Chapter Four, Gwaine the Nobleman

The next morning Merlyn awoke with a smile on her face as she dressed in a black underdress with a teal-green overdress, her signature brown boots and braided hairstyle. A smile had graced her face as spotted the dress Gwaine brought her hanging in her wardrobe - it was a different smile, it was happy but it had love and adoration mixed in. A smile you only get with a loved one- and then again when she actually got to have breakfast with Gaius and Gwaine that morning. In the back of her mind she knew Arthur would be angry about the Tavern bill but she couldn't bring herself to care right now.
"I'll see you later." Merlyn said kissing Gaius' cheek and after a moment of hesitation, Gwaine's before she almost skipped out of the chambers. While the two men watched her go with adoring smiles on their faces.
"I'll see you later Merlyn bird." Gwaine shouted after her, making her smile widen. 

"Sorry I'm late." Merlyn said, rushing into Arthur's chambers with his breakfast, seeing him sat at his desk, his head on his fist and an unreadable expression on his face.
"Not at all." Arthur waved off surprising her, normally he would rant for at least five minutes before they bantered and teased each other. But she just smiled and brushed it off.
"Sure you're alright?" Arthur asker as Merlyn started making his bed. "You're not sick, unsteady, about to burst into song?"
"Well, song, maybe. The rest, no." Merlyn teased but Arthur just glared at her and banged his hand on the bill she'd spotted on his desk. Without taking his eyes off her Arthur picked up the bill, shook it out and started to read.

"Fourteen quarts of mead, three flagons of wine, five quarts of cider, four dozen pickled eggs." Arthur read out ignoring Merlyn's explanation.
"That was Gwaine. He went to the Tavern celebrating finding his Soulmate; me." Merlyn said with a roll of her eyes at Arthur's confusion. "I told you this already." She complained. "Anyway, he got carried away and couldn't pay for it."
"So you said I would." Arthur stated.
"You said he's to be given anything he needs or wants." Merlyn reminded Arthur.
"Four dozen pickled eggs?" Arthur shouted.
"I'm sorry. I'll pay for it."  Merlyn apologised.
"You most certainly will." Arthur said as he threw the bill away from him.

An hour later after Merlyn had finished tidying and cleaning Arthur's chambers she joined Gwaine in the Throne Room to clean the boots of the entire army. Something that Gwaine wasn't happy over.
"Arthur is a thoroughbred little braggart." Gwaine complained.
"Why?" Merlyn asked curiously.
"For making us do this. You have enough to do already, Merlyn. And I was trying to find some paid work and a house." Gwaine replied, shocking Merlyn for a moment before a pleased smile spread across her face as she went back to cleaning.

"You can stay with us, you know. And I think it's fair." Merlyn said.
"I know and I'm grateful, but eventually someone will need the bed I'm using and it'll be nice to have our own place for later on." Gwaine supplied, making a blush tint Merlyn's pale cheeks. "But for the entire army?" He asked incredulously, pointing to the long line of muddy boots.
"If you admitted your father was a Knight, you wouldn't have to." Merlyn said.
"I'd never let you do all this by yourself, even if they may have let me off. And I'm not making the same mistakes that he did." Gwaine said as he roughly scrubbed at a boot. "Anyway, my father treated his servants well."
"You didn't know him. Or did you lie to me last night, Gwaine?" Merlyn teased.

"Well, I like to think that he did." Gwaine corrected, smiling at her. "What about your father?" He asked wanting to know more than what he learned last night though he hoped he didn't upset her.
"He didn't have servants, or anyone really. He never got to see my mother again. I had promised him I'd take him back to Ealdor so he  could see her, but...it was never meant to be. I just wish that I had the chance to know him better. There's so much he could've taught me, that he wanted to. All that I know I've had to learn on my own or from the bits that Gaius knew." Merlyn said sadly letting out a deep sigh as she hinted at magic. Feeling bad for bringing it up, especially after last night, Gwaine pulled Merlyn into a hug.

Which admittedly made them both feel better.
"But at least you got to meet him and you told me, he said he was proud of you, and you have the dragon he made you, and in the power you share." Gwaine said as he kissed the top of her head.
"Yeah. I know your father would be proud of you too, Gwaine." Merlyn insisted but Gwaine didn't answer.
"If there's one thing that I learned from my father's life, it is that titles don't mean anything. It's what's inside that counts." Gwaine said as he tapped her knee with the brush.
"Ow." Merlyn said, rubbing her knee before flicking him on the forehead making them both laugh. It felt good to bond more with each other and spend time with each other. For it felt like they didn't get enough time together, what with the hours Merlyn had to work sometimes.

***

Out in the Training Field Arthur, who was still rather annoyed, was beating the dummy rather viciously. He was mostly annoyed at Merlyn finding her Soulmate because he saw her as a little sister whether he wanted to or not. And like with any big brother, no man will ever be good enough for their little sister. Plus, he didn't really know what to make of Gwaine yet. Yes the man saved his life, but so far he's only got Merlyn into trouble. But he did make Merlyn the happiest he's ever seen her, so he guessed that counted for something, right?
"You look like you need a bit of practice." 'Sir Oswald' said, pulling Arthur from his thoughts.
"Ah, you think so?" Arthur asked.
"I know so." 'Sir Oswald' stated, holding his hand out to Merlyn, (who had just joined them after bringing the polished swords from the armoury once she'd finished cleaning all of the boots).

She quickly handed over a sword without her usual comments, as the two Knights made her uneasy. As soon as he had the sword 'Sir Oswald' attacked Arthur and a fierce battle -then normal for training - ensued.
"You're rusty." Arthur commented. "You're not as quick as you used to be." 
"Still quick enough to hit you." 'Sir Oswald' exclaimed rather annoyedly.
"I thought you were left-handed." Arthur said, confused.
"Yes I am." 'Sir Oswald' said quickly, as he switched hands. Pointing out -to Merlyn at least- that something was wrong. "I just wanted to give you a chance." He continued. "Why don't we make this more interesting?" He asked, when Arthur's sword stopped his blow again. "Fifty gold coins first clean hit."

"Make it a hundred." Arthur countered as they fought again, only for Arthur to end up winning. "You can keep your money." Arthur told him. Feeling humiliated as people applauded their Prince, Sir Oswald threw his sword down in a huff and spat on the ground. Now that Arthur was finally finished with training for today, Merlyn went around picking up the weapons and putting them away. When she heard something that greatly unsettled her as she picked up the sword Sir Oswald had used.
"...blade I'll fillet the little brat." Sir Oswald spat. She didn't have to think too hard to know they were talking about Arthur. That's all anyone new to Camelot wants to do: kill Arthur or Uther or both. Thanks to Arthur giving her work from the two Knights; she had to polish Sir Oswald's armour and put it away as well as Arthur's.

She was just bringing Sir Oswald's polished armour back to his chambers when she noticed the plates hadn't been cleaned up. Sighing she sat his armour on the chest at the foot of his bed, and started tidying the table. But as she picked up the cloth containing two seemingly blunt swords, one of the swords sticking out just a smidge, she sliced her finger on the edge of one.
"Aha!" Merlyn gasped, pulling back her hand and seeing her bloody finger.
"What're you doing girl?" 'Sir Oswald' growled.
"I'm just tidying the table." Merlyn replied.
"Keep away from things that don't concern you." 'Sir Oswald snapped. Wincing Merlyn picked up the plates and hurried out of the chambers, making a stop at the kitchens before she went back to her chambers.

"To the eye the swords appeared blunt, but when my finger touched it..." Merlyn said as she finished explaining what happened to a worried Gwaine and Gaius who was treating and wrapping her finger. She could have done it herself but it was her dominant hand she just had to injure.
"You were lucky." Gwaine fretted from where he sat besides her. His arm behind her resting on the table. "I've seen those blades in action. They're forged with sorcery."
"What would they want with such a blade?" Gaius asked, troubled.
"I think they mean to kill Arthur in the Mele." Merlyn said as she explained what she saw on the Training Field. 
"But in front of all those people?" Gaius questioned unsure.
"It's the perfect cover." Gwaine realised. "If they succeed, nobody will suspect it was intentional."

"I need to warn Arthur." Merlyn said, about to get up from her seat but Gaius stopped her.
"Merlyn, Sir Oswald's a Knight. He comes from a well-respected family. You can't accuse him without proof." Gaius said firmly. Sometimes he worried for her. She was so desperate to protect Arthur that she never really stopped to think about what could happen to her or if she did, she didn't care as long as Arthur lived.
"Then we need that blade." Merlyn said.
"I'll get it." Gwaine decided, not wanting Merlyn near them, he saw the way they looked at her and he didn't like it.
"What if they catch you?" Merlin asked worriedly. "What reason would you have to be in Sir Oswald's chamber? No, it's safer if I do it." She said.

Later that night when Merlyn was sure he'd be asleep she snuck into Sir Oswald's chamber. As she entered she noticed the swords were no longer on the table and, she suspected they were most likely in the chest they made her lug all over the room. Seeing Sir Oswald asleep in the bed, Merlyn silently crept over to the trunk, wincing when it creaked as she opened it. However, just as she was picking up one of the swords she heard a ringing coming from the crystal hanging around his neck. Maybe she should've ignored it, took the sword and left.

But she's been in Camelot long enough to know that, that ringing sound never meant anything good, especially when someone was trying to kill Arthur. Like these two who were trying to kill the idiotic Prince. When the crystal suddenly glowed she'd made up her mind. Creeping slowly towards the bed she peered at the crystal spotting the face of the thug who'd stabbed Gwaine from within. As she was lifting her hand Sir Oswald awoke unnoticed by her until he grabbed her arm.

In Gaius' chambers, Gwaine was pacing up and down like a caged animal while Gaius, as always, was trying to read up on the swords to distract himself.
"Merlyn should be back by now." Gwaine exclaimed.
"I know." Gaius sighed, worried for the girl he saw as a daughter.
"I'm gonna go see what's going on." Gwaine said no longer able to take the waiting.
"Gwaine." Gaius called but Gwaine didn't listen as he had a horrible gut feeling that something was wrong and he only hoped he was wrong. As he arrived in the corridor near Sir Oswald's rooms he could hear a commotion from within all the way from where he stood at the other end of the corridor. Hurrying his steps to help his Merlyn bird, but what he heard next made him freeze where he stood and for a red, hot fiery anger to grip him so tightly he was all consumed by it.

"My mistake, she's not the thief and whore I thought she was. But just in case. Why don't we teach her a lesson, Sir Oswald?" 'Sir Ethan' suggested.
"You're absolutely right, Sir Ethan." 'Sir Oswald' agreed. That made Gwaine unfreeze as he barged into the room.
"Is there a problem here?" Gwaine asked, but his eyes were dark with anger as he trained them on his beloved. She'd been backing away from Sir Oswald, and her appearance made the fire burn even brighter within Gwaine and he was struggling to hold his temper. Merlyn had a cut on her lip and left cheek that were bleeding, she looked like she may have a black eye come morning, and her dress that Gwaine knew was a gift from her mother was torn in two places at the top. Upon seeing Gwaine, Merlyn relaxed slightly feeling a tad safer now.

"No. Now, leave." 'Sir Oswald' demanded.
"Are you alright, Merlyn?" Gwaine asked, even though he knew she wasn't, he walked towards his love picking up a cloth to clean her wounds.
"No." Merlyn whispered softly to Gwaine, the light in her eyes was dimmer and she had tears in her eyes.
"I thought I told you to leave." 'Sir Oswald' demanded once more.
"I wasn't talking to you." Gwaine snapped, he so wanted to teach these thugs a lesson but his main priority was getting Merlyn out of there.
"How dare you speak to a Knight like that!" 'Sir Ethan' raged as he unsheathed his sword, Gwaine doing the same.

As the two fought Gwaine quickly gained the upper hand and disarmed Sir Ethan and knocked him to the ground when Sir Oswald went to attack him from behind.
"Gwaine!" Merlyn shouted, causing Gwaine to turn around just in time to parry the attack.
"Don't worry. I can handle this thug." Gwaine assured as the two fought all over the room. Merlyn had to move out of the way a couple of times, but she made sure to keep all three men within her sights. She wouldn't be surprised if one of them tried to run her or Gwaine through from behind. And she was proven right when Sir Ethan tried to attack Gwaine again, only to fail once more. A moment after Gwaine had knocked Sir Ethan to the floor with an elbow to the face and disarmed Sir Oswald, Sir Leon and two other Knights entered the room.

"What's going on?" Sir Leon asked angrily, especially when he saw Merlyn trembling slightly and the state of her. He knew the man before him was her Soulmate, but he was confused at what had transpired and didn't like what his brain was putting together. Unfortunately Sir Leon's and the others' appearance had distracted Gwaine and he was backhanded to the floor by Sir Oswald.
"This man attacked me." 'Sir Oswald' exclaimed. "I demand an audience with the King!"
"Merlyn what happened to you!?" Gaius said aghast, seeing the state his Ward was in as he quickly wrapped a blanket around her shoulders to cover her ripped dress as they made their way to the Council Chambers.

"It's not Sir Oswald." Merlyn said ignoring Gaius' question. "It's that thug from the Tavern, Dagger. He's using a magical crystal to change his appearance." Merlyn explained as she watched helplessly as Gwaine was brought in bound in chains.
"Sire, this man attacked me with a sword, tried to kill me." 'Sir Oswald' lied.
"Is this true?" Uther demanded of Gwaine.
"I stepped in to protect Merlyn. She's my Soulmate and they attacked her, and tried to force themselves on her." Gwaine bit out through clenched teeth as everyone took in the beaten form of Arthur's servant who had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders covering her dress and was shaking slightly.

Like Gwaine, Arthur along with Sir Leon felt anger bubbling inside of them as they looked at their dear friend who was like a little sister to them. They were one of the ones close to her that could notice her eyes didn't shine like they usually do and that made the anger grow even more. While Gaius was almost apoplectic with anger at what had happened to his Ward.
"I tried to talk to him. He was like a possessed man." 'Sir Oswald' said before anything could be said. "I'm sure Sir Ethan will back me up." He continued as Gwaine glared daggers at the pair.
"Indeed, I can vouch for his every word." 'Sir Ethan' agreed. That was too much for Gwaine. His anger boiled over once more as he leapt to his feet.
"He's a liar!" Gwaine shouted as the guards restrained him but he fought against them.

"I will have your tongue!" Uther shouted. "How dare you speak to a Knight in that way!"
"Nobility is defined by what you do and not by who you are." Gwaine replied as he sent a scathing look to the thugs and one to Uther. "And these men are anything but. They are arrogant thugs. And I will not let them get away with what they did to Merlyn! Look at her! She was doing her job and they attacked her!"
"Gwaine." Arthur called trying to calm him down even though his own anger was near its boiling point but guilt was also warring within him.
"Well, you see, Sire, how he behaves." 'Sir Oswald' said condescendingly.

"I have heard enough." Uther said fed up. "For a commoner to attack a Nobel man is in violation of the Knights Code." Seeing the thugs were most likely to call for his death - because that's who they are - Gwaine spoke before anyone else could.
"True. If I were a commoner." Gwaine said. "But I'm not. I'm Gwaine, son of Sir Dwayne. He was a Knight in Caerleon's army." Gwaine said, shocking all but Merlyn into silence.