Gwen never really liked watching executions, she couldn't even bear to watch someone get whipped. Lady Morgana had been feeling a little unwell today, more so than usual. She told Gwen to fetch Gaius. The silent "you can go the long way to avoid the square" was much appreciated. Upon reaching the court physician's quarters, Gwen found the old man picking through his equipment and herbs. She told him of the issue and even assisted him in finding the ingredients and putting them together. She would take up any task to avoid thinking of the execution happening outside. She was the first, and really only one to hear the door to the main room open and close, and to hear the voice of a man. Seeing how absorbed Gaius is in the mixing the ingredients perfectly, Gwen took it upon herself to see what the person needs and if they require medical help immediately or can wait till tomorrow when they can make an appointment. She opened the door, ready to see a man probably dramatically holding some part of his body like he were about to bleed to death when he clearly isn't, or maybe someone who just needs something to help them sleep or something for nausea after witnessing the execution. She was not expecting a lean black dire wolf. A talking lean black dire wolf. She freezes at the sight, not sure whether to faint or scream, but she's not one of those ladies so she just stares at it – at him her mind corrects. His head looks like it might reach up to her chest if he were to stand up straight, which he does when he sees her. He freezes too, staring at her with surprise first… then fear. She already knows perfectly why.
"He doesn't want anyone to know he can talk."
She is about to say something. It might be something reassuring but she doesn't know and she doesn't get to find out because Gaius walks in. He startles at the sight of Merlin.
"Merlin! Haven't seen you in a while."
The old physician looks expectantly at Merlin who remains frozen with his eyes glued to Gwen's. Gaius looks between the two, confusion escalating before he comes to a conclusion.
"Ah. Gwen my dear, there is no need to be afraid. He might look like scary, but I assure you, Merlin here is a nice dire wolf," he says cheerfully putting a reassuring hand on Gwen's shoulder.
Gwen turns her head towards Gaius but her eyes remain locked with Merlin's.
"H-he…" it takes her a second to find her voice. "He… can… talk."
She doesn't pose it as a question. As much as she would like to believe that this Merlin didn't talk, she knows what she saw. What she heard.
Gaius freezes and his lips twitch. He looks at Merlin and opens his mouth to try to explain, not even denying the claim, but all that comes out is a choked 'ah'.
Merlin takes a step back and bumps into the side of the work bench, not enough to disturb any of the brewing liquids or really anything, but it still startles him and seems help Gwen fully regain her composure… somewhat.
"I saw him. I saw him talking," she says, finally looking at Gaius who is in turn looking for a possible scapegoat. "And… there's no one else here."
Merlin is looking everywhere as Gwen continues to ramble.
"You obviously know him, where did he learn to speak. L-like a man! I mean… the only way a dire wolf… any animal could possibly talk would be…"
She freezes and looks to the black dire wolf again.
"Would be because of magic."
"Gwen," comes Gaius's soothing voice. "I need you to calm down. Can't have anyone hearing about this."
Gaius… Sweet and loyal Gaius, is telling her to commit treason by keeping a magical being hidden, or at least that he has a magical gift a secret. She works for Lady Morgana! Lady Morgana will find out one way or another… but she doesn't like killing people – or animals – simply because they know magic, so maybe if she does find out it will be all right. Either way, Gwen doesn't feel all too bothered by what Gaius is asking her to do. She can't stand watching a person being killed, she won't stand to watch this skinny creature – she will see that he gets a good dinner – killed as well.
"Was he cursed?" she asks in a quieter voice, realizing that her voice earlier could have easily alerted any nearby guards, which thankfully, there are no thundering footsteps approaching.
"No, I was not."
Gwen turns to the dire wolf, to Merlin. He had just spoke again, seeming to have given up on any plan to play it off. He looks her in the eyes, more confident but still looking a little fearful.
"Of what I might do now that I know."
Merlin takes a tentative step forward. Gwen doesn't retreat, she's not afraid of him, just startled… by the fact that he can talk.
"Then… w-where…" finding no words, she gestures to her own mouth.
"He has magic of his own. Might be the only dire wolf that can practice sorcery," Gaius supplies as he walks over to the table where Merlin set down the envelope he was carrying, slightly wet with saliva.
"I was born with it."
Gwen is once again left speechless. She stands there, as does Merlin who is looking everywhere but at Gwen.
"I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid," she hears herself suddenly saying while outstretching her hand, before realizing that she is in fact offering to shake a dire wolf's hand…or paw rather.
Before she can pull her hand away though, Merlin steps forward and presses the side of his muzzle into Gwen's outstretched hand.
"Merlin," he responds.
He hesitantly pulls his head away. Gwen feels slightly embarrassed because she wants to keep petting him. Admittedly, Merlin's fur is softer than she thought it would be.
The atmosphere once again becomes awkward, until Gaius emerges through the door from which the two have both came through earlier, even though Gwen doesn't remember him going back in there. In his hand, he holds a small vile filled with green liquid and suddenly, Gwen remembers why she is here in the first place.
"Well, seeing as that you two are getting along," he says approaching Merlin to singlehandedly remove his fitted satchel, until Gwen steps forward to help. "Perhaps Merlin, you be so kind as to accompany Gwen to Lady Morgana's chambers."
The other two look at him with confused looks. The satchel is removed and Gaius sets the small vile down on the table, setting the satchel down next to it. He starts removing the books and blankets and setting them elsewhere on the table as he explains.
"Merlin will be assisting me with my practice and since some of my patients already know what I ask of them to do with their medicine, I can send him to simply deliver their medication, or whatever it is that they need."
He pulls what looks like a smaller satchel with multiple small pouches within it, something that carries small things. He starts to turn around when his shirt sleeve knocks the vile off the table. Gwen lets out a surprise gasp, but only because it fell off the table. She is still, obviously, startled when instead of hitting the ground, it stops midair. Gaius grabs it where it floats and puts it in a more secure spot on the table.
"Ah, thank you Merlin."
Right. Born with magic, seems helpful.
With the vile in a safer spot, Gaius turns around again and goes about attaching the smaller satchel that actually has two openings filled with pouches on either side of Merlin's body, all the while continuing to explain his earlier offer.
"I have spoken to the King about it, and he has allowed to let Merlin deliver medicine to himself, Lady Morgana and to prince Arthur."
"Impressive," Gwen responds.
"But apparently in addition to that," Merlin says, looking mildly uncomfortable with people talking over him and about him, and attaching something to him at the same time. "I have to prove myself as a… guard dog."
"… Seems reasonable."
"Yes, if I was just a plain old dire wolf that is."
"Right."
Being around the royal family all the while pretending not to have magic and having to keep himself from actively speaking to them, because they will kill him if they find out. At least the King would. Morgana, as stated before, could easily keep it a secret, and prince Arthur… Gwen doesn't really know about the prince. He likes to make his father proud, but he doesn't like executions.
"Then I will assist with keeping… this… a secret."
"That is treason," Merlin warns with a look of concern.
"It'll be fine," she insists. "Perhaps in time, we can convince even one of them that you're not bad… You know. If they ever find out."
"Thomas James Collins might say otherwise," he responds.
Gwen flinches at the name. She knows who he's talking about.
"Sorry…" he looks down, his tail lowering in shame.
While Merlin and Gwen stand awkwardly, Gaius finishes securing the satchel and reaches onto the table to retrieve the vile. He places it in one of the small pouches on the right side of the satchel and secures the little button cap to keep it from falling out. Once that is done, he stands up straight and smiles gleefully at the two of them, before his face contorts in confusion.
"Hang on a minute. You're not supposed to be here till Wednesday," he prompts while looking at Merlin.
Merlin and Gwen share a look before facing Gaius again.
"It is Wednesday," they say in union.
Gaius processes that information for a bit before realization takes over, along with a bashful open mouth smile.
"Ah… Well," he clears his throat, slightly embarrassed. "Gwen, perhaps you can… give him a tour. Introduce him to the staff."
"Sure," she smiles, already walking towards the door. "We'll stop by Lady Morgana's chambers first."
"Fine by me," says Merlin, following Gwen to the door.
"Oh, and one more thing," Gaius says. "He is to meet with the King tomorrow at the upcoming celebration. You will need to include the banquet hall in your tour."
"Of course, thank you for everything Gaius."
"You're welcome my dear."
Gwen opens the door, stepping out into the hall then standing out of the way to let Merlin through.
"Merlin," Gaius calls, capturing both Gwen's and the wolf in question's attention. "Keep quiet."
Merlin merely nods, already in character, Gaius smiles at the two of them. The door closes and Gwen starts the walk to the Lady's chambers. Taking the long way of course. She feels confident in herself, she can keep this secret. Besides, what are the chances she'll run into – not literally – the king or the prince before they are scheduled to meet Merlin?