To say that Arthur was "not happy" would be a gross understatement of the facts. He was worried, frustrated, terrified, angry, guilt-ridden, and he was pretty sure that Gwaine had figured out what was really going on and was only waiting for the perfect opportunity to kill him. All that meant he was decidedly not interested when the knights confronted him about returning to Camelot that morning once they broke camp.

'I would never admit this out loud, but Merlin's morning stew was always so much better than that watery sludge Elyan was responsible for.'

He didn't agree with Leon and Elyan that they should return to Camelot and regroup, despite the many valid points they brought up. "We all know that Gwen is more than capable of keeping the kingdom running Sire," stated Leon cautiously. "But you know better than anyone how troublesome the council can be sometimes with their strict adherence to tradition, and they do not all respect the Queen's authority as much as they should."

"And the people are still recovering from Morgana's recent takeover," added Elyan. "They need the support of their king, now more than ever."

He knew they were right, and he hated it. 'The people wouldn't even have a king if it wasn't for the man we're looking for. Even if I forget about everything that must have happened without my knowledge, both times Morgana seized Camelot, it was Merlin who managed to get me to pull myself together and make a stand.' Far apart from that though, was the knowledge that if things were reversed, Merlin would not have given up looking for him, no matter the reason.

The argument continued for some time, nobody willing to give up any ground. It only ended when Percival put in his two cents. "Gaius may know more by now."

The three of them stopped arguing to take in what he had said. Gwaine raised a curious eyebrow from his spot lounging against a tree, seeming amused by the proceedings. "Perc is right," he ventured after a moment. "We might be better served if we head back to Camelot. We're not going to find anything more out here."

"Perhaps you've forgotten, but Merlin's still missing. A fact you don't seem overly concerned about. Even if you can't stay sober long enough to remember what we're out here for, the rest of us can. Although, I don't know how I expected any different when you spend all your time at the bottom of a tankard. How long has it been since you had a sip, hmm?" he jabbed.

He knew he shouldn't have said it. He was fed up. It was a bad idea to antagonize Gwaine now of all times, but he didn't care. He was so confused and frustrated, at Merlin, at himself, and at that stupid sorcerer for starting the whole thing. And the person he usually used to vent wasn't there.

'…Perhaps I was not so alone in exploiting him for my own benefits…' The phrase floated across his mind. That, and the memory of who had said it, made him shut his mouth in jilted shame.

The other knights all made sounds of surprise at his harsh words. Gwaine just stood, considering him as an adult would a misbehaving child. "I am concerned," he stated with much more dignity than his griping king. "But the Varteesians have never been dangerous. And even if they were, everyone always underestimates Merlin. No one ever suspects him of being who he really is." He glared pointedly at Arthur, causing him to avert his eyes. He managed to hold himself back from shifting uncomfortably, but only just.

'So Gwaine does know, but he's keeping silent about it.' He was also more shrewd than he gave him credit for. His statement was vague enough that unless you already knew what he was really talking about, you'd never guess.

Leon was gazing with calculating eyes at Gwaine. "Why are you suddenly so certain that Merlin's not in any danger from these people?" he asked.

"Because it wouldn't make any sense for them to hurt him. Nobody knows where they come from. If they were that serious about magic, they'd just stay holed up there rather than getting tangled up in assassinations in another kingdom," said Gwaine.

Eventually they set off on-route to Camelot leaving him feeling rather like they were dragging him back, kicking and screaming the whole way. So no, Arthur was definitely more than just "not happy".

Gwaine tilted his head and gazed disapprovingly at Arthur with his harsh words. 'I may be a drunkard, but at least I know who my real friends are, and how to treat them properly.'

He could've jabbed back at the moping king, but he didn't. He knew that if Merlin were there, he would have called them both prats for arguing like children when there was no real reason for it.

'If Merlin had had the time, I know he would've asked me to protect Arthur, no matter what had happened between them.' He was just that loyal and selfless.

Instead of getting angry and starting a fight, he did what his friend would have; stuck with the facts he could. "I'm not concerned," he said, drawing himself up with his chin held high. "The Varteesians have never been dangerous. And even if they were, everyone always underestimates Merlin. No one ever suspects him of being who he really is."

He gazed pointedly at Arthur, who looked away in shame. They both knew what he was really talking about. He was gratified when Arthur seemed unable to come up with a response, though the king was no less sulky for it.

Despite continuing to gripe and bicker about it, Arthur eventually agreed to head back. He ignored the man-child leading their group thereafter, having said his piece for now. 'We'll have a real chat when I manage to get him alone.' He rather looked forward to that. It would mean finally being able to rub Arthur's face in how terrible he could sometimes be to Merlin, when he was the best of them all. 'And a far better man that Princess could ever be.'

He instead spent the rest of the day observing the others. Percival's silences seemed unusually loaded. Leon and Elyan spoke quietly to one another, both trying to suss out what was going on in their usually tight-knit group. 'It's going to be an interesting few days,' he mused as they trudged sedately back along the road.

Percival could only assume it was by mutual consent that Arthur ended up at the front of their party, and Gwaine at the back.

He was quite surprised by Arthur's jab that morning against Gwaine. The insinuation that Gwaine couldn't be bothered to stay sober long enough to remember what they were supposed to be doing was ridiculous, especially when Gwaine was the most protective of Merlin out of all of them.

He also couldn't fathom Gwaine's response to the accusation. He would've expected the man to lash out, but that wasn't what happened. Instead, Gwaine responded to Arthur with sharp coldness. He acted as if Arthur's actions proved to him beyond a shadow of a doubt that the king was beneath his notice.

He puzzled over Gwaine's words. They seemed simple enough at first glance, but he believed there was a much deeper layer there, hidden in plain sight. 'Just like Merlin himself.' Who was Merlin? What was Gwaine referring to?

He couldn't help but notice that their tight-knit group was falling apart at the seams. Everyone kept shooting fruitive glances at everyone else. Each man seemed to be wondering what the others knew, and why they weren't speaking out about it. He wondered absently at the true role of leadership as they rode into the town where they had ultimately lost the trail of their friend once again.

AN: Alrighty people, last chapter before I let Gwaine have a little fun snapping at Arthur. I've restarted school by this point after Christmas break, and I've got three classes instead of just two now, so we'll see how posting goes.

Let me know what you guys think! And expect the Arthur-Gwaine confrontation to come soon.

May the water warm you,