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 Druid speech. Spoiler for season 3 episode 4 Gwaine and season 1 episode 5 Lancelot and season 2 episode 2 The Once and Future Queen.
The rest of the time passed by quickly and uneventfully for the group and the day of the 'big hunting trip' arrived. The early morning sun found the two servants loading up the nine horses that would be used for the trip. The 5 knights would be riding on brown horses, the two royals on white horses and the two servants on black horses. Once everything was set up the knights began to arrive.
The first knight to arrive was Elyan. He was hoping to get there before anyone else to attempt to tell Merlin what the trip was really for, however with the other servant there he couldn't. Instead he began to double check he had everything. Merlin and Rashelle may have packed it but I gave Merlin the things I wanted to take.
The second knight to arrive was Leon. He was shocked to see Elyan already there as he was usually the first due to his 'proper' upbringing. He too began to double check everything was there before Merlin rolled his eyes.
"I love how much you trust me, it really warms my heart." He said sarcastically, earning a laugh from the knights and a slap from Rashelle.
"Will you stop hitting me!" He demanded turning to face her as she started tapping her foot waiting for him to appologise to the knights. Leon just laughed.
"It's alright. Once we get out of the citadel titles don't mean anything." He explained as she mumbled a hurried "Sorry Milord" and curtsied before moving back to her horse. It was then Gwen and Arthur showed up.
He went straight over to Leon and Elyan leaving Gwen free to talk to Merlin and Rashelle. As Arthur approached the knights they called out to him. Percival then arrived and, to the amusement of everyone present, the big knight was still half asleep and wondered over to Merlins horse. Like the others he began to checkthat his things were all there. One thing Merlin didn't notice was all the weapons he packed for the hunting trip had been secretly removed when he was watching a different knight so when Percival found shirts that were too small and no weapons he looked up. The others couldn't hold their laughter any longer and all burst out laughing. Percival blushed and moved over to his horse. That was when Mordred showed up half carrying half dragging a drunken Gwaine.
"Sorry we're late Sire, Gwaine here went to the tavern yesterday evening and never left. I had to get him." Mordred explained as the knights sighed and shook their heads fondly. Merlin went over to his pack and pulled out a bottle of murky brown liquid. He then moved over to Gwaine, pulled his hair back and tipped the contents down his throat. Everryone just looked at him curiously, ignoring the spluttering knight.
"One of Gauis' sobering remedies, thought it would come in useful." Merlin explained getting several laughs. Gwaine groaned returning the attention to himself.
"What happened, last I remember I was at the tavern." He said confused. The others just laughed at him and climed on their horses. The party left the citadel explaining to Gwaine that he spent the whole night drinking.
After two hours of riding Arthur stopped and announced that this was ht eplace they were going to set up camp for the duration of the trip. After the four tents were set up the group began unpacking their more personal items, such as clothes and, in Gwaines case, alcohol. Gwen and Rashelle were sharing the first tent, Arthur and Leon were in the second, Percival and Gwaine were in the third leaving Merlin, Elyan and Mordred in teh fourth. Once everything was set up Gwen turned to address everyone.
"This is not actually a hunting trip," she began eyeing Merlin as he was the only one who didn't know. The rest of the group just stared at her dumbfounded. What was she doing?
"This is so we can all become closer friends. Everyone here is keeping secrets so the trip is to allow us to talk and share things." She said before walking off with Rashelle.
When the two women returned they asked who wanted to start the sharing. Everyone glanced at each other for a long time untill Gwen spoke.
"Maybe we should nominate someone?" She suggested and recieved several nods in reply. By an unspoken agreement nobody chose Merlin, hoping he would trust them enough to tell them later on. It was Gwaine who went first.
"I am of noble birth," he told his friends, grinning as Percival chocked on air and Leons mouth fell open in an undignified manner. He then explained what he had already told Merlin.
"My father was a knight and was killed fighting. After he died my mother and I were left penniless. We went to the king for help and he just turned us away. Thats why I hated all nobles." Gwaine explained and laughed at Arthurs face.
"Why didn't you tell my father then? You could've stayed in Camelot. Did you tell anybody this? How did you keep it a secret with the amount you drink?" The king asked the shaggy haired knight who laughed in reply.
"I'm very good at keeping secrets, Arthur." He started before winking towards Merlin. "And I didn't think your father was a royal worth dying for so I left. The only person that knew was Merlin." He finished as the other knights turned to stare at the manservant.
"I'm surprised you never told anyone if it could've stopped the banishment." Leon said shocked before Merlin tipped his head back and laughed.
"It was Gwaines choice to make, not mine," he started. "Besides, helping a knight become a knight isn't as fun the second time let alone the third," he finished smirking at the confusion on everyones face but Gwens.
"When have you ever hellpedd a night become a knight?" Arthur, Leon and Percival asked at the same time causing the others to laugh at them.
"Well, the first time I forgedd a seal of nobility to help Lancelot..." He started but was interrupted by Arthur.
"You mean to tell me, you forged that?" Arthur asked disbelievingly. Merlin nodded and continued.
"And the second time I helped a knight become a knight was during a jousting tournament when his Royal Pratness decided he wanted to win the tournament in an 'honourable' way so lied and pretended to be Sir William of Deahra. And let me tell you that was a difficult week."
"Why was it difficult Merlin, it was no more than the other servants have to do." Arthur stated haughtily.
"Because, Arthur, I not only had to clean and mend your armour, I had to clean and mend the farmers, fix the lances but Gauis decided that since you weren't around I had free time to do extra jobs for him." Merlin explained and Arthur looked a little guilty.
Gwen, either oblivious to or unconcerned about her husbands guilt added, "And you spent what little free time you had left keeping the assassin away from Arthur, even though he ended up jousting against him." This was met with looks of awe, shock and pity but further comments were halted when Gwen announced she was finished for the night and her and Rashelle retired to their tent.