Arthur wiped his face as Elyan shook that damn purple dress in front of him. How was that garment with Guinevere's possession in Ealdor? It's a love slave's garment. Why did Guinevere have it? Did she wear it, and for whom? She haunts my dreams. I hear her voice as she proclaims that she never stopped loving me. I pushed her away. She did nothing to deserve her fate.

"Find her, and bring her home to Camelot," Arthur ordered quietly.

"Sire, the knights seek Morgana. We will be spread too thin."

Coldly, Arthur stared a random noble. "I want her returned to me. Nothing will stop my quest for Guinevere's return. Do you have a problem with that?"

Merlin eyed Arthur with caution. His words reminded Merlin of Uther. Arthur's love for Gwen and his guilt over her banishment haunted Arthur.

Merlin stepped forward. "We'll find her again."

8888

Gwen bounced a fussy Aurora in her arms as she paced around her chamber. Her life had changed so dramatically over the last 27 months. Gwen smiled when a sigh burst from Aurora's' rosebud lips. Her daughter had a tantrum during lunch. She was fretful for the last few hours. Gwen knew that she wanted children. She never realized that babies steal your heart away. Her daughter meant everything to her. Sighing, she slipped her baby into her cradle. Her heavy satin gowns rustled around her feet as she rushed over to her window to stare down at the King. Perhaps, he would allow her to leave her chamber. He forbade her to leave until he returned from dealing with bandits in the woods. Sometimes, a dark passion in his eyes frightened her. Tonight, she had to go to his bed. He left her no choice.

After everything, Gwen realized that she should not complain over her fate. He was rather kind and accepting. She had to accept his terms to protect her daughter. Gwen's head turned when she heard Aurora whimpering in her sleep. Rushing over, Gwen scooped Aurora into her waiting arms.

"Hush, my little one. Mama is here," she whispered. She pressed her lips to Aurora's forehead.

Gwen's brown eyes looked as a great ball of blue light surrounded her.

"No," she screamed as she held her baby tighter in her arms.

8888

Arthur rushed over to Gwen's limp body when she appeared in his council room. Tenderly, he turned her over. He wasn't expecting a pair of tiny eyes, identical to Gwen's to stare at him with such anger. The child howled as her little arms touched Gwen's sleeping body. Arthur was relieved to see Gwen's chest rising and dropping.

"No," the child screamed loudly when Arthur reached for her. His eyes widened when she screamed for her "Mama."

Elyan decided to take charge of the situation. The baby kicked her little legs until Elyan stopped approaching. She placed a small hand on Gwen's sleeping body.

"Mine… Mama… no! Stop! You… go… bad…!"

Gauis thought he was 30 years back in time. Gwen's daughter scrunched her face just like Arthur when he had a tantrum as a baby. She used the same shrill tone as Arthur. Gauis was amazed that Gwen's daughter had so many Pendragon traits.

Arthur and Elyan were dumfounded as the child screamed and wailed as tears dropped from her sad brown eyes. Merlin stood watching in a daze as her little red lips twisted into Arthur's pout. Anger deep in her chocolate brown eyes as tears rushed down her face.

Percy carefully ambled over to the baby. His large arms lifted her until she rested her head on his muscular body. Aurora waved goodbye to Arthur and Elyan before she stuck her thumb into her mouth. His hand rubbed her back soothingly as his whispered words into her ears. Her crying subsided as she fell asleep in Percy's arms.

A smile formed on Gawain's handsome face. "Arthur, do you need to tell us something?"

Arthur shrugged. "I don't know."

"She has your pout. I waited for her to call Merlin an idiot."

"I don't know," Arthur sputtered. "How?"

"I can show you with a few wenches and ale," Gawain offered.

Percy eyed Gwaine with disgust. "We need a cradle, toys, and blankets. They will need clothing."

The other males in the room started at each other. "Then, what?"

"Gwen wakes up."

8888

A deep pain hammered in Gwen's head as she struggled to open her eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't have the strength to handle Morgana's madness. Gwen breathed deeply when she heard Aurora's snoring close by.

The baby is okay. That's all that matters. I'll find a way to escape. I'll keep my baby safe.

Gwen's eyes fluttered open as she sat up. Her eyes looked around in horror.

Why am I here? In this room, I never wanted to return to this place.

Gwen forced her eyes to search the room for him. She found him gazing out of his window staring down at his city. His muscles rippled under a fine white linen tunic. An arm placed over his head as he pondered his life. Gwen knew that she was trapped. She couldn't grab her baby, and race from his chamber. His knights, guards, and loyal subjects would intercepted her.

I'll just pretend to be asleep. I'll wait until night fall to leave Camelot. How did I get here? Did…no…please no.

Arthur listened to her soft movements. He knew that she was planning an escape to flee with his child. Is she mine? He made mistakes. She had no right to keep his child from him. Guinevere had to answer several questions after he gathered his emotions in check. He had so many questions about her appearance. She wore a deep green satin ladies' gown.

Arthur had missed Guinevere terribly. His heart stopped when he spotted a ring on her finger.

She's married. Where is her husband? Is he the father of her child, or is the child mine?

88888

King Melwas leaned back in his throne. His pink lips curved in a deep frown. He almost had her. He would reclaim Guinevere, and she would stay by his side. Every night, he would sink into her thighs until he grew tire of her little body.

"Find her," he yelled frantically. "Don't harm her in any way. She belongs to me. I will dole out her punishment. Find out who took her from me!"

Godric nodded as he knelt before his king. Gwen , what has happened to you ? What about Aurora? I fear for your lives.

888

"Arthur, "Gwen whispered from his bed. She prayed that Arthur hadn't had any interaction with her baby.

She didn't want to talk with him. She didn't want to sleep on his bed. She wanted out of Camelot. She wanted to flee with Aurora. She never had planned to return to this demented, twisted evil place.

Annoyance flashed in Gwen when he ignored her voice. She wasn't that girl blinded by her love for Arthur Pendragon. Gwen climbed off of his bed. She walked over to an old antique cradle. She prayed to the heavens that her child would not awakened until they were safely in her old home. Aurora slept with on her right side with her hands tucked dark curly head. Gwen lifted her daughter from the cradle. Silently, Gwen wrapped a blanket around her daughter's sleeping body. Ignoring Arthur, Gwen walked carefully to his chamber door.

"What are you doing?"

Gwen pressed Aurora's face into her shoulder.

"I'm leaving your chamber, Arthur Pendragon. I plan to return to my home for a few days. Or should I call for Elyan? He's the only family that my child has after you kill me upon the pain of death."

Arthur closed his eyes at Gwen's biting words.

"I've rescinded the order. You were innocent... Morgana enchanted you. I restored Lancelot's honor. Your banishment is lifted."

Months ago, Gwen would have raced into his arms, and whispered words of love into his ear.

"Thank you. I guess… it doesn't matter."

Arthur expected anger, and Gwen to withdraw from him. He didn't expect icy disdain or emotionless brown eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"You always are," Gwen retorted. Gwen placed a hand on Arthur's door handle.

His handsome face twisted in uncertainty. "Where do you think that you are going?"

"I'm going to my home to salvage a few things. Then, I 'm leaving with my child as I said before."

Arthur bit the inside of his cheek. She thinks that she can just walk away with my daughter. Just leave without any explanation over everything. I need answers.

"Is she my child?"

Gwen shrugged. "I'm married. No…I'm widowed. It's safe to assume that my husband is her legal father.."

"Our night in Ealdor…"

"Was a mistake by you own admission. My husband loved and adored Aurora. He's her legal father."

Aurora whimpered in her mother's arms. Her deep brown eyes mirrored her mother's thoughts. Aurora bellowed a loud scream as she demanded her afternoon meal. Aurora was such a tiny baby for 18 months old. Arthur walked across the room to catch another glimpse of Gwen's daughter. Aurora screamed whenever Arthur approached her mother. Gwen swung her baby out of Arthur's sight.

"Could you leave? I need to feed my daughter. Can you send soft foods to your chamber?"

"Why do I have to leave?"

Gwen rolled her eyes at Arthur. "I need to expose my bosom. We're not married. She still nurses when she's upset."

"We were lovers."

"Just once."

"Guinevere…"

Aurora started crying earnestly. She rubbed her hands across her head in dismay. Gwen felt uneasy as her daughter's anger grew.

"Arthur, I need to feed her."

Arthur nodded in defeat. "This isn't over."

"Yes, it is."

"Her lunch will arrive shortly."

"Thank you."

Arthur caught Gwen's gaze. "I'm coming back."

"Don't rush. I'm leaving in a few days."

Arthur decided against pressing the issue with Gwen for now.

"What's her name?"

"Not Pendragon."

Arthur grinned at Gwen's response. "Please."

"Aurora, she was born as day broke."

Arthur didn't understand why regret echoed in his mind. "Until later."

"Later than sooner."

888

"She's different, almost bitter, "Arthur remarked as he sat on his throne surrounded by his closest knights, Merlin, and Gauis. "I fear that she hates me."

The silence of the room bothered Arthur. Everyone acknowledged that Gwen had a several reasons to hate him, hate all of them. Elyan stepped forward. He missed his sister. He wanted to speak with her about her time from Camelot.. He had so many questions since her disappearance.

"What of the child?"

"She was married," Arthur spat. "He fathered her child; she claimed quickly, too quickly."

Elyan closed his eyes briefly. He didn't want to know. He had to ask. "Did you lay with her?"

Arthur rubbed his head. "Yes, we made love in Ealdor. She was untouched. …I said hateful things to her before we reclaimed Camelot. She left, and she never looked back.

"Where's her husband?"

"Dead."

Leon ever the voice of reason. "Arthur , you could be the father of her child. You can't let her leave with your daughter; Morgana is out there. It's not safe. Consult Geoffrey. There must be a law."

Arthur clapped his hands together. "What a brilliant thought, Leon."

Merlin didn't understand what was wrong with them. They took away Gwen's will by forcing her to return to Camelot. She made a life elsewhere. They expected her to join back in their good fun.

"Arthur… please doesn't."

A coldness entered Arthur's blue eyes. "Guinevere was born to be my queen. I'll be dammed before she struts out of Camelot with a child that could be mine, Merlin.'

"Give her a few days, let her think."

"No."

"You're going to push her away.'

She's already away. I don't have her."

Merlin clamped his lips shut. "I'm going to speak with her."

8888

"Hello Merlin," Gwen whispered with joy in her eyes.

Merlin's mouth dropped as his eyes lingered over his much longed for friend.

"Gwen, where did you…"

"It's a long story."

"I have time, and so much to share with you"

"I have time until Aurora is hungry and demands my attention. She's sleeping again."

"You have a daughter.""

Gwen smiled lovingly. "I have a beautiful perfect child, Merlin

"Is she Arthur's daughter?"

Gwen's face clouded with anger. "Does it matter?"

Merlin grabbed Gwen and hugged her tightly. He knew something terrifying occurred when she shivered in his warm embrace. The smell of lavender comforted him.

"It's good to have you back."

Gwen nodded.

"Arthur was hap-"

"I'm not staying. ."

Merlin spun on his heel. "He's worried about you."

"I'm not staying in Camelot. I'm be gone after we rest."

"You can't keep Arthur from his child."

"Aurora is not his baby," Gwen shouted. "She's mine and mine only. I'm all that she has!"

"Arthur's not the father?"

Gwen shut her eyes. "Arthur doesn't understand the concept of fatherhood. Aurora was born within a marriage. Arthur is not her father in any way that matter in our world. She was born within a marriage," Gwen insisted. "My husband loved her so."

Merlin didn't want to upset Gwen. He backed away from his unspoken questions. He didn't force her to explain her comment that Arthur is not her father in any way that matters. Gwen spoke in riddles.

"Where's your husband?"

Tears spilt from Gwen's eyes. " He was older. He died in battle. I'm tired."

"Okay."

Merlin couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at a sleeping Gwen in Arthur's chamber with a baby. A baby girl with faint dark brown curls , Gwen's eyes and golden skin. Gwen never lied; Aurora threw a fit that could rival Arthur on a bad day. He didn't know that Arthur and Gwen were lovers. Gwen might have been married, but Arthur fathered her child. Merlin could feel it in his bones. By law, her child might belong to her late husband. Arthur would not ignore an opportunity to claim his child and Gwen. She had to know this. How did it start? Gwen was banished for months. Arthur appeared to be happy to see her in Ealdor. Something happened between Arthur and Gwen before they reclaimed Camelot. An icy un uncomfortableness was established between Arthur and Gwen. Then, she just disappeared from camp. They couldn't find her after the battle.

Arthur feared that she was hurt. He had the knight scoured the campsite, her house, and she was gone. Gwen had vanished into thin air. Things grew darker in Camelot after they found Gwen's enchanted bracelet in an abandoned cell. Arthur's hate for Morgana doubled when he realized that he lost Gwen over an enchantment. He increased knights and guards searching for Morgana. He wanted her dead for her crimes against Camelot. Merlin revealed his magic to Arthur, and Arthur accepted Merlin's plight. He claimed that he lost too many people that he cared for. Merlin knew that he meant Gwen.

They searched for Gwen. She couldn't be found. Merlin realized that she didn't want to be found. Gwen didn't want to resume her life in Camelot. Merlin wasn't shocked by her actions. Camelot was a source of pain for Gwen.

A few hours ago, Gwen appeared with dismay etched across her sleeping face as she cradled a squirming baby in her arms after he cast a locating spell. Merlin didn't ask her about her fancy dress and pearl adorned hair. Her clothing indicated that Gwen was very taken care of during her absence. Merlin wanted to know by whom. Then, it wasn't his concern. Someone took care of her.

888

Merlin argued with Arthur until Gwen and Aurora were allowed to move into their own chamber. Gwen insisted that she be close to Merlin's apartment. Elyan's face was crestfallen when she proclaimed that she had nothing to say to Elyan or any of the knights. She wanted them to stay away her and her child.

Merlin watched Aurora toddling around in her new home. She offered Merlin sloppy wet smile to reveal a mouthful of perfect little teeth. Carefully, she walked over and placed a hand on Merlin's knee. "Rora," she said happily. She kissed his hand.

"Her name is Aurora," Gwen beamed happily.

Merlin pulled Aurora into his lap. "Tell me what happened to you." Merlin was surprised that his skin tingled where she kissed him.

Gwen sighed. "I left Camelot. I traveled for a while. I meet Ambrose, and he was a wonderful soul. He took care of me. I gave birth to Aurora. We were summoned to the King's castle. King Melwas ordered Ambrose into battle. He came back dead. Then, he made his move… he said that he was Aurora' s guardian. He insisted that I share his bed. It worked out for me. Somehow, I was transport the very night that he insisted that I go to him. Now, I'm free, and I can leave with the baby. I can have a life, freedom again.

"She pouts like Arthur. " Merlin didn't mention that Gwen left out that she fell in love with her husband. She didn't speak of her marriage. She talked in circles.

" All babies have tantrums. Does she need Arthur's legacy? Does she need Morgana for an aunt. She needs Uther as her grandfather?

"It's complicated.

"I'll be gone soon… we can't change the past.

"We can try to fix it."

"It can't be fixed."

"What of King Melwas… he will look for you."

Gwen shrugged. "Perhaps, I seem to have trouble with kings."

Merlin laughed. "Yes, you do."

888

Gwen held Arthur tightly in her arms as guilt devoured her soul. His large hands caressed her back as she savored the feeling of having him back in her arms. Gwen froze when his lips brushed along the soft skin of her neck. Heat flared in her body as he pressed tender kisses upon her flesh.

"Arthur, we can't," Gwen whispered breathlessly as ignored feelings flared to the surface. Arthur drew his face from Gwen's neck.

His large hands cupped her trembling face. He stared into her eyes with blazing passion and love.

"I've lost everything. I need you…"

Gwen lowered her eyes. "I have never…"

"I know… I need you, Gwen, "Arthur pleaded.

Gwen kissed Arthur's mouth gently as he rolled her under him. His fingers traced her trembling face. "You're so beautiful, Guinevere.

"Your injuries…"

"I need you… I need to be close with you."

Gwen closed her eyes as she allowed Arthur to pull her top over her head. Cool night air touched her warm flesh. Arthur quickly removed the rest of her clothing until she laid naked before his hungry blue eyes. Silently, Arthur dropped his pants to the ground. His large hands traveled across her warm soft body.

Gwen's stared into his eyes, looking for forgiveness and love.

"You're so beautiful. Just like I imagined."

Arthur's flicked his thumb across Gwen's brown nipple causing her to grasp in pleasure. His other hand caressed the flat plane of her stomach. Gwen squirmed under his touch as new sensations flooded her mind.

"Arthur…"

"It's okay. Lose yourself in the emotion."

Gwen cradled Arthur's blonde head as he drew her nipple into his mouth, sucking fiercely as Gwen moaned in pleasure. Her eyes closed as desire darted around her body. Sweat dampened her skin as his hands roamed over her as she shook with delight. His thumb caressed her other nipple as Gwen's soft moans filled the cramped space. Gwen pushed her head into a pillow as pleasure over took her. Gwen's eyes opened quickly when Arthur drew his mouth from her nipple. He slowly moved down her body. Gwen shut her legs tightly .

"Trust me ," he whispered as he kissed her thigh softly.

Arthur parted her thighs. He drew his fingers along her wet center as she whimpered in pleasure . Groaning, Gwen squirmed under his touch; gently, Arthur inserted a finger into her wet cavern.

" Don't be afraid."

Her hands clutched the sheets as Arthur's fingers moved rhythmically inside of Gwen. She screamed in pleasure as she lost control of her body.

Gwen looked down at Arthur with passion drenched eyes as Arthur lowered his head to her moist center.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh."

Arthur's tongue swiped over her as white hot lights exploded in Gwen's mind. Trembling, Gwen pulled on Arthur's silky hair. Gwen quaked as Arthur pushed her to the brink of ecstasy.

Arthur waited until Gwen's body jerked under his touch.

Arthur couldn't control his emotions . He wanted Guinevere for so very long. He feared that he would never see her again. He needed to feel close to her.

Gwen opened her arms to Arthur when he lowered himself across her hot body. He kissed her passionately as their mouths collided. His tongue searched her mouth, seeking her very essence. Arthur finally released the passion that he held in check for so long.

Arthur slowly entered Gwen with tender strokes as he kissed her neck. Gwen whimpered in pain.

"Arthur… it hurts."

"I know… it stops."

His hips set a slow place as he carefully explored the depth of her body. He couldn't believe how wonderful Guinevere felt around him. He paused when he could feel her maidenhead. He slowly withdrew and plunged deeper in her body. He pulled her legs around his waist.

"I'm sorry for the pain."

He pushed until her virtue broken under his hard thrust. He covered her lips with his mouth to muffle her scream. Gwen breathed quickly as her body struggled to accept him.

Arthur kissed her neck; caressing her thighs as Gwen shivered in discomfort.

He brushed her damp hair from her face as her breathing returned to normal. Gwen dug her fingers into Arthur's shoulder. Arthur thrust slowly into her until Gwen matched his pace. Carefully, he built his rhythm until he moved rapidly inside of her. Her body clutching his length.

"You feel so good, Guinevere," Arthur grunted.

"Arthur," Gwen moaned breathlessly.

Their mouths locked as Arthur pushed them to completion. Gwen didn't understand what was happening as her body shook and tightened under Arthur.

She screamed loudly as she lost herself in pleasure. Arthur grunted loudly as he moved harder and deeper into Gwen's body. His eye closed when he released himself deep into her womb. Carefully, Arthur lowered himself to Gwen's body. He rolled them unto his back.

"I love you, Guinevere."

"I love you too, Arthur."

He stroked her hair as they drifted to sleep.

Gwen set up in bed as the memory of that night invaded her dreams.

"I have to leave here. Before, he uncovers the truth about Aurora. "

A/n: For my new friend… Alexindigo…she wanted more Arwen smexy times.