In the end, Arthur was stuck in his dungeon cell for nine days. Well. Nine days plus one night. It was the morning of the tenth day that his father came walking in, flanked by Leon and one other knight. "Arthur," he said.
"Hello, father," said Arthur, standing, watching the king closely.
"Well? What have you to say for yourself?" the king said.
"I've done a lot of thinking," Arthur started "Especially over my priorities, as was your wish. You're right, of course. I can't just go risking my life over just a servant. I'm sorry that I disappointed you. It won't happen again."
Uther looked pleased with his answer. Arthur couldn't help but feel a sort of squirming guilt – he had chosen his words very carefully, after all. It wasn't that he lied, not exactly. He couldn't, and wouldn't, risk himself over just anyone – but Merlin was hardly just anyone, and certainly far from 'just a servant'. Arthur was done lying to himself over that. And he was sorry that he'd disappointed his father, but if that meant keeping his idiot manservant alive, then so be it. As for the final point, Arthur intended on doing everything within his power to not let anything even close to this ever happen again.
So it was that he spent some time talking with his father, and then went up through the castle to his chambers. They'd been kept clean and dusted during his absence. There was also a bath waiting for him, along with a plate of food. Clean clothes were laid out on his bed. Whichever servant had done it, though, was nowhere to be seen. Arthur couldn't help but be glad.
Once he was clean, and had eaten a bit, Arthur stared out of his window for a few moments. Then, hardly paying attention to where he was going, swept from his chambers and out into the hall.
It was only when he found himself face-to-face with the door that led into Gaius's chambers that he realized his destination. He paused, his hand lifted up and ready to knock, but something stopped him. He didn't know how long he stood there, staring at the wood of Gaius's door, arm raised, so close to walking in. He thought about what was waiting on the other side. It was early, but surely Gaius would be up. But would Merlin? Maybe he was asleep. Arthur wouldn't want to wake him.
He dropped his hand. He stepped backwards. He stared at the door for a moment longer. He turned on his heel, and walked back the way that he had come. He'd come back later, at a more reasonable time. At least, that's what he told himself. Besides, he had duties he had to attend to. No doubt Merlin would understand.
As Merlin began to improve, he began to start asking questions. Lancelot couldn't say that he was overly pleased with the development. He was happy that his friend was getting better, of course, but as he climbed back to health, Merlin also wanted to know more. And, unfortunately, today all of his questions seemed to be centering on Arthur.
"Has Arthur been let out of the dungeons yet?" Merlin said.
Lancelot considering playing dumb, and saying that he didn't know. Instead, he said, "Yesterday morning, actually."
"Oh," said Merlin, drumming his fingers against the blanket. It was a habit he'd developed, whenever he started to get nervous about something, an erratic tapping of his fingers on whatever surface was closest. It was just one of a hundred new things that Merlin did now, little things, anxious habits that hadn't been there before. "Has he, um, has he been by yet ?"
Lancelot bit back the immediate, honest answer that jumped to the tip of his tongue, that one little word that would probably hurt Merlin as much as his physical wounds. Merlin was looking so guarded, face kept blank. But Merlin had never been overly good at keeping his emotions hidden, so Lancelot knew just how much the warlock had invested in the question. He could see the hope peeking out underneath his careful mask. So, instead of telling Merlin the truth, he came up with a much more comfortable lie. "Last night," he said instead, hating himself for deceiving Merlin, even if it was for his own good, "But you had fallen asleep already and he didn't want to wake you"
Merlin seemed to accept the answer, a tense line in his shoulders relaxing away. It made Lancelot sigh inwardly with relief while, at the same time, guilt swirled around in his stomach. He suddenly realized that Merlin was watching him closely, head tilted to the side ever so slightly.
"Why are you so angry with Arthur? What did he do?" Merlin asked.
"I'm not angry with Arthur."
"Right," said Merlin, and rolled his eyes, "That's why you start clenching your jaw and getting all tense every time someone brings him up."
"He's done some things," said Lancelot, standing. His shift of sitting with Merlin was just about over. "Some things that I can't let pass just yet."
"Like what?" Merlin pressed.
Lancelot looked down at him. Merlin was getting better, true, bruises fading to a sickly yellow. He was still too thin, but Gaius had allowed him back to eating solid food. They'd also started having him take little strolls around the room, helping him get the strength back in his legs. Still, though. Still. Merlin still seemed so...breakable.
"I think," said the knight, "That we should check with Gaius, first."
Merlin's face became the very picture of annoyance. "This has nothing to do with Gaius," he said, "I want to know. Everyone is keeping things from me and I hate it"
"I promise that I'll tell you, Merlin," said Lancelot, "Just as soon as Gaius says that it's all right."
There was a knock at the door, and Gwaine walked in. Lancelot, before Merlin could have any time to bring it up again, walked out of the room. Gwaine would be able to deter him from the topic, of that Lancelot had no doubt. Gwaine had proved to have something of a knack at distracting Merlin, a fact that none of them were very surprised over.
Lancelot wandered a bit aimlessly for a while, before eventually finding himself in the armory. Percival was there, sword out, and sharpening the edge.
"How's Merlin doing?" Percival asked as Lancelot sat down next to him.
"He's Improving slowly," said Lancelot, pulling out his sword. He began sharpening the blade alongside the hulking knight. "He's starting to ask questions."
"You're concerned about this?."
"Very," said Lancelot, frowning. "He's been wanting to know about Arthur."
"What did you say?"
Lancelot told him. They sat quietly for a few moments, and the only sound was stone against steel as they both looked to their weapons.
Percival broke the silence, and Lancelot was surprised in a vague, distant sort of way. "I know you're angry, Lancelot. But don't you think that Arthur deserves some kind of break?"
"I'll forgive Arthur when Merlin does," said Lancelot, "And not a day sooner."
"Merlin doesn't even remember –"
"No, but I do," said Lancelot, eyes flashing. "You didn't see Merlin's face, just before he left, Percival. I did. Everyone's looking at this like Arthur's getting some sort of second chance, a clean slate. But he isn't, not really. It still happened. All of this - it is Merlin getting the bad end of things again, like always. Just because Merlin doesn't know about it doesn't mean that it didn't happen. So once Merlin's decided that Arthur's fit for forgiving, I'll let it go."
He stood, sheathing his sword and walking out.
