Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights belong to their respective owners.

Here comes another story for you, although it's only going to be about 10 chapters long. Drama-Duchess, this is for you, know you are after a bit of a Gwaine and Merlin story.

Hope everyone likes!

Merlin wearily dismounted, making sure his legs had a firm purchase on the ground before he allowed them to take his weight. He could hear the knights dismounting around him and it was only Gwaine's dramatic groan that indicated he was not the only one feeling the effects of having spent the entire day in the saddle.

Rumours of Saxons and bandits alike roaming the northern parts of the borders had resulted in Arthur immediately leading a patrol in that direction. As acting regent while Uther remained locked in his own mind, the prince seemed more determined than Merlin had ever seen him to prove that he was ready to be king. Every single issue that required his attention resulted in Arthur throwing himself completely into the task. While it was very commendable, Merlin wished he would slow down a little. It was one thing for Arthur to be working hard, but what no one else seemed to realise was the harder Arthur worked, the harder Merlin had to work, even if it was just to keep up with the prat. He had been tired before Arthur had announced the patrol and that had been the last straw. In the end, he had been forced to apologise just to make sure Arthur didn't make good on his threat to leave his servant behind.

The more Arthur threw himself into running the kingdom, the more Merlin felt as if someone had painted a big target on the prince's back. There was no way he was going to let Arthur ride into the forest unprotected. While Arthur was tired, he wasn't on the top of his game and therefore was more vulnerable against any attack. Not to mention Merlin didn't even want to know what happened if either the bandits or the Saxons had even a small amount of magic at their disposal. Merlin knew Arthur was going to be a better king compared to Uther, but right now, after Morgana, Merlin had no desire to see Arthur tested against magic. He knew he couldn't reveal himself, not with how stretched Arthur was at the moment, but he just hoped the day was coming.

Until it came, however, he was just going to have to hide at the back and hope no one saw his flashing eyes or heard a whisper carrying on the breeze as he made sure his destiny was safe from harm.

"Come on, mate," Gwaine's hand clamping down on his shoulder brought Merlin back into the present and he grinned. He hadn't realised he had just been leaning against his horse in an almost dazed state as the knights began to set up camp. He was grateful to Gwaine – knowing full well Arthur would not take his daydreaming as well. Sighing, he clumsily unhooked his saddle bag and threw it down onto the floor before beginning to unsaddle the horse. It didn't take long, his well-practised fingers flying over the straps without him truly having to think about what he was doing. Once he had tethered his own mount, he turned to Arthur's.

It came as no surprise the creature was just standing where Arthur had left it, fully saddled. Merlin knew the horses of Camelot were well trained, they wouldn't bolt unless something was around to spook them. Arthur hadn't even attempted to bed the animal down the way the rest of the knights were working on theirs, but instead had just assumed that Merlin would be there to sort it out. Sometimes, Merlin felt as if he was part of the group as an equal, but then something like this would happen and he would be reminded that he was nothing more than a servant.

Merlin stopped his thoughts right there, knowing he was just as tired as Arthur. There were men amongst this group that were only here because he had asked them to be. Not for Arthur, not for Camelot, but for him. He knew that he was an equal amongst this group and continued sorting the horse without another negative thought. While the beasts needed to be tethered, he knew something would have to physically approach their camp before they would bolt. As the knights had chosen this place to bed down for the night, Merlin knew there shouldn't be anything that proved to be a threat. They seemed to have the same instincts his magic provided him with when it came to knowing where to set up camp for the night. Still, as he took Arthur's reigns and gently encouraged the beast to walk forward, he found that he was letting his magic search the area anyway. Now that Morgana's betrayal was out in the open for everyone to see, he wasn't sure what she would be planning next.

By the time Arthur's horse was tethered next to his own, Merlin was convinced the area was as safe as could be expected for being in the middle of a forest. His tiredness had made him slow and by the time he turned back around, it was to find the knights had all sorted out their own mounts and Elyan had built a fire. Arthur and Leon were patrolling the edge of their campsite, talking in low voices and Percival and Lancelot were talking quietly between themselves as they set up bedrolls around the fire. Merlin found himself stopping for a moment, smiling at the sight in front of him. It was peaceful and at ease, everyone working seamlessly together. Lancelot seemed to sense his gaze and looked up, smiling in return.

Merlin busied himself for a moment, blushing at being caught staring. He couldn't help it though. Camelot had never felt like his home quite as much as it had done in the last few months. It was true there seemed to be a missing part to that life, but the Morgana-shaped hole had begun to emerge as soon as they had found her again, as soon as he had realised she wasn't the woman she had once been. But Gwen had found new work and all of his friends were there. It wasn't just Gaius he had to talk with about his magic, but someone his own age. Arthur was becoming more like a king every day that passed and Merlin couldn't help but feel as if destiny was actually on track for once.

Gwaine decided to take that moment to grab the bedroll closest to the fire and stretched out. His arms folded behind his head and he pushed his feet towards the fire, sighing as he did so.

"What's for dinner?" He asked out loudly, but addressing his question to no one in particular. Merlin knew full well who would be cooking. The others – apart from Arthur – had tried but the results had been so disastrous that Merlin had never let them near his cooking pot again. It was hard enough trying to save Arthur from magical threats without having to worry about whether the prince was going to die from Gwaine's stew or not.

"Whatever you catch," Merlin called back over, making sure they knew he was not going to do all of the work. They had supplies with them, but prey was plentiful in this part of the forest and Merlin had no desire to use up the limited amount while they had the choice. Gwaine peered up at him before rolling his eyes and scrambling upright again. Elyan didn't have the chance to protest when his fellow knight grabbed him by the arm and pulled him off into the nearby trees, Gwaine only stopping for long enough to grab a crossbow and their swords. Merlin snorted slightly in amusement as he finally hoisted his own pack towards the fire. He didn't even attempt to settle himself though, and instead focused on making sure that Arthur's was in the correct position. The prince was even pickier when he was tired.

Percival muttered something about going to find some herbs and Merlin felt his grin widen. It was signs like that which reminded him that he wasn't amongst men of noble blood. No one could deny their noble hearts, but Merlin knew full well that neither Arthur nor Leon knew what herbs to look for. They could make a meal to survive on – they had to for patrols like this – but lacked the skill to actually make it flavoursome. With only Lancelot left by the fire, Merlin let his eyes flare gold as a spell rolled almost silently off his tongue and the ground under Arthur's bedroll instantly smoothed itself out, free from any rocks or twigs.

"Things that bad?" Lancelot had shuffled closer when he had seen what Merlin was about to do. Merlin knew his friend always found it fascinating to watch Merlin use magic and it wasn't as if he got the chance to see wondrous things happen with just a whisper now that he lived in Camelot. But Merlin knew Lancelot would understand the reason why he had done it. Even with Arthur and Leon on the far side of the clearing and the others nowhere to be seen, he wouldn't risk it.

Unless, of course, Arthur had been particularly tiring lately and Merlin had no desire to be blamed for there being a twig digging into the prince's back and ruin his sleep.

"He put me in the stocks last week just because I had left a window open." Lancelot grimaced, letting his hand rest on Merlin's shoulder for a moment. Merlin was glad he didn't say anything; he didn't want to hear that it was just because Arthur was under so much pressure right now. Everyone noticed Arthur's pressure, yet no one saw the way his servant was almost buckling under the weight of his destiny now that even more chores had been piled on top. Before either of them could say anything else, Gwaine came bursting back into the clearing and triumphantly threw a couple of rabbits down.

"Dinner," he announced, throwing himself back down in front of the fire. Merlin knew in one glance he wouldn't be able to get the knight to do anything, he considered his work to be done.

"I'm surprised you could catch anything with the racket you are making." Arthur had finally finished roaming the edge of the camp and headed towards the fire, Leon on his heels. Merlin found himself glancing away, picking up one of the rabbits. He didn't want Arthur telling him to get on with it.

To his surprise, however, a hand picked up the other rabbit. Merlin blinked in surprise as Arthur settled down next to him and pulled out his knife. The prince seemed to sense his gaze and shrugged before turning to the task at hand. Gripping his own knife, Merlin tried to hide his smile as he set about preparing dinner.

It seemed getting out of the castle was precisely what the prince needed. Merlin wasn't surprised. For as long as he had known Arthur, the man had dragged him on hunts whenever things were getting a little tense within the castle walls. This time, he had been acting as king while worrying over his father after being betrayed by the woman he thought of as a sister. There had been no chance to get out into the air and ride long and hard. Now, Merlin suddenly realised, he understood why Arthur had insisted on leading this patrol himself and the only knights accompanying them were ones they both considered to be friends.

This was more about having the chance to relax than it was tracking down bandits.

Between the two of them, it took no time at all until the rabbits were roasting over the fire. Elyan had angled some rocks around it in order to get the heat up and Lancelot had finished unpacking the packs. Leon had taken it upon himself to take watch while the others relaxed and Percival eventually came back from wherever he had gone, a bundle of plants in his hand.

He dropped down next to Merlin and the servant instantly leant over.

"Where did you find that, I thought the season was over?" Merlin didn't care that Arthur laughed out loud at his enthusiasm. Percival grinned and Merlin knew the man understood where he was coming from. That was something else he liked about these men. Not only did they know how to do the jobs noblemen might not, they had an appreciation for them as well.

"There is a small clump just over in the next clearing. It must be the last lot of the year, be careful with them."

Merlin nodded his understanding and pulled out his cooking pot. He was now glad he hadn't tried to dip into their supplies yet for strips of dried meat were going to be nothing on the meal he now had the ingredients to prepare. Everyone watched him work for a moment before Arthur kicked Gwaine's ankle.

"Go and get some more firewood."

"I've just been out, you go."

"I just sorted the rabbit and that was an order. Take Lancelot with you, he doesn't seem to have done much yet." Merlin wanted to come to Lancelot's defence and claim the man had instead sorted out all of their sleeping arrangements, but the knight had already climbed to his feet. Watching, Merlin smirked as he practically hauled Gwaine up. The two men were so different, especially in their opinions, but just like the rest of the team, had become firm friends. Merlin knew their differences were what allowed them to get on so well – they simply balanced each other out.

"There is a stream nearby, I'll go and get some more water," Percival offered, already moving out as he did so and somehow managing to get Leon to go with him. Elyan muttered something about Gwaine not knowing what made good firewood and disappeared as well, just leaving master and servant in the clearing. Merlin sighed.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently, watching out of the corner of his eye as the prince lay back on the ground and flung one hand over his eyes to keep out the setting sun. Arthur simply grunted in response, not saying anything for a long moment. Eventually, he mirrored Merlin's earlier actions and sighed.

"It's peaceful out here," he admitted softly, his tone almost daring Merlin to mock him for it. Considering he had been thinking the same thing when they had stopped, Merlin smiled.

"It is." Arthur's arm lowered from his arm and he stared at his servant in disbelief.

"Did you just agree with something I said?"

"Maybe," Merlin grinned, turning his back on the prince and focusing his attention on the pot bubbling happily in front of him. He hadn't heard Arthur sound that much like himself for a long time and he had no desire to bring forth the snappish prince who had been throwing threats around left, right and centre. Merlin had got to the point where he no longer knew if Arthur was joking or not and had been cautious about pushing him too far.

"Don't worry, I won't make a habit of it."

"Why on earth would I worry about anything to do with you?" Knowing Arthur was relaxed, Merlin flicked a bit of stew at the man. He felt his jaw drop as Arthur simply moved and caught the flying piece of meat in his mouth. "Mm, needs more flavour."

Merlin gaped, shaking his head as Arthur stood up. He couldn't keep the grin off his face now that it had finally been allowed to emerge.

"Where are you going?"

"To check on the horses, they'll probably bolt knowing what your knots are like." Merlin didn't say anything, but watched as Arthur walked over to the animals. He had a feeling he knew what the prince was about to do and he was proved right. Arthur did check the knots, just before he pulled out the feedbags and made sure that each horse had its share. He might pretend that it wasn't up to him to do anything when others were around, but Merlin knew this group of men wouldn't be worried about telling Arthur to do some work – especially Gwaine. They all needed each other in order to survive out here.

When Percival and Leon came back a few moments later, neither of them so much as batted an eyelid at what Arthur was doing. Percival had filled a spare pot and Leon had refilled all of their water skins. They would need to do it again before they left in the morning, but at least it meant they would be able to pass the next few hours without anyone trying to find the stream in the dark. Almost as the same time, the others also returned. Merlin just happened to look up as they did so and grinned as Gwaine made to open his mouth to make a comment about Arthur working. Lancelot's elbow to the knight's rib made him swallow his words, but Merlin wasn't sure how long he would be able to stay quiet for. It was Gwaine they were talking about, after all.

The next hour was spent preparing for the night. Dinner was enjoyed and a companionable silence fell over the men apart from Gwaine arguing with everyone that it wasn't his turn to wash up. Merlin found that he was staying quiet, just settling back against a tree and watching events unfold. For the first time since they had been forced to take back Camelot from Morgana, he felt relaxed. Maybe this hunting trip would be what everyone needed to be allowed to let the cares and worries fall from their young shoulders, even if it was only for a few days?

Of course, that happened to be when the horses suddenly reared, whinnying in distress and attempting to pull at the rope binding them in order to be able to flee.