Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Chapter thirteen: The perilous lands?

Gaius and Hunith had a long night, Merlin had been bought back by Kilgharrah and passed out before he even made it into the tower. Daegal had explained what had happened and was currently sharing a room with Gilli. Alator and some other members of the Catha had stopped by, Alice had even forced herself to come and see him, despite the pain it caused her, her injuries may have been healed but the pain would stay for a couple of days. Hunith had nearly had a break down, her son looked so pale, he almost looked dead.

Gaius had been quite shocked, how he had survived and been able to walk after such a fall was nothing sort of a miracle. Not long after that the druids had arrived to heal him, many were angry that Morgana would act in such a way. By pushing him of a cliff she gave him no chance of fighting back. Not long after he had been completely healed Taliesin arrived along with Grettir. Taliesin explained that Gwaine was having some trouble, the death of Will had seemed to hit him hard, even if he didn't know him.

Grettir had told them magic would need a friend, he was losing hope, after being attacked by a patrol from Camelot his faith in Arthur was failing, he needed strength and strength needed him. So Taliesin agreed that he would bring Gwaine here tomorrow so the two of them could talk. Gaius knew Gwaine had some secrets that only Merlin knew, it was about time Merlin shared his.

Well after Taliesin had finished telling them everything, Merlin wouldn't have many secrets left that they didn't know and Merlin would most likely not be pleased, he had got used to the fact secrets kept him alive and kept him safe, even though he hated lying to them. Gaius sighs as he leaves Merlin's room, Hunith had gone to bed a couple of hours ago after Alice had convinced her to get some sleep. It was only a couple of hours before dawn, Merlin's slight fever had gone and his skin wasn't as pale, he would wake up soon and Gwaine would be there to greet him.

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Gwaine sat down on the stool beside Merlin's bed. He hadn't had the chance to even look around the tower, Taliesin had bought him here, where he was handed over to the little man from the bridge to the perilous lands. Gwaine had some fond memories of that quest over a year ago, he wasn't so pleased about his sword being turned into a flower though. He should have guessed Merlin had magic when his sword had been transformed Merlin hadn't been the slightest bit surprised and that fire when he and Arthur had a fight, things always happened around Merlin.

Gwaine sighed, seeing what happened to Will yesterday had really hit home with him. His father had been killed in battle and he and his mother were left penniless, the only difference was Gwaine had left. He had run away from home after he and his mother had a fight and he hadn't gone back since, he hadn't heard heads or tails of her either. After a couple of hours just sitting there, Merlin groans and opens his eyes.

"It's about time you woke up, mate!" Gwaine grins.

Merlin bolts up right and looks at Gwaine. "That hit to the head I got yesterday must have done some real damage…. I'm hallucinating Gwaine, of all people."

Gwaine's grin gets even bigger. "It's good to see you too."

Merlin laughs. "What are you doing here?"

"Gaius and some magical friends of your thought it would be good for you to see a friend after your trip down a cliff."

Merlin raises an eyebrow. "And they chose you, why?"

Gwaine fakes looking hurt. "I resent that."

Merlin grins and quickly grabs a cup of water off the side. "So you really are just here for a social call?" He asks, taking a drink of water.

Gwaine nodes. "I wish I was here to stay, Camelot won't be half as fun without you."

Merlin grins. "You are always welcome here."

"Where is here? I have travelled almost everywhere, but I have never been to a place like this before, from what I have seen of it, anyway."

"You have been here before," Merlin smiles. "I'll give you a tour, then maybe you will recognise it."

"Can't wait." Gwaine grins.

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Merlin leads the way to the top of the tower where the two of them step out onto the battlements, Merlin looks over the wall at the ground far below and Gwaine just takes in the view.

"I have most definitely never been to a land like this before." Gwaine mutters.

"Yes you have, only last time it didn't have taverns."

Gwaine stares at Merlin. "This is the perilous lands?"

Merlin nodes. "Not so perilous anymore, are they?"

Gwaine laughs. "What happened? Last time we were here, it was nothing more than a waste land."

"Well after Alator kidnapped me from Camelot he bought me here. Then Grettir told me it was my job to restore these lands, so I did."

"Your magic did all this?"

"Yeah," Merlin nodes. "Hard to believe isn't it? Oh we also took care of that large pheasant problem, too."

Gwaine laughs and looks around. "Arthur would never think to look here."

Merlin sighs. "Well I hope he doesn't. I finally have a place where I can be who I am, with out fear of being killed."

Gwaine sighs. "While we are talking about Arthur…. He found out the truth about his birth."

Merlin looks up. "Who told him? Gaius swore an oath never to tell."

"It was Taliesin, I believe."

Merlin rolls his eyes. "I bet he hates me for it, but I couldn't let him kill his father."

Gwaine nodes. "He will see reason, when he calms down."

Merlin laughs. "Arthur really does have a bad temper."

Gwaine nodes. "Tell me about it. Everyone else has accepted the fact you have magic. Gwen worked out it was you who healed her father that time, that was enough to convince Elyan you were not evil. Percival didn't really mind, he worked out it was you who kept dropping branches on bandits. Leon didn't know what to do at first, I think he was stuck between believing you as a friend and being loyal to his king. Tristan and Isolde are both thankful."

"They would be, it is not the first time we have meet. When I was sixteen, I went with my mother to a village. My mother had been called to help a women who was sick, it was Isolde. I used magic to heal her, which was surprising being I've never been that good at healing magic. When we first meet in the woods, when me and Arthur were fleeing I did not recognise them. But then in the hall back in Camelot it suddenly clicked."

"Is there anyone you don't know Merlin?"

Merlin laughs. "I know a lot of people…. There is something troubling you Gwaine, what is it?"

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Gwaine sat down on a wall Merlin beside him, in front of them was the training field and was completely empty.

"So do you want to talk about it?" Merlin asks.

Gwaine looks at the ground. "Not really…. But I'll tell you."

Merlin glances at Gwaine, his usual smile was gone. Ever since Merlin had woken up, he could Gwaine was faking his smile. The usual mischievous glint in his eye was gone too.

Finally Gwaine starts talking. "I was shown by Taliesin, the death of your friend, Will, I couldn't help but notice he was a lot like me."

Merlin nodes. "He was in many ways."

Gwaine sighs. "It got me thinking about my mother….. I never really told you about her."

Merlin shakes his head. "You don't have to, if you don't want to."

"No," Gwaine mutters. "I want to tell you, you are my best friend and first friend, after all."

Merlin shakes his head. "No Gwaine, you are not my best friend," Merlin places a hand on Gwaine shoulder. "You are my brother…. That really annoying older brother, he can be over protective at times and always relies on me to get him out of trouble."

Gwaine laughs a true laugh. "Yeah, and your that little brother who acts all weak and scared, when truly they are the strongest and the bravest of us all, and is always up to help me with the odd prank."

Merlin grins. "Yeah, allow the odd prank really does get us into trouble and a lot of trouble."

They sit in silence for a moment.

Gwaine sighs. "After my father died, me and my mother were left with nothing. At first it was okay, we survived and then I started getting drunk, me and my mother had a fight. I left that night and never went back. I went from places to place for years and then one day at a tavern I meet you and Arthur. You know what happened after that."

Merlin nodes. "Have you heard from your mother at all?"

Gwaine shakes his head. "I am a coward, I never went back or bothered to even ask after her."

Merlin looks at Gwaine. "You are no coward, Gwaine. You risked your life to help us when we needed it. Your mother will understand why you did what you did and she will forgive you, if you just talk to her. I was furious when I found out my father was alive and my mother hadn't even tell me his name, but I forgave her. Blood is thicker than water after all, she'll be proud of you no matter what you do."

"But what if it is too late. I left her on her own, anything could have happened."

"Well there is only one way to find out…. We look for her."

Gwaine shakes his head. "I cannot meet her, not after I left her like that."

Merlin sighs. "Write a letter then and I will take it to her, this is the only way you are going to overcome the guilt you feel. You must make peace with your family."

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Merlin looked around the crystal cave, Gwaine stood beside him. Once Merlin left Gwaine would speak with Taliesin and then head back to Camelot, well that was what Merlin thought he was going to do. No one had told Merlin that Taliesin was actually telling everyone about his adventures, Gaius was saying his good byes to Alice and would be arriving here soon. Gwaine had a letter in his hand, which he kept opening and reading over and over again. Merlin beside him sighed.

"If you keep doing that, you will just wear through the paper and there will be no letter for your mother to read."

Gwaine glances at Merlin. "Are you sure she'll want it?"

"Yes, Gwaine, I'm sure she will. You are her only son, whatever you have done, I'm sure she will forgive you." Merlin answers.

Gwaine sighs. "You never did tell me about your father."

Merlin half smiles. "There is not much to tell. He was once friends with Uthur Pendragon, once the great purge started, he fled. He meet my mother and they fell in love, before he knew my mother was pregnant Uthur started hunting him down, he was forced to flee to protect my mother. A while ago me and Arthur went looking for him. I only knew him for two days, then he took a sword for me and died in my arms. He was a great man and he could have taught me a lot."

"Who was he?"

"He was the last dragon lord."

Gwaine looks at Merlin. "Does that make you a dragon lord, then?"

Merlin smiles. "I couldn't possibly say."

"Oh come on Merlin, tell me?"

Merlin just nodes. "I become the last dragon lord when my father died."

"That means Arthur didn't kill the dragon, you did! Arthur is going to be so pleased when he finds that out."

"Well…."

"It's not like you didn't kill the dragon or anything."

"No comment."

Gwaine grins. "You didn't kill it did you?"

"No comment."

"The dragon egg?"

"No comment."

"Only you, Merlin, only you."

Merlin grins. "Now give me that letter, before you destroy it."

Gwaine hands Merlin the letter. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Gwaine!" Merlin sighs. "I understand why you are worried, she is your mother. I'm sure she'll want to hear from you."

Gwaine smiles slightly. "You are truly the best brother someone could have, magic man."

"That's my new nick name, isn't it?"

"Yep, now I just have to come up with some for the others."

Merlin shakes his head. "I bet they can't wait?"

Gwaine grins. "I know, I'm just that awesome."

Merlin raises an eyebrow. "You starting to sound like Arthur, he's a self-centred prat too."

"What did you just say?" Gwaine asks in mock horror.

"Why, you got ale in your ears?" Merlin asks.

Gwaine stares at Merlin, he had heard that before. "You're Dragoon!"

Merlin grins. "I couldn't possibly say."

Before Gwaine has a chance to say anything Gaius appears, with Taliesin.

"Well it's time for me to go." Merlin grins. "I'll see you soon, Gwaine." The two of them share a one armed hug and Gwaine promises he will get revenge for Merlin knocking him out. Merlin quickly gives Gaius a hug and leaves in a flash of light.

Hey, hope you liked that chapter. Gwaine has learnt a lot about Merlin, but mot in great detail. I also wanted to focus on the Gwaine/Merlin friendship, they are like brother and Merlin always seems a lot happier around Gwaine in the episodes. I don't know a lot about Gwaine mother, so it could be wrong. Does anyone know the name of Gwaine mother? Well next up is the Le Morte d'Arthur. If anyone has any ideals for other nicknames please say,

Blessed be.

TreeOfLife1997.