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Chapter Text

"They will call me queen eventually, Arthur. No matter what it takes"

Sitting on the throne of the kingdom of Camelot was Morgana Le Fay, formerly known as Princess Morgana Pendragon. While, Arthur was kneeling down before her, behind hold back by chains, observing everything and unable to interfere.

After the death of Uther Pendragon, the kingdom of Camelot was unstable. There was no one to rule with iron fist as the crown prince, Arthur Pendragon was in mourning. Aided her dark magic and an army, Morgana took the opportunity to attack the kingdom of Camelot and take the crown, as the illegitimate daughter of Uther Pendragon.

Morgana's eyes sparkled with a mixture of satisfaction and triumph as she looked at Arthur.

"You look at home kneeling before me, Arthur." she said with a smirk.

Arthur said nothing, he knows he has been defeated. He is alone with her, with no trace of his knights, Gwen or Merlin, without the slightest knowledge as to whether they were still alive or not.

Morgana leaned forward on the throne, a hint of mockery in her voice.

"How does it feel, Arthur? To be completely at my mercy. Your precious knights aren't here. Your friends have abandoned you."

Arthur kept silent, his expression hard and resolute. He refused to show her any sign of weakness or submission. But when he looked up at her, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Morgana noticed the sadness in Arthur's eyes, a flash of something akin to regret crossed his features. But she quickly dismissed it, determined to maintain the facade of her victory. She rose, stepped down from the throne and stood in front of Arthur, fixing her eyes on his.

"No smart remarks? No attempts at bravado or defiance?" She asked.

"I've missed my sister." He mumbled, defeated.

Morgana's expression softened slightly, a hint of old emotions flickering across her face at Arthur's words. But she immediately regained her composure and her eyes harden as she speaks.

"Have you forgotten what I've done, Arthur? The people I've hurt, the lives I've taken. I'm not the same sister you once knew."

"That's my biggest regret... Not knowing how to help you."

Morgana's façade cracked a little more, her defenses crumbling at the tenderness in Arthur's voice. She looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

"It's too late for regrets. It's too late for any kind of help. I've made my choices, and I stand by them."

"I know."

Morgana looked back at him, her eyes searching his face.

"Then why do you still look at me like that? Why do you still care about me after everything I've done?" She asked.

"Because you are the only family I have left" He answered.

A flicker of emotion flashed across Morgana's face at Arthur's words. She clenched her jaw, feeling a pang of guilt at his words.

"You've always been such a sentimental sap." she said, trying to mask her vulnerability with mockery.

"How he despised that, uh?"

A bitter laugh escaped Morgana's lips at the mention of Uther.

"Oh, yes. He always believed that emotions and compassion were weaknesses. A true king, he thought, should be unfeeling and ruthless." She agreed.

"Is that what you aim to be now?" Arhtur asked.

Morgana looked at Arthur, her expression hardening again. But there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, as if she was struggling with her own thoughts.

"I don't aim to be anything. I want power, I want control. And if that means being ruthless, then so be it."

"You say you hate our father, yet..."

Morgana's expression darkens at the mention of Uther. But at Arthur's insinuation, a flash of pain crossed her face.

"What are you trying to say, Arthur? That I'm just like him?"

"Don't you see it, Morgana?"

Morgana looked at Arthur, uncertainty in her eyes. A part of her knew he was right, but she didn't want to admit it.

"See what? That I'm becoming everything I hate? That I've become the very thing I always despised!?"

"You just admitted that you will rule with an iron fist if it is needed and... well, you have me here all chained up. Is that so different from his punishments when we didn't agree with him?"

Morgana hesitated when Arthur's words hit her. She looked away, unable to look at him as she struggled with her own conscience.

"It's different. I'm not punishing you because you disagree with me. I'm doing it because..." She hesitated, unable to finish the sentence. A look of conflict crossed his face. "...Because that's what needs to be done, to secure my rule. To ensure that I never lose my power." 

She said it more to herself than to Arthur, trying to convince herself that what she was doing was necessary, even if it meant looking like Uther.

Arthur sighed softly and tried to move a little, his knees sore from kneeling for so long, as much as the chains would let him. Morgana notices Arthur's difficulty and a glint of concern flashes in her eyes. But she quickly ignored it, telling herself that she shouldn't care.

"Are you in pain?" She asked, her voice a mix of detachment and begrudging concern.

"Does it matter to you?"

Morgana hesitated at the question, unable to completely suppress the pang of guilt she felt. She looked away, confused.

"No. It doesn't matter." She said, her voice a little hard, trying to convince both Arthur and herself that she didn't mind at all.

There was a moment of silence between them, tension thick in the air. Morgana couldn't help but stare at Arthur, who kept looking at her with a mixture of sadness and resignation. She hated that he kept looking at her like that, as if he noticed her attempts to be cold and unfeeling.

"So... What now? Are you going to kill me now or are we waiting...?"

The abruptness of Arthur's question took Morgana by surprise. She looked at him, her expression conflicted. A part of her revelled in the idea, the fantasy of being able to kill the last living link to Uther, the man she hated.

"You really think I'm going to do that?" She asked, the uncertainty in her voice betraying her own indecision.

"You have been trying for a while..."

Morgana's expression hardened, an edge of bitterness in her voice.

"And I haven't succeeded, have I? No matter what I do, you just keep surviving."

She walked closer to him, her eyes boring into his.

"Lucky me... I guess?" Arthur mumbled.

Morgana looks at him, increasingly frustrated by his indifference. She grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her.

"It's not just luck. It's sheer stubbornness. You're like a cockroach that just won't die."

Arthur felt a little offended at being compared to a disgusting cockroach, but he thought it was low-key funny. He was going to answer, but felt his eyelid twitching and blinked a couple of times, trying to stop it.

Morgana noticed Arthur's eyelid twitch, and a curious look crossed her face. It was a strangely amusing sight.

"What's wrong, Arthur? Your eye doing a little dance?"

"Yes, the chained up dance."

Morgana smiled at Arthur's response, unable to help but find a little humor in the situation.

"The chained-up dance, hm? I believe they call that the 'chained-up jig' or 'restricted shuffle'."

"Hmm... Perhaps, you know that I am not a dancer myself."

Morgana let out a soft sneer, with a hint of mockery in her voice.

"That's an understatement. I've seen you attempt dancing, remember? It's like watching a drunken bear stumble around on its hind legs."

"The cutest drunken bear I suppose, no?"

Morgana rolled her eyes, with a mixture of amusement and annoyance at Arthur's attempt to appear charming despite his situation.

"Oh, please. You're the most ungraceful and clumsy 'cute drunken bear' imaginable. You have the elegance of a newborn fawn."

"Bear, fawn... Another animal to the list?"

Morgana pretended to think for a moment, amused by his playful banter despite the circumstances.

"A clumsy drunk bear-fawn. Perhaps we should call you 'the hybrid beast'. Or... a 'drunken cub'?" She said and smiled at the absurd idea. "Yeah, a drunken cub. A baby bear too young to be drinking but doing it anyway, stumbling around and tripping over his own paws."

She chuckled to herself, enjoying the ridiculousness of it all. For a brief moment, it seemed they were back to their youthful banter, not in the throne room with Arthur in chains and at her mercy.

Arthur smiled softly and looked down at the floor. He was feeling a little more and more tired and sleepy, how long had he been there? At least a day or so.

Morgana noticed that Arthur lowered his eyes and a hint of curiosity crossed her face.

"Tired, are you? I suppose being chained up for hours can be quite exhausting."

She took a step closer, her expression a mixture of concern and smugness.

"Maybe you should take a nap." *She mocked, though there's a hint of genuine worry. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right, and she fond herself intrigued by his drowsiness.

"Maybe I'll do that." Arthur said.

Morgana watched him for a moment, eyes narrowed. There was a hint of suspicion in her gaze, wondering if this was just an act or if he was really tired.

"Then why don't you? Go ahead, get some rest. I promise I won't do anything untoward while you're sleeping."

"Alright" He agrees.

Since he couldn't move from his kneeling position due to the chains, he simply closed his eyes.

Morgana watched as Arthur closed his eyes and tried to rest, an unreadable expression on his face. She couldn't help but notice a hint of vulnerability in him, despite his tough facade. For a moment, she considered letting him rest, but curiosity got the better of her.

"Arthur?" She called out to him, her voice soft and cautious.

Arthur had fallen asleep quickly, using a technique he learned in his knightly training as a boy, since knights must know how to take advantage of every second they could have of rest.

Morgana studied Arthur's sleeping form, frowning. How could he fall asleep so easily, chained and at her mercy? She leaned over and looked at him closely. His breathing was calm and his features were relaxed with sleep. There was a hint of vulnerability on his face that she had not seen before, which made her feel a pang of something unrecognizable deep in her chest. She reached out her hand, but stopped and rested it hesitantly on his head.

She withdrew her hand, conflicted. She wanted to wake him up, to taunt him for being so vulnerable, to regain her power over him. But something stopped her. There was a part of her that almost... cared. Morgana didn't understand, she didn't want to understand.

She knelt, her face level with his. Her eyes roamed over his facial features, observing every little detail. She sighed, frustration etched on her face. Then she reached out and touched his cheek. 

The feel of his skin under her fingertips was different from what she remembered. It is warm, rougher with small scars, and the touch sent a shiver down her spine. She was about to pull her hand away, but something made her linger, and her touch barely rested on his cheek. The soft sound of his breathing reached her ears and another pang ran through her heart.

"Wake up, you stubborn fool." She said softly, more to herself than to him, but Arthur opened his eyes almost immediately.

Morgana flinched slightly, surprised at how quickly she had woken up. She pulled herself together quickly, with a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

"That was fast. Were you faking it?" She asked.

"No. Knights have to be prepared to fall asleep fast and wake up even faster" He answered.

Morgana gave him a skeptical look, still not quite believing him. She stood up, trying to regain her sense of power.

"Hmph. I suppose it's not completely surprising that a warrior would have such skills. But you made a mistake in falling asleep here, in my castle, chained up and defenseless."

"You said I could take a nap."

Morgana let out a small humorless laugh.

"I did. I was curious to see if you would actually do it. And somehow, you did. Do you really have so little self-preservation? Falling asleep, chained up, at my mercy. A true knight in shining idiocy, aren't you?"

"What else you want me to do? I can't move, I can't fight back, I've been kneeling enough time to not feel my legs, I haven't eaten or drank anything in all day"

Morgana paused for a moment, surprised by the list of his complaints. Although she wanted to appear cold and unfeeling, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt but quickly pushed the feeling away and replied in a curt voice.

"You think I care about your comfort? You're my prisoner, Arthur. Your discomfort is not my concern."

She walked over to a nearby table and looked at the untouched food and water. She picked up a piece of fruit, twirled it between her fingers and turned to Arthur.

"But I suppose I can't have you starving, can I?" She said with a hint of mockery, holding the fruit out in front of his face.

For a moment, she holds it there, right in front of his lips. She watched his expression, trying to decipher what he was thinking. There's a small part of her that wanted to feed him, to care for him, but she quickly pushed that thought away as well, reminding herself of her role as a captor.

Arthur looked at the peach and then at Morgana. He is very allergic to peaches and is sure she knows it.

Morgana raised an eyebrow, with a small smile on her lips and a twisted sense of satisfaction invading her.

"Is there a problem, Arthur?" She asked, her voice almost sweet, feigning innocence.

Arthur sneezed, but opened his mouth and bit into the fruit, keeping his gaze with Morgana's.

Morgana's grimace turned into an almost cruel smile as she watched Arthur bite into the peach, knowing full well the effect it will have on him. But there was something else mingling with her cruel satisfaction, something almost akin to guilt but she kept going.

"Go on, eat up. You must be starving after all that time chained up, hm?"

Arthur took another bite and swallowed. If he's going to die, at least it will be by his own hand.

Morgana watched as Arthur swallowed the peach, his heart beating faster as he took in the reality of what was happening. She wanted him to suffer, but not like this, not by his own hand. She was torn between her vengeful desire to see him hurt and a strangely protective impulse, yet she recovered fastly, trying to keep up with his cold demeanor.

"How does it taste, Arthur? Juicy?"

Another bite of the peach in silence. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

Morgana's anger at his silence was growing. She wanted a reaction from him, any reaction that would show that she was in control of the situation. But Arthur's stoic silence frustrated her.

"Come on, Arthur. I want to hear you say it. 'This peach is delicious.'" She saids with a smirk, her voice dripping with mockery.

Arthur swallowed and took another bite, the allergic reaction starting to become strong enough to begin constricting his throat.

Morgana watched Arthur's allergic reaction worsen. His throat began to constrict and she could see the struggle on his face. A mixture of emotions stirred inside her: her initial satisfaction gave way to panic. She didn't want him to suffer like this. She took a step forward.

"Arthur, stop. Don't eat any more." There was a hint of alarm in her voice, her protective instincts betraying her.

Arthur took another bite of the fruit Morgana was is holding.

Morgana's eyes widened in horror as Arthur kept eating the peach, the allergic reaction escalating quickly. She couldn't no longer hide the concern in her voice.

"Arthur, you idiot. Stop! You're allergic, this is killing you!"

"I know" He mumbled.

Morgana looked at him in disbelief, frustration and fear mingled in her eyes.

"Then, what are you doing?! Are you trying to commit suicide?"

"Yes."

Morgana's breath caught. She never imagined that Arthur, her golden boy, her noble prince, would consider such a thing.

"What... why?" The question came out as a whisper, her voice trembling. It felt as if the ground had collapsed beneath her feet.

"Why does it matter to you?"

Morgana's eyes flashed with anger and something else... pain... at his question. She was right, why would he care? He is her enemy, her prisoner, the one she wanted to see suffer... and yet the thought of him hurting himself was more than she could bear. She tried to push the feeling away, to hold on to her anger.

"It doesn't! You mean nothing to me!"

But even as she said it, she knew it was a lie. Deep down, beneath the anger, the pain and betrayal, there was still a part of her that cared about him, that loves him like a sister. She couldn't help the pang she felt in her chest as she watched him suffer, unable to do anything but watch.

With difficulty, Arthur stretched his neck, trying to take another bite of the peach Morgana was holding in her hand. Morgana watched in horror as Arthur struggled to take another bite, giving in to her protective instincts and without thinking, grabbed the rest of the peach and tossed it away from his reach.

"No! Stop, you're killing yourself!" Her voice was a mixture of anger and panic, her heart almost breaking at the sight of him in agony.

She knelt in front of him, her hands trembling as she tried to assess the damage he had done to himself. She could hear his labored breathing, the struggle in his voice, and it tore her apart.

"You idiot... why? Why would you do this?"

"Won't give you... the satisfaction of... torture me... until you get bored... and kill me... Having me chained here... kneeling... not knowing when I am going to die..."

Morgana's heart sank at his words. She had wanted to hurt him, to make him suffer, but she never imagined it would end like this. She reached out and laid her hand on his cheek, wanting to touch him, to ease his pain, but she dared not.

"That's not... I wouldn't..."

She interrupted herself, her voice catching in her throat. She realized that he was right: he had been enjoying her suffering, playing with it like a cat with a mouse. And now...

She looked at him, really looked at him for the first time. The proud, stubborn prince of Camelot, her golden boy, the one who could do almost no wrong in her eyes. She could see the pain and resignation on his face, the acceptance of his fate.

"Arthur... I..."

She wanted to apologize, to explain, to tell him why she did what she did. But the words were stuck in her throat, caught between anger, hurt and the twisted version of the love she felt for him.

"Spare them? My knights... Merlin... Gwen, who loves you... If they are still alive..." He pleaded.

Arthur's cheeks were wet. Whether the tears were from sadness, fear or simply the allergic reaction is unknown.

Morgana's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe he was still thinking of others, even in this desperate situation. It was so like him, so noble and selfless, and it made her feel even guiltier.

"I can't make promises."

She reached out and finally touched his cheek, her fingers trembling as she gently wiped away a tear.

"Long live the Queen then..." Arthur mumbled in his lasts breaths.

Morgana could feel the panic and the desperation rise in her chest as she watched Arthur struggle for breath. She grabbed his face, making him look at her.

"No, no! Don't you dare die on me, Arthur Pendragon! If you die, I'll... I'll..."

She couldn't finish the sentence. The thought of losing him is too much to bear. She looked around, desperately trying to think of something, anything that could save him. There had to be a way, a spell, a potion... her mind raced, until it landed on the only thing she can think of.

"Stay with me, Arthur. Just... just hold on."

She lifted her hand and chanted a spell, her voice full of desperation and anguish. A soft glow emanated from her hand, and she pressed her fingers against his chest, right where his heart was. She didn't know if it will work, but she had to try. She closed her eyes, feeling the energy flowing from her into him, praying to any deity that might be listening that it wan't not too late.

After a couple of tortuous seconds, she felt him breathe, Morgana opened her eyes, a mix of relief and surprise washing over her. Her spell had worked, Arthur was still alive. She quickly checked his breathing, her hands hovering over his chest to feel his heartbeat too.

"Arthur... oh thank the gods..."

She sat back, the tension in her body slowly fading as she realized that he's safe, for now. She looked at his peaceful, slumbering face, and a wave of emotions washes over her. Arthur was asleep, still on his knees and chained up to the ground and the wall, but his head rested against his big sister's shoulder

Morgana  instinctively reached up to hold him gently, mindful of his chains. It's such a simple, almost innocent gesture, but it speaks volumes of the bond they once shared. For a moment, it was almost as if the last few years had never happened. She looked down at him, taking in his peaceful, slumbering form. He looked so young and vulnerable like this, reminding her of the boy she used to protect from imaginary monsters under the bed, but now she had become the monster.

She reached up and gently touched his hair, running her fingers through the soft strands. Memories flood her mind - memories of happier times, of laughter, and love, before all the hurt and betrayal got in the way.

"What have I done? My noble knight... My sweet brother..." tears sting her eyes, and she whispered under her breath.

She kept stroking his hair, her fingers tracing the lines of his face, as if trying to memorize every contour, every line, every imperfection. She wanted to hold onto this moment, this one, fragile moment of peace.

Her eyes drifted to his chains, and another pang of guilt hit her. She did this. She had chained him up like an animal, subjected him to cruel torments, and now... now she had almost killed him.

She could no longer bear to look at the chains. With a flick of her wrist, the enchantment holding them disappeared and the chains fell off. Slowly, she helped Arthur lie down, moving his body so that he was no longer in a painful position. He didn't move, sound asleep from the combined effects of the allergy and the spell.

Chapter Text

When Arthur woke up, his head was killing him. He felt groggy and disoriented, and for a few minutes he didn't realized that he was lying on a bed and not kneeling on the throne room.

As Arthur slowly began to wake up, Morgana's breath catched in her throat. She had been waiting anxiously for him to regain consciousness, torn between wanting him to stay asleep to avoid the awkward situation and wanting to know he was alright. When his eyes fluttered open, she immediately leaned forward, concern etched on her face.

"Arthur? Can you hear me?"

Arthur groaned softly, blinking a couple of times.

"Ugh..."

He tried to sit up, but he found out that he had been restricted by the wrists and Morgana put a gentle but firm hand on Arthur's chest, preventing him from sitting up fully.

"Don't move. You need to rest."

She could see the confusion and pain on his face, and guilt hit at her once again. She reached over and pours a glass of water.

"Here, drink this."

She helped him sit up a little, bringing the glass to his lips. Her touch was gentler than he thought it would be, and there was a hint of worry in her eyes that he can't quite decipher.

Arthur swallowed the water, the cool liquid soothing his dry throat. He glanced at Morgana, taking in her appearance. She looked exhausted, bags under her eyes, her hair messy and a slight tremor in her hands. He couldn't help noticing that he was in his bedroom, not the throne room. He also realizes that the enchanted chains were gone.

Morgana watched him intently, studying his every move. She could see the realization dawning on his face, and she braced herself for his reaction. She knew he must be confused and maybe even a little angry, and she couldn't blame him. But she was also surprised by the lack of hate in his eyes, the pain and regret that tugged at her heart, but she tried to bury it.

She cleared her throat, her voice soft but firm.

"You... you were unconscious for a day. You nearly... you nearly died, Arthur."

"But I didn't... I suppose that makes you happy, now you can kill me yourself." He said, clearly resented.

Morgana flinched at his words, the accusation in his voice like a lash to her heart. She looked away, unable to bear the sight of his disappointment, the disappointment she had brought upon herself.

"No, Arthur, that's not...I never wanted to hurt you like that." She hesitates, her hands clenching into fists in her lap. "Why did you do it? Eat the peach? You knew you were allergic."

"I know torture, Morgana, I suffered it before. Hurting the prisoner for days, making them wait for their death but never knowing when it will come... I preferred to go on my own way." He answered.

Morgana's breath catched in her throat as she hears his reasons. The realization that he had preferred to take his own life rather than suffer whatever she had planned for him pains her more than she thought possible.

"Arthur... I..." She didn't know what to say, how to express the hurt and the guilt that are choking her inside. "You don't understand... I would never... I could never..."

"I don't know that, Morgana. You already tried to kill me before." He reminded her.

Morgana felt a stab of guilt at his words. He was right, she had tried to kill him before... more than once. It was a painful truth that she had to face. She closed her eyes, trying to push the memory away, but it's etched in her mind like a mark.

"That was... different. That was... before." She couldn't find the right words to explain, to make him understand that she had changed, that she no longer desired his death. But even she didn't quite believe those words herself.

"What's the difference now?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truth. What was the difference now? She struggled to find the right words, the right explanation, but her mind went blank.

"I... I don't know."

She let out a shaky sigh, her shoulders slumped. The reality of the situation crashed down on her and she felt helpless, lost. She looked at him, really looked at him for the first time since he had awoken. She saw the pain and the exhaustion in his eyes, the toll that everything has taken on him. And she saw something else too - a silent plea, a question left unasked.

"Arthur... I'm sorry." The words came out as a whisper, barely audible even in the silent room. She wanted to explain, to tell him everything, but she didn't know where to begin.

Arthur closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Morgana watched him, waiting for a response, an accusation, something. But he just laid there, eyes closed and face tense. The silence in the room was deafening, and she could almost hear the thoughts racing in her own mind.

"Arthur... say something, please..." She begged.

"What do you want me to say?" He asked.

Morgana opened her mouth, closed it again. What DID she want him to say? She wanted to hear...what, really? An apology? A condemnation? A cry for forgiveness?

"Anything. I just... I just need to hear your voice."

"What are you going to do now? You are the Queen now." He asked randomly, not even knowing what he should talk about.

His question catched her off guard. She hadn't thought that far ahead yet. For a moment, she looked lost, as if the reality of her new title hadn't completely dawned upon her yet. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.

"I... I don't know. Rule, I suppose. That's what Queens do, isn't it?" She murmured.

"Well, yes, I mean, the laws... The magic ban and all... Who is your council?" He kept asking.

Morgana let out a humorless chuckle. Laws... she hadn't thought of that yet. The last few days had been... chaotic, to say the least.

"I don't have a council yet. I... I will need to find someone. Loyal people." She confessed.

"Ah... I see..." Arthur muttered.

Morgana studied him silently, her gaze flickering over his still-bound wrists. A pang of guilt stabbed her again, but she pushed it aside, trying to stay in control.

"Arthur... about your... current predicament." She started to speak.

"Hmm... Yes?" He asked, pretending to no be bothered by his restrictions.

Morgana hesitated, her expression torn between indecision and guilt. She knew what she had to do, but the thought of it pained her more than she will ever admit.

"You understand that... I can't have you running around the castle, can I? I... I need to make sure you stay here, safe... and contained." She said.

"Of course, it would be stupid." He agreed with her.

She nodded, relief flooding through her that he seemed to understand the situation, but of course he didn't accepted it. But it was a small comfort, knowing what she had to do next.

"I... I'm going to have to keep you under guard. Have someone stand guard outside this room. And... keep you chained." She said.

"Can I least have my hands not restrained? I would like to be able to eat on my own, if I am going to be fed" He tried to negotiate.

Morgana chewed her lower lip, considering his request. Releasing him from his shackles was a risk she wasn't sure she was willing to take. But she also didn't want to make his situation any more uncomfortable than it already was.

"Alright. I will have you unbound. But just for eating and... necessary hygiene. Is that agreeable to you?" She agreed to his terms.

"I'll be always chained to this bed by the wrists? Not being able to get up?" He asked.

Morgana's expression softened slightly. She could see the frustration in his eyes and the desire to be free, to move around. But she also knew that she had to take every precaution.

"Yes. For now, you will have to remain chained to the bed. I cannot risk having you escape, or... do something stupid." She answered.

"And if we keep my ankles chined up at the bed, but the chain long enough to be able to move around the room?" He kept trying to negotiate for a possibility that would give him the opportunity to keep his mobility intact and at least exercise a little to avoid atrophy.

Morgana considered his proposal. It was a compromise, a way for him to have a bit more freedom without risking his escape. She pursed her lips, weighing the pros and cons in her mind.

"Hm. I suppose that could be an option. But the chain needs to be kept short enough so that you don't reach the door. And the guards will be outside the room at all times, watching you. Understand?" She said.

"Yes" He agreed.

Morgana nodded, feeling relief now that she had made a decision. But she still had one more thing to take care of before she could leave him alone.

"One more thing, Arthur. I need to do a quick... procedure. To... make sure you can't escape."

Morgana could see the confusion and suspicion in his eyes, but she didn't wait for his response. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small vial of dark liquid.

"This may be uncomfortable, but I assure you, it's necessary." She said.

"What's that?" He asked, distrusting.

Morgana lifted the vial and let the light reflect off the dark, viscous liquid it contained.

"It's a potion. One that will... incapacitate you. Make you unable to run or fight, you will be mentally slower too." She answered

"You are drugging me" Arthur stated.

Morgana gave him a tight smile, not denying the accusation.

"It's for safety's sake. Just think of it as... a temporary sleep." She affirmed.

She uncorked the bottle and the bitter smell of the potion filled the room. She brought it to Arthur's lips and tilted it slowly so he could drink it.

Arthur tried to resist, but he was still too weak to fight it. The bitter liquid slid down his throat and, in a few moments, he felt its effects. His thoughts became slower, his limbs heavier. He tried to speak, but only managed to protest feebly.

Morgana watched the potion take effect, a pang of guilt twisting her stomach. As much as she rationalized it, watching him struggle was difficult. She carefully took the empty vial from his lips and set it aside.

"It's alright. Just... rest. You'll feel better when you wake up."

Morgana stood up and looked at Arthur once more. His eyes were heavy, his movements slow, the potion was doing its job well. She exhaled a slow, relieved sigh. It was done. He was under control and she could concentrate on her duties as newly appointed queen of Camelot. She moved towards the door, opening it just enough to signal the guards stationed there.

"Keep a close eye on him. Make sure he stays in chains and drugged. And be ready to call for me if anything happens."

Chapter Text

It had been two weeks, maybe more, Arthur was having a hard time processing things in his practically endless drugged out stage.

He would stumble around the room when he didn't feel like lying in bed, or sit still under the window, getting a little sunlight. He also wrote letters that he couldn't send, to try to stay sane, but the drugs made his mind more and more confused every day and most of the time they didn't make sense.

From time to time, Morgana would visit his room to check on him and make sure the guards were doing their job. Every time she entered the room, she could see how the drugged state affected him: his unfocused eyes, slurred speech, and the way she seemed to struggle with even the simplest tasks, such as eating or drinking. She pretended not to notice the letters or rambling writings he left on the table, instead focusing on the matter at hand.

On one of her visits, Morgana found him slumped against the window sill, staring into the distance. Seeing him like that, drugged and disoriented, she felt a pang of guilt. But she was quick to push those feelings aside and approach him.

"How are you feeling, Arthur?"

Silence, Arthur's mind having not understood Morgana's words yet.

Morgana waited for a response, but Arthur's delayed reaction told her that the drugs were still affecting him deeply. She reached out and gently touched his shoulder, trying to get his attention.

"Arthur? Can you hear me?"

More silence.

"Yes"

Morgana let out a sigh. It seems he was only half aware of her surroundings, his mind sluggish and lethargic from the drug. She looked at him, noting how he had slumped against the window sill, his eyes normally bright, clouded and unfocused.

"You should eat something. You look like you're going to pass out."

"Not... Hungry..."

Morgana's concern increased as she heard his faint protest. It sounded as if he hadn't eaten properly in days, the drugs had taken away his appetite completely. But she knew she could not allow him to weaken further.

"You need to eat, Arthur. Even if it's just a few bites. You can't just starve yourself."

She gestures to one of the guards to bring her a small bowl of soup. She took a spoonful and offered it to Arthur, gently coaxing him to eat.

"Come on, just a little bit. You need to keep up your strength."

Arthur looked at Morgana for a while, his brain trying to comprehend the sound, and then looked at the spoon.

Morgana held the spoon patiently, waiting for Arthur to understand what she was doing. She could see the struggle in his eyes as his drugged mind tried to process the situation. Finally, he seemed to realize that she was trying to feed him, and his mouth opened slightly.

With a mixture of relief and concern, Morgana carefully lifts the spoonful of soup to his mouth. She noticed how much effort it took to chew and swallow, as the drugs were clearly affecting his motor skills. But she still continued to feed him slowly and patiently, determined to make sure he received some sustenance. As she fed him, Morgana could not help but feel a pang of guilt. Seeing Arthur so vulnerable and at her mercy felt wrong, but she convinced herself that she was doing it for his own good. She continued to offer him more spoonfuls of soup until the bowl was empty, gently wiping his chin with a cloth each time he made a mess.

In his own confused mind, Arthur felt pathetic, unable to take care of himself. It was as if he were a prisoner in his own body.

As the last spoonful of soup disappeared in his mouth, Morgana set the bowl aside. She looked at it for a while, with a mixture of guilt and concern. Despite her efforts to convince herself otherwise, she could not deny the fact that Arthur was indeed a prisoner, a prisoner of his own mind and his own body, trapped in a state of narcotized helplessness while locked in a room and chained by the ankle.

Biting her lower lip, Morgana gently touched his face, feeling the warmth of his skin and the faint stubble that has grown on his chin. The once proud and strong prince of Camelot had been reduced to this...it was almost too much to bear.

"Arthur, can you understand what I'm saying to you?"

"..."

Seeing that he struggled to answer, she repeated her question, speaking slowly and clearly, hoping her voice would carry through the drug haze.

"Arthur, do you understand me?"

"Yes..."

Hearing his response, she felt a bit of relief in her voice. It was a sign that the drugs had not completely stripped him of his mind, but he still seemed to be heavily affected.

"Good. That's... good. Can you tell me what day it is, Arthur?"

"No"

Morgana resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, it was a stupid question. The fact that she didn't even know what day it was showed the extent to which the drugs and isolation had affected her mind.

"Okay, let's try something easier. Can you tell me your name?"

"Arthur"

At least he was still able to remember that. Morgana made a note of his response, mentally recording how much the drugs had affected him.

"Yes, that's right. You're Arthur, Prince of Camelot. And do you know who I am?"

"Sister..."

There was a flash of surprise in Morgana's eyes at his answer. Of course, he would identify her as his sister. Regardless, they still shared a familial bond, even if it was strained and broken.

"Yes... I am your sister. But I also have another name now. Can you guess what it is?"

"Morgana"

She nodded, with a mixture of pride and satisfaction in her eyes. Despite the drugs, his mind hadn't completely shut down.

"That's right. My name is now Queen Morgana. Your sister, and the new ruler of Camelot."

As she uttered these words, a pang of guilt came over her once again. She knew she was manipulating him, that she was using the drugs to keep him under her control, calm and unable to escape or communicate with others. But she also told herself that it was necessary, for the safety of the kingdom and for herself.

"And as your sister and Queen, it is my duty to ensure your well-being. Even if that means... keeping you in a drugged state, for now."

She looks at him, her eyes fixed on his disoriented and vulnerable state. With a soft sigh, she took his wrist and checked his pulse. It was a little slower than normal, but steady, another sign that the drugs were working as they should.

Arthur didn't move an inch as she began to stroke his hair, now longer than ever.

Running her fingers through his soft hair, Morgana couldn't help but feel a pang of affection. Despite everything, she still cared deeply for him in her own twisted way. She continued to stroke his hair, gently rubbing his scalp.

"You do need a haircut. You're starting to look a bit like a wild animal."

There was a hint of a smile in her voice, a small attempt to lighten the mood.

After a moment, Morgana's hand moved to his cheek, gently stroking his skin. It wasn't much, but she noticed the slight roughness of his beard, the stubble growing on his chin.

"You've also grown some stubble. It almost suits you."

She tried to keep her voice light and casual, hiding the mixture of guilt and affection she felt for him.

As he continued to touch her face, his fingers traced the contours of her features, feeling the warmth of her skin under his fingertips. He could see the faint flicker of her eyes, the way her mind was trying to process his touch through the haze of drugs.

"You're so quiet, Arthur. You never used to be this quiet. You were always so... loud and stubborn. Sometimes it was quite annoying."

A smile tugged at her lips as she teased him, remembering the countless times he had annoyed her with his stubbornness. But now she almost missed those moments, she almost missed those moments, the way he would get under her skin.

"You were always so annoying, constantly getting into trouble and doing the stupidest things. But you also had a good heart, underneath all that bravado and arrogance." As she spoke, her touch was still soft, her hands still caressing his face and hair. "You always tried to do what you thought was right. Even if you didn't always succeed. But that's just who you are... who you've always been. Loyal, brave, and stubborn to a fault."

She paused for a moment, her fingers tracing the lines of his forehead, her touch almost affectionate.

"You were always the golden prince, the hope of Camelot. Everyone expected great things from you, and you tried to live up to them. Despite everything, I have to admire that about you. Your strength, your determination..." As she continued to speak, her voice soft and introspective, letting her hand drift down to his neck, feeling the slow but steady beat of his pulse under her fingertips. "But you also had weaknesses. Blind spots. You could be so arrogant, so stubborn, so blind to the truth right in front of you. And that's what led you here, in this state. Drugged and dependent on me, your own sister."

There was a hint of bitterness in her voice when she says this, the realization of her power over him didn't sit entirely well with him, but she had to be strong, not let herself get carried away with nostalgia. She continued to touch him gently, her fingers tracing the line of his collarbone.

"You're like a puppet now, Arthur. A puppet controlled by my drugs and my magic. You're so defenseless, so dependent on me. It's almost... pathetic."

The word left her lips, floating in the air between them like a poisonous gas. She didn't quite like to call him pathetic, but under the circumstances, it seemed to be the most appropriate word. He had become a shell of his former self: weakened, disoriented and completely at her mercy.

She withdrew her hand and folded her arms as she looked at him, a mixture of guilt and satisfaction filling her heart.

"You're a mess, Arthur. A shadow of the man you used to be. And all because of me. Because of my magic and my drugs. But it's for the best. This way, you can't defy me, can't cause any trouble. You're harmless now, completely... obedient."

As he said this, I could still see the effect the drugs were having on him. He was subdued, almost docile, his body heavy and his mind clouded. But there was still a glimmer of resistance in his eyes, a glint of the old Arthur trying to break through the haze.

Morgana narrowed her eyes as she noticed the small sign of resistance. She knew she couldn't allow it. He had to be completely pliable, completely under her control. With a determined expression, she moved closer to him and touched his face again.

"No, no. We can't have that, can we? You need to stay obedient, my dear brother. Your mind needs to be empty, without any thoughts or desires."

She gently stroked his temples, sliding her fingers along his skin. When she spoke, her voice was a soft, hypnotic whisper, designed to soothe and calm him.

"You don't need to think, Arthur. You don't need to worry. Just let your mind be empty, focused on my voice and my touch. Let the drugs take away all your worries, your fears, your resistance. You're safe here, with me, your sister."

She could see the effect her words and touch have on him. Gradually, his eyes glazed over and his expression became expressionless. The drugs were doing their work, making him docile and submissive again. 

"That's it, my dear brother. Let go of your thoughts, your resistances. Just focus on my voice. Listen to me, and do what I say. You're completely safe, completely obedient. You trust me, don't you? Of course, you do. I'm your sister, after all."

He continues to stroke her face, running his fingers along her jaw, her nose, her eyelids. As she did so, she realized that he was unresponsive, that his mind was almost blank.

"You're doing so well, Arthur. You're being so compliant, so obedient. You need nothing more than my voice and my touch. You don't even need to think for yourself. Just listen to me, and let me take care of everything for you."

Chapter Text

A year had passed since he was made prisoner and Arthur looked nothing like he used to be. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and muscle mass, his skin became even paler and his expression was eternally impassive.

It was being hard to go on with his days with the drug affecting him, but he was doing his best not to lose his mind behind Morgana's back. Sometimes he thought about his friends and wondered about their whereabouts, if they were still alive and if they were if they were thinking about him sometimes or if they had forgotten about him.

Morgana visited him regularly, making sure he was well taken care of. She was determined to keep him alive and healthy, despite the drugs that kept stealing his senses and thoughts. As she looked at him, she could see the effect that drugs had on him - the weight loss, the lack of muscle mass, the dull and empty expression in his eyes. Despite everything, she still felt a pinch of guilt that she tried to deny. A small part of her was aware that this was not the optimal way for a person to live - numb and dependent on another person. 

But she pushed this thought away. She knew that it was necessary. Arthur coldn't be allowed to regain his mental faculties, coldn't be allowed to break free of her control. He was too dangerous, too unpredictable, too much of a threat to her plans.

Morgana stood behind him with the scissors, running her fingers through his hair to determine its length. It had become long and wild, almost reaching his shoulders in some places.

"You really do look like a lion. A very disheveled one." She said as she started to cut his hair, making sure it looks neat and proper, just like it used to be.

Morgana could have anyone else doing this, it wasn't even a thing a Queen should do, but  she continued to cut his hair, silently aware of the irony of the situation. She was a queen, a ruler of an entire kingdom, yet here she was, cutting her brother's hair like a common maid.

But there was also a strange sense of comfort in it. Despite everything, he was still her brother, the last family she had left in the world. And somehow, it felt natural to take care of him like this. As she continued to cut his hair, she couldn't help but remember the times when they were children, when she would help him with his hair, or when he would try to teach her how to wield a sword.

"You always had such beautiful hair, you know. Even as a child. Soft and smooth, blond... a little sunshine..."

There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice, memories of better times flooding her mind.

But as quickly as the memories come, she pushed them away. She couldn't afford to dwell on the past, to get sentimental. She knew that this was not the same Arthur anymore. This is a man she hadbroken, a man who was dependent on her for his very existence. And there was no going back.

She finished cutting his hair, putting the scissors away and looking at him, his hair now tidier and more acceptable.

"There, all done. Much better."

She couldn't help but notice how much more like his old self he was starting to look now, his hair neatly cut and tidy.

"You look like the old Arthur again. The golden boy of Camelot."

She gently touched his hair, admiring her work. Then she moved to his front, sitting down in front of him. As she looked at him, she could see small glimpses of the old Arthur flickering in his eyes - a hint of defiance, a flash of annoyance. But the drugs quickly crushed those feelings, his mind and body becoming lax and passive again.

"You should be grateful, you know. I'm taking very good care of you. You're clean, well-fed, and your hair is always neat. You have nothing to complain about."

She reached for his face, gently caressing his cheek.

As her fingers touched his skin, she can feel the rough stubble under her fingertips. It was a strange sensation - almost contradictory. He was at her mercy, completely dependent on her. But he also reminded her of the old Arthur, the stubborn, strong-willed prince who used to drive her up the wall with his stubbornness.

"You should shave your beard, you know. I don't like it, makes you look haggard... "

Arthur didn't reply, his eyes remaining empty and dull. She knew that he's too drugged to respond most of the time, that his mind was still hazy and slow. But there was a part of her that wished for a reaction, for any sign of the old Arthur really coming back.

She continued to stroke his cheek as she thought about what things she had yet to do. It was in that moment she remembered that Arthur's birthday was last week.

"You know, it was your birthday last week. I forgot to mention it." She said this almost absentmindedly, not really expecting a response from him.

Despite everything, he was still her brother. And he deserved to have his birthday remembered, even like this.

Arthur's birthday had always been a bit taboo when Uther was alive, because it was also the day that Arthur's mother died, so there was always a bit of a somber aura. And now, it also became too close to the day that Uther died.  Morgana still remembers how Uther used to react to mention of Arthur's birth, how his eyes would harden and his voice would turn cold. And she could feel the guilt and discomfort in her own heart. Arthur's birthday has always been a bittersweet day, filled with memories of death and pain.

"I... I'm sorry for not mentioning it before. Happy birthday, Arthur. Late, but still."

The words sounded hollow, even to her own ears. She knew that a 'Happy birthday' won't make up for the fact that he's been drugged and held prisoner for the last year. But part of her wanted to still try, to still be a good sister to him.

"I should shave you. You look like a wild animal with this beard. I can't have the Prince of Camelot looking like he's been living in the woods for months." She said this in a light, almost playful tone, but underneath the words, she was keenly aware of how ironic they were. He was a prisoner, a puppet, a shadow of his former self and here shewas, still calling him the Prince of Camelot.

A part of her knew that she was doing this as much for herself as she is for him. She needed to feel like she's still taking care of him, still being a good sister. Despite everything that had happened, part of her still loves him, still feels protective of him.

She wet his face with the warm water, making his skin damp and ready for shaving. As she grabbed the razor, she realized her hands were trembling slightly.

"Stay still now. I don't want to cut you."

She muttered this almost under her breath, more a statement for herself than for him. But even as she said it, she knew that he won't move. The drugs have made him docile, obedient, he won't move unless she commands him to and even then, he'll need help to do it.

She started the slow process of shaving his face, her movements careful and precise. As she moved the razor across his cheeks, she could almost see the old Arthur emerging beneath the stubble and the drugs. The sharp jawline, the strong chin, the lips that used to curve into a cocky smile.

As she continued to shave, her touch soft and gentle, she allowed herself to remember the Arthur she once knew for another moment. The fearless boy who would race her and Leon through the castle halls, the skilled knight who would always stand by her side.

Her movements became slower, almost tender. She found herself taking her time, enjoying the feeling of caring for him.

As she finally finished shaving his face, she stepped back to admire her work. He looked like the old Arthur again, with his smooth, clean-shaven cheeks and his tidy hair. With the beard gone, he seemed more like the old prince she used to know.

"There, all done. Much better."

She gently ran her fingers over his cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin.

As her fingers touched his face, she found herself feeling a strange mix of emotions. Pride in her handy work, satisfaction at seeing him look tidier, but also a deep, aching guilt.

He should not be here, in his bedroom that has become his cell, drugged and controlled. He should be out in the world, riding horses, fighting battles, and falling in love. Heck, he wasn't even thirty yet.

She forced the thought away, once again reminding herself that this is necessary. He posed a danger to her rule, a threat to her plans. She had to keep him under control, keep him under the influence of the drugs. She repeated those words hundred of times over the year.

"You look like yourself again," she said, trying to keep her voice light and casual. "Like the golden boy of Camelot."

As she reached the door, a pang of guilt hits her again. She knew she should stay, spend more time with him. He was her brother, after all, the last family she has left, but she pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that she couldn't afford to feel guilty or sentimental. She was a queen, a ruler, and she has a kingdom to run and traitors to persecute.

With a glance back at him, she left the room, the door closing behind her with a soft click.

Chapter Text

There has been an attack to the castle. A group of rebels leaded by Sir Leon has infiltrated into the castle.

Morgana was in her throne room when the news of the rebels infiltrations reached her. She could feel her heart rate speed up as she heared of the attack, her mind instantly going to Arthur. She jumped up from her throne, her hands clenching into fists as she muttered to herself.

"Damn you, Leon."

She quickly made her way to the room where Arthur was being held, her heart racing in her chest. She knew that the rebels will be headed for him, that they will try to rescue him. She had to get to him first, keep him out of their hands.

Morgana stoped in the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise and anger as she saw the young man holding her brother's hand. It was Merlin, the same Merlin, who was once her friend and Arthur's manservant.

She felt a surge of fury and rage as she looked at the two of them. She rushed into the room, her footsteps echoing on the stone floor. She was furious, filled with anger and annoyance at the sight of Merlin here, holding her brother's hand.

As she approached them, she could see Arthur's face, his eyes vacant and empty. But there was a slight flicker of something in them, something that almost looks like recognition.

She stoped in front of them, her fists clenched at her side. She glared at Merlin with pure hatred in her eyes.

She was tempted to grab him, drag him away from Arthur, but she holded back for now, her eyes flicking over to her brother's face. He was still sitting there, unmoving and silent, but there was definitely something different about him now. It was like he's suddenly more…awake.

She realized that Merlin must have done something to him, something that has brought him back from his drugged out state. She felt a hint of panic mixed with anger.

"No! What have you done to him!?" Merlin asked, furious.

"I didn't do anything to him! I've been taking care of him, making sure he's fed and clean and comfortable." She defended herself.

"And drugged!" He emphasized.

"Yes, drugged. It's necessary to keep him under control, to keep him docile." Morgana said as she glared at Merlin, her eyes narrowing. "But he's not suffering. He doesn't even know what's happening. He's perfectly comfortable, perfectly mindless."

"You know why I am here" He answered.

"Oh, I think I do. You're here to rescue your precious prince, aren't you?" She said, smirking, her tone mocking. "You think you can just waltz in here, break my enchantments, and take him away from me? You think you can defeat me?"

She laughed, her voice cold and mocking, but suddenly, a sword pocked her back.

Morgana froze, her eyes widening in surprise as she felt the cold steel of a sword against her back. She slowly turned her head to see who was holding the sword and was met with Leon's furious face.

"Leon."

She spoke his name in a controlled voice, her mind racing. She could feel the anger and determination in his eyes, and she knew that he was not afraid to use the sword he has pressed against her back.

"Morgana" He said back in the same tone of voice.

"Leon, think about what you're doing." She spoke slowly, carefully, trying to keep her voice steady. She knew that he was a capable fighter, but she was a powerful sorceress and she could probably stop him before he can do anything.

But Leon was not backing down. He pushed the sword harder into her skin, his eyes burning with anger and determination.

"No, Morgana. You're the one who needs to think about what you're doing. You've kidnapped the Prince of Camelot, you've held him prisoner for months, and you've drugged him like he's some kind of beast to be tamed."

She grinded her teeth, her body tense and on the edge.

"I did what was necessary, Leon. Arthur is a danger to me and my rule. I had to keep him weak, keep him compliant. He would've tried to overthrow me otherwise."

Leon's face twisted in disgust. He couldn't believe that this was the same person he had once called a friend, the same person who had once been like a sister to him.

"Is that what you really think, Morgana? Is that what you've become? A power-hungry tyrant who doesn't think twice about imprisoning her own family? You have become like Uther."

Morgana's eyes flashed with anger at the comparison.

"I am nothing like Uther!"

She tried to keep her voice steady, but there was a hint of panic in it. She didn't liked being compared to Uther, the man who had persecuted sorcery and caused the deaths of so many innocent people. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Leon shook his head, his expression unyielding.

"You're wrong, Morgana. Arthur would never try to stop you from making magic legal again if you just explained everything to him. He cares about justice and fairness, and he would want to see magic accepted and used, just like you do. But he would never allow you to rule as an absolute tyrant, to imprison and drug people to keep them under your control." Leon said.

"And what makes you think you know what Arthur would want!? You're just his loyal knight, a dog at his heels. You don't know him like I do. You don't really know what he's capable of." Morgana mocked, his voice cold and biting.

But before she could say anything, Leon spoke first.

"This ends now, Morgana. You have gone too far, done too much harm. You are a danger to this kingdom and its people, and you must be stopped."

"You can't stop me, Leon. I am the most powerful sorceress in the land, and I will not be defeated by some lowly knight like you." She said, raising her chin defiantly, her voice filled with bravado and confidence.

She was not going to back down, not going to let this knight threaten her. She knew her own power, knew that she could take him down with a single word of magic.

Leon didn't deny her words. He knew that she was more powerful than him, knew that she could easily defeat him with her magic.

"I may not be as powerful as you, Morgana, but I'm not afraid of you either. I will do whatever it takes to stop you, even if it means dying in the process."

Morgana snorted in disbelief. She knew that Leon was a brave and honorable knight, but she also knew that he was not suicidal.

"You don't really expect me to believe that, do you? That you're willing to die just to stop me?" She mocked him.

Leon nodded firmly.

"Yes, Morgana. I am. If it means saving this kingdom and its people from your tyranny, I am willing to die. I have made an oath as a knight to protect the kingdom."

Morgana's face twisted in anger as she saw Arthur moving towards the door. She turned her head to look at Leon, her voice desperate.

"You can't let them leave, Leon. You can't."

But before she could say anything else, Leon spoke. He had been watching the situation, and he had also seen that Merlin and Arthur were almost at the door.

"This is your last chance, Morgana. Let the Prince go, and surrender yourself. It's over."

Morgana laughed coldly, her eyes glittering with malice.

"You think I'm just going to give up like that? You think I'm going to let you take me, allow you to lock me up in some dirty cell somewhere? You have no idea who you're dealing with, Leon."

Leon didn't back down. He pressed more the sword to her back, the blade shining in the light.

"I know exactly who I'm dealing with, Morgana. I know how dangerous and manipulative you can be. But I also know that deep down, you're still the girl I once knew. The one who cared about people, the one who was like a sister to me."

Morgana's heart clenched at his words. A wave of longing washed over her, a longing for the person she used to be, the person who cared about her friends and family.

She shook her head, fighting against the wave of emotion that threatens to overwhelm her.

"Yield, Morgana.... There's still time... we can work it out... together" Arthur said suddenly, his voice raspy and dragging the words.

She looked at Arthur, taking in his words, his pleading expression. A part of her wanted to believe him, wanted to think that there's a way to work this out, to reconcile their differences. But another part of her, the darker, more vindictive part, wouldn't allow it.

"Yield? You think I would yield to you, to any of you? You think I would just surrender myself to you, allow you to dictate my future? Never." Her voice was cold, hard, filled with an icy determination. She made her decision, and she was not going to change her mind. "I am the Queen of Camelot, the most powerful sorceress in the land. And I will not let you or anyone else take that away from me. I will rule this kingdom, with or without your approval."

She looked at Leon, her eyes narrowing as she saw the stubborn determination on his face.

"And if you think you can stop me, you're sorely mistaken. I am more powerful than you, stronger than you. You are nothing to me, just a nuisance to be dealt with." She said, getting ready to strike her first attack.

Leon looked at her, his face impassive. He knew that what he had done was necessary, that it was the only way to stop her from causing any more harm and keep Arthur safe. But he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, a pang of remorse for having to hurt someone he once considered a friend and a sister.

Arthur was able to listen to his big sister's pain and he couldn't stop himself from crying while Merlin kept covering his eyes and holding him by the waist.

"No!" Arthur cried.

Arthur's heart skipped a beat as he heard her voice, as he heard her say his name. He felt Merlin's hand covering his eyes, preventing him from seeing the horrific scene in front of him, but he knew what's happening, knew that Morgana was hurt.

"Morgana, please, I... Help her!" He begged.

He didn't know what to say, what to do. All he could do was cry and let Merlin hold him.

Tears formed in Morgana’s eyes when she heard Arthur’s plea, hearing the despair in his voice. I knew he cared about her, despite everything that had happened. She tried to speak, to say something, but the pain was too great. She could barely even breathe, let alone form words.

Morgana took a shuddering breath, her body weakening by the second. She knew that she was running out of time, that she was losing her strength fast.

"Arthur, I.... I'm sorry..." She managed to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. She wanted to say more, to say so much more, but the pain was too much to bear. She could feel herself slipping away, losing her grip on the world.

Tears streamed down Arthur's face as he listened to her words, his heart breaking at the sound of her voice, so weak and desperate.

"Morgana, please, don't leave me. Don't..." Arthur begged as he struggled against Merlin's grip, trying to reach out to her, to hold her, to do something, anything. But Merlin's hold on him was strong, preventing him from moving. "Merlin... please..."

Morgana heard his plea, heard the despair in his voice. She wanted so badly to comfort him, to tell him that everything was going to be okay. But she couldn't speak, couldn't even think straight anymore.

She felt herself fading away, felt the world around her starting to slip away. She was on the brink of death, she knew it.

Leon watcheds the scene unfold, his heart heavy with guilt and sympathy. He could see the pain on Arthur's face, could hear the anguish in his voice. He knew that nothing he could say or do will make this any easier for him.

"We should take him out of here "Leon said softly.

Merlin nodded, his expression soft as he looks down at Arthur's sleeping form.

"Yes, you're right. He shouldn't have to stay in here, surrounded by this... this memory."

"Do you want me to fetch Percival? So he can help you to carry Arthur" Leon asked and then looked at Arthur, a far cry from who he used to be. "Although... He has lost a lot of weight"

Merlin's expression hardened as he hears Leon's words. He glanced down at Arthur, taking in his thin, weak form. He had noticed the weight loss, but he hadn't quite registered just how much weight Arthur had lost, how much he had been affected by everything that had happened.

"Yes, please. Fetch Percival. We'll need his help." Merlin nodded firmly as he agreed with Leon.

"Alright" Leon said before leaving the room to fetch Percival.

Percival immediately moved to Merlin's side, his expression concerned as he took in the sight of Arthur's sleeping form.

"Is he alright?" He asks softly.

The other knights approached as well, their gazes fixed on Arthur, worry etched on their faces. Gwaine in particular looked uncharacteristically somber, his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a sense of gravity.

Merlin shook his head, his voice quiet but firm.

"No, he's not. Far from it." He said as he looked up at Percival. "We need to get him out of here. He shouldn't have to stay in this room, surrounded by... by this."

Percival nodded in understanding. He stepped forward and carefully lifts Arthur, scooping him up in his strong arms with ease. The other knights gathered around, concern etched on their faces as they watched Arthur being carried out.

Leon sighed and looks at Morgana's lifeless body. Despite everything, she couldn't be left like that.

"We have a burial to prepare, gentlemen" He said.

The knights all nodded, their expressions grave. They knew that the task of preparing a burial for Morgana was not a pleasant one, but it was something that must be done.

Gwaine speaked up, his voice quiet.

"What are we going to do with her body?"

"Arthur will probably want a grave for her" Leon answered.

Merlin nodded, looking thoughtful.

The knights exchanged sympathetic glances, a mix of sadness and understanding on their faces.

Gwaine shook his head.

"I never thought I'd say this, but I actually feel sorry for Arthur. He lost Uther, and now he's lost her too. It's rough."

"Now he is officially the last Pendragon"

The knights fell silent, the weight of Leon's words sinking in. They had seen Arthur lose so much already, and now he had lost the last remaining member of his family, the last person who shared his blood. Arthur's burden had just become even greater, the weight of responsibility resting even heavier on his shoulders.

Chapter Text

During the few next days, a lot of things had happened. Morgana's funeral, the restitution of Camelot and Leon becoming its regent until Arthur was able to take the throne again. It was uncertain when this will happen since the year he had spent locked up in his chambers while being heavily drugged had affected to his motility, so he needed physical therapy to recover, also he wasn't mentally in a good place either.

Arthur spent most of his time as isolated as he could, rarely seeing anyone outside of his closest friends, becoming easily overwhelmed. The physical and emotional toll of his ordeals had left him weakened and fragile, his once strong and confident demeanour replaced by a sense of vulnerability and insecurity. He also spent most of his days being tended to by Gaius, trying to regain his strength and coordination through a regime of physical therapy. But progress was slow, and Arthur's frustration only grew as he struggled to reclaim the physicality he once had.

Meanwhile, Gwen and Merlin tried to stay as close as possible, often taking a bit of their time to rearrange and redecorate Arthur's room so he didn't associate it to the year he spent locked up there.

The room was transformed, made to look more cozy and inviting. The walls were now lined with soft curtains and tapestries, and there were now several more pieces of furniture. The room felt like a proper bedroom again, not a prison cell.

Merlin finished putting away the last of Arthur's clothes, glancing around the room with a satisfied smile. Gwen was putting up a few more decorative items around the room, adding some personal touches to make the space homelier and familiar.

"I think we're done. It looks much better now, don't you think?" She asked.

Merlin nodded, looking around the room with a smile.

"Yeah, I think Arthur will appreciate this. It'll be nice for him to have a place that doesn't remind him of... well, you know."

Gwen nodded, her expression softening as she thought about Arthur and all that he had been through. She knew that he's still struggling to come to terms with everything that's happened, that he's still trying to recover both physically and emotionally. She then turned to Merlin.

"How's he doing today? Has Gaius said anything?"

Merlin exhaled deeply, his expression turning grim.

"Physically, he's making progress. But it's slow, and he was frustrated when I left. He wants to be able to move around on his own, to not be dependent on us. But it's hard for him, especially since all the time he was drugged he was unable to practically do anything, so he had to rely on Morgana."

Gwen nodded, her eyes full of sympathy. She knew how hard-headed Arthur can be, how much he values his strength and independence. It was being extra hard for him to have lost that.

"And mentally?"

Merlin shook his head, his expression troubled.

"He's struggling. He's still grieving the loss of his sister, and it's weighing heavily on him. He's not sleeping well; he's been having nightmares. And... he's still recovering from the trauma of being imprisoned and drugged for so long. He's not himself, not yet... You have seen him."

Gwen nodded again, a pang of sadness in her heart. She knew that Arthur was going through a difficult time, that he was struggling to come to terms with everything that has happened to him, sometimes denying having gone through something that could obviously be considered traumatic.

"Is there anything we can do to help him, right? I mean, apart from helping him to regain his physical strength." She asked.

Merlin shrugged his shoulders, with a tired expression.

"We're doing what we can. We're just trying to give him time and space to process everything. He needs to come to terms with all the things that have happened, to sort out his emotions. But it's not easy." He said while rubbing his forehead, sighing deeply. "It's taking a toll on all of us."

Gwen looked at Merlin, concern etched on her face. She could see the strain in his expression and she also was able to feel her own fatigue.

"How are you holding up? You look tired." She asked.

Merlin gave her a wry smile, his eyes weary.

"I'm managing. It's just... It's hard, you know? It's hard seeing Arthur like this. He's not the same person he used to be. He's lost so much, and he's struggling to keep up with everything that's happened. And I..." He interrupted himself, his voice cracking.

Gwen reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. She could sense the weight of his emotions, the strain he is under.

"You don't have to hold everything in, Merlin. You can talk to me, you know that." She said gently.

Merlin looked at her, his expression vulnerable. He was tired, exhausted even, and he knew he can't keep everything bottled up forever.

"I just... I feel so helpless; you know? I can't ease his pain; I can't make things better for him. Every time I look at him, it's like a reminder of all the things that have gone wrong." He explained.

Gwen hugged him, her expression sympathetic.

"I know it's hard, Merlin. But you can't beat yourself up like this. You're doing everything you can to help Arthur, and it's not your fault that things have turned out this way. You're not responsible for everything, you can't fix everything on your own."

Merlin nodded, but he still looked troubled. He knew Gwen was right, but it doesn't make things any easier.

"I know, I know. But I just... I feel like I should be able to do more, you know? I have magic, I should be able to fix this. But... I can't. I can't even make him feel a little bit better." He said.

Gwen shook her head, stepping back to look at his face.

"It's not about magic, Merlin. This is about Arthur's emotional and mental healing. It's not something you can fix with a spell. It takes time, patience, and effort. And we're all here to support him, to help him through it."

Merlin let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumped.

"I know. I just... I wish there was more I could do. I just don't like seeing him so broken. He used to be so strong, so confident. And now he's... he's just a shell of who he used to be."

Gwen gave his arm a comforting squeeze, her eyes full of empathy.

"I know. Trust me, I know. It breaks my heart as well. But we have to give him time and space to heal. We have to be there for him, to support him, to remind him that he's not alone in this."

Merlin nodded again, his expression a little less troubled. He appreciated Gwen's words, her support and understanding.

"You're right. I know you're right. I just... I hate feeling like this. Helpless, impotent. Like I can't do anything to fix this."

Gwen smiled gently at him, trying to reassure him.

"Hey, you're not helpless, Merlin. You're here, you're supporting him, you're being there for him. That's already a lot. It might not seem like much, but it means the world to him, trust me. You're not impotent, you're doing your best. And that's all any of us can do."

Merlin managed a small, weary smile.

"Thanks, Gwen. I guess I just needed to hear that. I just... I want things to go back to how they used to be. I want Arthur to be happy again."

Gwen wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into another comforting hug.

"Me too, Merlin. Me too. But things will get better, I promise. It might take time, but they will. Arthur is a strong person, he has demonstrated it before. He'll get through this, he just needs us to be there for him."

Merlin sank into the embrace, feeling a little better. He knew Gwen was right, that Arthur was strong and would come out of this. But it was hard to see him like this, weak and frail, so unlike the strong, confident man he used to be.

"Thanks, Gwen. I'm glad I have you by my side."

Gwen smiled at him, her arm still wrapped around his shoulders.

"You always have me, Merlin. I'm always here for you. We're in this together, okay?"

Merlin nodded, feeling grateful for Gwen's friendship.

"Yeah. We're in this together. And we'll get through it, together."

Gwen smiled, her expression determined.

"We will, Merlin. We will. Now, come on. Let's go check on Arthur. He might be feeling a bit lonely in there all by himself."

º-º-º-º

Arthur was sitting on a bench in Gaius workplace, trying to drink an herbal tea that the man had prepared for him.

"Fuck" He grunted when he couldn't bring the cup to his lips without spilling it.

Gaius, who was standing by the table and stirring something in a pot, looks over at Arthur. He could tell that the young man is struggling and walks over to him.

"Is the tea giving you trouble, sire?" He asked politely.

"The tea doesn't have any problem, is my useless arm!" Arthur answered, clearly frustrated.

Gaius glanced at Arthur's arm and nodded sympathetically.

"Ah, I see. This will take a bit of time, I'm afraid. Your muscles have begun to atrophy while you were... unwell. They need to be trained again to regain their strength. It will take time and patience."

Arthur grunted in frustration, setting the cup down on the table. He had already heard those words from Gaius a couple of times during those weeks.

"I know, I know. It's just... it's so damn frustrating. I can't even do simple things like drinking a cup of tea on my own. I feel like an invalid."

Gaius put down the spoon and sat down next to Arthur, his expression sympathetic. He knew how difficult it must be for him.

"I know it's difficult, sire. But you mustn't be too hard on yourself. You've been through a lot. Your body needs time to heal and recover strength. You're not an invalid, you're in the process of recovery." Gaius said,

"When... When Morg-... she kept me drugged I was unable to do anything, even thinking was difficult, she had to be my caregiver... and now it's basically the same, I can't do things on my own, but now I am not drugged, which makes it worse" Arthur murmured.

Gaius nodded, his expression solemn.

"I understand. It must feel like you've traded one form of imprisonment for another. But please remember, this is only temporary. You are regaining your strength and mobility slowly but surely. It takes time and patience, but you will get there. And you have people here who care about you and want to help you."

Just then, the door to the chambers opened and Merlin and Gwen walk in. They exchanged a glance with Gaius, sensing the tension.

"How are you feeling, Arthur?" *Gwen stepped forward, her voice gentle and concerned.

Arthur sighed, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation.

"Like an invalid. I can't even drink a stupid cup of tea on my own. I feel useless."

Merlin took a seat on a stool, on the other side of Arthur, his expression sympathetic.

"I know it's hard, Arthur. But you're not useless. You've been through a lot, and your body is still recovering. It's just a matter of time." He said

Gwen stepped closer, her hand resting gently on Arthur's shoulder.

"We're here for you, Arthur. We'll help you through this. Slowly but surely, you'll get better."

Arthur sighed softly and tried again to take a sip. As Arthur struggled to bring the cup to his lips without trembling, Gwen instinctively reached to help him, but Merlin gently puts a hand on her arm, signalling her to let Arthur try on his own first.

Gaius also watched silently, his expression filled with empathy, while he returned to what he was stirring.

Arthur grunted in frustration as the cup trembled in his hand, spilling a few drops of tea on his shirt. He tried again, his hand shaking with the effort, but he finally was able to take a sip.

"Fuck, yeah, finally!" He celebrated.

Gwen let out a small sigh of relief and smiled at him.

"That's it, Arthur. Just slowly and patiently." She said.

Merlin nodded, a hint of pride in his expression.

"You did it, Arthur. Good job." He said

Arthur took a deep breath and held the cup in both hands, trying to take another sip. Gwen and Merlin watched him in silence, giving him space to work through his struggles on his own. Gaius continued to observe silently, a sense of satisfaction on his face.

Arthur managed to take a few more sips, albeit very slowly and with some difficulty. His hands still shook and the tea dripped a bit from the cup, but he was able to drink half of the cup before feeling his arms too heavy.

Merlin smiled gently at him.

"You did well, Arthur. Just take a break and rest your arms a bit."

Gwen grabbed a cloth and cleaned the few drops of tea that spilled on the table when Arthur couldn’t stop his hands from shaking.

"That's progress. A few more days like this, and you'll be drinking tea on your own like a natural in no time." She said.

Arthur nodded, his breath a bit laboured from the effort. He was clearly exhausted, but he feels a small sense of accomplishment.

"Yeah, I guess so. Still... It's so damn slow." He said while feeling Merlin massage his right wrist.

Merlin nodded understandingly while he massaged Arthur's wrist and forearm.

"I know, it can be frustrating. But you have to be patient. Baby steps, right?" He reminded him.

Gwen smiled at Arthur, echoing Merlin's words.

"That's right, Arthur. Baby steps. You're making progress, no matter how small it might feel. And we're here to support you through it all." She said, hugging him from behind.

Gaius, who had been silently observing, interjects.

"It's important to remember that progress isn't always linear. There will be ups and downs. But what matters is that you keep going, even when it gets difficult."

Merlin nodded in agreement, still massaging Arthur's arm.

"Exactly. And don't forget to give yourself some credit. What you've been through is nothing short of monumental. Recovering from it is a testament to your strength."

Gwen nodded too, resting her head on Arthur's shoulder.

"We're all proud of you, Arthur. You're being so strong, so brave." She said while gently squeezing his bicep, feeling his muscle weakened by the lack of use.

Arthur grimaced a bit as Gwen squeezed his arm, feeling embarrassed by his current state of weakness.

"Don't patronize me like that. I'm not a child. I don't need pats on the head and praise every time I do something as basic as drinking a cup of tea." He said

Merlin stopped massaging Arthur's arm and instead held his hand while looked at him with a hint of sternness.

"No one is patronizing you, Arthur. We're just trying to support you. And what you've just done is not 'basic', not for someone who spent a year heavily drugged, isolated, and physically inactive. Rebuilding your strength and mobility is a big deal." Merlin said.

"Merlin's right, Arthur. We're not treating you like a child. We're just trying to help you through this. So please, don't push us away when we want to cheer you on." Gwen nodded in agreement, her tone soft but firm.

Gaius also chimed in, his tone serious, but caring.

"You are a strong man, Arthur. But even the strongest can sometimes need some help. Don't take our attempts to support you as belittlement. We're here to aid you, not pity you."

Merlin squeezed Arthur's hand gently, his expression earnest.

"We care about you, Arthur. We just want to see you happy and healthy again." Merlin said.

Gwen hugged Arthur from behind a little tighter, her voice soft and filled with affection.

"We love you, Arthur. You've been through so much, and we just want to see you get better."

Arthur's expression softened at their words, his initial defensiveness fading. He realized that they were not trying to belittle or patronize him, but rather show their support and love. With a small sigh, he nodded.

"Yeah, okay. I get it. I'm... I'm sorry." He apologized.

Merlin smiled gently at him, glad that Arthur understood them.

It's okay, Arthur. We know how hard this is for you. We just don't want you to forget that we're here for you, okay?" He said

Gwen leaned forward and deposited a soft kiss on Arthur's temple.

"We're in this together, remember?" She asked gently.

"Yes..." He mumbled.

The three of them fell into a comfortable silence, the only sound being the occasional crackling of the fire in the fireplace and Arthur's heavy breaths from the previous effort. Eventually, Gaius got up from his chair.

"I need to get some herbs for the medicinal potion Arthur's taking. I'll be back in a bit." He said while glancing at Merlin and Gwen discreetly, a knowing look in his eyes.

Merlin and Gwen are quick to take his hint. Both knowing it was his subtle way of giving them some time alone to talk to Arthur.

"Okay, Gaius." Merlin said, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Take your time." Gwen said also nodding, her expression understanding.

Gaius gave them a small smile before quietly exiting the room, leaving Merlin, Gwen, and Arthur alone. Arthur sighed softly and tried to reach for the cup of tea, wanting to drink the leftovers since he was still a bit thirsty. Merlin quickly noticed his struggle and gently stopped his hand.

"Arthur, I'll help you with the tea. You've had enough practice for now." He said, lifting the cup to Arthur's lips and tilting it, allowing him to drink the rest of the tea.

Gwen watched with a small smile, noticing how Merlin effortlessly tends to Arthur's needs. She then sat closer to them, making sure Arthur was comfortable. After Arthur finished drinking the tea, Merlin set the cup aside and gently took his arms, resuming his earlier massage. Meanwhile, Gwen gently began massaging Arthur's shoulders, working out some of the knots she finds there.

Arthur let out a soft sigh, feeling the tension slowly leaving his muscles. The combined efforts of Merlin and Gwen made him feel more relaxed, and the fact that they were taking care of him makes him feel cared for and loved. Merlin continued massaging Arthur's arm and hand with gentle, even pressure, paying special attention to the muscles that have weakened due to lack of use.

Gwen, on the other hand, focused on Arthur's shoulders, using her thumbs and fingers to release any tension she found. She then leaned forward and gently kissed the back of Arthur's neck, making him shiver softly and chuckle, feeling ticklish.

Both Merlin and Gwen couldn't help but smile at Arthur's reaction. Merlin, still massaging his arm, teased him gently.

"Ticklish, are we?"

"No" Arthur denied.

Merlin raised an eyebrow sceptically, his smirk widening.

"Oh, really? Then why were you shaking just now when Gwen kissed your neck?" He asked.

"I don't know what are you talking about" Arthur said.

Merlin chuckled, clearly not believing him. But he decided to play along.

"Sure, Arthur. Whatever you say."

He continued massaging his arm, his touch soothing. Gwen, on the other hand, grinned and kissed his neck again, this time a bit more intentionally, and lets out a small laugh when she felt him shiver once more. Arthur tried to hold back a laugh, but he couldn't help it and let out a small chuckle once again.

"Okay, okay, I'm a bit ticklish. You happy now?" Arthur admitted.

Merlin smiled victoriously, his massage taking on a more playful tone.

"Maybe a little." He said

Gwen laughed along, her hands moving from his shoulders to his sides, her fingers lightly tickling him.

"We just find it adorable that you're so ticklish." She said.

Arthur squirmed and tried to pull away, his laughter growing louder despite his attempts to control it.

"S-Stop, I can't –" He said, mid-sentence, interrupted by a fit of giggles.

Merlin and Gwen continued their gentle assault, their grins widening at the sound of his laughter.

"Can't what? Can't handle a little tickling?" Merlin teased, his hands moving to Arthur's wrists, while Gwen's fingers continued to tickle his sides and stomach.

Arthur's laughter filled the room, his struggles to evade their tickling becoming more frantic, yet ineffective.

"Y-You two are – Ah! Cruel!" He managed to say between fits of giggles.

Merlin shook his head, his tone filled with mock offense.

"Cruel? We're just showing you a little love."

Gwen, meanwhile, grinned, her fingers moving lower, targeting his hips.

"We can't help it that you're so ticklish. It's just irresistibly cute."

The two of them continued their playful assault, taking turns tickling Arthur in new spots, enjoying the sight of him squirming and writhing in laughter, tears starting to form in his eyes. Merlin and Gwen's soon laughter joined his, their light-hearted mood infecting the whole room.

Finally, after a few moments, they stopped tickling him and allowed Arthur to catch his breath, his body still shaking from the residual laughter. Merlin's arm nonchalantly encircled Arthur's waist in a comfortable embrace, and Gwen leaned into him, gently wiping the tears of laughter from his face.

"You two are unbelievable" Arthur said, feeling a bit tired after all the uncontrollable laughter and the effects of the tea that Gaius gave him.

Both Merlin and Gwen noticed the fatigue apparent in Arthur's body and expressions. Merlin ran a hand through Arthur’s hair, a warm and reassuring gesture.

"You’ve done good today, Arthur. I think it’s time for a break." He murmured.

Gwen nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with love and care.

“Yeah, why don’t we help you lie down for a bit and rest?” She said.

Arthur hummed softly, Gaius' workplace was quite far from his bedchambers, but he thought he could get there, slowly, but yeah. Merlin and Gwen exchanged a look, clearly knowing that Arthur was in no condition to walk so much and so far.

"No, Arthur. You’re not walking all the way to your bedchambers. It’s too far, and I know you’re tired. You’re staying right here for the night." Merlin spoke up next, his voice gentle but firm.

“Yeah, you need your rest, Arthur. And being here is much closer.” Gwen agreed with Merlin’s words, her tone soft but firm like his.

She gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Arthur’s ear, her touch tender and affectionate. Arthur rolled his eyes, it was not the first time he has crashed into the on the back of the workplace, Merlin's room to be precise, but he didn't like to intrude that much in Merlin's personal space.

Merlin, sensing Arthur's initial reluctance, chimed in, his usual cheeky smirk on his lips.

"Ah, come on, Arthur. It’s not like you haven’t crashed here before."

He slipped an arm around Arthur's hip, half-supporting, half-mocking. Meanwhile, Gwen grinned, her tone teasing but amused.

"Yeah, you’re practically a regular at this point. And considering your condition, it’s the best option for you tonight. Also, Gaius has to give you some medicine later, it's a win-win situation."

Merlin and Gwen continued to persuade Arthur, making the argument that, for tonight at least, staying in the back of the infirmary was the most practical and comfortable choice for him.

"Fine, I'll stay." He finally agreed.

Merlin grinned, pleased with Arthur’s decision.

"That’s the spirit." He said.

Gwen smiled, her eyes gentle and full of affection.

"Great. Then let’s get you settled in. You need to rest."

Merlin and Gwen helped Arthur to rise from the stool and slowly walk over to Merlin’s room in the back. Merlin held most of Arthur’s weight, his arm wrapped around Arthur’s waist to provide support. Gwen walked on Arthur’s other side, ready to help as well, if needed. Once they reached Merlin’s room, Merlin slowly lowered Arthur onto the bed, making sure he was comfortable. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a few candles on the nightstand that Gwen just lit.

Then, Merlin helped him to remove his boots while Gwen came over with a soft, warm blanket, gently tucking it around Arthur. She sat down on the edge of the bed and took his hand in hers, looking at him with a gentle smile.

"Just relax, Arthur. You need to rest."

Merlin, after removing his own boots, also sat down on the bed next to Arthur, his hand resting on Arthur's shoulder, providing a sense of comfort and support.

"Yeah, don’t worry about anything. We’re here to look after you."

A moment of comfortable silence filled the room, the only sound the soft breathing of the three. Merlin and Gwen sat on either side of Arthur, a protective and loving presence. The atmosphere was quiet and comfortable, the weariness of the day finally beginning to take its toll on them all.

Gwen let out a soft yawn, a sign of her own exhaustion. Merlin smiled as he noticed her fatigue.

"Looks like someone needs the rest, too."

Gwen blushed a little, slightly embarrassed to be called out like that, but she couldn't deny it.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But I want to stay here with you two.”

Merlin chuckled, but his tone was gently scolding.

"Yes, but you need your rest as well. We’re all tired, and we have a big day tomorrow."

He glanced at Arthur, who seemed to be drifting off slowly, his eyes half-closed. Arthur grunted, still a bit awake despite his obvious exhaustion. He gently grasped Merlin's hand, feebly trying to maintain consciousness a little longer.

"You two... rest" Arthur murmured.

Merlin and Gwen exchanged a look, their expressions soft and affectionate. They could see how hard Arthur was trying to stay awake for them, but they also knew that rest is what he needed the most right now. Merlin spoke up first, his tone gentle yet firm.

"Arthur, it’s okay. We’re going to rest, but you need to rest too. You’re still recovering, and you need all the strength you can get."

Gwen nodded in agreement, her hand gently caressing his cheek. She smiled at him, her eyes filled with warmth and love.

"Yeah, you don’t have to worry about us. We’ll be right here. Just sleep, okay? We’ll take care of everything."

Arthur tried to protest, but he couldn't find the words. His eyelids felt heavy, and he knew sleep was calling him. He managed to mumble out a soft “okay” before his eyes closed, and he drifted off into a deep and weary sleep.

Merlin and Gwen watched as Arthur finally succumbs to sleep, his breathing deep and steady. They sat there for a few more moments, watching over him, making sure he was comfortably asleep, preferably without nightmares. Then Merlin turned to Gwen, a small smile on his lips.

"He's out." He said.

"Yeah, he really needs the rest." Gwen agreed, her expression filled with tenderness.

She glanced at Arthur, a mixture of love and worry in her eyes. Arthur's body was still gaunt and pale, a testament to the hardships he had endured. Merlin’s expression mirrored Gwen’s, his gaze lingering on Arthur for a few moments. Then, he turned to Gwen.

"We should get some rest too. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"What did we have for tomorrow?" She asked, a bit sleepy, removing her shoes and making herself more comfortable.

Merlin took a moment to recall their plans for the next day, his mind still a bit distracted by Arthur's condition and his own sleepiness.

"Well, we should meet with Leon and the Round Table to discuss the state of Camelot and how we’re going to move forward. Plus, Arthur still has his scheduled physical therapy in the morning."

"Hmm... Right... If we have a bit of time, we could show Arthur the changes we made in his room." Gwen offered.

Merlin nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"That's not a bad idea. He might appreciate the changes, and it could help him feel a bit more comfortable in his own space again."

When Gaius returned to his workplace half an hour later, he found it empty, but the door of Merlin's room is open. He curiously walked over to the door, peering into the room. He noticed the three sleeping silhouettes on the minuscule bed, their bodies intertwined. He paused for a moment, a small smile forming on his lips as he watched the three of them sleeping together peacefully.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and fatherly affection for them, knowing the hardships they have endured together. The sight of them, resting and at peace, warmed his heart a bit. He quietly closed the door and retreated back to his own room, leaving them to sleep in comfort and safety. Tomorrow, they will face the world again.

º-º-º-º

The soft, pale light of dawn filtered through the window, illuminating the room with a faint glow. Merlin was the first to awaken, his eyes slowly opening as he became aware of his surroundings. He yawned and stretched his body, feeling a bit cramped from the awkward position he had slept in the night before. He looked down and saw Arthur, still asleep against his shoulder, and Gwen, her head resting on Arthur’s chest. The three of them were all tangled together in the small bed.

Merlin couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, their bodies all but melted together in a heap of limbs. He gently reached out and brushed back a strand of hair that has fallen onto Arthur’s forehead. The touch seemed to rouse Arthur from his sleep.

"Hmm? Morning..." He murmured.

Merlin let out a soft chuckle as Arthur slowly opened his eyes, his voice a bit hoarse with sleep.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. You feel better today?" Merlin asked.

Arthur shifted slightly, his eyes still hazy and half-closed as he slowly returned to consciousness. His voice was soft and raspy as he spoke, his breath warm against Merlin's skin.

"What time is it...?”

Merlin glanced over at the window where the faint light was peeking through and gauges the time based on the light level.

"It's probably around 6 or 7. Still pretty early."

Arthur moaned softly, his head still buried in Merlin's neck, his words slightly slurring from drowsiness.

"Too early... I want to sleep more..."

Merlin chuckled softly at Arthur's sleepy and groaning words. He gently pated his head, his touch affectionate.

"I know you do, but you have physical therapy this morning, remember? You need to get up and get moving again."

Arthur sighed softly.

"Fine"

Merlin grinned, enjoying the rare moment of Arthur being all soft and groggily complaining like a child.

"Don’t be so grumpy. You need to get your strength back, and that means moving your body. It’s just physical therapy, not a torture session."

"It feels like it"

Merlin rolled his eyes affectionately at Arthur's dramatic comment. He gently nudged his shoulder.

"It's for your own good, you prat. You've been locked up for too long, you're like a walking, talking noodle."

"Shut up, bird nest hair."

Merlin gasped in mock offense, playfully feigning hurt at Arthur’s remark about his hair. He reached up and ran his fingers through his messy hair, trying to tame it down.

"Excuse me, my hair is not a bird’s nest! It is called natural volume, thank you very much."

"Why are you talking so much?" Gwen complained suddenly, still with her eyes closed.

Merlin grinned sheepishly, a slight apology in his voice.

"Oops, sorry, Gwen. We didn’t mean to wake you."

She opened her eyes and looks at them with a pout, still a bit sleepy. She lifted her head up from Arthur’s chest, her hair messy and sticking in every direction.

"You’re both so loud. Can’t you just be quiet for a few more hours?"

Merlin smothered a laugh, finding the sight of Gwen’s messy hair and grumpy expression quite endearing. He couldn't help but tease her a bit.

"But Gwen, we wouldn’t want you to miss the fun of seeing Arthur try to get out of bed and do some physical therapy today."

"Hmm... I like how you think, Merlin" Gwen said.

Merlin grinned, clearly pleased that he's managed to sway Gwen to his side. He turned his attention back to Arthur, who was still half-asleep and mumbling complaints under his breath.

"See, even Gwen thinks you should get up and move."

Arthur grumbled and rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a small smile on his lips. He knew he couldn't win this argument, especially not with both Merlin and Gwen teaming up against him. Merlin and Gwen shared satisfied looks, both amused and slightly smug at having gotten their way. Gwen gently patted Arthur's chest.

"Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get up and show us what you've got."

Arthur groaned, but accepts his fate. He slowly started to untangle his limbs from Merlin's, his movements sluggish but determined.

"You two are the worst. You know that, right?" He complained.

Merlin laughed softly, his tone light and teasing.

"Oh please, you love us anyway."

He helped Arthur sit up slowly, a supportive hand on his back, making sure he was stable.

Gwen chimed in, her tone both affectionate and teasing.

"Exactly. And you wouldn’t have us any other way. Come on, we’ll even be there to cheer you on during your physical therapy."

Arthur groaned again, but there was no heat in his words. He knew they're right. He took a deep breath and started to slowly move his limbs, trying to get his body to cooperate with him after a year of being locked up. It was still a struggle, but he was determined and stubborn, and he pushed himself out of bed.

Both Merlin and Gwen watched him, their expressions filled with both pride and concern at seeing Arthur push himself and exert effort. They both offered their support, Gwen taking Arthur's arm and letting him lean on her for extra balance, while Merlin followed close behind, ready to catch him if needed.

Then, once he was standing up, Gwen left Merlin's room to give them privacy to change and get ready while she went to also change clothes and brush her hair. Merlin watched Gwen leave and then turned his attention back to Arthur, his expression filled with concern and affection.

"You’re doing great, Arthur. Just take it slow, there’s no rush."

He carefully helped Arthur to sit on the edge of the bed, making sure he was comfortable before going over to his wardrobe to get out some fresh clothes for Arthur to wear. Arthur sat patiently, looking at Merlin in silence. Arthur knew that Merlin had took the liberty to add some of Arthur's clothes in his closet since Arthur couldn't always get back to his bedchambers. Merlin retrieved a fresh tunic and breeches, returning to Arthur’s side. He handed the clothes to him with a supportive smile.

"Here you go, fresh clothes. And yeah, I may have moved some of your stuff to my room. Figured it would be easier for you to have everything close by."

"Yeah... I saw you did... Thanks..."

Merlin nodded, his voice gentle and heartfelt.

"Of course, Arthur. Anything to make things easier for you."

He helped Arthur get dressed, assisting him in pulling on the tunic and breeches, making sure he was comfortable and steady as he did so. As he helped Arthur dress, Merlin couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for everything Arthur had been through during the past year. He could see the toll the long confinement had taken on Arthur's once muscular and powerful body, now looking gaunt and weak.

Arthur felt Merlin's worry when his hand slightly touched his bare back. He knew that Merlin could see the changes, everyone could actually, but he knew that the other was more used to see him due being his manservant for years now.

Merlin hesitated for a moment, his fingers lingering on Arthur’s back. His expression was both sad and concerned. Then, he spoke, his voice quiet and gentle.

"You’ve lost so much mass, Arthur... You look so different, now."

"I know that..."

Merlin continued to help Arthur dress, his touches now tinged with a mixture of worry and tenderness.

"And I’m sorry you had to endure all that. No one should be trapped for so long... I wish I had been able to get to you sooner."

"Hey, Merlin..."

Arthur put both hands in Merlin's cheeks and held his face so he looked at him.

"Stop torturing yourself. If you couldn't come sooner I am sure it was because you weren't really able to, I know it"

Merlin's heart clenched at Arthur's words and gentle touch. He looked at Arthur, his expression both pained and touched at the same time. He placed his own hands over Arthur’s, his voice a low whisper.

"I just... I feel like I failed you... I should have been there for you..."

"You did what you could, I am sure you all did... Plus, is not like I was being brutality tortured, I was just drugged and not exactly very aware of my surroundings, but at least she was taking care of the basics"

Merlin frowned slightly at Arthur's attempt to downplay his condition. He shook his head, his expression both worried and frustrated.

"Arthur, being drugged and disoriented was torture on its own. And you know as well as I do that Morgana did nothing without a purpose in mind. She wasn’t just taking care of your ‘basic needs’, she was keeping you alive and helpless, ensuring you could do nothing to stop her." He said before sighing softly, his thumbs gently caressing Arthur’s hands still on his face. "You may not have been physically tortured, but your freedom was taken. You were stripped of your voice and your will. It may not have been physical pain, but that kind of psychological torture is just as damaging and painful, if not more."

Merlin's voice was gentle but firm as he looks deeply into Arthur’s eyes, his own eyes filled with both affection and determination.

"Don’t try to brush off what you went through, Arthur. It was terrible and wrong, and I won’t let you dismiss it like it was nothing." Merlin mumbled.

Arthur's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. He knew that Merlin is right, and that he couldn't just pretend that the last year didn't happen or that it didn't affect him. He squeezed Merlin's hands, his voice a quiet whisper.

"You’re right... I know you’re right. I just... I guess I just don’t want to admit how much it truly affected me."

Merlin offered a small, understanding smile, his own grip tightening around Arthur's hands in return.

"I know you don't, Arthur. But you need to acknowledge the pain and the trauma. It's the first step towards healing."

He gave Arthur's hands another gentle squeeze before reluctantly letting go, knowing they still have physical therapy to do.

"Now come on. Gwen is waiting for us."

"You still have to change, Merlin"

Merlin chuckled softly at Arthur's tease, his mood lightening slightly.

"Alright, alright, I get the hint. I'll go change quickly. Hold on a sec."

He gave Arthur's shoulder a gentle pat before moving over to the wardrobe, quickly grabbing a fresh set of clothes for himself and heading off to a secluded corner of the room to change. Arthur kept himself looking at one spot on the wall, giving him privacy.

Merlin changed quickly, trying to be as efficient as possible. After a couple of minutes, he emerged from the secluded corner, now wearing fresh clothes and looking more alert.

"All set. Now, let's not keep Gwen waiting any longer."

He went back to Arthur's side, offering his arm for support. Arthur held on Merlin's arm to stand up, taking it slowly and making sure he is steady on his feet. Merlin keeps his arm wrapped around Arthur's waist, providing extra support.

"There we go. Nice and slow." Merlin said while he starts guiding Arthur towards the door, keeping his pace steady and careful.

Gwen was waiting patiently for them, sitting in one of the benches of Gaius' workplace while the man was reading a book. Merlin and Arthur approached Gwen, with Arthur relying heavily on Merlin's support for balance and stability. Gwen looked up as they approach, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

"I was starting to wonder if the two of you got lost in your little changing adventure."

"We got distracted chatting." Arthur affirmed.

Gwen raised an eyebrow in mock suspicion, her smile growing wider.

"Oh, really? And what kind of chatting kept you both for so long?"

"Merlin was feeling down. The idiot still blames himself" Arthur said.

Gwen's expression softened at Arthur’s words, her gaze shifting to Merlin.

"Is that true, Merlin? Blaming yourself again?" She asked

Merlin huffed softly, looking slightly sheepish.

"I might have... mentioned a few times that I feel like I failed Arthur. Nothing to worry about, really." He answered.

"I think I am not the only needing therapy here." Arthur said.

Merlin rolled his eyes slightly, his tone both playful and defensive.

"Oh, trust me, I don’t need therapy. I’m fine. Besides, we’re not talking about me right now. We’re supposed to focus on you, not me." Merlin said.

"That's the problem, you focus too much on me." Arthur affirmed.

Merlin shook his head slightly, his expression a mixture of affection and stubborn determination.

"It’s my job to focus on you, you prat. I’m your loyal manservant, after all."

Gwen chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She knew how much Merlin cared for Arthur and how protective he was.

"It’s sweet how devoted you are, Merlin. But Arthur does have a point. You tend to forget yourself in taking care of others." Gwen said.

"Exactly! Thank you, Gwen." Arthur chipped.

Merlin crossed his arms over his chest, trying to look annoyed but failing miserably. He puffed out a breath and muttered under his breath.

"You both are ganging up on me now? Fine, maybe I’ll take some time to focus on myself. Happy now?" He asked.

"Pretty much. This afternoon you could take some time to do something you like... I don’t know, writing a letter to Hunith, for example." Arthur said.

Merlin considered the suggestion, his expression softening slightly.

"Writing a letter to my mum does sound nice, actually. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to her. I guess taking a break for a bit wouldn’t hurt." He murmured.

"Exactly. Send her my regards if you write her." Arthur requested.

Merlin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Of course, I’ll pass on your regards. She’ll be glad to hear from you."

Arthur glances at Gwen, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and affection.

"And what about you Guinevere?" Arthur asked.

Gwen tilted her head slightly at the sudden attention on her, a soft smile on her face.

"Me? I’m just fine, Arthur. Nothing for you to worry about." She answered.

"You should also take a break." Arthur said.

Gwen chuckled softly, touched by Arthur’s concern.

"Arthur, really, I’m alright. I have been taking breaks here and there. Besides, I’m more worried about you right now." She said.

"You are like Merlin, seriously. You should also take this afternoon to relax, get Elyan and spend some time with him if you want to." Arthur offered.

Gwen gave Arthur a fond smile, appreciating his concern for her. She nodded slightly.

"I suppose spending some time with my brother wouldn’t hurt. It’s been a while since we’ve had time to just talk and relax together." She agreed.

"Glad to hear that." Arthur said.

Gwen nodded again, her expression grateful. Then, her smile turned slightly mischievous.

"Now can we focus on you for a bit? We were supposed to start your physical therapy for the day." She reminded.

"Right..." Arthur mumbled.

Gaius, who had been quietly observing the conversation, finally spoke up. His tone was gentle and encouraging.

"Alright, Arthur, let’s get started with your physical therapy. Like the other days, take it slow and listen to your body. Remember, it’s important to take it easy and be patient with yourself."

"I'll have it in mind." Arthur said.

Gaius nodded, a small smile on his lips. Then, he turned to Merlin and Gwen, gesturing for them to lend a hand with the physical therapy. They both nodded in agreement and moved closer to Arthur, positioning themselves on either side of him for support.

Merlin and Gwen both place a gentle but firm hand on Arthur’s arms, ready to provide support as he begins the exercise. They exchanged a brief glance before nodding at Gaius, signalling that they’re ready.

Gaius gave the word, and the three of them began to help Arthur through some basic exercises to strengthen his muscles and improve his range of motion. They started with some gentle stretches, guiding his limbs in simple, controlled movements. The exercises were slow and methodical, with Merlin and Gwen carefully adjusting their support as needed. They helped Arthur move his arms and legs, making sure he didn't overexert himself in the process, but allowing him to work on it. The room was filled with quiet grunts of effort from Arthur and from time to time with soft praises from Merlin and Gwen.

Arthur winced slightly as the muscles in his body protested against the movements. They still felt stiff and weak from the prolonged period of inactivity, but he pushed through the discomfort, determined to regain his strength and mobility. Merlin and Gwen noticed the wince and silently gave him words of encouragement, offering gentle praise and reassurance at his effort.

"You’re doing great, Arthur." Merlin said.

"Just a few more repetitions, you can do it." Gwen reassured.

They continued the exercises for a few more minutes, carefully monitoring Arthur’s progress and adjusting their support accordingly. Then, sensing that he was starting to tire, Gaius motioned for them to stop and give Arthur a break.

Merlin and Gwen eased their support, allowing Arthur to rest for a moment. They stood beside him, their hands gently massaging his muscles to help ease any soreness.

"Take a minute to catch your breath, Arthur. You’re doing great." Merlin reassured him.

Gwen nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with gentle encouragement. She kept massaging one of his arms, her touch light but firm.

"Just a few more exercises left, and then you can rest." She assured him.

Arthur let out a shaky breath, his muscles trembling slightly from the effort. But the corners of his mouth twitched with the hint of a smile, and he gave a slight nod.

"Alright, I’m ready. Let’s continue." He said,

Merlin and Gwen exchanged a nod of approval, silently proud of Arthur’s determination. They repositioned themselves, ready to provide support once more as Arthur began the next set of exercises. They follow the same pattern as before, guiding Arthur through the movements slowly and carefully but allowing him to work on it himself, not doing it for him. At times, Arthur stumbled slightly or faltered, but Merlin and Gwen were quick to offer extra support, their hands steady and firm on his body, keeping him stable and encouraging him to continue.

After a few more minutes of challenging exercises, Arthur showed visible signs of fatigue. He was breathing heavily and his movements were starting to become sluggish. Seeing this, Merlin glanced at Gaius, signalling that it might be time to wrap up the physical therapy session. In response, Gaius nodded and gestured for the others to stop. He moved closer to Arthur, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Alright, Arthur, that’s enough for today. You’ve done exceptionally well." Gaius said.

Arthur looked at Gaius and nodded once. Merlin and Gwen released their hold on Arthur, allowing him to take a moment to catch his breath and rest. They both offered encouraging smiles, each silently expressing their respect for his persistence.

Gaius took the lead once more, moving closer to Arthur and examining him closely. He performed a few quick checks, gently probing his muscles and joints, assessing Arthur’s progress so far. Meanwhile, Gwen and Merlin stepped aside, watching intently as Gaius examines Arthur. They exchanged a quick glance, silently communicating their relief that Arthur was doing well and regaining his strength slowly but surely.

Gaius stepped back after a few moments, looking satisfied with what he had seen. He offered Arthur a small smile.

"You've made excellent progress, Arthur. Your muscles are already showing signs of recovery, but you must continue with the physical therapy daily to maintain it, like we have been doing" Gaius said.

"Alright." Arthur accepted, not like he has another option if he wanted to return to being his old self.

Gaius nodded, satisfied with Arthur’s response. He patted Arthur’s shoulder gently, a gesture of both approval and encouragement.

"Good. Remember, listen to your body and don’t overexert yourself. It’s important to find the right balance. You’re doing great so far." Gaius reminded him.

Merlin and Gwen both nodded in agreement, understanding the necessity of giving Arthur the rest he needed. Gwen stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm.

"Come on, Arthur, let’s get you back to your room. You need to rest." She offered.

Merlin moved to Arthur’s other side, ready to provide support with walking. He glanced at Gaius, seeking confirmation.

"Is it alright for him to walk, or should we carry him back?" Merlin asked.

"I can walk, thank you very much." Arthur answered, blushing a bit.

Merlin and Gwen exchanged an amused look at Arthur’s stubborn reply but both nodded, willing to let him do what he feels able.

"Alright, if you say so. But if it gets too much, just say the word." Merlin reassured him.

They both took a position on either side of Arthur, ready to offer support as he stood up from his chair. They each took one of his arms, gently guiding him to his feet. Arthur faltered slightly as he stands, his muscles protesting from the exertion of the physical therapy, but he quickly regained his balance, determined to walk back to his room on his own... more or less.

As they started walking slowly towards Arthur's room, Gwen and Merlin kept a watchful eye on him, ready to catch him if he faltered again. The hallways were relatively empty, with a few servants and guards going about their duties, casting curious glances in the direction of the king as he walked through the castle. But no one dared to approach them or make a comment.

"Damnit." Arthur mumbled, resting against the wall and observing the stairs. He sighed and rubbed his face, he knew that nowadays he wasn’t going to be able to get to the top, because he wasn't even able of walking without dragging his feet a bit.

Merlin and Gwen exchanged a sympathetic look at Arthur's frustrated mumbling. They both know he was struggling with the limitations of his current physical state. Gwen patted Arthur's arm gently.

"It's alright, Arthur. You've done enough for today. We'll ask Percival this time." She said.

"Fine " Arthur accepted through clenched teeth.

Gwen shoot a small smile at Arthur, appreciating his willingness to compromise despite his frustration. Meanwhile, Merlin glanced around, looking for Percival.

"I’ll go find Percival. I won’t be long." Merlin said.

Without waiting for a response, Merlin headed off to find Percival, leaving Gwen and Arthur alone for a few moments. While he was gone, Gwen turned her attention back to Arthur, her voice soft and encouraging.

"Don't worry, Arthur. You’re making progress. You just need time."

Arthur sighed softly and rested his head against Gwen's. Gwen reached up a hand gently, running her fingers through Arthur’s hair in a comforting gesture, silently offering her support. She didn't say anything further, knowing sometimes words weren't necessary.

After a few moments, Merlin returned with Percival in tow. The large knight instantly understood the situation upon seeing the weary look on Arthur’s face and the way he was leaning heavily against the wall. He steped closer to them.

"Need some help, sire?" He asked gently, trying to sound as less judgamental possible.

"Yes..." Arthur muttered.

This was so shameful for Arthur, convinced that his knights shouldn't see him like that. Weak and unable to do things on his own, definitely not a leader's attitude.

Percival nodded, his expression one of understanding rather than pity. He moved closer to Arthur’s side, his massive build providing a solid presence.

"Alright. No worries. I’ve got you." Percival said, carefully lifting Arthur into his arms, making sure to support him securely.

Arthur let out a soft grunt as Percival picked him up easily, his muscles still weak from the excersises. He couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment and helplessness at being carried like a child, but he didn't protest, knowing it was necessary.

Merlin and Gwen followed beside Percival as he carried Arthur to his room. They could both see the discomfort and frustration in Arthur’s expression, and they exchanged another sympathetic glance. They remained silent, not wanting to draw attention to Arthur’s situation and make him feel more self-conscious then he already did.

When they arrived at Arthur’s room, Percival carefully set Arthur down on his bed. Arthur sunk into the soft mattress with a sigh, grateful to finally be off his feet. Merlin and Gwen moved to stand beside the bed, while Percival took a step back, his eyes still fixed on Arthur in silent concern.

"Thank you, Percival" Arthur said softly, still a bit self-conscious, but trying to not show it. "If you see Leon could you tell him to come to see me whenever he can? I want to check how is he doing" He added.

Percival nodded in acknowledgment, his expression solemn.

"Of course, sire. I'll find Leon and let him know."

With that, Percival turned and left the room, closing the door behind him and giving Arthur some privacy with Merlin and Gwen.

The room was quiet for a moment after Percival leaves, the only sound is the soft rustling of the curtains at the open window. Merlin and Gwen both kept their eyes on Arthur, waiting for him to speak.

"I like what you two did here." Arthur said, looking around his room.

Gwen smiled, slightly relieved that Arthur was not lost in his gloomy thoughts.

"Thank you. We thought you might like some changes." She said.

Merlin nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"We wanted to remove any reminders of your imprisonment. Make it more comfortable for you." He added.

Arthur gazed around his room once more, taking in the new touches. The room did indeed feel different, brighter and more inviting, devoid of the dull atmosphere it had before. He ran a hand over the fresh sheets and blankets on his bed, feeling the soft texture. Arthur kept looking around, admiring the plants and tapestries decorating the room. It was funny how he could see Gwen and Merlin reflected in the new decorations and he could see himself at the same time.

Gwen watched Arthur’s gaze around his room, noticing his quiet contemplation. She moved closer to the bed, her expression softened.

"We thought it could help with your recovery, having a more pleasant environment." She commented.

Merlin stood a few steps back, observing Arthur’s reaction quietly. Both Gwen and he put a lot of effort in re-decorating the room, discarding every piece that even remotely made Arthur think about his past imprisonment in his room.

Arthur nodded, his expression thoughtful. He ran a hand over the smooth bedsheet again, the feeling of the soft fabric under his fingertips grounding him in the present.

“It… it helps. Thank you.” His voice was soft, laced with a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. He was silently touched by the effort Merlin and Gwen have made to create a healing atmosphere for him, even if he didn't admit it aloud.

Both Gwen and Merlin exchanged a glance, a hint of understanding passing between them. They both knew that Arthur was not the type to express his feelings easily, especially ones as vulnerable as this. But they could see the gratitude in his eyes, even if he didn't voice it outright. Gwen smiled warmly at him, her voice gentle.

"You're welcome, Arthur. We just want you to feel comfortable and safe as you recover." She said

Merlin nodded in agreement, a supportive look on his face.

"And if there’s anything else you need, just say the word. Gwen and I are always here for you."

"But not this afternoon, this afternoon it is for you two to have a break" Arthur reminds them.

Gwen gave a laugh at Arthur's insistence, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"You're not going to let us forget that, are you?" She asked

"No" Arthur answered, smiling.

Merlin rolled his eyes, a hint of mock annoyance in his expression. He knew Arthur was not going to let this go.

"You're impossible, you know that right?" Merlin asked.

"You have been saying that to me every day for more than five years." Arthur answered with a big grin.

Merlin chuckled dryly, shaking his head.

"And I don't intend to stop. If anything, you're getting worse the more time passes."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Arthur said.

Merlin just shook his head in response, trying to look exasperated but failing to hide a small smile. Meanwhile, Gwen tried to hold back a chuckle at their banter, her eyes darting between the two of them.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Gwen spoke up, her voice soft.

"So what are you going to do with your free time this afternoon, Arthur? We'll be busy, after all."

"I'll talk to Leon. I want to know how he is doing and discuss a couple of things." Arthur decided.

Merlin nodded, his expression serious.

"That's a good idea. I'm sure Leon is feeling the pressure of being the regent. He could probably use a talk." Merlin said.

"And it would be good for you to get involved in the governance of the kingdom again. Even if you can't physically do everything yet, your input is still important." Gwen said in agreement, her tone considerate.

"Yes, I know." Arthur said.

Merlin gave him an encouraging smile.

"Just take it one step at a time. Don't be too eager to jump right back into things." Merlin said.

"We don't want you to overexert yourself or get too frustrated." Gwen added.

Arthur nodded slowly, understanding their concern. He knew his body was still weak and his recovery process wouldn't happen overnight. But he still felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, the desire to get back to his duties as quickly as possible. Merlin and Gwen both were able to see the determination in Arthur's eyes. They knew he was itching to get back to work, but they also knew he needs to take it slow. Merlin spoke up, his tone firm but gentle.

"Just remember, Arthur, your recovery is the top priority right now. You can't fully serve the kingdom if you're not taking care of yourself first."

"We understand your duties are important, but we also know you can't push yourself too hard. Rest and recovery are just as vital as anything else right now." Gwen added, echoing the same sentiment.

Arthur sighed softly and squeezed gently their hands, acknowledging their words. Merlin and Gwen both squeezed back, their expressions warm and reassuring. They wanted Arthur to understand that they supported him and were there to help, but they also wanted him to listen to his body and not push himself beyond his limits.

Arthur hummed softly, his fingers interlocking with them. He liked to hold their hands, it felt nice... comforting. He enjoyed the feeling of Gwen's warm and softer hand, although she had a callus or two due to her sewing habit. In contrast, Merlin's hand was a bit colder and slightly rougher, with longer fingers, but he enjoyed it either way.

Merlin and Gwen both noticed how quietly Arthur interlocked his fingers with theirs. They exchanged a brief glance, a knowing look in their eyes, both understanding the comfort and connection this act provides. Gwen gently rubbed her thumb against the back of Arthur's hand, her touch gentle and soothing

"Actually... I should talk with the rest of the round table. I haven't practically seen Elyan, Lancelot, Percival and Gwaine since... Everything" Arthur said after a moment.

Merlin nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful.

"That's a good idea. The Knights are loyal to you and they would appreciate hearing from you again. I'll go find them and let them know you want to see them." He offered.

"Yes, thank you, Merlin" Arthur agreed.

Merlin gave Arthur a quick nod.

"No problem. I'll bring them here as soon as I can find them." He said.

With that, Merlin left the room on his task to summon the Knights.

Arthur smiled softly and rested his head against Gwen's shoulder. Gwen smiled lovingly, letting Arthur lean against her. She wrapped her arm around him, pulling him closer. She placed a comforting and loving kiss on the top of his head. They remained like this, in a comfortable and soothing silence, until the sound of approaching footsteps signals the arrival of the Knights.

Merlin entered the room first, followed closely by Elyan, Lancelot, Leon, Percival and Gwaine. Arthur lifted his head from Gwen's shoulder as the Knights entered the room, a warm smile crossing his face.

"Well, gentlemen... it's good to see you all." He greeted them.

The Knights all gave him smiles and nods as they approached the bed, gathering around Arthur. Gwaine was the first to respond, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Arthur! The lazy oaf finally decided to grace us with his presence."

Leon gave him a disapproving look while Percival tried to hold back a snort of laughter. Meanwhile, Lancelot tried to hide a smile and Elyan was outright laughing at Gwaine's comment.

Arthur chuckled softly himself while shaking his head.

"You never change, Gwaine" Arthur said.

Gwaine winked at him before plopping down on the edge of the bed.

"But you love it, don't you?" Gwaine asked jokingly.

Before Arthur could respond, Leon stepped forward, a serious yet concerned look on his face.

"It's good to see you, Arthur. We've all been worried." Leon said.

Arthur smiled a bit and squeezed Leon's forearm as a greeting, the other knight doing the same.

"It is good to see you all too. How is everything going?" Arthur asked.

The knights exchanged glances, understanding the heaviness of the question. They all glanced at Leon, silently giving him the role of spokesperson.

Leon took a deep breath and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"To be honest... not so well. The kingdom is slowly recovering after Uther's death and Morgana's coup, but it's still a mess. The people are upset and some of them have lost faith in the crown due to what happened to you." Leon answered.

"We've been doing our best to keep order, but the situation is still unstable. There are rumours of other rulers preparing to attack us, taking advantage of our weakness." Lancelot said, nodding in agreement, his expression solemn.

Arthur sighed softly and rubbed his forehead.

"How wonderful"

Gwaine chimed in, his tone sarcastic

"Oh, just peachy. We're under attack, the people are losing faith, and we're supposed to stop all that while you sit on your lazy ass and rest."

Leon shoot a glare at Gwaine, telling him to shut up. He turned his gaze back to Arthur.

"But don't worry, Arthur. We're doing the best we can to restore order and protect the kingdom." Leon promised.

Arthur, however, laughed in response to Gwaine's remark.

"It's alright, Leon. I know Gwaine's just being his usual self. But his point is still valid. I shouldn't be just sitting here and letting you handle everything..." Arthur said.

Elyan shook his head and smiled at Arthur.

"Nonsense. You're still recovering, Arthur. We don't want you to push yourself too hard, especially since you're not fully recovered yet." Elyan said.

"And what will take me to recover completely? Months, a year? I can't do nothing for that time." Arthur asked.

Leon rubbed his forehead, understanding Arthur's frustration but also not wanting to stress him out more than he already was.

"Arthur, you know it's going to take time, and time is exactly what you need right now. We'll deal with the kingdom for now. I'm the acting regent, remember? Trust me, we got things covered." Leon said

Lancelot chimed in, giving Arthur a reassuring smile.

"Yes, we're taking care of everything. You focus on getting better and regaining your strength. We all want you to heal properly."

"Fine... but I want reports of what is happening around. At least to keep myself updated." Arthur requested.

The knights exchanged glances once again, silently agreeing with Arthur's request. Leon nodded, a small smile appearing on his face.

"That's fair. We already suspected you'd want to stay in the loop, Arthur. We'll make sure to keep you updated on everything that's going on." Leon agreed.

"Thank you" Arthur thanked him, nodding back at Leon.

Gwaine grinned, clapping his hands together.

"Well, I'm glad that's sorted out. Can we go now?" Gwaine asked.

He received another glare from Leon, but Percival and Lancelot chuckled.

"Oh, yes, of course, I wouldn't like to hold anyone back" Arthur answered.

Gwaine gave a mock groan and pouts.

"Ugh, you're so considerate, Arthur. It's almost like you don't want to spend time with us."

Elyan laughed while Percival lightly smacked Gwaine on the back of the head.

"You are the one who suggested leaving!" Arthur reminded him.

Gwaine rubbed the back of his head pouting and grumbles.

"Yeah, yeah, I know... but I was hoping you would ask us to stay, you know, to listen to our amazing stories and stuff."

At Gwaine's words, the Knights all rolled their eyes, but it was clear they found his antics amusing. Arthur rolled his eyes too but smiled softly, before opening the drawer of the nightstand and grabbing a card deck.

"Fine, go on and tell us your epic stories. Oh, Sir Gwaine!" Arthur said dramatically.

Gwaine's eyes lit up at the sight of the deck and a big smile crossed his face.

"Oh, we're playing cards? Fantastic! And I have an amazing story for you all..." Gwaine said.

Leon groaned, recognizing the look on Gwaine's face, while Elyan and Percival just chuckled more. Meanwhile, Lancelot raised an eyebrow, amused and slightly concerned about what kind of story Gwaine decided to tells them. Arthur just shuffled the cards and looked at Merlin and Gwen, asking silently if they want to play.

Merlin grinned and nodded.

"I'm in." He said.

"I could use some entertainment. Count me in." Gwen said, smirking with a spark of competitiveness in her eyes.

"Wonderful" Arthur mumbled, finishing shuffling the cards and starting to deal the cards to the knights, Gwen and Merlin.

The knights all took their cards, eyes fixed on the cards in their hands, their minds already calculating their potential moves. Meanwhile, Gwen glanced at her cards and smirks, feeling confident about her hand.

Percival hummed, looking at his cards.

"Not bad..."

Gwaine grinned widely, looking at his cards with excitement.

"Oh, now we're talking. This is going to be good!"

"Well, guys and Gwen, like last time, no? We all make a complot against Gwaine" Arthur said, joking.

"What?! Hey! What did I do?" Gwaine protested dramatically, feigning offence.

"You were born annoying. That's what you did..." Elyan answered with a laugh.

Meanwhile Lancelot chuckled and rolled his eyes, knowing that it's all just in good fun. Arthur also chuckled and looked at his cards.

The other knights chuckled at Gwaine's exaggerated reaction and Arthur's jest. Leon couldn't help but smile as well, but his smile quickly turned into a sly grin when he looked at his cards.

"I don't like that face, Sir Leon" Arthur said.

Leon looked up innocently, feigning ignorance to his own expression.

"What face? I have no idea what you're talking about, Arthur."

Merlin smirked, his eyes never leaving his cards, while Elyan shook his head in resignation. Percival grinned, a hint of competition gleaming in his eyes. Meanwhile, Gwen smiled, her eyes flickering to her cards and then to the others, studying their faces for any hint of what they might have.

Gwaine glanced around the table, trying to read the others' expressions and figure out if they really are plotting against him or if it's all just a joke...

"We were joking, Gwaine" Arthur clarified, seeing Gwaine's face.

Gwaine pouted slightly, half-relieved that it was just a joke and half-disappointed that they weren't planning to really gang up on him. But he soon regained his usual carefree attitude and grinned.

"Yeah, sure. You're all just scared I'd whoop your asses anyway." Gwaine said.