Making Windows Where There Were Once Walls

Magic and Marriage

Gwaine had very quickly caught on to the change in Arthur and Merlin's relationship. Even though he knew it was bound to happen, he was still not satisfied that Arthur had changed enough, or was worthy of Merlin's affections.

He first cornered Arthur, ambushing him after a long day of training. The past few days Arthur and Merlin were practically inseparable (even more so than before, which was saying something). However, today Merlin had been sent by Gaius to collect some herbs from the forest, an activity that would take up most of the day, and so Gwaine jumped at the opportunity to interrogate Arthur.

When Arthur returned to the armory to get out of his armor, he found Gwaine leaning casually against the table that normally stored Arthur's gear. Gwaine looked at Arthur with a feral grin, and said, "Why don't you get changed, and then the two of us need to have a chat."

Arthur looked appropriately alarmed, but followed Gwaine's instructions, keeping an eye on the knight as he got changed as if he feared Gwaine would attack him while Arthur was undressing. He tried to take his armor off as slowly as possible, stalling for as much time as possible. One glance at Gwaine and his unimpressed expression told Arthur that the knight knew exactly what he was trying to do.

Finally, Arthur could not delay the impossible any longer, and he looked at Gwaine, "So are we going to do this here, or somewhere else?"

"I think we should take a walk princess."

"You know when you phrase it like that it sounds like you're going to kill me..."

"Hmm... we'll see. That may depend on your answers," Gwaine cheerily replied, pulling a knife from a hidden sheath on his leg and twirling it between his fingers. Arthur gulped, eyes growing wide.

They walked in tense silence until they reached a clearing far enough away from the castle that their conversation wouldn't be overheard. "So, do you have anything you want to tell me, princess?" Gwaine inquired, a fake sweetness to his voice.

"Well, you see... Merlin and I have... decided to move... beyond friendship as it were..." Arthur awkwardly stated, stuttering over his words, staring intently at the knife in Gwaine's hand.

Gwaine sighed, "I was afraid of that..." he groaned. "I don't know what he sees in you..." he drifted off, a bitter, jealous tone to his voice. Upon seeing that Arthur wasn't listening to what he was saying because he was so intent on staring at the knife, Gwaine let out another long suffering sigh.

"I'm not actually going to stab you," Gwaine muttered, "It would make Merlin sad."

As Gwaine slid his knife back into its sheath, Arthur sputtered, "That's your reasoning? Not that killing me would be treasonous? Or that as a knight you've sworn to protect me?"

"Did I fucking stutter princess?" Gwaine deadpanned. "You've always known where my loyalties really lie."

Arthur nodded his head in concession. He greatly relaxed as soon as Gwaine has put his knife away, maybe this wouldn't be that bad, he thought.

"Well if that's all Sir Gwaine, I'll be on my way," Arthur tried to make a hasty retreat.

"Oh no you don't. I am certainly not done with you." Gwaine fixed him with a serious stare.

"I understand that you are concerned about Merlin... you should be after what I did to him, but Merlin is an adult who can make his own decisions, and he's decided that he wants to be with me." Arthur said defensively.

"I know that. But just because he can make his own decisions doesn't mean that they're good ones." Gwaine shot back. "He is not some plaything for you to use and then throw away when you get bored, or an object for you to collect just because you know that he wants you. He is not your dirty secret," Gwaine growled.