Traveling back towards Camelot was a nightmare and Gwaine was starting to feel whoozey. It wasn't from a battle wound – it was from the blood that was pounding in his skull after watching his best mate sacrifice his body to one of Morganna's furious spells. Merlin was the very essence of loyalty. Gwaine was filled with pride from being in the boy's good graces and yet – it hurt to watch. It hurt to watch someone so noble and so selfless. It hurt not being able to take the blow for him. It hurt not to be able to even to share the pain.

It was a small comfort to know that Merlin actually had magic. If Gwaine hadn't known, there would have been no way that he would have allowed Merlin to continually tease Morganna during that skirmish. Obviously there was more than Merlin's magic at work. Every beastie in the area that had an ounce of magic blood in it had awakened or had decided to move towards their fight. What ever was calling to them – did not matter. What mattered was that Merlin was obviously angry and distracted during the fight. If he had been able to concentrate better, maybe Morganna would not have had the luxury of having enough thought to turn her attention at Arthur.

Gwaine didn't want to say anything. He didn't want to mention the magic. He wasn't sure if they suspected Merlin or not. It was his duty to protect Arthur when Merlin was to busy to stand directly by Arthur's side. It was his duty to make sure that Merlin felt secure. Merlin had made him want to live in Camelot. He inspired him to want to be a knight. He needed help protecting Arthur and he entrusted that job to Gwaine and a few other specially picked knights. However, Gwaine wanted to think he was more than just a bit of sinew and a blade. After all, Merlin smiled more at him than he dd at Arthur. That proved they were best mates, right? Arthur might be his destiny, his other half, and practically a brother to the boy – but despite all of what that implies it does not compare with the confidence of a best mate.

They fought through all sorts of beasts that were hell bent on tearing each other into pieces. There were lights stinging harpies, clouds of bats falling prey to icy looking birds, as well as serpent-like creatures that fought with wooly looking bear like things. Anything and anyone who got within a certain distance could be swept within the melee. With three servants along, one of them being his Merlin – who was injured, it was a difficult task trying to get everyone through alive.

When Gwaine saw signs that Merlin was helping them, his heart nearly burst from his nerves. Beasts would fly backwards. Whirlwinds would clear paths. The sides of the road would shake furiously and the beasts would scamper off either in fight mode or in flight. Merlin was taking a huge chance. Arthur had him mounted on his horse, so that he could keep one arm around the boy's torso. Either Arthur was incredibly dim or Merlin was incredibly brilliant or it was a little of both – because to Gwaine – it was obvious. Merlin was doing magic and he was doing it while sitting in Arthur's lap!

"Ventis placet!" yelled Merlin raising his hand and then a creature burst from the path by a gust of wind pushing it away. Then the boy slapped his forehead. "While we were out here I should have picked some Ventis placet!"

Yeah right, Merlin, thought Gwaine, like that's a name of a plant? Are you nuts?

Of course Arthur bought it. "Merlin, even if you did think of picking some. We left our supplies behind."

"Still," grumbled Merlin. "I should have thought of Gaius's needs."

Gwaine's mouth was dry.

"Ventis placet!" Merlin cried out again, his hand thrusting out at another creature who once again was vanquished from the path, "is very helpful!"

With that Gwaine lost the battle as nervous giggles over took him. He cleared his throat and added, "I think it's very helpful indeed."

Arthur, making some excuse as Gwaine had been helping Gaius, nodded as if he had heard of the plant which prompted even more giggles. Merlin joined in, his laughter was softer. He was hurt, but the warlock's very nature was one that melded easily with mirth.

Upon arrival of the questing party sent the castle servants into a fever pitch of activity. Even close observers would miss the subtle glances that the core members shot towards George who, with the the briefest of expressions, propelled the support offered to the exhausted and battered. Merlin slid gratefully into Gwaine's protective arms, away from Arthur – but refused to be brought to Gaius.

"I'm fine really," the warlock protested as he brushed himself off and headed back towards the gates unobserved by Arthur who was giving orders to Leon about an emergency meeting of the knights. Morganna was coming and on her heels – was the great dragon. Gwaine was about to sweep Merlin to Gaius regardless of his friend's protests, but there was something about the way the warlock was leaning on him. He was tense.

"Merlin, mate, what...?"

"I-I can't pretend anymore," sputtered the magical wonder as he pointed over the walls. Smoke. A lot of it. Merlin was shaking his head furiously as if he wanted to deny what was going on. "The chaos is out of control. If I don't do something major, I-I'll lose everything. I might keep Camelot safe, but Albion – will fall before it's even been born."

"But..."

"I know. Magic is still outlawed. Uther is still alive. I'll be sealing my doom," muttered Merlin, "I just don't have a choice, Gwaine. Don't do anything stupid. Don't help me. Don't say anything. You never knew. Do you understand me? You never knew! Tell George this as well. Gaius knows better already. We've already had this discussion." Merlin was half begging and half floundering an attempt to sound commanding. Gwaine reached over and ruffled his friend's hair. Merlin's eyes were bright with tears and his lips were trembling. He might be tall – but emotionally he was a vulnerable little boy.

"You are really … something," confessed the knight, his eyes bright with pride.

"Promise me?"

"No," was the toothy reply – punctuated playfully with a wink.

Merlin slid away from Gwaine's support just to half crumple on the spot as if the weight of his responsibilities was finally going to crush him. One hand supported his light frame on a bent knee, while the other knee rested fully on the ground. The warlock began muttering softly, but Gwaine realized that these were not the strange words of magic. He was hearing half of a conversation with someone he could not see or hear.

Gwaine noticed George making a beeline for Merlin, but he grabbed him by his arm and pulled him aside. He would abide by some of Merlin's wishes. Grateful blue orbs gazed at him before a look of determination covered that brotherly love.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted – noticing his manservant hadn't gone to Gaius. "I'm to gather the knights to have a quick war council. We need to organize. I need you to be looked over by Gaius before I know if I can allow you to shadow me..."

There was a roar from outside the castle gates and then a huge explosion. Kilgharrah and Morganna were battling. The civilians started to panic and dash towards the more protected areas of the castle.

"This is...one of those times when it is your time to listen," stated the warlock calmly.

George stood like a statue at Gwaine's side. They stood silently against a wall. Servants threaded their way between the main characters and their audience – but it didn't matter. The tension was palatable. Without thinking Gwaine slipped an arm over George's shoulders and gave the man a shake, even though he was the one who needed the reassurance.

"We have no time, they are here!"

Arthur was annoyed and Merlin was frightened. Even though the boy shook in his shoes, his voice was calm. Honesty poured from every gesture as the boy threatened to buckle from the burden of voicing his secret.

"Arthur, you can have your meeting, but this isn't your fight. This fight – isn't for the sword. This fight c-c-can only be won by magic. This fight isn't Camelot's," the words had stumbled out like water rushing over stones.

The young Pendragon's face was fatigued, "We don't have magic on our side!" Arthur hadn't mean to spit the words with such venom, but he was still angry at Emrys's performance back in the Darkling Woods.

"I have magic," blurted Merlin. There was an explosion and a shockwave that nearly knocked them all to the ground. Merlin had reached out to steady Arthur and himself, he dropped the blonde's hands and looked deeply into royal eyes, "I needed to say more. I wanted to say more. It's too late. I have to go out there. I'm sorry, Arthur. I'll explain later. I'm going out there."

Gobsmacked Arthur stood while Merlin quickly turned and sprinted all by himself towards the gates and beyond them. The guards were in the midst of closing them – as peasants were still filing in for the hope of taking refuge. He just stood there for what seemed an eternity.

The skies above were gray and were staining with black smoke that was rising from something burning near by. Embers were already beginning to fall to the earth. Fire patrols would have to be dispatched with buckets so that none of the timber roofs would catch flame. Cries from sentries were alerting others and the warning bells were ringing. Gwaine wondered if the bells would ever stop.

Gwaine felt his heart crackle under the burden. One wrong word and it would shatter.

Arthur shook his head and lifted it. He finally noticed Gwaine and George and marched up to them.

"You!" he snapped pointing at George, "Get Gaius, tell him I need to speak with him immediately."

George swiftly breezed away. He did not run, but the manservant certainly knew how to elegantly move as quickly as possible. The graceful stride disappeared in a matter of seconds through a doorway.

Arthur shook his head and gave Gwaine a sad smile, "That idiot. We need to get this meeting over with and then go out and rescue him from his folly. After this I'm going to keep him so busy he won't even have time to scratch an itch nonetheless do anything as foolish and pretend that he is a sorcerer. I have no idea what nonsense he's gotten himself into but there is no way someone like Merlin could be any good at magic."

Gwaine nodded mutely.

"It is just like that idiot to go and try to pick up magic to try to help me. I've tried to toughen him up by sparring with him, but he just never got any more – fighting fit! I had no idea he was so keen to help me like this. I'm ashamed. I must have failed him if he thought that I was so weak that he would have to resort to magic to help me one day." Arthur's voice was sad. He clapped Gwaine on the shoulder and pushed him along. "Lets to the Round Table my friend. Do not worry, he's clever enough to evade her. You saw that yourself in the Darkling Woods, but I'm afraid if he attempts magic – he'll get himself into big trouble."

"I need a drink," confessed Gwaine.

"As do I," agreed Arthur – totally missing the point.