~ Chapter 19: The Gathering ~

- Gwaine -

There was a knock on my door. I heard the door open and the sound of footsteps. "Who the hell is at my door at this ungodly hour?" I asked, throwing my boot at whoever entered.

"It's good to see you too," I heard a voice say. A voice I had long convinced myself I would never hear again. I sat up abruptly.

I opened my eyes and saw Merlin standing before me. He was bandaged and looked paler than usual, but other than that, he looked good. Healthy. "You're alive?" I asked uncertainly.

"No, I'm a ghost here to haunt you," Merlin said sarcastically.

I chuckled. I've missed his sense of humor. "It's good to see you… not dying," I told him. I really studied him. There were bags under his eyes; he must be exhausted.

"It's good to see you too… You seem almost sober," Merlin teased.

"Almost sober? You must know a different Gwaine," I told him. "I'm never sober."

I got out of bed and walked closer to Merlin to embrace him. I wasn't going to be the only man excited to see him alive and well. Arthur's worry had seeped over to us over the last few days. It was almost as if we couldn't rest easy knowing our king couldn't rest easy. "What are you doing here at this hour?" I asked him.

"Isn't it enough to want to see my friend?" Merlin asked innocently.

I shook my head. "You know better," I told him.

Merlin grinned. "You know me well. Arthur wants to meet with all his knights," he explained nervously. There was a strange look in his eyes, one I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"When?" I asked him.

"I figured you would want your sleep, so I woke you last," Merlin told me. "The meeting is in a few minutes."

"Give me a minute," I groaned. I forced myself to put myself together. Get dressed. Ignore hangover. Go with Merlin.

I followed Merlin to the throne room.

I joined the throngs of the knights and I was surprised when Merlin didn't disappear into the background. Instead, he stood next to Arthur and Gwen.

Merlin looked terrified. What was going on with him? He was quiet the entire way here. I was starting to think something was wrong with him. Merlin was never quiet.

Arthur whispered to him and Merlin took a deep breath. A look of determination crossed over him as he looked at Arthur and nodded. What was that about?

Arthur cleared his throat and everyone fell silent. "I have called you all here, because in a few short hours, I will be making an announcement of immense importance to my people. I fear for the safety of the person the announcement concerns," Arthur said. I looked at him confused. This had to be about Merlin, but what could possibly be dangerous to him? "I need each of you to keep an open mind with what I am about to tell you… or show you."

I wasn't the only knight confused now. What did he mean by show us? Merlin was shaking again. "Before I do anything, I want you to think hard about something. Do you trust Merlin? Who here among us does not trust him? If you believe Merlin to be untrustworthy, please step forward," Arthur said.

He gave us several minutes, but no one stepped forward. Everyone here trusted Merlin with their lives. Merlin's loyalty and dedication to Arthur couldn't be rivaled. As I looked at the fear in Merlin's face, I realized that he didn't understand that; he didn't recognize how much we depended on him.

Suddenly, I needed Merlin to know that. He needed to know how much he meant to us. I stepped forward. I could literally see betrayal hit Merlin. "My lord," I said. "May I address the court?"

Arthur fixed me with a stony expression. I thought a king was supposed to be open minded; here he was, jumping to the incorrect conclusion. "That is your right," he said in an even voice.

"I trust Merlin with my life. I am stepping forward now, not because I deem Merlin untrustworthy but because I think it's important for you to understand his worth. Merlin is a simple servant," I said. Arthur chuckled at that, which I thought was rude, but I wasn't about to insult the king. What surprised me was the amused expression on Merlin's face. Oh well. I would think about that later. "He has come with us everywhere. He has put himself in danger time and time again to make sure one of us got out safely or to make sure you got to safety. I don't know a man who is braver or more loyal than Merlin. And I don't know anyone more worthy of our trust."

There were cries of agreement from around me as several seconded my words or added words of their own. Tears shone in Merlin's eyes. I honestly couldn't believe Merlin didn't realized how much he was appreciated. I realized that we seldom thanked him or showed gratitude and I made a mental note to start being more expressive with that. If I'd learned anything over the last few days, it was that life was fragile and fleeting. I needed to do a better job of appreciating what I had and the second chance I'd been given.

"I want you to remember that. All of you claim to trust Merlin. I just hope you can prove it," Arthur said. There was a strange expression on his face. He almost looked like he was scared for Merlin. I was getting antsy waiting for whatever this mystery was to be revealed.

Arthur took a step back and looked at Merlin. He put his hand on his shoulder. "Your turn," he told him.

Merlin took a step forward. He looked so scared he was shaking. He cleared his throat a couple of times before he said in a clear voice, "Fruom fiorgiftum."

He held up his hand so we could all see, though it wasn't necessary. Even from where we stood, we could see the light that suddenly illuminated his face. I stared at him shocked, hardly able to process the impossible truth in front of me. I heard gasps echo throughout the chamber, but they sounded like they were coming from the end of a tunnel. I didn't know how anyone was capable of making a sound; I was silent as a mouse. Even if I wanted to, I didn't think I would be able to make a sound. It wasn't possible. In Merlin's hand there was an undeniably magical floating sphere of light. I looked up at Merlin's frightened face; fear that I was certain reflected in many of our faces. I felt instinct rival with what I knew of Merlin. How was it possible that Merlin was a sorcerer?