A/N: Just an idea that wouldn't leave me alone, constructive criticism welcomed.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Merlin.

Memories are contrary things; if you quit chasing them and turn your back, they often return on their own.

~Stephen King, "Memory"

It was Gwaine who found Merlin.

Arthur had forgotten his training gloves in the armory so he sent Merlin back to get them while he went ahead to oversee the knights in their warm-up drills. It wasn't until an hour later, when he picked up his sword, that he realized he still didn't have his gloves. Gesturing across the field he yelled for Gwaine to go see what could possibly be taking Merlin so long before making his rounds among the sparring knights.

For all his faults Arthur really was a good teacher, the knights loved and respected him in a way that few kings ever experience. He approached each pair, watching in silence for a few minutes, before moving in and adjusting the tilt of the hips, the set of the shoulders, or the angle of the shield; then he stepped back, nodding in satisfaction at the improvements.

Most of the knights had arrived in Camelot as children, bright-eyed and breathless, ready to fight off dragons and rescue damsels in distress. Arthur had taken them in, put a sword in their hands, and taught them how to fight; by doing that he had earned their unwavering loyalty. But, perhaps even more important than loyalty was the bond that Arthur had developed with this group of men, the connection that he hardly dared name as friendship, even to himself.

Arthur presented a tough face to the world but the knights knew that his insults were, more often than not, a form of compliment. The rarity of Arthur showing true emotion was legendary so the look of panic and pure fear that flashed across his face as Gwaine raced into view shouting, "Come quickly! It's Merlin." was astonishing to those he had known and trained with for years.

Arthur barreled into the armory to find Merlin huddled on his side and bleeding from a gash on his temple. Dropping to his knees he ordered Gwaine to go get Gaius before running practiced hands over his manservant to assess his injuries. Merlin's breathing was shallow but steady, his forehead creased with pain even in unconsciousness. Merlin's left wrist was broken and Arthur laid it on the floor as gently as he could before lifting his manservant's shirt. Dark bruising mottled Merlin's chest and there was a boot-shaped imprint on his lower back; Arthur pressed against Merlin's ribs, sighing in relief when none appeared to be broken.

Just then Gaius bustled onto the scene, wincing in sympathy when he saw the state of his ward. Arthur stood, listing Merlin's injuries before returning to the field to dismiss the knights who were milling about with barely concealed curiosity. Arthur reappeared at the armory door a few minutes later with Percival in tow and instructed the large knight to carry Merlin to Gaius' chambers.

The odd procession attracted a lot of attention as it passed through the castle corridors. Gaius took the lead, robes flapping behind him as he rushed down the hallway, Percival followed, carrying Merlin's limp form like a child, and Arthur brought up the rear, struggling to keep his stoic mask from slipping off his face before they reached the privacy of the physician's chambers.

Inside Gaius' rooms Percival laid Merlin on the patient table and silently took his leave as Arthur and the physician set about cleaning and bandaging Merlin's wounds.

"Will he be alright Gaius?" Arthur asked, allowing a hint of worry to creep into his voice.

"It's hard to tell Sire, we'll know more when he wakes." Gaius replied, "Head wounds are tricky things, he'll need to be watched at all times."

"I'll do it." Arthur volunteered immediately.

"But Sire!" Gaius exclaimed, "You have duties to attend."

"Nothing that can't wait for tomorrow." Arthur said firmly, putting an end to Gaius' protestations.

"Right, then if you'll sit with him I'll go do my rounds." Gaius replied with a slight bow.

Nodding his head in agreement Arthur dragged a chair to the bed and sat, staring at his manservant's pale form. It was so unnatural to see Merlin like this; he was normally a ball of energy, always fidgeting and shifting from one foot to the other, to see him this still was just wrong.

Arthur dropped his head into his hands and sighed, massaging his temples; he wouldn't admit it to anyone, least of all Merlin, but he considered the boy one of his closest friends. Merlin had intrigued Arthur from the beginning and somewhere over the last few years he had wormed his way deep into Arthur's heart. Merlin's cheerful smile lit up a room and the light-hearted banter they shared had helped Arthur get through many a difficult day.

As his thoughts began to drift Arthur remembered the boot print on Merlin's back and suddenly he was livid. Someone had hurt Merlin, his Merlin, and they were going to pay. He was going to get to the bottom of this and when he did he would make sure that no one ever attacked Merlin again. Now if only Merlin would wake up and tell him what had happened…

But Merlin didn't wake up that night, or the next day for that matter, in fact he lay unmoving in Gaius' chambers for three days before he finally opened his eyes. Arthur sat anxiously on the edge of the chair beside Merlin's bed, watching as his friend's eyelids fluttered and soft moans escaped his lips. It took a while but, after what seemed an eternity of waiting, Merlin's sleepy gaze found Arthur's concerned one.

Arthur sank back into the chair with relief before ranting "Do you even know how much trouble you've caused me, Merlin? I send you back to do one simple thing, get my gloves, but you can't even manage that without getting attacked! You are by far the most useless manservant to ever walk the face of the earth. I hope you're happy with yourself; you've been lazing around in this bed for three days, three days! It's about time you woke up."

Merlin stared back at Arthur, confusion and a little bit of fear clouding his face, before whispering, "Who are you?"

And just like that Arthur's heart dropped straight out of his chest.

I'm considering writing another chapter or two but it's up to you guys. Tell me what you think, do you like the ending or should I write more?