Ok so ignore the one episode where we see Merlin without a shirt because I wanted to write this and that episode interferes with it. Yea I know this is a common storyline but I like writing angst stuff so there. Also if anyone already wrote something like this in the Merlin fandom then I'm sorry but haven't seen it. I own nothing.

It was a bright new day filled with promise. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping but not for long, like all days there was something else. The air was filled with the clinks and clanks of armor. A tall, skinny, dark-haired lad was crouching on the ground with a shield while more muscled men stood with swords in their hands and chain mail on their bodies. The knights and Arthur were using Merlin as a practice. Just like every other day, Merlin was getting pounded. He had the shield in front so as to protect him but the knights weren't known for being gentle. The shield can only protect him from so much force. As time went on, each hit caused Merlin to let out a quiet gasp of pain. It was getting late and Merlin was feeling the exhaustion from a hard days work creep up on him. His eyelids began to grow heavy, his mind forgetting the task at hand. The shield in his hand began to shift slightly to his left. Currently Arthur was doing the hitting and hadn't noticed the tiredness of his servant or the position of the shield. By the time he had there was no way of stopping it. He struck with his sword and nicked Merlin's shoulder with the blade. Luckily he had not gone with the full out swing and managed to not cut off Merlin's shoulder. The knights all exchanged looks between them and Arthur's jaw dropped. Merlin let out a loud cry of pain, he let go of the shield, stood up and placed his hand on his left shoulder. He took his hand off to view the damage of the wound to see blood trickling down. His hand, covered with his blood, he placed back on his wound to try to stop the bleeding. He looked up, pale as a ghost, and shot a malice glare at Arthur.

"You are such a PRAT!"

At this Arthur closed his mouth in a tight line. Anger quickly replacing his guilt.

"Me? I'm not the one who let down their guard! You IDIOT! Seriously, who lets himself fall asleep during training?"

"I wouldn't be so tired if you could actually do some things yourself instead of walking around with that big giant head of yours and ordering everyone around!"

"First off that's your job! You're my servant and I am your master! I'm your prince and future king! Second I do not do that!"

"Oh yeah? Well-"

At this no one could keep their silence. The knights shook their heads. Gwaine was the first to speak.

"STOP!"

Arthur and Merlin looked at him, surprised but quickly went back to glaring. The silence was filled with their heavy breathing. Gwaine went up to Merlin and ushered him to a nearby log. Merlin sat down as Gwaine quietly whispered to him. He walked over to a flagpole that was near and took the flag off. He tore it in a rectangle with his sword and wrapped it around Merlin's shoulder while Arthur simply glared at the pair. Lancelot sighed and rubbed his head.

"Both of you calm down. Sire with all due respect, put the sword down. You've been waving that bloody thing around about ready to follow through with his shoulder. Gwaine, take Merlin to see Gauis would you? If we put it off much longer, it could get infected"

Gwaine nodded and put his left hand on Merlin's uninjured shoulder and gently guided him away from the training grounds and to Gauis. The other knights went off to finish their duties, assured in the fact that Merlin was getting help. Once they were out of sight, Arthur let out a huge sigh and sat down on a log nearby. He ran his hands over his face in frustration and shame. Lancelot walked over to him and clasped his shoulder.

"He'll be fine sire. You know Merlin, too stubborn to let something like this get in the way of making your life difficult."

Arthur let out a small laugh, a smile escaping his brooding. Lancelot patted his shoulder and sat down next to him.

"I'm such an idiot."

"No sire of course n-"

"No need to sugar-coat it Sir Lancelot. Speak your mind, I will not be lied to by my most trusted allies. I made all of you knights because you are honest and trustworthy."

"Ok then, you have occasionally acted foolishly but you are no fool. I apologize sire I did not mean-"

"No it is quite alright. Thank you for being honest. It seems I must check on the idiot and apologize."

"I believe that would be a good idea sire. I wish you luck."

"Thanks. I shall let you attend to your duties then."

With that Arthur got up and began to head over to Gauis.

"Um sire. If this is not out of bounds, mayhap you consider on giving Merlin a few days off or lessening his load?"

"No it is not. Thank you Sir Lancelot and yes I shall."

He walked through the village observing the hustle and bustle of the people. Arthur arrived at Gauis' to hear loud noises. He sighed and opened the door to see Merlin sitting down on the bed with a big scowl on his face. Gauis and Gwaine stood near him giving each other astonished and annoyed looks.

"What may I ask is going on here?"

"Oh Sire, it is nothing really-"

"Gauis."

"Merlin refuses to let Gauis take off his shirt to treat the wound. I take it back Merlin, you are an idiot."

Arthur turned to Merlin, slowly walked over to him. He crouched by the bed and looked him in the eyes. Merlin immediately looked away.

"Why the bloody hell not?"

"Because I can take care of it myself."

"Last I checked Gauis is the court physician and you are the idiot who runs his errands, polishes my armor, and carries my things. Stop being such a girl."

"Sire if I may, perhaps it would be best if I were to attend to his injury alone. I am sure you and Sir Gwaine have more important duties to attend to."

At this Arthur stopped in his tracks. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Merlin look relieved, though he tried to hide it.

"But Gauis-"

"I insist Sire. I appreciate your concern however the more excitement there is the harder it will be for Merlin to heal properly."

"As you wish Gauis. Let me know if I can be of any assistance."

"Of course Your Majesty."

"Merlin?"

"Yes sire?"

"I came to apologize for my mistake, my foolishness and my behavior. It was very disrespectful of me. Though if you had just payed attenti-"

Gwaine shoved Arthur in the ribs making him let out a small gasp. He glared at Gwaine while Gwaine merely raised his eyebrows with his arms crossed. Arthur cleared his throat and turned back to Merlin.

"I have decided to give you however much time you need to heal. Let me know if I can help."

Merlin nodded and looked away from the knights. Gwaine and Arthur walked out and began to head back to the castle. Arthur suddenly remembered Merlin's expression when Gauis told them to go. It didn't sit right with him. Something was off. He stopped in his tracks and called out to Gwaine, immediately forming a lie so it would not seem so suspicious to go back.

"Gwaine. There is something I must attend to. Go on without me."

Gwaine nodded and continued on and Arthur walked quickly and silently back to the little hovel. He walked up to the door and peaked through a crack in the door and listened, trying to get a clue. He could see Merlin sitting on the table, putting on a different shirt, while Gauis put the other in a bath of water. After a few moments he began to hear them speak in hushed tones and saw Gaius turned to Merlin with an eyebrow raised in question.

"Really Merlin? Must you have acted so rashly?"

Merlin got up to put his scarf on and nodded.

"It was needed. Couldn't have those blokes seeing it."

"Why ever not? It won't be a secret forever."

"I am aware. I just don't want to seem more pathetic to them than I already am."

With that Arthur heard and more precisely saw Gauis hitting Merlin over the head.

"Now that is poppy-cock my boy! I reckon you'd be surprised."

"They do and no I reckon I wouldn't be. Am I done now?"

Merlin raised his arms and stretched

"For now I believe. However I will need to change the bandage before the day has ended."

Merlin got up and began to walk towards the door. Arthur quickly ran away from the door and dived behind some bushes just as Merlin walked past. Once the boy disappeared from sight Arthur stood up and walked towards the castle, with one thought running through his mind. What was Merlin hiding? He dashed back to the castle. It had been a long night and he had some thinking to do.

If you see any grammatical mistakes let me know. Constructive criticism is appreciated but insults and slamming me and my story are not. Hope y'all enjoyed! Please review! It helps me make it better and helps me feel better.