Merlin went back to the physicians chambers and collected his bag before heading to the training ground. Quickly checking Gwaine before he left. Gwaine was sat up in Merlin's bed and eating an apple. "How's my favourite healer?" Gwaine asked with a grin and a toss of his hair.
"Fine" Merlin said sharply then pulling himself together he asked "Are you in any pain? Only I have to go to the practice grounds the Prince is checking some of the younger knights."
"You run off don't worry about me, I don't know what you did but I feel almost as good as new. Gaius said I can get up and start doing some walking tomorrow, then you can have your bed back, I can move out to the Inn"
Merlin shook his head "No you stay here for a few days, you will be doing me a favour really, otherwise I will have to chase all over town to check on you"
"Of you go to your Prince we can talk later" Gwaine told Merlin "If you go near the inn get me some mead"
"No way! Wait till your better and get your own" Merlin grinned "It was an Inn that got you injured in the first place"
With that Merlin did just as he said and went to the practice grounds, he expected not to have to do much after all they hadn't been back from Patrol for long. Merlin arrived at the practice ground Arthur was already watching the younger knights go through their moves, Morgana was sat watching. Merlin went and sat on the ground near her. Far enough away for propriety but just close enough to talk. After a few moments Morgana spoke "What are we to do Merlin? "
"I have things under control my lady, I have sought advice and believe I can deal with this, please leave it to me" He crossed his fingers.
Before Merlin had chance to say more Arthur walked up and smirked at Morgana "What do we owe this honour?" he asked her
"I wanted some fresh air and as Gwen was busy I couldn't go into town. I can here after all even Uther couldn't think me unsafe with all you knights around" countered Morgana
"I'm not sure he would approve of you being alone with so many knights, but as I am here I will escort you back to your rooms" Arthur held out his arm.
At that moment a guard ran from the castle "Sire the King wishes to see you immediately in the throne room."
Arthur turned to Merlin "You best come it sounds like we might be riding out again." Then he turned to Sir Leon and Sir Kay "Escort the Lady Morgana to her rooms"
Morgana glared at him "No way, I'm coming to the throne room with you" with that she started to follow Arthur. Merlin tagged along behind hoping that this wasn't the start of problems.
As they entered the throne room they found much of the court already there, including Gaius. Merlin stood to one side of the room as Arthur and the lady Morgana approached the King. Uther looked at his daughter "What are you doing here?" he demanded
"I was watching Arthur train when the message came, I couldn't stay with the knights it wouldn't have been proper" she said coyly quite forgetting that she shouldn't have been there in the first place, especially without her maidservant
Uther ignored her and turned to his son "We have just received information of a wyvern attack on a village, witnesses say there are a pair of the beasts. We cannot risk there being a breeding pair on the loose, you are to leave first light with patrol and dispatch them. No point in leaving now you will hardly get anywhere before you need to camp, the wyvern don't attack at night."
Uther hated wyverns, seeing them as kin to the dragons, they were seldom seen in Camelot's lands, and Uther having had them wiped out if he found any. So this must be a pair moving in to seek new breeding grounds. Even though Arthur had just returned from patrol he would ride out again. Uther looked at his son "Take the healer with you, you might need him"
Neither Uther nor Arthur were under any illusions this would be a dangerous task. Injuries were sure to occur. Merlin heard Morgana gasp, Wyverns had featured in her vision. As Arthur turned to leave the room he glanced at Merlin "Be in the courtyard at sunrise. I will order a horse for you" with that he was gone.
Merlin made his way back to the physicians chambers and found Gaius had somehow beaten him to it, he was so mad he plonked himself down on a stool "That Pratt is going chasing after Wyverns now and I'm going to have to save him! How did my life get so difficult?"
Gaius hit him round the ear and pointed to the door to remind the warlock of Gwaine's presence "Of course the Prince is going after the Wyverns, which is his job, as it will be yours to save anyone who is injured. Instead of moaning I would get you bag ready. Remember plenty of stitching materials and honey"
Merlin blushed furiously he had forgotten the man in the other room. "But it's not fair Gaius we haven't been back long" hoping to cover up his mistake
"Life isn't fair boy and you had best learn that, now pack you bag and get an early night."
Merlin did as he was told, he snatched some bread and cheese as Gaius told him "I have to pay a call to the lower town one of the ladies has sent message that her child is ill. Make sure you are up early if I'm not back" with that he was gone.
Merlin went up to his room and found Gwaine reading one of Gaius's books "I am sooo bored" he moaned "A least I can get up tomorrow! I hear you are leaving me again" he said to the younger man
"Yeah off to chase wyverns, all in a day's work" Merlin said sarcastically
"You'll be fine" Gwaine grinned "With your powers" he added
Merlin looked round in shock, his eyes wide like a rabbit faced with a fox
"Oh come on Merlin I might be an idiot but even I can spot magic when I see it even if your Prince can't." Gwaine said quietly "Don't worry I won't split on you. I have been to many places where magic is legal, even revered. But tell me, why are you here? Do you have a death wish? Camelot isn't a place for someone like you"
"You're mistaken" Merlin stuttered
"Oh so your eyes going golden and men falling over nothing isn't magic, don't worry no one else saw you" Gwaine grinned "I admire your spunk boy using magic in front of the Prince of Camelot"
Merlin sank down against the wall and cradled his head "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing I told you that, look you saved my life and unless I'm mistaken you have even made me heal faster, so I would be an idiot to turn you in, in fact I will gladly escort you someplace where your talents will be appreciated as soon as I can ride"
"No thank you, I need to stay, the Prince is a good man, a bit of a prat but a good man underneath and I need to protect him" Merlin said sincerely
"I have yet to meet a noble who is worth that sort of risk" The older man said softly "Please ride out with me I will make sure you're safe"
"You don't understand it is my destiny" Merlin protested "To make sure Arthur lives to be king"
"Who told you that!?" Gwaine asked "Look you are a powerful sorcerer I grant you but…."
"Warlock if you don't mind!" Merlin retorted without thinking, he was proud of his powers and heritage.
"So a Warlock with a destiny…..who do you think you are? Emrys" Gwaine was looking at Merlin as he spoke. He had spent many periods on his travels with druids and knew many of their tales. "Oh! You are! Who would have….I need a drink!" he paused to collect his thoughts then added "So you think Prince Arthur is the Once and Future King?"
"He is" Merlin admitted "Please you must promise you will tell no one, I can't believe you know, I have been so foolish"
"I have already told you your secret is safe with me. But aren't you young to be saddled with such a destiny, couldn't the druids have let you grow up first." Gwaine was now seriously worried for his new friend.
"It was time" was all Merlin said
Gwaine made a discussion "In that case I will stay here and help protect you"
Merlin glowed at his new friend "I don't need protecting! Now if you don't mind I need to rest, I have to be up early" Merlin flopped down onto the floor where his blanket was spread.
"At least have your bed back" Gwaine protested
"m'ok" Merlin mumbled "Go to sleep"
The next morning Merlin woke and dressed and carefully moved towards the door when Gwaine spoke up "Hang on I'm coming with you"
Merlin looked round "I thought you were asleep"
"I am a light sleeper I woke as soon as you moved. A man who relies on his wits has to be" Gwaine pointed out
"You are not coming you need to rest your leg. If the Prince saw you he would be suspicious, I don't need your help" Merlin turned to the door and going down into Gaius's room grabbed some bread and the bag he had prepared the night before and left.
Gwaine got up, stretching he soon got dressed and grabbed his sword and pack "Well you are going to get it my friend, whether you want it or not. I like the odds" he limped to the door, surprised at how little his leg hurt "You my young warlock need back up and like it or not I'm your man I owe you"