Where's My Sword?

"Gaius! Have you seen Merlin?" Arthur called as he stormed into Gaius's chambers.

The old man looked up from the medacine he was creating ao the prince was in view.

"He retired just a bit ago. Why?"

"I can't find my sword anywhere and I haven't told him to sharpen it yet, so it can't be getting sharpened."

Gaius watched as the prince neared Merlin's chamber doors.

"Maybe you should let him rest. He hasn't been sleeping well sire."

"He can sleep when I get my sword." Said a irratated Arthur.

With that, Arthur pushed the door open and entered the dimly lit room.

"Merlin!" he called into the dark. No reply.

Arthur let out a huff and went to the side of the bed.

"Merlin!?" he repeated laying a hand on hthe servants shoulder to wake him, but instantly retreated after feeling the sweat soaked shirt.

"Merlin?" the prince asked now concerned and irratation forgotten.

Arthur allowed his eyes to focus and he notised Merlin was shaking.

"Merlin?" Arthur repeated laying another hand on his friend shaking him.

Merlin instantly shot up at the shaking and moved away from Arthur not knowing who it was.

"Merlin, it's alright. It's me." Arthur replied to Merlin's reaction.

The manservants body instantly realaxed at the sound of the familiar voice.

Merlin was breathing heavily and still slightly shaking.

"Merlin, you need to calm down. Slow your breathing." Arthur daid now sitting on the edge of the bed next to Merlin.

There was no change in Merlin.

Now that the prince was closer to Merlin, he could see his eyes darting around in the darkness.

The future king then did something that shocked Merlin and slightly shocked himself.

He put his arm around Merlin and pulled him as close to him as possible.

"It will be alright Merlin. Nothing can hurt you now." Arthur whispered noticing that Merlin was suffering from the after affects of a nightmare.

Merlin's breathing was slowly going back to normal and he wasn't shaking anymore.

"Are you ok now?" Arthur asked looking down into his manservants eyes.

He slowly nodded.

Arthur then slowly pulled away from Merlin and got off the bed and made his way towards the door.

"Oh and Merlin?" Arthur turned and said before he exited the room. Merlin looked up at his friend.

"Where's my sword?"

They both smirked at that remark.

Merlin shrugged innocentaly.

Arthur then turned to leave again when Merlin spoke up this time.

"Thank you sire."

"Your welcome Merlin. Try and get some sleep. In the morning I need you to polish my armor, clean the stables, do my laundry, and find my sword."

Arthur then exited the room with a small smirk growing on his face.