Doing it Over

Even the Best Knights Fall

            Gaius looked up as his door opened and Merlin walked in, Arthur on his hip.

            "Now, what happened here?" Gaius asked, walking forward as Merlin set Arthur on the bench.

            "I fell," Arthur said, "When I was training with Gwaine."

            "I see," Gaius said, "Well, I'll have it cleaned up in no time." He had just turned to get some water and bandages when the door opened again and the king entered.

            "Sire," Gaius said as he and Merlin bowed.

            "Arthur," the king walked over to his son, "Are you alright?"

            "I'm fine daddy," Arthur said, "I fell on the training ground."

            "I know, I saw," Uther said and Arthur's face fell.

            "You did," he said, looking down at his lap.

            "Hey now, what's wrong?" Uther asked.

            "I didn't want you to see me fall," Arthur said, "I wanted to prove I was good at fighting."

            "Arthur, just because you fell doesn't mean you're not good at fighting," Uther said, "Even the best knights fall."

            "Really?" Arthur asked, looking up at his father.

            "Of course," Uther chuckled, "I thought you were very brave when you fell." Arthur beamed at his father's praise and looked over at Gaius as the healer brought the supplies over.

            "I need to clean the wound sire," Gaius said.

            "I can do that Gaius," Uther said and Gaius looked at him in shock.

            "Are you sure sire?" Gaius asked, "It's not trouble."

            "It's fine Gaius, I'm sure you and Merlin have others to attend to," Uther said and Gaius nodded.

            "Of course sire," he set the materials down next to Arthur and bowed to the king. Gesturing for Merlin to follow him, Gaius gathered his bag and left.

            "Alright, let's see," Uther rolled up the torn trouser leg to get a view of the wound and winced internally. It was not a serious cut, but it was enough that Uther was surprised there had been no screaming and crying when it happened. He began cleaning it gently, Arthur whimpering slightly as his father's motions made the cut sting.

            "Daddy that hurts," he said quietly.

            "I know my boy, but it needs to be cleaned so it doesn't get infected," Uther said gently. He finished his ministrations, added the paste Gaius had made, and wrapped it.

            "There, all better," he said, but Arthur's eyes weren't on him. They were focused over Uther's shoulder and when the king turned he saw Salvatore standing in the corner.

            "What do you want?" Uther asked, stepping in from of Arthur.

            "I am here to inform you that only one more test remains," Salvatore said.

            "What do you mean 'one more test'?" Uther asked loudly and he felt Arthur grab the back of his tunic.

            "I mean," Salvatore smirked, "You have one more test." He vanished.

            "Daddy who was that man?" Arthur asked quietly, but Uther didn't respond nor did he move. What if he turned his back and the sorcerer returned?

            "Daddy?" Arthur said again.

            "I don't know," Uther lied, "But he's gone now and there's nothing to be scared of." He turned and hugged Arthur to him, but he couldn't stop thinking about what Salvatore had said.

            What did he mean by one more test?