Synopsis: Gwaine goes back to look for his friend in the caves of Ismere

Arthur was safe- unconscious with a few wounds he received at the mercy of Morgana- but alive. His King was alive and that's all that mattered to Gwaine.

But there was one person Gwaine was still worried about. Merlin. Last time he'd seen his friend, the man was eluding a dragon. A bloody dragon. He sometimes cursed Merlin's selflessness. The man would go to such extreme lengths disregarding his own life.

Gwaine walked over to where Percival was situated. His giant friend was keeping watch over the King. "I'm going back for Merlin." Percival didn't argue and even if he did protest he knew there was no stopping Gwaine. "Be careful."

Their camp was settled close to the caves. Arthur was not yet stable for travel and neither were the captured knights, who were tired from their restless work. Despite being healed by the blue creature, all Gwaine wanted to do was rest. But he couldn't. Not until he was sure Merlin was safe.

Gwaine cautiously entered the now abandoned caves. His torch illuminated through the dark. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine. He yelled Merlin's name out repeatedly, and started to grow desperate when he didn't get an answer.

Now running frantically through the caves, Gwaine continuously called out for his friend. Then he heard it; his name being said. "I'm coming Merlin, just hang on mate!" Moments later Gwaine finally found his friend slumped against some rocks looking a little worse for wear. "What happened?" Gwaine questioned, kneeling down.

"Morgana, she used magic on me. Last thing I remember was seeing Arthur….Arthur! Is he okay?" Merlin aroused more at the thought of his King. He tried to sit up but hissed at the movement. Gwaine pushed him down gently, "He's alright, that Mordred fellow brought him to us. He's safe Merlin."

He thought his words would calm the servant, but Merlin appeared to become even more anxious. "Take it easy Merlin, you're injured," Gwaine cautioned. Merlin shook his head, "The Diamir, it healed me." Gwaine's eyes widened, "You found the key Morgana wanted her hands on?!"

"Gwaine...that creature you met, that's the Diamir."

Gwaine couldn't help but gape, his mind wandering back to the strange blue creature. He was also very relieved to hear that the creature, whom he was indebted for saving his life, managed to stay undiscovered.

With his entire focus centred on Merlin, Gwaine grasped his friend tightly and helped lift him to his feet. When Merlin stumbled slightly Gwaine caught his weight. "Easy, mate." Gwaine mumbled, more to himself. The knight pulled one of his friends arms over his shoulder and they carefully started making their way out.

"You came back?"

The question, and the true disbelieving authenticity in it, made Gwaine's breath hitch. He looked his friend directly in the eye. "Course I came back. You're my friend Merlin, did you really doubt I'd leave you in this hellhole?"

Gwaine was absolutely appalled at the notion. Had he really been that terrible of a friend for Merlin to think that?

Merlin avoided eye contact, choosing to focus on the pathway ahead. "No! I just...I thought you lot would've been halfway to Camelot or Caerleon. To seek treatment for the King. We should hurry, I may be able to help Arthur." Gwaine wanted to continue their conversation, but seeing his friend ansty to get to his King made him reconsider.

But there was no way in hell Gwaine was ever gonna let this go. He would revisit the topic sometime in the near future.

A/N

Canon fix because Gwaine would never abandon his friend