It was an hour later when they heard the helicopters and saw them searching in a grid pattern. Gwaine and Percy lit the beacon they had built, Eylan who had a red jacket stood out in plain sight while Arthur woke Merlin.
Arthur shook the sleeping man "Merlin wake up the rescue helicopters have arrived"
As Merlin opened his eyes groggily and looked at Arthur he fought to understand what the other man was telling him. Merlin was incredibly sleepy but realised he had a role to play. He shook his head and sat up as he started to pull himself together. Arthur noticed Merlin's eyes flash gold and then too his surprise the Merlin in front of him change to an alert and healthy looking man.
"Will this fool them?" he asked a cheeky tone in his voice.
"That's amazing, how long can you keep it up for?" Arthur asked.
"As long as I need to, but the longer I have to the longer my recovery afterwards. You might have to watch I don't stumble. I look good but feel crap." Arthur was told.
The helicopters had seen the men and were looking for a clear patch of ground to land on. As the first landed the rescuers jumped out and ran to the group one of them asked. "Hello good to have found you, is anyone injured?" he was looking around.
Arthur walked forward "The pilot died in the crash other than that we were
incredibly lucky Elyan has broken his wrist we think other than that just bruises. It's good to see you"
The first man walked to Elyan and checked him over before turning back to the others "Let's get you back so we can check you over. My name is Lucas Rhyner and this is Alain Gisel. Who is Mr Pendragon?" he asked.
Arthur stepped forward "That's me" then pointing at the others he said "This is Gwaine Lot, Merlin Emrys, Percy Strong and Elyan Smith."
"A message from Leon Knight, he said he hopes you're all well and that the programme worked well. Does that make sense?"
"Yes thank you "
"Let's get you on board, the other team will check the plane, and collect the body, can you tell me quickly what happened?" Lucas asked.
"All I know is the pilot lost power to the engines just before he passed out, then we went into a nosedive, Eylan is a helicopter pilot and managed to straighten the plane up a bit before we hit the mountain. The plane burst into flames but we were thrown clear."
The men were all helped into the helicopter the only thing they took with them was the laptop the rest they left. Gwaine stood next to Merlin as he climbed on board steadying him discretely as they younger man struggled.
"Don't worry the other crew will tidy up, do you want anything else bring back?" Alain asked them as they settled down in their seats.
"No I don't think anything is much good now." Gwaine said grinning, he was just glad to see the rescue team.
They were soon on their way back to Zurich, and were then taken to hospital for a check up. Arthur had spoken quietly to the others and told them to keep an eye on Merlin as although he looked good he was still suffering. Merlin managed to keep the glamour up and hid his burn and general health from the medical staff. Arthur rang Kilgarrah as soon as he could and arranged for Gaius to fly over to travel back with them, they were all worried about Merlin's general health. Gwaine stuck like to Merlin like glue and refused to be separated from him. Once they had been cleared by the hospital, and Elyan had had his wrist set, they were all interviewed by the crash investigators before being allowed to fly home. By then Gaius had arrived and had seen Merlin in the hotel room and treated his burn.
As soon as they were permitted they all boarded Arthur's private jet and flew back to the United Kingdom. Merlin was placed into one of the beds and the rest shared the others to get some rest. As soon as they arrived back in the UK Arthur's car arrived to take them to his London house. Merlin was woken and put the glamour back until he was in the car. When he dropped the glamour for the last time, the others were upset at just how unwell he looked. He immediately fell into a deep sleep between Gwaine and Arthur. The two men keeping him wedged between them and making sure he was as comfortable as possible.
Once back at the house Percy carried Merlin upstairs to his bed. Hunith had met them at the door, relieved to have her son home, but upset at his condition. Leon had been keeping her informed until then. Gaius immediately set too work cleaning Merlin's injuries and getting fluids into him via an intravenous drip, before leaving him to sleep in the hopes that his magic would heal him. Gaius had checked Merlin's previously broken leg and was pleased with it, he planned to x ray it once Merlin could go to his consulting rooms, to make sure all was as it should be.
Once Arthur and Gwaine had had a good sleep in a comfortable bed they made their way to see Merlin. The younger man was still deeply asleep, although he looked peaceful his recent injuries and trials showed in the dark circles under his eyes and the even deeper pallor of his skin. Kilgarrah had arrived and the two men told him all that had happened. Kilgarrah agreed with Gwaine that Nimueh had been killed. This gave him cause for concern.
"I'm not sure how Merlin will cope with the news, he is a gentle soul and the thought he killed anyone, even in such circumstances, will have a profound effect on him. More so that he killed her with magic. But you were right not to tell the authorities in Switzerland. I don't agree with cover ups but you had no choice. We will need to keep a close eye on Merlin. The others may well want to take revenge; the death of a High Priestess will have hit them hard."
All four of the men kept an eye on Merlin, Percy and Elyan had always been fond of the young man but since the crash had become friends with him. They both decided that they would do their very best to help keep him and his secret safe. Arthur already thought of Merlin as a younger brother and was also very protective. It was this protective streak that made him decide to have a word with his best friend. So the second evening after their return Arthur asked Gwaine to join him in this office at home. He wanted the conversation to be private.
"What did you want Princess?" Gwaine asked as he sat down in one of the leather chairs by Arthur's desk. He was his normal picture of relaxed ease his legs crossed and leaning back in the chair.
"I want to speak to you about Merlin….I've been noticing the change in your attitude lately … you're more…intense. I don't want you becoming attached to Merlin, you would only hurt him." Arthur looked at his friend in concern.
Gwaine sat up more and glared at Arthur "I would never hurt Merlin!" he protested.
"Gwaine I know you to well, I've seen that look in your eyes to many times. Look Merlin wouldn't understand, he would want more than you can give him…even if he was gay and I'm not sure he is." Arthur said trying to keep calm.
"I repeat I would never hurt Merlin, alright I admit I'm attracted to him, and alright I've dated several men and women, but Merlin is different."
"Gwaine! You haven't dated several people you've dated hundreds and that no exaggeration. Merlin is an innocent; he's already told us he has no intention of having relationships so leave him alone." Arthur reminded his friend.
"That's not strictly true and you know it, he said he wasn't going to get involved, as he didn't want children, well I won't give them to him will I? I don't expect he's thought about having a relationship with a bloke. There's no reason why he can't find someone to spend his life with and I want to be that one. He's different Arthur; I want to spend my life with him. He's good, kind and a great sense of humour. You won't frighten me off, I promise I won't hurt him, look he might not even want it himself but let him decide ok. I have no intention of rushing into this." Gwaine glared at Arthur "You won't keep me away from him no matter what."
"If that's what Merlin decides then it's his life, but please think long and hard Gwaine. If you hurt him you won't be welcome here again. Merlin is like my younger brother, he's got under my skin as well. Can't you accept that for yourself?" he asked.
"If that's all Merlin wants then yes, but if I can get more than I will take it, yes he's got under my skin, but it's more than that Arthur, I've never felt this way about anyone before. So keep out of it." Gwaine stood up and walked out of the room and went out into the garden.
It was the first time Gwaine had faced his growing attraction to Merlin, but he knew as he spoke to Arthur that he was serious, and that scared him. Like Arthur said he'd always been a love um and leave um sort of Guy. But for the first time he was hoping to spend the rest of his days with someone. He didn't even know if Merlin would want that kind of relationship, his gaydar just didn't work with Merlin. But like he had told Arthur if he wasn't he knew Merlin would be part of his life from now on. All he had to do now was try to find out Merlin's feelings.
Arthur hadn't been the only one to notice Gwaine's interest in the young Warlock, Kilgarrah had also noticed and like Arthur he wanted to make sure Merlin didn't get hurt, so he to tried to talk to the brunette. His turn came after breakfast the next morning. As Kilgarrah left the room he had stayed in the night before he noticed Gwaine coming out of Merlin's rooms. His eyebrows shot up, Gwaine must have it bad if he was up at this hour, and the Lord was well known for not being a morning person. Kilgarrah caught him up on the stairs. "Gwaine" he called out. Gwaine waited for him.
"How's Merlin this morning?" he asked
"Still asleep, he looks so pale and worn out." Gwaine said in a mournful voice.
"He's young. I'm sure he'll bounce back. You're fond of him aren't you?" Kilgarrah asked.
"Yes I am, he's a great bloke." Gwaine agreed.
"What I mean is, you have strong feelings for him" Kilgarrah corrected himself.
"Not you as well, look I've already had this conversation with Arthur, I have no intention of hurting Merlin OK!" Gwaine said crossly.
"No I don't for a minute think you would, you may be a reprobate but you've a good heart. I think you would be good for Merlin, as long as you are serous, the fact that you're male also won't be a problem." Kilgarrah said.
Gwaine looked at the older man in amazement "You approve! Well tell Arthur that will you. Is Merlin gay then?"
Kilgarrah shook his head in despair "You youngsters! Merlin is of magic, it makes him different that you and I. Merlin as you've noticed is a loving person, but he doesn't follow your rules, he loves where it is given. If you love him enough and let him know, you will find that love returned. His deep love as not been claimed yet. Oh he has the love of a son for his mother, of course, but a partner's love is yet to be claimed."
Gwaine grinned, delighted by the news.
"I hope you don't need lessons in wooing as well?" Kilgarrah said smiling. "Just be yourself Gwaine and if it's meant to be it will happen. If Merlin doesn't feel the same way he will still see you as a good friend. But I will add that like Arthur I won't see Merlin hurt, I'd kill you before I'd let that happen."
Gwaine looked at Kilgarrah and knew somehow that Kilgarrah meant what he had said. If he hurt Merlin he wouldn't have to worry about Arthur, he wouldn't live long enough.