Chapter 1

Hey there! Welcome to Gwaine and his Quest to help Merlin!

Summary: Merlin finds himself in an awkward situation - one that he cannot hope to escape alone. He turns to Gwaine for help, and will soon discover whether he made the right decision. So when Percival, Gwen, Elyan, and Leon get involved, will Gwaine succeed in his quest to help Merlin?

Reveal fic - Set between S4E3 (The Wicked Day) and S4E4 (Aithusa).

Here's hoping you enjoy it - pls leave a review if you do!

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to BBC Merlin.

Edited 8/4/17: Edited version (same story, better read).

Chapter 1: Disbelief

Despite the jovial atmosphere that had resided within the castle of Camelot since the previous day, this morning saw a very anxious and troubled Merlin wandering through the halls.

It was the morning after King Arthur's coronation, and everyone was celebrating; feelings of joy mingled with sadness at the loss of their king, and elation at the beginning of a new era for the mighty Camelot. The coronation festival itself was bound to last for days.

But Merlin… he didn't feel any of that. He felt cut off from the world around him, too busy wallowing in his mistakes and feelings of self-pity. He had blown it. Ruined everything he'd been working for. And now, somewhere under this empty feeling, he recognised the need to talk to someone. Someone that would understand.

And suddenly, as though adhering to his thoughts, Gwaine rounded the corner ahead of him. Merlin stopped in his tracks, a part of him hoping that the knight would simply walk past and leave him be, but the other begging to be understood. Gwaine had a spring to his step, Merlin noted, as did everyone else he had encountered in the last few hours. He, however, couldn't even muster up the strength to smile. No one would ever understand.

"Merlin!" the knight exclaimed, as though surprised to see the servant in this part of the castle. Any hope of being ignored was immediately dashed. Merlin attempted to push aside his inner turmoil and put up a brave face for his friend, but Gwaine saw right through it.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his grin turning into a frown, filled with concern for his friend. "Today is supposed to be a good day! No more miserable king and miserable laws. I am officially un-banished!"

All this was said with his broad grin back in place. Of course, it began to waver when he realised his words weren't cheering his friend up. In fact, they seemed to be doing the opposite, because as he talked Merlin's frown continued to deepen. He changed tactics.

"Coming to watch us train, Merlin? I'm headed there now. Don't want to keep princess waiti-"

"Gwaine", Merlin choked out, interrupting the other man's tirade. "Can I – could I talk to you?"

Gwaine stopped short, taking in Merlin's evident uneasiness in asking the question. He smiled softly. "Of course you can, Merlin. Always. What is it?"

"Not here", Merlin whispered back, grateful when Gwaine didn't press. "Your chambers?"

The knight nodded and began to lead him back to where he'd just come from, smirking at Merlin over his shoulder. "Missing training again, then. Ah well – any excuse to make Arthur mad, right, Merlin?"

Merlin hardly heard him.

They walked the short distance to Gwaine's chambers together. The handsome knight was deliberately causing his hair to bounce on his shoulders, just in case any ladies were to pass by. His companion, on the other hand, was noticeably subdued, walking nervously by his side with his head bowed. After entering the chambers, Merlin was sure to firmly shut the wooden door behind him and turn the key in the lock, before turning to face one of his most trusted friends.

"Gwaine", he started, looking around the chambers to avoid looking at the knight. The bed had been made and the chambers cleaned since Gwaine had left that morning. Merlin's words caught in his throat in his nervousness. "I can – I can trust you, right?"

Gwaine frowned. "Of course you can trust me, Merlin", he confirmed, taking a step forward. "It's me".

Merlin nodded once to himself. He knew he could. It didn't make the coming conversation any easier, though, nor any less risky.

"Good. I wa- need to tell you something. Can you… promise me you won't tell anyone? It's important".

Gwaine's eyes narrowed. "I promise I won't tell anyone".

"Especially Arthur".

"I won't tell him anything".

"Even… my biggest secret?"

"Even your biggest secret".

"Even if I told you I had magic?"

"Even if you told me you had magic," Gwaine repeated.

Merlin stared intently at his friend; pleading with him to understand so he didn't have to attempt to explain further. A moment passed, then Gwaine shrugged.

"So… what is it?"

At that, Merlin felt all evidence of nerves drain out of him, and he was overcome with the bizarre desire to burst into laughter. It took all of his self-control not to, but he managed to breathe deeply and only let a small chuckle escape him.

"That's just it, Gwaine. I have magic".

Gwaine did burst out laughing, only ceasing once he saw the disapproving frown on Merlin's face. He smiled uncertainly, not sure whether to take his friend seriously.

"That's – that's a good one, Merlin. Now tell me what it is! You're making me nervous".

"I'm telling you that I'm a warlock".

"And I haven't been to the tavern in a week", Gwaine snorted. "What's your point?"

"This is serious, Gwaine".

"Really? You're telling me that you have magic?"

Merlin nodded firmly. "Really".

Gwaine silently studied his closest friend, folding his arms over his chest and peering into Merlin's eyes for any evidence of a lie. When he found none, Merlin watched as the man's handsome face broke into a broad grin.

"Merlin – that's brilliant!"

Merlin was somewhat taken aback. "What?"

"Can we play a trick? A prank on Arthur?"

"No, Gwaine, but I need you to-"

"Are you really good?"

"Pretty good, yeah, but that's not the poi-"

"Who else knows about this?" He inhaled a sharp breath, before whispering, "Does Percival?"

"Lancelot kne- why Percival?"

Gwaine shrugged. "He's a secretive guy. So does he?"

"No. Only you, and Gaius of course, after Lancelot…"

"I always thought that he knew something we didn't". A sudden thought struck him. "Did you start that fire at the slave traders' tower?"

"Yes, but – Gwaine!"

"What?" Gwaine replied innocently.

"I'm trying to tell you something. I need your help. That was the whole point of telling you", he mumbled the last under his breath, but Gwaine caught it anyway.

"Right", Gwaine acquiesced, gesturing for Merlin to continue.

"I need you to convince Arthur that magic is not evil".

Gwaine smirked, adopting his best impression of Arthur the King. Merlin didn't seem to notice. "Ah, but Merlin, magic is evi-"

"No, it's not", Merlin said sharply, not realising that Gwaine was mocking him. "It's just like… it's just like a weapon. Whoever uses it decides whether it has good or bad intention. Besides, do you think that I'm evil?"

Gwaine feigned deep thought, crossing one arm over his chest and raising the other to scratch at his chin. "You still haven't proved to me that you're telling the truth. About the whole magic thing".

Merlin rolled his eyes, huffing in frustration. Why did he have to choose the most difficult one? He shook the thought away and raised a hand towards Gwaine. With a golden flash of his eyes, the knight was flying backwards through the air, his hair blowing into his face as he went, before landing smoothly on the bed.

Gwaine's eyes were wide with shock. He opened his mouth to speak, only to find that his voice was shaking. "You're going to have a tough time of it convincing me that magic isn't evil if you keep doing that!"

Merlin cracked a smile for the first time that day. Gwaine's presence did tend to improve his mood on days like these. He walked over to the bed sat himself on the end, Gwaine himself proceeding to prop himself up comfortably on his many pillows, arms relaxed behind his head.

"What about… if I did this?" Merlin's eyes flickered gold again.

"What did you do?" Gwaine asked, somewhat bewildered, looking around the room for anything unusual. He absentmindedly took a swig out a flask of ale that happened to be in his hand. His eyes widened in realisation mid-sip, causing Merlin's grin to widen. Gwaine laughed and gladly took another sip.

Merlin sighed, wishing that this carefree feeling could stay. But… he had more pressing issues to deal with now.

"I tried to heal Uther…"

Gwaine choked on a mouthful of ale. He launched forwards and spat the drink out, forcing Merlin to scramble to his feet to avoid the disgusting missile. After he recovered, Gwaine raised a sleeve to wipe at his mouth, his eyes never leaving Merlin's as they asked an unspoken question.

"I was in disguise", Merlin continued, choosing to lean on a bedpost instead. Gwaine exhaled in relief and leant back onto his pillows. "But Morgana got there first, and I failed. It was my one chance to prove to Arthur that magic is not evil, Gwaine, and I blew it. Arthur said after that magic is… that it's 'pure evil'". He bowed his head, rubbing at his tired eyes with the heels of his hands. Seeing his friend's distress, Gwaine abandoned his ale and swung his legs over the side of the bed, rising to put an understanding arm around Merlin's shoulders.

"I'll talk to him, Merlin. I'll make him see sense". Merlin raised his head to smile tiredly up at his friend. It felt good, to have someone that knew what he was going through. He'd forgotten… he missed Lancelot so much. "Did you want to tell him, then? Arthur. About your magic?"

The warlock nodded, running a hand through his hair. "I had planned on telling him when he became king", he explained. "But now…" he waved a hand, as though referring to everything that he had just explained. "Thank you, Gwaine, for listening. And for… accepting this. I hope it works".

Gwaine smiled, squeezing Merlin's shoulders reassuringly. He turned towards the door, intending to leave and turn up to training at least halfway through the session.

"Me too, Merlin", he said, turning to face his friend once more. "And… thank you for trusting me. I assure you – I will keep my word. Now-" he unlocked and opened the door. "Let's see what princess has to say about my tardiness today. I really hope he's used to it by now". With one last grin, he left the chambers, and Merlin was left to seriously consider whether he should laugh or cry.