Merlin observed how lovely a day it truly was once he and Arthur stepped out of the castle en route to the training grounds. He had to briefly give shade to his eyes because of how bright the sun was, making him temporarily deaf and blind. Arthur noticed this and silently made sure that Merlin didn't lose his footing on the steps.

He had helped Arthur into his chainmail despite the pratty King's insistence that he didn't have to. But Merlin had given him a retaliation of "If I don't, no one else will do it correctly. Then you'll look like a bigger prat than you already are."

Arthur couldn't help but laugh at Merlin's reasoning, he was secretly thrilled that Merlin was still...well...Merlin. He tried to put himself in his friend's shoes and knew he wouldn't be taking it nearly as good as he was. Arthur wouldn't have known which way was up but somehow Merlin was able to bear it.

"Still got your sense of humour I see?" Retorted the King. Merlin gave an agreeing "Mm." whilst nodding his head in return. Once the chainmail was fitted, Merlin made to grab the weapons needed for training, noticeably pausing once he laid eyes on the sword rack. Arthur was slipping on his gloves when he caught on what Merlin was doing. His face dropped to worry when he remembered that the last time Merlin was in the armoury, he was alone and had a breakdown. So, Arthur decided to let his friend know that this time, he wasn't alone, and he certainly wasn't going to let him have another breakdown.

The pair had lost count of how many times Arthur had rested his hand on his manservant's shoulder. It didn't matter to Merlin how many times he did it, because it helped him every time. Not that he would ever admit that.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Arthur asked after he turned Merlin around to look him in the eye and give him a chance to read his lips. It took him a second before he picked up on 'sure' and 'alright' and noticed that Arthur sounded like a certain old physician he knew.

"You sound like Gaius." Pointed out Merlin, who then realised his bad choice of words. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Or rather, you are saying the same things as him...I think."

"With good reason." Arthur responded.

"I'm only going to be standing there. Even I am capable of that."

"Oh, I know you are, only things are a bit different this time." Arthur was having second thoughts on the idea. His newest main concern was that Merlin may become overwhelmed by the noises he should have been hearing and whilst he was battling a knight, he may slip away without him noticing. It would be so much harder than it already was to find Merlin around the castle in his new state.

Merlin was able to see the words 'things' and 'different' fall from Arthur's lips and made a guess as to what he said, deciding it was best to reassure him. "I'll be okay, Arthur." Once he replied, he moved to grab a mace and sword, leaving Arthur's hand lingering in the air where his shoulder once was. He handed the prat the mace since he couldn't carry it along with all the other things. Merlin looked at Arthur with smiling eyes. "You know, we really shouldn't keep the knights waiting."

The debate in Arthur's mind settled at his friend's response. After all, it was Merlin who was mostly able to change Arthur's mind on anything. Even if he didn't realise it, Arthur valued his opinion above all others. That wasn't going to stop now. "Alright, so long as you don't trip over your own feet on the way there." He joked.

Sirs Leon, Percival and Elyan were waiting on the training grounds as they were told to by Arthur upon returning from patrol. They didn't mind, they wanted the extra training in after the bandit attack.

Arthur, with Merlin next to him instead of behind him like he usually was, stepped onto the training grounds and was greeted by the knights. Each of them also gave a smile to Merlin, who they hadn't seen since the attack and therefore his injury which they all had the displeasure of witnessing. The knights couldn't lie to themselves; they were worried for Merlin too. All of them felt a tad guilty for not keeping an eye on him, they were just thankful that Gwaine was there when he was or else the outcome could have been devastating.

Merlin stood to the side and returned the knights' smiles. After placing the weapons down, he watched as Arthur took a proper look around and saw no Sir Gwaine in sight. The King glanced at Leon.

"Where's Gwaine?" Questioned Arthur. "I thought he went with you on patrol."

"He did, Sire." Leon confirmed. "He said he'd be along shortly, he had someone to visit."

"And we all know what that involves." Chimed Elyan, earning a laugh from Percival and Leon. Gwaine had not said where he was going or who he was visiting, only that he had to before training with the 'princess' as he formerly put it. Leon, Percival and Elyan had assumed he was simply meeting with a lady friend.

"Very well, we'll see if he turns up soon." Arthur added. He then started to explain to the knights who were there the training he had in mind for that morning. All the while, Merlin stood back and watched. Whilst he couldn't hear Arthur or the knights, he was comforted by the fact that they were there. Seeing his friends filled a gap that the silence had left him. He fell into a sort of meditative state watching Arthur talk to his men.

Neither Arthur, the knights and of course Merlin noticed Gwaine's approach to the training grounds. He was coming up from the direction behind Merlin when he noticed said manservant and grinned, an idea suddenly hatching in the long-haired knights' head.

He slowed down his walk to a silent sneak in Merlin's direction, trying not to get Arthur and the knights to notice him as well, which they didn't. Gwaine was surprised that Merlin hadn't twigged he was there once he'd reached him but stuck with his idea. Placing a firm hand on Merlin's shoulder, he stood back laughing and waited for his friend's reaction. What he didn't expect was the one he got.

Merlin might as well have jumped a mile, he spun round to face whoever the hell had spooked him and thanked God he wasn't holding a mace when he realised it was only Gwaine. Merlin unintentionally let out a startled gasp that caught the attention of Arthur and the knights. All the knights saw was Merlin seemingly scared at Gwaine's arrival, which didn't surprise them. Arthur, on the other hand, quickly realised what had happened and shot Gwaine one hell of a death stare.

"Gwaine! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were there..." Spluttered Merlin truthfully.

"Yeah...that was kinda the point." Gwaine responded, looking at his friend in confusion. "I was looking for you just now, I didn't think you'd be serving the princess today." Merlin tried to read Gwaine's lips but found himself too startled to concentrate. So, he simply nodded and smiled in return, hoping that would get him off his case. Gwaine was just about to say something more when someone interjected.

Arthur was trying to control the anger he could feel inside of him. He knew Gwaine meant absolutely no harm to Merlin, he was only horse playing. But right now, Merlin didn't need to be scared by things that he couldn't hear, that was what Arthur was trying to protect him from. As much as he might have wanted to, Arthur knew he couldn't kick off in front of the knights without receiving some questioning glances in both his and Merlin's directions.

"Ah, Gwaine. Good of you to join us. I take it you're here for today's training and not to harass my manservant?" Arthur asked as calmly as he could at that moment, prompting Gwaine and Merlin to both turn and face him. Arthur could see in Merlin's face that he was trying to calm himself down and he couldn't blame him.

Once again to Merlin's surprise, Gwaine appeared next to him as he walked to join his fellow knights. He gave Merlin a smile before turning to face Arthur.

"Something like that." He responded to the King, who didn't look amused. Gwaine looked back at his friend again and cast his arm over his shoulder, using his thumb to point at Merlin.

"Is Merlin not joining us as your target today, princess?"

All eyes were now on Arthur. "No, not today. He's going to stand there and judge me."

"Like he normally does?" Quipped Percival, who was well aware of Merlin's usual antics.

"Precisely." Arthur replied, hoping that would be an end to the questions. He opened his mouth to continue telling the knights his training plan but Gwaine had other ideas.

"How come?"

Suddenly Arthur wasn't so comfortable answering on Merlin's behalf. He noticeably paused before responding, something which Gwaine especially picked up on. "He's just not feeling up for it today." Was all Arthur could think to say.

Merlin was too far away to read anyone's lips and had no chance of reading Gwaine's since he was facing the other way. Yet somehow, he knew they were talking about him. He also swore he could feel Arthur's discomfort but shook it off in case he was using his magic unknowingly.

"That's never stopped him before..." Muttered Elyan to himself, he was also getting confused at the situation.

Arthur tried to look for a way out of it and found himself locking eyes with Merlin. It was as if their thoughts had become one when Merlin suddenly realised what he could do to stop the knights' questioning. Or rather, what he could say.

"Come on. Get on with it or I'll have nothing to judge." Merlin said in a playful tone. Arthur looked at him with a thankful smile. Even in deafness, Merlin was there to help him. Or both of them in this case.

The knights peered at Merlin and then at each other as if they had just been schooled. Gwaine let out a small laugh at the raven-haired man's words upon hearing that his friend was still acting like himself after all.

"Well, that's us told." Mused Gwaine. "Whaddya say we give him a show to judge, princess?" He finished whilst looking at the King.

"My thoughts exactly." Replied Arthur, who was now audibly calmer. "Now, who wishes to take me first?"

"Me, since I could take you any day." Gwaine responded with a smile dancing on his lips whilst he drew his sword.

"You can certainly try." Arthur commented in amusement, drawing his own sword. The other knights laughed and then engaged themselves in some of their usual warm-up routines.

Merlin stood and judged as he had intended to from the start, proud of himself for once again saving Arthur. Only this time it was from a more social situation instead of the regular life-threatening situations he had grown so used to. Merlin wasn't sure which one he'd rather find himself in, at least in one of them he could protect himself with his magic. Here though, that wasn't really an option. He found entertainment in watching Arthur basically destroy Gwaine in a training battle, along with everyone else.

About halfway through that morning's training session, Merlin became aware of two things.

The first one delighted him, the second one lesser so. The music of the swords and maces clashing in front of him were a lot clearer than yesterday, this delighted him. It meant that some of his hearing was returning to him, even if it was gradual. Merlin knew that in another two days, everything should be back to normal. Or at least that's what Gaius had said.

The second thing made Merlin grimace. He suddenly became aware of an uncomfortable feeling radiating from the side of his head, the same side that had suffered the blow. Feeling it gently with his hand, he cringed at the touch. It was without a doubt the bruise that was surprisingly late to show and late for Merlin to feel.

Merlin thought it was typical of himself to be so distracted by his priorities to not notice or feel the bruise earlier. But that didn't mean someone else didn't notice.

Arthur managed to catch eye of Merlin's pained face when he felt the injured side of his head and immediately decided he needed to check on him. He finished his practice with Sir Leon and told him to continue on with Percival, saying he needed a word with his manservant as the excuse.

Merlin watched as Arthur approached him. "Merlin, what's wrong?" Asked Arthur in a heartbeat, worried for Merlin.

The feeling in his head was distracting enough for Merlin not to pick up on Arthur's words, which still sounded like buzzing. "What?" He replied quietly.

"What's wrong?" Arthur said a little louder, hoping to get through to his friend. Luckily, Merlin managed to pick up on it this time.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a bruise finally coming through." Merlin answered discreetly so the knights wouldn't hear. "Actually, there's a potion Gaius has that could help..."

"Then go and get it." Since Arthur interrupted Merlin, the raven-haired man didn't get the chance to lipread. So, Arthur spoke again. "Go." He said, praying that Merlin would understand him. If this potion he was on about reduced his pain then Arthur wanted him to get it immediately. "And meet me back in my chambers, I'm finished here."

Merlin was grateful that Arthur was letting him go and get the potion. Although, he would've gone even if the prat had refused, not that Merlin thought he would. He lipread 'go' and somehow 'back in my chambers', understanding his instructions for afterward. He gave Arthur a smile before he took off to his and Gaius' chambers. Although he knew Merlin couldn't see him, Arthur gave him a sad smile in return, hoping the idiot would find the potion and be in his chambers when he got there.

Gwaine witnessed the whole exchange. He didn't hear a word of it, but seeing it was enough for him to confirm to himself that something was up with Merlin.

Arthur dismissed his men for that day and none of them argued, they were worn out from the patrol and training. The blond-haired man lobbed the weapons he had used in the training tent and started the walk to his chambers. He didn't like the fact that Merlin wasn't walking beside or even behind him like he usually was after training...and most of the time.

He wouldn't go unaccompanied for long.

Arthur felt it in his gut that he was being followed as he walked through the castle halls to his chambers. He was about to act on it when he heard the distinctive voice of Sir Gwaine calling his name out of nowhere. Arthur felt Deja-vu.

To Gwaine's surprise, Arthur spoke first.

"Gwaine. I'm sorry, I meant to find you yesterday. I wanted to thank you for your actions during the hunt."

"You're welcome, princess. But I'm here to ask of Merlin."

Arthur had forgotten that he had promised to tell Gwaine how Merlin was after the attack. He fully intended to do it at the time, until he found out that Merlin was deaf. It had shaken Arthur to the core too much for him to remember his word.

"Ah, well, he's fine. Just a bruise on the head from the blow." Arthur lied, but Gwaine saw through it.

"I gathered he'd have one. But a little bird tells me there's something more to it."

Arthur, confused at what Gwaine meant, thought for one second that he actually knew the truth. "Had Guinevere told him? No, she wouldn't." Such thoughts swirled around in his head that stopped him from realising he was being tricked.

"What? Who told you?" Arthur asked blindly. There was no way that Gwaine would have known before he did, it didn't make sense.

"Ah-ha! There is something! I knew it." And with that, Arthur caught on to what Gwaine had done. Typical of Gwaine, Arthur thought. People wrote him off as a drunkard without realising how smart he was...occasionally.

Arthur sighed in defeat. The only thing he wanted out of this whole situation was for Merlin to recover. He had told Guinevere because he knew she would help him along the way, which she had with her written messages and her trademark cheery optimism. He knew it was what Merlin needed in his newfound uncertainty. Arthur looked at Gwaine and once again had a flashback to Merlin laying helplessly on the ground after the knight he stood in front of had saved him. He had made a decision.

Arthur's priority was for Merlin to recover no matter what, part of that was keeping him out of harm's way, more so now than he already did. He knew that Gwaine and Merlin were friends like he was with Guinevere. If telling Gwaine would help Merlin then damn right he was going to do it.

"So, what is it?" Enquired Gwaine who was still thrilled with himself for tricking Arthur. He had no malicious intent of course; he was just worried for his friend.

Arthur decided to be blunt, much like the disgusting bandit had been when he injured Merlin. "That blow to his head...it's made him temporarily deaf." The King watched as Gwaine's face turned from slightly cocky into horror. "And I really mean temporarily...his hearing should come back in a few days."

"But...that's awful..." Gwaine was at a loss until a clear thought shot through him. "I should have made that bandit's death more painful." He stated defiantly, Arthur couldn't agree more with Gwaine on that one.

"Perhaps. But I'm grateful for what you did do, Gwaine. Without you, Merlin could've died..." Arthur had to stop himself before saying anymore, the thought of Merlin dying was too unbearable.

"No wonder he freaked out earlier...how is he now?" The knight asked after putting together a few things in his head, like the obvious signs that Merlin was deaf. He couldn't believe himself for not realising both after the attack and on the training grounds.

"He's alright. Gaius has said he should be able to hear again in a few days. We're lucky it wasn't more serious."

"How long hasn't he been able to hear?" Asked Gwaine.

"Ever since he was attacked. He couldn't hear a word we said on the way home, he was lipreading." Answered Arthur. Gwaine turned away at this revelation, he felt terrible for spooking Merlin earlier but he hadn't known his condition. He wouldn't do it again.

Gwaine knew what he needed to do to play his part in Merlin's recovery. He turned back to Arthur. "Well, don't worry, princess. I'll keep an eye on him. We don't want anything else bad happening, do we?"

Arthur blinked; it was as if Gwaine had read his mind. "Yes, if you would. I'm sure Merlin would appreciate it."

Gwaine smiled at Arthur and turned to leave, he had taken up too much of the King's time already. Not that it usually bothered him but Gwaine knew that Arthur was on his way to see Merlin. The raven-haired man may have complained about the pratty princess often but he knew that Arthur's company meant a lot to Merlin.

"Gwaine," Arthur called, stopping the man in his tracks. He turned back around to face the King. "I really can't thank you enough for saving his life."

Gwaine let a small smile form at one corner of his mouth and gave a knowing "I know you can't, princess." as a response. With that, he turned the corner of the castle hallway, leaving Arthur standing alone.

Arthur watched him go and smiled, his eyes glanced to the floor in thought. Gwaine would help keep an eye on Merlin, just like he and Guinevere were. Arthur, content with this, started walking once more to his chambers, expecting his scruffy manservant to be there waiting for him.

"Merlin's lucky to have us." Arthur thought to himself without the knowledge that his manservant had said something similar about him a while ago.

Merlin would get through this; he would make sure of it.