Part:2

Merlin walked in " Gaius what..." On the table there was a cake and a small but delicious looking lunch.

"Gaius..." Merlin's mentor was standing next to the table. His mouth was in tight frown, and his eyebrows were both cocked at the peak of their height.

" Merlin you have no idea how much trouble your in," the physician's frown flipped into a sly smile " not telling me today is your birthday absolutely absurd, absurd young man."

Merlin couldn't help but smile before saying with a grin " But how did you find out," suddenly a thought crossed his mind " Gili told you didn't he!"

" Yes the young rascal, stopped by here not an hour go and explained everything to me, and whether you like or not we are going to celebrate your day of birth.'' Gaius sat down at the table and beckoned to Merlin who reluctantly joined him.

" But Gaius Arthur will get mad if I skip work today." Merlin sighed

" I don't believe so he is under the impression you have taken ill from being overworked, which isn't really a lie. Now open this." Gaius placed a small box on the table.

" Oh Gaius you shouldn't have..."

"I will hear none of that, I have a lot of birthday's to make up for, besides if you don't take it you'll hurt an old mans feeling."

Merlin smiled and took the present which would turn out to be a magical amulet. The rest of Merlin's small celebration went well and Gili stopped by and gave Merlin some good wishes, before leaving around 4:00 pm. However, Merlin's lack of presence at the queen's party did not go unnoticed.

...

Now the the celebration in Gwen's honor was quite a sight to see, it had bountiful food and the finest Lord's and Ladies were all present. Gwen had been enjoying herself until she noticed Merlin was not there. The book had actually given her some really good advice, and she had been hoping to thank her old friend. She strolled over to her brother who was standing with Percival.

" Elyan do you or Percival know where Merlin is?"

They both shook their heads " Sorry sis I haven't even seen him since yesterday."

"I don't expect to be seeing the idiot for a while." Gwen didn't even have to turn around to know that her husband was behind her. " Gaius said he had taken ill last night, overworked he said, how ridiculous is that?"

Gwen frowned " That doesn't make sense I saw him this morning, he looked perfectly fine."

"Are you sure?" Elyan said

" Yes he brought me a present." Everybody looked slightly puzzled. Gwen now realized that a half sober Gwaine, and a somber Leon had joined them. "Well I am going to check on him just in case."

" We'll come with you."

...

Merlin rolled the dice. " A three and a five, ha I win."

"Yes it appears so, but not for long the luck of the young is short lived."

" We'll see." Both Gaius and Merlin stopped, footsteps were coming up the hall along with the sound of swishing fabric and clanking chain mail."

"Oh, no..." Merlin breathed.

The door burst open and it seemed that all of Merlin's closest friends were standing there.

" Merlin your not sick." Arthur immediately blurted

" What are you doing?" Leon asked

" Me and Gaius are uh... having a game of wits."

"A game of wits?" Gwen said uncertainly

" Yes," merlin said " We are testing who can do the best impression of a... drunk gambler while...um... singing a folksong, yes and we ah... Gaius won who would have thought. Well anyways I'm sure they're missing you all at the party so you better leave...now."

"What's that?" Arthur pointed toward the opened letter Merlin had recieved from his mom wishing him a happy birthday. Before Merlin could say anything Arthur picked up the letter and started scanning it. His expression softened and he passed it to Gwen.

"Merlin, it's your birthday!" the queen blurted out before handing the letter to Gwaine

"No! well yes, maybe um... Percy I like the new haircut!"

Everybody just stared at him in shocked silence. " Look it's nothing you all should go back..."

" Why would we want to go back?" Elyan was now looking over the letter

"Yeah mate I think we are all in agreement, in thinking this is a much better party." Gwaine grinned

" Merlin you should have never done this, not for me anyway, you deserve a party more than I do" Gwen came over and gave Merlin a warm hug.

The small group of friends huddled in Gaius's chambers were not missed at the party and they did not miss the party either. Two birthdays were celebrated with one joy and no one ever let Merlin's birthday be ignored ever again. By the end of the night everybody was on equal terms it was like sitting at the round table all over again. At the end of the night there was only one question left to be asked.

" Merlin do you have any other secrets you would like to reveal to me right now?"

" No Arthur none I would like to reveal."

The End