CHAPTER 2

GWEN POV

I lay down by the fire with the only blanket I brought, I had to leave things at home for Elyan, I couldn't take everything that I wanted. I can always get more when I get settled in a new village. Memories of all of the good times I had with Elyan and Sir Leon when I was little, all of the times I spent with Merlin and Gaius, that's when all the memories of Arthur come in. All the stolen kisses, secret glances, comments and rendezvous. That's when the pain comes of everything else and now the argument that got me banished from Camelot. I feel tears slip out and I wipe them away, I don't know why I did what I did but the answers lie in Camelot and I can't go back there anymore. I will miss Elyan, Merlin and Gaius but most of all I will miss Arthur. I will miss loving him, having him kiss me, being held in his arms. I will miss it all and worst of all he banished me without a second thought not even investigating as why I kissed Lancelot. I don't even know why but I guess this proves that Arthur doesn't have enough faith in me. The only thing I'm grateful for is that he isn't like Uther because if he was then I would've died because when Uther was king the penalty for treason was death without a second thought just like what he did to my father.

I feel myself starting to drift off when I hear a twig snap and footsteps coming closer. I jump up sword in hand. I always had a few around the house in case something happened. I hold it in front of me waiting for someone to emerge, it better not be anyone from Camelot. I don't want to see anyone, not until I feel emotionally ready. "Well, well, well what do we have here?" That voice is all too familiar. Out from the trees emerges her. "Morgana," I hiss and I'm also surprised. "Why are you out here all alone Gwen, surely your precious Arthur wouldn't leave you alone? How is my dear brother, did you break his heart yet?" A smile appears on her pale face and I'm very confused. "Why I'm here is none of your concern Morgana, what do you want? If it's nothing than be on your way, I don't have time for you." I try to keep my tone from being too harsh but it's hard for it not to be. Morgana was my friend, she was like a sister and then she turned on Camelot. "Just passing through Gwen dear, I'm meeting someone and I saw you. Have fun Guinevere." There was almost a look of concern in her eye but it quickly vanishes and I watch her walk away into the darkness. "Goodnight Morgana." I whisper.

I lie back down and close my eyes, I think of the last pure, precious moment I had with Arthur and I fall into a deep but not sound sleep.

ARTHUR POV

As soon as the first cracks of light shine through my window I jump out of bed and get dressed. This is probably the fastest I've ever done anything with or without Merlin's help. I put my belt around my waist and I slip my jacket over my cotton shirt just as Merlin walks in with 4 bags. "What are those for?" I point to them. "Food and water for Gwen, Elyan, you and myself. We don't know how long we're going to be travelling or what condition Gwen will be in when if we find her,…" I cut him off right there. "Not IF Merlin, WHEN we find her. Now I don't want any magic used unless absolutely necessary. Is that clear?" I firmly look at Merlin if I looked any harder I might make my eyes pop out of my head. "Understood Sire, Elyan is in the courtyard waiting our arrival"

As the three of us mount our horses I can't help feel nervous. What if something's happened to her, what if she doesn't forgive me, what if she doesn't come home? All of these things are rushing through my head.

"Arthur," I snap out of my daze at the sound of my name and I look at Elyan. "Yes?" I reply to him steadying my horse. "Don't worry about Gwen, she'll come home. She always does." He gives me a reassuring look but I don't think that'll be enough to bring Guinevere home.

As we usher out horses to go as fast as they can I feel as though they aren't going fast enough, no amount of time is short enough for me to see Guinevere again. Hope could I have been so blind to what was right in front of me. Guinevere was the most loyal and kind hearted person in Camelot, she knew how to put people in their place when need (me especially) and she knew how to make them feel better and give them hope when it was needed. "How far do you reckon she would've gotten?" I ask. "She left early yesterday morning Arthur, she could've travelled in the night for all we know. She could be far away by now?" Merlin says.

We haven't been gone for that long but judging by what Merlin said and all the stuff that Guinevere took with her she couldn't have gone far. "Can anyone else smell smoke?" Elyan asks and we come to a halt. It's a few seconds before anyone actually says anything. "It's coming from that direction," Merlin points. "Are you sure Merlin?" I don't want to be wasting my time.

As we ride further the smoky smell becomes stronger. That's when I see her, standing there with her back to us and sword in hand. We dismount from our horses and she turns around. "Guinevere," I look at her so gently I worry she will shatter into a million tiny pieces. "Elyan," she cries and out, rushing over to her brother and engulfing him in her arms. "Merlin," she hugs him also but when it comes to me she backs away. "Guinevere, please let me explain." I beg her. "No, you broke my heart Arthur Pendragon and you didn't give a second thought about any of it." She cries, the look of betrayal filling her eyes. "Guinevere please…" I go to walk towards her but she holds up her sword and stops me.

GWEN POV

When I see Arthur my heart breaks. Has he come here to gloat, to make me feel worse about myself, for kissing Lancelot? But then I see Elyan and Merlin, I love them both so much but why are they here? "Guinevere," when Arthur says my name as softly as he did it kills me inside he seems to have come here meaning no harm but I can't let him get to me. I complete ignore him going straight to hug my brother and Merlin.

I back away from Arthur and he speaks. "Guinevere, please let me explain." He requests. "No, you broke my heart Arthur Pendragon and you didn't give a second thought about any of it." I cry, I fight back the tears from entering my eyes. "Guinevere please…" I pick up my sword at point it at him so that he stops. "No Arthur, now Merlin, Elyan why are you here?" I look at them. "We're here to bring you home." Elyan tells me. "Why, why? I can't come home, I've been banished." I look at Arthur with daggers. "Gwen, please Gaius and I can explain everything but you need to come home." Merlin pleads to me. Merlin is like my other brother and I find it hard to say no. "Ok," I lower my sword from Arthur's direction and put it back in my cart. "I'll come home. But that doesn't mean things will just go back to normal. Elyan do you still have the two beds in the house?" I ask him. "Never changed it." He smiles. "How are we going to get this home?" I point to the cart. "I believe I can help with that." Merlin snaps his fingers and within instants all the things required for the cart to be attached to the horse appears. "How did you," I can't even find the words to get it out and Elyan looks just as shocked as I, Arthur on the other hand doesn't even seem surprised. "That's another thing I will explain back in Camelot." Merlin gives me a warm smile. "Then let's go home. Elyan can I ride with you?" I ask him before Arthur can even offer. "Yes."

The ride home was quiet, no one dare spoke a word. I can see Arthur glancing at me out of the sides on my eyes but I don't return the look. I love Arthur with all my heart but I need all of this resolved before I even think of being with him again. I don't know why I kissed Lancelot and if Merlin and Gaius have the answers than I'm more than willing to listen.

Morgana's words still ring in my head as we approach Camelot. Why did she ask if I broke Arthur's heart yet? How could possibly know? I keep my suspicions to myself as we approach my home. "Welcome home Gwen," Elyan says, my brother turns around and gives me a loving look.

Merlin and Arthur headed back to the castle, I declined their help with unpacking. I just wanted to be with my brother. "So have you been enjoying knight hood?" I ask him setting some of my belongings on the table. "It's good. Gwaine and I spend a bit of time together training, although Leon's there to make sure it doesn't get out of control." He explains to me. "It sounds like you're enjoying it."

By the time we got everything back inside both Elyan and I were starving so I fix us some food. "Gwen?" "Yes Elyan," I set the food I was currently holding back onto my plate. "I know that Arthur hurt you but do you think you could ever forgive him?" I knew this question was going to arise at some point. "I don't know. I don't even know why I did what I did, but I'm meeting Merlin soon so he should explain everything. I just wanted Arthur to have faith in me and clearly I was wrong because he didn't even investigate. I do love him those feelings for him will never go away but I'm not going to be with him until I know that he isn't going to break me again."

I just hope I'm that strong not to fall so easily for his charms and love all over again.