They worked through the night. Merlin's whimpers became softer and softer over the passing hours. Finally, Arthur asked Gaius for the verdict.

"He is severely bruised, everywhere, Sire. He has been beaten ruthlessly, and has a terrible knot on the back of his head, a dislocated shoulder, a few fractured ribs. However... what I am most concerned about is this..."

Gaius indicated the quivering shadow of horribly purple darkness blossoming over Merlin's throat.

"I fear it may... impede the use of his throat," Gaius said carefully.

"What do you mean, with eating and drinking?" Arthur asked, looking horrified.

"Well, yes..." Gaius said slowly, but Arthur could tell there was something else.

"What is it, Gaius?" He pressed anxiously.

"We must look to the positives, Sire," Gaius said briskly. "And cross that bridge when we come to it. For now... let him rest."

~

Morning came.

Uther summoned Arthur to the Great Hall. The dark smudges under his eyes told of his sleepless night, and he was rather aware of his lack of patience.

He left Gaius's chambers as the old man was dressing and binding a particularly gaudy, mottled abrasion high up on Merlin's chest, promising his return as soon as his father was done with him.

Arthur walked through the castle quickly, his heart pumping unpleasantly hard, making his breathing quicken. He was afraid. Not of his father, or of a telling off, but of Halig getting let off, and of what he would return to in Gaius's chambers.

"Father, you wanted to see me?"

It wasn't just Uther in the hall.

Halig was there too.

Uther was sitting on his throne with his elbows on the table in front of him, his fingers interlaced. He surveyed his son over the top of his hands, and asked in a bored voice,
"What is all this ruckus about, Arthur? Accusations about our... guest?"

The emphasis on the final word told Arthur plainly that Uther was none too happy about the fuss Arthur had made.

So he got straight to the point.

"Merlin, my Lord. I found my manservant badly beaten in the dungeons. I have reason to believe Halig was the one who is to blame."

"And what reason is that?" Uther looked as though he was holding in a yawn.

Arthur stood up a little straighter and glared at Halig, who looked at him dead in the eye and smirked.

"He was seen escorting Merlin to the dungeons before I found him."

"And you, Halig?" Uther asked, turning to him. "Do you deny this?"

"No, my Lord," Halig replied, smiling. "I do not."

Arthur stared.

"No?" Uther raised his eyes.

"No. The serving boy had information and I wanted to get it out of him."

"Well, you can't say fairer than that," Uther shrugged.

"What!" Arthur yelled. Uther frowned at him. "Father, how can you allow this? Merlin is my manservant, he has my complete trust. If Halig had a problem with him, he should have come to me!"

"Sometimes action is needed, Sire," Halig said lazily.

"I agree," Uther said. "Arthur, I don't see what you're complaining about. The boy had information about the Druid girl, and Halig had every right to-"

"Every right?!" Arthur exploded. "Father, what was done to Merlin was a crime! I know your view on servants but he is like a friend to me and he's saved my life a number of times."

"Oh for goodness sake, Arthur. I've told you before- when you are king, you'll have to get used to people getting hurt for you. I will not be pressing charges against Halig. When your servant has recovered, I expect him to give a full account of what happened- including his information on the Druid girl. And Arthur-" Uther's scowl deepened- "if it turns out he has been harbouring her, or keeping information about her from me, you will he sorry that Halig didn't kill him."