Thank you to yay guest, AreiaCananaid, trekmomma (that's so exciting- I'm honored that you think so highly of my writing abilities! I hope you continue to enjoy this chapter- it's kinda fluffy!), DeathGoddesses, & soweroftales. The reviews have been amazing & motivating!

Ending on a light and fluffy note- Thanks to a fantastic idea from Absent minds! (You're awesome!)

Please enjoy!

"Celebrate?"

"Yes! Celebrate!"

"What are we celebrating exactly?"

Gwaine sighed for the umpteenth time. They were almost at the tavern. He looked over at Lancelot hoping for some relief, but got none. Only a look that said he's all yours- it was your idea. "Merlin, Merlin, Merlin. Please stop talking. You're ruining the moment."

Merlin was still coming to terms with the idea that Gwaine and Lancelot knew his secret. Both were adamant about their devout loyalty to him and they won't tell anyone. He couldn't believe how well Gwaine was taking the reveal exceedingly well. To say the least he was a little unnerved. Maybe the knights picked up on his worry and began insisting that as secret savior of Camelot he needed a night off. Relaxing = good. Merlin replied "Yeah, sure, whatever."

Gwaine told him there would be a time where they would be completely undisturbed and Merlin would tell him everything. The warlock was just glad tonight was the night. To think he was more nervous about the tavern experience with Gwaine than he was talking about magic.

Merlin stayed silent, fuming at the physician's actions earlier. Gaius just laughed as his ward tried to give the knights an excuse for staying in. He had agreed with them! The nerve!

"Come on pretty boy!" Gwaine tugged on Merlin's arm as he entered the tavern.

It was packed. The knight smiled and wrapped his arm around the manservant's neck. "You're my wingman tonight, got it?"

"Your what?"

"Merlin! Have you ever been in a tavern?"

"Yes, Arthur and I did meet you in one."

"Yes, but have you ever gone with some mates just to let off some steam and meet some women?"

Merlin stared at him thinking somewhere between "Are you kidding me?" and "How much have you had to drink already?"

Gwaine just grinned at the man before him. "I'll do it first. Then you can do it for me the rest of the night! So follow my lead!"

This wasn't going to be any good. He searched for Lance who had mysteriously disappeared in the madhouse. Merlin groaned and followed the knight to a nice looking young woman.

Gwaine flashed his charming grin, "Hello, you look lovely this evening! Have you met Merlin?" He presented his friend and slipped off to the bar.

Merlin immediately blushed. He couldn't believe he was here. He had no clue what to say.

"Hi Merlin."

"Uh, hi. Sorry bout' my friend, m'lady," she giggled. I must be doing something right he thought.

"I do not mind, he introduced me to you after all!"

"Thanks," He fumbled with the edge of his jacket. "What's your name?"

"Clara."

"It's wonderful to meet you Clara."

"You as well."

Merlin glanced around nervously catching the other two at the bar ordering drinks.

Lance glanced at the warlock, "Look at him!"

"I know! I'm so proud!"

"Gwaine, you know this is something that should be going on-ONE step at a time. Drinking and flirting with women? I know he can handle a lot, but I'm not too sure about this."

"Oh come on Lance! Didn't you ever go out? Live a little?"

Lance sighed, he wasn't going to win any time soon, "Yes but not as handsomely as you had."

"Of course not, now don't feel bad- we have time to make up for all you missed out on."

"Sure, just try not to let that all happen to Merlin in one night. Gaius and Arthur would both have our necks."

"You know that right!" He turned to the woman giving them their drinks, "Thank Maurice!"

She nodded and moved on, shaking her head at the regular. They laughed about Arthur complaining about his armor and watched Merlin squirm uncomfortably by the woman.

Eventually Gwaine drained his mug and turned to his friend, "I betcha I'll bring him back swimming in ale and having talked to at least five women!"

"Okay, well I'm certain I can get him to talk to even more women without as much mead."

"Fine, oh so mighty knight," Gwaine mock bowed. "Go first, but be prepared to pay up!"

_
It started off simply enough. Clara was nice. Then Gwaine came over and introduced him to another gal. Lance did the same after a few minutes. He got tired of their game real fast. To be nice (he was taught never to refuse a lady), he took the drink the woman offered. It was strong. Not his favorite taste, but he stilled smiled back and said thanks.

Merlin tried to do it for Gwaine but it didn't work. Then Lance joked that it was more like Gwaine was his wingman instead of the other way around.

Merlin had indeed charmed up some women right before their eyes. The drinks kept coming and he didn't stop- he was actually enjoying himself. He could see why Gwaine came here all the time. Wow that must be the alcohol talking, he thought.

He had met Annabel, Elisa, Rhonda, Mary-Beth, Ondrea and Cecelia. He learned where they lived and what they did. That's all. He just kept talking. Telling them about adventures he went on with the King and that he survived without chainmail.

Merlin tried to help Gwaine at first, but he started forgetting about his friends. He was having a lovely time chatting with the women. It was something he had never done before in his life.
_

First time in his life he left a drink mostly full on the counter and went to help his friend.

"OooKay, I think you've had quite enough pretty boy. Let's go!"

"But Gwaine!" Lance just looked at him- well you asked for it! He had just stayed to watch his friend after Gwaine kept handing the poor boy mug after mug.

The knight rolled his eyes and grabbed the boy. Dragging him out was slightly embarrassing. But not as bad as the babbling he was doing once they were out of there.

"Right so ev'one was like ahhh! Mythical creature- I'm like pssshhh please. How about a challenge every once in a while?"

Lance held the other side of the man to keep him steady. He was extremely upset that the "fun" night hadn't really turned out that fun.

Gwaine couldn't believe it- the boy couldn't hold his liquor. loose lips + big secret = not a good combination.

"Merlin, if you keep quite we'll introduce you to more women!" Lance gave him a death glare.

"Okay I'll stop talking. I'm really tired anyway." Both let a sigh of relief out as they continued away from the tavern.

He was even more clumsy than usual. It was quite a trek. One neither knight ever wanted to do again.

At least he's standing Gwaine thought. Then Merlin's body sagged. Gaius is never gonna let us trust us with him again. Just great!

They arrived at the castle, steering the ungraceful man through the corridors. While nearing Gaius' chambers they heard a voice ask, "What was that?"

Crap. He forgot about Arthur. The idiot was doing his random late night rounds (a thing he setup a few months ago after becoming more paranoid about traitors). Both men stilled. Merlin was breathing too loud. They had to move. Slowly they inched down the hall. They were almost there, only the stairs!

"What in world is going on?" I guess they weren't as quite as they had hoped, Gwaine thought. "You will answer your king!"

Slowly they faced him.

"Now Sire, let me explain," Lance began.

"What happened to Merlin?"

"It's a funny story! You see…"

"Gwaine shut up! Lance?"

"We brought him to the tavern. It was Gwaine's idea."

"Lance!"

"Lance!"

"Merlin!" the warlock supplied with a lopsided smile.

"What's wrong with him?" the king looked pointedly at his knights.

"Apparently he can't hold his liquor as good as I can," Gwaine replied.

"Gwaine."

"Sire, we're just going to take him back to Gaius. He really needs to lie down."

Arthur nodded at Lance, "Very well. We will have words tomorrow. To think he goes there all the time and still can't hold his own!"

He chuckled at his own wit leaving the knights to handle his manservant. Tomorrow will be interesting.

Before the door even opened he knew it was Merlin. He's the only person that would come making so much noise at such hours. He sighed getting up as the door burst open.

There was said ward being held up by the two knights he left with. The ones he had trusted. Well, at least one Lance didn't have quite the reputation with the tavern.

"He can't hold his liquor."

"I don't think I figured that out Gaius," Gwaine muttered putting the warlock on his bed.

"Maybe next time you'll listen to an old man like me, I do know some stuff."

The knight sighed. He wasn't looking forward to a lecture. The one from Lance on the way back to the castle was plenty.

A/N: Sorry for the day-delay- I got a little stuck in the middle. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it! Please review:)