Hello everyone!

So, hum, I know, I'm late. Really sorry about that... I don't really have an excuse for that except for the fact that those days I feel super-stressed about writing...

Explanations : this story is kind of freaking me out. Like really. I'm scared that you're all thinking it's getting nowhere but it will be. Promise. And then I want to participate to this english writing contest but can't write a bloody thing that feels good and the deadline is now less than a month from now. And I missed my Writing course and I'm worried that I'm just constantly lying to myself thinking I can actually write while at the same time I really want to go to conferences and courses... But in english and well... I'm still in France soooo...

And well, I can't say that the events from last week encouraged me writing last week end... What a strange world we live in those days... Killing people for drawing a satirical cartoon... It really shocked me and for the first time in my life I went out in the streets to show my support and say the now famous Je Suis Charlie. Not because I always agreed with what this journal said but because I support their right to do so.

Anyway, before finally leaving you to read, I want to thank you so much for your support and especially my Beta who does a wonderful work! I'd be nothing without you!

Enjoy !

Chapter 7:

A part of Merlin knew he was being stupid; knew he shouldn't feel guilty anymore about what had happened to Gaius; had understood that sometimes there was just no changing fate.

But it was just a small part of him. A small part that had been even more reduced since his talk with Alice.

And despite what Gwaine was telling him, it was still impossible for him to let that part grow again. Mostly because now he also felt guilty for the pain and grief he had brought to Alice as well. A suffering she hadn't ever deserved.

But, even if he didn't think he deserved any of it, he still let himself be comforted by Gwaine's words and hug. He let himself feel safe and loved against the warmth of the drunkard knight he trusted so much, glad for the older man's presence even if the dark part of him kept telling him that he should stop being such a burden to the people he loved.

A long time passed with Gwaine murmuring reassurances and rubbing his back before Merlin felt like moving.

He took a step back and couldn't quite suppress the embarrassed blush that colored his cheeks as he looked everywhere except at the knight in front of him.

The older man, being more perceptive than people generally thought, gracefully didn't comment but instead clapped him on the shoulder.

"You know what, Merlin?" He announced, voice just as cheerful as ever, without a trace of the seriousness it had held earlier. "I think we both need a good, fresh tankard of mead."

Merlin almost laughed at the sheer normality of this given that his whole world seemed once more unstable and bleak.

The knight didn't give him the opportunity to answer before steering him out of the clearing and towards his horse.

Merlin willed himself to believe that, maybe, for once, spending a night drinking with Gwaine wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Confusion.

That was the first thing Merlin experienced when he began coming back to his senses.

Confusion. And a head-splitting headache.

He repressed a groan and tried to remember what had happened to him. It didn't seem like a bad thing as he didn't feel particularly menaced. Also, he trusted the fact that his magic always informed him whenever he, or Camelot, was in danger. Which it wasn't doing at the moment.

Then why the headache?

He tried to remember what he had been doing before being unconscious but thinking was made very difficult by the pain reverberating in his skull like a blacksmith's hammer.

God he'd give anything for one of Gaius' famous hangover remedies.

Oh…

The familiar pain slammed back into Merlin, sobering him a bit.

He remembered now. Alice, her accusations, running through the forest as if he could outrun the voice in his head telling him she was right.

And then Gwaine finding him, staying with him and calming him even if he didn't think he deserved the support.

Gwaine saying they needed a drink…

One drink turning into two then four then… He lost count after a while and his memories were fuzzy at best.

He repressed another groan. He should have known following the knight was a bad idea.

God knows what had happened and where he was now.

Merlin decided that he should face whatever consequences the night had resulted in – and surely there were consequences to be because it was always the case with Gwaine.

He opened his eyes a fraction and was immediately assaulted by bright light that mad ehis head throb with renewed intensity.

This time, he let out a small moan, reaching with his hand to rub at his temple.

He valiantly resisted the urge to close his eyes, curl into a ball and fall back to sleep to wait for the hangover to pass and looked around himself.

With surprise and renewed confusion he recognized the clearing he had been in a few hours before with Aithusa.

He frowned and push himself into a sitting position.

"Ah, you're finally awake."

Merlin jumped at the voice that came from behind him and quickly turned around.

He came face to face with an old man with white hair tarnished with gold streaks and strangely disturbing golden eyes.

Merlin felt as if he should know him even if he was sure he had never seen the man in his life.

"Hum… Hello…" Merlin answered, feeling dumb and with a mouth too dry and sticky.

The man didn't answer but kept his eyes fixed on Merlin as if the warlock should have said something else.

When the uncomfortable silence just carried on, Merlin asked.

"Do I know you? You seem familiar to me?"

Unexpectedly, the man let out a loud bark of laughter that, once more, sounded known to Merlin.

"Familiar." The man repeated, his voice managing to sound both amused and annoyed. "God, I knew you were slow sometimes young warlock but I didn't think you this bad."

Irritation sparked in Merlin before he froze, the man's words replaying in his mind.

Young warlock.

Only one person in the world caller him that…

"That's not possible." He breathed.

The man lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Kilgharrah… But… But how?" He stuttered.

"I believe, Merlin, that it is I who should ask that question."

Merlin opened his mouth to answer. But closed it again when he couldn't come up with an explanation.

"I… I don't know…" He answered distractedly.

He tried once more to remember what happened the night prior.

Gwaine and him had been in the tavern. Talking… About magic…

Yes. Gwaine was asking questions about his magic but Merlin hadn't wanted to answer. He still was reluctant to discuss his powers, even if the knight had seen them in action.

So Gwaine had switched topic to dragons.

The knight had taken a liking in Aithusa and was intrigued to learn more about the noble race.

And as Merlin shared his meager knowledge Gwaine had kept refilling his tankard. Again. And again. And again.

Until Merlin's natural inhibitions and control faded away.

And after that… Well, Merlin's mind was blank.

He looked up at Kilgharrah and repressed a shudder at the human dragon raised eyebrow that clearly showed he was annoyed about being stuck in this abnormal form.

"I… Uh… I can arrange that." Merlin announced, getting up on unsteady legs.

"I'm sure you will." The now human-dragon answered and the unsaid or there will be hell to pay was left clearly ringing in the air.

"I just have to consult some books."

Merlin turned back to Camelot, ignoring the annoying way the world seemed to tilt around him.

"Merlin…" The dragon called. "Maybe you should take your friend with you."

The warlock turned back towards the man standing in the clearing with a frown until Kilgharrah nodded towards the sleeping form of Gwaine sprawled on the ground not too far away.

"Oh… Yes… Of course, yes."

Merlin walked back towards the knight and shook him slightly.

"Gwaine." He hissed, not too loudly in consideration of the probable headache the man had. "Gwaine, wake up."

When this didn't work he shook his friend more forcibly until, finally, the drunkard showed signs of awareness.

"Merlin, my friend, last night was so cool!" He said and Merlin was jealous to hear that he didn't sound even slightly hung-over.

"I hate you." Merlin mumbled under his breath. "Come on, we have to go back to the castle."

He steered his friend up and Gwaine finally noticed they weren't alone.

"Oh… So that wasn't an illusion." He commented lightly.

He ignored Merlin's pulls and quickly crossed the clearing separating him from Kilgharrah.

"Hello, nice to finally meet you!" He said offering his hand to shake.

The human-dragon threw a look at Merlin before accepting the limb.

"Likewise, sir knight. However, I would really like to have my true form back."

"Yes, of course." Merlin answered quickly as Gwaine opened his mouth. "We're going now and I'll be back as quickly as possible."

"Wait, I wouldn't mind staying here to…. Keep your friend company …"

Kilgharrah's eyebrow lifted in curiosity.

"It's fine Gwaine, I really don't think he needs it." Merlin said and began pulling at the knight's arm again.

Gwaine pouted but thankfully followed the warlock.

Merlin hid a sigh of relief. If there was one thing he really didn't want it was for Gwaine to spend hours with the dragon, grilling him with questions about him, his powers and his accomplishments.

He knew his reluctance may be stupid but years of habit couldn't be changed in a few months. No matter how great and accepting his friends were.

So, yes, I know, many of you probably are familliar with this stuff and no you're not wrong. This is indeed really inspired by a one shot I did in "What Could Have Been". I hope you won't be too disapointed. Many reviews asked me for a sequel to this particular one shot and it felt right to include it in this story. It goes somewhere. I promise.

Can't wait to red your reviews for this one! Tell me what you think! What do you think will happen?