Disclaimer: IDOM

Okay, super sorry this took too long. I could give you a thousand excuses, but I think 5x13 would be the most plausible one. After all that, I seriously found it difficult to write bromance scenes, with the exception of fix-it stories. Seriously, that episode scatted my feels so much, that after three weeks I still can't watch a Merlin episode yet. *wails* If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about, and if you haven't... you just have to see it. ;) They had better make the movies!

*coughs* Sorry, I get a bit crazy with my fandoms. :D

Hope you like it:

Chapter 10: Truths

At times our light goes out and is rekindled by a spark by another person. Each one of us has cause to think deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Because I have a brother, I will always have a friend.

After they'd finished breakfast, Guinevere followed her daughter-who'd insisted on leading-down the long, sun licked corridors. Soft sunlight came in through the open windows and the queen slowed her step to take a deep breath of the fresh air that filled the corridor. She closed her eyes and exhaled, feeling more refreshed and suddenly felt a tug on her hand.

"Come on, Mother!" Abigail wined, sounding every bit like a petulant child as her golden curls flashed in ample sunlight and making her natural highlights glow abundantly. "We have to get Gavin!"

Gwen let out a breath of laughter and smiled happily at a passing servant, whom of which, glanced happily between the queen and her daughter.

"They're a handful at that age, aren't they?"

The queen nodded, not at all surprised that the servant spoke without being spoken to. It was well-known that she had once been a humble servant herself and the people had no qualms in speaking with her about anything. "They sure are," she answered, one-half amused exasperation and one-half pleasant fondness.

The maidservant giggled and went on her way, adjusting the sheets she carried in her arms. Gwen turned back to her daughter as she pulled on her hand again. "This way!"

"Abigail," she said, snatching her hand back with a teasing smirk. "I know where the knight's quarters are."

The young girl only spared her a glance, her lips pursed even as a wide grin pulled on them. Then she abruptly turned another corner and skipped down that one as the hem of her dress bounced with every step.

"Abby," she hissed humorously, "slow down!"

Abigail only giggled and knocked on a door at her left. "Gavin! It's Abigail!"

A crackly voice answered, "Come in!"

The young princess pushed the door open as the handle jangled and Guinevere finally caught up with her as she disappeared through the dark door frame. Gwen stepped into the threshold of the room and closed the door behind her quietly and with both hands on the dark wooden structure. As soon as she heard the handle click in place, she turned around as the hem of her dress dragged on the floor, and jumped at the tall figure standing behind her.

Her hand flew to her chest as she recognized the bearded knight and, brown eyes still wide with surprise, breathed out. "Gwaine! For heaven's sake!"

The knight slipped his blue tunic over his muscled chest and grinned teasingly, half-bowing with mock-respect. "I'm sorry, my lady, I didn't mean to startle you."

Guinevere took in his ruffled hair and glazed, deep auburn eyes and guessed that he probably just woke up. She rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. "You are horrible, Gwaine… I hope we didn't wake you up."

Gwaine stood to his full height and smiled as he adjusted his tunic. "Not at all, Gwen. I live to see your beautiful face in the morning."

The queen let out a sharp laugh. "You're married, and you're still a flirt."

The knight bowed again. "Only with you, my lady, seeing as you, too, are married."

"How does that make any sense?" Gwen giggled as she narrowed her eyes with laughter and spread her hands slightly.

Gwaine let out his own guffaw of laughter and leaned over a table to examine a piece of parchment. "Beats me."

"Where're the children?" Guinevere asked.

Just as she said it, Abigail ran into the room squealing as Gavin chased her, still dressed in his dark-colored nightclothes. The young girl ran behind her mother and clutched at her lavender dress, giggling as she dodged behind her. Gavin bobbed left and right, looking for an opening.

"Mother, help!" Abigail squealed.

Guinevere smirked as she craned her neck to try and keep up with her daughter's jerkish movements. "Abigail! Stop that!"

With one last jerk of her purple skirts, Abigail squealed and ran the other way as Gavin bounced around the queen and chased after her, bare feet slapping against the grey stone floor as childish laughter filled the air.

Guinevere giggled. "Abigail suggested Gavin and herself helping with Merlin's time travel research…"

Gwaine looked up from the parchment he was reading over. "Hm, not a bad idea… How's that coming anyway?"

The queen laid her slender hands on the table and leaned against it. "I know as much as you do, but I don't think they've found anything yet."

The knight gestured to a chair and Gwen gratefully sat as Gwaine did the same across from her, dragging over a half-eaten platter of food that the queen had failed to notice. "You don't mind if I-"

Gwen cupped the side of her face in her hand, her wavy brown hair slaying against her magenta sleeve. She grinned, "Go ahead, Gwaine, it's not like you've never eaten in front of me before."

Gwaine grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he picked at a chicken breast. "It looks as though Gavin's already destroyed half of it."

As if hit by a sudden though, Guinevere looked up and her alert eyes scanned the room. "Where'd they go anyway?"

"Probably in the corridor," Gwaine answered, swallowing. "No, don't worry," he said when Gwen looked like she was going to say something, "Gavin knows not to go too far."

The queen, seemingly satisfied, crossed her arms in front of her and set her head delicately in her folded arms. "It's not Gavin I'm worried about."

Gwaine, sensing Gwen's restlessness, scrunched his thick eyebrows as he plopped a light green grape in his mouth. "'Gail?"

Guinevere unfocused her eyes and Gwaine's chicken blurred, now a lump of tanned brown surrounded by deep blue blobs of blueberries and a small mound of green grapes. She smirked and refocused her eyes. "Maybe, or maybe I'm just being paranoid."

The elder hesitated before eating another slice of chicken."…Merlin?"

Gwen closed her deep auburn eyes and sighed. "Probably…"

Gwaine nodded. "So do you know what Arthur wanted to talk to Merlin about this morning?"

The queen's eyebrows scrunched. "What?"

"The 'hunting' trip. Merlin told me about it last night."

"Oh," she said, letting out another breath. "I only heard this morning. Yes, I know… some of it at least."

"And?"

Gwen sat up a bit straighter. "Well, the nightmares for one."

"He hopes to find the cause?"

The queen pointed her eyebrow, staring thoughtfully, and yet sightlessly at the wooden table. "We think we know the cause."

A blueberry stopped halfway between the plate and Gwaine's mouth as he scrunched his eyebrows. "What?"

Gwen leaned back into her still folded arms. "Remember right before Merlin disappeared he was in the Vaults?"

Gwaine nodded, still looking perplexed.

"And later we told you that he'd looked into the Crystal of Neatid?"

The knight's eyebrows flew up as sudden realization hit him. "You think that's…"

"Yes," she answered simply. She took a grape from Gwaine's tray and rolled it between her fingers. "It's only been a few days for him, and obviously whatever he saw hasn't come to pass yet, or he wouldn't be having these nightmares. I think that's how it works anyway."

Gwaine nodded in agreement. "It makes sense… I know he was going to talk to Merlin about Morgana too."

Gwen bobbed her head. "Good. He needs to know."

Then Gwaine paused and narrowed his eyes at the queen. He noticed the slight tenseness of her brow and the way she stared sightlessly at the grape she had between her lithe fingers. "…There's something else isn't there?"

The queen's eyes snapped to him in surprise as they were pulled out of the trance. She blinked and refocused her gaze on the knight. "Well, Merlin's been acting a little strange…"

Gwaine grinned and swallowed another bite. "What else is new?"

A smile pulled at Gwen's own lips as she rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant. I meant, that he's been acting like he's ill lately. You know, random times when his eyes become unfocused, or when he sways a little but catches himself-"

"-before he thinks anyone notices?" Gwaine sighed. "Yes, I know. I'm sure he's fine, Gwen. I'm sure Gaius knows about it and is handling it. You shouldn't worry about it. You've got a kingdom to run, after all."

Gwen sighed. "I know, but I can't help it; it's Merlin."

"Little brother to us all, I guess," he smiled softly.

"Very little brother if we're both at least twelve years older than him now."

Gwaine laughed. "I suppose you're right."

"Mother!" Abigail ran up to them, startling them both as they sat up straighter. "Gavin's dressing."

Gwen smirked and fixed her daughter's hair. "Alright." Then to Gwaine, "It seems we'll be going soon."

Gwaine stood. "I might as well come, too. The Princess isn't here to scold me for missing practice after all."

"Gwaine!"

Abigail laughed with her mother.

"What?" He gave her an innocent grin. "I think the king would appreciate the help."

"Alright," Gwen caved.

A pair of bare feet came running towards them. Gavin stopped at the table and pulled his boots over his feet. "I'm ready!"

"Good," Gwaine said easily. "Let's go then."

The queen nodded. "Gaius should be back from his rounds by now. If he's not, we can just wait for him."

With that, the foursome left Gwaine's chambers and headed for the Court Physician's.

They didn't stop until around mid-morning, even though they still hadn't caught anything.

"I blame you," Arthur quipped with a smirk.

Merlin scoffed and fought a grin. "Me? Why me? You're the 'master hunter'. All I ever catch on these trips is a cold."

"I wonder why…?"

Merlin rolled his eyes, not deigning to answer his Once and Future King.

"Come on, let's get a fire started. It's chilly."

The manservant turned sorcerer swung his leg off of his mare and let gravity do the rest until his boots collided with the leafy ground. With mirth in his eyes, he glanced at Arthur between trying to untie the saddlebags. "And you wonder why I get colds."

Arthur laughed and undid his own saddlebags before setting them down next to the place he'd apparently picked for the campfire. Merlin gathered some sticks that were lying around and piled them on top of one another before lighting it with the flint.

The king's brow furrowed. "Why don't you use magic?"

Merlin threw him an amused glance over his shoulder as he stoked the growing flame. "Habit, I suppose. Besides, I don't want to use my magic for everything, it becomes meaningless then."

"What do you mean?" Arthur asked curiously.

Merlin grinned and scooted backwards a few feet and grabbed his share of venison from the supply bag. "Well, if I use if I use it too much-like for small tasks-then the whole of it loses it's real purpose-which is mostly to protect you-then it's used more for convenience than what it's meant for. And I don't want to become dependent-well, more dependent-on my magic than I already am."

Arthur studied his friend's vacant expression as his eyes clouded ever so slightly as he stared sightlessly into the fire. "You're thinking of when you couldn't use your magic, aren't you?"

His own mind flashed with images of twelve years ago, a time which, for Merlin, he supposed, was only a few weeks ago, when Morgana and Merlin had battled it out in the forest and his sister had unknowingly poisoned Merlin's magic, making it so that he couldn't use it without feeling extreme pain.

The servant nodded, thinking. "I guess. A little. It's not an easy thing to forget."

"No kidding," Arthur answered, giving Merlin a small smile.

He grinned wider, thinking also that it was because of that event that Arthur and his friend's learned the truth about him: about his magic and everything he'd done for them with it. It was when they'd accepted him.

Laughing, Merlin took another bit out of the venison strip and took a drink of his water. Then his grin faltered and a more serious expression overcame the laughter in his tanzanite colored eyes. Arthur saw it and felt a sudden prick of concern and anxiety in his heart.

"What's wrong?" he asked, leaning a little closer.

Merlin glanced up at him, surprise fluttering across his face as if, when he's been spacing out, he'd forgotten about his companion. His mouth opened to reply but the king began talking first.

"And don't say nothing," Arthur added. "There is something. I saw it in your eyes."

Merlin gave him a wry smile and glanced down at his hands. "I'm not sure. I just have this funny feeling…"

"What kind of feeling? Most of your 'funny feelings' mean something bad is happening."

The warlock snorted with humor. "Yes, Arthur, because my traveling in time in the first place is completely normal. It's no wonder I have a funny feeling."

"It's nothing to do with the Crystal of Neatid, then?"

Merlin sputtered and choked on the water he'd been drinking and swallowed less than gracefully. "What?"

If Arthur hadn't wanted to keep the tone of this conversation serious, he would have laughed at Merlin's shocked expression. So instead, he ran a hand through his lightening blonde hair and sat back against the tree he was leaning on. "I wanted to talk to you about that actually. Yes, Merlin," he said at Merlin's inquiring face, "I remember the incident with the Crystal the day you disappeared. And I also know that for you, it was only a few days ago."

Merlin took in a breath to argue the point, but his mind seemed to stop working so he stared into the cracking fire and picked at a stick in his hands. What could he say? That it wasn't a big deal? That he'd already forgotten the images? He didn't want to lie about it anymore. He'd promised his Arthur-this Arthur-that he wouldn't anymore. So, that still left the question; what did he say?

Arthur himself seemed to notice how he didn't know how to answer and, unseen to Merlin, fond humor lit his fond eyes, because how often was it that Merlin was at a loss for words? The king sighed and leaned a bit loser as the firelight made his hair shine. "How about you tell me about this feeling of yours?"

The warlock gave him a small grateful smile as his mind slowly began to turn again. His mind ran over the feelings of the past few days, of last night. He wanted so much to ignore the queasy feeling in his stomach, but he knew that was important too. "I… I don't know." He huffed out a breath of frustration and used his hands to gesture. "It's like anticipation, but dread at the same time."

Off to the side, Arthur's face morphed into something more concerned and anxious, even though Merlin didn't see it. The servant continued; "I feel like something's happening and the dreams last night-"

"What dreams?"

Merlin looked at Arthur, half-surprised by the interruption and swallowed as he realized what he'd said. Now how did he explain this? "Last night, I dreamed… it wasn't even a dream, it was more of a conglomeration of memories. But they all had you in them… or the feeling of you."

"Feeling of me?"

The servant smacked his lips together, brow furrowing. "It was like you weren't there, but I was still thinking of you, so you were, in a sense… I guess."

"Oh. And so this feeling of 'anticipated dread,' as you said, is directed towards me?"

Merlin rubbed his face ran a hand through his obsidian black hair. "I guess. Maybe? I don't know."

"Well, what did you see in the crystal?"

The warlock ran a hand through his hair. He knew this was coming, whether it come from his Arthur, or this future one. "It was, um…" He looked at Arthur, using his hand to gesture. "I remember the feelings more than the images, but, there was… you, and everyone else when we were first reunited in the Throne Room." Merlin's brow scrunched as he tried to re-call the images. "There was Kilgharrah… and… something happened. Something bad, and…"

"Hey, are you okay? You're a bit paler than usual…"

The servant shook his head slowly, which only made Arthur lean forward and lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Merlin?"

Arthur saw beads of sweat break out on Merlin's temples as his hands begin shaking, and he entangled them in his dark hair. "Merlin?" he said more forcefully, with more fear.

"I-" he tried. He took two deep breaths, feeling as if a weight on his chest was crushing him. "I-"

Arthur, with his worry unhidden on his slightly aged but ever handsome face, pulled Merlin into an awkward embrace with him kneeling in front of Merlin. He could hear the boy's short gasps of air next to his ear and he could feel Merlin's shaking body as he pulled him closer, willing whatever was happening to stop. It soon did, and Merlin, still fidgety, pulled back.

"I'm fine," he offered in a small voice.

Arthur gripped his arms, both to steady him and to keep him focused on his voice. "Merlin, what was that?"

The warlock shook his head again, "'Don't know… T-that was worse…"

Arthur stepped back and grabbed a water skin before giving it back to Merlin. "Worse than what?"

"Last time."

"Last time?"

"Arthur-"

"What do you mean last time?"

"Arthur, I'm sick."

The king wanted to retort with, 'Well, I can see that,' but somehow he couldn't get the words past his lips. Instead, he blurted: "What?"

"The time travel…" Merlin said as he tried to draw in a calming breath. "It's making me sick."

"Abs," Gavin hissed. "Where're we going?"

Abigail just pulled harder on his hand and tugged him behind a large and dusty bookshelf, her eyes alight with excitement. She let go of his hand and peered back around the tall shelf to make sure they hadn't been followed and then leaned in closer to Gavin. "I have an idea," she whispered.

Gavin scrunched his eyebrow as his green eyes flinted with curiosity and wariness. "What?"

The young girl pushed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear and used her arms to gesture. "We could use a searching spell."

Recognition flooded Gavin's eyes as Abigail's excitement snuck its' way into him as well. It would certainly save time. They could use the spell, find the book, and they're parents problem would be over. But how…? Doubt filtered through Gavin's eyes. "How do we get a searching spell?"

Then Abigail grabbed at her sleeve, widening the wrist hole as she pulled out a crinkled piece of paper. Gavin's brow relaxed as a grin pulled at his lips. Abigail unfolded the paper and Gavin saw the messy scribbling in black ink.

"I copied it from one of Gaius' spell books when we went to see him."

Gavin snatched the thin paper out her hand and brought it closer to his face to decipher the scribbles. Then the smile on his lips wavered as his brow came together again. "I can't do this; it's too complicated."

Abigail crossed her arms over her narrow chest, grinning teasingly. "Come on, Gavin, you can do it."

"No," Gavin said, "I can't. Why can't we ask Uncle Gaius to-"

"-because they're not using it, so he obviously didn't think about it. Come on, Gavin. How much fun will it be to find the book and be the hero's, hm?"

Memories of his father's tales an through his head, and even though this was on a much smaller scale than his stories, determination fluttered in Gavin's stomach as he stared at the spell once more. He glanced at Abigail and nodded; she let out a small squeal of excitement and jumped to stand next to him as he mouthed the words, getting the feel for them.

"Come on!" Abigail prompted.

Gavin pushed her away a little. "Will you hold on. We don't know what could happen if I get this wrong. And there's no guarantee that I can actually do this."

"Uncle Gaius said you're powerful, so it must be true," the young girl encouraged.

Gavin rolled his emerald eyes but smiled fondly at his friend before reciting the spell aloud. "Gemētan sēo bōc ic cunnian."

Nothing happened.

Abigail nudged him. "Try again; Gaius said it took Uncle Merlin several times to learn a new spell."

Gavin nodded and cleared his throat, speaking more forcefully: ""Gemētan sēo bōc ic cunnian."

Again, nothing.

"Once more."

The young boy nodded, and closed his eyes in concentration. This time, he reached down and envisioned a golden pool of magic, and like when he went to get water from the well, he imagined a bucket being dipped into the water and pulled up by a thick rope as Gavin felt his magic rising to his command. He felt his eyes begin to glow an aurous gold and repeated the spell before his eyes settled back to their usual hazel color.

Abigail let out a squeal of delight and Gavin's eyes snapped open to find a thin golden trail, which looked very much like sparkling dust, spreading before them. Abigail grabbed his hand and, smiling wickedly, pulled him along the path as he laughed.

Their hard footsteps echoed around the airy library as they hastily chased after the ever-growing line of sprinkled gold that slowly brought them further and further away from their companions on the other side of the library. Gavin stumbled but caught his balance quickly as they raced around an overly filled shelf bookshelf.

"Abigail," he protested half-heartedly, "slow down!"

She only tightened her grip on his small wrist as she whiplashed him around another bookcase. Then, suddenly, the two were stopped in their tracks, chests heaving, as the trail disappeared behind yet another tall bookshelf.

Once they'd caught their breath, Abigail sauntered up towards where the golden stream disappeared and fingered the small crack in the back of the stand. She tried to curl her fingers around the old wood but the she couldn't. And when a small breeze tickled her trying finger tips, she jumped back in surprise.

"Let's get the others," she suggested. They could still be titled 'hero's' after all; they'd been the ones to find the location of the information, but there was no way they could move a bookcase by themselves.

Gavin nodded tiredly, turned, and started jogging back to the room the others were in with Abigail. "Father!"

Arthur squeezed his best friend's shoulder, looking intently into his face. "What do you mean it's making you sick?"

Merlin took in another breath. "I think the longer I'm here, the sicker I get."

The king blanched. "What? Why?"

"I don't know, Arthur. But believe me, it's frightening me."

Arthur, now that he was looking for it, could clearly see the fear in his friend's hazy blue eyes. He felt a sudden rush of anger at everything had caused it, and then felt a wave of protectiveness as Merlin bowed his head. He had already lost Merlin once; he had no intention of losing him again. "It's going to be alright, Merlin. The others are looking for a way to send you back right now."

Merlin glanced at him hopefully and nodded before taking another deep breath and running a hand through his obsidian hair. Arthur, with his eyes still cautiously on Merlin, scooted backwards to his original spot and stirred the dying fire. They sat in silence for a few minutes, still slowly eating their provisions as the sun traveled over their heads.

Different thoughts ran through Arthur's mind as his mind became captivated with the flickering fire and the light shadows it cast on the ground. His eyes glazed over as he spaced and he thought of the inevitable: Merlin and Morgana.

A large amount of protectiveness rushed through him again, but this time it was underlined with a fair amount of guilt. His mind nagged at him to tell Merlin about his sister's anticipated arrival, but his heart said: 'Don't. He already has enough to deal with, and we'll probably find a way to get him home before she gets here anyway.'

Probably.

And what if they didn't? What then? They would need Merlin's help to defeat her; the only reason they'd survived earlier attacks was by sheer luck because Morgana hadn't exactly had many men with her. But now it seemed as though she had an army. And he had a right to know, after all.

Finally, and without any forethought, he let the words tumble out of his mouth. "Morgana's coming."

Merlin immediately choked, and if the situation hadn't been so serious, Arthur might have laughed, but not now. He waited for Merlin to recover, not looking at him, and then heard him cough out, "What?"

"I said-–"

"I heard what you said," he coughed disbelievingly. "And you're not kidding?"

The king scrubbed his face. "I wish I was."

Merlin, with a small spark of anger in his deep blue eyes, asked: "And when were you planning on telling me this?"

"Today, actually."

"Okay, but how long have you known? How do you know she's coming?"

Arthur sighed. "A few days. Rumors have been going around, and it was confirmed by one of Annis' patrols."

Merlin eyes softened. "So that's why you've been so sullen."

Arthur dipped his head.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"

The king shook his head. "Nope. I think that's about it. You?"

Merlin gave him a small smile. "No."

The pair chuckled, but too soon, a melancholy feeling settled on the camp as the fullness of their situation ran through their minds. Arthur looked up to see Merlin staring blankly at the flickering orange flame with glazed eyes.

"Hey," he said softly, snapping Merlin out of his daydream. "It's going to be fine."

Merlin grinned wryly at him and cupped his jaw in his hand. "Shouldn't I be telling you that?"

Arthur chuckled and threw the waterskin at him. The warlock ducked as it flew over his head and laughed. "Very nice," he quipped. "It's a wonder why we didn't catch anything."

The king only rolled his cerulean eyes and stood as his hair flashed. "Come on, we should get back."

Merlin nodded and finished off his venison, thinking they must have been there at least an hour already. "I wonder if they've found anything."

Arthur kicked dirt onto the small fire while Merlin retrieved the waterskin. "Only one way to find out."

That was when they first heard the din of Camelot's warning bells.

*sighs* It's over. Yes. This chapter was so difficult to write, not only because of 5x13 feels, but because of fluff and no real action. I can't tell you how much I have overdosed on fluff. Too much fluff! *breathes* But have no fear, it's definitely picking up from here, and I'm kinda sad to say that there'll only be a few more chapters. Maybe like... *ponders* *huffs* A few, alright? I can't even guess because I'm sure it won't turn out that way. :D But trust me... it's getting exciting... *evil cackle as she rubs her hands together* I have plans... and whump and angst coming... XD

Thanks for reading.