Deafening Silence

Instinct

Merlin stood to the side and returned the knights' smiles. After placing the weapons down, he watched as Arthur took a proper look around and saw no Sir Gwaine in sight. The King glanced at Leon.

"Where's Gwaine?" Questioned Arthur. "I thought he went with you on patrol."

"He did, Sire." Leon confirmed. "He said he'd be along shortly, he had someone to visit."

"And we all know what that involves." Chimed Elyan, earning a laugh from Percival and Leon. Gwaine had not said where he was going or who he was visiting, only that he had to before training with the 'princess' as he formerly put it. Leon, Percival and Elyan had assumed he was simply meeting with a lady friend.

"Very well, we'll see if he turns up soon." Arthur added. He then started to explain to the knights who were there the training he had in mind for that morning. All the while, Merlin stood back and watched. Whilst he couldn't hear Arthur or the knights, he was comforted by the fact that they were there. Seeing his friends filled a gap that the silence had left him. He fell into a sort of meditative state watching Arthur talk to his men.

Neither Arthur, the knights and of course Merlin noticed Gwaine's approach to the training grounds. He was coming up from the direction behind Merlin when he noticed said manservant and grinned, an idea suddenly hatching in the long-haired knights' head.

He slowed down his walk to a silent sneak in Merlin's direction, trying not to get Arthur and the knights to notice him as well, which they didn't. Gwaine was surprised that Merlin hadn't twigged he was there once he'd reached him but stuck with his idea. Placing a firm hand on Merlin's shoulder, he stood back laughing and waited for his friend's reaction. What he didn't expect was the one he got.

Merlin might as well have jumped a mile, he spun round to face whoever the hell had spooked him and thanked God he wasn't holding a mace when he realised it was only Gwaine. Merlin unintentionally let out a startled gasp that caught the attention of Arthur and the knights. All the knights saw was Merlin seemingly scared at Gwaine's arrival, which didn't surprise them. Arthur, on the other hand, quickly realised what had happened and shot Gwaine one hell of a death stare.

"Gwaine! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were there..." Spluttered Merlin truthfully.

"Yeah...that was kinda the point." Gwaine responded, looking at his friend in confusion. "I was looking for you just now, I didn't think you'd be serving the princess today." Merlin tried to read Gwaine's lips but found himself too startled to concentrate. So, he simply nodded and smiled in return, hoping that would get him off his case. Gwaine was just about to say something more when someone interjected.

Arthur was trying to control the anger he could feel inside of him. He knew Gwaine meant absolutely no harm to Merlin, he was only horse playing. But right now, Merlin didn't need to be scared by things that he couldn't hear, that was what Arthur was trying to protect him from. As much as he might have wanted to, Arthur knew he couldn't kick off in front of the knights without receiving some questioning glances in both his and Merlin's directions.

"Ah, Gwaine. Good of you to join us. I take it you're here for today's training and not to harass my manservant?" Arthur asked as calmly as he could at that moment, prompting Gwaine and Merlin to both turn and face him. Arthur could see in Merlin's face that he was trying to calm himself down and he couldn't blame him.

Once again to Merlin's surprise, Gwaine appeared next to him as he walked to join his fellow knights. He gave Merlin a smile before turning to face Arthur.

"Something like that." He responded to the King, who didn't look amused. Gwaine looked back at his friend again and cast his arm over his shoulder, using his thumb to point at Merlin.