This is set right after Agravaine and Gwaine got Gaius out of the cave in episode The Secret Sharer
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Gwaine got Gaius up on the horse before Agravaine and turned back to the cave.
Agravaine quickly said, "What are you doing? Come on, we've not much time."
Gwaine looks back, "I'm going back for Merlin, you go on and Agravaine, if you don't make it back with Gaius alive I will do everything I can to make sure Arthur has your head. Or I'll do it myself."
Agravaine gulps and nods, taking off at a careful gallop.
Gwaine takes a deep breath and plunges into the cave once more.
(***)
Gwaine growls, another dead end. Where is Merlin?!
As if answering his thoughts he hears footsteps coming his way and hides behind a large rock.
When the figure steps into his vision that is somewhat altered from the lack of sun in the cave Gwaine sighs in relief, its Merlin.
He is about to step into view when Merlin is thrown backwards and Gwaine's eyes whip over to see Morgana.
Morgana sneers, "you really are a thorn in my side, aren't you?"
Gwaine shifts, ready to intervene but his curiosity makes him wait until it is no longer possible.
Morgana pulls out a dagger, "when will you learn not to meddle with things you couldn't possibly understand?"
Meddle? Meddle with what?
Gwaine's eyes widen as he watches Morgana throw the knife and use magic to keep it at Merlin's throat as he scampers backward on the ground.
Gwaine is about to jump in when he hears Morgana start a conversation with his friend, "it's difficult, isn't it? Where there are so many different and painful ways for me to be finally rid of you."
Merlin growls, "I don't care what you do to me. I want to know what you've done to Gaius."
Gwaine shakes his head at his friends stupidity, he should know better than to say something like that especially to Morgana!
Morgana decides to indulge him, "well, Gaius had some information I needed. The whereabouts of the sorcerer Emrys. If he gave it to me willingly, his suffering would not be prolonged, but... if he did not..." A smirk forms on her face.
Merlin answers back immediately, "if you have harmed him..."
Gwaine is shocked at the amount of power in that sentence. What could his wee mate do?
Morgana's smirk grows, "why are we discussing his fate when it's time to decide yours? Not whether you're going to die alone here in this godforsaken place. That's gonna happen anyway. But how. Or more precisely, how painfully."
Gwaine's breath quickens when another person joins them, this time a monk looking male caring a staff. Gwaine gulps, another sorcerer.
Morgana turns to the newcomer, "Alator this is Merlin."
The Alator fellow seems surprised and looks over Merlin as if searching for something.
Morgana continues, "he's just a serving boy, but he's the most troublesome serving boy I've ever known. I take it your time with Gaius was fruitful?"
Alator turns his head to look at Morgana, "Gaius told me everything."
Gwaine sees Merlin's head snap to look at Alator.
Morgana sounds eager, "so you know who Emrys is?"
Alator speaks again, "indeed I do."
Gwaine's eyes narrow as he watches Alator walk forward and kneels before Merlin, looking him in the eye. Merlin glares back at him. Gwaine is almost surprised at the amount of bravery his mate is showing, but he always knew he was the bravest of them all.
Morgana takes a couple steps forward, desperate for this mans answer.
Alator doesn't look away from Merlin, "not only do I know who Emrys is, I know exactly where he is."
Gwaine sees something flicker in Merlin's eyes.
Morgana's widen with eagerness, "then tell me."
Alator looks at her, "never."
Gwaine jolts at the answer, why has this Emrys gotten such loyalty in a such a short amount of time.
Alator stands and shocks Gwaine farther by aiming his staff at her, "Forþ fleoge!"
Morgana screams as she's thrown backwards against a rock and collapses unconscious. Her dagger that she held at Merlin's throat drops and Merlin jumps to his feet.
Alator turns to Merlin and Gwaine tenses, unsure, "Merlin, I am Alator of the Catha. I am honored to be of service.
Gwaine's eye bug out, Merlin seems not affected by this, "you have magic!"
Alator nods, "I understand the burden you carry. I have lived with it all my life. I have been shunned, persecuted, and sometimes even hunted in every corner of the five kingdoms. I understand what that feels like. You're not alone. From what Gaius told me, I do not have your great powers, Merlin, but I share your hopes. For I, and others like me, have dreamt of the world you seek to build. And we would gladly give our lives to help you do it."
Gwaine's jaw drops as it clicks.
Merlin... is Emrys.
Gwaine is not a fool, in his travels he has heard stories of the destined Emrys and the Once and Future King but he thought they were just that, stories.
No one ever knew who Emrys was to be or when he would come but Gwaine is amazed and humbled that it is Merlin and he is friends with the legend. Not that he would ever tell Merlin of that thought, he couldn't let his ego get any bigger.
Gwaine can see the amazement on the powerful warlock's face as Alator drops to his knees in front of him to show his allegiance.
Gwaine quickly and quietly makes his exit and finds his horse, riding hard to catch up with Agravaine.
Gwaine came to a decision with a smile on his face, he would keep Merlin's secret and maybe one day, when the time is right Merlin will tell him himself.
Gwaine looks forward to the day.
