I don't own Merlin. This was written for fun and will not be used to gain money or fame. All rights belong to the BBC. Based on the end of season 5 episode 6. Disregards most of season 5 but may have possible spoilers. "Speech" Thoughts.

As Gwaine walked away from Elyans chambers he was lost in thought. What had Merlin so upset? I'll have to ask him tomorrow. He's my first and best friend he should know he can always come to any of us if something is bothering him. With his mind made up he made his way over to the tavern where the rest of the knights were enjoying relaxing after teh stress of the last few days.

"Gwaine, you're back. Did you find Merlin and Elyan?" Leon asked. He was still feeling guilty over the accusation he made about Gwen and Merlin.
"Yeah, I found them. They were in Elyans chambers, Merlin was crying." Gwaine explained as he sat down, ordering another tankard of mead as the waitress passed.
"What, why was he crying?" Percival asked worriedly. All the knights cared for Merlin, even Arthur, none of them liked the idea of Merlin being hurt or upset.
"He said it was because it is the anniversary of the death of his friend from Ealdor, but there was something else, something he's keeping secret." Gwaine told the others. They were sat in the corner away from the rest of the customers. They always did this whenever they came back from a quest. It meant they could talk about anything without being bothered.
"That doesn't surprise me. He never tells anyone anything he doesn't want them to know." Percival replied.
"What do you mean?" Gwaine asked confused.
"Who do you know the most about out of the 8 of us?" Percival asked.
"8?" Leon questioned.
"Yeah, you, me, Gwaine, Gauis, Gwen, Elyan, Arthur and Merlin." Percival explained.
"Probably Arthur" Leon replied and looked to Gwaine to answer.
"Yeah I'd say Arthur as well." Gwaine said still wondering where the conversation was going. In his defence he had drank a lot. Percival sighed.
"Now who do you know the least about?" He asked.
"Merlin," Leon told them finally understanding.
"And you Gwaine?" Percival asked.
"Well...Merlin I suppose." He admitted defeated. Percival grinned. They finally realised what he saw. He wasn't trying to make Merlin out to be sly or a liar. "We're going to have to change that." Gwaine said with conviction causing the other two to laugh.
"What did you have in mind?" Leon asked. Percival took a swig of his mead and lent forward, eager to listen to 'The Plan'.
"We can start by talking about some childhood memories during training and invite him into the conversation afterwards?" Leon suggested looking at the other two for confirmation.
"Good, good. We can also ask him questions about some of the things we've done. Get his view on them and make him more comfortable around us?" Gwaine suggested.
"I think we should get Arthur, Gwen and Elyan involved as well. If things get too out of hand both Gwen and Elyan can help me keep you two under control. Also Arthur can help because he's always around Merlin." Percival explained.
"That's actually a really good idea, and we can get more information if there's more of us. We can't tell Gauis though, he'll tell Merlin." Gwaine said then downed the rest of his drink and went to order another one.

After Gwaine left Percival turned to Leon.
"Watch the way he answers the questions. I have a feeling he isn't going to answer all the questions and we might have to stop Arthur an Gwaine pushing him too much."
"Why? Won't pushing him show him we care?" Leon asked.
"Not if we push him too much, that will tell him we don't trust him." Percival finished just as Gwaine came back. Leon nodded showing his acceptance and the trio began planning on ways they could get Arthur, Gwen and Elyan involved with their master plan, 'Get-to-know-Merlin-without-him-realising-what-we' re-doing'.
"The name needs work." Gwaine comented and the others laughed and agreed.

Sorry this is a short chapter. I wasn't sure what the other characters were going to do for a while and this helped. I've finished school now so there should be more updates.