Merlin Imagines

Gwaine x Reader: Reunited

You struggled to stay upright on your horse as it slowly walked toward the gate. You clutched your side where an arrow grazed you. You normally would have just gone back to your village healer, but something was telling you that he wouldn't be able to handle this one. You slowly rode through the gates.

"Excuse me," You panted when you came across the first person walking by.

"Where is the healer here?"

"Just over there," The woman pointed to the castle, before looking at you in concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'll...be fine." You managed to gasp out, just before your eyes fluttered shut and you lurched sideways. She caught you and slowly lowered you out of the saddle and on to the ground.

"Someone get help!" She shouted.

...

Gwaine roared with laughter as he sat in the tavern with his fellow knights. Merlin was there too, but only to pick up a drink for Arthur. As the knights listened to his complaints about work, a peasant suddenly burst into the bar, out of breath. "Is Merlin here? We need help!"

Everyone sprung into action. The knights got up and followed Merlin as the peasant raced back out of the tavern. He led them to a gathering of people. Merlin forced his way through the crowd, and upon seeing the wounded stranger laying in the center, set to work. The knights sprung into action, forcing the people back and asking what they had seen.

All except for Gwaine.

He was frozen, staring at the traveller in the woman's arm. A name rang through his head over and over, but was snapped out of his trance by Merlin shouting.

"We need to get to Gaius'!" Merlin shouted. He struggled to stand up with the weight of the stranger in his arms, and Gwaine finally stepped in. He stepped forward and took her into his arms.

You'll be fine, Y/N. I promise.

...

"Gwaine, you should sit down." Gwaine didn't look up, and continued to pace in front of the door to the infirmary. "You'll wear a hole in the ground." Leon told him. Gwaine eventually obeyed and sat down against the wall. His fingers drummed against the stones, and his leg bounced impatiently. Within minutes, he was up and pacing again. Leon sighed. "I've never seen you this worked up before."

"And over a stranger, no less." Percival added.

"She's not a stranger, Percy." Gwaine corrected. "Not to me."

"What? Who is she?" Gwaine sighed.

"Her name is Y/N. We grew up together. We were best friends, but her family moved away when we were teenagers and I haven't seen her since. I still can't believe she's back." Gwaine explained. Leon and Percival definitely had questions, but they were interrupted by Merlin rushing through the door. Gwaine spun on his toe to face him. "How is she?" He asked nervously.

"She'll be fine." Gwaine let out a sigh of relief and slid down against the wall. His head dropped into his hands.

"Thank you," He said after a while, without looking up. Percival held his hand out and helped him back up. "...Can I see her?" He asked, worried Merlin would say no.

"She's sleeping right now," Merlin said, and Gwaine deflated. "But I don't see the harm in it." Gwaine grinned.

"Thank you," He said, before brushing past Merlin and walking into the infirmary.

...

The first thing you registered was you were in a bed.

And that someone was holding your hand.

You slowly opened your eyes to see a man with dark hair holding your hand. "...And do you remember the time we tried to build our own raft? We forgot to build paddles and we were drifting in the lake for two hours before someone noticed."

Your heart sped up as you realized who it was. He laughed. "You were so mad you didn't speak to me for three days!" You smiled weakly as you remembered. "I missed you during those days, Y/N. I tried everything to get you to talk to me. I even—"

"You even tried to bake me a pie," You finished, laughing softly as Gwaine's eyes widened. "I remember. You were so bad at baking."

"You're awake!" He exclaimed, squeezing your hand tightly. "I was so worried you wouldn't wake up." You tried to sit up.

"How long have I been asleep?" You managed to grind out as you clenched your teeth in pain. Gwaine carefully eased you back onto your pillows.

"Take it easy. You've been asleep for only a few hours," He carefully tucked the covers around you. His fingers ghosted over the wound on your side. "What happened, Y/N?" He asked softly. You looked away and sighed.

"I went on a ride, and I was stupid enough to go by myself. I was ambushed by bandits and I just knew it would be too much for our village healer to handle. I came here, even though it wasn't the closest town. I don't know why, all I thought was 'I have to get to Camelot.' I just knew I'd be safe if I came here."

Gwaine had one hand wrapped tightly around yours, and the other was gently cupping the back of your head. Without a word, he sat on your bed and pulled you into a tight embrace.

"I'm so glad you're safe, and that you came here." He kissed the side of your head, and your face heated up. "And I'll look after you until you recover. It'll be just like when we were kids. You and me against the world." You smiled into his shoulder.

"I'd like that," You told him, as your smile widened.