There can be no place for magic in Camelot

Finding Merlin

When Arthur made his proclamation about those with magic being free, he hadn't expected the reaction the people had. He'd expected some to be against the change and others to protest it. He had not expected such celebrations to occur within the town. It only made his heart ache knowing that he had prolonged their suffering and fear. He had continued their hardships. Gwen stood tall and proud at his side. Arthur was thankful for her support and counsel, but it wasn't the same. He missed Merlin. The man had been there at his side for a decade, giving him advice and supporting his decisions. He had been a constant presence and it now felt like there was a chasm in his chest. Like something vital to his being was missing. After hearing the prophecies from the Druids, he knew that it was because Merlin had left him. The other side to his coin. He decided to set a feast for the next week to celebrate the freedom of magic and welcome the Druids as citizens of Camelot.

"Arthur?" Gwen asked gently.

"Hmm?" He replied looking up at her from his desk.

"I was asking how much longer you planned to keep Gwaine in the cells?"

"Oh. I was planning on letting him out yesterday, after the announcement. Guess I forgot. I should probably go do it now or he'll convince someone else to let him out." Arthur said, getting to his feet.

"Make sure he stops by the kitchen before he leaves." Gwen pulled Arthur in for a quick hug.

"Leaves?" Arthur questioned.

"Yes, Arthur. You and I both know as soon as he gets out, he's going to head out after Merlin. So. Make sure he stops at the kitchens to get some food for when he does find him. They both need to be back before the feast so the sooner Gwaine sets out, the sooner he can find Merlin and get him to come home." Gwen said, though tears had begun to well up in her eyes, she didn't let them fall.

"You're right, of course. I love you." Arthur kissed her head and then went to release an angry, reckless knight. When he got to the cells he found Elyan and Percival standing there in what appeared to be a whispered argument. Arthur cleared his throat, causing Elyan to jump and Percival spun around looking as if he'd been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

"I hope this means you're here to let me out?" Gwaine asked with a grin from the cell.

"If I wasn't, would I be interrupting an escape attempt?" Arthur asked grinning crookedly.

"Just a couple of friends dropping by to let me know the news of the day is all." Gwaine responded.

"Mmm. Sure. Well, for your information, I am here to release you. I know you plan to leave almost as soon as you are out, but you will go by the kitchens to get some provisions, and you will take a copy of the proclamations ensuring the freedom of those with magic. I want you to go through Ealdor. I doubt he's there, but go through, find out about Hunith's resting place so we can all pay our respects when he's back." Arthur told Gwaine as he unlocked the cell. "Will you take anyone with you?"

"I think at this point it's probably best for me to go alone. I don't want to make him too nervous.I will try to talk him 'round and get him to come back." Gwaine said, holding a hand up to stop Percival and Elyan from saying anything.

"Hmm. Since when do you have good ideas?" Arthur asked, tilting his head quizzically.

"I have my moments. Don't get too used to it, though, yeah?" Gwaine grinned. Arthur rolled his eyes.

"When you find him, because I have no doubt you will, tell him I'm sorry. For...everything. I'd like to tell him in person so tell him that if he wants to hear me apologize that he should come back." Arthur added, walking out of the dungeon next to Gwaine, followed closely by the other knights.

"I'll leave in the next hour, if that's alright?"

"Of course. Come see me before you depart." Arthur told him and then headed off down another corridor, leaving Gwaine, Percival, and Elyan.

Watching Arthur retreat down the corridor, Gwaine sighed. He could see how much this hurt Arthur, though he was trying his best to hide it. Gwaine was irritated more than anything, having been delayed departing for so long.

"Do you want us to ride out with you?" Percival asked.

"No. It's fine. I have some ideas so I'm going to start with those. I'll try to send word if I won't be back in time for this feast." Gwaine added, clasping arms with both the knights. He intended to set out as soon as he could, but he needed to do a few things first. Bathe, for one, gather provisions, for two, and then lastly see what it is the King wanted. He hoped that Arthur would write a letter or something to send along with him. He quickly went and changed, washing as quick as he could. One thought, or rather person, constantly on his mind; Merlin. He may have taken in a lover here and there, but each person was only a substitute for the one he never thought he could have. Merlin's hair wasn't as long as his, but he dreamed of mussing it up. See what he looked like in all his glory, no longer hiding behind that ridiculous neckerchief. He wanted...well a lot of things, actually. Thinking about it, about what he wanted to do with Merlin in private, while he was trying to bathe, did not help anything. He may have taken a little longer than planned, but he finally was cleaned up and headed toward the kitchen, pack on his shoulder ready for whatever provisions he could get. Everything ready to go, he set a stable hand to readying his horse while he went to see what Arthur wanted. He knocked on the door, and waited to be told to enter. When he walked in he found Gwen and Arthur over by the desk, both looking anxious.

"You wanted to see me before I left, Sire?" Gwaine started.

"Yes. It isn't much, but I wanted to add a note for him, should you find him." Arthur stated, bringing over a sealed note. Gwaine accepted it, raising an eyebrow at the King. "Just make sure he gets it."

"Of course. I already told the others, but I'll send word if we won't make it back in time for the feast. Do you have any ideas where he might go? You spent a lot of years with him, 10 years is a long time. Any place he may have enjoyed being that you can think of?" Gwaine asked, though not expecting an answer.

"I don't know. I wished I did. Thinking about it just makes me realize how bad of a friend I have been over these years." Arthur responded, not meeting Gwaine's eyes.

"We hope to see you in a week's time." Gwen told him, coming to comfort her husband. Gwaine nodded to the royals and headed out of the castle. He really hoped these next few days proved fruitful. He liked to think he knew his friend, but they hadn't had a lot of time to spend together in recent years. The more he thought about it, the more upset it made him. Merlin had been shutting everyone out for a while now. And no one had pushed. No one had made the effort. He blamed himself the most. Since Lancelot had died, Merlin had shut himself off. Even when the shade, apparently, made an appearance, Merlin was off then, but he never said anything. The person he cared for was hurting and he did nothing. Instead of trying to show Merlin how much he cared, or how much he wanted to know the young man, he'd stayed distant. Pining. These thoughts bombarded him as he rode; directionless. He should have tried harder, made his interest in Merlin more pronounced. Maybe then he would have known how special he was, how important. How vital. Gwaine intended to show Merlin just how special thought he was as soon as he found him. When night was falling he decided to find a place to stop. There were no inns in the area, but he knew of some caves. He directed his horse towards them. When he reached them, night had fully fallen. He stayed quiet, as there was a glow that came from one of the caves up ahead. Strange, usually bandits and the like avoided this area. He tied up his horse and crept towards the opening.

"Stop creeping around out there and come in already." A familiar voice called out.