Thanks for the reviews- Dacymarie, DeathGoddess, AreiaCananaid, Absentminds, Katherinered1, trekmomma ( heeeere's a heart to heart ! I hope you like it!) Also, thanks to all the followers/favoriters :) Probably going to be 5 chapter fic! Spoilers for first season.
Beware this is long & the Gwaine-Merlin heart to heart will be in next chapter. I had to break it up! (Sorry- this just flowed better). Nevertheless, here is the next segment. Enjoy!
Lancelot fell in stride with Gwaine as they left the walls of Camelot. He'd been observing the man the last few days. He could tell there was something going on. What that was he couldn't quite identify. Merlin's concerns a few nights ago increased his protective instincts, so he decided to address his unease.
With Merlin ahead with the king and the two of them bringing up the rear, Lancelot began his search for the reason for the other knight's demeanor, "What's been going on with you mate?"
Gwaine smiled, the plan was falling into place- he'd feel out Lancelot & then approach Merlin. "Nothing."
The other man's raised eyebrow countered the short response.
Gwaine sighed dramatically. Watching the man squirm, didn't happen often, so he reveled in the moment. "Actually there is something I've been meaning to ask you."
"Yes…"
"So I heard you used to have long flowing locks adorn your head, why oh why did you cut it all off?"
Lance rolled his eyes, he was never going to get a straight answer easily. "Resistance."
"Ha! Of course!"
"Stop dodging around the answer mate!"
"What? You've got somewhere to go? I'm going to be here all day."
Lance nudged his horse to pick up the pace. Gwaine begrudgingly followed suit. He could only stand the silence so long. He'd been holding all his thoughts & emotions in for too long. "How long have you known?"
Lance started amazed at the man's bluntness. "Since the first time we met."
"Wow. How did you find out?"
"I was going to kill this beast when my spear began to glow & it died. This was remarkable as only moments before Arthur tried to extinguish it but his mortal weapons had no effect."
"Well I guess that's a dead giveaway."
Lance chuckled before seriously looking the man over, "Yeah, so what're you going to do about this knowledge?"
Protective much? "I'm not going to tell Arthur or anyone else for that matter, if that's what you're concerned about. But I don't think that's all."
"No it's not," Lance checked to make sure the others weren't listening; they were still a bit ahead. "Gwaine, only five people know about this- including you. Merlin's best friend died protecting his secret- (Gaius told me)- do you have any idea what you got yourself into?"
Apparently there's more than just being a sorcerer. Nothing's ever simple with Merlin involved.
"No Never is." Gwaine realized he said that last thought out loud. "It's not only what could happen to him if anyone found out, but think about Arthur and everyone else in Camelot. Everyone would feel betrayed. His mother's life, not to mention her village will be at risk. Gwaine, Merlin unintentionally put his life in your hands with this information."
"Lance, I know everyone jokes about me and my affinity for ale or a woman at my side. It's gotten me into more tight spots than I could ever imagine. But don't think for a moment I'd betray Merlin. I can hold my own weight. He is my friend; therefore I'm loyal to him till the day I die."
"Good. He needs someone else he can trust. I know I saved Gaius from the sole burden bearer," Lance looked ashamed. "Sometimes though it's hard to just listen to all he says, especially when he doesn't even want to tell Gaius. He has done so much. It's a miracle he's still standing- mentally & physically."
"Lance, I'm glad I can be there for not only Merlin but you. I mean you obviously don't talk to Percy about this."
"You catch on quickly. At least you're on our/his-side, your brilliance & wit could hardly be challenged!" the knight replied sarcastically
Gwaine sighed in relief. He got past the mother bear, all was good!
"Ha ha, thanks- your confidence in me is overwhelming."
"That's what I was going for. Now, how do you expect to tell him?"
"Funny you should mention that. I was actually going to ask you."
The other knight rolled his eyes, "What makes you think I know how to tell Merlin?"
"You guys are friends and you kinda have known his secret for a while now."
"You're creative and are also his friend. This is your turn."
"Okay, but when? I can't exactly talk to him really while we're traveling to go protect some town somewhere."
"Good luck!"
"Not fair! Luck will be oh we run into more bandits as we always do on patrols and he'll end up in this rotating cycle of busy. Then I'll never get to talk to him when he's around Arthur & in Camelot!"
"What has been going on lately with these bandits and mercenaries? They always do turn up at the most inopportune times," Lance asked Gwaine.
"Now you sound like Merlin! You need to spend more time with me!"
"His genuine surprise all the time about the amount of people itching to fight never cease to amaze me. I always feel he's so young and innocent."
"Yeah! It's the scarf," he paused for a moment observing his friend. "And the lack or facial hair!"
At this they both burst into laughter.
Gwaine continued by animatedly telling Lance of one of his adventures with Merlin & Arthur.
Merlin looked back to call out Gwaine for yet again being too silent on the ride. To his surprise the man was being anything but with his arms flailing around in an intense conversation with Lance. Merlin chuckled, at least he was back to his old self. He turned back to the conversation at hand-One about the different style of armor. If only Gwen could hear the knights right now!
The light atmosphere was cut short as the knights passed through another part of the kingdom. Arthur hushed them into silence by picking up the pace on the terrain. Ending of the thick woods could be seen ahead. Being about half a day away the men had left early so the sun began to peek through the trees.
Yells and clashing of swords could be heard from a distance. "Men ready yourselves" Arthur warned before they broke out from the cover of the woods.
Their entrance took the men off guard. But only at first, one yelled something and more poured out into the field surrounding the village. It's not like they were the best troops, more like the amount of men present became increasingly difficult to handle.
Dropping off their horse with ease, the knights attacked. Merlin acquired a discarded sword and joined the battle with the locals.
Every chance he got, Gwaine checked on Merlin, an action he hadn't done in a while during a battle. The servant appeared to be faring well with a sword. He smiled, his inner voice saying "Go Merlin!".
Gwaine must have been staring too long because he turned back and realized there were three men on him. Maces & swords. Not good.
A/N:Hope this was a good ending point! I wanted to let you know I absolutely love all the responses- they brighten my day! Please continue!