Gwen lightly placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder. It wasn't a secret. Anyone who really knew Merlin would have figured out he'd head home once he was banished from Camelot. When Merlin left- it was like there was this big hole in the castle. It wasn't the same. Not for her. Not for Morgana. And especially not for Arthur.

"Merlin... Merlin, you have to come back to Camelot." She would never asked this lightly of him.

Uther would have his head, for more the one reason, but most importantly... for Merlin being a sorcerer. Or rather a Warlock as Gaius had told her. She was shocked, but in a way not surprised. He's always been there, and the strangest things just seemed to happen around him. Gwen wasn't scared. If anything, she had been scared for him. Scared of what might happen to Merlin once the other had exposed his secret in front of Uther of all people.

Merlin was sentenced to death.

But then Arthur happened.

And Merlin was banished instead of being executed, Gwen had assumptions, and it was obvious to her eyes that Arthur already knew about Merlins magic. But she supposed it was only natural, Merlin was Arthur's mate, his Alpha. The prince wouldn't allow anything to happen to him, not if he could help it.

Banishment was the best he could do.

Once Merlin left-

... Things just got worse.

Uther tried to arrange a marriage for Arthur not even a week after, how the prince had been able to wiggle out of it was anyone's guess. Needless to say, there was so much tension in the castle. Some would say that Arthur hated his father, with how he acted, the coldness, and distance he placed between them. Morgana tried her best to be the peacekeeper between the two, but it was starting to be a strain on her.

And now- the only person who could help Arthur in his situation, was Merlin.

The Warlock's smile slowly left his lips, replaced by a scowl, "Gwen, you know I can't, Uther-"

"Arthur needs you Merlin."

This dark look crossed his face, fists clenching for a moment, and there was such anger. Such hurt. She couldn't really blame him. Arthur's words could cut deep, but she also knew the other motive for why the prince had pushed Merlin away. There were two sides to the story, after all.

"He doesn't need me," he uttered, "He didn't want me..."

Merlin knew he was being harsh. The blond had exploded on him down at the dungeons, told him how much of an idiot he was, exposing his magic in front of his father. Arthur's words... his words were harsh, brutal, and painful. A part of him understood why Arthur was angry, why he was placing a distance between them. It still hurt.

Gwen resisted the urge to rub her face in frustration. Both of them were so stubborn.

"I know you're angry, and it's understandable. But Arthur did what he thought was right, you know how he gets. He pushed you away so you'd be safe- you two are just as stubborn as the other. You would have found a way to stay in Camelot if Arthur hadn't been harsh."

She was defending the prince, but she understood why Merlin was upset. But right now, there wasn't any time to waste. None.

"After you left Camelot Arthur hasn't been the same," she bit her lower lip. "Uther thought it would be good to hold a trouney, things got out of hand, Arthur hadn't been feeling well, and what happened- what he did was to protect himself. And Merlin you have to listen to me." She didn't have much time. For all she knew Arthur could be... she didn't want to finish that thought.

He was reluctant at first, face turned away, eyes shut as he took a few deep breaths. As much as he tried, Merlin wanted to know, he wanted to know what was happening; what was going on with Arthur. Slowly he turned his attention back to Gwen, nodding his head a little, indicating for her to continue. His friend looked tired, worn, and desperate. There was fear also... something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

"Gwen..." he tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. "Gwen what is it?"

"Something happened during the last match, and Arthur... "

She shook her head. Details can come later, right now what mattered was Arthur.

"Merlin, Uther's ordered his execution."

His blood ran cold, "Wha- what? Why!?"

Gwen reached for his hands, squeezing them tightly.

"There's something else you need to know, Arthur would tell you himself if he could, but that's not possible, and you deserve to know."

Oh gods, what more could there be? Merlin's mind was still swirling around in circles from hear the news. How could Uther order his own son's execution? Why would he? Uther was many things, but Merlin firmly believe the man loved his son. What happened?!

"What? What is it?" He tried to not sound harsh, or desperate. But he was.

Lips pursed, a small intake of breath. "Merlin... Arthur...Arthur is-"

Merlin's world turned upside down.