Gwen watched Merlin attempting to balance dusty books, a bag, and a handful of clothing on her doorstep. Merlin stumbled into her small house as Gwen quickly closed the door against a strong cold gust of wind.
"Did anyone see you," Gwen inquired.
"No, the royals eat still eating. How did you get out of dinner?"
"I told Queen Igraine about you sharing my house. She gave me the night off."
"Did he hear you?"
"No, he was engaged with his knights discussing battle plans.
"King Arthur will make me life miserable when he learns that we share a house."
"He doesn't own me."
"He wants too."
"Only because I say no to him."
"One day, he will wear you down."
"Don't bet on it. Let's get you settled in."
Gwen worried deeply about Merlin after Gaius' unexpected death. Gaius' heart stopped one night. Merlin found him sleeping with a peaceful expression. Poor Merlin didn't realize his uncle was dead and until he wouldn't response to his pleas to awaken. Merlin had his hands wrapped around Gaius icy wrists as he begged for Gaius to wake up. Merlin's cries broke Gwen's heart on that awful day at the castle. Gwen knew the desolation that Merlin felt over losing Gaius. Her parents had died two years ago in a horrible sickness that ravaged Camelot during the winter's months. Whispers ran rampant in the town as they claimed the sickness was a punishment upon Camelot for the treachery committed by the Pendragon family. King Uther desperately wanted to conquer Albion. His use of magic terrified the residents of Albion. His son, Prince Arthur was invincible in battle as he lead Camelot's knights under his father's name . King Uther had died during the plague two years ago along with her parents .The kings of Albion had hoped that Arthur would cease his domination plans after Uther's death. Arthur became determined to unite the lands of under Pendragon rule. Arthur consulted magical beings across the land in search of Emrys, the mighty wise sorcerer. According to a prophesy, Emrys would give King Arthur the ability to united the land using Emrys' guidance and magic. Hopefully, Emrys would never be found.
Gwen sat in a rocky chair as Merlin threw his clothes into a worn wardrobe.
"I'm finished, Gwen," Merlin sang happily.
Gwen's eyes searched her small house as she assessed how much junk Merlin owned. Gwen had begged King Arthur for extra time to empty Gaius and Merlin's apartment. Arthur had sat on his throne clad in black leather pants as his hypnotic eyes watched her plead for her friend. Arthur had agreed to allow Merlin to stay in the apartment for a kiss. Arthur leapt out his throne like a forest lion and circled her in the council room as they stood alone one late winter's morning. A soft husky voice questioned Gwen about her refusal to acknowledge their mutual attraction. Arthur mentioned how he caught her staring at him during feasts. Quickly, Gwen denied any attraction for the alluring King. Arthur admitted a small laugh. He made a simple offer to Gwen. One small kiss to allow Merlin to stay in his home for an additional month. Arthur had been so close to her; his breath hot on her neck. His lips moving against her ear. For Merlin, Gwen tried to convince herself was the reason that she agreed to Arthur's proposition.
Gwen had hoped Arthur would press his lips on hers and claim his payment. Arthur's fingers quickly pulled her curls from a tight bun at the base of her head. His fingers had traced her cheekbones as his other hand rested on the small of her back and pulled her into his hard chest. Arthur placed a gentle kiss on either side of her mouth as Gwen shook. Later, Gwen convinced herself that she had shook in fear. Arthur softly pressed his firm lips as against her trembling ones. His fingers stroked her face as he applied pressure to her mouth. A small moan left Gwen as Arthur took advantage and slipped his tongue into her warm mouth. Gwen's eyes opened in shock as Arthur deepened their kiss. Gwen's hands rose to rest on Arthur's shoulders as her breath began ragged. Arthur withdrew suddenly. She remember his sensual smile as he whispered," That's a first kiss." Gwen remembered muttering, "That she had kissed other men." Arthur gave a quick laugh as he threw, "Liar" at her. His words floated in her head. "No man or boy is brave enough to touch or court you. You're mine." Gwen quickly ran from the room as Arthur smiled like a hunter that finally caught his prey. I did it for Merlin; Gwen told herself whenever she remembered the feel of his mouth or the fire in her stomach.
"Gwen, are you listening to me?
Merlin plucked a pear from the bowl on the table as Gwen attempted to focus on the present. "Of course, I'm listening to you."
Merlin arched an eyebrow like Gaius. "What did I just say?"
"What's for dinner?"
"I asked you to accompany to castle to gather more of my things."
"Oh, it sounded like what's for dinner."
Merlin shrugged. "Well, what is for dinner?
Merlin ached as he realized that Gaius was truly gone. He was alone in the world except for Gwen. His best friend, Gwen. His partner in crime. Gwen and Merlin only had each other as family. His mother died when he was ten. His father was unknown and he could stay that way. Gaius's books were stuffed in a cabinet at Gwen's house along with his little trinkets. The apartment was so clean and airy; Merlin couldn't believe that the room was so big. Merlin had spent the last ten years of his life living with Gaius. During the last five, Merlin served as Gaius's assistant tending to the knights. Arthur met Merlin on his first day on the job. Merlin had accidently given Arthur the wrong ointment. The rub had turn Arthur's arm green for a week. Arthur had gone after the younger boy until Gwen stood in front of Merlin. Arthur finally noticed Gwen as young lady with her eyes flashing fire towards him. Previously, Arthur had viewed Gwen as his mother's maid. Arthur became intrigued by Gwen's glowing eyes, soft curls, and quick tongue. She was the only person in the castle that had ever yelled at Arthur.
Merlin learned to avoid Arthur, if he was injured. He preferred Leon over any of the knights including the charming Lancelot. Leon had kind eyes full of patience. Leon never yelled or swatted at Merlin if his bandage was too tight or the ointment stung. Merlin hoped he could please his new employer when he arrived in seven days.
Merlin knew Gwen stood reliving the memories haunting this room. Kindly Gaius mending their wounds or soothing tired hurt souls. However, they would survived the loss of Gaius; they had too. Merlin took a basket of blankets and clothing from Gwen. Her small frame struggled to hold the odd shape basket.
"Gwen, tomorrow can we go through Gaius' trunk?"
Gwen surveyed gigantic brown trunk in a lonely corner. Gwen could spell her name in the dust on the crusty lid. "Tomorrow, Merlin, after I give Queen Igraine her dinner. My feet will carry me swiftly here. What will you do?
"Avoid Arthur, Lancelot, and Morgana."
Gwen sighed in agreement at the mention of the terrible trio. Gwen grabbed a pair of muddy brown boots as she walked towards the door. "Good things will come our way."
"We're going to leave Camelot."
"No, nothing that wonderful could happened to us."
Merlin laughed as he slammed the door shut.
Arthur stood in the shadows of the council room as he watched Merlin drop a basket of laundry on the castle stone steps. Gwen smiled gently at her bumbling idiot as she quickly gathered the lost items. Arthur realized Guinevere never smiles at him or gazes at him gently. Merlin threw a pair of socks at Gwen as she laughed in astonishment. Carelessly, they chased each other through the courtyard laughing loudly as the townspeople shook their heads. A charming pair, Arthur thought.
"He's just a friend, "Leon explained. "For the last ten years, they have been best friend, sire. She loves Merlin like a brother.
Arthur nodded at Leon's logical explanation. His words didn't soothe Arthur's jealous toward Merlin or stop his desire for Guinevere. Morgana slapped Arthur on the back of his flaxen hair. Her beautiful face twisted in annoyance.
"Arthur, you're the king of Camelot. You conquered Mercia at twenty. Right now, you have almost defeated Alined. A servant girl has twisted your emotions. You're her king. Make her come to your royal bed. Put an end to this madness. Save us from your frustration." Lancelot gave a nod of his handsome head in agreement.
"Arthur," Leon began, "she's practically a child. Both of them have only twenty years. Leave her alone. Leave Merlin alone."
"Do you wish to tumble her?" Morgana asked crossly.
"No, her mother was my nursemaid. Gwen was my playmate for a number of years. She was a sister to me. I promised my father that I would look at her well being."
Arthur waved a gloved hand to silence his knights. Arthur gave Morgana and Lancelot a hard look. "I will not force her. It would cause my mother distress. Besides, I want her to acknowledge that she wants me as much as I want her. Leon, she's not your playmate or sister. Stay out of it." Leon clenched his jaw as he looked away from Arthur. "Guinevere will come to me."
"Let's hope before Merlin makes a move on her, "Lancelot laughed.
"Quiet," Arthur yelled. "How about something important? Have you located Emrys, yet? Let's focus our attention on the needs of Camelot, not a servant girl and a foolish physician assistant!" Arthur gave Gwen one last gaze before he stormed out of the room.