Carefully Merlin and Lancelot placed Gwaine down on what used to be Merlin's own bed all those years ago. The man didn't even flinch. Gaius quickly made his way to his shelves, gathering up water, bandages and honey.

"Will he be alright?" Arthur asked, Lancelot gave him a funny look

"If anything he's strong" Gaius noted

"He is" Arthur agreed turning to leave, "He saved my life, he is to be given anything he needs"

Lancelot's eyes followed the eldest prince as he left before they fell on his friend again with a small laugh.

"Just wait until he wakes up" lancelot sighed, "When he finds out he saved a nobel he'll feel completely stupid"

"Does Gwaine have something against nobility?" Merlin asked

"Hates them" Lancelot replied, "Don't worry, I've got nothing against it, if anything I'd like to be it"

"Strange that your friends than, the nobel hater and the nobel wannabe" Merlin remarked

"Yeah, well I want to be a knight really" Lancelot admitted, "But commoners don't become knights"

"Maybe they could" Merlin mused, "After all, a peasant became a prince"

"So those rumors are true then, you were raised as a peasant" Lancelot remarked surprised.

"Yeah, its a pretty private matter, my father tries his best to keep it quiet" Merlin sighed.

"You really refer to Uther as 'father'?"

"Well, yes" Merlin said slowly and not quite as surely as he wanted, "That is what he is to me"

...

Gwaine groaned as he awoke, Lancelot grinned as did Merlin, it was already well into the morning.

"Where am I?" Asked the very confused man

"In the physician's chambers, in Camelot" Merlin answered, "My brother and I wanted to make sure you were alright"

"Brothers..." Gwaine muttered, obviously remembering the bar fight, "Not much of a resemblance there"

"Gwaine!" Lancelot hushed, "The princes were very good to you, Arthur even said you were to be given anything you desire"

"I saved a prince" Gwaine groaned looking annoyed, Merlin suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Arthur's a bit of a prat but he's a good man" Merlin argued, "He was always fair back when I was his servant, tough but fair"

"I thought you were his brother" Gwaine argued raising an eyebrow.

"It's a long story" Merlin waved his hand, "no matter, my father wants to thank you personally"

Gwaine choked on the water Lancelot had given him before shaking his head with a look of revulsion.

"No thanks, I've met a few kings" He laughed, "Once you've met one you've met them all"

"You might get a reward" Lancelot pointed out

"Not interested" Gwaine reminded him, Lancelot rolled his eyes.

"He might not be grateful but I am" Lancelot nodded, "Thankyou for helping us"

They were a strange pair of friends Merlin had to admit. From what he had seen and the discussions he had with Lancelot through the night it seemed they were very different people. Gwaine was forever dragging Lancelot from tavern to tavern, getting into bar fights and making snarky and rude comments to anyone and every one regardless of who they were. Lancelot on the other hand was respectful, kind and wise, Merlin had no doubt that he talked Gwaine out of many dangerous situations with his level head.

...

"Knights from all over Albion are flooding in our gates for that stupid malay" Merlin noted,leaning out Arthur window down at the square filled with knights.

"The malay is not stupid" Arthur retorted, "Its a display or courage, endurance and bravery"

"Where we run around hitting each other with blunt weapons?" Merlin retorted holding up the dulled sword

"You mean me, you got knocked out in the third round last year" Arthur snorted

"Yes but which one of us had to spend the next three weeks looking like they were covered in plum juice?" Merlin retorted with a grin, quickly ducking when Arthur's goblet flew at his head.

"Look Sir's Oswald and Ethan have arrived" Arthur smiled, he had very much enjoyed his duel with the former last year, "Lets go meet them"

Quickly the two princes steps out into the courtyard, Arthur happily greeted the two.

"Didn't think you'd be brave enough to show up this year" Arthur jibed

"I wouldn't miss a chance to knock you down" Oswald commented

"You haven't managed it yet"

"That was then, this is now"

"Alright..." Arthur trailed off, Oswald had hardened over the past year, "This is my brother Merlin, you didn't get formally introduced last year"

The knights roughly shook the young warlocks hand before turning their attention back to Arthur. Obviously there were still people who thought him unworthy of his title.

"Merlin will show you to your rooms" Arthur offered, Merlin narrowed his eyes at him.

...

After an exhausting hour helping the two knights with their luggage Merlin's arms were aching. It was almost like he was a servant again, why the knights had ordered that he was to have no help he had no idea. Sure he was a prince and could over rule them but they already had enough spite for him, he didn't need to fuel the fire.

He had been hoping to get a little rest when Gwen came and found him, saying it was important. He could never of guessed.

"You drank all of this?" He exclaimed looking at the bill Gwaine had worked up.

"With some help from my new friend!" He slurred, half hanging off Lancelot, the latter gave him an apologetic look. Merlin sighed and quickly paid for the huge list of alcohol and pickled eggs before helping Lancelot with his severally drunk friend.

"He did it to spite you, sorry" Lancelot sighed, "Nobles..."

Gwaine shot Merlin a look of intense amusement which quickly turned to surprise when Merlin burst out laughing as soon as Gwaine was back in Gaius chambers.

"You're not annoyed?" Gwaine gaped

"Of course I am, that doesnt mean that was hilarious!" Merlin said finally, "I mean, money is money, its not that important and its not every day you see somebody so drunk they can't even stand!"

"Your father will be inpressed" Lancelot smirked

"Alright" He sighed, "What is it with you and nobles?"

"Nothing, my father was a knight!" Merlin hadn't seen that one coming, "In Carleon's army, he died in battle, when my mother went tot he king for help, he did nothing, been poor ever since"

"You never knew your father?" Merlin questioned.

"Just stories I've been told" Gwaine admitted

"Yeah, know how that feels..." Merlin muttered, thinking of his leather strap tucked safely in his draw back in his chambers.

"So its true then, your adopted into the royal family!" Gwaine grinned, obviously liking Merlin more for it.

"Gwaine!" Lancelot hushed

"It's alright" Merlin smiled weakly, "My mother died when I was born and my father was a dragonlord so, he was killed by Camelot knights. Uther found me and decided that since I was only a baby I didn't deserve to die"

"So that man you call father killed you actual father?" Gwaine snorted

"Not personally" Merlin defended

"Merlin!" The yelled echoed through the castle, Uther was angry.

"I think he just heard how much money I spent at the Tavern..."

Sorry for the slow update!