Hi everyone, thanks so much for the reviews they totally made my day. I have upped the rating to a T just to be safe- it gets a little more violent and maybe some less than nice words. This chapter was exceptionally hard due to what I put Gwaine through and I'm trying to not make him just the smiling drunkard we saw in later seasons. Oh and clearly by accident I let slip who Clarissant is, prob could of dragged it out longer, but as it is not my main focus -you may realize during this it isn't as big a revolution shock for the characters - so if you feel it was anti-climatic revealing it this way - sorry. More than enough is going on that you won't even notice it :). So I hope you enjoy this , as I said you wouldn't have to wait long :D hopefully the next chapter won't be far behind either and enough blabbing from me.

Oh and obviously I don't own Merlin , did I mention that already?

Chapter 4: Protection

Gwaine had no idea what to do. The situation he found himself in was out of his depth- a bar with ale and a fight between men he could handle. But having
those he cared about on either side had him unsure on how to proceed. His duty to his King, or the duty to his loved ones. His loyalty was to Arthur and
although he would not always treat him like most of his knights – he did have an honour to up hold. Clarissant had been incessant in her conversations with
him, even if Gwaine didn't want to discuss her involvement with her less than ideal companions. He didn't have a choice. The fact he had left their home
when he had and never returned until this moment, leaving her to defend for herself. Riddled him with the guilt he had had never quiet shaken. Since his
time away, Gwaine had changed. Being alone and living on what you had, had been a lonely existence. It wasn't until he had stumbled upon Arthur and Merlin
in the tavern that fateful day, when he found something more to his life that had been missing. In the time he had become a knight, he often considered
returning, if only to bring Clarissant back with him to Camelot. But every time he took one foot in the direction to return, he would get cold feet and
talk himself out of it. Thinking she was better off without him.

They had managed to have a civil conversation at the feast, and she had seemed to entertain the idea of mending their relationship. Once the business with
Annis was complete. Gwaine didn't know what Clarissant expected to happen, or what Queen Annis would likely do to please her anger. From Gwanie's
experience there was only one way this could end for either party and it wasn't something he wanted. All attempts at convincing Clarissant were failing. He
had spent the night pondering his next move, and so far had come up empty. Clarissant had in good faith told him about the location of the rebels'
encampment, and their plans to help those prisoners in the cells. Hoping he would take part when the time came. When it came to it Gwaine wasn't sure what
he would decide to do. He had yet to meet any members of the select rebel group, including the man who was responsible for the movement; Grant.

She had of course described the man to him in great detail. So it was when the stranger approached him, in the passage way flanked by two other strangers.
Gwaine knew exactly who he was dealing with.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Gwaine growled as Grant pushed him into the wall, the others surrounding him, cutting him off on either side.

"Just introducing myself. And taking the opportunity to get to know one of my new devoted followers to the cause" he smiled wickedly at Gwaine. Grant was
standing way too close for Gwaine's comfort, and the way he had said 'followers' made Gwaine's stomach heave . Something in his eyes rubbed Gwaine the
wrong way and an urgent desire to remove Clarissant from this man's grasp rippled through him.

"Funny way to introduce yourself. " He replied, resisting the urge to push the guy far from him.

"I'm making sure you understand what's at stake here. And that you are worthy of the information Clarissant has been supplying you with. I don't give a
damn who you are. I don't trust you."

"Likewise. " Gwaine said bluntly.

Grant's lip curled, "Then your first test is to get rid of your little friend."

Gwaine frowned in confusion "who are you –"he began, but was cut off mid-sentence.

"Don't play dumb with me; you know exactly who I'm talking about. The lanky servant who likes to snoop around in other people's business.
Melvin-Marvin-somebody-". Grant sneered, losing a little bit of the effect by stumbling over the name.

The colour drained out of Gwaine's face, Grant couldn't possibly mean Merlin could he? Why had Merlin suddenly gotten involved – there was no way he would
have been looking for this sort of trouble? Gwaine groaned internally, of course Merlin was involved. He was always involved and was the only one to pick
up on the less than friendly greeting he had received in the tavern that first night. He was brought back to the situation at hand and the more serious
nature of the threats that were not only aimed at him anymore.

"Ah, I can see that you do know who I'm talking about. " Grant announced, while crossing his arms in front of himself. "Deal with him, or we will do it
ourselves", the two thugs next to Grant popped their knuckles.

Gwaine bristled at the underlining threat.

These people meant business, if anything that he had heard from Clarissant was true, and he didn't doubt it was. They wouldn't hesitate to harm Merlin.
Grant's menacing stare bored into Gwaine, who returned it full force as he responded to him. "If you lay one hand on him, I swear -" Gwaine threatened,
hands balling into fists at his side, the urge to punch the man in the face increasing.

"You'll what Gwaine? There's nothing you can do. If you don't want your precious king to know the truth. "

"Go ahead and tell him, then I can –"

"Tut Tut, Gwaine. Don't forget Clarissant . Do you want to see your sister executed to pay for your mistakes?"

"You wouldn't dare?" Gwaine growled out.

"We wouldn't have to do anything. Get rid of the nosey one or there will be consequences for all" there was a ringing as the final warning was given.
Gwaine had placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and an ugly snarl twisted his mouth. Gwaine had endured far worse numbers than this before; he was
willing to bet he could take the three surrounding him. Before he had a chance to leap at the bastard, Grant was pushed to the side and a voice broke the
glaring competition.

"Is everything alright here gents?" Percival's cool expression broke the tension. Glancing from Gwaine to Grant in a calculating way.

"Just fine "Gwaine strained out, now he had better odds.

It seemed Grant wasn't game to try to take on the large man and Gwaine. He sneered at Gwaine "Don't forget what I said; hope we can do it again sometime."

"You can count on it" Gwaine replied in a steely tone.

Grant turned abruptly, his two men following in his wake.

Percival watched Grant leave, before flicking his eyes to Gwaine. The normally carefree Knight was more relaxed now, but his tight grip on the hilt of his
sword was a clear indicator not all was right. Percival had yet to say anything to Gwaine, when the shorter man gave a huff and his shoulders slumped
slightly. "Just a disagreement on gambling, "Gwaine shrugged smiling up at his friend.

Percival just nodded "I'll say. Maybe you should avoid the taverns just this once?" he quirked an eyebrow at the shorter man.

"Percival, you might just be right "Gwaine smiled, clapping the man on the arm and turned away.

Gwaine's tight grip on the sword hilt didn't move as he stomped away. Searching himself to find a solution to keep Merlin and Clarissant safe. Without
exposing his secrets in the process to the King; or anyone else.

Gwaine had been avoiding Merlin the entire day. Succeeding until the late afternoon, when he rounded the corner and found himself directly in front of the
young man. Groaning to himself, Merlin was the last person he wanted to see right now. He still hadn't worked out how to keep the young man out of danger.
It was too late for Gwaine to slip away undetected; the servant had already seen him.

"Gwaine!" the young man called, "I've been looking all over for you."

"Why so? Do you fancy another night in the tavern? I would be happy to oblige."

Merlin quirked a smile, "Umm-No thank you, I think one night was enough. Arthur really would put me in the dungeon for that."

"Ah, well that's a shame. If there is nothing more. I have Knightly duties to attend to-." Gwaine tried to make a quick escape, but was stopped from
Merlin.

"Gwaine Wait! I know what's going on."

Cringing internally, Gwaine turned around to give him a confused look, his eyebrow rising. "Whatever do you mean? Nothing's going on that I know of. Unless
you count Percival's unhealthy habit of not wearing sleeves"

Merlin frowned at his friend "That's not even remotely funny?"

"Oh, but Merlin it is –"Gwaine was aware, that Merlin was becoming increasingly annoyed at him. But anything to keep off the topic of what he was going to
bring up. It was not lost on the Knight that he found himself in a role reversal; usually it was Merlin deflecting a topic and himself to help the lad.
Gwaine's own fear beginning to surface, that Merlin would get himself killed if involved with his problems. It wasn't that he didn't think the boy was
capable of much more than Arthur ever gave him credit for, it was just something he wasn't prepared to take the chance on.

"Gwaine!" Merlin let out exasperated "I know you are involved with this rebel group causing panic in the city. I saw you with that girl, Clarissant, from
the tavern after the incident. I know she –"

Gwaine scoffed loudly cutting Merlin off, "You know nothing about her, and she is just a girl from the tavern. I don't know what you think you saw, but
there's nothing going on. "He bit back allowing his voice to take on a slightly gruff tone in his panic, he was starting to get desperate. How the hell was
he supposed to prevent Merlin from following him and to stay out of trouble?

"Gwaine, I can help you. Please. You're keeping secrets –"Merlin was pleading for Gwaine to see reason.

Gwaine frowned as he caught the fated words that reminded him of their conversation from the tavern. Merlin had allowed his own weakness to slip past lose
lips. Gwaine hated doing this, but he couldn't tell Merlin, the kid would be in too great of danger. This was Gwaine's mess and he wasn't going to put
Merlin at risk.

There was only one thing the Knight could do, but it broke his heart to have to resort to those kinds of tactics. He could lose Merlin's friendship
forever. Steeling himself and plastering a scowl on his face, internally screaming in his head that this was stupid.

"You're one to talk, Merlin, I think you have so many secrets, yet you never tell anyone else. Don't stand there and lecture me on keeping secrets when you
are no better. "Gwaine all but shouted in Merlin's face, pushing his finger into the young man's chest to press home each point. He almost lost his
composure in the face of Merlin's crumpled expression. The boy's eyes were moist and it was tearing Gwaine apart. It just proved that the things he was
saying were cutting Merlin deep and obviously had some truth in them. Gwaine didn't care that the boy had secrets; everyone had something they wanted to
hide. Regardless he was doing it for the boy's protection.

Merlin had yet to say anything; it seemed the young man had lost the ability to speak. His mouth was wordlessly gaping open and closed. It was only a
moment later that his head dropped down to look at his feet, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Keep out of other people's business, they don't concern you." Gwaine ended the altercation pushing past the young man and bumping his shoulder lightly
into him. It caught Merlin off balance and he stumbled backwards landing on the ground. Gwaine's step faulted, it took everything he had not to turn
around, he hadn't meant to knock Merlin to the ground. Hunching in on himself repeating a martyr that it was all for Merlin's own good. He almost missed
the soft murmur from the young man, "If you need help Gwaine I will still be here."

Gwaine shook his head and hurried away from him, his heart shattering at what he had done.

Once Gwaine had fled from Merlin, he found himself sitting on the stone steps in the afternoon sun. The knight was bent over holding his head in his hands,
hair being pulled through his fingers. He was aware of Percival coming to sit beside him.

The large knight didn't say anything, just sat next to his friend waiting…

Gwaine had almost hoped that Merlin would come after him and he would be able to just tell him everything, maybe then he could help. Gwaine clenched his
teeth together, it was not mean to be and Merlin shouldn't be involved in Gwaine's problems.

But the look on Merlin's face as he threw back the boys own words. At least he would be safe. Without looking up he mumbled out loud, "Merlin hates me, I
will be lucky if he ever wants to speak to me again."

"Merlin could never hate you Gwaine." Percival replied softly.

Gwaine shook his head in response denying the words "You didn't see him. I completely shattered him. I threw his own words back in his face and even
knocked him to the ground." The dejected tone tumbling from his lips, he slumped even more into himself. "I acted just like Arthur does. I'm the one Merlin
should be calling a prat."

Percival sighed, "I'm sure you did it for a good reason, and you know Merlin. I've never known him to hold a grudge. Whatever you said to him, I'm sure he
will forgive you and in time it will be like this never happened."

Gwaine lifted his head slightly to look at Percival, with dull eyes "How can you say that? I may have irreparably damaged our friendship for ever! Did I
tell you he was my first real friend after I left home, almost twelve years ago? He's like the little brother I never had." a sad smile gracing his face in
light of the over whelming emotions. He turned away to stare out to the forest beyond.

"Merlin means a lot to you Gwaine and I'm sure whatever is going on – no don't tell me-", Percival started as Gwaine went to open his mouth. "- I don't
want to know. I am sure you of all people would be able to find a way to apologise for any misgivings. Or you can just sit here and feel sorry for
yourself. It's not like you ever shy away from a fight".

Percival's words rang true in Gwaine's ears.

He let out a harsh bark of laughter at the irony. Maybe Merlin would forgive him, but he would never feel comfortable revealing his own secrets when Gwaine
failed to share his own. But if he could safely get Clarissant away from Grant, then we could rebuild his friendship by telling Merlin the truth.

He had wanted to punch the slimly git; Grant, in the face from earlier that morning, and the odds had never stopped him before. Standing up straight, a new
resolve coming over him, "Thank you Percival, my friend "he replied.

A nod from Percival in recognition as he too stood. "Do you need help?" he asked.

"Not this time. It's something I have to do on my own." And with that final statement Gwaine walked out of the city and into the forest in the name of
family.