Notes: I am sooooo sorry the hiatus took so long. I thought it would only be a few months and I would continue this story in, like, February. But, as an apology, I have two new chapters.

Also, part of what took me so long was that I went back and edited the chapters I had already published and there's no huge differences to the plot but I did change some of Gwen and Lancelot's interactions so I would suggest you go and reread those chapters first.

I hope you enjoy!

Merlin was walking down a crowded street, deep in thought about everything that was happening. He was frustrated, he wasn't any closer to an answer of what was going to happen than he was the day he first bumped into Gwen.

There was nothing. Aside from your basic corrupt politicians and world leaders, there was nothing, no one that seemed like they could possibly be a threat on the scale Merlin was expecting.

It didn't help that Merlin wasn't sure what to expect, just that it would be big and hopefully he would know it when he saw it.

Just then, a man bumped into his shoulder and he briefly turned to look back just as the man did and then froze.

"Merlin?" he asked incredulously.

"Gwaine?" Merlin asked equally incredulous.

No way. He remembers? How much? For how long? Does he-

Then Gwaine scrunched his eyes shut and held a hand to his forehead, as if he had a headache. "How-How do you know my name?" he asks accusingly.

Or not.

"And how do I know your name?" he asked panickedly, though perhaps with less panic than most people would be feeling. Rather, there was more confusion in his tone than concern.

Merlin sighed. He needed to come up with something quick and get Gwaine somewhere private where he could cast the memory spell.

"Um…we've met before…at a thing, don't you remember?"

Gwaine looked like he had no idea what Merlin was talking about, but was trying to remember.

There was a cafe about ten minutes away that he might be able to get Gwaine into, but his apartment was closer and he could whip up a drink much faster. Merlin made a flash decision.

He linked his arms with Gwaine and started walking forward, back towards his apartment. "Come with me, Gwaine, and I'll tell you about it."

It was mostly surprise that had Gwaine going with him so easily. "Wait a minute, hold on, I'm not going anywhere with you," he exclaimed, coming to a stop.

Merlin groaned. "Goddammit, Gwaine," he mumbled. "Gwaine," he said, looking him straight in the eye, "come with me."

Reluctantly, he started moving again, but his confusion was evident. Merlin may or may not have infused some magic in his words so that Gwaine would want to comply, which would be cause for confusion.

"Wait, so if we've met before, that explains why you know my name, but why do I know your name if I don't remember you?"

"Um... Flash memory!" Merlin exclaimed. "Yeah, it's when you forget something, but, uh, you subconsciously remember it and then you see something that triggers the memory, and then stuff just comes back to you, like a flash! That's why it's called flash memory. But you don't always remember everything so it also seems kinda random," he explained.

Gwaine looked contemplative and slowly nodded his head. "Yeah, I think I've heard that."

Merlin wasn't sure whether to roll his eyes or be thankful that Gwaine bought his lie.

So, it was a combination of Gwaine's subconscious trust and Merlin's steadily reinforced commands that saw them into Merlin's apartment five minutes later. It also helped that Gwaine was distracted by asking more questions about "flash memory" that Merlin struggled to answer.

"Alright, Gwaine, go sit on the couch while I make us some tea."

"Okay," he complied easily.

Only Gwaine, he thought, this kind of light magic would only work on Gwaine. Anyone else would need a much stronger dose of magic.

Nevertheless, Merlin smiled at his friend who was just how he remembered. Even physically, where everybody else had slight changes, Gwaine hadn't changed a bit.

He quickly filled two cups with water before heating them up with a spell, sticking a tea bag in each, whispering the memory spell into one of them, and then walking back into the living room and handing the charmed cup to Gwaine.

"Wow, I have never seen someone make tea that fast," Gwaine claimed, looking impressed.

Merlin fought back a groan and forced a smile on his face. "It's a gift," he agreed quickly. "Go ahead, drink up."

He tried not to stare to hard as Gwaine brought the cup to his mouth and took a sip.

Immediately his face scrunched up in disgust and he dropped the cup. Merlin quickly stopped it with magic before it could fall too far and spill everywhere. He hurried to grab it and put it on the table. Luckily, Gwaine didn't seem to notice. He still looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth, but he also looked like he just took a dose of some really strong drugs.

To be fair, magic was one hell of a drug.

"Gwaine?" Merlin asked tentatively. "You alright? Are you maybe...remembering things?"

"What did you put in that tea? It's-" he stopped to cough, "bloody awful."

"Yes, yes, but are you feeling…anything strange? Like maybe having vivid and complex memories of a past life in Middle Ages where you were a knight for King Arthur?" Merlin asked, staring intently at him.

Gwaine looked like Merlin had just lost his marbles, which, fair, because to Gwaine he just looked like a crazy old man. "That's…oldly specific," he managed with another cough.

Merlin let out an angry huff. "Just an example."

"You know, I have a thing to get to, so I'm just going to..." he trailed pointing towards the door.

Merlin started to panic as Gwaine stood up, but he immediately wobbled and clutched his head. "What the-" he mumbled before collapsing to the floor.

Everything was silent for a moment. "Gwaine?" Merlin called. No answer. He groaned in frustration. "Bloody hell, Gwaine," he grumbled as he stood then crouched down next to him.

He pushed the table away a few feet to have room. He turned Gwaine over so that he was on his back. "Gwaine?" Merlin called again, giving a few light slaps to his cheek. "Gwaine," he called louder.

He picked up his cup of tea, reciting a spell to make it cold before pouring it over Gwaine.

The effect was immediate as Gwaine sprang up with heavy breathing and wide eyes, frantically wiping tea from his face. He looked around, gaze catching on Merlin who was watching carefully. "I- you-" he spluttered.

"Deep breaths, Gwaine," Merlin said gently.

Gwaine worked to control his erratic breathing, and then broke into a smile. "Merlin!" he exclaimed joyously.

"Gwaine!" Merlin said, laughing, Gwaine's excitement contagious.

He stood up and helped pull Gwaine to feet where he was immediately pulled into a tight bear hug. "Oh my God, Merlin," he said, pulling back. "I- I mean- you and-" he stuttered looking overwhelmed but happy.

"It's alright, Gwaine, I'll explain everything," he promised.

"Alright, just one question first."

"Sure."

"Why do you look like the evil sorcerer that lived near Camelot?"

Notes: Thank you for reading, comments and kudos are much appreciated :)

Next chapter is Percival