Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or anything Merlin related. But I wish I owned Colin Morgan. This one-shot started out as a much longer fic that I wrote during the beginning of season 2 ( when I was still hoping for/expecting Merwen along with Arwen. I abandoned it when I could no longer reconcile it with canon ( I am completely bonkers about abiding by canon in fic), but I still found this part ADORABLE and couldn't resist posting it. It has been posted as part of a longer fic elsewhere. I solemnly swear that I am the same person who wrote and posted it elsewhere.
A Friend in Need
Merlin found Gwen in her father's old blacksmith shop. She was seated on a chair in front of the lit forge, staring blankly into the flames.
" Er..., Gwen." Merlin said quietly.
Gwen turned her head and saw Merlin. She stood and faced him. As Merlin walked toward her, he saw that her dark eyes were red from crying. On pure impulse, Merlin put his arms around her and drew her into a close embrace, and she began to sob into his shoulder.
" What's wrong, Gwen?" he asked as she continued to dampen his shirt with her tears.
Gwen took her head off of Merlin's shoulder, and the two broke apart. She gazed into his eyes for a moment that seemed like an eternity before lowering her eyes and responding.
" Sometimes I come here when I feel confused or lonely. It makes me feel as though my father's still here. He always knew exactly how to solve all of my problems. Of course, I eventually remember that he's gone, and I really am alone after all.
She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her dress. Merlin untied the kerchief around his neck and handed it to Gwen, their fingers touching for a tantalizing moment as she took it. She began to use it to dab at her eyes.
" You're not alone, Gwen," Merlin whispered.
" Really, who've I got?"
" Me."
Gwen's eyes widened and a curious expression appeared on her face.
" I didn't know you cared, Merlin," she said, smiling slightly.
" Of course I do," said Merlin, staring at the floor so that she wouldn't see his flushing cheeks. He continued. " And it's not just me, there's Gaius, Morgana, Arthur..."
Merlin finally looked up and saw that Gwen's eyes had taken a dazed and dreamy kind of look.
" Yes, I suppose I have got Arthur, haven't I?"
" Speaking of Arthur, I've come with a letter from him."
Merlin handed the letter over to Gwen. Gwen broke the seal and began to read. Merlin studied her surreptitiously as she read. Her now dry eyes seemed to sparkle and she smiled radiantly. She had never before seemed so beautiful or so happy. And it was all because of Arthur. Gwen finished reading and turned her eyes back to Merlin.
" What does Arthur see in me? He could have any one of the court's fine ladies. And yet, he calls a poor servant girl his 'future queen.'"
" I suppose it's because you're kind, smart, pretty, brave, and honest. You're everything that most of those fine court ladies are not."
" Am I really all that?"
" Of course you are."
Again, Gwen got that curious expression on her face. She leaned in and kissed Merlin lightly on the cheek.
" Thank you for cheering me up, Merlin. You're so sweet to me. Anyway, tell Arthur that I will meet him tonight as he requested."
Merlin turned to leave, but Gwen called him back.
" I'll have your neck scarf laundered and returned to you tomorrow."
" No, you keep it. I have lots more."
Cursing his lack of eloquence and absently rubbing the spot where Gwen had kissed him, Merlin walked the long way back to the palace.