A/N: Hello again. So here it is. My final chapter. Just wanted to take this moment to say a HUGE thank you to all of those who have reviewed. Its such a big confidence boost to get good feedback. I do realize my grammar isn't my best point and you've all managed to put up with it. I have another Merlin Whump story on its way soon, as time allows, so keep your eyes peel. For now do enjoy. : ) And as always R&R

Chapter 16:

"Arthur" The warlock's eyes jolted open in a panic and he tried to sit up, only to find one arm completely useless against the bounds around it.

"I'm here" a soft voice came from across the room and Merlin glanced across to see his friend move swiftly over to his side. His eyes displaying more than a little concern for him. "Are you ok?" Arthur pulled a stall up to sit close to the bed. "I think you were having a nightmare"

The servant blushed then considerably and he cast his eyes down to the bedsheets pulling them up closer to his chin with his good arm. "Sorry" he muttered.

Arthur sighed and leaned back. "Don't be silly Merlin, what happened?"

The warlock paused and then let his eyes meet the Kings. "It doesn't matter, I'm fine" he said flatly face turning back a shade paler as he recalled his dream.

"Come on now?" Arthur poked Merlin in the ribs gently, "I think we're over the whole secret thing here, what it is?" He watched as his friend gave an involuntary shiver and wiped the small sweat beads from his forehead.

"I couldn't save you" the warlock's voice broke. "Something happened, my magic didn't work" He closed his eyes hoping that Arthur hadn't noted the magic part, or at least wasn't annoyed by the mention of it.

The King said nothing for a moment and Merlin actually considered if he was reconsidering the whole magic deal. It had been several days since he had first woken to see Arthur by his bedside and there had been no mention of it. Merlin was pretty sure that the strong tinctures that Gaius had been supplying him with was starting to send him dually and into paranoia.

"It's ok" Arthur finally broke off his silence. "When have you never been able to save me?" he joked, "seems like you've been doing a good job so far"

Merlin gave a weak laugh, "Only just sire" he recalled, "I've been so close to losing you on far too many occasions"

"Like i haven't you?" the King gave an irritated glare. "Merlin, exactly how many time have i nearly lost you in all this?"

The warlock blushed again and looked back at the cloth, studying its complex stitching, trying to avoid the question.

"Merlin?"

Silence.

"Merlin?" Arthur's tone sounded more serious now.

"What do you want me to say?" Merlin still refused to let his eyes meet, afraid his unfallen tears might actually be unstoppable once he saw the King.

"The truth" was all Arthur could say. "For once Merlin, I want the truth"

The warlock exhaled, finally bringing his red rimmed blue eyes to meet his masters. "I really couldn't count" he sighed again. "Nimueh twice, the Griffin, Lady Sophia, Tauren, Cedric and the curse, Morgana, Morgause, serkets, wyverns, the dorocha" Merlin shrugged.

Arthur shuddered at the last name, if anything struck fear into him it had been the spirits of the dead, nothing to stop them but Lancelot's sacrifice. And the look on Merlin's face as he threw himself in front of the creature to save Arthur's life. And a serket? Arthur had seen those creatures, deep in the Darkling woods, deadly creatures, no man he knew of had ever escaped death from a sting. But then again, Merlin had survived the Dorocha's touch when no other had. He did not wish to think of the pain his friend must have endured at the hands of Morgana and Morgause.

"Tell me" He finally said, trying to shake the thoughts of his servant enduring so much suffering without a word to him. "Tell me everything"

"Everything?" Merlin raised an eyebrow in question, "I don't think you have all day and night to listen to me rabbiting on as you say. Besides, you don't want to hear it all"

"Oh, I do" Arthur swapped seats and settled himself into the comfy chair. "I've got all night, and i want to hear everything, from start to finish"

The warlock took a deep breath and exhaled again reluctantly looking from his feet back to the King. "Are you sure?"

Arthur simply nodded and Merlin began. Pouring over the many stories from the first arrival in Camelot when he saved Gaius's life to the many foes both he and Arthur had faced over the years. The King simply stared through it all perplexed that such a small and insignificant servant had managed to fill such an important role. Merlin skipped over his many injuries as much as he could, but Arthur knew he was trying to avoid mentioning them and pulled him up on several occasions for not being truthful about them. They spoke long into the night, until not only Merlin's voice was beginning to break but Arthur's eyes had began to droop considerably. Arthur's brows had furrowed into a tight knot as the stories had rolled out of Merlin's mouth and he found his head had began to pound with the new information.

"You should sleep sire" the servant finally noted his friend lagging.

The King then rose from his seat and nodded, he had said very little during Merlin's tales, but simply nodded and hummed in reply. "I want you in the council chambers bright and early tomorrow, i have a job for you" he said simply before turning to leave.

"But?" the warlock started to protest, looking at his useless arm. "I can't be carrying your armer with just one arm Arthur, but i suppose..." he trailed off.

"No buts" Arthur opened the door, "Getting back to work will do you good, i think we both need to stretch our legs a little, after these past few days bed bound, besides i have some council business to attend to and i will need some assistance" With that he left.

Merlin sunk back into the bedsheets and groaned. "Fine"

It was Gaius who woke the warlock the next morning. Merlin batted the old mans hand away as he roused him.

"You'll be late Merlin" the physician pulled his ward into a sitting position handing him a tincture.

"Must you keep drugging me?" the servant downed the foul liquid and swung his feet over the side of the bed. "Why is he so instant of me back to work early, i was useless enough with two arms, I'm going to be twice as useless with one"

Gaius tutted at him but said nothing in reply but helped his ward dress. Pulling his usual tunic on over his head and helping him into his breeches before securing his neckerchief and jacket on. Merlin enjoyed none of it, wondering how Arthur could allow his servant to dress him so without feeling like a complete buffoon.

"Done" Gaius patted the servant gently on the chest, He leant backward, forcing a piece of bread and cheese into his ward's hand before helping him up. "You'd best hurry up before Arthur notices your late"

"He always notices if I'm late, never when I'm early" Merlin muttered glumly as he trudged out of his room munching on the food. "In fact, I'm not even sure when he notices me at all" the warlock pulled the main door open and continued to sulk all the way down the corridor.

By the time Merlin had reached the doors of the council chambers he had managed to eat all of his breakfast and the effects of the tincture had finally taken hold, leaving his shoulder with little more than a dull ache. He brushed the stray crumbs from his front and finally pushed the door open, trying his best not to look annoyed.

The room was silent, and before Merlin looked up he thought that the room was completely empty. But as he glanced down to the far end he realized that the nobles had gathered from some kind of announcement. The warlock swallowed down the bile rising in his throat, maybe Arthur was going to finally persecute him for his magic usage. He shook his head of the thoughts, damn Gaius's tinctures.

"Your late" was all heard then. Looking across the room he met Arthur's gaze. He was stood at the end of the room, leaning lightly on his excalibur he stared at him with a look that the servant could not quite read.

"What is this?" Merlin stuttered out, barely audible.

"You'll see" Arthur beckoned him forward, and finally he saw a room full of eyes turn in his direction.

The warlock paused for a moment, unsure weather to make a run for the door or actually do as his master asked. But finally he felt his feet slowly shuffle reluctantly forward and the room of nobles watched him intently as he made he way to the end of the hall and before his King.

Once he made it to the end Merlin spotted many of his friends, Gwaine, Percival and the knights, Gwen was just of to the side of her husband, and even in the midst of it all he saw Gaius. How an earth had he got there before he had? All seemed to be wearing some sort of goofy smirk.

"On your knees" Arthur stepped forwards and Merlin did as he was told. His heart beginning to thud loudly in his chest and as Arthur raised excalibur above his head it only pounded faster. He was going to kill him wasn't he?

"By the powers vested in me" Arthur began, announcing to the room and Merlin began to feel himself turn into full blown panic, he sucked in an unsteady breath, waiting for it.

"I name you Merlin, Court Sorcerer and Advisor" Arthur brought the sword down to touch the warlocks one shoulder and then gently to his injured on.

"What?" Merlin squeaked, "Arthur what are you doing?"

"Just shut up Merlin" The king growled, "for once just shut up and do as your told"