"How can you be so heartless?! Gwen is the most kind, loyal person that you would ever meet! She has been more than a friend to all of us and you would leave her at the mercy of those animals!"

"Morgana -" Arthur said, taking the waterskin Mordred had brought him and stuffing it into his saddlebag.

"Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself?"

Arthur turned to her as Modred took the bag to stick a map and coin bag inside. "Morgana -"

"I knew you were many things, Arthur Pendragon, but I didn't know you were a gutless coward!"

"Morgana!" he shouted. When she didn't continue, he gestured towards the boy. "Perhaps if you would stop shouting at me for one second, you would notice that we're packing."

"You're going after Gwen," she sighed with relief.

"Of course I'm going after her. What do you take me for?" He picked up the saddlebag as Mordred grabbed his own. "I couldn't disagree with Father in public."

They started to leave the room, but paused when Morgana called for Arthur. "Bring her home."

He nodded and they left.

They met Merlin at the square and crept around the wall until they reached the gate.

Arthur studied the guards stationed there and patted Mordred on the shoulder. "We'll fetch the horses, you distract the guards."

Merlin frowned as Mordred's eyes widened, but Arthur pushed the older warlock towards the stables.

As he strapped his saddlebag on, he frowned at Merlin's grin and barely withheld laughter. "What?"

"Nothing, Sire," he said, leading Hengroen and Passelande out before anything else could be said.

It didn't matter though as he got his answer when he came out to find the guards unconscious, surrounded by barrels.

"I said distract them, not knock them out!" he hissed and glared at Merlin. "You're a terrible influence."

"There's just no pleasing you sometimes," he chuckled, handing Passelande's reins to Mordred.

He tilted his head slightly and Arthur swatted it. "Talk aloud."

"Of course, Sire," he agreed, but a few moments later Mordred let out a snort and Arthur knew they were doing it again.

"I'm putting you in the stocks when we return."

Merlin glared at Arthur's back as he readjusted Mordred in his lap. He understood the need to get to Gwen as fast as possible, but they were hardly going to be any help if they were dead on their feet. Mordred had passed out an hour earlier - thankfully having already switched to riding with Merlin when the older warlock had noticed him dozing - and Merlin was sure he was only still on his horse because he was worried about Mordred falling off.

"Arthur, can we stop for just a second to rest?"

"Guinevere's life is at stake. We cannot afford to waste a second."

Troll.

Merlin's lips twitched up and he barely held in a chuckle. Go back to sleep. I'll wake you when we're closer.

Mordred nodded, or maybe he was just nuzzling further into Merlin's chest. Either way, he was soon asleep once more.

Merlin brought his horse closer to Arthur so he could talk quieter. "Please, Arthur. We'll be of no use like this."

Arthur scowled, but relented and turned them into a small clearing. "Rest up."

"Thank the gods," Merlin sighed, climbing down carefully so he didn't jostle Modred too much. He curled up with the boy under a tree, his head on his bag and Modred's on his shoulder. He slipped off to sleep, but it felt like no time at all passed before water was being poured over both their heads.

"What's happening? How long was I asleep for?" Merlin muttered, jerking upright as Mordred rolled over and dragged the blanket over his head.

"Long enough."

"Did you get some rest?" he asked, looking over the prince.

"Couldn't sleep."

Can we use a sleeping spell on him?

Do you know any sleeping spells?

No, but you do.

Merlin made a note to teach Mordred some sleeping spells. Unfortunately, he'd know it was us and would just be even worse when he woke up.

It would be worth it.

It really wouldn't.

"Stop talking like that!"

Merlin rolled his eyes and stood up. "I've never seen you like this. About anyone."

"What are you talking about?" Arthur said, looking up at him.

"Gwen. You really care about her, don't you?"

"What I care about is not wasting any more time talking. Let's get moving."

He chuckled and pulled a whining druid to his feet.

Mordred glanced around nervously as they walked through the tunnels. He had never heard of using foul-smelling berries to ward off wilddeoren. Usually, an elder would use a calming charm to keep the beasts back when the druids encountered them, much like with serkets or wyverns, but Emrys didn't know druid magics and Mordred had not yet learned it.

He was sure Emrys could keep the beasts away with brute force if it came to it, but neither he nor Emrys wanted it to come to that. Wilddeoren weren't evil creatures, they simply needed to eat like any other animal. It wasn't right to hurt them.

I heard that some sorcerers could transport themselves instantly. Can you do that? Mordred asked, thinking that this would be so much easier if they could.

No. I've seen it done, but I don't know the spell. It's not in any of my books, Emrys said, urging him closer as a scritching echoed through the tunnel. The druids don't know how?

Druids travel by land, that's just how it's done. Even the use of riding animals is rare and mostly reserved for those incapable of walking unaided.

Arthur suddenly grabbed both torches and stamped them out. "Wilddeoren coming this way," he whispered, dragging them both to the ground. "Whatever happens, keep completely still."

Mordred shook as the beast came into view and Emrys grabbed his hand. The beast approached them and sniffed at Emrys's face, though it seemed the berries worked as it soon let him be. However, it then turned towards Mordred. He forced himself to stay still, eyes closing tight and body stiffening against the shivers that tried to overtake him, but he didn't need to fear as a rock fell somewhere down another tunnel and he opened his eyes to see the glow fading from Emrys's. The wilddeoren screeched and ran towards the sound.

"Good work," Arthur whispered, standing.

You okay, Emrys asked, helping him to his feet.

Yes, thank you.

Do you remember the light spell?

Mordred nodded and held up his hand. "Léoht." A white light appeared in his hand and grew until they could see.

Good job.

"Are you two doing it again?" Arthur asked, looking between them.

"Doing what?" Emrys's voice was bemused as he walked on ahead.

Thankfully they didn't come across any other wilddeoren and were soon kneeling on a riverbank to wash their faces.

"Gaia berries worked. Huh."

Both warlocks froze.

"You didn't know if they worked?" Emrys asked, ice in his voice.

"Not for sure."

"Now you tell me?!" he huffed, standing up. "Oh! Oh, what's that Wilddeoren eating? It's alright. It's just Mordred!"

Arthur's smirk turned into a frown.

"You trying to get us all killed?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have risked your lives like that."

Emrys glanced down at Mordred and mischief appeared in his eyes. "Well, they do say love makes you do strange things."

Love? He asked, perking up. Arthur's in love? With Gwen?

"What are you talking about?"

"Why can't you just admit your feelings for Gwen?" They went on a date shortly before you came. It was adorable, Ermys said as Arthur scoffed and shook his head.

"It's so obvious. A blind man could see it. Is it really that hard to admit you like her? Just say it."

"I can't!" Arthur shouted and they both frowned. "How can I admit that I think about her all the time. Or that… I care about her more than anyone. How can I admit that… I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?"

"Why can't you?"

"Because nothing can ever happen between us! To admit my feelings knowing that… hurts too much."

"Who's to say nothing can happen?"

"My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?"

Marry? Mordred said, climbing to his feet. I thought you said they'd only had one date?

I thought they had. "You want to marry Gwen?"

"No! No… I… I don't know… It's all talk, and that's all it can ever be."

"When you're King, you can change that," Emrys offered.

"I can't expect Guinevere to wait for me."

"If she feels as you do, she'll wait for you."

"We don't even know if she's still alive."

"No, she is. We will find her."

"Come on. We've got a long trek ahead," Arthur said, starting to lead them on before suddenly turning back to them. "Oh, and Merlin, Mordred… if you dare tell anyone about this, I promise I will make your life a living hell."

"You mean, more than you already do?"

"Yeah."

Is that possible?

Do you want to find out?

Mordred shook his head.

Emrys smiled and wrapped his arm around Mordred's shoulders. "We could talk about your feelings while you walk."

"Shut up, Merlin."

So he likes Gwen then?

Yeah.

Odd, I thought you two were courting. Are you courting her too?

Emrys missed a step and nearly brought them both to the ground. "WHAT!?"

"What?" Arthur repeated, looking back at them.

Us two? Arthur and I? You thought I was courting Arthur?

Yes? Mordred said, frowning.

"What are you two talking about behind my back?"

You think Arthur is courting me?

"Merlin."

Yes. Why are you being so weird?

Why would you even think that?

"Speak aloud you two idiots," Arthur growled.

"Mordred thinks we're courting."

"And by we -"

"You and I."

"WHAT!? WHY!?"

Mordred flinched as they both stared down at him. He gestured between them. "I don't know. You guys are just always staring at each other and flirting and -"

"We don't stare at each other," Emrys argued.

"I don't know what counts as flirting for druids, but it's definitely different then what flirting is for other people because we have not been flirting," Arthur said, his face bright red.

That didn't sound right to Mordred, but he nodded anyway.

"So you understand we're not courting."

He nodded again.

"Good. Great. Now let's pretend this never happened."

"Agreed," Emrys choked out.

"We'll have to scale the walls."

"Maybe there's another way in."

"Why don't you go and knock on the front gate? I'm sure if you ask nicely, they'll hand Guinevere over to you."

Maybe Cavall knows a way in.

Cav- Merlin cut off as he turned to see Cavall standing between Mordred and Arthur. He opened his mouth, trying to find something - anything - to say, but all that came out was, "Why?"

Arthur followed his gaze and glared. "We're leaving that thing here."

Mordred pouted and picked the cat up.

Merlin was surprised Cavall relaxed in his arms. As much as the cat would let others dote on him, only Arthur was allowed to grab him.

He's not being serious, right?

It's fine. Cavall would just find his way home even if we did, Merlin said. He's weird.

They're magic.

"Do I even want to know what you're talking about now?" Arthur asked, a hint of pink on his cheeks.

"No," Merlin answered. He'd been telling the prince the cat didn't have magic for months. He was never going to let him live it down when he found out he was right. Really? Great. Don't tell Arthur.

Mordred looked confused, but nodded. He turned Cavall so they were nose to nose. Can you find us a way in?

"Meow."

Can you speak cat? Merlin asked, honestly curious. Could druids talk to animals? It seemed like something druids would be able to do.

Yes, Mordred said, but there was too much amusement in his eyes.

Liar.

The younger warlock smiled and set down the cat, who immediately darted to the side.

Cavall!

"Mordred!" Arthur and Merlin both hissed as the druid chased after the cat. They followed him until the whole group ended up in front of a small gate.

"I guess we found our way in," Merlin said as Cavall slipped through the bars and disappeared into the darkness with a purr.

Good boy! Mordred called after him.

Arthur shoved him. "Don't run off like that. What if guards are patrolling out here?"

"You need to be more careful," Merlin agreed, stepping up to the gate. It seemed to be old, likely forgotten. Only a small, rusted chain kept it closed. He didn't even need a spell for his magic to snap it.

Do we go in the cage or stay out here? Mordred asked as Arthur jumped into the cage where a wilddeoren was about to attack Gwen and - surprisingly - Lancelot.

We'll likely end up in the cage soon enough, Merlin sighed, checking that the shrinking spell hadn't compromised Modred's stolen chainmail one more time before leading him closer. Might as well try to knock down as many of these guys as we can before that happens.

Is this one of the times we can just use magic?

Probably not, Merlin said, and then proceeded to try to bring a chandelier down. His target dodged and Mordred threw a jug at his head.

The large man staggered, but didn't go down.

"MERLIN!"

Merlin grabbed Mordred and dragged him over to the cage. You first. He helped Mordred over then climbed over himself.

"Let's go," Arthur said, directing down a tunnel connected to the cage.

"After them!" the man they'd tried to take out yelled as he climbed into the cage.

Merlin waited until everyone was in then swiped his hand at the rope holding up the portcullis, causing it to fall and trap the man in with the wilddeoren.

He saw Lancelot shoot him a fearful look and he realized he never got the chance to explain that Arthur already knew about him.

He saw! Mordred gasped.

Right, and Mordred didn't know Lancelot.

"Explain later," he said to them both, urging them on.

They ran down the tunnel, taking twists and turns until they reached the gate they'd come in from.

"Good to see you both," Lancelot said hesitantly once they'd made it deep enough into the woods to slow down a little. "Where are your knights?"

"It's just us," Arthur said, oblivious to the guarded expression on the man's face.

"Arthur knows," Merlin said before it could go any further. "Everyone knows actually. Mordred, this is Lancelot. He's an old friend. Lancelot, this is Mordred, he's a druid and my apprentice."

Lancelot looked shocked, Gwen looked exhausted, Mordred looked thrilled, and Arthur looked angry.

"He is not your apprentice."

"He kind of is. I teach him magic and he helps me with my work," Merlin pointed out.

"Since when have you been teaching him magic? I never approved that."

He ignored the prince. "It's good to see you too, Lancelot."

"Calm down, Arthur, you should have known they'd share spells," Gwen said.

"Is that what you two are always going on about in your heads?"

"Sometimes," Merlin said, choosing to ignore the fact that most of the time they talked like that just to talk like that since that was the form of communication Mordred was most comfortable with.

"You… know," Lancelot said slowly, eyeing Arthur.

"He's known since I came to Camelot," Merlin explained. "I tried to tell you before, but you kind of rushed off on me."

"Sorry," he said, bowing his head to Merlin before looking back at Arthur. "Does the king know?"

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way," Arthur huffed.

Lancelot nodded and glanced around the group. "Thank you, all of you. We owe you our lives," he said, taking Gwen's hand.

The two shared a look and Merlin turned to Arthur to see his face go blank. Merlin turned back to them to see Gwen glancing at Arthur as well before her eyes fell to the floor. Lancelot looked between her and Arthur and frowned.

Oh. Oh no.

So Gwen likes Arthur and Arthur likes Gwen.

Yup.

But Gwen also likes Lancelot and Lancelot likes Gwen.

Uh-huh.

And Arthur and Lancelot know they both like Gwen.

Yeah.

So now neither of them want to date her because they don't want to get in the way of the other.

That sums it up.

Dating is stupid.

No, knights are stupid. Have I taught you nothing?