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Merlin cursed under his breath, as he pressed against the wound, blood pouring everywhere. Gaius slipped next to him, pressing a vial against Arthur’s lip, gently tilting it over and letting the hemlock slowly slip down his throat.
“I need you to heat the needles for me.” Gaius moved to take over from Merlin, gently rolling Arthur onto his side, so that he could see the wound better.
A frown on his face as he pulled the cloth away, and immediately new blood poured down his side. Merlin handed him one of the heated needles, as he moved closer. “Keep his arm up for me.”
Merlin easily followed the instructions as he watched Gaius work, the wound was deep, and the incision from where Gaius had to cut to get the arrow pieces was deeper than the wound. He could only watch in horror as he worked the wound close.
The smell of burned flesh filled their noses as they switched the needles out, to ensure that they were heated, to kill any bacteria.
Arthur briefly woke up just before they finished, pained screams filled the room as he tried to jerk away from the pain. Body shaking from the stress.
Merlin whispered under his breath, his eyes glowed gold just before Arthur slipped back into the darkness. He glanced up at Gaius, worry clear in his eyes.
“He will be fine child; he would just need to have time to heal. To sleep and rest.” Gaius gives Merlin a tired smile.
All Merlin could do was nod, as he continued to hold Arthur’s arm upright. When the wound was finally stitched shut, Gaius placed a good amount of honey on the wound, before he wrapped it. Taking a small step back, tiredness clear in his eyes.
“Help me move him to the cot, then we need to get this cleaned up.” His voice was low. Together they moved Arthur to the other side. Making sure that the blanket was lightly thrown over him, keeping him warm.
Arthur could feel the pain almost overwhelming his mind, it felt like he was thrown into the flames, and everything was on fire. He tried to open his eyes, but instead, all that came out was a pained groan.
Images flashed before his mind, an arrow just slipping past an opening, pain as his mare threw him and then a dagger pushed into his side. Merlin rushes to his side.
Magic.
A shield formed around them just before the guy had a chance to try again, a powerful wind forcing them away. Arms holding him up, forcing him to move.
“Arthur, drink.” The voice was far away as something cold pressed against his mouth, a foul liquid slid down his throat making him cough slightly.
“Sleep, you will feel better in the morning.” Merlin, it was Merlin, he was safe. The thoughts raced through his mind as he blindly searched for his hand, when found, holding it tightly as if he was scared that Merlin would just disappear from him.
He could faintly feel a kiss pressed against his head as the medication did its work, sleep dragged him back under.
Merlin smiled tiredly at Arthur, it was going to be a long road to recovery.