Chapter 2

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

AN: Just a small note, flashbacks are in italics.

-oo-

The world was on its knees. There were too many bloody wars and vengeance that poured blood over its soul. Now people scattered, afraid and lost, not wanting to be brought down to their knees once more. Failed at the grand picture.

Now all that was left was a broken hope that demanded action. Not from those who put their own merit above everyone else's. It was time for those who stood in shadows for too long and just couldn't stand or take part in the bloodshed any longer.

Merlin watched as the frost gathered on his gloves, as the steady sound of hooves pounding on the dead land kept him alert. Frost was slowly creeping in on the land of Albion, a bad omen some would say.

They slowly came towards a small village, people nowhere to be seen. The dead of the night and the flicker of flames was all that followed his vision.

"Maybe we should camp outside Merlin. Too much attention if we go in now."

Arthur's voice was hoarse and tired. Still he could hear that despite all that he was alert and ready for anything. This world taught them so, always alert and blade at ready or in warlocks' case magic. It was strange how the land had been slowly pulling apart when it came to magic. They had grown suspicious and gullible. They started to believe every vile story of a dark sorcerer taking what he wanted with his arcane knowledge.

"Yeah you are probably right. Let's head on to a more secluded spot, I don't trust this place."

Him and Arthur slowly pulled the rains and guided their horses outside the village, but before they could a nearby tavern's door suddenly opened and a body was tossed out.

"Don't ever show your face in here or you will taste my sword next time."

The man on the tavern's door was large and you could see the years of battle on him. On the other hand the man who picked himself up and dusted some of the filth from his cloths only laughed.

"I mean you no harm good man, but she was all over me. It is not my fault you can't satisfy a woman."

The man in front of the tavern growled and started to come after him but the other just laughed and went on his way. As he ran towards them, Merlin could see that he was around Arthur's age. Probably eager to experience the world and all, some ruff patches here and there obviously didn't matter to him.

He suddenly stopped when he came near, a look of recognition on his face.

"Arthur where the hell have you been my friend?"

Merlin was taken aback by such a friendly recognition, but then he knew that Arthur had the tendency to lob around all kinds of strays. He also found him in similar fashion, minus the dashing looks or the comments about obvious female attention he was getting. Okay maybe not the same but still.

"Well who would have thought? Gwaine what are you doing here, oh wait I'm not that surprised. Another skirt you find yourself chasing?"

This Gwaine fellow only laughed and turned his attention to Merlin.

"I see you are traveling in company Arthur. How about I join you? This could be our new adventure."

Arthur only snorted and Merlin just couldn't help but like the man. Easy nature was hard to come by these days and he seemed to have it in spades.

Finally decided to make himself noticed Merlin said, "We planned to make camp near the village, if you don't mind the cold you are welcome to join us."

Gwaine looked insulted.

"What, you are so close to the village and you decide to camp outside. What is the matter with you people? I shall not take this opportunity to have myself a good warm bed for hard ground. Thank you very much sirs but I shall reside at the local tavern."

With that he turned around and went back to the same tavern he was thrown out of. Arthur was thinking along the same lines it seemed.

"You were just thrown out of there. Stop making trouble for yourself Gwaine- still being the same womanizer you were before."

Gwaine turned to them and only gestured to his heart.

"I'm touched Arthur. You care so much. I would've shed a tear if I didn't know how big of an ass you can be."

Merlin stiffened a laugh and Arthur only glared his way.

"Fine, if you are looking for a fight then I will gladly give you one, or the man at tavern will do the same."

He just turned to them still as cheerful as ever.

"He is a soldier from Camelot. Met him not too long ago. We had a bit of tiff but nothing that can't be mended. Come my friends, join me and stop being so paranoid."

They shared a look and decided to follow Gwaine, at least to see him get beat up in Arthur's opinion. The moment they stepped inside the said soldier was coming towards them, a grim look on his face. Merlin was quite curious how Gwaine would talk himself out of it.

"You! I told you what would happen if you came back here. Prepare to face your doom."

With that he unsheathed his sword but before he could do pretty much anything else Gwaine had punched him square on the jaw and the man was on the floor in the next moment unconscious. He and Arthur just stood there - Merlin was surprised but Arthur just huffed in annoyance already taking off his gauntlets and sitting at a table.

"Always putting on a show ay Gwaine?"

The said man only smiled and took a place beside him. Merlin sat across from them, Gwaine still as cheerful as ever. Well it seemed that looks were deceiving in this case.

"Now that is taken care of. Tavern keeper, your worst ale my friend. We are poor but we are thirsty."

The moment their drinks came he was chugging it down like a man from the desert plane. Arthur slowly drank his and took in the place around him, calculating the people. Not for long though as Gwaine was already punching him in the shoulder and telling some crazy story from their track together, whenever that was.

"… and then the next thing I see was Arthur with his pants down coming from the bushes as couple of wolfs came his way. All the while trying to get his sword and not trip over himself."

Merlin couldn't help but laugh and despite his obvious sour mood Arthur was laughing with them.

"Yeah and you were by the fire chatting that poor girl that came with you from the market."

Gwaine turned to Merlin and finally it looked like he would ask him something, because all this time was spent in good mood while retelling some old story from their side, Merlin didn't feel like he needed to share.

"Never mind that. You, eh Merlin right? You do not seem like the soldier type man and I if I know anything Arthur here does not take anyone as charity so you must know something or you are from a noble family or something along those lines."

Merlin only looked at him for a moment before bringing his hand to his drink and in the next moment the cup began to levitate. Gwaine's eyes went wide in surprise but before Merlin even consider if perhaps it was the wrong thing to do Gwaine said to Arthur,

"You got yourself a sorcerer eh Arthur, planning to bring back the old crew back. The knights of the old table was it and Morgana?"

Arthur turned sharply towards Gwaine and he knew that it was enough with the jokes.

"I mean the round table Arthur. Stop being so uptight. So Merlin, you're a sorcerer. Are you at least good? That little trick may impress women but I need something more to convince me you are not just hitching a ride and exploiting my good natured friend here."

Merlin was growing rather irritated by this entire conversation. He was tired, hungry and at least wanted to get some rest tonight. As much as Gwaine was amusing he didn't have any patience left in him.

"Enough of this gentleman. I am going to rest and you two can drink yourselves to death."

As he got up he just nodded at Arthur before leaving.

He heard Gwaine ask Arthur as he turned to leave, "Hit a sour spot there. The kid is too serious. So what if he can't do anything more."

Arthur only said to him briefly, "Not another word from you."

That is all Merlin heard before he was in the room and on a cot, resting his body. It was a hard track and they covered much ground. Also they got some money for killing that wyvern so they should be good for a few days unless those two drink it all. Well there are always monsters to kill.

Really Merlin a sorcerer should enjoy his magic and the things that magic enables you.

He placed his hand in the air and let the fire light up in it and soon let the small wind envelope around it, followed by a darkness that enveloped it all until it disappeared.

You are powerful, don't hide behind the fear of the everyday man. You are incredible.

If he was so powerful and incredible why did she leave him and did all those things he never thought the kind hearted girl he knew would do. He traced a small scar on the inside of his palm. It was from a time she tried to teach him how to wield a sword properly.

I thought that little old me would have to put at least some effort in it. Come on Merlin. Again.

He had to find her, look her in the eyes and ask her just one thing.

'Was it really worth it?'

-oo-

AN: So the mystery continues but Gwaine makes an appearance not only lighten up all this gloom and doom but possibly play an important part in our heroes adventure. Anyway you'll have to wait and see :) Thank you all who made it this far and please let me know what you thought of this chapter!