Chapter Nineteen

"What do you mean you can't come with us?" Merlin yelled. "Gwaine, don't be a clotpole, just come along."

"I was exiled, Merlin." Gwaine sat on the ground, adamantly refusing to get up. "I can't go back."

"Don't be daft, Gwaine. Arthur is king now and he'll surely give you a pardon. Right, Leon?" Merlin looked hopefully at the knight.

"The king has been through a lot recently, Merlin. Maybe it would be best to not force too much on him at once." Leon was clearly uncomfortable.

"Go, Merlin." Gwaine said simply, rising to his feet. "Don't worry about me. I'll run into you again sooner or later." He flashed a weak smile at Merlin.

Merlin hesitated for a moment, clearly conflicted, before stepping towards Gwaine and embracing him. "Thank you, Gwaine." He murmured.

Gwaine watched them ride away, not wanting to voice that the real reason he didn't want to go to Camelot was he couldn't stand the thought of seeing Merlin getting back together with Arthur.

Camelot. Merlin couldn't help but smile as he saw the familiar castle rising in the distance. No matter what happened, Merlin would always feel a special attachment to Camelot. When he had arrived from Ealdor, he would never have known the amazing experiences he would find there. Merlin would always have the memories of his friends—no, his family—in Camelot.

The first stop he wanted to make was the chambers he shared with Gaius. When he walked in the door, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Gaius hunched over his vials of tonics, probably conducting some experiment or another.

"Yes?" Gaius asked without even glancing up.

Merlin didn't answer, he simply waited for a mild curiosity and a flash of concern to cause Gaius to look towards the door. "Merlin!" He exclaimed.

He dropped his bags as Gaius pulled him into a warm hug. "I'm so glad you've returned," Gaius said, looking Merlin over for an obvious sign of illness or injury. Not finding anything too worrying, he picked up Merlin's bags and started toward Merlin's door. "You look older."

"Here, Gaius, let me carry those." Merlin protested.

"Nonsense. You should accept this little bit of kindness, Merlin. I expect you haven't received any in some time." Gaius dumped the bags on Merlin's bed. "But you can make yourself useful and put your things away."

"I haven't been completely without friends." Merlin mumbled awkwardly.

"Oh?" Gaius arched an eyebrow.

"I ran into Gwaine and he—we travelled together." Merlin said uncomfortably.

"I see," Gaius shuffled out of the room. "Well I'm glad you're back alive and well. The king, well, Uther's death has been hard on him, and without you around I don't think he has anyone to talk to."

"He has Gwen." Merlin retorted. Gaius made a face at him. Merlin shrugged, "Leon told me."

"Merlin," Gaius began with a sigh, "It is my honest medical opinion that though Arthur is currently involved with Gwen, it is you that he truly wants."