A/N; So right now, I'm lying in bed with my laptop at 2am typing this, because I tried to sleep but the plot bunnies would just not leave me alone for this final chapter and the next two stories I plan on writing, but more details and all my final thanks and comments at the end!

Disclaimer; For the last time on this story, I do not own Merlin.

The ride back to Camelot seemed like a very long one.

In truth, it was quite short as all the Knights and Arthur rode back probably the fastest they ever had.

But they had no time to lose, and Arthur was reminded of that detail by a certain unconscious manservant who was in front of Arthur on his horse.

The whole ride, Arthur was hoping Merlin would wake up, but he never did.

But he looked in pain when they first found him, so maybe it was for the best he wasn't awake to feel it.

Similarly to when Arthur first left on the mission to find his abducted servant, which even though it was only a few days ago yet it seemed like years, when he got in the castle courtyard, everything became muted and blurry.

Gasps of shock as witnesses saw the servant and knight's unconscious figures, Arthur gently taking Merlin off the horse and carrying him up to Gaius' chambers as Percival did with Gwaine, the flash of fear and concern that went through the old physician's eyes when Arthur put Merlin down on the table, Gaius quickly moving around, gathering what he needed, instructing Leon and Elyan to get water and blankets.

To Arthur, it all happened around him in a blur, once again the only thing he was focusing on was Merlin.

It was only after Gaius shook his arm, he realised the old man had been calling his name.

"Arthur, I need some space to work."

This was meant to be Arthur's cue to leave and let the physician do his work but there was no way he was leaving Merlin now. He didn't even know if he would let him out of his sight after this.

Instead, he took a step back next to Percival and Gwaine who Percival had laid down on the floor.

Leon and Elyan came rushing back in with what Gaius had asked them for and all Arthur could do was watch while Gaius tended to Merlin's chest injury.

"We need to give Merlin space. Percival, take Gwaine to his chambers, Gaius will see to him when he is ready. Elyan, Arthur, let's go." Leon said.

Percival lifted Gwaine off the floor and carried him out of the door, following Leon and Elyan.

"Arthur?" Leon asked.

"I'm staying."

Leon looked like he was about to argue, but seeing the look on the King's face, he obviously thought better of it, and instead, just nodded and left with the other Knights.

"Will he be all-right Gaius?" Arthur asked urgently, secretly scared of the answer.

"I'm doing what I can for him Sire. The next few hours will be crucial."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Arthur, I know you want to stay but it isn't helping Merlin, it's only hindering my work. I need my space and concentration, please Sire. I promise I will notify you the moment anything changes."

Although Arthur desperately wanted to stay, if Gaius really could work better without him there, he had to leave.

Arthur took one last look at his manservant before leaving.

As soon as the King had left, Gaius looked down at his beloved ward.

"Weate parsai heale cham" he whispered, summoning all the power he had inside him.

He just hoped it was enough.

The first thing Gwaine noticed when he opened his eyes was Percival's concerned face staring at him.

"Gwaine, you're awake!"

Gwaine stayed lying down, trying to think what had happened before he replied.

He remembered feeling angry at something, and running forward, then pain.

Merlin looked in pain too-MERLIN.

Gwaine quickly jumped up but Percival stopped him.

"Gwaine, you must rest," Percival insisted.

"Where's Merlin?! Is he all-right?"

"We don't know anything yet but he's alive and Gaius is treating him as we speak."

"I must go see him!" Gwaine said, standing up too quickly, and as he was already feeling dizzy from his head injury, he fell back, but the bed was there to support him.

He didn't care if he felt like he was about to throw up the minute he got up, he had to see Merlin with his own eyes, to make sure he really was back home and alive.

"You'll be no use to Merlin if you faint the minute you go through. Gaius has enough to deal with, you can see him when he's done."

Gwaine just hoped Gaius would be done soon.

After failing Merlin so badly, he was definitely leaving.

He had to say his goodbyes to the man, he just prayed he would be the one leaving, and not Merlin.

Merlin's time on this world was definitely not over yet, Gwaine would make sure of that.

The next two hours was the most frightened Arthur had ever been.

Arthur waited outside Gaius's chambers when he left, and was just completely frozen in his own thoughts about Merlin for the last two hours.

Even when Guinevere ran forward and embraced him, he didn't say anything or do anything.

His worry over Merlin was controlling his state of mind and he didn't even notice when Gwen gently kissed his forehead, said she understood and left.

Eventually, Gaius opened the door.

Arthur stood up immediately.

"Well?"

"He's lost a lot of blood from his stab wounds and his chest wound had an infection but I've managed to close the wounds and fight the infection, and I've given him something for the pain. However, he still has a fever, it will probably pass by tomorrow but we must leave him to rest, but he should be fine."

Relief flooded through Arthur's body.

"Thank you Gaius. Can I see him?"

"When his fever has passed and he has rested."

"And when will that be?"

"Tomorrow. I recommend you getting some rest too Arthur."

Arthur nodded.

"I'll see you first thing tomorrow Gaius."

When Merlin woke, instead of feeling pain and discomfort, he felt the smell of home around him and blankets and pillows.

He couldn't feel any of his wounds, they seemed rather numb. Gaius must have given him something for the pain, thank lord.

Gaius!

Merlin was about to call out to his father figure before realising how dry his throat was and coughed instead.

This caught the physician's attention and he quickly came over to Merlin, handing him a glass.

"Drink this."

Merlin took it gratefully and smiled as the water went down his throat.

It felt amazing, when was the last time he had drunk?!

He quickly finished the whole glass as Gaius helped propped him up with pillows around him.

"Is that better?" Gaius asked.

"Much. Thank you."

"How do you feel? Are you in any pain?"

Merlin smiled and truthfully said no.

"I gave you some pain relief. You sustained a lot of injuries so I gave you a large dose, it will make you drowsy but the rest will help you recover. I changed your bandages just before you woke. Now what's the last thing you remember?"

Merlin thought back.

"Arthur, Gwaine and the other Knights arriving."

He froze.

"Are they all-right?!"

Merlin would never forgive himself if they got hurt because of him.

"Gwaine sustained a head injury but nothing too serious, everyone else was fine."

Just as he said that, there was a knock on the door and Arthur arrived.

A look of relief and a large smile came across his face when he saw Merlin sitting up, bandaged all around and bruised, but alive, safe, recovering, and smiling.

"Merlin! Are you all-right?" he asked as he walked towards his friend.

"I'm fine Arthur, I can't feel anything, Gaius made sure of that."

He gave a quick smile to the man then turned back to look at Arthur.

There was another knock on the door and Gwaine walked in.

"Merlin!" he said, the same expression on his face that Arthur just had.

"I'm glad you're all-right Merlin." Gwaine said.

"I have both of you to thank for that. So thank you. For coming."

"Well we weren't exactly going to leave you there!" Arthur retorted.

"But Merlin, mate..I'm sorry. I should of made sure you were safe. What happened to you was my fault. I'm going to leave Camelot-" Gwaine started to say, looking Merlin in the eye.

"No Gwaine! It was not your fault! There was nothing you could of done, and you're not leaving Camelot."

"But Merlin-"

"No." Merlin said sleepily.

Gwaine and Arthur panicked, thinking he was losing consciousness again.

"Gaius?" Arthur asked with concern in his voice.

"It's all-right, it's the pain relief I gave him, it's doing it's job."

Both men relaxed and turned back to Merlin.

"I agree with Merlin. Gwaine, this wasn't your fault and I should never of said it was, I was scared and worried. I didn't mean it. " Arthur admitted.

"You were scared for me?" Merlin smiled, almost asleep.

"You bet Princess was." Gwaine laughed.

"All-right, I was. Don't do that again Merlin." Arthur whispered.

Merlin laughed.

"I'll try not to. But have to say, I'm feeling quite popular right now, a Knight and a King at my bedside. To what do I owe this honour?" he joked.

"Well, Merlin. Every King and Knight needs their servant." Arthur said.

Merlin smiled.

He was right, they did need him.

But the past few days, Merlin had needed them.

He was lucky to have such good friends.

With that thought, he closed his eyes.

Hey, look on the bright side Merlin, he thought.

You won't have to wash Arthur's socks or pay Gwaine's drinking bill for at least a while.

Merlin smiled before going into a restful sleep.

A/N; Wow! Okay, so can't believe I have actually finished! Right, now is my time to say, I never once expected this to get such a good reaction so thank you so much for everyone who reviewed, followed and favourited, you made all the effort worthwhile, you're amazing, all of you! But do me one last favour and review on this too?:3 And watch out for my next two stories which will be Gwaine!Whump with Caring!Percival, as requested by a reader (Yes, I take requests so feel free to PM me), and a Merlin in danger story with VERY protective!Arthur. Hope to see you then! Bye you amazing people, hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I did writing it!