The Road to Albion
By late afternoon the view of the swirling towers of Gawant's castle were visible. By now everyone was relieved that the day's riding was over at last. As she watched the tower's become nearer and nearer Gwen, took a deep breath. In truth ever since she realised she was on her first official engagement as Queen of Camelot her stomach had been in knots. She suddenly felt self-conscious that she was riding on a horse, wondering if the court of Gawant would look down on such things. Arthur had given her the choice, but she'd chosen to ride, as she didn't often get the chance. But now she felt a bit grubby, and she wondered how the other Queens would make their entrances. As if sensing her unease, Arthur smiled at her.
"Just be yourself, you will bowl them over." He smiled.
She returned his smile, suddenly feeling more confident. "With you by my side I'll be fine."
"Anyway I imagine they will be too busy gawping at Merlin here. Wondering how such a dollophead can end up being a warlock!" Arthur said with a grin at his side kick.
"Or maybe they will be wondering how this warlock has managed to put up with you, all this time!" Merlin replied smiling at Gwen.
"Or how the rest of us have been able to put up with the pair of you." Laughed Gwaine.
Once the laughter had died down, Arthur spoke seriously to everyone. Making sure everyone listened.
"Joking aside, this could be a really important step forward for the future of the five Kingdoms." Arthur said, looking at all of them. "After the year we have had, it is a chance to start afresh, and build for the future. I would like everyone to know I have total faith in you all. We go together from this day forward." He ended by looking especially at both Gwen and Merlin.
Merlin smiled, "Thank you, and we all have total faith in you too." Everyone murmured with agreement.
Arthur led the way into Gawant Castle. A servant arrived from nowhere to escort the party into the courtyard. Arthur helped Gwen down from her horse, and looked around for Lord Godwyn and Elena. Suddenly Lord Godwyn limped over to greet them.
"I'm so glad you managed to make it, sire." He said with a bow.
"The pleasure is mine, this is one wedding I was never going to miss. Can I present my wife Queen Guinevere."
Lord Godwyn took her hand. "What a pleasure it is to have you here, been looking forward to meeting you." He smiled.
"I'm really pleased to be here thank you. I hope Elena is well."
"She is roundabout, there are so many people to greet, this day has gone very quickly."
"I'm sure we will come across her." Gwen smiled.
"Now may I present to you my Court Sorcerer Merlin Lord Godwyn." Arthur said, pointing towards the warlock. Merlin had been quite happy to stay in the shadows while Gwen was being introduced. He swallowed wondering what sort of welcome he would get from Uther's old friend. Lord Godwyn looked him in the eye before his face broke into a big genuine smile.
"Merlin the pleasure is mine. When we heard that Morgana had attacked Camelot we feared for you all. But it seemed that this young man played an important part in stopping her."
Merlin shook his head, smiling attempting to play down his part in proceedings but, before he got the chance to speak, Arthur cut in before him.
"We owe Merlin everything. Without him none of us would be here, he will deny it obviously, but the rest of us know the truth." The whole party nodded in agreement.
Merlin blushed looking at the ground, before shaking Lord Godwyn's hand.
"If I may Merlin I would like to have a talk sometime over the next couple of day." He requested.
Merlin nodded, "Of course Lord Godwyn, I will make sure I find time to do that."
Lord Godwyn smiled, then turned back to Arthur.
"Now I have detained you all long enough. I will get my servant Tobi to take you to your rooms, so that you may have a rest before dinner tonight."
"That will be appreciated, thank you Lord Godwyn." Arthur smiled.
The party followed Tobi, they'd been gone a few yards when Arthur realised that Merlin was not with them. Where has he gone he thought? He turned to see Merlin starting to pick up some bags.
"Merlin, what are you doing?" Arthur asked.
"I'm just bringing the bags." Merlin exclaimed as if Arthur had just asked an obvious question.
Arthur walked back to him and whispered.
"Remember the conversation we had only hours ago about you not doing certain things anymore, when you are away in an official capacity?" Arthur asked
"Ah!" Merlin said clasping his hand to his head, suddenly feeling stupid.
Watching the spectacle, Lord Godwyn grinned and said.
"Old habits die hard, Merlin?"
Merlin laughed, "Yes indeed. It never seems right having someone else do it." He explained.
"Arthur is right though. You are a man of distinction now, an important member of the royal court. I will have my own servants bring your bags up."
Merlin groaned inwardly, but smiled appreciatively at Lord Godwyn, "Thank you for that."
He followed Arthur over to where Gwen and the Knights where patiently waiting.
"This is going to be harder than I thought." Merlin thought to himself.
Arthur and Gwen had a room in the east wing overlooking the beautiful gardens. Gwen relaxed the moment they were together, she went over to the window, and let out a sigh.
"Oh Arthur come over here and look at these beautiful gardens."
Arthur bounded over a smile on his face, enjoying sharing in the excitement of his wife.
Holding her hand, "You did really well there Guinevere, I am sure they will all be charmed by you. You are a natural." Smiling they kissed.
"This is a beautiful room Arthur, I'd heard rumours about this castle but I never thought it would be this spectacular."
"Lord Godwyn's ancestors are some of the richest in any of the Five Kingdoms. Not only richest, but it's also said their tastes were extravagant in everything. " Arthur looked around, agreeing with Gwen that everything they had so far seen, was on a stunning scale.
"Now I suggest you have a little rest before getting changed for dinner. I need to go through some papers with Merlin, ahead of the meeting tomorrow."
"Arthur, will you ever give poor Merlin a rest? He must be exhausted." Gwen said.
"Exhausted, Merlin!" her husband exclaimed. "Believe me I'll be saving him from himself. I still can't believe he attempted to bring the bags up himself. After every thing I said to him. I'm worried about what else he will try and do."
"It must be a big change for him though Arthur. He's been a servant for a big part of his life. It wasn't easy for me either, some times you do things without thinking."
"I know Guinevere, I'm as much checking up on him, as I'm working. Like you said, it must be a big change for him." Her husband agreed.
Gwen smiled at him. "You see you have a spot spot for him really!" she teased.
"Don't you dare say that to him, Guinevere I'll never hear the last of it."
"Be nice to him then." Gwen smiled "and don't be too long." She smiled under her eye lid at him. For a second Arthur cursed that he said he was going to see Merlin, but then he remembered that he really did have to work on part of his speech for tomorrow.
"I will be back later." He bowed extravagantly at her and left the room. Gwen laughed and after stifling a yawn she did as Arthur suggested and lay down, on the beautiful bed within seconds she was fast asleep.
Arthur knocked on Merlin's door and waited for his friend to answer. No noise he knocked again, suddenly becoming self conscious standing outside the room. What is that idiot doing he thought, why isn't he answering. Getting tiered of waiting he decided to barge in, as he entered the room, his friend jumped out of his skin.
"Arthur I did-"
"What were you doing I knocked about three times, there was no answer."
"Sorry I was trying a magical experiment." Merlin explained suddenly realising he was only half-dressed. Embarrassed he threw his top on, though not before getting muddled, and putting it on back to front."
"I'm not even going to ask you what sort of magic trick requires you to be half undressed Merlin!" Arthur said, with a slightly dirty laugh.
"Oh no," Merlin assured him "it's nothing like that!"
"Like what?" Arthur laughed enjoying the war lock's discomfort.
"What are you doing here anyway? I would of thought you would use this opportunity to be with your wife."
"A very charming idea Merlin, except for the fact that we have not finished off tomorrow's speech."
"Ah the speech, I'd forgotten that." Merlin admitted. "although I do recall a conversation were you said that you would now write your own speeches."
Arthur looked at Merlin for a long moment before replying. "Merlin I don't know where you get all this nonsense from, when would I ever compose my own speech, when I know you will do it instead." He smiled, handing the quill to Merlin.
"Obviously it must have been in one of my dreams then." Merlin said sardonically.
Arthur nodded, "I should say so. Remember to make me sound statesmanlike Merlin, I don't want any of that frilly nonsense you put in my speech to the Councillors."
"I thought that speech went down very well actually."
"You put in that I liked nothing better than peforming jigs and skipping!"
"I was just trying to bring the human side of you out." Merlin smiled.
"You made me sound like a big girl's blouse Merlin." Arthur said. Seeing the look on Merlin's face he said, "don't even say it."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Merlin grinned getting down to some writing.
"The only good thing it did was to teach me to always read first what you'd written, before reading it out." Arthur mused, exploring the room with interest.
"Well I would think that most great statesman do that anyway." Merlin grinned.
Arthur glared at Merlin, and took a menacing step over to the warlock.
"I'll stop talking." Merlin grinned.
Half an hour later Merlin had finished and once Arthur had made a couple of alterations, the King looked at him closely.
"So how have you found it so far?" he asked.
Merlin paused before answering. "Very strange. I can't deny that I am use to being in the shadows and the background, now all of a sudden it's the spotlight. The world seems like a very big place." He smiled "How do you think I'm doing?"
Arthur studied him, "That's not important, I'm more concerned that you are comfortable. Tomorrow at the meeting you will obviously face a big examination, people will ask you questions. I want you to know you will have my full backing, whatever happens."
Merlin smiled gently, "Thank you, that means a lot. Well I think I have faced bigger challenges in the last few years, than what I face tomorrow. I will be honest with everyone, I believe that will be the best way for me to be."
"Absolutely I don't want any secrets between us old friend." Arthur put his hand out, Merlin gulped back tears as he met his friend's gentle stare and shook his hand.
"Right I have a beautiful wife to pick up, see you at dinner."
"I'll look forward to it."
Arthur came back to his room to find Gwen all ready. She had a beautiful blue dress on, which came off her shoulders. She wore the necklace that Arthur had bought her for her last birthday. She smiled as he came through the door.
"I hope you haven't been waiting too long." He smiled
"I knew where you were." Gwen smiled.
Arthur stood and looked at Gwen for a moment taking her all in, realising that not so long ago he had pushed away. He shuddered inwardly to think that he could of lost her for good.
"You look beautiful." He smiled kissing her cheek.
"I'm really looking forward to tonight." She smiled.
"Good with a bit of luck we may get an early night. We're both tired after all."
"Oh yes Arthur very tired." She laughed. "How is Merlin doing?"
"Who knows, it's never easy getting him to divulge things. I've made it clear we are all behind him, I'm sure he'll be okay."
"He needs a woman." Gwen smiled.
"I hope you are not match making again Guinevere. You know how severely marked he was the last time you tried it."
"He's just been alone for too long, everyone needs some one." She said hugging Arthur. "it might bring him out of himself a bit."
"I'm sure if the right woman comes along, it will happen."
"I suppose so. I just hate the thought of him being all alone all the time. He has so much to give Arthur." She said sadly.
"This is Merlin we're talking about!" Arthur teased.
Gwen hit him gently, "Arthur stop it."
"My Queen I think we need to go downstairs now. You ready. I haven't even checked on you, you are so busy worrying about others as usual."
"I'll be fine." She put her arm through his, and they slowly walked down the steps to the banqueting hall.
Throughout the evening it seemed to Arthur that Gwen was the one everybody wanted to meet. Arthur was delighted that his wife and newly crowned Queen was taking everything in her stride so naturally. As dignitary after dignitary presented themselves to Camelot's golden couple Gwen coped with each and everyone, as though she'd been doing it for years. Arthur proudly looked on as yet another man came over and began talking to his wife.
"She's taken to it very well." Arthur murmured to Merlin, who was tucking into the feast in front of him.
"Did you really think she wouldn't?" Merlin said with a smile. "I always knew she was a natural."
"Yes of course Merlin, but it is still a test of character when the spotlight is on you."" Arthur pointed out.
"She is putty in their hands." Merlin laughed. "I hope you realise what an asset you have in her Arthur."
"Of course I do, I am the luckiest man in Albion." Arthur smiled.
The King and Court Sorcerer's eyes met and they toasted the absent Queen with their glasses. As Arthur noticed yet more interested parties come over to her he decided to rescue her. He was sure by now she must be ravenous and in need of a sit down, he was also mindful that this was not his and Gwen's night and he didn't want to steal Elena's evening.
Merlin watched as Arthur quietly propelled his wife out of the latest conversation, and noticed just how right they appeared to be as they came over to the table.
"I must admit it is good to sit down." Gwen smiled, as Merlin poured her a drink.
"Nights like these are thirsty work." Merlin laughed.
"Thank you Merlin." Gwen said, taking the glass.
"What would you know Merlin? All you've done all night is stuff your face!" Arthur remarked.
"I am sure he has done plenty of this in the past though Arthur." Gwen pointed out, grinning at the warlock.
"You are not joking." Merlin grimaced. "For once I am quite happy to sit back and watch."
"It is times like this that I almost miss you as my servant. At least back then I could give you something demeaning to do, whenever you came out with one your sarcastic comments." Arthur said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh I am sure you will still find me something demeaning to do, it is one of your talents after all!" Merlin replied.
"They are off again!" Gwaine said, laughing at the spectacle of the King and Court Sorcerer bantering their way through dinner.
"The other reason I wanted you here, was to stop Merlin eating his way through the entire table, my love." Arthur said.
"Really?" Gwen asked, trying to close her ears to the boys to the side of her.
"What do you mean me stuffing my face what about you? There was a whole chicken over there before you started wolfing it down." Merlin retaliated.
As the evening went on, Gwen sat back and enjoyed the food, glad that her first official engagement had been such a success. For all their arguing Gwen more than anyone knew neither Arthur nor Merlin could do what they did, without the other. They were indeed as close as two people could be, she just felt proud that she could sit with them and share their crusade to uniting the lands of Albion. While Gwen knew it would take time, she also knew that there was nothing anyone could do to stop their journey. By the time she and Arthur were in bed that night, sleeping off the feast she considered where she'd come from, and what she'd achieved in her short life. But she also revelled in how her husband had at last stepped out of the shadow of his father, and was now making the Kingdom a fair and just place to live in. Just as she had always hoped he would all those years ago.
Her last thought before she succumbed to sleep, was for her friend Merlin. So much had changed for him and yet nothing was really that different. The same endearing qualities attracted him to her. He was the same friend to her he'd always been, the same devoted friend and companion to her husband. Yet still she sensed he hid himself in the shadows somewhat. She wondered if that would ever be different. Just as it began to trouble her, she gave in to some much needed sleep.