Man of Ice

Part Four

"I have to take a look at that head," Arthur breathes, lips hovering near Merlin's neck, "can't have you becoming any more of a simpleton."

Arthur hears the quick intake of breath, grinning as Merlin gears up to smart off a witty retort. Arthur uses Merlin's obvious distraction to his favour, quickly moving to work at the binding on Merlin's head. What he doesn't expect, as he pushes Merlin's hair out of the way, is the thick, dark blood staining the material, oozing out onto the hair below it. His fingers are just unknotting the bloody material, when Merlin cries out loudly, falling forward to cradle his head in his hands. Arthur freezes at the sudden outburst, eyes looking past his own blood-stained fingers to the man moaning in pain below him.

The sounds of pain break him from his trance, forcing him forward to gently hold Merlin's face, soothing sounds leaving his mouth. He can feel Merlin's warm tears on his hands, each drop breaking his heart even further. The knights burst into the small tent, panic plain on their faces, after hearing such pain-filled cries.

"What did you do to him," Gwaine roars, just barely able to keep from yelling. Arthur splutters, eyebrows lifting in silent pleading. His hands are still holding Merlin's head, thumbs soothing the soft skin there. It is, surprisingly, Percival, who calms the rogue knight, barring a hand to his chest when it looks as if he's about to pounce.

"I...I didn't do anything," Arthur splutters out, voice harsh. "I was changing the bandages, and cleaning his wounds, Gwaine ."

"Arthur," Lancelot's soft voice cuts in, concern apparent in his hushed tone, "What happened, sire?"

Arthur looks from Merlin's crumpled form, up at his knights, knowing the moment Leon notices the bloodied bindings littering the floor, as he suddenly turns a slight shade of green, eyes rounding as he meets Arthur's gaze. "His head," Leon chokes out, watching the way Merlin squirms on the bedroll.

Arthur nods, staring down at his manservant below him. "I had to check," Arthur starts, voice hitching as Merlin whimpers a sound of anguish, "I barely touched the bindings when he cried out."

"Well we can't just leave him like that," Gwaine shouts, trying to push past Percival once more.

"I know," Arthur whispers, feeling hot tears pulling at his own eyes.

Leon sniffs, closing his eyes briefly before turning to the rest of the knights. "Elyan," he states, voice commanding, as he gestures with his head towards where Gwaine and Percival stand, "Please." Elyan nods his head, turning to push the two out of the tent. Gwaine struggles, but Percival holds firm.

"We'll go make some more tea, alright?" Percival's deep voice is placating, but firm, in its silent demand. With a growl, Gwaine finally relents, letting his friends lead him back towards the fire.

"We need to clean and re-bandage that wound," Leon states, already kneeling besides Arthur, grabbing the tools they might require. "Lancelot, hold his left side down, make sure he doesn't move." He turns to Arthur, eyes softening, "do you want to restrain him, or handle the wound, sire?" Wordlessly, Arthur manoeuvres until he's kneeling at Merlin's head, where he gently rests Merlin's head on his thigh, before taking the dressings and supplies from Leon. Leon deftly moves to Merlin's other side, restraining his shoulder and arm, with a firm, yet gentle grip.

Arthur takes a deep breath, looking down at Merlin in front of him. His cries have increased, now that the knights are restraining his hands away from clutching his head. Arthur bends, softly shushing Merlin, as he gently places his hands to Merlin's head, stroking the dark hair. "Merlin," he murmurs, "I'm going to finish undoing the bindings now. Try not to move." Arthur looks to his knights, nodding once, before his hands begin unwinding the bloody bandages. Merlin begins thrashing against him, his movements stilted as Lancleot and Leon hold firm. Merlin turns his head into Arthur's lap, trying to hide his face. Though the angle is awkward, Arthur lets him be, wanting Merlin as comfortable as possible.