Ello' everyone – here is the second chapter – I hope you like it and please review! I love to hear what you have to say and constructive criticism is welcome!

The light of dawn shown over the castle walls and cast shadows throughout the streets of Camelot, various men and women of the city were slowly arousing from their slumber to start the day. Birds dwelling in the forest nearby flew overhead near the clouds, that were not a simple white, but a warm yellow and pink due to the rising sun. Shops were being opened and people began bustling about to attend to their everyday jobs and children at home were now being pulled from their dreams to attend school or start chores. Every few houses or so a cry from a baby could be heard as it was being pulled from the comfort of its crib to be fed, and on nearly every corner woman were to be seen sweeping away the dirt in front of their homes so the 'swish' and 'swoosh' of the broom could very well be perceived by the ears of passerby's. It was an average day in Camelot, the coble-stone streets and the muddy alleyways were soon stomped upon by the busy people, some of which drowsy from not enough sleep – or hangovers due to time spent at the tavern the night before.

Gwain woke with a throbbing pain in his head, but he soon ignored it when he breathed in the sweat scent of Lilliana's hair. Her head was rested under his chin, her breath tickling his neck and his arm was wrapped around her holding her close, Gwain's bare chest warm from her touch. The bright sun was shinning through the window and the light was making its way across the room, bringing the dark wooden crib out from the shadows. The knight remembered now – the drinking and gambling, and going home with Lilliana after it all to have some fun. He also remembered leaving his daughter in Merlin's care. So Gwain pushed his lover's hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead, peacefully waking her.

"I have to go get Beth…" He told her softly.

Lilliana pressed her soft lips onto his before pulling away from his touch and laying on the other side of the bed, "be back soon – I'll have breakfast ready," she informed him. Gwain grinned and got up to pull his tunic on and glided out of the room. He headed down the now crowded streets making it to Giaus' chambers. He walked up the stone steps and came face to face with the wooden door he had spent much of his time in the past year coming to, and he knocked.

"Come in!" He heard Gwen call – Gwain knew she would be there to help Merlin – and he strolled on in.

Guinevere was seated in the rocking chair with Beth on her knee, bouncing her up and down making the baby girl giggle with delight. Merlin was at the table tiredly reading through one of his magic books.

"I have come to bring the little one home before we have to leave." Gwain announced while walking over to his daughter. He scooped her up of Gwen's lap and smiled brightly at her, spinning her around before bringing her in for hug "How are you, my little princess?" Gwain asked Beth in the squeaky tone he always used to speak with her. She just smiled and leaned into his warmth, her small hands tightly clinging to the neck of his shirt. "Thank you, my friends, for looking after her." Gwain was serious for once, staring into his daughters lovely brown eyes, because Beth had come to mean so much to him.

"No problem. You know we love to watch her – she's a beautiful young girl!" Gwen stated whilst standing up, "Yes you are! Yes you are!" She cooed Beth and rubbed the babe's cheek lightly.

Gwain then turned his gaze towards Merlin, who still hadn't moved since the knight's arrival. "His he alright?" Gwain asked Gwen in a whisper gesturing towards his silent friend.

"He had a nightmare last night and has been in this strange mood ever since… I tried to talk to him about it but he always changes the subject."

"Well, keep trying. We wouldn't want him moping whilst on the journey," Gwain smiled a bit trying to ease the tension in the room, but it faded when Gwen gave him a bit of a sad look.

"You do realize this is his first time going with you all on a quest in nearly a year – I mean, he attends patrols and trips you all take to Druid camps and such – but Merlin hasn't been on an actual mission with the knights since… well… the incident." She explained and Gwain finally understood. They both looked to their friends limp arm and the knight was suddenly flooded with memories of how scared he and Arthur were for Merlin, and how they all thought the warlock was to die. Gwain hadn't thought about it in so long – a few thoughts of their trip to Avarian and Corinth coming up whenever he saw his own scar from the time he was burned – but other than that he refrained from thinking about the raid in the Ebony Forest as much as possible. It was true, however, that Merlin hadn't gone with them on another large quest since then, and now he had both volunteered to join them and somewhat had no choice. Too add on to the struggles, they were also going to Corinth, which would obviously bring back memories. Lucky for them, the king was not taking the short cut through the dark forest this time, the only downfall being it would take them an extra day to reach the village.

"He'll be alright…" Gwain paused to gather his thoughts, "Now, I really must be going – Lilliana is going to have a fit," He looked to Merlin, "I'll see you later, Merlin, don't be late, Arthur's been moody lately!"

Merlin tore his gaze from the book for the first time, "Me? Late? Never!" The warlock joked and smiled his lopsided, goofy grin. He closed the book with a heavy 'slam' and stepped over to say goodbye to Beth before the knight and his daughter left.

"Oh, I'll be right back, I forgot to ask him something," Gwen told Merlin while running from the room and out into the corridor. She quickly caught up with Gwain who stopped so she could speak, "Can you promise to look after him – Merlin, I mean? I'm worried about him getting into his usual trouble." Even though Gwen was being sincere and serious, she couldn't help but smile at all the memories she had of Merlin getting into some sort of trouble.

"Of course I will, hell, you didn't even need to ask. I'll look after our mischievous warlock – I promise." Gwain winked and continued walking away with Beth, and Gwen ran back to Merlin.

She all but ran through the door of Giaus' chambers and very much so startled Merlin whom was packing for the journey.

"Did you catch him?" Merlin asked, wiped clean of his usual happy persona.

"Yes, I did. Um… Merlin… Are you alright?" She walked up to him trying to get a glimpse of his hidden face, as if she thought it would tell her what he was feeling.

"Just peachy…" Merlin stated blankly.

"Are you missing Giaus or something? You know you'll see him at Corinth!" Giaus had been gone for more than a week tending to the people of Corinth due to the sickness. However, Gwen knew that wasn't what was upsetting her friend.

"No, I'm perfectly fine – see?" He turned to her and smiled, but she knew it was forced.

"Please, Merlin, you know you can tell me what's on your mind."

"I'm just worried," Merlin finally admitted, "I'm worried something bad is going to happen…"

"Is it one of the 'funny feelings' Arthur says you always have?" She grinned trying her best to lighten the mood, but failing miserably.

"Something like that…"

"Everything will be fine – you'll see. You and the knight will get there, figure this out, come home and still be back within two weeks at the most!" Gwen reassured him, putting her hand comfortingly on his shoulder.

He smiled back – a small smile – but a smile none the less, "You're probably right." He said.

"When am I not?!" She joked before engulfing her best friend in a hug, "You'll be alright, and when you come home I'll have to say I told you so." They laughed a little and Merlin hugged back with his good arm before pulling away to grab his things.

"I'll see you when I get back. Take care of this place while I'm gone – Giaus would hate to have it be dusty when we've returned." Merlin smiled a big, real smile, and walked out the door, waving goodbye to Gwen on the way.

Arthur, the knights, and Merlin had made good progress that day, traveling as far as they could before having to stop as the sun began to set over the mountains. The roundtable knights were seated by the fire laughing and teasing each other, having a good time just as they always did. Arthur was perched up against a log playing with a ring with his fingers.

"Isn't that Agravain's ring?" Merlin asked while sitting down next to the king.

"Yes… I still have trouble accepting that he betrayed me – even if I know for certain that he did." Arthur sighed and placed the silver ring in his pocket, "He was family, after all… I guess in the end that makes me hate him even more."

After lifting the ban on magic and appointing Merlin the Court Sorcerer, the ex-servant had explained to Arthur about Agravain. At first the king hadn't believed him, but soon came to realize all the schemes his uncle had planted. After stealthy following the traitorous man to Morgana's hovel, Arthur finally had proof that Merlin's accusations were correct.

The only thing Arthur could think to do was banish Agravain from Camelot; his return would be punished on pain of death. Not a word had been heard from his uncle nor his sister in the past ten months and some began to worry it was only a matter of time before they made their move, but Arthur was ready.

Merlin knew it was a struggle for the king, however. Agravain had been yet another person to betray Arthur, even though they had all of his trust.

"You did the right thing. Knowing when not to take a life makes you stronger, and taking his would have caused worse things to happen rather than good," Merlin spoke after a long silence.

"I just can't help but wonder why they hate me so…"

"They don't hate you," Merlin said confidently, "they're just blinded by anger and their need for power. They were once good people, but they chose a path for themselves that manifested into their rage, and it seems they're just taking it out on you. Their reasons for it, and their claims of hate towards you, have been proven wrong so many times."

Arthur quietly laughed, "It is times like this, Merlin, I realize how wrong I was to think you a fool. I must say, you played the part of a bumbling idiot quite well."

"I must say, sire – that sounded awfully like a compliment," Merlin teased.

"Oh, shut up, clot pole." Arthur nudged the warlock with his elbow.

"That's my word, prat!"

"Idiot."

"I thought we just discussed the fact that I wasn't an idiot – dollop-head."

"Merlin…"

"Yes, sire?"

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?!"

They both laughed before getting up and joining the knights by the fire. Merlin thought, maybe, just maybe, this journey wouldn't be so bad after all – that the dream was a mere nightmare that happened to repeat itself and nothing more.

That night Leon was on watch when he suddenly heard Merlin mumbling in his sleep. The shaggy haired knight walked over to the warlock to make sure everything was alright.

"N-No… No, don't leave me…" Merlin whimpered.

Leon shook him, "Merlin! Merlin, wake up, it's just a dream!" Merlin's eyes shot open and he struggled against Leon's touch, "Merlin, it's just me – It's Leon."

Merlin calmed down and looked up at the knight with cloudy eyes, "I-I'm sorry, I was just startled…"

"Are you sure you are alright?" Leon asked clearly concerned for his friend.

"Yeah, perfectly fine – just a nightmare… Um, how about I take next watch, you look tired."

"Sure, I could use some sleep. But, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm swell – now, get some rest!" Merlin assured Leon while walking over to the edge of their camp and leaning up against a tree.

That was the third time he had that nightmare. It had then been three times he watched Arthur and Gwain – two of his greatest friends – leave him to die alone in the middle of nowhere. He wouldn't admit to it, but the dream scared him, and he worried of what my come of it. However, he brought himself away from the fear and anxiety the dream caused by remembering who his friends were. They would never leave him, they were like his brothers, his family, and Merlin was sure they thought the same way about him.

Alrighty – what did you guys think? Please review! I'll have chapter three up by tomorrow night at the latest.