Alan was beginning to regret volunteering. His body was so sore. He had been hoping to use his own tricks of bending space. He had to admit that the ride had started out nicely, being outside and away from the city. OK, this trip wasn't the first time he had been out of the city. Merlin had taken him out to the woods in an attempt to train him in magic; to see if he could master any sort of defenses against Morgana. At most, he could work up a small shield. Hopefully, there would be no need.
Gwaine chatted away as they rode, giving Alan and Merlin a chance to telepathically discuss Mordred. They each knew that at some point the youth would turn against Camelot, they just didn't know when. Alan said he could keep an eye on things back at Camelot via Gaius and take them back should the need arise.
They stopped for the night and Alan longed for a hot tub and massaging jets. For now he'd have to settle for Gaius' salve for his muscles. He dismounted slowly and tried to keep the groans to a minimum.
Gwaine practically leapt off his horse with ease. "Why did you even volunteer?" he asked as he moved to assist the injured man. "You were the first to point out how long a journey it would be."
"I honestly don't know," Alan replied as he took the salve from Merlin. "Thanks." He looked back to Gwaine. "I think I just got caught up in the moment and forgot I wasn't 100%."
"Why didn't you back out when Arthur brought it up?" asked Percival.
"And give him the satisfaction of being right? He thinks too much of himself already."
"It's surprising how wearing a crown can change person," Gwaine remarked.
"I've noticed a change in him," said Percival. "He seems more willing to listen, to accept."
"That's all down to Merlin." Gwaine held up his water pouch in toast to his friend.
"Me?" The servant did not want the attention.
Alan tried to deflect it or at least diffuse it. "I think just having someone like you around made a difference. You give him someone to confide in. He can be just Arthur, not a royal."
Not wanting to get into the conversation, Merlin excused himself. "I'm going to collect firewood." He hurried off.
The three men watched as the servant disappeared into the trees. "You can tell he's not used to being acknowledged," said Alan. "Especially when it comes to Arthur."
"We've all seen it," said Percival. "He's the only one besides Gwen who can talk sense to Arthur."
"That's just it. If people come to realize that, there will be those who would use Merlin as a tool to get to Arthur for their own purposes. As far as Merlin is concerned, he's just a servant who happens to wait on the king." Alan used a tree to lower himself to the ground.
"If you are about to talk politics, I'll take care of the horses." Percival gathered the reins and led the animals away.
Gwaine sat down next to Alan. "So you're gonna stay and help with the magic laws?"
"Yeah." He took a swig of water. "And what's your stand on magic?"
"As an individual or as a knight of Camelot?"
"Will I get a different answer if I ask for Gwaine and not Sir Gwaine?"
The knight grinned. "I've travelled all over and I've seen magic used in various ways and not all of it was evil. It should be governed like anything else with the potential for harm."
"Any crime done with magic should be tried with the same laws and rules as those done without."
Merlin returned with enough wood to start a bonfire. "Wow."
"What?" questioned Gwaine.
"You've been talking and Alan still has his ears." He grinned.
Gwaine scowled and took a breath to protest but Alan spoke.
"Oh, they fell off during the ride. They're glued on."
After a slight pause, the three of them burst out laughing. A puzzled Percival returning with fresh rabbit could only stare at them like they were mad.