Yeah so episodes 5 and 6 just weren't doing anything. No inspiration there whatsoever.
THE SECRET SHARER.
Canon until the gorgeous Gwaine.
Gwaine watched his friend storm across to the workbench and snap at him, knowing it was only worry for his guardian that caused him to act so. He felt relieved when he finally seemed to break through to the troubled warlock that he was here to help.
"Do you know what this is?" Merlin asked, holding out his hand. Gwaine shrugged and stood up.
"Might do." Merlin turned back to his charts, disappointed at the knight's flippancy.
"Here, let me see," Gwaine insisted, coming forward. Merlin allowed the knight to take a sample of the dust and casually sniff it. Gwaine blinked and frowned thoughtfully.
"That's iron ore," he said distantly.
"You seem certain," Merlin commented, his eyes narrowing slightly. Gwaine sat down, leaning forwards slightly in eagerness.
"Iron ore is pretty rare in Camelot. In fact I've only seen it once on a patrol."
"Where?" Merlin questioned sceptically, unable to keep a trace of hope out of his voice.
"Ridge of Kemri," Gwaine responded immediately. Merlin scrutinised Gwaine intensely.
"Why on earth would a patrol go there?" he asked slowly. Gwaine frowned, confused.
"Does it matter? We've got a lead on Gaius' whereabouts." Merlin looked down to the floor and frowned, seemingly ignoring Gwaine. He leant down and brushed some orange dust on the floor.
"Merlin, we have to go there," Gwaine persisted, wondering what had gotten in to his friend and unaware that Merlin was thinking exactly the same.
"This is a trap," Merlin announced, standing up. Gwaine looked taken aback.
"What do you mean?"
"This is a trap and you don't even know it," Merlin responded, incredulous. He quickly started heading towards the door with a bag slung over his shoulders. Gwaine followed after him through the corridors until they came across two guards on patrol.
"Do you know what this is?" Merlin asked them, holding out his hand to them.
"Merlin what are you doing?" asked Gwaine, confused. Merlin didn't answer.
"That's iron ore," one responded, looking up at them with a frown. "From the Ridge of Kemri. I travelled there once."
"So did I," said the other, looking to his comrade in confusion. Merlin strode past them, calling out to Leon who'd just appeared.
"Leon, do you know what this is?" Merlin asked again. Leon barely glanced at his hand.
"Iron ore. Ridge of Kemri," he responded immediately. He blinked. "How did I know that?" he wondered to himself.
"You went on a patrol there…" prompted Gwaine. Leon looked to him confused.
"Yes, I must have," he said, confused. "Merlin, what's going on?" he asked. Merlin threw the dirt down and brushed his hand on his trousers.
"There are no patrols to the Ridge of Kemri and no one travels through. It's an abandoned mine, there isn't a road to get there. You all think you've been there but you haven't, don't you see?" Gwaine looked increasingly disturbed. "Morgana knows Emrys would look for Gaius. There's iron dust all over the floor in Gaius' chambers, and every knight and guard in Camelot just happens to know where it comes from."
"It's a trap," Gwaine repeated, finally realising where Merlin was going with this. Merlin nodded gravely, making his way down the corridor. Gwaine and Leon followed after him.
"Where are you going?" Leon asked.
"To get Gaius," he answered shortly, not slowing in his pace.
"Hang on, you just said-" Gwaine protested before being interrupted by Leon.
"Merlin, have you considered that it's not just a trap set by Morgana?" he asked worriedly. Merlin smiled humourlessly.
"There's an army of dark creatures gathering their forces and you think Morgana doesn't play a part in that?" he asked back.
Gwaine and Leon looked to each other, meaningfully. Trap or not, their friend was about to run headlong into it. They'd be damned if Merlin thought he was going alone.
BriefShiningMoment
Yeah…just imagine Merlin going badass. That's pretty much what this was going to be before I lost my muse. Sorry :S