Hello dear readers!
I thought that after posting out of NOWHERE a Star Trek fanfiction (and probably making some of you a false joy) you deserved quickly a new chapter of this story!
I noticed that I begun writing it almost 2 years ago! I feel I am not appreciative enough of your patience! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
And thank you to my Beta too who does constantly a fantastic job!
As ever, a review would make my day ;)
Enjoy!
Chapter 32:
From the moment Gwaine left Merlin to his old dusty books, the knight began planning what he would have to do to most help his friend. He was determined to do everything he could to protect and assist the warlock.
"Well, you look thoughtful today Sir Gwaine." A voice said, interrupting his musings.
He turned to watch the queen of Camelot walking towards him. He bowed with his best charming smile.
"And you look beautiful my lady." He answered easily.
"You know flattery will get you nowhere, right?"
"It never hurts to try."
"What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be resting from your night guard duty?"
"I had some things to settle with Merlin first." The knight answered.
"Is he alright?" Gwen asked, suddenly looking concerned. "He missed the council meeting and we couldn't find him anywhere."
"Oh, yes, he's fine. He's just working on a project. I'm sure he'll tell you all about it."
"If you say so. Well, you must excuse me, Gwaine, I have to go find the steward. It looks like I will have to repeat, once again, that servants are not slaves and they are allowed to get sick and be treated for it."
The drunkard laughed.
"Well, good luck with that, I'm sure you'll manage to make an impression."
The former servant smiled and went on her way, leaving Gwaine to go back to his room, back to planning what he would have to do.
Over the next weeks, the drunkard found himself quietly following Merlin as the warlock made discreet night trips to the lower town or various part of the castle. He watched as his friend's eyes turned gold after whispered incantations.
The knight had to admit that even after all this time, he still felt a childish amazement at seeing magic performed so easily. He found himself wishing that Merlin could be free to use his gift in the open. He could see how natural it was to the young man. Like holding a sword was to him.
It took a little more than a month before, finally, Merlin came to find him. It was one of the rare times when he had allowed himself to go to the tavern to relax for a bit and enjoy the sight of the pretty, newly arrived, barmaid. The warlock came to sit next to him.
"I was thinking to leave in two days." He announced.
Gwaine immediately perked up, straightening his slouched position.
"I'll be ready. Have you told Arthur about it?"
Merlin grimaced.
"No… I'm waiting until the last moment or he will want to come with us and I really can't deal with thinking about protecting him too."
"I can protect myself!" Gwaine protested indignantly making one of Merlin's eyebrow lift.
"Against dragons and magic?"
The knight had to admit his friend had a point there, not that he would acknowledge it.
"That's what I thought. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know in advance. I'm going to head back to the castle. I have a few things to finish."
"You're sure you don't want to stay for a drink?"
Merlin smiled.
"No, thank you Gwaine. I'll see you later."
The knight saluted his friend and watched him leave, noticing the tired slump of the man's posture. He hoped that Merlin will also thinking about getting some rest before they left.
Two days later, Gwaine had just finished packing his travel bag when a knock resounded in his room.
"I'm ready Merlin! You can enter!" He cried out reaching to retrieve his sword.
He straightened to find not a lanky warlock but none other than the king closing his door.
"Arthur. Sorry. I wasn't expecting you."
The other man said nothing but came to stand in front of the knight, looking deadly serious. Gwaine had to admit that it made him antsy. Mentally, he went over the last day wondering what he had done wrong. He went to training, completed all his duties, stayed polite in the presence of nobles. No, he couldn't see what could warrant such an expression from Arthur.
"Anything happens to him and it's your fault. I trust you know that, right?"
Gwaine hesitated somewhere between laughing and being offended so it took him far too long to answer.
"And I thought that you knew me better than that, Arthur." He stated with an icy glare at the noble.
They both stared at each other unblinkingly. Arthur was the first to deflate, releasing a sigh as he went to sit down on Gwaine's bed.
"I'm sorry Gwaine. It's just…" He paused, looking uncomfortable, eyes wandering across the knight's messily organized belongings. "I don't like this plan of his. Too much can go wrong… What if it is too much? He is already the most powerful magic being out there, what if more will be too much for him? And what if the ritual ki…"
Once more the king interrupted himself but Gwaine knew what he meant. What if it killed him?
The drunkard let out a breath. He had also thought all of that. Every possible scenario had run through his head and not many had ended well. But he knew one thing, Merlin would not be discouraged from his plans. And he was strong. Even more when he felt it was his duty to do something.
"I know Arthur." He finally answered. "I've thought about it all too. But you know as well as I do there is nothing we can do to stop Merlin. What I can promise you is that I will do everything I can to keep him safe."
The king nodded.
"I wish I could go with you."
"You know he would be too distracted by protecting you if you did. And if it is of any help, I had to strongly insist for him to let me come."
Nothing more was said as Gwaine secured his sword to his belt and then reached down for his bags.
"Don't worry Arthur. We've gone through worse and come back okay, didn't we?"
The king's eyebrows lifted.
"Really Arthur. I'll keep an eye out and if anything goes wrong I promised I'll find a way to knock him out or something."
At that, Arthur let out a smile ironic laugh.
"I'd like to see you try that." He said, pushing himself up to follow Gwaine out of the room. "But really Gwaine, be careful."
The knight nodded, reaching out to grasp the monarch forearm in a strong grip.
They didn't speak any more words as they made their way to the courtyard where two horses were waiting, Merlin already fixing two heavy looking bags to his horse's saddle.
"Ah finally you're there! What took you so long?"
"Nothing." Gwaine answered, going to his horse and greeting it with an affectionate pat.
He saw Arthur go stand by Merlin.
"Remember what I said. No playing hero. I want you to come home in one piece, okay?"
"Yes, Arthur." The warlock answered, sounding pretty much like a rebellious child.
It made Gwaine laugh. He quickly hid behind his horse to avoid both men's ire.
"I'm ready." He announced when he was sure he wouldn't burst out of laughing again.
"Great. Let's go then. I want to be at the border by nightfall." Merlin announced.
He reached out to saddle his horse when a voice interrupted him.
"You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye I hope." Gwen said as she descended the white stairs, her dress billowing behind her.
"Of course not." Merlin answered, very obviously lying. "But really we won't be gone that long!"
The queen ignored him and went to hug him in her arms strongly, whispering something in his ear that Gwaine didn't catch.
"Yes Gwen." Merlin acknowledged. "I'll see you in a few days."
"You'd better." She answered before turning towards Gwaine. "And you, you'd better keep him safe."
Gwaine thought that, strangely enough, she looked even scarier that Arthur did.
"Wouldn't dream of doing anything else." He answered. "Don't I get a hug too?"
"I don't think so, no." Arthur interrupted before his wife could say anything.
Gwaine saw Merlin roll his eyes but still made a show of looking hurt.
"Fine, I'll leave believing I'm not important then."
He mounted his horse, Merlin doing the same next to him, and with a last glance, they turned their horses around, leaving the citadel.
So, what do you think? Liked it? Hated it?
By the way, my little finger tells me you should keep an eye out for a one shot linked to this series ;)