A/N: Grab a hot coffee or a tea and enjoy! Happy reading! Full A/N by the end!
CHAPTER 42
Uncovered
It had been a quiet evening in Camelot.
And Gaius was concerned about this, any other moment in time he would've been happy to have such a quiet day in the citadel, usually he was busy doing errands, looking after Merlin and Arthur or doing different shores for Uther, at the very least he would be busy working on a project or a new investigation, however, now staring down at the almost empty yard of the castle Gaius wonders when had he believed that a quiet day was a good day. Quiet days always followed chaos.
"Have you heard any news from Arthur or Merlin?"
Gaius sighed and shook his head, "Not a word since they had departed,"
"Gwaine?"
Gaius again shook his head, "They left yesterday, if the Gods are in our favor they will be arriving tomorrow if they find them and hopefully all the answers we need along with them,"
"When have the Gods ever graced us with luck, Gaius?"
Gaius smiled against his will, "Not lately, I will agree."
With an equal somber smile, by his side, stood Lancelot Dulac, who was watching the empty courtyard along with Gaius. They have been grown closer since Arthur and Merlin had left, without them and the secrets they carried, both the old man and the young knight have been having very difficult days.
"But I do wish you are correct," Lancelot sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, "It's been quiet for a few hours now, strange, what people do once something like this happens, even a few knights had gone to try it out,"
"Well, I can't only imagine the lines that are being formed right now," Gaius said as he clasped his hands behind his back, "Have you gone to keep watch?"
Lancelot sighed, "I'm on King Duty, I went to see for a few hours when Uther went down the road to watch, however, after a while it grew a bit boring, although it had grown into quite a show, bets are going all around,"
"Bets?"
"Of course, people wanna know what the price and winner will be, all kinds of things and gossips had started to spread; will it be money, Land? The promise of filled with abundance and wealth? A place in the palace?"
"Well it's a good thing then that no one has the faintest idea,"
Lancelot heaved a sigh, his eyebrows growing closer, "I had hoped that by now Merlin would've figured out the spell to bring Uther's memories back, it's getting harder and harder to maintain so many lies, the noblemen have been quiet since Arthur spoke with them… however…"
Gaius turned his eyes towards Lancelot, "What have you heard?"
Lancelot made a face before turning to Gaius, "I don't think—not without Arthur but… I'm afraid of what will happen if Arthur and Merlin come empty handed…"
Gaius nodded, he feared the same. If they came back to Camelot without a cure, Uther Pendragon's reign will come to an end sooner rather than later, and the old physician thought there was little to nothing either he or Arthur will be able to do to stop that from happening.
"Merlin has yet to fail in anything he sets his mind to," Gaius said trying to sound more optimistic than he felt.
Lancelot nodded, "And I agree, he tends to find miracles where miracles do not exist,"
"Part of the boy's charm, I guess," Gaius said and they both laughed. Lancelot stared down at the courtyard again, the smile dying a bit on his lips. Gaius noticed the tired stance of the knight and the dark bags under his eyes, he could relate, they had failed Merlin and Arthur, in a way, "C'mon Sir Lancelot, let's go and have a nice cup of tea, it will help our nerves, I'm sure Percival and Leon can take your so-called 'King's Watch' for a moment,"
Lancelot looked sideways to Gaius as if wondering if he could allow himself a few moments to relax. In that moment a solitary figure crossed the courtyard catching their attention, easily recognizable from this distance.
"Gwen?" Lancelot asked as he watched his friend cross the long path and start her way up the stairs. Lancelot was already moving, unconsciously, towards the direction that will eventually allow him to cross paths with her. "What is she doing here?"
Gaius sighed, "Go and fetch her, I'll make three cups of tea,"
Lancelot nodded and walked away as Gaius stared back at the once again empty courtyard. The only sounds that he could hear where the faint steps of Lancelot walking away.
It was an eerily quiet day in Camelot since morning when Uther Pendragon had announced that a magical sword, hidden in the forest by the first king of the realms, was waiting to find ti's rightful owner. A test, he had called it. The recompense to whoever comes victor was a reward without precedents. Life changing, he had said.
"Only someone worthy of the sword will be able to pull it out, I have myself tested it, so I invite anyone who feels deserving of it to give it a try," Uther spread his arms wide by his sides as his people listened, enraptured, "I'll welcome the winner with open arms, may the Gods be with you,"
Camelot was quiet because the Sword in the Stone test had been announced and there had been nothing neither the noblemen, Gaius or Lancelot could've done to prevent it. Now, somewhere in the forest, all of Camelot had gone to see and try this so called sword, that could grant one lucky man or woman the chance to change their lives.
Everyone wanted the award… whatever that award might entail.
That had been the only thing Gaius had managed; to keep the reward a mystery. Arthur was the right heir to the throne, no one else can stand where he was meant to stand… and yet he wondered if Merlin and Arthur will be back on time. The whole test a farce, a lie that the three of them had constructed, however, now that it was out there… who knew?
He shook his head, trying to clear his head, no good will come from worrying, he glances one last time out the citadel before walking in the direction of his chambers, he was going to prepare those cups of tea. Maybe two for himself.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
"Gwen, what is it, girl? Here, have a seat and drink this, it will help,"
Lancelot and Gaius both waited patiently for Gwen to talk, who was quietly sipping her cup as if trying to find the words, finally, she lowered the cup back to the table, moving her hands softly as she talked.
Lancelot noticed that her usually kept hair was disarranged and her eyes had lost that sparkle that he loved so much.
"I—It's just…I have so many questions regarding so many things and without him here I don't know… I didn't know what to do," It was clear that Arthur was somewhere in that sentence without his name even being said, "I don't know who to go to besides you Lancelot, and of course you Gaius. I just…"
"It's alright, my girl," Gaius smiled warmly as she patted her hand, "You can tell us. Is this about Elyan?"
Gwen looked towards Gaius with something in her eyes as Gaius's smile dropped slowly by his face. Lance saw all this but couldn't see the relation.
"Is he alright?" He asked softly, "I know it's been a few long days for you two,"
Gwen nodded as if trying to reassure herself more than Lancelot, "He's… he's been fine but—but I think. I think he's hiding something from me," She said before looking down at the table, playing with the cup in her hands as she tapped her fingers against it, "and I—he has been telling me things, about Arthur that I just—God, I don't know where to start,"
Lancelot stiffened; he took a careful sip from his cup exchanging a look with Gaius. "What kind of things?"
At this Gwen turned her eyes towards Gaius, something steely and equally demanding in them, "Things I think you know, Gaius. I need to hear them. Please,"
Gaius sighed as he laced his hands over the table, "Gwen… Elyan has been coming for guidance; he needed someone to listen to him,"
"I know, but—"
"And as a doctor, a court physician and he as my patient… I cannot tell you what he said,"
"Elyan… has been coming to see you?" Lancelot asked totally dumbfounded and at this Gaius stared at his cup for a moment before nodding, raising his eyes to meet theirs, "Why?"
"Things happened in that hut with Morgana," Gaius said eyeing Gwen closely, "It's comprehensible he wants someone to listen to him, besides, it helps me to keep an eye on him and his recovery. Elyan sought help where he thought he could find it. "
Lancelot didn't ask but he could feel as Gwen lost her patience,
"Gaius, he's been acting so strange lately, and I understand, I truly do but he can tell me things too! I'm… I'm literally sick for not knowing! I can't sleep, I can't eat. I can't even work properly anymore."
"Gwen, there are things you are better off not knowing, he specifically told me to not say a word to you or—"
"I don't care!" Gwen's explosion was so sudden Lancelot was taken by surprise, Gaius sighed as if he was growing even older by the second, "There are things happening in Camelot for a while that shouldn't be happening, Gaius. Something is wrong and somehow my brother is in the middle of this!"
Gwen turned towards Lancelot, accusation in her eyes, "No one knows where Arthur is, no—don't even try and tell me he is in Annora, if he had been he would've come back days ago. He's been missing for a week! Merlin along with him, I'm sure! There are no meetings this time of the year in Annora. Then Elyan—" Her voice broke a little, "He's been through so much… and I had hope that after Arthur found out that he was alive he would come and see him. They are friends and he is his prince! And yet—"
The more she talked the more perplexed she was by their lack of reactions,
"And you know, and I know you do, and yet you keep this big secret away from me!" She said enraged, clasping her hands on her lap with tears threating to spill from her eyes, she blinked as she looked at the ceiling, she hated to cry for god's sake and she was not going to start now, and yet she seemed unable, "And Elyan has been saying all these things to me… how everything is Arthur's fault. How he let him there to—and I don't believe it. He's hurt and traumatized and he's trying to heal, he's trying to blame someone but…. He doesn't let me in. We are growing further and further apart each day. What I'm I supposed to think anymore?"
She finally gave up and started to cry silently as she bit her lip, Lancelot clasped her left hand in his, however, he knew the truth the same way Elyan seemed to know now. He had feared this, he had hoped that it wouldn't happen but he had been prepared because Elyan was not stupid.
So he knew then, that Arthur had left him there to die. It had been a conscious decision. It had been Gwaine's mistake, true, but in the end, it had been Arthur who decided that the best course of action was to leave it as it was. All of them had thought they were dead. All of them knew what Morgana represented against his kingdom, the threat she imposed on everyone who dared to cross path with her. Merlin had not been ready to face her yet. It had been the wise thing to do.
Lancelot had all these reasons, and yet he still feels guilty every time he sees Elyan because he had been alive. Had they known the would've gone to rescue him… but well, now it was too late to do anything about it.
"He says… he comes to talk to you, Gaius. I need to know," Gwen finally said raising her head and cleaning her face clean from tears, a few still dropping from time to time and Lancelot's heart ached because he couldn't do anything. A lie would destroy her the same way as the truth. There was no right path here, "I just need to know otherwise I will go mental, Gaius. Mental,"
Gaius was silent for several minutes after that, as Gwen recovered from her little outburst. Lancelot still held her hand, however, he was unable to look at her. To know he had left her brother to die willingly? He didn't know, but then Gwaine had gone to right his wrong right? He should've gone too. He should've helped.
"He talks… about what he remembers from his time there," Gaius finally said and Gwen held her breath, as if not wanting to disturb Gaius, "He says that every day he remembers more about what happened… and he comes to talk to me about it. I assure you he doesn't remember much, but every once in a while he will remember something. I have been given him sedatives to help him sleep and have nightmare-less nights."
Gwen nodded as if expecting more but Gaius shook his head, "That is all I will say, Gwen. All you need to know is that cases like this take time. You just have to be patient. With both of them. Arthur too has his reason, he might not be able to share them right now but—"
"He never does," Gwen said sadly, almost resigned, "What good is then? What good is that he left—to do what, just God knows—if his people need him here. Uther is anxious. I can see it. I dare say because he has yet to hear from Arthur and whatever quest he choose to honor this time. He's away even after everything that has been going on here; in his castle, with Elyan and M-Morgana… and now the Test of the Stone. It's like… from the moment Arthur left things had just—Camelot needs Arthur back. I need Arthur back." She finished.
Lancelot squeezed her hand making Gwen look up at him, "Do you believe me if I say he's doing the right thing?"
Gwen stared at him for a long moment, "I don't know about Arthur anymore, but I do know about you, Lancelot," she smiled, the first smile in a long time, even if it was a sad one, she squeezed his hand back "So I'll believe just one more day,"
Lancelot smiled too, "One more day is all we need, Gwenivere"
They all finished their cups of tea and remained sitting together for a few minutes.
The different kinds of silence ringed heavily in their ears.
The silence of the absence of Merlin, who by all means should be there talking with them, cleaning around, having a one-sided banter with Gaius while making Gwen laugh.
The absence of Arthur, who should be leading his people, who should be there to calm Gwen and hold her hand and tell her everything will be alright. To tell her he would make things right.
And the almost palpable silence of the citadel.
All of these silences reminded anyone who knew how to listen… that Camelot right now is missing a prince, a sorcerer, and a heir to the throne.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
By Merlin's reaction,— or rather the lack of— Gwaine wondered if telling Merlin right in the middle of a fight of his knowledge about his magic was a smart move.
It probably wasn't.
In his defense, they had pretty much run out of options: they were cornered against a cliff and in great numbers disadvantage. Merlin and Gwaine would need a miracle to beat these odds, so in Gwaine's mind it had all been reduced to either tell Merlin then, or right then, and there would be no later.
Gwaine moved with security along the field as he made a mental map where every enemy was located, never straying more than a few paces away from Merlin— who looked as cold and still as the statues in Camelot's castle. Gwaine counted more than twelve, less than twenty thugs. There was silence as the last few thugs came running from the woods, once the enemy realized they had the upper arm a few laughs escaped them.
"Nowhere to run, lads,"
"Brilliant observation," Gwaine said as he made a show of swinging his sword, "I don't know why you choose to steal and kill for a living when you are all so smart,"
A second later Gwaine was already engulfed in a battle; he mentally chastised himself, seriously, knowing when and how to talk should be a class before becoming a knight. He ducked and blocked the swing of his first enemy, effectively avoiding being decapitated.
Gwaine swung his word and fought, fully expecting Merlin to be aiding him any minute now, however, around a minute had passed and Merlin had yet to move, let alone say something. Gwaine didn't have much time to look in his direction to totally appreciate his friend's face but he was certain that Merlin's blue eyes were almost popping out of his sockets. He would've joked about that any other time but right now he needed help more than he would like to accept.
The knight huffed as he blocked the sword of his opponent and with a well-delivered kick to his chest, he sent him stumbling backwards, knocking another thief to the ground in the process, however, that only gave a new opening for another two thugs to close on his space.
"Merlin!" Gwaine called again, more desperate this time as he fought two men at the same time, it was tricky, not impossible, he had faced worse odds, however, almost twenty men against him seemed a bit unfair even to him. Gwaine had to duck again as a third one all but threw himself at him, a heavy mace on his hand as he yelled murder, Gwaine ducked again, one punch and he would have a destroyed thorax. As he almost played a sick kick and dive, he spotted by the corner of his eye an archer preparing for a clean shot, "Merlin!"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Merlin though that after meeting Kilgharrah, having sealed a pact with the druids, met and left unscratched from seeing Mordred and having a vision of Arthur dying—something he will never be able to forget—there were very few things left in this world that could unsettle or surprise him any longer.
Well… he was wrong.
Being so blatantly and unashamedly confronted by Gwaine had snapped something in him, a million thoughts breaking lose at once, stumbling one after the other in his head.
How does he know? Who told him?
How did he figure it out? Had he been spying on him? Or worse?
He panicked then, maybe… if he knows… that means someone in Camelot knows?! Does Owen know and that is why he had been so quiet?!
Was it safe to go back to Camelot? Who spread the news? Was it common knowledge now? Was there a bounty on his head now? How much would he be sold for?
Where Gwaine and Owen ordered to retrieve him? To incarcerate him?! To kill him?!
Or did Lancelot told him behind his back? Did he betray him? Even when he swore he would never tell a soul? Or did he thought it would be a good idea, somehow?!
These were just a few of the thoughts who were fighting for prevalence in his mind.
In short: he was in panic.
He felt numb as and as shocked as he had ever been. His eyes followed the movement and colors around the field, his stare falling in the form of Gwaine as he bravely fought, almost as in slow-motion. The first coherent thought Merlin had then, one that won over the other erratic thoughts in his head was: run. Run because they know.
Merlin took one step back and immediately regretted it. He looked behind him, he had completely forgotten he was standing by the edge of a cliff. Literally and figuratively. Was destiny somehow playing games with him? He thinks so.
He thinks he heard his name.
Merlin clutched the satchel with the vase close to his chest as he stared down at the cliff one more second.
He heard a grunt and he snapped his head back, Gwaine had kicked someone in the chest, making him stumble down only to be replaced by another nameless enemy.
He realized then—probably at the worst time in history— that it was one thing to tell other people about his secret and an entirely different other to have someone literally shout it at your face, before going face first into battle. For a few moments he didn't know how to react, he actually kind of forgot how to breathe. It had been a strange moment of irrational fear, it was illogical and yet Merlin's brain had been stuck in the fact that someone had taken notion of his magic and had called him upon it.
Cold white fear began started creeping its way through his veins; he had always thought he was good at conceiving his magic, the only habit that had gotten him alive and—
"MERLIN!"
It was like breaking out of a stupor. He blinked, a rush colors and sound and movement seemed to explode inside and around him. He hadn't realized that his magic had been tingling; almost painfully, as if calling him to attention.
Gwaine was on his knees sword raised above his head as he leaned back, almost breaking his back in the process, trying to prevent a sword from impaling him through his chest.
A battle.
For God's sake they were in a battle.
And yet Merlin, for the longest second on earth, did not move, the irrational fear clinging to his bones, years of habit more encrusted in his soul that he had thought, however, when he saw Gwaine's arm twist down with a grunt, the knight shutting his eyes close as a reflex…the sword swinging down…
Merlin moved.
He unceremoniously dropped the satchel to his feet as his hands flew to chest level; his eyes were already shining gold.
The sword, that should've been Gwaine's death by all means and purposes, froze on the thug's hand—the baffled look on his face should've been funny had he not been trying to kill his friend—, as he tried to move a sword that seemed to be stuck in the middle of empty air.
"What on earth—"
Gwaine opened his eyes once he realized he was alive and stared at the tip of the sword just two inches away from his face. He sighed in relief. Two inches or whole five yards, who cared, right? as long as he gets to be alive. He quickly rolled away and up to his feet.
Everybody in the field had seemed to grow quiet, staring at the odd event happening.
"Is he—"
"A druid!" Someone shouted as he pointed at Merlin with his sword, "We have a druid!"
The obnoxious knight looked towards Merlin, a mix between proud and awe reflecting on his face, a face Merlin missed as he twisted his arm with a precise movement, just as Arthur had thought him, "Precise movements, Merlin!" and the sword went flying above their heads and down the cliff cutting the air as it went. He hoped that that show of magic would be enough to deter their attackers but instead, he turned to face them again, eyes flickering around the field waiting for the one who would make the first move.
He could almost hear Arthur's voice in his head.
"You know who dies at battle? Confident people, Merlin! Don't ever turn your eyes away from the enemy!"
Merlin was painfully aware that Gwaine was looking intently at him, but he refused to meet his stare.
Would he be scared?
Would he call him a monster?
Would he run away?
He didn't—he wasn't prepared to see Gwaine turning away from him. He was one of his closest friends.
"Gwaine—" Merlin called, not knowing what to say but feeling the need to say something. He saw as the thugs began moving slower this time around the field.
"Merlin! That's exactly what I was talking about, mate!" Gwaine said with a huge smirk on his face "Fancy a challenge? Let's see who can take more of these guys before they run scared, uh?," Not waiting for an answer he lowered himself to the ground in order to pick a new sword before throwing himself to the revived battle, fighting left and right with even more force and vigor that a few moments ago.
Merlin didn't panic this time, realizing their lives where on the line and that questions could be asked later. So Merlin followed suit.
When Gwaine dived an attack Merlin was there to push the enemies away by invisible cords. When Gwaine's back was a target Merlin burned the bows of the archers to the ground. Merlin noticed that instead of making them retreat the thieves looked even more driven now, a wicked spark shining in his eyes.
He remembered then that they were mercenaries; a sorcerer apparently was valuable enough to risk their lives for, sadly, knowing this only made Merlin fight a bit more brutally. These were men that had killed magical people, selling them to the best bidder, who knows how many innocent druids had died because of them.
He thought of Mersan and Linorien, who had been training their ronins so merciless because of these men. He thought of the twins, Shuri and Saimri, who had learned at such a young age what being hunt meant. He thought of Thomas and Lyaa. He thought of Aithussa in the hands of the little Eliane. He thought of his new alliance to Arya.
And so, he fought. He used to fight for Arthur, for Camelot, for his friends, but now there was a new burden on his shoulders, druids lives depended on him. He thought of the kids running free in the field. It was a burden he would gladly carry now.
So Merlin twisted their weapons, pushed them back against trees and rocks in hopes to knock them out. He made the metal of their swords scorching to the touch, enough to burn their hands and yet they kept trying. They were stubborn, Merlin will give them that.
"Merlin! Little help?"
Merlin twirled on his spot.
Gwaine had his arms raised in front of him as clear surrender, he was cornered against the edge cliff, two steps away from falling when one of the thugs moved his spear to his chest and Merlin acted quickly, using the stances Arthur and him had figured out in Ealdor. With a movement the three thugs fell to the side and down the cliff, yelling as they went.
Merlin turned, realizing that sooner rather than later Gwaine and him would be surrounded, he looked at his hands, he better start trying the new spells he had learned, he quickly placed his palms on the earth by his feet, sending a little tremor that had the trees in the forest rocking back and forth in lazy arches, the rocks nearest the cliff fell down. The thugs all around the field yelled in confusion, falling to their knees looking for balance.
Gwaine almost fell back, arms wind-milling to keep his balance. Merlin's eyes shined gold and it was like an invisible force had tugged the knight forward, Gwaine landed on his fours, looking around, trying to understand what was going on when his eyes landed on Merlin.
This time Gwaine had been truly blown away by Merlin's magic. It must have shown on his face because Merlin quickly avoided his eyes.
Merlin dived for his satchel, he tossed it over his shoulder and began running towards Gwaine— who looked less affected by the earthquake than the fact that it had been Merlin(Merlin of all people!) who had managed to create it— Gwaine Walwein*, for the first time in the history of the five kingdoms, was speechless.
"Gwaine, run!" Merlin instructed and Gwaine jerked back to reality, he gave the field full of enemies a one last glance before he nodded, appreciating an order when it was given, and pushed himself up to his feet, he marveled when the soil under his feet stilled for him, making him able to run freely and without inconvenience, from the corner of his eyes he saw Merlin catching up with him.
They saw eye to eye for the first time, the knight unknowingly gasped, thrown away by the gold in his eyes. It was so vibrant. He had heard of it but never seen it. Merlin looked different, not only from the past few minutes—had been reasonably interesting— but in general, there was some… he could not quite pinpoint it, but some assertiveness, confidence maybe, that wasn't there before.
Gwaine, who never feels any less or weak compared to anyone, even when he stands beside Percival, felt a little weak then, knowing that Merlin could probably just snap his fingers and Gwaine would be dead by his feet, it was not exactly unsettling, since this was Merlin we are talking about, but it definitely was a life-worldly moving experience.
They kept running for a few minutes but as the adrenaline wore off, Gwaine started to feel the pain and aches of the battle, more outstandingly the pain in his chest, he looked down and sure enough his once white shirt was soaked red now. He lowered his pace automatically; letting Merlin advance several yards, however, now aware of the pain there was little he could do to ignore it.
"Merlin," Gwaine managed to call. It was barely a whisper but Merlin looked back, still jogging.
Merlin locked eyes with him, and Gwaine was glad to see that somewhere in between their escapade his eyes had turned back to the ocean blue he had known for years, however, Merlin didn't stop running, he just kept going. Gwaine couldn't hear the sounds of the persecution any longer, couldn't see any threat hanging over their heads.
"We—we need to keep moving,"
He furrowed his eyebrows. What was going on?
Well, he assumed it would be better to put some distance between them and their enemies, so Gwaine nodded and kept his pace, diving and jumping over the roots of the trees when needed be, however, his constant jog didn't last long when a shot of pain travelled all the way from his ankle to his chest, making him halt in his brave efforts.
"Merlin, Merlin wait," Gwaine all but wheezed as he finally collapsed against a tree, taking huge gulps of air that made his chest ache, his limbs were shaking and his vision was blurry, "Just a minute,"
Merlin, who was several yards away from him looked down the path they had yet to go and then back at Gwaine, he had stopped (Finally! Since when does Merlin have all this stamina for godssake?!) but he did not move to aid him. Gwaine grunted as he lowered himself to the floor, he gave Merlin a one last up and down glance before tearing his shirt open to assess the damage.
Merlin almost tripped on his feet when he rushed to his side, however, he had not even closed a few yards when he consciously stopped short in his tracks again, choosing to walk down the rest of the space between them with slow, almost meticulously steps. Hands clutching the satchel so hard his knuckles were white.
As Gwaine prodded at the red and injured skin he took notice of these actions. What was going on? He looked around; they were clearly out of danger now, so he didn't know where Merlin was coming from. He raised his eyes to meet Merlin's, trying to read his friend and—Merlin wasn't even looking at him.
Gwaine felt something cold creeping into his chest, "Merlin—"
"We need to find Arthur," Was all Merlin said with ragged breath, finally two steps away from Gwaine but still standing, head stubbornly tilted to the side avoiding his stare, "He might be in danger,"
Gwaine looked at Merlin for a long second before silently nodding to himself and decided to give Merlin a few moments to process what had just happened. Honestly, even he needed some time to process the fact that Merlin could create earthquakes. Earthquakes for god's sake. He had been ready to see raging fires, bodies being tugged by invisible forces, swords flying away from their owners, all that he had envisioned; a part of him had been almost eager to see it, but an earthquake? He huffed, could Merlin create rain then?
Alright, maybe they both needed more than just a few minutes.
"Yeah, true, Arthur," Gwaine said, remembering that Owen was with him too,"Just a minute, mate."
Merlin nodded but besides pushing his weight to one foot to the other he didn't say or do anything else.
"Merlin, is something wrong?" Gwaine asked perplexed as he looked down at chest grimly before looking back at Merlin, "Are we in danger?"
"No,"
The silence settled thick and heavy between them and it was the first clue that finally makes Gwaine connect the dots. He pretended then to look for something to clean his wound with when he literally had nothing on his persona as he slowly understood the heavy glances, the anxiousness Merlin was practically radiating.
His hands stilled by his sides as he almost gasped, his eyes snapped to Merlin but the sorcerer had his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the sky.
It struck Gwaine right then and there… that maybe, just maybe, Merlin was running away from him.
He didn't want Gwaine to know about his secret.
Gwaine felt as if someone had punched him in the chest, all the adrenaline from the fight had left him, leaving him with an aching body in return and a restless soul. He was simply not used to large periods of tense silence, it made him anxious, and he was less used to them when he was with Merlin, they were buddies, best buddies even; they joke, and laugh, and once every two moons they get serious.
This—this silence and the heavy stares and the just down right awkward atmosphere—this was not them.
Merlin should be kneeling beside him, doing what he does best besides cooking; which is healing. He should be bandaging his torso right now, either that or throwing a fit over how reckless Gwaine was before cracking a laugh and say a quick remark. Like usual. Like always.
That's how they were; Gwaine and Merlin had always rolled with the punches. Let it not be said that Merlin and him don't get away from the direst situations, although they were a strange team, granted, an unusual pair.
They weren't flawless; the way Merlin and Arthur worked together is unprecedented. They had this kind of… loyalty to each other that Gwaine had yet to see somewhere else. It was ever present, in the way they talk about each other and with each other. What one would risk and do for the sake of the other despite their differences went beyond boundaries, it was as if they were always pushing the other to do better, to be better.
They weren't that solemn either, the way Lancelot and Merlin where. Lancelot and Merlin had a more serious relationship based on trust. Gwaine had noticed this over the years, one look, one stare, and it was like the other was telling and sharing a whole story. They move in sync even when they don't speak, or even when they disagree. It was honest, and kind, and noble, just like the two of them.
Despite this, Gwaine had never been jealous because he had always trusted that Merlin and he shared a different but equally strong bond. While his relationship was not as noble and flawless, theirs was fearless. Merlin and him were like that pair of friends where when one is doing something stupid— in this case, that would be Gwaine— and the other would try to stop him (Merlin's more used phrase at taverns nights was "Gwaine, no!") but Gwaine does the stupid thing anyways and Merlin would just tag along by principle.
Merlin was the kind of friend where when the rest of the knights would try to knock him down a few perches Merlin would remind him that, unlike the knights who got there by position and wealth, he had been given the honor of servitude and duty in Camelot by skill and heart and that had always been more important.
They were the ones who in the middle of a bar fight they would not be hiding under the tables, but rather be fighting back to back; Merlin yelling where the thugs were coming so Gwaine could take them out one by one. They were the ones who sneak inside enemies' castles and dungeons to free prisoners. They were the only ones that challenged Arthur's decisions, not agreeing even when the rest did.
So no, they were not flawless together, or even humble; they were reliable. Gwaine trusts very few people blindly but he trusted Merlin almost the second he met him and Merlin trusted him back, and that gotten them alive through all kinds of problems time and time again.
Gwaine, who had always prided himself on being this unstoppable, confident man, had been left speechless when Merlin had seen right through him, and not even caring about this, Merlin had accepted him inside his tight circle of friends, a place very few could enter and now he shared along with Arthur, Gaius, Gwen, and Lancelot. Not despite his flaws, but because of them.
Gwaine's life was filled with uncertainties and people leaving, he had no family, no name or legacy, but he had these two friends; Percival and Merlin, who were trustworthy of his friendship. And being worthy of Gwaine's trust was probably harder than becoming King of Camelot.
So that's why when he found out—more like he eavesdropped, fine—the conversation between Arthur and Lancelot all those weeks ago he had been shocked, alright, but not scared. He trusted Merlin, considered him his brother, so finding this new side of him didn't change or alter his perspective in the slightest.
There's a reason Arthur, Gwen, Lancelot, Leon along with half the knights and half of Camelot loved Merlin and cared for him. He was just that good. It's a universal truth, according to the knights, to just care about him. Merlin was still Merlin, magical being or not.
So when Gwaine told Merlin about this, about his secret just a few moments ago… he had never expected Merlin's reaction to be—well, he had never expected any of this. He had honestly thought Merlin would seamlessly go along with it, the same way Gwaine had done just because Gwaine had truly believed he was trustworthy of this side of Merlin, just like Arthur and Lancelot are.
And yet…thinking about how scared Merlin had seemed to be back on the cliff… how scared and detached he was acting even now…
He raised his eyes; Merlin was now sitting on a nearby rock fidgeting with his satchel. He was quiet, shoulders slumped down and face crestfallen, his blue eyes fixed on some point on his knee.
The silence had never felt heavier and Gwaine didn't know if the pain on his chest was due to the injuries or something entirely different anymore. He lowered his eyes as he huffed for what seemed the fifth time in a minute.
The seconds ticked by slowly and he let them.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"I think we lost them," Arthur announced with a low voice, sword at the ready and his back against the side of a tree, ready to leap into action, however, no sights or sounds of their enemies had been heard for a few minutes now.
"Oh, thank God," Owen said as he finally lowered his body to the ground, hissing as he clutched his bleeding arm close to his body.
Arthur waited another whole minute before moving, eyes sharp and senses alert before his way to Owen. He kneeled beside him as they rested under the wide shadows of the trees. Arthur moved his hands around Owen's arm evaluating the wound.
"You were lucky, Sir Owen, the arrow just grazed you," Arthur offered.
Owen looked down at his bleeding arm and raised his brows at Arthur Pendragon's definition of 'just a graze' but said nothing, instead, he ripped a piece of his knight's cloak so he could tie it around his bleeding arm.
A second too late he realized that the best course of action in front of the Prince of Camelot probably wasn't just ripping his knight's cloak. His hands stilled with apprehension, waiting for the reprimand that was sure meant to follow, after all, a knight's cloak is not a gift, it's a silent oath, a privilege.
Ow, if his sister could see him know he would yell at him for a whole day.
Instead, his hands were roughly and quickly replaced by the hands of the Prince of Camelot himself.
"Here, let me help, although Merlin is the one who is better at this, guess we will have to make do until we find them," Arthur said as an apology as he worked. Owen found himself nodding, unable to utter a word. Owen had seen how Uther would yell and chastise all the knights who dared to use their red capes wrongly, and yet he saw as Arthur's fingers fumbled and twisted and tugged at the red material along his arm as if it was nothing. With decision the prince did the final knot, a bit tighter than necessary, Owen mused, but better tight than loose "I'm afraid I don't know much about medicine, I could be staring at some plant that could relieve you from the pain and wouldn't even know it,"
Owen recovered fast after that, "It's alright. I'm just glad the archer missed. Two inches to the left and I wouldn't have gotten away with just a scratch,"
"As I said, you were lucky," Arthur patted his shoulder gingerly, giving his work a last glance before shrugging and getting to his feet, he looked up to the sky as he placed his hands on his hips, "I have no idea where we are, I lost track, I know we moved north but we moved away from the path a few miles ago," He looked we down at Owen, "You think you can move?"
Owen stood up gingerly, "I'm fine. I can move, but I have never been in Cenred's Kingdom, I'm afraid I'm useless when it comes to knowing where we are,"
Arthur sighed but did not comment, instead, he closed his eyes. He had such a constipated look on his face Owen almost snorted.
"Arthur, Sire, is everything alright?" Was Arthur injured? He looked at the prince up and down, he looked fine.
Little did he know that Arthur was trying to communicate mentally with Merlin, but either Merlin was not trying to locate him or he didn't know how this worked because, unlike before, he couldn't hear or sense him in any way. Arthur grumbled, just when Arthur thought this would be a blessing in disguise.
"C'mon, let's get going." Arthur instructed as he picked Owen's sword from the ground, the sun had lowered significantly and soon night would fall, "We can't stay here, they might track us down,"
"What about Gwaine and Merlin?" Owen asked, "We didn't settle for a meeting point?"
"No, but they are going to Ealdor," Arthur said confidently, as he turned around the forest and once he was sure—for the millionth time—they were alone he began walking northwest, "If I'm not wrong we are just a few miles away from Ealdor, either we cross paths or we meet in Merlin's house."
"Maybe. But there's also the chance they would try to locate the path that connects the borders of the two kingdoms, after all, there's always a chance that some patrol of Camelot would be patrolling the perimeter. "
"Probably, but for all we know they might be injured after their own battle, in my experience whenever a group divides and one fairs good luck—that was us in this case—that means the other had it worse, so it would be way quicker to find aid and shelter Ealdor, the town is just an hour away,"
"You sound calm," Owen said as he followed Arthur silently.
"It's Merlin and Gwaine we are talking about, they had faced worse," Before, Arthur would've doubt it, but now he was sure that it would take a great enemy—his mind danced around the idea of Morgana and their still impending fight—to take down Merlin. As long as they two stuck together they would be fine, "Besides Ealdor is way closer than Camelot for a day and a half on horse, we need horses, provisions, and water to make our way back safely. Ealdor is a good place as any to buy those, we would lose more time waiting for a patrol."
Owen nodded and the conversation died, focused on making their way safely across the forest.
And it wasn't as if Arthur had not been worried, had he lost any other two knights Arthur would be trying to hunt down the path to Camelot, but the reason he was so sure Gwaine and Merlin were heading to Ealdor was simply because he knew Merlin, and if there was one thing he knew was that Hunith would never forgive either of them for leaving without saying goodbye.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Gwaine raised his head slowly to look at Merlin, who was still sitting on the rock but his eyes were fixed on his chest, Gwaine looked down, it was just a scratch, really, it was bleeding heavily, true, but it wasn't that deep to make him really concerned.
Merlin noticed that Gwaine had noticed and managed to babble something that sounded like a question.
"Im bleeding Merlin, what do you think?" He huffed a bit more angrily than he had meant, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself, reminding himself that his bitterness was just his and he should not be lashing out with Merlin, he tried again, "What 'bout ya? Are you? Alright, I mean?"
Merlin shrugged, muttered something and lowered his eyes to the ground.
Gwaine hummed unimpressed. He waited, he really did but after a minute or two, he grew tired of the tense atmosphere. He looked around him. He found a sizable rock and eyed Merlin by the corner of his eye before taking it. He stared at Merlin and waited for good ten seconds more for him to talk again. He didn't. Alright, that was all the patience Gwaine had at the moment.
"Fine, fine, jesuscrist, want me to start talking first? Fine, I'll do it," Gwaine said as he seized the rock in his hand. A Pensive look on his features. A strange thing for Gwaine to be.
"Gwaine—"
"Merlin, mate, buddy, what is going on?" And his voice was clear and with that edge of gruffness that so distinctively Gwaine's, "Because I honestly can't take this… awkwardness anymore. I don't know what to do and I feel like the teenager version of me and no one liked the teenage version of me, alright?"
"What—what do you mean?" Merlin asked faking ignorance, "I don't know—"
Okay, Gwaine has had it. Quick and precisely he threw the rock in Merlin's direction, his chest hurting in the process but it worked its purpose. Merlin leaned to the side as his hand shot out, a little golden spark-filled his eyes for a fleeting moment— unnoticeable before but now that Gwaine had seen it firsthand it was hard to miss.
"What was that for?" Merlin said with huge fearful eyes, the rock flew past him harmlessly.
"Oh, so he speaks! I'm glad the thieves and thugs didn't steal your tongue, Merlin!"
"Gwaine, what—"
"Merlin, you have magic," Gwaine stated, moving a hand as he talked, and Merlin felt as if his breath had been taken away again, "And that's alright, honest and—"
"Alright?" Merlin whispered-screamed, "Gwaine, it's not alright, what—you, you were scared in the field!"
"What?"
"In the field, I saw it. In your eyes," Merlin said with short sentences finally his blue eyes connecting with Gwaine, "You were scared,"
Gwaine blinked confusedly, stopping himself midsentence, "Scared?" He asked as if the word was entirely unknown to him, "Scared of—Merlin, there were like a hundred thugs trying to kill me from twenty different angles, mind you, before you decided to act, of course I was a scared, but even then just allegedly and—wait, hold on a sec', that's why you never told me? Because you thought I would be scared of you?"
Merlin doubted for a moment, shrugging his hands together before nodding, almost shyly. Gwaine stared at Merlin for a long second before a laugh erupted from his chest, he stopped himself short when that made him hiss in pain.
"Merlin, mate," He said after he recovered, "After all I have seen and lived there's a very high bar in my perception of fear. I'm afraid I'm more scared of Rose, the owner of Camelot's Sunrise Tabern— you see I still owe her a few golden coins since my last visit—, than you." Gwaine smirked, the smile coming off easy now that he knew why Merlin was fidgeting. Merlin's mouth was a straight line and this time Gwaine's smile grew more sincere, he talked slowly and carefully, "I'm not scared of you, Merlin, we good."
"Really?" Merlin asked as he raised from the rock he was sitting at, Gwaine could see a rant was coming, "Because… because back at the field I just… I flew a sword… through the air—"
"I saw that, really impressive."
"—and… I—I burned and melted weapons, I even pushed a few thugs down the cliff!"
"I was there, Merlin." Gwaine said good-naturedly, now understanding Merlin's hesitation, and letting him vent off.
"—I could kill you," Merlin said in the middle of his rambling, "I had killed," He said the last part as a confession, unknowingly to Merlin his eyes were shining gold as he stared down at Gwaine.
Gwaine's smile erased from his face, his back pressed solidly against the tree but his whole demeanor showed nothing but relaxation, even if he was a bit scared of the gold in Merlin's eyes, not because he didn't trust Merlin, but rather that for so many years he had let Merlin fear and hide all these things on his own, "Merlin. I have killed too. More times than you, in crueler ways than you."
"You can't know that."
"But I do," Gwaine said as he finally resigned himself to cut a part of his cape to start cleaning the wound, "Because I know you, back in the field, you threw them against trees and rocks in hopes they would pass out, you were careful, as to not break their limbs in the process. Even the thugs that you flew over the cliff, you dropped them near the edge, so they could have a chance to hold to the rocks to stop their falling," He ripped a piece of his red cape before looking at Merlin with a sincere smile, "I looked, they will survive, although in my opinion none of them deserved it."
Merlin blinked, his eyes back to blue again, he didn't say anything.
"You are not a killer, not a murderer, you are just human, Merlin."
Gwaine's hand stilled, unable to move, and he realized then that it was Merlin that had frozen him with his magic, it wasn't painful but it was unsettling, Gwaine looked up at him, being able to move his head as Merlin leaned down on his knees.
"Gwaine… you said your family was killed long ago. By magic, didn't you say that then?"
"It's different."
"How?" He said eyeing Gwaine square to the face, however, Gwaine could see the sadness and the fear as clear as day, "How is this different?"
"Merlin, do you want me to be afraid of you?" Gwaine said, getting angry now, "Because you are doing a lousy job."
"What?"
Gwaine stared down as an answer and Merlin blinked impressed, the gold in his eyes dying, without even noticing he had paralyzed Gwaine's hands, just so his magic could work on his injuries instead. He quickly dropped all the way down the ground this time, eyes a back to normal.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for using my magic on you, it's just… whenever I feel on edge I react and— lately, it's been… hard… to control it. I'm sorry," He said frantically, harder now when he had been practicing and using it nonstop for ten days, "I'm sorry, did I hurt you? See? This is what happens, this—"
"Merlin," Gwaine stopped him, "Would you have done that have you not been in this state of mind?"
"What? No! I would never—"
"Then we are good," Gwaine said with a solid nod.
Merlin looked at him for a long moment, his eyes looking around the forest before settling back on Gwaine, he nodded but Gwaine could tell he was not entirely convinced.
"Merlin, I'm serious, for once in my life," Gwaine smiled again, trying to meet Merlin's eyes, "C'mon buddy don't make me beg."
"I—it's just—you are taking this… a bit too well? I don't even know what to do. No one has ever—most people just freak out."
"Oh, you mean Arthur."
"He panicked more like it," He sighed before narrowing his eyes, "Wait, Gwaine, how do you know that and how—"
"I have come in terms with the whole idea of you being a sorcerer for a while now," Gwaine said quickly as he cleaned the blood out of his torso and finally Merlin reached out to help him. "I have known for a few weeks now so you don't need to worry about—"
"Weeks?!" Merlin screeched, losing the little color he had left on his face, his hands snapping away from Gwaine's chest, "You have known for weeks? How?"
"Oi! Oi! Oi! Don't blame me. I was trying to be polite about the whole issue, ya know? Wait for you to come to me and tell me your secret out of your good heart's will!"
Merlin gave him a deadpanned look.
"I did!"
"Gwaine, people like me get killed in Camelot. I can't just shout it to the wind! Like some people do! I couldn't just tell you!"
"Alright, listen," Gwaine said, quickly realizing this was not going the way he wanted, "I mean, fine, I'm sorry, alright? Sorry if I just… kind of blew it in your face, out of nowhere, granted, but we were about to—"
And Merlin this time glared at him, his blue eyes growing wide with exasperation, "Blew—blew it?! Gwaine! You shouted it! Right in my face!"
"Maybe it wasn't the best idea at the moment…"
"Oh, you think?!" Merlin yelled, "What is wrong with you? You knights of Camelot and your need to be in constant peril are going to be the end of me! Maybe I'm going delusional! Mental for thinking that for once you could make rational decisions! But no, God forbid! With Arthur who is so driven in getting himself kill every time I dare looking the other way, with Morgana's battle looming in the horizon and Uther, and now you—"
"Me? I didn't do anything!"
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Merlin shouted, his breathing heavy and unsteady, "You just said oh so casually, 'Hey, Merlin, mate, I know you are a sorcerer and I think this is the perfect time to say this? No problem. It's not like we are about to die or anything,' before throwing yourself into a suicide battle!" You… are you—Gwaine, this is not funny!" He said sternly in a very Gaius's manner and Gwaine cracked another bubble of laughter.
"Now this—this is us," Gwaine said over a fit of laugh, torn between laughing and grimacing due to the pain in his chest. Merlin smiled back then, stubbornly trying to hide it, still a bit unwilling but it was unavoidable, eventually, he found himself chuckling too.
"C'mon, Merlin, gotta accept it was a great speech, such an epic moment," Gwaine stated. They both let the easiness of the atmosphere settle between them.
"Yes, I might write about it in my book," Merlin finally said as he looked at Gwaine and the knight looked back.
They shared a silent glance, the type of glances he shares with Lancelot and Arthur and Gwaine knew they would be alright. They both nodded, and in a silent pact they just moved again, Merlin worked on cleaning Gwaine's injury while the knight began ripping a large piece of material to wrap his torso with.
"A book? You are writing a book about your adventures?" Gwaine asked perplexed after a moment, "Is Arthur gonna be in it? Of course he is gonna be, he is the prince. What about Lancelot? If he's going to be the wise knight I call shot for the title of bravest warrior, a soldier by day, a ladies-man by night, I like the sound of that,"
Merlin smiled as he took the piece of cloth from Gwaine and motioned Gwaine to sit straight and turn around so he could place the bandage around his torso, once Gwaine was giving him his back Merlin used his magic to clean the blood and mud from the cloth before using it.
"Merlin, can I be in it?" Gwaine asked more seriously, almost dreadfully. The question going further than just a name on his book.
Merlin smiled then, tears prickling in his tears as he nodded, he remembered Gwaine couldn't see him so he voiced it, "Yes, you can,"
Gwaine smiled to his knees as Merlin worked on his back.
And finally, the tense silence lifted.
"That's great because if there is going to be a book I have a few ideas, like—"
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The Prince of Camelot was keeping watch by the entrance path of Ealdor, the sunset had set a few minutes ago, the last dying traces of the sun had died along with it, and now the night sky was starting to win its way in the sky.
But he waited.
Arthur had been restless when Owen and him arrived at the hut to find that Merlin and Gwaine had yet to show up, unable to help he made himself useful, he bought four horses from a good man in Ealdor, then he went to but some food for all of them, and even when Owen and Hunith ate he didn't. Owen went to sleep the pain and medicines away as Hunith made herself busy in her hut, that's how she dealt with her anxiousness but Arthur? Arthur kept watch. He paced. And waited.
Images of Merlin dying flooded his brain, and he started to twirl the ring on his hand absently. For God's sake since when he had become such a worrywart? He never used to be like this before, but he guesses the man he is now is years away from the man he used to be a few months ago.
He looked down at his ring. It's blue light clearer now in the darkness. He blinked, he thought he saw the blue light increase for a moment.
The night sky had covered all of Ealdor when he saw two vague figures approaching, he stopped his pacing, sword in his hand, there was ever the slight chance that a few thugs had managed to track them down, the two figures stopped in front of him,
"Who is it?" Arthur called to the strangers in the dark.
A moment of silence, enough to put Arthur on edge when:
"Arthur? You made it!" That was the bubbly voice of Merlin,
"Bloody hell, Merlin—was that worry I heard in Arthur's voice?"… and that was Gwaine, alright.
Arthur almost dropped his sword in relief, however, he controlled himself as he just hurriedly walked down the path to be able to meet them halfway, he was smiling ear to ear against his will and he just hoped the night was dark enough for them not to see it, "Don't sound so surprised, Merlin, of course we made it, and no—I wasn't worried, Gwaine. Why should I be worried?"
"You were pacing,"
"So?" Arthur grunted,
"That's the international movement for—"
"Gwaine, I'm going to use the power given by birth to me and command you to shut up," Arthur said with a steel voice but a smirk on his face.
Gwaine stared at Arthur unimpressed before turning to Merlin, "Can't you use your magic to make him nicer or something, Merlin?"
The silence was heavy for three solid seconds.
"What—what did you just said?"
"Gwaine! Oh my god!"
Gwaine smiled ruefully, "I guess now it's a good time to tell you that I know what you know about Merlin but the rest of the people don't know and shouldn't know, which is fine by me."
"What?" Arthur asked clearly confused before he grew angry, "I—what?"
Merlin sighed as he pushed the heels of his hand against his eyes, "Gwaine knows. About my magic, that is. He has known for weeks."
"What?!" Arthur said for the third time, "I'm—I…"
Merlin uncovered his eyes and nodded grimly, "He eavesdropped you weeks ago,"
"Merlin, did you just betray me?" Gwaine said confused.
"You two, silent," Arthur ordered and Merlin and Gwaine wisely kept quiet. Arthur had his hands on his hips looking at the ground, he stood like that for several seconds, long enough for Merlin to worry.
"Arthur?"
"No. Shh—!" Arthur raised a hand and Merlin closed his mouth. He shrugged towards Gwaine as he narrowed his eyes at him. Arthur on a good day can't take the small news about magic. What would he do? Would he just accept it?
"So. Just to clarify this," Arthur clasped his hands as he looked back towards the knight at the sorcerer after a whole two minutes had passed, "Gwaine knows."
Merlin nodded at the statement.
"And you know that I know," Arthur said towards Gwaine who just nodded.
Silence for a long time.
"And what are you going to do now, Gwaine?" Arthur asked seriously, "What I mean is that I want to know where is your loyalty right now. Is it with me or the crown? Because in this moment it means different things."
Merlin found himself smiling behind his hand, "Arthur, its fine—"
Gwaine lowered his head a little and Merlin understood this was one of those talks that only knights could have and that he had never truly understood. So he kept quiet.
"Merlin's secret is safe with me, I'll honor my duty to Camelot and to you by protecting this secret with my life," Gwaine raised his head again as he clutched his torso, "I swear. My loyalties have not changed, just the dimension of them,"
Arthur nodded, "I'm glad to hear that, Sir Gwaine."
They were silent again, the three of them stood there in the lawn in the middle of the night. Merlin smiled, now that Gwaine knows all his tight circle of friends knew and he couldn't be happier. No more secrets. Slowly but surely people accepted him. It was life-changing.
"So, Merlin, are you two injured?" Arthur said out of the blue.
Merlin blinked, "What?"
"Are you two injured? Merlin, seriously, are you deaf?"
"I—I'm fine… Gwaine is the one who got it worse,"Merlin tilted his head with a hidden smile, Arthur was in shock but he was bravely—and pratishly—trying to cover for it.
"Just a scratch," Gwaine said easily as he tried—and failed—to see just what he had gotten himself into.
Arthur noticed the bandages for the first time before nodding, "Well, it's good news that you are unscratched Merlin,"
The words were truthful but there was something wrong in Arthur's voice as if he wasn't relieved exactly,
"Uh… Arthur?"
"Because you and me? We need to talk. Right now." Arthur said as he motioned to the ring in his hand, the satchel that Merlin was carrying and then towards his head, something that should not have meant anything and yet Merlin understood clearly, "Because I'm two seconds away from breaking your arm, God help me."
Merlin bleached, so he had not forgotten about the mental connection issue?
"Im sorry?" Merlin tried as he tried to make himself small.
"YOU ARE SO—MERLIN. I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK! I THOUGHT I WAS GOING DELUSIONAL!"
"It was the only way! It worked didn't it?!"
"You idiot! When you said you had a plan I didn't expect it to be A MENTAL CONVERSATION FOR GOD'S SAKE! CAN'T YOU JUST AT LEAST LET ME KNOW BEFOREHAND!"
"Oh, I'm sorry! NEXT TIME I'LL SEND YOU A ROYAL LETTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE, YOU UNFORGIVING PRAT!"
And, again, despite the harsh words there were silent smiles dancing on the prince and sorcerer's faces. The truth was they were both happy and excited to see the other was unharmed, but they had never been good with words outside their banter.
"Alright, what the hell did I just miss?" Gwaine said eyeing them carefully.
Arthur grasped Merlin's shoulder with an honest stare, there was no need to speak to know Arthur was glad that his friend was injured, "C'mon, Hunith has been dying to see you," he said softly before he crossed his arms again, turning serious in a moment, he looked at the two of them and Merlin knew something had happened,
"Arthur? Is Owen alright?"
"He is, injured too but he will live," Arthur announced as he began walking to the village, Merlin and Gwaine walking by his sides, reality chasing their ankles now. Arthur the friend was gone now, leaving only the Prince behind, "I already bought horses and provisions, we leave at first light. Gwaine if you can't ride you can catch with us later. Owen told me what happened. Time is up, Merlin," Arthur looked at Merlin with a solemn look on his face, "My Father announced the test."
Merlin almost tripped on his feet, "What? But—"
"And not only that," Gwaine said gravely as he stared down the road, "Strange things have been happening in Camelot, Arthur. Things you two must understand more than I do now, I don't know what you were doing here yet, but we do need to talk about what has been going on back home. Camelot is in peril and it needs his prince. That is why Gaius sent me."
Arthur sighed, it was going to be a long night.
"My Father, the test, the vase, Morgana…" Arthur said under his breath as he walked with purpose to Hunith's hut, "What am I missing?"
Gwaine looked at his friends, better to have this conversation now.
"Elyan."
The sorcerer and the prince stopped short as Gwaine turned to them, as if he had said a magic word, their faces fell. Merlin's eyes, who had been shining before, dulled.
"We have been through this, Gwaine, we did the right thing," Arthur began calmly, "I know you are still mad at me but—"
"Elyan is alive."
The silence ringed heavily after that.
It was going to be a long night.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A/N: This is, without a doubt, the largest chapter I have ever written, hopefully, long enough to cover for my ridiculously amount of time I spent not writing. I had the worse writer's block in history. And finally my fate changed and I was able to write! I read once that if the words are not escaping you then you should not write, and I wrote this all in a sitting! Hope it worked! I'm still not happy with it but I know no other outcome will come from this!
The golden team is back! Next chapter a LOT of questions will be answered between them and FINALLY. AFTER TWENTY CHAPTERS. They are going back to Camelot. The third and final part of the fic is here!
Morgana is plotting guys, she is always plotting! I remind you that Elyan is under her spell. The vase was returned and they still have yet to even talk about it. All of than in the next chapter. SO GWAINE JOINS THE CLUB! FINALLY! I hope I did it justice, it was as hard to write as Arthur/Merlin's confession.
THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS AND NOT GIVING UP ON ME! LOTS OF HUGS!