So, I am going to use what we writers call a time skip.

Seven months had passed, Merlin was torn between his love for both Gwaine and Arthur, he couldn't have both, it wasn't fair to either of them. Sneaking around behind both their backs to keep them both happy, the sorcerer had to choose between them, before Arthur found out.

"Arthur raped you!" Gwaine pointed out, not helping the situation at all. "Tortured me! You really need to think over whether you want to be with him?!" It was hard to explain, and he could understand why Gwaine wouldn't understand, even if he did. Before that had happened, Arthur was not a cruel man, and after he had done those things, he hadn't been cruel again.

"I know Gwaine.." Merlin muttered, to keep from getting caught, him and Gwaine had been meeting outside of Camelot's walls in the woods. "Arthur is..."

"Yeah, I know what he is to you, don't have to keep telling me. Sounds to me like you already made your decision." Gwaine interrupted, and was upset. "Wasn't the destiny to make sure that he lived, so that your people could be free to use your magic, as long as it was being used for good. I think you have already fulfilled that destiny. You don't need Arthur anymore." The knight said harshly.

"That may be, but he still needs me to protect him from those who do use magic for Evil."

"Do you love him?" Gwaine took him by surprise when he asked that. "You never say it. Not to me. Do you tell him that?" It was like seeing the jealousy being reversed, but at least Gwaine was being more calm about it then Arthur was, and didn't turn to violence. "Tell me the truth Merlin." The sorcerer was silent, thinking it over very carefully.

"I love you both.." Merlin answered honestly, "I'm sorry Gwaine..."

"You choose Arthur don't you?" Merlin slowly nodded his head, he felt terrible, after everything they had been through and all this time sneaking around. While Gwaine could have got on with his life; finding some one that would only love him. Gwaine took off ahead of the sorcerer heading back to Camelot, with Merlin watching him walk off, trying not to cry.

"Merlin? Where have you been?" Guais asked when the sorcerer entered the house, he shrugged his shoulders lightly before answering.

"I was out for a walk."

"Well, now that you are back, I have some chores for you." Heaving a sigh, Merlin grabbed the list he saw on the table in front of him, looking it over before he got to work. As the sorcerer was finishing up the door of the house opened and Arthur came in.

"Merlin, there you are. We have a problem. Reports have come in that Morgana has been spotted. When you have a moment prepare the horses. We are leaving as soon as possible." Arthur explained, then let his gaze go to Gauis with a nod of his head before leaving the house. Merlin finished his chores and prepared his bag, then went to the stables preparing the horses and led them out of to the front of the castle, the knights taking the reigns from him, and climbed into their saddles. Gwaine barely even looked at him when he took the reigns to his own horse, and it nearly tore the heart out of his chest. Arthur was the last to mount his horse, followed by Merlin, the two of them taking the lead of the party, heading out of Camelot.

"Where are we heading, sire?" Gwaine asked as they set out on the path.

"The report stated Morgana has hidden herself within the woods of Camelot. Any hut we come across we will search." Arthur responded.

"What if we don't find her?" Gwaine retaliated and Arthur turned his horse, stopping Gwaine staring each other down.

"We keep looking until we do find her, if you can't do that you are free to go back to Camelot." Merlin looked between the two, wishing they wouldn't argue, the only thing that hadn't changed in seven months was the definite tension you could feel between them. Arthur turned his horse back around, leading the way once again, not even looking back to see if Gwaine was following,. Merlin was quickly behind him, though he did look over his shoulder a few times, glad to see that Gwaine decided to come along.

To be continued...