(Authors Note: MWAHAHAHAHAHA I'm so mean to poor Merlin. I feel bad about it. Still don't own Merlin or the Arthurian Legend. The shifter however is a creation of mine. They are basically shape shifters but they can't become animals or change gender.)
Part 2 Finding Strength
I sat in the corner booth and sipped my flagon of mead. As I had discovered over the last seven years I could hold a lot of liquor before I actually got drunk. Almost six flagons actually, I was reasonably certain that I had broken Gwaine's record. I smiled into my flagon thinking of the knight and wondering if I would see him in here. As a contestant in the tournament, I still couldn't believe I had talked myself into that; I was staying upstairs in one of the inns rooms. I had somehow managed to get one to myself, how I had no idea.
"Hello everyone!" I looked up a smile plastered on my face at the sound of his voice. Gwaine had just sauntered in. There was a murmured reply of hellos from around the room. His eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Drinks for everyone!" He yelled and the bar keep raised an eyebrow. "Arthur's buying." That satisfied him. So Arthur hadn't cut him off yet? I laughed a little as another flagon was set down in front of me by the pretty red haired barmaid. As I watched her walk away Gwaine caught my eyes. He lifted his eyebrows in confusion and something like recognition. Crap I hadn't counted on this. He sauntered over to me and sat down.
"So you entered in the tournament?" I nodded not wanting my voice to be recognized. His eyebrow almost disappeared in his hair reminding me so much of Gaius it hurt.
"You don't look like much." I sat up straight.
"I might not look like much but trust me I can hold my own." I said indignantly. His mouth dropped open and his eyes bugged out. He knew.
I lowered my hood, his eyes only grew wider.
"M… Mer… What? Am I already drunk?" He stammered. I grinned.
"Highly likely but you aren't hallucinating. That I can promise, but don't call me that right now. Call me Robin." His near invisible eyebrow was back.
"It's the name I used to enter the tournament. I'm here to look out for Arthur."
"But.. You've been gone for seven years! Seven years Mer… Robin. Where have you been?!"
"Here , there, everywhere. Just like you used to." He looked guilty.
"Did you leave because you wanted to be like me?"
"No. The reason I left is my own and has been fixed. Once the tournament is over I'll hopefully be staying. If you lot will take me back." Gwaine grinned at me widely.
"Are you kidding!? I still catch Princess moping about when he thinks we aren't looking; Lancelot has tried to take over as the voice of reason but ends up mucking things up. I haven't heard Percival talk in months and even then I think it was just one word. And Gaius. Gods does he even know you're here?" I shook my head nervous and disappointed in myself. Gwaine apparently shared this sentiment and smacked me on the back of the head.
"He hasn't been the same since you left. Kept your room just the way you left it, it's kind of sad actually." My heart seemed to constrict. Gwaine seemed to understand.
"Nervous huh?" I nodded. "All you need is a reason to go see him. Come with me." He took me by the wrist and I didn't really have a choice but to follow him. He dragged me to the citadel and I was about to protest when he kicked me in the shin hard.
"OW! Gwaine!"
"See now you've got your reason!" And on that note he helped me limp to Gaius's chambers.