Chapter Text
Gwaine was talking with another tavern-goer when he saw a familiar red-head walk in. As the man sat down at the end of the bar, Gwaine dropped a pouch on the table.
“Keep the change,” he said, forcing a grin. He couldn’t stay in that bar, not with him there.
Gwaine made sure his stuff was secure and, hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword, rushed out of the bar. He went straight home. There was no way the man could get into the palace. Right? It’s high-security, how would he get in?
Gwaine shook his head, tears threatening to fall. He went straight for the most relaxing thing- training. He went through his drills. He hated drills, because Leon gave them to him and he hated Leon’s boring drills, but no one else was there for him to spar with so he went through them anyways. He forgot about the man after a while.
The next day, Gwaine sat in the round table meeting room, feet on the table as the six of them talked, Merlin chiming in every once in a while as unofficial guidance, filling everyone’s drinks. Suddenly, a squire entered.
Everyone looked up. Arthur raised his brow as the young squire.
“Can we help you?” The squire looked nervous.
“M-my apologies for interrupting, My Lord, but there’s a man who’d like to speak with the six of you privately..”
Arthur nodded. “I suppose we can humor him. Send him in.”
The man walked in. Gwaine froze mid-sip. He immediately covered his emotions though.
“King Arthur, knights of the round table, I believe I have information that you would like.”
“Your name, sir?” Leon prompted.
The man nodded, “My name is Acacius.”
“Acacius. It is a pleasure to meet you. What is it you wish to share?” Arthur said. He didn’t like the man, he got a bad feeling, but he forced himself to seem pleasant.
Acacius opened his mouth to speak, then spotted Merlin filling Percival’s glass and gritted his teeth, his expression hardening.
“Forgive my brashness, my Lord, but must the servant be present? This is rather confidential information and I’m certain that the less people know the better. It is simply… all up to interpretation, and your judgement is all that matters, but I fear a servant may spread.. rumours on the matter.”
Nobody was happy. Arthur’s patience was waning quickly. Gwaine’s empty hand rested upon a dagger, and Elyan and Percival both had their hands clenched. Lancelot’s hand was on his sword immediately, and Leon was not far behind to grab his own.
Arthur raised a hand to calm them. “My manservant has my complete trust. He will stay.”
Acacius looked unhappy at that, but did not argue.
“I bring a matter of the utmost importance. I of course mean no disrespect by my words, I simply wish to bring your attention to something I sincerely believe to be true. I have evidence in my room at the Inn if you wish for it.”
Arthur nodded. “Go on, then.”
Acacius grinned, “Thank you, my Lord. I have unfortunately found that a knight, one of the ones in the room in fact, has betrayed you, my Lord.”
Everyone froze. It was no secret Arthur had been betrayed many a time by people he trusted. But one of them? A knight of the round table? It just felt impossible. Leon’s expression hardened further, and no one else looked a bit happier.
“One of the men in this room, you say?” Arthur ventured, his tone warning Acacius to tread lightly, “Why do you believe this to be true?”
“My sister is a messenger. She saw one of her letters was addressed to ‘My Lady in Black’ and feared it sinister. She opened it and learned the letter was to the Lady Morgana. She intercepted several letters, and eventually found one written by Morgana herself, to her ‘faithful servant’.” The men, though still unhappy with Acacius’s accusations, were intrigued.
“And this so-called faithful servant is here in this room?” Elyan asked, his voice nothing if not angry.
Acacius nodded solemnly, “Unfortunately, Sergeant Elyan, I fear it to be true. The letters I have from the knight might be compared to paperwork for handwriting, but I believe Sir Gwaine to be the traitor.” Everyone looked to an utterly shocked Gwaine. By all means, he should have seen this coming. Gwaine’s expression hardened instantly.
“I don’t know what you think you’re doing, Acacius,” he growled, his voice angrier than the table had seen it before. Lancelot’s hand rested on Gwaine’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Without evidence, I’m afraid we’ve no reason to believe you, good sir,” Lancelot spoke calmly. Acacius nodded.
“Of course, my lords. I will bring the letters tomorrow at noon.” Acacius promptly left, and Gwaine spat out a string of swears and insults. Lancelot squeezed his shoulder.
“Gwaine, you know we don’t believe it, right?” Gwaine grit his teeth.
“Nor does he. He just wants to ruin my life.”
Elyan looked at the others, all of whom shrugged- not even Merlin seemed to know. “What? You know him, then?”
Gwaine nodded. “We met when I was a rogue.”
Lancelot leaned forward, “What did he do?” He asked hesitantly, not sure he wanted to hear the answer. But also he had to make sure he didn’t need to punch someone.
Gwaine winced, “A lot. He’s just… a shitty guy.”
They all exchanged looks. That didn’t sound good.
“Gwaine,” Percival pressed, “What did he do?”
Gwaine sighed, “He’s my ex. He was sorta manipulative. And I was on my own, so no one was there to pull me out.”
Their expressions hardened. Leon growled, “Did he hurt you?”
“Sometimes…” Gwaine admitted, “I’ve still got a few scars…” he hated this, he didn’t like admitting to this stuff. But he also knew that if he didn’t, they wouldn’t know what they were dealing with, and they would end up pushing until he told them. It was nice to get it off his chest anyways. Plus, he trusted them, and he knew they’d keep Acacius away from him.
All of them tensed, their expressions filled with rage. Arthur had a panicked realisation.
“Gwaine. Please tell me he didn’t… force himself upon you… please.”
Gwaine froze. He looked to the floor, unable to answer without crying, and not wanting to cry before them all.
All of them knew what that meant.
“Gwaine..” Percival whispered with horror. Leon placed a gentle hand on Gwaine’s shoulder and squeezed it.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Gwaine. We won’t let him near you again, I promise.” Gwaine nodded, appreciating his words. He trusted them, they’d do everything to keep Acacius away, and if they somehow failed, if Acacius got anywhere near him, all he had to do was find them or make them find him and Acacius would be as good as dead. Or at least he’d be arrested.
Arthur nodded, “He won’t make it through the palace gates before he is arrested when he comes by tomorrow, I assure you. You will never have to worry of his presence again.”
The next day at noon, Acacius came to the palace in order to show the letters as his proof, but rather he found himself arrested on sight. He was thrown into the dungeons, and after his trial, to death. Sure, it was unorthodox. Death was usually never given for such a crime, but Arthur was livid with the man for harming Gwaine, because Gwaine was a great person and Arthur didn’t understand how anyone could hurt him so easily.
Even if he hadn’t said it, Arthur could tell Gwaine feared Acacius, and you had to be horrid to make Gwaine visibly afraid of you. He may have been scared of Morgana, Arthur wasn’t sure, but that was the point. He wasn’t sure Gwaine was scared of Morgana- but he was certain Gwaine was terrified of Acacius.
And Arthur, unable to see Gwaine so afraid, sentenced the man to death. He had to put an end to it, to let Gwaine’s fears rest. He feared even prison for life in his highest security jail wouldn’t rest Gwaine’s anxieties. Because Gwaine would overthink, and he’d fear what Acacius would do should he get out. Because Acacius would have wanted revenge. And Arthur couldn’t let that be a possibility.