Hello again. I'm really glad that so many people have read this story and followed it, listed it as a favourite or written a review. It means a lot to me, knowing that other people enjoy my writing. Without further ado, here is Chapter 4!

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or any of the characters.

Gwaine strode into the armoury, surprised but pleased to find Percival in there.

"So." He grinned at the large knight. "When are you coming back to training?" Percival looked up from where he had been inspecting his sword.

"Not for another couple of days", he said, straightening up as he turned to face his friend. "Gaius says I have to wait until my arm's fully healed." His tone made it clear that he would have preferred to be training than resting, but he respected the old physician and knew from experience that for the wounds to heal properly, he needed to follow Gaius' instructions. Gwaine grinned, leaning back against a bench with his arms folded.

"Why all this fuss for a scratch?" he asked brazenly. Percival looked at his friend, surprised at Gwaine's attitude.

"Gaius knows best", he reminded the dark haired knight, but Gwaine simply shrugged. Percival stood, looking at Gwaine confusedly. "What's wrong with you?" Gwaine looked surprised.

"What do you mean?" he asked, tossing his hair casually. Percival frowned. Gwaine was carefree and loved a joke, but he always knew when to be serious.

"Gwaine, you've been different ever since we got back from the hunting trip", Percival said bluntly. He leaned towards his friend, lowering his voice. "I would understand if you were worried about Merlin, but from what I heard he's terrified that you'll hurt him. This isn't you."

"I don't know what you mean", Gwaine said, flashing a (forced) grin at his friend.

"What do you know about Merlin?" Percival asked, slowly and clearly. Gwaine's smile froze on his face and he abruptly stood, backing away from the larger knight.

"What did you hear?" he asked quietly.

"When I went to see Gaius for my arm, Merlin was crying out in his sleep. He was saying your name." Percival slowly advanced towards his friend. "He was pleading with you not to tell someone something. He said that if you told them he would be killed. I don't know what is going on, but Merlin is your friend and I can't believe you would betray him." Gwaine stared at his friend, shell-shocked, and Percival raised his hands to show that he was not a threat.

"Gwaine, please. What do you know about Merlin?"

Gwaine swallowed, stunned. Percival was right, he couldn't betray his friend. He didn't know what to do about Merlin's secret, but he couldn't do anything without talking to Merlin first. He owed him that much. Percival was still staring at him, waiting for an answer, and Gwaine briefly contemplated telling him what he had seen. Percival could help him figure out what to do. Gwaine shook his head. Like Percival himself had said; he couldn't betray his friend. Gwaine took a step backwards, then turned and ran from the room.

….

Gwen knocked on the door and entered the chambers that she and Arthur shared. Her husband was standing by the window, staring out into the courtyard below like he often did when he was worried or thinking about something. The Queen smiled as she made her way over to him and reached up to kiss his cheek. He turned to face her and pressed his lips against hers, savouring the kiss. Gwen pulled away and smiled up at him. He smiled back before turning to stare out of the window once more.

"Arthur." Gwen was watching him in concern. "Elyan told me about Merlin. Have you heard from Gaius?" Almost immediately a change came over Arthur. His body tensed and a shutter fell over his eyes, blocking her from viewing his true feelings.

"Gaius has cleansed the wounds; he should make a full recovery in time", the King stated emotionlessly. Gwen searched his face for a sign of emotion, looking deep into his sapphire blue eyes, but he had closed his heart to her and she drew back with a sigh, knowing that this was something he would have to overcome on his own. Merlin was the only one who could help him at a time like this, and Merlin couldn't help in his current condition. A small, sad smile played about her lips. She knew that when Merlin recovered her husband would return to his usual self. She would just have to be patient and let him know that she was there for him, no matter what.

She turned to leave but turned back and impulsively put her arms around Arthur, drawing him close to her. He hesitated for a moment, surprised, but soon relaxed and clutched her to him, taking comfort in her presence and her touch. The two did not need words to express their love for each other, and sometimes a simple embrace was all the communication that was needed.

….

Leon watched anxiously as Arthur ducked under a blow from Elyan, only just in time. The King could usually beat his brother-in-law with ease, but he had been distracted as of late and it was showing in his combat skills. Leon sincerely wished that no bandits or mercenaries would attempt an attack any time soon, as Arthur's sword work was getting steadily worse as the days wore on.

He knew the reason for the King's preoccupation. Merlin was still recovering from his encounter with the invisible beast and had not yet been able to leave his bed. Gaius had assured them that he would make a full recovery in time, but that time evidently was not soon enough for Arthur. And as well as worrying about his friend he was worried about what to do if the creature struck again. Without being able to see the creature they had no way of fighting it, or even defending themselves if it were to attack.

Percival had returned to training the day before, but the large knight seemed strangely distant and had hardly spoken – although he had never been a man of many words. Gwaine had also been usually silent – although Leon put this down to his being worried about Merlin – and without the two of them the playful banter that all of the knights generally enjoyed was gone. Elyan was the only other who seemed to share Leon's worries, but the dark knight had never been much of a talker and preferred to keep to himself, not wanting to pry. Leon knew that he had spoken to Gwen when they returned from the hunt and explained the situation to her. He also knew that the Queen would help Arthur through the difficult time, but Merlin and Arthur had never had the typical master/servant relationship and Leon could tell how worried the King was about his servant; the man he considered a friend and brother.

Watching fixedly as Elyan managed to disarm the King, forcing him to his knees, Leon took a deep breath. Something had to be done.

….

Gwaine paced back and forth in his chambers, thoughts swirling through his head. He had skipped training that day, making an excuse about feeling unwell although he was sure Arthur thought that he had gone to the tavern.

He needed some time to think. If he was truthful, he had always known that there was something different about Merlin. But he had never thought that the something was magic. Gwaine had travelled to many kingdoms, including those which welcomed sorcerers as powerful allies, but he had lived in Camelot for years now and took for granted the laws that had stood for over 25 years – as did many of the kingdom's citizens. But there was more to Gwaine's distrust of magic than what he had learnt in Camelot – circumstances that went back to his infancy and early childhood.

He took a deep breath, sinking down onto his bed with a sigh of frustration and sadness. He wanted to help his friend – wanted to see the old Merlin that he had known and liked instead of seeing a dangerous sorcerer every time he looked at the man's trademark neckerchief, head of short, dark hair sticking up all over his head and that perpetually cheerful grin. He wanted to know that Merlin using magic didn't change who he was, that he was still the same man he had always been. He wanted to believe that magic was not inherently evil.

But he couldn't.

Hi! You will find out in the next chapter why Gwaine doesn't trust those with magic, and will have the insight into his past as promised.