Merlin wanted to die. She was hot. And muddy. And sweaty. And she was sure she looked a mess. For they were hunting. On the hottest day of the summer so far.

Then after hunting for hours. Arthur pulled her to the tavern for food. Where the only difference from inside the tavern and outside is that there were more people.

Arthur watched with an amused smile as Merlin groaned and put her head down on the table. "Merlin smile. Come on. Well go home right after this."

She only groaned in response. When she looked up Arthur's smile became much softer.

She looked crazy. Her hair was half out of its bun and sticking to her face from sweat. She was covered in dirt and was half asleep. Somehow she looked beautiful. She always did.

Merlin watched as Arthur walked away from their table to get them drinks.

She placed her head into her arms again and waited. When she heard Arthur's yelp her head shot up.

Arthur was currently being cornered by two really big men. Merlin stood up and tried to get Arthur away but Arthur stayed.

Next thing she knew the entire tavern was erupted into fights.

Merlin was about to use her magic to stop the man in front of her, when he fell over. Revealing a man with a broken vase.

"Hello." She said smiling.

"Hello M'lady." He said winking as he punched another man.

"I am no lady. Merlin." She said and shook his hand.

"You could have fooled me. Gwaine." He introduced and pulled her out of the way making a charging man run straight into a wall.

One of the men who started the fight was about to stab Arthur. The next thing Arthur knew their was a man in front of him, who had taken the knife, and punched the attacker.

Everyone else had left the tavern, including the workers. Leaving Arthur, his savior, and Merlin. Who informed him, that his savior a name was Gwaine.

They immediately rode back to Camelot and brought him to Gaius.

---

When Gwaine woke up with a headache he was surprised to find he still had clothes on.

Usually waking up in a bed, that wasn't his own, with a headache usually meant he slept with someone.

When he sat up he remembered. The beautiful woman, Merlin if he remembered correctly, the fight, and him taking a knife for her friend.

He stood up to see the room was empty. He smiled and walked towards the window. He opened the shudders and his jaw dropped. It was Camelot. That's not was shocked him. It was the view. He could see just about all of Camelot.

After watching the people Gwaine was starting to feel his wound.

So he walked out the door slowly. Merlin and a man, not her friend from before, were sitting and reading.

The man was attractive, Gwaine decided. He was a little taller than himself, and had both brown hair and eyes, much like himself.

The man looked up and smiled. "Your awake!" He said and Merlin turned and smiled.

"Gwaine! How are you feeling?" She asked getting up and offering a chair, which he took.

"Tired and sore." He said and smiled. "Other than that I feel alright."

"Good. When you clasped I was really worried." She said honestly and smiled back at him while grabbing a vial.

"Drink this. And you should feel better soon." She said handing it to him.

"How do you know this stuff? You seem young to be a physician." Gwaine said drinking it and gagged.

"Merlin is the court physicians apprentice." The still unnamed man said.

"Oh. Gwaine this is Lancelot. Lancelot this is Gwaine." Merlin said from behind a shelf.

"Nice to meet you Lancelot." Gwaine said and shook his hand.

"The honor is mine." Lancelot said and smiled.

"So what do you do here? Are you another apprentice?" Gwaine asked noticing the man nice clothing.

"Oh no. I'm a knight. Thanks to the lovely Merlin." He said the last part louder so she could hear.

"What did I do?" She asked poking her head around the corner.

"Helped me become a knight." He said and she nodded.

"Oh yeah. Lancelot is one of the finest knights in Camelot. And one of the nicest." Merlin said walking back in with some bandages for Gwaine.

"Alright Gwaine this might hurt a little." She warned taking off the bloody bandages. She then applied the paste that smelled awful, but did feel nice.

"So, are you two... together?" He asked silently hoping not.

Both made a disgusted face. "Noooooooo. As much as I love Lance it's brotherly love. Trust me." She said quickly and he nodded.

"Plus. I'm courting someone else. Not that Merlin isn't great.... but yes our love is sibling love." Lancelot said and put her in a head lock.

"Lance! Stop it!" She said laughing and he let her go.

"So are you seeing anyone?" He asked his hopes now raised.

"No. Why do you ask?" She looked up at him oblivious. While Lancelot just face palmed.

"Well. I find that hard to believe. I mean someone with your beauty." He said looking her straight in the eyes.

She blushed and giggled. "Thank you. But I'm sad to say that not many people agree with that opinion." She said looking at his wound again, and started to apply the new bandages.

Lancelot smiled knowingly as he left.

Gwaine watched him go and turned to Merlin once more. "So Merlin. What was a gorgeous lady like you doing in a tavern like that?"

She blushed even more and started telling her story. Gwaine normally flirted with women left and right.

But this one was special. He could feel it. So instead of his usual shag and tell, he was going to really try.

What else was he supposed to do?

-----

Arthur was walking towards the training field when he was stopped by Lancelot. "Lancelot! What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I heard about the tavern fight." Lancelot said walking with Arthur.

"I️ am fine. Gwaine though..." Arthur trailed off.

"Oh he's fine. He woke up not too long ago." Lancelot smiled secretly to himself. Arthur was not going to take kindly to Gwaine, especially with all of the flirting he was doing.

"I️ should go thank him." Arthur said and started to walk off. But he froze and turned back to Lancelot.

"Tell Leon to meet me in my chambers in an hour." He said and continued on his path.

When he arrived at Merlin's chambers he could hear her giggle. As he opened the door he saw Gwaine, shirtless might I add, leaning against the wall next to Merlin. His Merlin.

"Gwaine." Arthur said putting on a polite smile.

"Sire. I want to thank you for helping me." Gwaine said and held out his hand to shake.

Arthur looked at his hand and back up at the shirtless man. "Well, you did take a knife for me."

"It was nothing. I end up in these situations all the time." Gwaine said and with a wink.

"My Father would like to speak with you."

"No offense Princey, but I'd really prefer if I didn't have to face him." Gwaine said his face become nervous.

"You've done nothing wrong. He wants to reward you." Arthur said and Gwaine looked at Arthur, obviously debating on the inside.

"Now I don't mean to sound rude, but what type of prize is it. If it's money, good, I need the money, if it's not then I can just leave. I don't really enjoy royalty. You seem like a fine man but, I just would rather not."

Arthur shook his head. "My father would like to personally invite you to watch the tournament with him and the Lady Morgana. Not money."

"Ahh. Then tell your father that I sadly decline. Though I am honored." Gwaine said and went back into Merlin's room.

"That's a shame. Maybe you can convince your father to make the reward money." Merlin said looking at the door.

"I'll try." Arthur looked at Merlin and smiled. Merlin turned to him feeling his gaze. "I'll see you at lunch."

With that he left.

——

When Arthur returned to his chambers he was surprised to see Leon standing at his window.

Then he remember telling Lance to fetch Leon.

"Sire, you called for me?" Leon asked seeing the Prince.

"Yes. I want you to watch for Sirs Rodríguez and Cortez, they will be arriving for the Melle soon and I am too busy to just sit and watch." Arthur said and sat at his desk.

Leon nodded and started for the door. "Leon?" Arthur stopped him.

"Yes?" He asked turning back around.

"It has come to light that you had feelings for Merlin. When she first arrived in Camelot." Arthur said not asked.

Leon blushed. "Well. Yes. As you know my lord it is quite hard not adore her."

Arthur nodded. "True. Do you still hold these feelings?"

"No. I still adore her, who couldn't. But I realized that my feelings were only a fascination. Admiration. For her attitude towards the world and her confidence. Not love." Leon said and smiled.

Arthur nodded. "She is quite something. Isn't she?"

"That she is. If that is all." Leon started.

"Yes, I shall see you at training." Arthur waved him off.

After Leon left he walked over to his window and looked towards Merlin's.

Quite something.

—

"He was not!" Merlin said as Lance just shook us head.

"I don't know. He seemed to be flirting with you." Lance said as sat down in one of Gaius's chairs.

"Me? I mean I'd understand Morgana or Gwen, their both beautiful. But me. I'm just Merlin."

Ewan laughed. "Merlin? Since you've come to Camelot, I can name around five knights that have had feelings for you."

"Five!" Merlin said in disbelief.

"And I can name six stable boys, three of the guards, and two of the laundry women." Gwen said and sat on Lance's lap.

"But- I'm-" Merlin said and sat down.

"Gorgeous." Morgana said. "I think you should give this Gwaine guy a chance."

"Really?" Merlin asked looking to her friends.

They all nodded.

"Even if you don't have feelings for him. Just give him a chance." Gwen said.

"Maybe." She said. Then suddenly she jumped up. "I told Gaius I would buy some Lovage. Sorry guys. I have to go." She ran into her room to grab her money pouch and a basket then was out the door.

"Bye!"

——

Gwaine was walking down the road and just enjoying life. He wound was almost healed, and his hangover was gone.

So yeah. Today was gonna be great.

He walked down the street and saw Merlin walking in his direction.

He smiled and picked a small white flower from the ground. "My lovely Merlin. How are you this fine day?"

Merlin blushed and smiled. "Wonderful. You are right. It's such a gorgeous day. The sun is high and the breeze is just right. How are you?"

Gwaine held out the flower. "Much better now that you are in it."

Merlin smiled and took the flower. She was smiling but something in her gut was telling her that it wasn't right.

"Thank you." She said twirling the flower in her hand.

Gwaine must have seen the doubt in her face. Because he sighed and smiled sadly. "This isn't working is it?"

"No. But I appreciate that you tried. And that you knew when to stop." She said and started to walk again.

Gwaine following close behind said, "Well, if you ever change your mind. I am only one call away."

"Of course." She held out the flower once more. "You are charming Gwaine. I will give you that. Maybe it will work on another fair maiden in need of a man."

Gwaine took the flower and stared at it. Even though he knew that he didn't want to find another "fair maiden". He wanted her. But he smiled anyway. Because what else was he going to do?

"My lady." He said and started to walk off.

"I'm not a lady." Merlin called out walking in the opposite direction. Gwaine stoped and turned watching her walk away.

"Could off fooled me." Gwaine whispered as her figure was absorbed by the crowd. Putting the flower in his mouth like a pick, he continued walking.

—

Arthur was in a mood. And all the knights knew why.

"Tell me Sire. What is causing such pain?" Lance asked teasingly.

"Oh I do have a guess. For I've heard a certain man has been a little to close to his beloved Merlin." Ewan said dramatically leaning against Lance.

"Who would do such a thing?" Leon asked.

"Oh let me guess." Ewan said and getting off of Lance. "Does it start with a G and end with a Waine?"

Arthur, who was red with anger and embarrassment glared at the three knights. "Shut it."

"Oh why would you do this to him Gwaine?!" Leon called out to the sky in his knees.

"If I hear another word from any of you. The three of you go to the stocks." Arthur said with a smirk.

The three looked at each other silently debating. When suddenly they all nodded.

"But Sire! We must defend our future queen!" Lance said and the three of them ran.

Arthur chasing in tow.

—

It has been a couple of days since Gwaine had arrived meaning it was time for the Melle.

A while day of people riding horses and hitting each other.

Great.

Merlin was so excited.

Not.

All it meant for her is that she had go polish his sword and repair his armor. And that would take hours.

"Merlin." She smiled. She turned to see Arthur standing in his door way.

"Hello." She smiled and Arthur felt his heart flutter.

"I need a favor." He said and she narrowed her eyes at him. "Nothing bad. I promise."

"Go on." She said standing from his desk where she had been polishing his sword.

"I need a list of books to read." Merlin's eyebrows rose.

Then she smiled. "You want a book to read. I know so many you would like. For starters there's 'The Battle Of Olympus' which you would love. Then there's-" She stopped when Arthur put a hand over her mouth.

"One, breath. Two, they're not for me." Merlin deflated. "They're for Sir Posus. He requested a number of books be sent to his chambers."

"Oh. Alright I can write up a list." She said and thinking for a moment. Making a mental list already. "I still think you should read 'The Battle of Olympus'. I think you'd really love it." She said and looked down at the floor. Embarrassed of her outburst.

"He needs the list by the end of today. So thanks." Arthur said and smiled. Feeling bad for ruining her mood.

"Yeah. Is that all or..." She trailed off.

"No. That's all. I'll need my sword before the banquet for the Melle." He said and she rolled her eyes.

"As much as you may hate it Merlin. But the Melle is very important to a Knight. Winning this proves how able he is." He said walking towards his desk.

"Isn't that the point of a tournament?" Merlin asked sitting on top of the desk and continuing to polish the sword.

"Yes." He said simply picking up a document and started to read it over.

"I understand a tournament. It's knight against knight. But I don't know. A Melle just seems boring to watch." Merlin said and Arthur put down his document.

"I agree with that. Tournaments are much more enjoyable than Melles. But it is tradition." He said and then resumed to his document. She hummed and went back to polishing.

They had started to do this.

Talk to each other in odd positions. Like here she is sitting directly in front of him, her feet resting on the arms of Arthur's chair. But it didn't bother either of them.

They were almost like a married couple.

That thought caused her to freeze. Arthur looked up at her concerned and she felt herself blush.

"You alright?" He asked and she nodded.

"Just a thought sorry." She shook her head and went back to polishing.

"Care to share?" He half asked half mumbled as he read.

"No. It was just a silly thought." She said and realized she was done with the sword. "Oh. I'm done."

"Put it on the mantle." He said she nodded but didn't move for a moment.

He looked up at her expectedly. But his looked turned into a smile. "Hi." He whispered.

"Hi." She whispered back. She then got down and placed the sword on the mantle.

"Now what?" She asked Arthur. Because she was actually done with work. And still had an hour to kill.

"You're done?" He asked. She nodded. "Well. You could help me get through all of these."

She looked at the desk and grimaced. "Alright."

—

Gwaine was wandering the halls again. Why? You may be asking yourself. Because he was bloody bored!

"Listen girl. If I find you sneaking in my chambers one more time. I'll cut out your tongue." A man said from inside one of the rooms.

"I wasn't snooping I was merely grabbing your laundry." The accused girl said.

But it wasn't any girl. Oh no. It was Merlin. So of course Gwaine was going to help. What else was he going to do?

"Is there a problem in here?" Gwaine asked as he entered. And the cite before him made his blood boil.

A large man, a knight, was standing over Merlin. Who was trying to clean up a basket of laundry that had fallen to the floor.

Whether it had been dropped or thrown, Gwaine couldn't tell.

But he did know that this man was yelling at his "fair maiden". And he was going to save the day.

——

Next thing they both know Merlin and Gwaine were both being dragged to the throne room, where Uther, Morgana and Arthur were dining.

The three watched in silence as the two were dragged to the middle of the room by the guards.

"Merlin." Uther signed and shook his head. "What have you gotten yourself in the middle of this time?" Though he was annoyed Merlin could see the smirk on his face.

"This little harlot" the knight, who Gwaine had learn was named Sir Rodriguez, snarled and Gwaine watched as the three royals  flinched at the word. And how Arthur's face was so red his neck almost blended in with his shirt. And how Morgana gripped her knife and looked ready to go one on one.

Interesting.

"Was snooping around in my chambers." Rodriguez accused almost throwing her to the ground as he pushed her toward the king.

"Merlin?" Uther said and Merlin looked up at him and smiled sheepishly. "Why is it always you?"

"I've been asking myself that for the 11 months I've been here." She said with a chuckle.

Rodriguez's jaw dropped.

"What really happened?" Uther said with little interest.

"I was collecting his laundry to be clean when he walked in and started to scream at me. When I tried to explain myself he threatened go cut out my tongue. That's when Gwaine entered. Then they started fighting and then I we were brought here. And I was called a harlot." Merlin finished with a sneer.

"You fought my knight?" Uther asked Gwaine. He nodded nervously.

"Law says I must banish you. I think the simpleton deserves it." To this Rodriguez opened his mouth to defend himself. But Uther held up a hand shutting him up. "So you are free to go."

Gwaine bowed his head. "Thank you sire."

He could hear whispering next to him. He turned to see Arthur was right next to Merlin checking her up and down for injuries.

She shook her head and smiled sweetly at the prince.

Oh.

OH.

OH.

"Now you two. Get out." He told the two men. Merlin looked at Uther who called her over. Just before Gwaine left the room he took a glance over his shoulder.

He saw Merlin and Arthur side by side and it hurt when he realized that it looked so right.

——

Gwaine was leaving. He couldn't stay in Camelot anymore. He had gotten to attached.

He was on his way out the castle when he heard one of the knights servants walking in the hallway. Gwaine hid behind a pillar.

"You know. I cannot wait to see our master kill Arthur." The servant said to another.

"Payback for all we have lost." The second said.

When they walked past he saw that they were Rodriguez and Cortez's servants.

Once they were gone Gwaine ran to the field. But it was too late. He could see Arthur struggling against Cortez and Rodriguez was about to run out and help Cortez finish him off.

Gwaine hurried for the armory. He grabbed sword and returned to the field.

Rodriguez was now on the fight and Arthur was fighting two men to one.

Gwaine jumped over the fence that closed off the melle and stood next to Arthur.

"What are you doing?" Arthur grits as he pushed Cortez off him.

"Helping you." Gwaine said and started to fight.

——

Merlin was with Gaius in a knocked out opponents tent when Uther ran in.

"Gaius. You must see this." Uther then left the tent. Gaius add Merlin shared a look before chasing after him.

They went into the royal tent, where Arthur was getting ready, they saw two men on the floor in Rodriguez and Cortez's armor. But they were not Rodriguez and Cortez.

"Who are they?" Merlin asked standing over them.

"They are bandits. That had gotten away for the bandit raid me and the knights did weeks ago." Arthur said walking next to her. "They tried to kill me."

Merlin immediately turned towards him. "You alright?"

"If it weren't for Gwaine I wouldn't be." He said and looked to Gwaine, who was standing in the corner.

"Thank you." Uther said and held out his hand.

"No problem." He said and shook Uther's hand.

——

Gwaine was leaving. For real this time. He was done with Camelot. He was ready for the next tavern.

So he was walking, his backpack on his back, out the Castle square.

"Gwaine wait!" He stopped and turned to see Merlin running after him.

"The king asked me to give this to you." She said and placed a large bad of coins in his hand.

His eyes widened at the bag. "You deserve it. You saved Arthur twice."

He smiled at Merlin. "Corse I did. Couldn't leave you all lonely."

She blushed and looked down. "Thank you. For everything."

She looked back up at Gwaine and he couldn't resist. He kissed her cheek.

"Once again. I'm only one call away. Farewell My lady." He watched as she blushed harder.

"I'll remember that. Goodbye Gwaine."

"Goodbye Merlin."

And like that he was gone.

——

Arthur was standing with Morgana on one of the tower connectors.

"You know it's sad to see Gwaine go." Morgana said.

"Why?" Arthur asked looking at her.

"I had hoped maybe he and Merlin would start courting. He seemed to have an interest in her." Morgana explained still watching the people.

"He did?" Arthur asked his jaw dropping.

"You didn't notice?" Arthur shook his head. "He flirted with her constantly."

"Does she fancy him?"

"I don't believe so." Morgana sighed finally looking at him.

"Good." Arthur mumbled to himself nodding.

"Why is that good?" Morgana asked watching his thoughtful face.

"Because... she could do so much better than him." He tried.

"But who could she court? It's not like she could court a noble man. And certainly not a royal." She teased.

"Morgana?"

"Shut up?" Morgana guessed.

"You guessed it."

——————————————————

This chapter is a lot of filler. I just needed to introduce Gwaine so here you are. Gwaine!

Hope you enjoyed!

Oh and MerlinandArthur2021 I only had around two or three hundred words left apparently.