Author's Note: I know you all have been missing the regular updates on the long stories, and the short stories, so I've written something to fill the time. Only one writer, but I hope it is enjoyable. ~Ashlyn
The room was dark, silent and the only light came from a soft fire burning cozily in the fireplace. A young man tossed and turned in his bed, with a fevered brow plastering his blonde hair to it with a sweat.
A light groan was uttered, and it lit the attention of a girl who had fallen asleep in an armchair by the window. She stood, pausing to stretch her arms, before coming to stand beside him.
"Arthur." Gwen whispered. "You must get well. Your people need you, Arthur." Her fingers reached across the bed, and found comfort in his large hands. "I love you. I always did. Didn't you see?" Her eyebrows pinched slightly, as she sat up on the bed, smoothing the blankets around him.
"Gwen?" Arthur opened his eyes, and sat up in bed. A light, summer breeze poured through and open window and he found he was alone. A pang of loneliness shot through his heart. She could really be...gone? But as he came to stand, waiting for Merlin to place his armour over his shoulders, he remembered the bitter, and the painful. He had banished her. Guinevere was gone.
It hurt more than he could imagine, and what hurt the most was that he couldn't understand why he'd done it. Flurries of emotions and storms of hurt had controlled him in those bare empty days that had lead to the banishment.
"Your lordship?" Merlin's voice interrupted his thoughts, handing the King a clean shirt and tunic. "Plans for the day?" The servant's voice was chipper. So bright in fact it could have outshone the sun. How did the boy do it?
"Merlin. What did I do wrong?" Arthur asked suddenly.
"This is about Gwen?" Merlin replied, his eyebrows shooting upon high into his face, soon hidden by a mop of curly black hair.
"Are you really a complete idiot, Merlin?" He groaned, placing his arms in the vest. Then he sobered, a deep sigh pouring from his lungs as he buckled a sword around his waist to prepare for that day's training. "I made a mistake. I look for her in a room, and then she's not there. Finally I'll remember why. That's what hurts the most."