Gwaine did just as Morgana had suggested and went along to the security office. He wanted to say hello to everyone anyway. When he got there the head of security was sat at his desk. He looked up as Gwaine walked in "Hello Gwaine I might have guessed you would come before you headed out to the country. How are you feeling?"
"Bored already Sir, I came to visit His Royal Highness" Gwaine looked at his immediate boss before continuing "If you don't mind me say Sir he is in a hell of a state"
"Don't you start, I've had Her Royal Highness here already" The Inspector had been in charge of Royal Security for four years and was beginning to think it might be time to move on. "So you think I should risk him getting killed as well do you!"
Gwaine grinned "I wouldn't go that far Sir but he's cracking up, he was doing well and is going right back. You have to remember he has been through a lot and although he is twenty one in age he is a good way behind in development. He just can't understand and thinks he is being punished." He paused "Look I know him well and wouldn't risk his life but you have to come up with something….Sir" Gwaine realised he was pushing it, Inspector Collins was a good man but was a stickler for rank.
The Inspector looked at Gwaine "So any suggestions since you're the expert." He said caustically.
"Well if the Prince was taken off somewhere. Unannounced and unofficial with only his escort knowing and taken somewhere safe, just so he could walk outside with his dog. Perhaps one of the Army Ranges? Put up the red flags to keep the public out and let him walk on some of the footpaths. Who would know he was there? You have the screens up no one would see him leave. Hell you could even take him out in one of the police vans he wouldn't mind." Gwaine suggested "I'm sure the Army would be only to please to help. I could ask my old Commander if you like"
Inspector Collins looked at Gwaine before talking "That could be an option, if it could be organised. I will suggest it to HRH"
"I will if you like Sir, She did ask to speak to me before I left" Gwaine offered.
"Well it was your idea lad, go ahead. What's your old commander's name?"
"General Balinor Sir" Gwaine said knowing that his old General was well known.
The Inspector was surprised he knew Gwaine was ex-army but hadn't realised he was SAS "Umm and you think he could help?"
"I could ask Sir, he can be a difficult man but I served under him for several years and got to know him well" Gwaine didn't mention that the General was his nearest relative on his mother's side.
"Go ahead and I will run it past the Commissioner. It might work"
Gwaine left and went along to see the Princess. Smiling at Lance he knocked on the office door and was asked to enter. "How did you get on Gwaine?" Morgana asked not expecting to much.
"I suggested something and he's going to run it past the commissioner. I need to ring up my old General as run it past him." Gwaine grinned "Shouldn't be a problem Ma'am"
Gwaine why do I get the feeling you are being sneaky" Morgana grinned
"Well Ma'am I might have forgotten to mention that my old General is a distant cousin, well the nearest thing I have to a relative anyway. I suggested we take Merlin to one of the army ranges and close then down to the public as if firing was going on and let Merlin walk the footpaths"
Morgana grinned "Good idea, let's hope they buy it"
"No reason not to Ma'am, it won't be everyday but I guess anything is better than nothing"
"Well Gwaine thank you, I have arranged for you to have a room for your convalesce. However I do expect you to do just that, and not spend all your time with my brother. You will not be on duty, so Elyan will lead your team for now. If you take it up I would expect you to do as he says. And if we think you are doing too much we will pack you off do you understand?" Morgana looked at Gwaine "I have spoken to the King and he approves on the condition you do rest."
"Thank you Ma'am, I'm grateful I would get bored otherwise, I would probably do too much walking and not enough sitting around anyway." Gwaine grinned "Never much good at lounging around."
"How do you cope with being a protection officer, I know you have a lot of responsibility but it's not physically demanding. I mean you do a lot of standing around" Morgana asked curiously
"I also have to keep fit Ma'am and a good protection officer has eyes everywhere, we might look like were not doing much but you would be surprised." Gwaine grinned.
"Oh I realise that Gwaine, it was you after all that spotted Merlin's attacker. Now the footman will show you're your rooms but don't spend too much time with Merlin I will enquire about your recuperation regime, so please don't try to do too much. You will have access to the palace pool and gym. If you're not eating with my brother then please make sure you get food sent from the kitchens."
Once they were finished Gwaine turned to leave and Morgana said "Oh and you will not be going with Merlin on his walks, you are not his protection officer at the moment." Morgana smirked "Just so you understand"
"Yes Ma'am, you're worse than the General Ma'am if you don't mind me saying" Gwaine left smiling.
When he got to his allocated room he rang his Uncle and ran his idea past him. General Balinor wasn't well known for his tact or for suffering fools gladly but he did have a soft spot for Gwaine. Not that he had got away with anything while in the Army. Balinor pushed his men hard but himself harder and was respected for it. Even if he irritated many of the other generals and his bosses at Whitehall. "See no reason why not, from what you are saying the Prince needs to get out. Leave it to me and I'll get back to the Inspector. Take care boy, heard about your injury. All your years in the regiment without a scratch and then catch a slug in Civvy Street."
"This was different I threw myself in the way instead of out of the way Sir" Gwaine said flippantly.
"Umm, well you do work for the bullet catchers now. Is he worth it?" The general asked.
Gwaine thought of Merlin "Yes Sir he is, expect for you I think of him as my family, you need to meet him sometime I think you'd like him, there something about him. He's worth fighting for, he's hasn't had the best life so far."
"No I don't suppose he has. When you're feeling better pop and see me. I still don't understand why you left the army but as long as you're happy" the General said sadly.
"Had enough and wanted a change, after Dad went on it just wasn't enough anymore" Gwaine admitted "Sorry to disappoint you"
"You didn't boy, we must each live our lives as we see fit. Don't be a stranger"