A/N

So this is kind of a missing scene from S4E8 so if you don't want to be spoiled don't read.

Percival watched Arthur as he strode out of the house and stopped to talk to someone. The events of the past few days where a blur, and then the memories flooded back to him like a tidal wave.

"We were complete asses" Gwaine declared while sitting up.

"That sums it up pretty well" Leon agreed, rubbing his head. Leon grimaced when he remembered almost trying to kill Merlin when he'd suggested Lamia was causing the problems.

"It's not your fault" Gaius assured, walking over to them, "Lamia was a creature of magic; she sucked the life out of men which was causing the strange illness and the fighting…"

"Merlin still probably hates us… heck I hate us right now" Gwaine pointed out.

"I doubt it" Gaius replied, a smile forming, "there are very few people Merlin actually hates, and I guarantee none of you are on that list of people."

"Still" Elyan agreed, "we were… bad."

"I've known Merlin for over four years now" Gaius countered, "he knows you didn't mean anything you did…"

"I'm pretty sure I tried to kill him near the end there" Leon argued.

"Because of Lamia" Gaius countered. But none of the knights where convinced, there was a difference between playful teasing and being cruel. It was one thing to hide Merlin's dinner from him during a hunting trip, but this time they had all tried to hurt him in some way or another, and they were sent with Merlin to protect him, not hurt him. Gaius soon declared that they were fine to travel but not to overwork themselves.

The trip home was eerily silent, not even Gwaine was able to start up a conversation. The knights couldn't even look at Merlin, a feeling of shame filling up inside of them. They were forced to camp about a half a days ride from Camelot when it got to dark to travel, immediately Merlin went about making everyone's dinner. The knight's immediately started helping out, much more then they usually would. Percival and Elyan got the firewood for him, Gwaine dug out all of the supplied and Leon even helped gather up the ingredients.

Merlin watched the knights wearily as they tripped over each other trying to help him. Merlin was clueless as to why they where acting like this so while Percival fought to get the fire started Merlin asked,

"Guys? I mean not that I don't appreciate it or anything but… why are you doing this?" The knights froze and exchanged weary glances, each willing someone else to get the nerve to say something. After a few minutes Elyan began,

"Don't you remember?"

"Remember what?" Merlin asked laughing slightly.

"Well…"

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, cutting Elyan off mid sentence, "it's it your job to prepare dinner? Notthe knights?"

"We just wanted to help" Gwaine replied for Merlin.

"Well if you want to do something so badly go take care of the horses or something." The knights stood up slowly, Percival reluctantly handing Merlin the stones to light the fire and wandered off, Merlin watching them carefully. After dinner, Merlin went to start cleaning up and Percival immediately snatched the bowls from Merlin's hand and Gwaine grabbed the pot before Merlin could.

"What is this about guys?" Merlin asked eyebrows raised. After a few seconds Elyan asked slowly,

"Aren't you mad at us?"

"Why would I be?" Merlin asked.

"Don't you remember what we did?" Gwaine asked.

"It wasn't your fault" Merlin assured forcing a weak smile.

"That doesn't excuse the way we treated you" Leon objected. Merlin shrugged and moved to take the plates from Percival. Percival stepped away from Merlin and placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder to stop him and Percival froze when he felt Merlin flinch under his hand.

"I-… We're so sorry…" Percival began but Merlin cut him off.

"It doesn't matter ok."

"Yes it does!" Gwaine exclaimed, "You're obviously upset about it…"

"You couldn't help it I know that" Merlin interrupted, his voice clipped, "I just… I've never seen you guys like that…"

"We're truly sorry about the way we treated you" Elyan said.

"Can you forgive us?" Leon asked.

"Of course…" Merlin replied slowly, almost reluctantly.

"Are you mad at us?" Gwaine asked.

"Do you think I'm just a useless servant?" Merlin whispered so quietly that even Percival who was closet to him had to strain his ears to hear him.

"Of course not!" Gwaine exclaimed, "You're our friend!" Merlin grinned and asked,

"You really mean it?"

"Duh!" Elyan exclaimed. Merlin chuckled as Gwaine shouted,

"Group hug!" And grabbed Elyan and Leon's arms and dragged them over to where Merlin and Percival were and hugged them all tightly. Laughing Percival wrapped his massive arms around the group further pinning them all down.

"Gwaine!" Leon laughed, "Percival!"

"Can't breath!" Merlin gasped from the center of the group.

"Shh! We're having a moment!" Gwaine declared causing everyone to laugh. After another minute Gwaine and Percival let go and Leon asked,

"I wonder, why weren't you affected like we where?"

"I get why Gwen wasn't, all the victims where men but why not you?" Elyan asked. Merlin froze when Gwaine declared,

"It's obvious!"

"What?" Leon asked.

"Well Merlin wasn't affected because he's gay!" Gwaine shouted spreading out his arms. Merlin raised his eyebrows at Gwaine who continued, "come on Merlin it's ok, we all know you're madly in love with Arthur…"

"That I'm not so willing to forgive" Merlin declared. Gwaine frowned slightly when Leon added,

"Maybe we should tell Arthur about this…."

"No no, no need!" Gwaine exclaimed hastily backing away from the group.

"Some things never change" Leon laughed.

"But do you have any idea why it didn't mess with you?" Percival asked. Merlin thought for a minute frantically trying to come up with a plausible excuse he then thought of something,

"Well all the victims where single men right? Well… Gwaine was sort of right" Merlin explained.

"Gwaine? Right? How?" Leon asked looking clearly confused, Elyan and Percivals faces reflecting Leon's.

"Well… There was a girl…" Merlin began before trailing off.

"Who?" Percival asked.

"That's a story for another day" Merlin teased snatching the dishes from Percivals surprised hands.

"Don't leave us hanging!" Gwaine shouted after a laughing Merlin.

"Maybe someday!" Merlin replied.

"But I want to know now!" Merlin simply laughed, maybe someday he'd tell them, but for now, watching Gwaine moan and groan about Merlin not telling him about his lady friend was far too entertaining.

End Notes

That took a lot longer then I'd originally thought to be quiet honest. Well what did you think? I had a lot of trouble with the ending but hopefully it's still good.