A/N: So I just wanted to say thank you to my lovely followers Nawnana and LadyoftheCity, and to my reviewer/follower Loulou2a thanks for sticking with me.
Um, nothing really important to say, other than... Gwen and Elyan's father was killed exactly the way he was in season one... Oh and Nimueh isn't dead has in fact not even shown up in their lives yet. Err... I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, If I did... Merlin and Arthur would have been lovers rather than just friends... and Morgana and Mordred wouldn't have turned evil well maybe they would have, but only cause they're so good at being bad lol.
P.S I went back and changed one of the paragraphs in the first chapter, just something about Morgana.
Chapter 2: A first for everything
Merlin decided that since he had the entire after noon to himself he might as well take a nap, and with that thought in mind he made his way to the chambers he shared with Gaius. He called out his mentor's name as he opened the door, shrugging when he saw that Gaius wasn't there. It didn't surprise him to much, there was an unusual illness spreading in the lower town it had yet to prove fatal, but the symptoms were painfully sever and the physician was working night and day to find a cure. So far none had been forth coming.
The chambers were a mess, handwritten medical and scientific papers were strewn across Gaius's work station, books on various diseases and they're symptoms and the different forms they can take covered nearly every other available surface. So obviously Gaius was still looking, or perhaps had found the cure and that's why he wasn't home. Merlin doubted it was the later, Gaius would have informed him if he had. He sighed deciding to forgo his nap for the moment and began to tidy up. He organized the papers into neat piles one for medical information and the other for scientific, the books he stacked neatly on the dining table carefully marking the pages of the books that had been open.
Once all that was done he swept and washed the floors, cleaned the leech tanks and washed their dirty clothes in the washtub. By the time he finished a nap was no longer an option, he still had to bathe and find something nice to wear. On his way to his chambers earlier he'd run into Gwen and told her of his dinner plans, she'd smiled and asked him. "You do realize he intends to seduce you right?" Merlin had denied it hotly, much to his friends amusement. -Is it really a date? What if it is? Do I want it to be?-
He hadn't been on a date in years, in fact he was pretty certain he'd never been on one at all. He'd had lovers of course, before he came to Camelot he'd been romantically involved with his best friend Will. They had become lovers when they were fourteen, that had ended with his departure for Camelot a year and a half later. Will had died two years past, He willingly and knowingly gave his life for Arthur. Merlin still wasn't sure why he'd done it, his lover had hated royalty. Will had died in his arms, it broke his heart for the first time. Last year he'd freed a druid girl from a merchants cage, and they became fast friends and soon He fell in love with her. He hid her in the catacombs and spent nearly every evening there with her.
She had been hiding a secrete from him though; She had been cursed to turn into a magical beast every night and she killed the merchant who'd captured her and some of the guards. He found out to late to save her, while she was the beast Arthur mortally wounded her. She to had died in his arms, and that was the second time his heart shattered. Neither of those relationships had been particularly conductive to going on 'dates' though. -But Gwaine doesn't like me like 'that.' Does he?- he found himself wondering.
Merlin walked up the short steps to his small room distractedly, he was going over every conversation every encounter he'd ever had with Gwaine. He paced his room for a few minutes. It didn't take him long to come to the conclusion that, yes Gwaine liked him like 'that' and he was a complete idiot to have not noticed. "Oh boy..." He muttered sitting heavily on his bed. He dropped his head into his hands and groaned at his own idiocy. "How could I have been so blind?" He was furious with himself for not paying more attention.
Gwaine was a good friend, a kind hearted and loyal man. He was also drop dead gorgeous and rumored to be a very skilled lover, if maidservants and stable boys were to be believed. It was well known that Gwaine had had many flings since he'd arrived in Camelot, that didn't bother Merlin, He was a lover of all things sensual his Gwaine. Besides how could he even begin to be upset about it when he was the one who hadn't given Gwaine any sign his feelings were returned. Hell, he wasn't even sure he did feel for Gwaine in that way.
On the other side of the palace Gwen had just entered her lady's chambers, the Lady was supposed to be napping. Instead, Morgana was sitting at her dressing table, her silver brush lay on the table in front of her. Staring into space her pale face was framed by her tangled dark hair and her blue eyes had a haunted look to them. "My lady?" She called softly trying not to startle the obviously shaken young women. Despite her best efforts Morgana still jumped slightly, a hand fluttering to her chest briefly. "Oh, Hello Gwen." Morgana sighed giving her maidservant a weak smile.
"I'm sorry to have startled you Milady" Gwen said coming over to kneel at her side, she took Morgana's trembling hands in her own "Another nightmare." Though it wasn't really a question Morgana nodded anyways. "Yes." Her voice shook but only slightly, Gwen's steady and caring presence was quickly chasing away her fears. They sat for a few minutes just holding hands in comfortable silence, Morgana taking comfort in the simple gesture. "Here, let me brush your hair for you." Gwen said getting to her feet.
Morgana smiled at her maid and gave her the silver brush obligingly. She watched Gwen in the mirror while the pretty servant gently brushed the tangles from her hair, there was an amused twinkle in her eye and a faint smile on her lips. Her curiosity got the better of her and she had to ask "What's got you so happy and amused?" Gwen smiled. "Merlin." was her only reply. Morgana raised her eyebrows expectantly, and Gwen paused midway through a brush stroke and met her eyes in the mirror and decided that Morgana would undoubtedly be cheered by the news of Merlin's date.
"He's got a date!" Morgana's whole face brightened. "Really?!" Merlin was her friend, and he deserved some happiness in his life, deserved to have more in his life then running around after Arthur anyways. When Merlin had first arrived in Camelot, both she and Gwen had developed a crush on him. Gwen had soon grown out of it coming to view Merlin more like a sibling then anything else. She to had eventually grown out of her crush, it was rather obvious to her that he wasn't particularly interested in the opposite sex.
In the nearly three and a half years since he'd come to Camelot, Merlin hadn't shown a romantic interest in anyone. She knew of course that he and his friend Will had been lovers before he left Ealdor. She and Gwen had discovered this truth when they'd gone with Merlin and Arthur to try and rescue his village from out-laws. They'd succeeded but at the cost of Will's life. He'd thrown himself in the path of an arrow to save Arthur's life. It was rather clear to all of them that Merlin had loved the man, his death had sent him into a state of depression for months.
"Really! though he's in denial about it being a date." Gwen chuckled as she finished brushing her Lady's beautiful raven locks. "Oh?" Morgana turned to face her maid and Gwen was pleased to see that some color was returning the woman's cheeks. "Gwaine asked him to dinner this morning." Gwen explained, that was enough of an explanation for the Kings ward. She started giggling helplessly. "He still hasn't clued in?!" Gwaine's feelings for Merlin was the worst kept secrete in the whole city, never mind the palace.
Gwen began to giggle herself, she and Morgana found great amusement in how innocent and oblivious the handsome young man could be. "I don't think so. I don't think he's ever been on a date.." Suddenly Morgana's blues eyes developed a mischievous twinkle. "Lets go help him get ready!" She hopped up from the dressing table a wide grin on her face grabbing Gwen's hand she dragged the girl with her.
They found Merlin, standing in nothing but a towel in the center of his room clothes piled up in a semi-circle around him. His damp hair was sticking up in every which direction, as if he'd been pulling it in frustration. He was so pre-occupied that he didn't even hear the door to his room creak open. They silently admired his surprisingly toned body for a few moments. Both thinking -Can't hurt to look.-
When it became apparent that he wasn't going to notice them, Gwen cleared her throat loudly. Merlin jumped about a foot in the air and nearly lost his towel. He spun around to face them, "Can't you knock!" He cried indignantly, clutching the towel at his waist tightly. His could feel a blush creeping up his neck. "Nope!" Morgana said cheerfully and walked over to the pile of clothes. He wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out at her.
"What are you doing anyways?" Gwen asked from her spot by the door, Morgana was already digging through Merlin's clothes. He felt his cheeks heat even more as he admitted. "Can't decide what to wear to dinner." He avoided her eyes as he spoke, a knowing smile appeared on Gwen's face. "So, you finally got a clue then?" She giggled. "Oh shut up Gwen!" He grumbled with a pout."Gwen, come and help me." Morgana motioned for Gwen to sit beside her on the floor. "What are you two up to?" Merlin asked suspiciously. "Helping you get ready of course" Morgana replied in a tone that said it should have been obvious. A few minutes later the girls had gone through and discarded all of Merlin's clothes as inappropriate for a date. "Well I can't go naked!" He snapped.
"And why not?" Elyan said from the doorway. "I'm sure Gwaine would love it!" He teased. Merlin threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "How do you know about this~" he whined. Elyan was one of his vary best friends, he also happened to be Gwen's older brother. He'd come to Camelot shortly after their father Thom was executed to take Gwenivere away, when Gwen had refused to leave Camelot he had decided to stay with her. Sir Leon had hired him as his manservant, not that he needed one. Elyan was a trained swordsmen and Leon hired him for that reason alone, well that and they'd been friends since they were children.
Elyan chuckled at the expression on Merlin's face. "Well I do spend most of my time with the Knights." He said with a chuckle. "What has that got to do with it!" Merlin exclaimed as Gwen slipped past her brother to leave the room -Where is she going?- He thought briefly, but was distracted by Elyan's answer. "I couldn't help but notice how ridiculously happy Gwaine's been all damn day." Merlin smiled a little, then frowned again. "But how'd you know it had something to do with me?"
Elyan rolled his eyes while Morgana snickered, she'd moved from her spot on the floor to sit on his bed. "Merlin, not everyone is as totally clueless as you." She said with an innocent smile. "So why are you here?" Merlin found himself asking, as Gwen sauntered back in a large cloth bag under one arm. "Well, I came to see if you needed help getting ready." He chuckled a bit and motioned to the girls. "But I see I was beaten to the punch." Merlin turned to regard the women and gulped audibly at their expressions.
"Here." Gwen held out the bag. "I made these for you, I was going to wait until Christmas..." She trailed off and motioned for him to look inside the bag. So he did. Inside the bag were a pair of black breeches that laced up in the front, a dark purple tunic with a thin black leather belt. And a dark brown deerskin jacket topped off the outfit. All the clothes were made of the finest material he'd ever seen. "How did you.. the cloth for these must have cost you a fortune." he breathed in awe, holding the deerskin jacket to his face and rubbing his cheek against it.
"Nah, Elyan and I pitched in to!" Morgana said with a big smile. "Just like for the tub last year." Elyan added. Merlin smiled, he was talking about the huge two-person tub they'd bought him for his birthday last year. They got it for him because he was always complaining about how cramped the little tub he and Gaius used to have to use. "You guys are the best." He said, eyes watering a little.
"We know!" They chorused together and then burst into laughter at the look Merlin gave them. "Oh shut up, You two!" He pointed to the girls. "Out for a moment or two if you please." The girls grinned "Aw, and we were so looking forwards to watching you dress!" Morgana teased as she and Gwen left. Once they were alone Elyan helped Merlin into his new clothes. "Leon says Arthur's been acting strange this afternoon." He said softly, in case the girls were ease dropping.
"Oh?" Merlin replied distractedly, he was checking himself out in the mirror. -Damn my ass looks good in these pants- he thought absently. "How so?" He prompted when Elyan didn't say anything else. "Just he seemed... Oh I don't know... out of it, during the afternoon training. Nearly got his head taken off by one of the new recruits." He had Merlin's full attention now, though he knew his friend was exaggerating a bit. If Arthur had been in any danger of losing his head Merlin's magic would have alerted him that the prince was in trouble.
"That is odd..." He frowned, thinking of the dragon's warning. -Maybe I shouldn't leave him alone tonight- He found himself thinking, he shook the thought away quickly though. -I deserve this.- He told himself, besides his magic would alert him if Arthur was in any danger immediate or otherwise. "So you don't know what's got his knickers in a twist then?" Elyan sighed. "Leon was hoping you'd be able to tell us." Merlin shrugged apologetically. "He was fine at lunch, though he did give me the afternoon and the night off."
-I have feelings for Merlin- The minute Merlin's footsteps faded down the hall Arthur allowed his head to drop into his hands and he let out a loud dismayed groan. He felt like a complete idiot, a total fool for not realizing his feelings sooner, though he'd never been attracted to a man before so perhaps he could be forgiven for not realizing it right away. -To late to do anything about it now- He let his head fall to the desk with a loud thump.
Not that he was sure exactly what he'd have done if Merlin wasn't about to go on a date with one of his best and most loyal friends. "Damn it." He bounced his head off the table again in frustration, he couldn't get the image of Merlin's plump pink lips closing around the strawberry out of his head. Deciding he needed a distraction he stood from his desk stretched his arms over his head, his spine giving a satisfying crack as he did so.
There was only a few people on the training field when he got there, Sir Leon and his manservant Elyan were sparing in the center of field, a few first year knights stood together on the sidelines watching the graceful battle. Arthur joined the first years in watching the match. Sir Leon was one of the most skilled Knights in all of Camelot, that being said Elyan was holding his own rather well considering.
Leon sidestepped a downwards strike, spinning on his heel gracefully he brought his sword around in a wide swing, the clang of metal on metal rang out and his eyes widened in surprise. Elyan had just managed to bring his sword up in time to block the blow. He smirked at Leon, and with a tricky twist of his wrist, he sent Leon's sword flying. He leveled his sword at Leon's chest. "Do you yield...Milord?" Elyan purred at his friend. -He's good..- Arthur thought, impressed by the sheer skill this servant seemed to have.
The young'uns began to clap enthusiastically, they got their asses handed to them regularly enough by Sir Leon that seeing him defeated was a joyful and nearly miraculous thing to witness. Arthur joined in the applause, and not for the first time found himself wishing that the first code of Camelot didn't exist. All of his men were skilled fighters, because they were trained to be. But they were all young men, boys really and vary few had the natural talent or had developed the warriors instincts they would need if a true war were to ever broke out.
That's not to say they wouldn't be able to hold their own in any given battle, but only if he or Sir Leon were there to command them. They followed orders well, but given a situation in which both commanders were injured or dead... Well Arthur could only pray such a thing never happened. Gwaine arrived not long after, it was time for the afternoon training.
Arthur was supposed to lead this training session, and he did so absently his mind quite obviously on other things.. The young'uns may not have noticed, but those who knew him couldn't help but see it. Arthur had set the men to mock sparing, and was walking up and down the rows, correcting a boy's footing here, the grip of a sword there. Leon and Gwaine also walked the lines, offering advise and the occasional teasing comment.
All three men were thinking the same thing, these knights these defenders of Camelot were just boys. Arthur couldn't help but think of the reports he'd been reading earlier, and the feeling he had that the kingdom was in great danger. All his more experienced Knights were already in the north, and most of them were dead. He looked up and caught Gwaine watching him with concerned brown eyes, the image of Merlin and the strawberry flashed behind his eyes making him scowl.
Gwaine raised a brow at him quizzically and Arthur just shook his head sheepishly and grinned, silently apologizing. Gwaine rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at his prince, something only he or Merlin could or would ever dare to do. After the sparing, Arthur separated the young men into three groups of six and they stood around chatting while they waited for their next orders. "Alright, Men." Arthur's commanding voice cut through the chatter of voices with ease.
He waited for only a moment, until it was utterly silent and then, "There's three groups of you," He smirked faintly at his friends, they were standing off to the side with small smiles of their own. "And three of us." Arthur waited while the boys muttered and whispered to themselves, they didn't want to believe the Prince was hinting at what they thought. Surely a single knight fully trained or not was no match for six men together.
"That's right gentlemen! Each of us will take on six of you!" And so saying he motioned for Gwaine and Leon to join him at the front, he allowed them to choose which group they'd take and the melees began. They ranged for the rest of the afternoon. The three warriors had to give the boys their due, they were stubborn and relentless refusing to admit defeat. It had gone from groups of six against one, to all eighteen boys against the three of them.
Arthur was still distracted though, his thoughts partly on the trouble he felt coming and partly on his inconvenient feelings for his manservant. So it was no wonder really when Torin; one of the newer trainees, managed to slip past his guard bringing the tip of his sword to the prince's throat. "Yield, Sire." While boy's voice shook slightly, his hand did not. The field had fallen oddly silent, the boys had frozen in place wide fearful eyes on the pair in the center of the field. Arthur scowled for a moment, he could see the young man fighting his instinct to give in to his prince but still he kept the sword at his throat, and repeated the demand.
Gwaine and Leon watched them with concern, neither were sure how Arthur would take defeat. Suddenly the Prince grinned sheepishly and dropped his sword. "I yield!" He called loud enough the everyone to hear, the young knight immediately lowered his sword and bowed low. "rise, you did well Torin." Arthur said patting him on the shoulder. "But I think it's time to call it a day. Hey lads?" A chorus of agreement sounded from his men and they all went their separate ways for the night.
All except for Leon and Gwaine had wondered off, they came up to flank him on either side. They said nothing but he knew they were wondering exactly how Torin had managed to catch him unawares like that. "Don't ask." He said in his most commanding voice, Leon sighed and motioned for Elyan to join them. He'd been leaning against the low stone wall the separated the training fields from the courtyard watching them intently.
The dark-skinned man trotted over, bringing three flasks filled with water. "Milord, Sire." He offered them each a flask, Gwaine reached for the third and Elyan danced out of reach with a playful wink. Gwaine debated for a moment and then leapt at the agile young man, just catching him around the waist. Both men hit the ground with a thud, laughing they wrestled for the flask. Leon and Arthur backed well out of the way and watched the contest of wills with amusement.
Finally Gwaine rolled them until he was straddling the fit young man, holding Elyan's arms down with his knees he snatched the flask from him triumphantly and took a swig. Elyan bucked his hips hard knocking Gwaine off balance making him tumble to the side, and jumped to his feet, still chuckling. "Hey, Gwaine..." Arthur said in a teasing tone, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your date with Merlin?" If anyone noticed the slight downwards curve of his lips when he said it, they said nothing.
Gwaine leapt to his feet, slamming back the water he tossed the flask back to Elyan before running off in the direction of his chambers. He stopped halfway there and spun around to yell, "How'd you know it was Merlin?!" Leon and Arthur each made a face. "Your such an idiot..." They said at the same time. With a shrug Gwaine trotted off again. "I Suppose that means you gave him the night off then." Leon was quick to ask. "Yeah." Arthur muttered. Both Leon and Elyan couldn't help but notice the prince didn't look pleased about it.
A/N: Okay so, stopping here because it feels right lol. Please read and Review. My plot bunnies may starve it you don't!
