Gwaine (Merlin 3)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Melee Murderers

“I’m fine, really.” Kiara assured the young warlock. Bruises on her neck had formed overnight, despite Gaius’ various ointments, and her voice was a little croaky. Otherwise, she was unharmed and even more determined to follow out the plan she’d made with Gwaine the evening before.

“It’s not really Oswald who did this,” Merlin told her. Kiara had informed both he and Gaius who had attacked her as soon as she’d awoken, but they had not yet told anyone else. They all knew it was unlikely that Arthur would believe her. “It’s the thug from the tavern who Gwaine helped us fight against. He’s wearing a magical crystal to change his appearance.”

“How do you know?” she questioned, surprised. If there was any magical item in her direct line of vision, she could usually detect it.

“When I went into their chambers, he was wearing it around his neck.” He explained, before glancing annoyed at the already rising sun. “I should wake Arthur. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again.

“It’s sore,” she admitted, pinning her hair out of her face as she spoke. “But I’ll be fine. Now go! You’ll get into more trouble than normal if he’s late today.” She reminded him, and at once he looked worried, as he’d been unable to think of any plan to ensure Arthur’s safety. As soon as Merlin left the room, Kiara picked up one of the bottles containing a powerful sleeping draught, and turned to leave also.

“Where do you think you’re going with that?” Gaius asked, emerging from one of the side rooms.

Kiara made a face and hurried out regardless, “No time to explain!” she called over her shoulder, despite his protests.

“Kiara!” he almost yelled, but she had already gone.

Even though it was much earlier than she would have liked to have risen, there were many more people awake than usual. The melee had attracted dozens of knights, and many of them had brought along their servants.  It was a struggle for Kiara to pass through all the busy people without being noticed, but she managed. Pausing behind one of the market stalls, she saw a collection of the knights making their way towards the field where the melee would take place. They were an hour or so ahead of the starting time, but it was clear they wanted to be ready.

Darting out from her hiding place, Kiara managed to sneak through the guards in the knight’s tents and round towards the back. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Gwaine leaning against one of the tables which would hold a collection of weapons for the knights to choose from, when they arrived.

He smiled as she reached him, but his eyes caught sight of the bruising around her neck and his expression quickly dropped. “What happened to your throat?” he asked, reaching out to take her arms and pull her closer to him – so he could examine the bruises more closely.

“Oswald,” she replied with a mumble, “I’m fine,” she hurriedly assured him but Gwaine’s jaw locked in anger.

“Oswald?” he repeated, “That thug attacked you?”

“It doesn’t matter, I’m fine.” She sighed with a light sigh, but she knew Gwaine wasn’t going to forget it.

“He attacked you! He’ll pay for that,” he muttered darkly, while Kiara rolled her eyes.

“No time, come on.” She reminded him, tugging on his sleeve and moving them further away from the entrance of the tents. “I’ve got the sleeping draught, which knight’s armour do you want to take?” she questioned. Gwaine’s eyes glanced over the top of the tents, and pointed out the one which housed the knight he had chosen. Kiara nodded, and started to head towards it but Gwaine’s hand closed gently around her wrist.