I ran down the stairs to the castle as I saw Merlin and Arthur carrying a familiar figure.

"I see you've met Gwaine. What Tavern has he gotten himself band from this time?"

Arthur looked up with a questioning gaze. "You know this man?"

"I travelled with Lancelot and him for quite some time after I escaped from Morgause. You must have been disguised as peasants, otherwise he would have been a lot less willing to help."

"What do you mean?"

I shrug in response to Arthur's question. "That's his secret to tell, not mine, sorry. I shall return in the morning to check upon him."

And the next morning, I did just as I said I would. Tapping my knuckles on the door twice I opened the door.

"I see you've gotten into yet another bar fight."

"No, what makes you think that, Ari? I'm just crashing for a couple of days in a castle. I hate to admit it, but it has a great view. And you were right. I do like a Merlin. And damn, it is good to see your actual face again without the illusions."

I give him a mock curtsy. "Well, I am glad I can grace you with my presence. Come along, I shall show you the lower town."

But, of course, we barely made it forty feet into the lower town before he stopped to flirt. I turn with an amused smile to see Gwen.

"Come along Gwaine. It will not due to make Gwen uncomfortable."

Gwen let out a gasp. "My apologies my lady, I did not recognize you."

I let out a laugh. "That is the point of a disguise Gwen. If Arthur asks where I am, tell him I have gone to collect a bouquet of flowers."

Gwaine looped his arm around me. "What happened to not making Gwen uncomfortable?"

I roll my eyes. "I do not sound like that Gwaine."

"Yeeeeesssss ya do, ya' knight in shining armor."

I couldn't help but let out an involuntary giggle at the look of disbelief on Merlin's face as he walked into the tavern. He is sooo adorable. He's like a puppy!

Gwaine has one arm draped around my shoulder, and the other around Merlin as we stumble into the his chambers. Gwaine and I both let out a laugh as he was placed on the bed.

"You two are the best friends I've ever had!"

"You seem to have quite a few," Merlin grumbles.

Gwaine let out a laugh in response. "I'd love to see Arthur's face when he gets that bill!"

"I bet it would look something like this..." I give Gwaine my best impersonation of Arthur and he laughs again.

Merlin gives me a look. "That's...actually quite accurate." He turned to Gwaine. "Ok, what is your deal with nobles?" Merlin asked as we sat on either side of Gwaine. I had started to play with his hair.

"Oh, nothing. My Father was a knight in Carleon's army. He died in battle, and my Mother was left penniless. And when she went to the King for help, he turned her away."

"You didn't know him."

"Just some stories I've been told."

"Yeah I know how that feels," Merlin sighs, glancing at the ground, "I met my Father only briefly before he died."

"Why?" Gwaine sat up.

"He was banished."

"What had he done?"

"Nothing. He served the king."

"But the King turned against him." Gwaine didn't sound surprised. "That doesn't surprise me."

"Of course Uther turned against him. His heart is as hard as stone." Then I let out a small giggle. "Hey, we should start a club!" I place one hand on Gwaine's head and the other on Merlin's. "I hereby declare thee members of the...what should I call us?"

"Ooh I know! The round table!"

I nod firmly at Gwaine's words. "Alrighty. I hereby declare thee members of the round table."