Chapter 4

A/N This chapter is a little short but is full of information. Will post again soon.

Lancelot was quiet following the question and Merlin's heart sank. He should have known better that ask that so soon. But in honesty, Merlin had to know the answer if things were to continue between the two of them.

Lancelot sat down next to Merlin. "That's not really an easy thing to answer." He told Merlin honestly. "When I first came to Camelot and met you and Gwen, I was in awe of her. I mean she is a beautiful women."

Merlin nodded his agreement but didn't say anything. Lancelot had not answered his question yet.

"Later on" Lancelot continued "I learned what a spirted fighter she was. I was enamored by her. But there are many things I have learned about her that show I was wrong about her. I do not fault her for her feelings for Arthur or for any of the things she has done. But she is not the person I believed her to be when I first came to Camelot, and neither are you. When I came to Camelot I always knew you cared deeply for your friends and were willing to do anything to help them. But as I have seen you these past few months with Arthur is have seen even more of the man you are. You risk your life countless times for all of ours, you are the most noble among us. You never ask for anything in return for your actions. You rush into battles, untrained to keep us safe. You give to people you don't even know, willing to risk exposure just to save one life. You have only ever lied to protect your secret, lies that never hurt anyone, lies that you never used to get what you wanted."

Merlin didn't know where all of this was going to lead, but he let Lancelot finish.

"When Gwen and I were held captive, she swore to me that she loved me and that her feelings for me would never change. I was so happy right then and willing to take on a whole army to keep her safe. I know now, that is what she was hoping for." Lancelot was looking at his hands in his lap as he spoke quietly. "Once we escaped and were in camp with you and Arthur I could see it. I could see the feelings she had for him. I wasn't angry with her though. I could understand why she did what she had done. That is why I had left again. It was a short time after leaving that I realized that Gwen was not right for me and any feeling I had for her died shortly after." Lancelot looked up at Merlin then. "So the answer to your question is no, I do not love Gwen."

Merlin grinned at him, his boyish grin. Right at that moment he wanted to throw himself at the knight and kiss him, but he didn't dear with everyone nearby. They sat in comfortable silence until it was Lancelot's turn to fight. He was against Percival again but this time he decide to use a sword to place them on a more even level.

Percival was still an intimidating opponent for any of the knights. Lancelot was able to hold his own against him. When it seemed like Lancelot had the upper hand Percival tried going for his old tactics.

"You've gotten better, Gwen been giving you lessons?" he lunged for Lancelot right after the mention of Gwen, expecting the other man's guard to be down. Lancelot parried the attack and stuck back at him.

"You're going to have to come up with something better than that is you want to win this." Lancelot quickly tripped the bigger man so he landed on his back, Lancelot's sword pointed to his chest. Lancelot put his weapon away and helped the man to his feet.

"Merlin?" Percival whispered it once he was close enough to Lancelot that he would not be overheard. Lancelot's grip on the bigger man's hand slipped and Percival almost fell back onto his butt. He started laughing as he walked away from a stunned Lancelot.