Thank you to the wonderfully dedicated reviewers: Trekmomma, DeathGoddess, Absent minds, Aerist, AeriaCananaid & miscellaneous guests- they were awesome! Also, grazie to all the followers (I'm honored you're interested in seeing what happens next!)
Enjoy!
He almost yelled for Merlin, but only managed a loud battle cry. He hoped earned the other man's attention.
Merlin heard it. He located Gwaine almost immediately. The knight was outrageously outnumbered by men and weapons. With a flash of his eyes, he burned the men's handles. Who in turn dropped their weapons in confusion, allowing Gwaine to have the upper hand. Gwaine smiled at his friend and nodded in thanks. The victory was short lived as more men came outta the woodwork.
None of the others paid attention to the exchange. Arthur focused on finding the leader. It was the perfect strategy- once he was taken care of the others would give up the fight. Lancelot and Percival worked in sync. Percy knocked the wind out of the man while Lance took him to the ground. Epic team to say the least.
Eventually, the leader of the gang showed himself. He pulled a farmer away from his family. Arthur wasn't having any of it. He swiftly came from behind knocking the man off balance. This caused him to lose grip on the citizen and the king urged him to run.
Left. Clash. Right. Clash.
Arthur took the edge of his sword and turned the other man's at an awkward angle. Taking advantage of the situation, he quickly silenced the burly man.
He barely had time to take a breath before angry followed came at him filled with rage. Thankfully Leon arrived. Confidence pulsed through the town. Men were being cornered by enraged citizens and knights. Those scallywags that remained ran off in the wake of Arthur's threat of death if their face was ever in the likes of Camelot again.
As the men began to clean up, Gwaine approached the manservant, "Nice job out there mate! The (makes a sizzling sound & does demonstration with his hands)was a nice touch! Those idiots didn't have a chance!"
Merlin froze. Gwaine gave him a pat on the back and kept walking- grinning like an idiot- he was extremely proud of how smooth that went.
Lance smiled at the interaction. He knew everything was going to work out.
The knights were asked to stay the night to enjoy a feast in their honor. The people were truly grateful for the king's assistance. Cleaned & worn out the men graciously accepted the offer.
The feast dwindled down. Merlin slunk out of the spot light. All of the knights including him were being treated as guests. It was an unreal occurrence. He felt uncomfortable being handed dishes filled to the brim with food and not being the one serving it.
He readily enjoyed the lighter atmosphere that came around, especially after the ale was introduced. It was great to see the citizens celebrating life.
"Pretty boy!" Gwaine called. Mentally cursing the ale, he could have come up with something much better if his brain wasn't slightly fuzzy.
"Hiya Gwaine." The knight plopped down on the edge of the stone wall next to him.
Merlin found his heart picking up. This was the first time they were alone after his magic display. He had done well at avoiding the man. He thought back to the knight's behavior the last few days (of what he'd seen of him). Then there was this comment that had been fresh on his mind all night. "What did you mean earlier?"
Gwaine slowly turned his head to make eye contact. He picked up on the other man's skittish voice. He had to say it. It was now or never. "I meant what I said & I said what I meant`"
Merlin rolled his eyes. Now the man decided to elusive. Where was his 'charming' blunt manner? "Gwaine."
"Merlin."
"Glad we know each other on a first name basis."
"Yep me too! I've always wanted to know a sorcerer, "Gwaine cursed his mouth that ran before checking with his brain.
The warlock stilled. First he took a shaky around them and upon seeing no one he turned and smacked the knight.
"Oi! What was that for?"
"Are you kidding me? You can't seem to keep your mouth shut!"
"I did for four whole days!"
Merlin gave him a look.
Gwaine chuckled, "You need to lighten up, if you get any more up tight you'll turn into Arthur!"
"Take that back!"
"Nope!"
Merlin groaned while Gwaine burst into laughter picturing Merlin in the King's clothes. This coaxed Merlin out of his nervousness. The laughter lasted a few minutes.
Merlin sobered up.
"So…"
"So…"
"Gwaine, are you going to answer my question?"
"I think you got the gist of it. An' we can skip all the formalities, prodding and lying. I was just making a remark," the look on his friend's face made him continue. "Geez Merlin, what am I supposed to do? You've been avoiding me. I understand your apprehension, but I'm your friend. I had time to think about everything. I don't care about it! Let me explain myself before you go freaking out."
"Okay..."the warlock stood up, unable to keep his nerves in check.
"I have to admit I was a little hurt and surprised. My best friend has been lying to me. How exactly do you expect me to respond?"
"I'm sorry Gwaine. But having this knowledge is dangerous."
"I can handle it."
"I don't want you to. It's too much of a burden. I couldn't have you lying to everyone!"
"I would never betray you!"
"I know, but I don't want to put you in that position. Gwaine, I don't want to see anyone I care about get hurt or even die over this." He looked at the ground, pushing thoughts of Will out of his head. "This secret is my life."
"I am willing to protect you. That's what friends are for."
"But…"
"No, just listen." Merlin nodded, unsure of where this was going.
"You say you have faith in Arthur – a blind faith in the man, much like the trust you have in the various people you've run into around the kingdom. I don't see why you couldn't trust me, your friend. I thought I knew you better."
Merlin looked down ashamed, hiding the tears threatening to fall.
Gwaine continued, determined to let his friend know where he stands.
"I heard you and Lance a few nights ago and I get it. I know why. I've come to terms with him knowing first and why you've kept it a secret," he paused, slowly standing up and resting his hands on the other man's shoulders. "Just tell me that you won't keep things, BIG things from me in the future.
He held out his hand. Merlin ignored it. In a voice barely above a whisper he replied, "I can't do that Gwaine. There will be some things I can't tell you no matter how much I want to. There will be those times that I don't even want to remember. I may tell you later, but being oblivious is advantageous most of the time. Look at Arthur. He's better off not having a clue."
"If that's how it has to be," the knight reached out with a firm hand on the servant's shoulder and turned. "I can deal with it. Merlin I'm your friend forever. And Arthur will be in the dark until you decide to tell him. Got it?"
"Yes."
"You mean yes Sir, right?"
He laughed before shoving him. "Not in your lifetime."
"Fine! I'll give you a title and we'll be even. How about Merlin the Great?"
"No."
"Merlin the magnificent sorcerer incapable of not tripping at least once a day!"
"No."
"Marvelous Merlin, the manservant."
"No."
"Oh fear not, I'll figure out the perfect name for a mighty sorcerer like you!"
Merlin rolled his eyes. "Actually I'm a warlock."
"A what?"
"Warlock."
"A Warlock?"
"Yes, that's what people who are born with magic are called."
"Hmmmm."
"So you don't practice it?"
"Not like what you're thinking. I kind of just think about it and do it without saying anything."
"Whoa, that's a nice trick. Easier to keep hidden."
"Definitely. Coughing doesn't really work as nice to cover up magic words as it once did."
"Yeah, I don't think that has really ever worked for hiding anything."
Merlin chuckled. He found it so weird to be talking about this out in the open. Every few seconds he glanced around them.
"Merlin, you're going to twist your head off at the rate you're goin'!"
"I'm just making sure we're alone. I don't need anyone spying on us!"
"Paranoid much?"
"You would be too, if you were me!"
"I guess."
Silence lasted a few more minutes.
"So what now?"
"Well we should probably head back. Don't need people to be suspicious of us."
"Right then let's get goin'."
Merlin nodded in agreement and they both walked back to the house where they were staying the night. The other men were dead to the world. Only Arthur stirred as the two of them got adjusted.
Merlin smiled after blowing out the candle. End of the day was great- Gwaine knew and didn't care. He promised his allegiance, especially against Arthur. He had never felt so lucky- he had two amazing friends and a wonderful mentor. He could definitely put up with Arthur for a little longer.
For once his destiny didn't seem too bad. It was better than anything he could have imagined if he had stayed in Elador.
The men woke up at dawn. After they began packing up and assisting the townspeople
"Oh Merlin!" Gwaine ruffled the young man's hair as he said a little louder, "Nice scruff!"
"I didn't have time to shave before we left," he whined. The others began chuckling as they were loading up. Looking at Arthur, "You had me running around like a headless horseman gathering up the belongings for the trip."
"Resorting to blaming the king. Merlin, Merlin, Merlin," the straight face fell away. "I'm sorry this is just too funny!"
All the men continued to laugh at Merlin's beard. It was a rare sight. Arthur had insisted quite early on never seeing it inside Camelot leading to good laughs during their trips
Sorry for the late posting- I got distracted by Sherlock. Moriarty is so fantastically creepy (can't get enough of the last episode in 1st season). Anyways, Plausible talk & fighting? (P.S. I know nothing about fighting)
Please review!