AN: I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas! To celebrate, here is Chapter 2!

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Arthur wasn't sure if he should be pleased or upset that in the four days he had been gone that no one had even thought to look for him. His father had assumed that he and Merlin had gone hunting. Gwen had noticed that they were both gone and had assumed that someone more important than her knew where they had gone. And then there was Gaius. The Physician had known that Merlin was going home, despite Gaius's warnings, so the old man had assumed that the prince was making life hard on Merlin's replacement for the week.

These were all valid ideas, but it still worried Arthur that his disappearance had not been of note. If he had known this before, he would have stayed with Hunith and helped more with Merlin. But what's done is done. All Arthur could do now was make life easier for when his little brother to come back.

Arthur recruited Gwen to help him. They went through the prince's wardrobe and pulled out clothing he had outgrown, was too worn to be used by the heir to the throne, or just clothing that he never wore or wanted. The seamstress then used those pieces of clothing and make new, warmer outfits for Merlin.

Arthur's old, hound chewed, leather jacket became a pair of gloves and a set of mittens. The spare cloth from cutting down the shirts became the new lining of an outgrown coat. The best parts were the boots, the quilt, and the cloak.

Merlin's feet were larger than Arthur's, so none could be handed down. To get around this, Gwen took the two half worn brown pairs and made a new pair that took the less used heel portion of one set and the less used toe of the other. The pair didn't even look like it had been mixed and matched from four boots. Once she was done with them, Gwen gave them to Arthur who oiled them until they would resist water.

The quilt was made entirely out of the scrap cloth from all of the projects and a set of moth eaten sheets from the cupboard. It was not the kind of quilt that showed an image, but the pattern it had was rather beautiful with the reds, browns, blacks, and blues. As he watched Gwen work, Arthur almost wished he had old clothing in other colors for her to work with.

The cloak was made from the old drapes from Arthur's and Morgana's windows last year. The patterned side was sewn on the inside of the cloak so it would not be seen. Arthur wouldn't have minded, but Gwen pointed out that it would be too fancy and noticeable for a servant to wear without drawing suspicion. So Arthur let her hide it.

All of these were finished and cleaned by the time Merlin was meant to be back, but he was late. The delay allowed Gwen to sneak past Gaius and replace Merlin's old, worn out clothing with the new outfits. She also spread the quilt across the bed, but covered it with one of Merlin's thin covers from the cupboard.

Gwen smiled as she looked around the room. She didn't know what had triggered this protectiveness in the prince for his manservant, but she was pleased that it had happened. Merlin deserved this, and she was just glad that Arthur had realized it.

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Gaius was getting worried. Merlin really shouldn't have been up and about last week, let alone making a two day journey in the snow. But Merlin was being stubborn. He had talked Gaius into letting him return to work, only to have the prince give him the week off.

Instead of using that time to heal and learn, Merlin left a note saying he was going to spend the time with his mother in Ealdor. Gaius had looked for the prince to send him after Merlin, but he was not to found. Now Merlin was late in returning, and Gaius was fearing the worst. He was a day late.

Had Merlin reached his childhood home? Did bandits attack him? Had the cold been too much for his weakened body? Was Merlin even alive?

By midday, Gaius's thoughts turned to despair. That was until a wracking cough from the doorway pulled him back to reality. Standing at the door was a pale, shivering Merlin and a young woman about his age.

"Merlin! I have been worried sick! What were you thinking running off in the cold while you were still ill? Go up to your room and get into bed. I will be up shortly." Merlin looked so shame faced that Gaius pulled him into a hug. "Just, don't frighten an old man like that. Now go lie down before you fall over."

As Merlin's door closed behind the boy, Gaius turned to the young woman who had come in with Merlin. "Thank you for seeing him home."

The woman blushed and replied, "It was no trouble. Hunith didn't want him coming here alone with him having spent five days in bed with a fever. I needed to come to Camelot for work, so she offered to care for my son if I would do the same for her's." She shuffled her feet as she stared at them.

Gaius nodded in understanding. "So you are from Ealdor. It is nice to know that the villagers care enough for him to escort him here."

At this her eye leap to his. They were wide in disbelief and shock. "Pardon me for saying, but Hunith and I share a shame. And because of this, we are all but outcasts there."

Gaius's brows furled in confusion for a moment before rising in sudden understanding. "So your son does not know his father as well?"

She nodded before glancing up at Merlin's door. "I know I have no right to ask this, but what is your connection with Merlin? Hunith said he was your apprentice, yet you treated him as a son when we came in. You are not his father are you?"

Gaius's eyebrows quirked in amusement. "Hunith is my father's youngest child. She sent him here to keep him from always being an outcast. Since he came to Camelot, Merlin has become the son I will never have."

"I always wondered who his father was. He is sweet and kind, but he is very different from his mother. I asked about him once, she cried." The woman had tears in her eyes.

"He didn't force himself on her, they loved each other, but he was a hunted man. He couldn't take her on the run with him, so he left. He died a few months back saving Merlin from bandits. The two were very much alike." Gaius would have continued, but a series of rough coughs.

"You should see to Merlin. Thank you." She turned to leave as Gaius looked up to his ward's room.

Gaius nodded "Indeed. By the way, I never caught your name."

She looked momentarily panicked, but replied anyway. "My name is Elaine."

Elaine seemed to relax as Gaius's eyes softened. "Your Tal's mother. Merlin speaks fondly of you. I must check on him, but please, join us for dinner this evening."

"No, no. I couldn't possibly!" She wore the same look Merlin did when he first came to Camelot, and it pulled at the old physician's heart.

"If it would make you say yes, I will let you help with the cooking. Let me repay you for getting him back to me in one piece." After a moment, she nodded shyly.

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Merlin could hear that Elaine and Gaius were talking, but he couldn't make out any words. So, after a moment of listening at the door, Merlin climbed into his bed fully clothed. Well, he did remove her boots, but that was only because he taught to.

After a moment, the warmth of the bed began tempting him with sleep. That was what pulled his attention to the new layer on his bed. He lifted the edge of the top blanket and saw the beautiful quilt beneath it. He gasped at the sight, but the gasp triggered a vicious coughing fit.

Merlin had only just gotten his breath back when Gaius came in. The physician could see the glassy eyes of his ward. The boy seemed to be fighting sleep on top of the rough breathing and shivering.

"Go to sleep Merlin. It will make you feel better." Gaius whispered as he pulled the blanket over the lad.

"Quilt. *cough* Where did *cough* from?" Merlin has his eyes squeezed shut as pain in his head flared with each cough.

Gaius's eyebrow raised as he noted the boy's discomfort. "What quilt?"

Merlin didn't speak or open his eyes, he just tugged at the corner of the cover in question.

"It appears to be a secret gift. I will look into it if you will just go to sleep." As he said this, Gaius brushed Merlin's bangs off of his clammy forehead.

"A'right… G'night G'us…" Merlin trailed off into sleep.

The old man smiled. "Good night, my stubborn boy."

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It took all of Arthur's willpower not to fidget after Gwen slipped in and let him know Merlin was home with a smile and nod. Sir Geoffrey had explained to Uther that there were four children on the mainland of Pendragon blood. This had lead to a council-wide argument about the validity of the claims and the next in line for the throne after the Crown Prince.

The whole thing was dull to Arthur, who just wanted to see if his little brother was alright. As soon as his father dismissed the meeting, the prince bolted from the room. He rushed to his chambers and grabbed a sealed letter off of his desk before sprinting towards the physician's chambers.

In his haste, Arthur managed to trip on seemingly nothing halfway up the staircase and crash back down them. He was mostly fine, just a sore hand, a rather tender knee, and a few other bruises. But it did give him a valid reason for visiting Gaius and therefore, Merlin.

Gaius looked up as Arthur limped into the room. The prince's eyes swept across the room in search of Merlin, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Sire? What happened to your leg?" As he asked this, he cleared off the patient cot and gestured to for the royal to sit.

"I misstepped on a set of stairs and hit my knee. Since I am to ride out on a two hour patrol in the morning, I thought it best for it to be looked at." He was going on patrol in the morning, so it was just a little lie that only made Arthur only feel a tiny spark of guilt.

Gaius gently probed the bruises before gathering some herbs from the shelf and began crushing them in a bowl. Just as Arthur opened his mouth to ask about Merlin when said person began coughing up in his room.

Gaius sighed. "Sire, I seen to have forgotten to inform you of Merlin's return. But, upon his arrival he was cold and ill. Had my mind not been with him, I would have sent word. My apologies."

Arthur shook his head. "It is fine Gaius. Gwen saw his return and informed me over an hour ago. How is he? I know he was still ill when he left, but that was a week ago."

A slight frown crossed the old man's face."He is no worse than he was then. In fact, I would say he is better off now than then. He is sleeping now. I will let you know when he is fit for work."

Gaius quickly finished making some sort of paste and then carefully massaged it into the various bruises the prince had. He then bound the now swollen knee in bandages.

"There you go, sire. If you keep this leg elevated, the swelling and bruises should subside by morning." Arthur gingerly tested his bandaged joint.

"Thank you Gaius. Here. Could you give this to Merlin when he wakes up?" Gaius took the sealed letter hesitantly, with a curious gleam in his eyes.

"Of course, Sire" Arthur nodded and left.

Gaius stood there looking at the wax and parchment. What could the Crown Prince of Camelot possibly have written in this that it required sealing?

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Merlin slept through Elaine and Gaius's diner, the next morning, and only woke long enough to relieve himself and eat before falling asleep again. This pattern repeated for days before the boy stayed awake long enough for the physician to give his ward Arthur's message.

Luckily, Merlin was sitting when he read it. Otherwise, he was sure he would have fallen over at the shock of the contents.

"Merlin,

I followed you home to Ealdor. You were sick and should have been in bed, but I knew that would not stop you. So, I followed you. Despite your mother's claims to the contrary, it was not the Spirit of St. Stephen that brought the food and blankets. I couldn't have you freezing or starving on me, now could I?

I know about your father. I am sorry for my words after his passing. One's father will always be worth one's tears.

Your mother also told me about your magic. I am deeply ashamed at my ignorance about such things. No child should live with the fear you grew up with. And I swear to you, when I become king, you and your magic will be free. Upon my honor, you have my word.

Your brother,

Arthur"

Arthur had slipped into the room as Merlin read and Gaius observed the boy. Arthur watched as fear filled his little brother's eyes. As he read further, the prince saw hurt in those eyes get replaced with a happiness that he had not seen in over a year. Then Merlin started crying. That was when Merlin saw him.

As the physician watched the two boys hug, he picked up the letter and read it. At the end, Gaius looked up with wet eyes and watched the brothers finally realize their true bond. The old man could think of no better gift Arthur could have given Merlin for Boxing Day.

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AN: This is the end of this story. In the furture, I might end up writing a sequel, but defineately not before I finish off a few of my other works. Thank you to all who have read this story. It means the world to me.