Friday soon came around Gwen and Lance took Merlin down to the pub where they were meeting up with the others. They all had a drink before moving on to a restaurant where they enjoyed a good meal, before going on to a club. Gwaine moved one of the chairs away from their table to make room for the wheelchair and sat by Merlin. He spent the next hour talking almost solely to the younger man. Arthur kept glaring at him. When Gwaine went up to get another round with Percy, Arthur moved into Gwaine's chair. Morgana said nothing but raised her eyebrows. Arthur ignored her. Merlin had one glass of wine with his meal but once they reached the club he had drunk a couple of drinks without really noticing and he was beginning to get a bit tipsy. When Percy got back to the table he pointed out to Merlin that he ought to be careful, as he wasn't used to drinking much. Lance pointed out that Merlin had always been a lightweight with drink.

Merlin decided to go and get himself a juice instead of drinking more alcohol. Gwaine offered to go, but Merlin said he was perfectly capable of getting his own. As he reached the bar, a group of workers from Essetir had come into the club, a bit worse for wear. They spotted Merlin and headed straight for him. Unfortunately one of them was Cenred's right hand man Valliant, who was a bit of a bully.

"Hello Merlin, you out on the pull. Got a taste for it have you?" His mates laughed.

Merlin turned round the drink he'd already had gave him courage. "Piss off Valliant" this was probably not the best thing to say to a man who had already had a few.

"Don't you dare tell me to piss off, you little pervert, just because you think you're safe in that chair."

Back at the table Gwaine and Arthur both saw what was happening and both stood up and went to the bar. Gwaine spoke first "Pick on someone who can fight back why don't you" he growled.

"What's it to you? He in your pants is he?" Valliant snarled back.

"Shut up and clear off Valliant." this time it was Arthur who spoke.

"All of you shut up, he was talking to me." Merlin said "Valliant I don't have to put up with this. I don't work with you anymore, just because your boss is a shit, you don't have to be."

Valliant moved closer to Merlin, but stopped as a large arm grabbed his shoulder. "Back of boys, go and find somewhere else to drink." Valliant looked up into Percy's face and backed down. Valliant then spoke to Arthur.

"You fancy him Pendragon? He's a good lay from what I heard, Cendred had the best, mind you, I don't suppose he's up to much now." With that he pulled away from Percy and started to walk away.

He wasn't quick enough as a fist flew towards him, and he fell into the bar. Gwaine had heard enough. Arthur quickly grabbed Gwaine.

"Leave it Gwaine!" at the same time Merlin shouted:

"You didn't have to do that! I've got to face up to them one day; just because their boss can screw people over, they think they can." Merlin was clearly upset but he was also more than slightly drunk.

The group from Essetir walked away, Valliant being pulled away by his mates as they saw the bouncers coming over.

"Merlin, you my friend you've had enough fun for today, I'm taking you home." Percy took Merlin's drink out of his hand and picked up his coat.

With that the others arrived by the bar.

"Morgana, will you be able to get home ok if I take this idiot home?" Percy asked his new girlfriend.

"There's no need we can take him back Percy." Lance said.

"Unfortunately I don't think he's going to be able to sort himself out, so I'd better." Percy wheeled Merlin out of the club before anyone had chance to object.

The bouncers seeing everything had settled down left them and went back to their posts near the door.

"Poor Merlin, I don't think he's drank that much since his accident; he always was a light weight." Lance commented. "He's going to feel bad tomorrow."

"What were those plonkers picking on him for?" Gwaine asked as he rubbed his hand. "And what did they mean about Cenred and Merlin anyway? I know this much whatever it was it wasn't Merlin's fault."

"Merlin used to be Cenred's PA I can't tell you more as Merlin told me in confidence, but there's bad history."

"Sounds like it." Gwaine said. "Wished I'd hit him harder."

"I agree, Merlin is one of the nicest people I've ever met, and that lot are trouble," Leon spoke for the first time.

Morgana looked at her brother "We need to sort this out Arthur. They can't harass Merlin like that."

Arthur knew his sister when she got the bit between her teeth, and knew trouble was coming. Before he could say more, Leon spoke again.

"If Merlin is having problems with them he can talk to me. I don't mind looking at it for him, there might be something legal he can do."

"I'll speak to him Leon, but in the end it's up to him." Looking at the others he said "I don't know about you but I think this evening has finished. I'm off home."

As they broke up to go on their way Gwaine grabbed Arthur's arm "I understand you know more than you're going to let on, just don't leave it. Merlin will get hurt if Valliant plays rough when we aren't about."

"Leave it Gwaine! I can't tell you more, I would if I could, but it's not my place. I don't like it anymore than you do."

Gwaine walked off clearly unhappy. Morgana spoke: "Arthur what are you going to do? Gwaine's right, you know that don't you."

"I do Gana, but except for having a word with Merlin I can't see what else can do." he walked off with