"What of our patrols, Sire?"

"When shall there be another hunt?"

"This speech is vital to maintain our agreement..." On and on they went, the members of the council seemed insistent on ripping apart every word of the King's report to them. Arthur bit back on the obvious sound of ennui in his voice and answered their endless questions.

Merlin was stood where he usually was during council meetings, behind Arthur and slightly towards the left so to the council members, he appeared on Arthur's right. It was rather fitting.

Merlin's hands fidgeted in boredom behind his back as he tried his hardest to listen to what the council was saying, or more specifically, to what Arthur was saying. He knew that although they meant well, the members of the council tended to drone on a bit. Occasionally, Merlin found himself to be able to pick up on a word or two without having to lipread. This excited him, as he knew that soon, he would get his hearing back fully. There was at least one full day left, according to Gaius.

At the very back of his mind, Merlin was aware that had he not been a creature of magic, his injury would have screwed him over far worse than it had done. For anyone else, his injury would've had more permanent damage that would reach beyond the ability to hear. Merlin knew that he had gotten off lightly.

He may not have been able to find a spell to get his hearing back on the spot but that didn't mean his magic wasn't accelerating his healing. It had its benefits, even when he wasn't consciously using it.

"That will be all." Arthur finally said, voice clad in exasperation. The meeting had run over its usual time and he was desperate to head back to his chambers before the evening's events. "I will see you all tonight."

A series of "Yes, my Lord." followed from various members of the council as they rose to leave. Not all of them had dismissed themselves when Arthur picked up his feet in Merlin's direction.

Merlin had snapped back into what was happening after he saw Arthur stand to dismiss the council, too caught up in his own thoughts. As much as he wanted to pay his attention to the meeting, the silence proved to want more of it. Only the odd word managed to slip its way into Merlin's ears.

Arthur made sure all of the council were out of the room when he spoke to Merlin.

"I bet you're glad you came." He joked with a voice filled with more content now he was talking to Merlin.

Surprisingly, Merlin was able to pick up what he thought was the majority of Arthur's words. "Oh, yes, Sire. Very glad." He responded.

Merlin's full response to his comment filled Arthur with relief. Merlin had already told him that his hearing was gradually returning but now that Arthur had seen it for himself, he was secretly elated.

"I'm sure. Come on, we're heading back to my chambers." Stated Arthur whilst lightly patting Merlin on the arm. He then started to walk to the door with his raven-haired manservant following him.

"Your chambers?" Merlin began, only hearing the last part of Arthur's sentence. "What for?"

Arthur made sure to face Merlin before replying. "For tonight, of course. Someone has to get me ready for the banquet."

Now Merlin really was confused. "Banquet? Since when were we having a banquet?" He asked with squinting eyes as if he was trying to remember if he had been told about this already.

"Since about five minutes ago," responded Arthur. "I organised it with the council."

Merlin saw 'five minutes ago' and realised one thing he had missed during the meeting. "Now, you see, I wouldn't have known that." he replied.

"I realised that; it's why I'm telling you now," Arthur said, voice in mock pride as if he were a hero by telling him this information. Merlin knew he was only horseplaying and smiled in return. Before the pair left the room, Merlin grabbed Arthur's papers from the meeting and moved to catch up, only to find Arthur waiting at the door for him.

"Come now, Merlin. I wish to rest in my chambers for a bit before the banquet."

"I'm coming, prat," Merlin responded, Arthur's papers in hand. "It's a good thing I organised your wardrobe earlier." he commented upon realising one useful thing he did that day.

"I suppose so, now I must make it my mission to mess it up again." Arthur said jokingly. As Merlin was walking over to his King by the door, he saw the word 'mess' fall from his lips and changed his voice to bare mock annoyance.

"You dare and I'll leave your clothes on the floor for a month." Merlin wasn't sure how threatening he sounded or if he even sounded threatening at all. He probably would've, if a genuine threat was carried within his words.

"I'm sure you will, Merlin." Arthur replied with a fond, genuine smile, in contrast to Merlin's far less than genuine threat.

In Arthur's chambers, Merlin was just finishing dressing his royal pratness for the banquet. By the request of the King himself, he was doing a rather slow job of it.

Arthur had given Merlin the odd order of doing his job slowly because he needed to pause. Whilst the banquet was only for the councilmen, knights, noblemen, and other important members of the Royal Court and not for a visiting guest, the fuss of it all would take it out of him if he wasn't to rest in his chambers beforehand. That aside, his secret motive was to give Merlin a break as well. Arthur reflected on how Merlin did not become overwhelmed during training, except for the Gwaine incident, or during the council meeting, much to Arthur's relief. He found himself with the guttural desire to shield Merlin from any harm, big or small, especially whilst he was injured.

There was no real danger inside the castle, of course. It was just him being overly protective. Even if he knew this, that wouldn't have stopped Arthur Pendragon.

"Just the cloak and you're done, my Lord." Merlin uttered as he turned to retrieve Arthur's cloak from its usual spot. As he approached Arthur with it in hand, he watched as his master's lips moved and became distracted at the fact he could actually hear some words and did not focus on what they meant.

"Merlin, if you want, you don't have to be there tonight." stated Arthur, not picking up that Merlin was stuck in his own little world once again.

"What?" responded Merlin which indirectly informed Arthur that he needed to repeat himself.

"I said you don't have to serve me tonight if you wish to rest." Arthur said honestly, a little part of him hoped he would come. Banquets were not banquets without Merlin.

The manservant picked up on 'don't have to serve me' and figured the rest. He had found that ever since Arthur had learned of his deafness, he'd been offered time off from his usual duties despite saying in the armoury that he wanted none. First, it was his duties overall, then the training session, the council meeting, and now the banquet as well. This obvious sign of care from Arthur had woven its way into Merlin's heart as a reminder that the prat truly cared about him, even though he didn't always show it. He couldn't help but feel touched.

"I'm starting to think that you don't want me to come." Merlin replied as a joke as he wrapped the cloak around Arthur.

"Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. Of course I want you there," claimed Arthur, meaning it. "I just thought you might like to retire early."

Merlin was just adjusting Arthur's cloak at the back and couldn't read his lips but managed to hear 'I want you there' which only touched him further. Then, he picked up 'retire early' and realised that Arthur wanted to dismiss him so he could get some rest. Merlin appreciated Arthur's offer immensely but he refused to accept it.

"It's fine, honestly. You can count on me being there." Merlin confirmed as he reached the front of Arthur to adjust the cloak some more. He finished his sentence with one of his trademark 'Merlin' smiles that Arthur secretly adored.

Said King became lost for a moment at that smile from his manservant and hesitated before replying.

Arthur cleared his throat as quietly as he could. "Well, only if you're sure, Merlin." he finally responded.

Since they were so close, Merlin was able to hear the majority of what Arthur had uttered.

"I'm absolutely sure, Sire. Besides, the only other servant who knows your favourite dinner is George." The rest of that sentence remained unspoken between the two.

Arthur laughed. "Ah, well, it's best that you do come then." he joked, unable to mask the happiness in his voice at Merlin confirming he was coming to the banquet. Arthur never realised how much Merlin doing little things, for example, his damn job, made him so happy. Anyone else taking his place was unthinkable, even if they were ten times more competent than Merlin.

Merlin finished finessing Arthur's cloak and stood back to make sure he hadn't missed anything. Arthur, on the other hand, was trying to ignore the tiny stab of melancholy that he felt when Merlin widened the distance between them.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and prepare your meal."

"Right, of course. I'll be sure to see you at the banquet hall."

As Merlin had already turned for the door, he only processed 'see you' and 'hall' come from Arthur. However, he did turn around before answering him.

"You certainly will, my Lord." he uttered with a smile and made his way out of Arthur's chambers. Leaving the latter man standing in there alone, preparing himself to greet those attending the banquet ahead.

Arthur was sat where he usually was during Royal Banquets. To his right were Sirs Percival, Gwaine, and a few other of his knights. To his left sat Guinevere, Gaius, Sirs Elyan and Leon. Each were chatting happily away at each other. Gwen was talking to Gaius and Elyan about a fascinating creature she had read about in one of her many books whilst Arthur converged with Percival about a topic he would probably not remember later that night.

A wave of servants suddenly entered the room, each with a plate of delicious food in hand. As Merlin was holding the King's dinner, he was naturally one of the first to enter. Upon approaching his majesty, Merlin tried to ignore the eyes that followed him.

It was the knights mostly; Gwen was being much more discreet with her watchful gaze. In true Gwaine fashion, he was being the least discreet of all the knights peering at Merlin. Those looks from the others told the manservant something he had rightly predicted before.

The other knights who were there knew of his current situation, thanks to Gwaine. Which was inevitable, Merlin thought. He didn't mind, they were bound to find out eventually. After all, he'd already sworn to his newly-made no-magic-unless-there's-an-emergency rule.

Arthur smiled as Merlin placed the food in front of him. "Ah, my favourite." he mused as his manservant moved to fill his goblet. Once he filled it, Merlin took a small step back.

"Will that be all for now, Sire?" he inquired, indirectly asking if he could now tend to the others who were sat near Arthur.

Arthur made sure to nod as he spoke. "Yes, Merlin. You may continue." he replied as professionally and as Kingly as possible. Merlin nodded in return, thankful for the gesture. It was expectedly noisy in the banquet hall which clouded Merlin's ability to hear the little words he could. Merlin tried to pay it no mind.

Goblets were filled with tasty beverages for Gaius, Gwen, and Percival thanks to Merlin. Each of them giving him a smile and a thank you. When he reached Sir Gwaine, he found himself looking directly into his eyes. It was Gwaine that initiated it. He poured the liquid into his goblet and before moving onto the next person, Gwaine held onto his arm lightly.

He'd figured that Merlin had to be alright since he was there serving the princess. If he was truly unfit to work, he was sure Arthur would have given him the night off. The princess certainly had a soft spot when it came to Merlin, though he would be the last person to admit it. Gwaine knew he was a prat sometimes, but he also knew that his care for Merlin ran deeper than any gorge he had ventured in. Some may even have called it affection. Yet despite this, no man would not have asked if their friend was okay after finding out his condition from someone else.

"Are you alright?" he asked, looking Merlin directly in the eyes like he intended to.

Merlin didn't need to be able to hear to know what Gwaine had said. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd lipread "Are you alright?" from someone. Only this time, it wasn't coming from Arthur.

Because Merlin still wasn't fully in control of his own volume, he opted to nod to Gwaine instead. Rather that than cause a few more eyes to turn his way. He followed his nod with a genuine smile that left the words "Thank you." unspoken to Gwaine, yet the knight got the message clearly. One smile returned another.

The banquet went on as most others usually did. There were roars of laughter from the lower end of the table where some of the noblemen crashed their goblets together in synchrony. At the top end, Merlin stood aside and waited for any cue that indicated his service was needed. Surprisingly, he wasn't called for very often that night. Those he was 'in charge of tending to' seemed to be quite independent, whereas the other servants were constantly pouring drinks or fetching something for their respective group. Merlin liked to think that Arthur was still desperately trying to give him a break and that the knights were perhaps doing the same. He would never know that his little theory was actually true.

The night only drew closer in as the hours went by. One by one, each nobleman, knight, or council member dismissed themselves and voiced their thanks to their King. Only a handful of guests were left at the table when Arthur gestured for Merlin to pour him another drink. Merlin walked over to happily do so.

"Thank you, Merlin," he began as Merlin finished filling his goblet. "I think that will be all for tonight, why don't you retire? I can handle myself for the rest of the evening." Arthur said in one last attempt to get Merlin to rest early. As much as his manservant refused, Arthur was only offering because he thought it might help his friend.

Since it had become a lot quieter now, Merlin was able to deduce most of Arthur's words. Some still remained unclear but he got the gist of it. In the past hour, Merlin had started to feel his eyes become harder to keep open as if they were made of steel. He'd been having rough nights lately even before the incident, too much going on in his mind. For the first time since he became temporarily deaf, Merlin decided to take the time off that Arthur was so generously offering him. If retiring from serving at a banquet early counted as a 'generous' amount of time off.

He'd give this one to the prat.

"If you say so, Sire." he said as he nodded his head respectfully in Arthur's direction, whose face was pleasantly surprised that Merlin had actually taken up his offer. Behind this, he was relieved at his manservant's decision.

"I should expect to see you in my chambers tomorrow morning, bright and early." Arthur stated, intending for it to be a joke. Gwen, however, didn't quite catch the joking tone in his voice and shot him a side glare that neither Arthur or Merlin saw. She'd spotted Merlin's tiredness from a mile away as the observant woman she was and concluded that he needed a thorough sleep.

Merlin only needed to hear 'bright and early' to determine the rest of Arthur's words. "I mean, I'll certainly turn up at some point." he replied with one of those smiles again. Arthur could have become lost in them.

It only took Merlin's response for Gwen to realise that Arthur was joking. The pair were just up to their usual banter. She, as well as Arthur, the knights, and Gaius, watched as Merlin walked out of the banquet hall and turn in the direction of his chambers. All of them sharing the same desire, the desire for Merlin to recover as soon as possible. Leon then turned to Elyan and the conversations among the men resumed.

No one saw Gwen's little smile as Merlin fully disappeared from their sights.

The door to Gaius' and his ward's chambers opened under Merlin's hand, who was semi-exhausted after his walk from the banquet hall. He noticed that Gaius had left the things he had taken to the ill woman from the lower citadel on the table and decided to be helpful and put them away.

Once he'd completed that, Merlin headed for his private chambers and couldn't wait to get his head down. He only hoped that tonight he wouldn't be as restless.

A glint of purple came into Merlin's view as he entered his room that was coming from his pillow. He shut the door behind him and moved further into the room, realising that the purple glint was a bouquet of flowers as he got closer to his bed. Smiling in confusion, he picked up the flowers and smelt them. They were divine, like how all flowers should smell. He then noticed a note underneath where they had laid on his small pillow.

"Dear Merlin..." the message had started, in handwriting Merlin recognised without needing to look at its donor:

"...I understand that right now, you may not be able to hear any kind words from your friends. So, I figured that if you cannot hear anything nice, you might like to smell something like it instead.

Remember. Purple suits you, Merlin.

Your friend,

-Gwen."

It was a damn good thing Merlin was alone, otherwise, he would have looked as if he were tearing up over some flowers. To say he was deeply touched was the understatement of the day. Merlin placed the flowers atop his pillow once more and stood to file Gwen's note in a safe place, intending to keep it forever. He slid it within a drawer next to his bed and made a mental note to make it up to Gwen as soon as he could. She didn't have to go through all that trouble but she did. Merlin truly was surrounded by loving, supportive friends. He had come to fully realise this in the past few days.

The scent of the flowers graced Merlin's pillow long enough for him to drift off peacefully.

For the first time that week, Merlin's night was not restless. He slept in company of the odour of the bouquet which served as a friendly reminder of all of his caring, yet sometimes lovingly idiotic, friends.

He knew they would help him get through it.