Merlin nodded still very confused but he quickly slipped into the dream world oblivious to everything even when someone changed his tunic and trousers for a warmer, softer material and then placed him on the softest mattress in the entire castle.

Damn...this seems real short now! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!