A/N: I am aware that this is probably not the best fic you've ever read. Just keep in mind, I've NEVER written anything like this. I will probably have to rewrite (fix-up) the first few chapters after I get more used to this kind of writing. Review if you have any tips and/or tricks! Also review with your opinion, I like reviews! I write more with more incentive.

This chapter is dedicated to Kangaroony. I'm glad you like it!

Something seemed off about Merlin. Lancelot had been noticing it for a while. At first he had thought it was just the rainy weather that had his friend acting so oddly, but now he wasn't so sure. The sky had been blue for at least two days now . . . and he was still not acting like the Merlin he knew. He watched as the young man talked with Gwaine. He seemed almost nervous, edging slowly around Gwaine, as though he was trying to make an escape.

Lancelot walked over to the two of them, and noticed that Merlin was plucking at the edge of his sleeves, something he hadn't really noticed Merlin ever doing before. "I really have to go guys," he said quietly. "I need to collect herbs for Gaius."

"I'll come with," Gwaine said easily.

Merlin's eyes widened in what could be seen as panic. "No," he said quickly. "No, I'll be fine, and Arthur said that he was going to schedule extra training sessions today so . . . ." And with that, Merlin turned, and, having edged around Gwaine so as to have a clear shot to the gates, ran off.

"Merlin!" The man disappeared through the gates without so much as looking back and Gwaine. He turned to Lancelot. "Please tell me I'm not the only one noticing this."

Wordlessly, he shook his head.

"This really needs to stop. And . . . I'm really hoping he was lying about the extra practices. I'm still sore from yesterday," Gwaine whined. "Honestly, what's with sorcerers constantly coming to Camelot? You'd think they'd have learned by now. That guy didn't actually do anything and we still found out about him! And . . . then had to chase him down."

"What do you think started it?" Lancelot asked quietly. Gwaine didn't need to ask what his brother-in-arms was asking about. He slumped in defeat.

"I have no idea. But I feel like it's longer than we know. I noticed it maybe a week ago? It seems pretty bad today. Normally he at least pretends to be fine. But . . . that wasn't normal at all."

"Do you think . . ." Lancelot trailed off, still looking at the gates of the citadel. "Do you suppose we should talk to Arthur about it?" Gwaine looked at him like he'd lost his head.

"Are you kidding!? If Queenie doesn't already know, I'm not tellin' him. If he doesn't tell me about extra training, I don't have to go. Plus, he refuses to admit that Merlin's anything more than a servant."

"What are we going to do? We can't just pretend not to notice."

"I'll talk with him when he comes back." Gwaine said this with so much confidence, that Lancelot had to consciously think about not rolling his eyes. As it was, he gestured around him.

"ARE YOU BRAIN-DEAD!?" he whisper-yelled. "Did you not notice what happened here!? I think we missed the chance a long time ago."

Gwaine took a step towards the gates, then turned around, marching back into the citadel. Lancelot ran to keep up. "I thought you were against talking to Arthur," he gasped when he caught up.

"I'm not going to Arthur."

"Oh. Gaius?"

Gwaine nodded, walking briskly towards the physician's chambers. The physician opened the door with an expression that fell a bit when he took in who it was.

"I didn't do it this time, whatever it was," Gwaine said, throwing his hands in the air.

"No, no, you're fine," the old man said, shuffling to his work bench, "I was hoping you were Merlin. I haven't seen him today, and he's been acting strange lately."

"Oh, good." Lancelot said quietly. "We were afraid we were the only ones who noticed. That's why we came."

"Wait," Gwaine said suddenly. "So you didn't send Merlin to get herbs?" Gaius raised his eyebrows at the young knight. That was all the answer they needed.

"Oh gods . . ." Lancelot said.

"So . . . what's he doing?" Gwaine was so pale, one could mistake him for a chainmail-wearing alabaster statue.

Gaius looked between the two young men in confusion. "He told you I sent him for herbs?"

"Yes?" Gwaine said, voice almost a whimper.

"Maybe we're just over-reacting." Lancelot said. "Maybe he's gone to the tavern. You know how Arthur doesn't like him to go there . . ." Lancelot could have kicked himself.

"I'm gonna go find him!" Gwaine called over his shoulder as he ran out of the room and down the hall.

Lancelot looked at Gaius hopelessly, an unspoken question in his worried eyes.

The physician nodded. "I will notify you when he returns."

Lancelot took off after Gwaine. He found him talking very quickly and with great excitement to a completely bemused-looking Elyan.

"We're going to look for Merlin in the tavern," Lancelot explained as he walked by.

"Why? Is Merlin missing?"

"Not . . . exactly," Lancelot said, as he watched Gwaine flex his hands into fists. "You seem to alternate between extreme worry, and not-so extreme worry," is added in aside to the anxious-looking man.

"No, just very worried. I'm just good at hiding it, hoping I'm blowing it way out of proportions," Gwaine said, turning to walk backward so as to look Lancelot in the eye.

"I'm taking it this is a little more serious than I've suspected." Elyan said, looking back and forth between the two other knights.

"You didn't notice!?" Gwaine asked, incredulously.

"Sort of," the knight admitted. "I mean, he hasn't been himself lately, but I assumed it was just the weather. It had a lot of people feeling down."

"I thought the same," Lancelot admitted. "But a few minutes ago . . . ." He looked hopelessly at Gwaine.

"A few minutes ago there was a bit of a scare." Gwaine said. "The conversation actually got better when Merlin saw you across the courtyard, Lance."

"What happened before I got there!?" What could be worse than what he had witnessed?

"I think . . . I really hope Merlin's at the tavern and not in the forest."