TITLE: Into the Woods
CHAPTER/TITLE: Twenty Six/ Strange Reunion
RATING: T (just to be safe)
A/N: I promise, I'm not just making Arthur into a jerk for the story. He has his reasons and he will get his screen time soon enough. Patience, my friends. Phew. Four Gwaine chapters. Well, back to Sherwood...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Merlin or Robin Hood.
Chapter Twenty Six: Strange Reunion
"So Merlin never told you about his magic?" Will asked once the man was done.
"Nah," Gwaine shook his head. "I reckon Merlin hardly told anyone about it. Gaius found out by Merlin saving him. Lancelot saw Merlin use magic."
"And I found out by finding his book," Djaq nodded. "He was terrified when I told him."
"I don't know how much Merlin told you about Camelot," Gwaine sighed, "but he had good reason to be afraid. I was angry, at first, that Merlin didn't trust me enough to tell me. To think I would care about something like that? But I understand. Arthur's father, Uther, hated magic. He killed anyone who had anything to do with it, good or bad. If Merlin hadn't kept it hidden, he'd probably be dead."
"But he risked everything to try to save this king that would have him dead," Allan shook his head.
"That's just how Merlin is," Gwaine grinned. "Always thinking about everyone else except himself."
"But why didn't it work?" Will questioned. "Why did the king die?"
"Gaius told me that he found a necklace around Uther's neck. That it'd been enchanted or spelled or what to reverse Merlin's healing spell." Gwaine explained. "All Arthur saw was the spell and the Uther dying."
"Did Merlin know about this necklace?" Robin stepped forward.
"No," Gwaine bowed his head. "He left without even saying goodbye to Gaius so he never had a chance to tell him."
"So Merlin thinks he killed the king?" Much gasped.
"Yes," Gwaine sighed. "Merlin would never leave without saying goodbye to any of us, especially Gaius, unless it was to protect us. When Arthur came at him while Merlin was still in disguise, Gaius told me that Merlin's magic must have reacted, like instinct, throwing Arthur across the room. Same thing happened when I found him."
"So he thought he had killed his friend's father and possibly hurt or killed two of his best friends?" Allan let out a puff of breath. "No wonder he acts the way he does."
"There was something else Gaius told me," Gwaine swallowed. "Something he warned me about. It was the reason he told me about Merlin's magic. So I could find him, before it was too late."
"Too late?" Much prompted.
"If Merlin thinks he hurt people," Gwaine explained, "it would kill him. It's just who he is. According to Gaius, he's been afraid of his magic before. Of this destiny and all that. How powerful he is. If he was afraid of his magic, and he stopped using it, all of it, which Gaius suspected he would, it'd be dangerous."
"Dangerous how?" John pressed.
"Gaius said that the magic, it's a part of Merlin. Not something he does or practices or chooses. It just, well, is."
"I understand," Djaq nodded, her eyes showing comprehension before Gwaine even finished. "It is why he was so afraid of healing Will. He told me he was afraid of hurting Will like he had hurt others and also afraid of us finding out, but there was something else I could tell he wasn't saying. And how he would go off alone in the forest."
"I don't understand," Much interrupted.
"Gwaine just said that Merlin's magic can be instinctual. It protects him. What if that happened when he tried to save the woman from the thief? After having spent so much time suppressing his magic, he couldn't stop it. He was not just in some trance. He was trying to control it."
"Exactly," Gwaine agreed. "Gaius said the magic would be burning inside Merlin if he didn't at least use a little sometimes. If he shut it out, it would slowly kill him. But if any got out, it'd be like trying to dam a flood. Like a beast inside of him, clawing to get out."
"And what happens if it does get out?" Much swallowed.
"If Merlin doesn't let his magic out, slowly," Gwaine sighed, "Gaius said it'd either kill him, or everyone around him."
"So if we go to Nottingham and see the castle in ruins, we'll know why," Allan surmised, though lacking the bite his normal jesting had.
"I thought we should get some rest," Robin started with a sigh, "but knowing this new information, we should not waste any time. Merlin may be safe from the sheriff for some time, but he is not safe from himself."
"Or anyone around him," John added a bit warily.
"No one has to come," Robin replied. "I am not saying that all this - I can hardly believe any of it myself. I don't know. The only thing I do know is that Merlin has been our friend, no matter what else he is. And we don't leave our friends to die."
"He saved my life," Will slowly stood, "I'd like to return the favor."
"Mine too," Djaq nodded. "And he is a good man."
"I owe him," Allan added.
"He was always kind to me," Much stepped forward. "Of course, I'm coming."
"You aren't going anywhere without me," Gwaine grinned.
There was a pause before finally Little John lifted his staff.
"Aye," he smiled, "me too."
They had already been beginning to formulate a plan before Gwaine had stumbled upon them and quickly departed. They whispered ideas and finishing touches as they slipped through the forest, toward Nottingham.
They had been following the main path for some time and were nearly to their destination when a soft shout pierced their quiet convoy and the night.
The group separated, dividing onto different sides of the road and hiding among the trees. Each one readied their weapon as the source of the noise grew closer.
They could hear heavy footfalls now. They were beating against the ground quickly. Hooves and feet. A half a dozen horses, at least, pursuing a small party on foot. An odd occurrence in the middle of the night.
The shadowed figures finally came into view. Four men were running wildly down the road, six horses and their riders following closely behind. Suddenly, a large man on foot stopped and spun around, slicing a sword through the air and knocking one of the riders off his steed. The other three followed suit in the tactical attack. It took their pursuers by surprise and the four were able to get three of the riders separated from their horses. It was dark, and not much could be made out of the fight. The four stranger's chainmail glistened in the moonlight. Just barely, the onlookers could make out the attackers' apparel of the sheriff's guards.
The outlaws were exchanging glances and considering stepping in, when Gwaine swore under his breath, his eyes taking in the taller chainmail clad individual.
"I'd know that man's skill with a sword with my eyes closed," he shook his head.
Before any of the others could respond, Gwaine was leaping from his place of cover and joining the battle.
He blocked a blow meant for the tall stranger and the man whirled around on him, and froze.
"Well, you could say thank you," Gwaine teased.
"Gwaine?" Came to astonished reply.
"Good to see you too, Percival."