The knights arrived back at Camelot first and reported to the Queen and Hunith. The two ladies were horrified at what they heard, but then remembering the twin's reaction decided to wait until letting their fears take hold. It wasn't long before Aithusa landed with her cargo. As soon as everyone saw Merlin they felt a huge sense of relief. Arthur ordered them all to his chambers so he could tell them of the events in private. However Merlin insisted on seeing the twins first, and went to where they were now sleeping in their cots. He said he would catch up with the others later. After he was gone Arthur told the others what had happened.
"The fact that Merlin is now mortal, and can be killed as easily as the rest of us, must never leave this room. There are many enemies who would use this to their advantage, and his life would be in danger. From now on we must protect Merlin at all costs. He has saved us all several times over and now it's our turn." Arthur looked at them all.
Everyone agreed that they would look after the Warlock and keep their silence. By the time Merlin arrived they had started to talk about other things. As he entered they all went silent.
"Merlin I don't know how much you know of what happened at the lake, but I need to tell you something." Arthur looked at his friend.
Merlin grinned "Not a lot, I just remember floating on the water and you holding me, and then what happened on the shore." With that he blushed and avoided looking at Gwaine.
Arthur made Merlin sit down before saying "Freya told us that the cost of saving you was your immortality, she said you cannot, and mustn't, take other's wounds upon yourself again or you will die."
They were all unprepared for Merlin's reaction, at least to the first part.
"Thank goodness for that, immortality was scaring me more than anything, the thought of seeing you all die and staying here forever, alone was something I never wanted." Merlin was actually grinning. None of them had thought of what immortality would mean for their friend.
Then he reacted to the second part of what Arthur said. "No way will I watch any of you die, if I can save you, I don't care if I die doing it!"
Everyone started to talk at once, but it was Gwaine who grabbed Merlin by the shoulders and made him listen. "Look you fool, none of us want you to die again. You will NOT do anything so foolish again, none of us want that. You've saved us all too many times in the past. You will never do it again or I will kill you myself. From now on it's us, that are going to look after you." Gwaine looked directly into Merlin's eyes and his expression made Merlin blush once more.
"You tell him Gwaine." Percival laughed. "I don't envy you your job as protector now."
"Oh don't worry I'll never leave his side." Gwaine said softly, still looking into Merlin's eyes..
"I expect nothing less Gwaine, do your duty." Arthur ordered.
The others all looked at the couple, and realised that there had been a shift in their relationship. Arthur looked at his Queen and smiled. Hunith looked at the two men before she two broke into a smile.
"Gwaine, please take him away and make him rest, he's been through a lot. Don't worry the twins will be fine. I'll keep an eye on them." Hunith said.
Gwaine looked at Merlin and gave him a smile that spoke volumes "Come on my Warlock you heard your mother, let's get you to bed." With that he put his hand on Merlin's lower back and pushed the other man to the door. Once out in the corridor he made Merlin keep going until they entered the tower, when the knight changed his grip and lifted Merlin up into his arms.
"You heard you mother, bed!" Gwaine noticed Merlin go red once more. "And I'll lie with you and keep you warm and safe." Gwaine carried the unprotesting Merlin up the stairs and into his bedroom. Once inside he helped the warlock get undressed, and true to his word lay down beside him and pulled Merlin into a cuddle. "Now sleep my love, and if you're good I'll wake you up later with a kiss."
Merlin looked at Gwaine his eyes as big as saucers "Does that mean I have to share my bed with you now?" he said innocently.
"You heard the king, as a knight I must always do my duty. I am after all your Protector and I intend to protect." Gwaine planted a kiss on Merlin's forehead. "Now sleep."
Merlin woke up several hours later to find Gwaine's arms wrapped round him. He tried to move but the arms got tighter.
"Oh no you don't, you're not going anywhere. I've been lying here for ages waiting for you to wake up." Gwaine sat up and pulled Merlin onto his back and looked down at him. "I've been in love with you for over ten years and now's payback time." He leered down at the slender man.
"I don't know what you mean." Merlin looked up, doing his best to look innocent.
"Then I'll have to show you." Gwaine pulled Merlin up into his arms. Merlin felt small in the stronger and more muscular mans arms. As Gwaine pulled Merlin into a kiss Merlin lost his innocent look and returned the other mans passion.
It was early evening before either man felt like getting up but there was a quiet knock on the door and Sam's voice could be heard.
"Merlin the twins want you, your mother asked me to wake you."
Merlin looked at Gwaine and grinned "I wasn't asleep, I'll be there in a minute. Oh and Sam, could you get me something to eat I'm starving…Oh and you'd better get something for Gwaine as well."
"I will Sire, but I don't know where he is." Came the reply.
"Oh don't worry I do. Put the food down stairs and then you can have the evening off."
After they heard footsteps going down the stairs Gwaine burst out laughing.
"So you know where I am, do you. I'm glad you gave him the evening off, because I have plans for you."
"First things first, a bath I think then my children." Merlin wriggled out of bed and with a flash of his eyes filled the tin bath up with hot water and was soon having a bath. He noticed Gwaine and realised the other man was getting ideas. "Oh no you don't, my children need me." His eyes flashed once more and Gwaine found he couldn't move.
"I'll let you up once I've finished." He grinned.
He soon finished his bath and got dressed and was leaving the room before he released Gwaine. "Have a bath and then you can eat." with that he was gone.