Finding him

Changing

Percival was lying on the bed, reading, when Gwaine walked in, grinning like an idiot. “Hello.”
“I've got someone for you to meet.”
Percival stood up, walking over to Gwaine. “Who?” Gwaine took a long breath, opening the door. Percival bowed down, gasping. “King Carson. I didn't-"
“Percival. This is my father.” Gwaine pulled Percival to his feet.
“You're a prince,” Percival stuttered, staring between the King and Gwaine.
“Yes I am.” Gwaine kissed him on the cheek. “Prince Gwaine of Rheged.”
“And this is your father,” Percival repeated, nodding.
“Yes. Yes I am. Gwaine, is this man a knight?”
“Yes he is father. Sir Percival.” Carson nodded, hugging Percival. Percival, compared to the frail King Carson, was a giant, almost double his height. 
“I'll show you to your rooms father,” Gwaine offered, nodding for Percival to follow him.

Gwaine was sat on a chair in the council chambers, the other knights stood around him. Arthur was stood directly in front, arms folded across his chest. “Well. Prince Gwaine,” Arthur said. “Whatever shall we do with you?”
“I'm sorry I lied to all of you, alright? So, so sorry.”
“You have deceived us. You lied outright. But you pretended to be less than what you were,” Leon said, shaking his head. “We're brothers here. That's the bond. And you've betrayed that.”
“I know. I'm sorry.” Gwaine bowed his head. “I tried to run away, and I lied to all of you. I don't deserve to be forgiven.”  He shook his head. “I'll pack my bags.” Gwaine stood up, Merlin pushing him back into his chair.
“Look at your hands,” Merlin instructed.
“What?”
“Look at your hands. What do you see?” Gwaine pressed his lips together, fiddling with the silver band on his thumb. “That ring means unity. It means forever, and it stands for our brotherhood.” Gwaine took the ring off, holding it out to Merlin.
“Take it then. If you're getting rid of me, take it.” His hands were shaking, still looking at the ground. “Stop tormenting me and take the damn ring.” Gwaine’s voice was close to shouting at this point.
“Nobody's taking your ring,” Arthur said. “Put it back on.” Gwaine shook his head. “Put it back on,” Arthur repeated, stepping forwards.
“I can't,” Gwaine whispered, voice cracking.
“Gwaine,” Percival said, softly. “Don't you get it?” Percival knelt down, taking Gwaine's ring and slipping it onto his hand.
“Brothers lie,” Merlin said. “Brothers fight. Look up.” Gwaine obeyed, looking at the people around him. “We all love you. And that ring is for Gwaine. Not for, who you said you were, or who you pretended to be, but for who you are.” Gwaine nodded, wiping his nose.

Gwaine and Percival were sat on the front steps of the palace, Percival with one strong arm around Gwaine's shoulders. “Does this mean you're leaving?” Percival asked, blinking back tears. 
“I don't know. Percy, I don't know what this means.”
“But you can stay, you'll find a way to stay.” Percival turned, holding both of Gwaine's hands in his own. “Won't you?”
“I can't promise you that.”
“What?”
“One day, I will need to become King of Rheged, and I will sit on the throne there. I can't stay in Camelot forever.”
“But you can, you can rule from here.”
“We're neighbouring Kingdoms. I could stay as close as I could, but living here would be impractical.” Gwaine smiled apologetically. “Do you understand?”
“I just wish it wasn’t this way,” Percival told him, smiling weakly.
“I know. And it isn't, yet.”
“Yet.” Percival shook his head. “You'll leave,  and you'll forget me, and us, and-" Gwaine cut him off with a kiss, a short kiss, but one which seemed to go on forever.
“Never. Never will I forget you.”

A few days later, Gwaine was sat with his father in Carson's room, the light outside fading as they spoke. “Gwaine, I'm going to die. Soon, very soon, and you need to be ready.”
“I am ready.”
“Son, you will need to leave this place.”
“I know.” Gwaine nodded, pushing his empty plate away. “I don't want to.”
“I know that. But you must. And you will honour me, and you will do me proud.” Gwaine nodded, sniffing. “And you will.”
“I'll try my best father.”
“Very good son.” Carson smiled at his son, nodding.

King Carson died that night in his sleep, Gwaine called to his chambers early the next morning. He knelt by the bed, gripping his father's hand, tears rolling down his face. For hours. He was undisturbed, in his grief, until noon, when he came out, dried tears streaking his cheeks. Percival pulled him into a hug, kissing his head. “I'm so sorry.” Gwaine nodded, shaking.