'Yes Merlin?' Arthur asked throwing an arched eyebrow and a look of disdain in the direction of his manservant.

'Sire?' he said, his eyes briefly flitting up from the boots and shoe polish in his hands.

'You want to ask me something' Arthur stated, arms folded as he stood over Merlin, 'or have you just the sudden urge to imitate a goldfish?'

'No'

'So?'

'So what?'

'What is it Merlin?'

'Well, you see, I was wondering if I could possibly have some time off'

'Why?' Arthur asked sceptically.

'There's this wedding back in Ealdor. The girl getting married is a friend of mine, we were at school together, and well, she asked my mother to pass on an invite and it's only just got here. The ceremony is in two days time so I would have to leave tomorrow at dawn in order to get there-'

'Are you asking if you can go?' Arthur interrupted him.

'Yes'

'Fine'

'Fine? I can go?' Merlin asked wide eyed and incredulous.

'Sure' Arthur grinned at Merlin's expression, 'I'm sure I can look after myself for a few days. Call it my thank you for your solidarity during the whole Dragon fiasco.' Besides he thought, it would give him the

chance to attend to a matter which had been largely neglected in the wake of the destruction wrought by the Dragon's attack.

'Thanks Arthur' Merlin beamed from ear to ear, 'I'll just go and let Gaius know that I'll be leaving'

'Oh before I forget, please pass on my best wishes to your mother as well as the bride and groom.'

'Will do' Merlin said casting aside the Prince's boots.

He was by the door before Arthur said, 'Merlin, you are taking someone with you aren't you?'

'Of course, why do you ask?'

'Well you should probably tell them you've got permission'

'Oh yeah, I probably should' he grinned goofily, 'thanks Arthur'

***

He rose early in anticipation of the day ahead. He dressed quickly and was at her door before most of the royal household had begun to stir. He took a calming breath before he raised a hand to the weathered wood.

No answer.

He knocked again.

Again no answer.

Perhaps she had already set off for work. In the chaos of the Dragon's attack many people had been lost, including the local blacksmith. Gwen had put herself forward to fill the position temporarily as with

Morgana's disappearance she had lost her mistress as well as her close friend. Arthur would have searched desperately for a new position for her, had he not seen with his own eyes how much she loved her

work, and had not heard first hand of the new blacksmith's immense skill. The search for a permanent blacksmith evaporated and Gwen had been asked- to her great surprise and pleasure- to remain in the

post. If she was not at home, then she would be at the forge getting ahead on her latest order. Or that was at least what Arthur hoped.

The doors were chained shut, no candlelight brightened the dark interior of the workshop. He knocked regardless, knowing there would be no answer, but hoping just the same.

Silence reigned.

Panic. It was the only sensation he could feel in that moment.

He returned to castle to search for her, to ask her former peers if they had any knowledge of her whereabouts, but each one answered the same, that they were, 'very sorry sire, but no' and all wore the same

expression of polite surprise and curiosity. He supposed it must seem a very strange thing to them for a intensely harried Crown Prince of Camelot to be darting up and down the hallways, pouncing on every

passing servant to interrogate them about the Lady Morgana's old handmaiden. Very strange indeed they thought.

He was just about to return to her home in order to question her neighbours, yes he admitted to himself, he was getting desperate. But before he could turn tail he was caught off guard by the emergence of

Gaius from a deeply shadowed alcove.

'I have been informed, sire, that you have been harassing the servants for Guinevere's whereabouts'

'I would say harassing is a little strong-'

'Oh really, what would you call it?' the old physician scrutinised the young Prince's face intently.

Feeling like an ant under a magnifying glass, he gulped and replied 'asking questions' albeit a little lamely.

'Very well my lord' Gaius said inclining his head, 'though I wonder that you needed to ask'

'I'm sorry?' Arthur's head snapped up to attention.

'Didn't Merlin tell you he was going to that wedding in Ealdor?'

'Yes, but what's that got to do with...' realisation dawned on his face.

'Are you telling me that Merlin took Guinevere as his date?' he said practically spitting out the last word.

'You didn't know?' with Arthur's face turning scarlet and his splutterings totally incoherent he mutter, 'I would guess not' half to himself.

'Sire it is nothing to worry about. They are friends only, that kiss is well and truly in the past.'

Arthur nearly exploding, but seeking to avoid causing the ancient physician a heart attack he took a deep breath and said, as calmly as he could, 'what?'

'I see you were not aware that I know about the situation between yourself and Guinevere. Well you can be rest assured that I will not utter a word to anyone and if it any consolation, I thoroughly approve.'

'I meant the kiss' Arthur said with deathly calm.

'I'm sorry?'

'What kiss?' Arthur said struggling to keep his voice neutral, suppressed anger causing it to tremor slightly.

'So you didn't know?' Gaius offered, apologetic and rather apprehensive.

'Obviously not' the Prince replied woodenly before turning on his heel and heading swiftly back down the corridor.