Deafening Silence

Dullness

The time eventually came for Merlin to attend to Arthur, to see what his pratty King wanted him to do that day. He silently hoped that it wouldn't be anything that involved keen hearing ability.

"Merlin, are you sure you'll be alright?" Gaius' voice was merely a humming in his ear, nothing intelligible. But Merlin guessed what his mentor was saying with ease.

"I'll come back and hide if I need to." Was all he replied with before walking out of the door of their shared chambers. Gaius sat back down in his chair, knowing all too well that Arthur would pick up that something was wrong with his ward. He knew how much Arthur cared for Merlin, even if the King would never admit it to the man himself. As the King and a knight, Arthur was trained to have eagle-eyed observation, though it was fairly obvious to anyone who spoke to Merlin that he was deaf. Gaius would wait and see what would happen.

On his way to Arthur's chambers, Merlin went over their usual routine. He was trying to interpret what Arthur would say to him so he could answer without drawing any suspicion and ensured himself that he would properly duck if he decided to chuck something at him today. He already had a head injury; he didn't need another.

When Merlin finally walked into the King's chambers, he was surprised to see its main occupant sitting at his desk, fully dressed and writing on a scroll. Although from what Merlin could see, he hadn't written much on it, almost as if he'd started it the second before he opened the door.

Arthur looked up from his desk and locked eyes with those of his manservant, the one person he had hoped to see walk through his door that day. It didn't bother Arthur that Merlin didn't seem to be holding any breakfast, he was just so relieved to see Merlin fully recovered from his injury.

Or so he thought.

"Merlin, it's almost good to see you. I was half-hoping George would walk through the door." He said, joking of course. Arthur knew Merlin's opinion of George. He was trying to ignite their usual banter, something he'd missed even for less than a day. What Arthur wanted to say was "Merlin, you idiot, you had me so worried."

Merlin stood in the doorway and smiled, assuming Arthur had made some joke about him looking terrible or something along those lines. Closing the door, he moved so he could face his King.

"You're dressed. I can't believe it."
"As the King of Camelot, I do have some skills you know."

Merlin noticeably squinted as he tried to determine what Arthur was saying, which the other man picked up on. He quickly realised that if he hesitated in answering Arthur, he might figure out that something was wrong with him.

"What are my jobs for today?" He asked, hoping Arthur would just tell him the jobs and nothing more. The manservant intended to get out of there as quickly as possible to avoid suspicion.

It wasn't that Merlin didn't trust Arthur, because he did with his life. Above all, Arthur was his friend. But Merlin knew what Arthur was like. If he found out, he'd make a fuss. He'd insist for Merlin to take time off, which was the last thing he wanted.

If Arthur forced him to take time off, the dollophead could've gone on another hunting trip or patrol without him, leaving him open to attacks without the aid of Merlin's magic. No, he couldn't risk that. Merlin didn't want time off and absolutely did not want to risk Arthur getting hurt if he were to leave the castle.

Arthur looked up in confusion at his manservant, who had just started neatening the bed. He thought it was odd that Merlin seemed like he actually wanted to do his jobs for today.

"Hold your horses, I assume you have fully recovered from yesterday?" Arthur asked, still sat at his desk with a quill in his grip. Merlin managed to turn around in time to see Arthur mouth "recovered", deeming the rest as mere buzzing.