AN: Hi again- Kat here! *waves* sorry this has taken sooo long, but it's a pretty substantial chap so I hope you enjoy it!

Right, if you've forgotten:

- Gwaine discovered the girls when they fought off bandits- he also discovered they had magic.

- he decides not to reveal their secret, but to keep an eye on them, and offers to accompany them to camelot.

-the twins are coming to Camelot to visit their one time friend Marcus, who Amelia possibly loved.

-Lilian is definitely attracted to Gwaine, and perhaps he to her. Amelia disapproves.

- Amelia has a lot of doubts about Marcus' random call for the twins to come to Camelot, especially since he knows they have magic.

Ok, also, MERLIN finally appears in this chap- hooray!

Enjoy!

The next day a frost had set in, and Lilian shivered as she gradually opened her eyes, moaning softly. She was so not a morning person. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced over to Amelia: instinctively checking her twin was alright. The other girl was fine, sleeping soundly still- she'd stayed up for most of the night, keeping watch for danger and an eye on Gwaine. Lilian sighed- she knew her sister too well to try and persuade her otherwise, but she wished she'd let him be.

Catching the slight frown marring Amelia's pale brow, Lil's fingers twitched, wanting to smooth it- to make her slightly older sister better. She wondered what was bothering the girl- Marcus' unexpected letter, and questionable motives? Or just Gwaine again? Or maybe going to Camelot with their magic in full knowledge of the law…?

Lil was far less naive than her sister gave her credit for, and wished her twin wouldn't take the whole burden on herself.

"You're awake then?"

Lil was startled from her musing by Gwaine's unexpected comment. She glanced up, blushing, and nodded trying to hide her embarrassment with a slight grin.

"How long have you been up sir knight?"

The corner's of Gwaine's mouth curled up a little at the name which wasn't quite an insult, and shrugged. "Since first light."

Lil's eyes widened and she shrugged off her blanket, rolling it up and stuffing it into her pack whilst she tried to subtly smooth down her hair. She assured herself she'd take care of her appearance with anyone, not just him, and that she wasn't at all curious as to whether he'd watched her while she slept, or anxious about what she might have said whilst she dreamt.

At the thought of her dreams Lil's blush deepened, and she crouched under the pretence of rearranging the things in her pack as she thought of how she'd spent her time in the dreamworld. Mostly in his arms, if she recalled correctly. Lil bit her lip and gently tapped Amelia on the shoulder- twice, knowing the girl would be up within a matter or minutes now.

Gwaine held out a rabbit leg, seasoned with sorrel and a few other herbs he must have found. Lil took it with a grateful smile and closed her eyes, relishing the taste of the meat as she shuffled closer to the fire.

Eyes laughing, she raised an eyebrow at the man's gruff features as his dark eyes bored into the kindling.

"I didn't know you could cook."

Gwaine shrugged, half-heartedly putting on a mockingly charismatic tone. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."

Lil stuck out her tongue. "And clichés- seriously, do you have any original lines?"

Gwaine gave her an odd look of pensive admiration, then pulled on a thoughtful one- taking his time to stare into her face. After a while he spoke, and his voice was gruffer than usual, though he fiercely kept her gaze.

"You remind me of the fire- and not just because of the colour of your hair, but because of the way you can laugh and fight with equal ferocity, and you seem to light up every place we visit… and then your eyes seem to breathe with the life of the forest, as bright and bursting as this place in summer- and between the fire and the forest, I don't know if you're life or destruction- you're something beautiful and brilliant and mysterious somewhere in between- and I wish I could figure you out… though, I doubt I ever will."

Lilian stared, and he dropped his eyes again to the fire, glaring at it- before glancing over her shoulder and getting up in a burst of movement, moving away to get his things. She kept staring after him until familiar slender fingers settled on her shoulder.

"You know, much as I hate to admit it- maybe he isn't so bad after all."

Amelia sounded reluctant, but also rarely mischievous, and Lil- still in a daze, nodded abstractedly. Then she moved to pick up her things and put out the fire, and they left- barely a day away from Camelot at last.

X

"I take it back." Amelia growled. "We should have left him to those bandits and made our escape while we could."

Lilian made a sound of protest, but couldn't really contradict her cousin. Oblivious on the other side of the tavern, Gwaine downed another flagon of ale and slammed it down on the counter. The barmaid gave him a look and Gwaine shouted for some meat and cider to wash it down.

Biting her lip, Lil wondered how he was ever going to pay- and she could see the landlady was too, because the robust woman kept shooting him anxious, irritated glances.

"A drink my beauty, I swear this is the best in the land- and I'd know from my travels!"

The stranger shoving an iron tankard in Lil's face grinned at her encouragingly, and though she could tell he was drunk, he didn't look to mean any harm. Timidly she took it and sipped- choking as the fiery liquid burnt down her throat.

The stranger laughed loudly and patted her vigorously on the back- so hard he nearly knocked her over. Lil choked a little more and dropped the cup- and Amelia was about to interfere, her icy eyes sparkling with fury, when a fist flew from nowhere into the stranger's nose.

Rescued from the relentless pounding, Lil straightened and stumbled back, gasping for breath. Amelia went to her, looking as if she wished she could pay the stranger back and unable to because of how close they were to Camelot.

Both of them searched for their mystery hero- and Lil couldn't help feeling a mixed rush of delight and concern when she realized it was Gwaine. She wasn't sure why she was so flattered he'd come to her aid- he'd sworn to after all, but still- as he stood there- suddenly sober and glaring at the other man like an enraged lion, she couldn't help a swell of admiration and shy hope that he may feel as strongly as she was beginning to.

The stranger meanwhile- a reasonably thick set man with light brown hair and bright blue eyes, was bent over and clutching his nose, which was streaming with blood. Ripping a strip of material from his once expensive tunic, the man rolled it into two twists and pressed them to the damaged area to stop the bleeding. Then he straightened to glare at his attacker.

Suddenly, the eyes of both men softened and widened, and the stranger grinned widely.

"Gwaine!"

Before anyone could react- and most of the inn had been staring to see how the encounter would result, the two men had embraced, heartily slapping each other's backs and laughing.

Gwaine pulled back, grasping his friend by the shoulders and surveying him eagerly. "Erec! How've you been?" He laughed. "Where've you been at that?"

Erec shrugged, smiling. "Anyhwere and everywhere my friend, and you?"

Gwaine grinned. "The same mostly."

Their little reunion was interrupted by two sharp resounding slaps, one for Gwaine, and the other for Erec.

Gwaine growled and Erec swore, even as the former turned to Amelia. "What was that for?"

Amelia's eyes narrowed. "My sister! You're friend hurt her, and now you don't seem to give a damn. Honestly, I didn't credit you with much, but I thought you might have a better character than this!"

Amelia finished with contempt and went over to Lilian, who was sat at one of the tables, sipping a cup of water and looking shellshocked. Gwaine's expression instantly clouded with guilt, and he went to go over, but Erec stopped him.

Lilian jumped a little when the stranger who'd pounded her so thoroughly knelt next to the table where she sat. Ignoring the daggers Amelia was glaring at him, Erec gently took Lil's hand in his.

"My Lady- my name is Erec, and I apologise sincerely for my deplorable conduct. I am afraid I was a little carried away with drink-"

"A little!" Amelia snorted, interrupting.

"- and meant you no harm." Erec persevered regardless, gazing entreatingly into Lil's face. "Please, if there's any way I can earn your forgiveness- or help you at all, let it be said, and I will endeavour to have it done."

Gwaine snorted. "You sound like a real knight Erec." It was clearly not meant as a compliment.

Erec ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed on Lil's face whilst she fidgeted with the cup. Luckily for her, only Amelia could see the water bubbling and dancing furiously as a result of the girl's agitation. Worried, Amelia flicked her twin on the back and the water settled instantly as Lil turned to Erec with a smile.

"It's alright- my name's Lilian, not 'my lady' and you're already forgiven- I guess you just gave me a bit of a fright. Still, I was wondering- we're headed to Camelot, and if you know of any accommodation near the city, or inside, my sister and I at least would be incredibly grateful."

Erec's face lightened. "I'm glad for your forgiveness Lilian, and as for accommodation- I know just the place." Lilian beamed and Erec beamed back, whilst both were watched disapprovingly by their friends and family respectively.

A while later, Amelia and Lilian were already outside the tavern, waiting next to some abandoned stocks with their packs on their shoulders whilst Gwaine said goodbye to his friend.

"You'll take care, won't you Erec?"

Gwaine's question was sincere, and the young man smiled with a nod and a wink.

"Of course." He paused. "You too Gwaine."

The dark man nodded gruffly. "Of course." He grinned a little, and went to go, but Erec grabbed his arm.

"They said you were banished in there- what are you doing? I couldn't stand to know you'd died if I could prevent it."

Smiling gently, Gwaine pulled his arm from the other's grip. "I'm afraid you couldn't prevent it however much you wanted to my friend- yes, I am exiled, but I have no plan to enter Camelot proper. It's just that…" Gwaine held his tongue as he glanced at the girls, realizing he'd nearly revealed their secret to a stranger. In an attempt at nonchalance, he shrugged.

"They need to be kept an eye on- who knows what kind of trouble they'll get themselves in."

Erec raised an eyebrow. "Never had you pinned as a bodyguard Gwaine."

The other's eyes were fixed on the girl's, specifically Lilian, and Erec grinned widely.

"Or a lover…"

Gwaine sighed deeply and met Erec's eyes. "Nor I."

X

"This is decent accommodation?" Though she was annoyed, Amelia's tone wasn't as biting as it could have been- the hut to which Erec had directed them was in reality a cosy little cottage, with a simple kitchen and even a living space, as well as two separate, reasonably spacious rooms- one for the girls and the other for Gwaine.

Unlocking the door, Gwaine stepped inside, surveying the place with some pleasure and sending Amelia an attempt at a disarming grin which failed miserably.

"It's not that bad."

Amelia rolled her eyes, but she didn't contradict him, and Lil and Gwaine counted even that as a minor victory.

Considerably more cheerful, Gwaine offered to fetch some firewood- leaving the girls inside to set up their things.

Lil moved to the window, looking up through the trees to where the citadel loomed impressively.

"It's so big." She murmured, eyes wide as she stared at the city, barely half a mile away.

Amelia joined her, taking her hand. "I know. Exciting though, don't you think?"

Lil grinned at her sister, seeing a genuine thrill in the other's features.

"We'll see Marcus soon!"

Lil squealed and flung her arms around her sister. "I know I know I know! Oh I can't wait! It's going to be brilliant!"

Amelia returned the embrace, laughing softly and not having the heart to contradict her twin, or voice her doubts.

Not much later, there was a fire in the hearth, and Gwaine settled down on one of the chairs, Lil next to him and Amelia opposite.

"You going to see him tonight then?"

Lil nodded excitedly. "I can't wait any longer, and she won't say it, but Mimi can't either!"

For once, Amelia didn't even reprimand her twin for the nickname- instead she nodded and smiled contently.

Gwaine frowned, trying to hide a hint of jealousy as he bore witness to Lil's growing excitement.

"What's so great about this guy anyway? How do you know he's not some lunatic pretending to be your friend?"

Lilian's expression instantly fell, and Gwaine bit the inside of his cheek before opening his mouth to make amends. Taking pity on him, Amelia spoke before he could.

"We don't." She said softly. "But-" She sighed,"He was our only friend. In the whole village- the only one who'd even talk to us. Even if it's merely to honour the memory of what he gave us- friendship- even if it's only that, we have to go."

Lilian nodded solemnly, and Gwaine raised his eyebrows- wondering why two girls as lovely as they were would have grown up so utterly alone. He supposed it must be to do with their magic- and not for the first time since he'd decided to keep their secret, wondered if the law wasn't as much of a curse on those born with magic as those who didn't have it were made to believe sorcery was.

He hesitantly took Lilian's hand, and she let him, blushing endearingly and trying to hide it by glancing down at her lap. He gently squeezed her fingers then met Amelia's eyes.

"Well, he's not the only one now, and, as a friend, I'd warn you to be careful." His eyes moved to Lil's and his voice dropped.

"For me?"

She nodded, smiling a little. "We always are."

X

Merlin wondered if there was ever going to be a time when Arthur and Gaius allowed him space to breathe. He doubted it. He'd only just finished mucking out the stables, polishing Arthur's armour, feeding the royal prat's hell hounds and cleaning his chambers when Gaius turns up and tells him to go get some herbs from the market- having the cheek to say he's been busy!

Merlin sighed and muttered something under his breath about good for nothing phyisicians, but secretly he appreciated the chance for a breath of fresh air and an escape from the castle. Deciding he might as well get over his annoyance, he grinned at a few servants rushing past to their duties, and they smiled easily back. Clumsy as he was- Merlin's cheeky, kind spirit had made him a popular figure with the other servants, not that he knew it.

Instead he looked around for Gaius' favourite herb seller- the old man managed to set up somewhere different every time, and Merlin was sure it was something to do with ensuing senility.

Pre-occcupied as he was with his task, he didn't notice twin auburn haired girls pushing through the crowd and barreling towards him as they nervously searched the faces of those around him.

He did notice when one of the girl's literally ran into him, the other fell over her companion, and both knocked him to the floor, sending them all into a chaotic heap. He also noticed a joint rush of magic which dissipated as quickly as it appeared.

Distracted suddenly, he glanced around for the source before realizing his position- flat on his back with two beautiful girls sprawled on top of him. From the corner of his eye he saw Tom, one of the stable hands, suppressing a laugh, and groaned- he'd not hear the end of this for a while.

Remembering his manners, Merlin looked into the face of the girl on his chest- she had beautiful waving auburn hair, and clear blue eyes- not nearly as bright as Arthur's, but somehow prettier anyway. He felt the tips of his ears start to go red and offered a grin.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Merlin- do you mind shifting a bit?"

The girl, who till now had seemed stunned into speechlessness by her own embarassment, turned to the girl on top of her who was nearly as beautiful, only with fierce green eyes instead.

"Lil, come on- get off."

Biting her lip 'Lil' scrambled off and held out a hand for the girl who had to be her sister. The girl stood and Merlin sprung to his feet before they could offer him a hand.

For a few moments they all pre-occupied themselves with brushing the mud and straw from their clothes and trying not to meet each other's eyes. At last, the blue eyed girl and Merlin looked up at the same time.

"Sorry, sir- I'm so-"

"Look, I really should have been paying attention-"

Both paused and smiled at each other, awkward but still relieved. Merlin held out his hand.

"Lets start again. I'm Merlin."

The girl's smile widened and her sister watched her with something akin to suspicion. Merlin wondered why.

"I'm Amelia, and as you probably figured out, this is my sister- Lilian."

Merlin nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. "Pleasure to meet you Amelia, and Lilian." He was surprised to find he meant it whole heartedly.

Amelia nodded, still blushing, and looked down at her feet, coughing a little before glancing back up at him. Merlin caught her embarrassment and rubbed the back of his neck.

"So….you new to Camelot?"

Thankful for the distraction, Amelia nodded. "Yes- actually, my friend and I are looking for someone, an old friend. His name is Marcus- he once lived in a village called Adel. Do you know of him?"

Merlin frowned a little, wondering what they could want with Marcus. He knew of the boy- who was a stable hand at the castle. But he was a bully- with a reputation for being particularly selfish and cruel. He wondered why two girls as lovely as these would ever consider him a friend.

Half heartedly he murmured. "You sure you mean Marcus? Not someone else?"

Amelia nodded. "Absolutely- you know him?" She couldn't help but try and figure out why this boy seemed so troubled. Or why she was so bothered that he was.

Merlin shrugged. "Yeah- um, I could take you to him if you like?" Gaius would understand…

Lilian and Amelia nodded eagerly, and Merlin reluctantly complied, leading them back up the street he'd just come down- though he couldn't help feeling a growing sense of foreboding. Something wasn't right here.

And then of course there was the magic he'd felt- and he couldn't help but think the two things were connected….

Oooh, so, will Merlin guess about their magic? Is Amelia interested in our favourite warlock? What kind of gossip is going to run wild about them? And how will the girl's meeting with Marcus go?

Tune in next time, and please do leave us comments, criticism, thoughts and guesses- all your feedback is massively appreciated,

Thanks again for reading- check out the next chap soon for Maz's contribution!

Kat