Thanks to reviewers: ShiBurrowes , LoveMyEnemy and MegElemental - I'm glad it's not just me enjoying myself. Coz that would be quite sad.
Meg you're right, It is definitely the quiet ones you have to watch out for :) and Quite right too.
I don't own Merlin...lets all take a moment to be astounded by that fact. Alright moment over.
I'm working on another fic (possibly my last Merlin one for a while and since I said that I haven't seemed able to end it and it just keeps going....and that's quite frustrating) - something Angsty woke up in me when I begun writing from the moment Merlin tells Gwen Lancelot is gone...so yeah that depressed me a bit so I had to give it a bit of a turn around...of course the characters are taking full advantage and I'm trying to decided when it ends/when I can walk away - I don't seem to want to let go. Very annoying.
Previously on Merlin:
Finally rising and walking back to Arthur she looked at him, "He doesn't snore half as bad as you." She muttered continuing past him and out the door.
Arthur gaped and followed after her, closing the door quietly behind him.
"I think your forgetting yourself, Guinevere." He murmured, catching up and walking beside her.
Her mouth twitched, "Not at all, Sire."
"Not at all?" he asked moving to the side as a servant came down the corridor going the opposite way. "Then perhaps you forget who I am." He suggested.
She spared him a glance as they rounded a corner, "Never." She assured, sincerely.
His brow furrowed as he followed her down the steps, "No one speaks to me that way." He disputed.
Gwen turned at the bottom of the stairwell, "Then don't you think it's about time somebody did?" she challenged.
Arthur gave her a charming grin, "No."
Gwen rolled her eyes and started down the next hallway.
He caught up to her again, she sighed. "I couldn't let just anybody speak to me that way." He studied her.
Gwen flushed under his examination, "Oh?"
"Well, take Merlin for example – Any more freedom to speak as he wishes and I'm sure he'd be run out of town by the end of the day."
Gwen frowned, dodging a servant carrying an armful of armoury. "You exaggerate, Sire."
"Not at all. You wouldn't believe some of the things he says."
She gave him a cool look, "I'd much rather hear the things he doesn't say."
Arthur frowned and looked thoughtful; "He is always at the centre of things."
"As are you." Gwen reminded, turning down another hallway.
"Yeah, but I'm me." Arthur argued, keeping pace with her.
Gwen smirked and stopped at the end of the passage, "Are you going to follow me the whole way?" she asked dryly.
Arthur raised his eyebrows, "Last time I checked this was my castle."
"So you may do as you please?"
He put his hands on his hips, "That was the point I was making, yes."
Gwen sighed and started down the next staircase.
Arthur glanced around suddenly, "Wait, this doesn't lead to the courtyard."
"I know."
He sighed, "I told you to go home." He reminded.
"And I will."
He trailed after her, "This is the problem with servants talking liberties." He complained. "Where are we going?"
Gwen laughed, "We are going to tell Gauis where Merlin is so he doesn't worry."
Arthur scrunched up his face, "Guinevere, I hardly think that this is worth either of us missing our beauty sleep."
Gwen glanced back at him, "It's alright Sire you don't look like you need it."
He rolled his eyes, "Why does it seem that since I've met Merlin I never have a free moment to myself?"
Gwen stopped at Gauis' door and raised her hand to knock. "He says the same about you."
Arthur glared, "The two of you discuss me?"
Gwen didn't have a chance to answer as Gauis opened the door.
"Gwen, Arthur." Gauis greeted, looking surprised to see them. He looked at them seriously, "Is it Merlin?"
"Isn't it always Merlin." Arthur muttered.
Gwen stepped forward, "He's fine." She assured quickly.
"I don't think fine's the word for it – foolish maybe or disaster prone. Which actually isn't one word but-" Arthur continued. Gwen smiled sweetly and subtly stood on Arthur's foot, he frowned and shut up.
"He helped Morgana and I with something earlier and since he's been working so hard Arthur's given him the day off."
Arthur glared at her and she saw a little vein in his jaw jump.
"The day off?" Gauis asked, looking at Arthur in astonishment.
"Yes." Arthur said, biting his tongue "He's useless when he's tired anyway."
Gwen took over, "Unfortunately he was so tired he's sleeping it off in Morgana's chambers." She explained timidly.
"Morgana's chambers?" Gauis asked dubiously.
Arthur gently nudged Gwen to the side, "She's off riding with father."
"She really wouldn't mind-"
"That's he's sprawled on her floor." Arthur concluded. "But perhaps you could go up and collect him before she gets back – I'd hate for father to catch him."
Gwen and Arthur shared a look, yes that would be bad.
"Of course – Of course I'll get him now." Gauis assured them. "That really wouldn't do. Thank you both for warning me."
"It was Arthur's idea." Gwen smiled.
Arthur looked at her in surprise, "Think nothing of it." He said to Gauis.
Gauis pulled the door shut behind him and stepped into the hallway, Gwen moved back towards Arthur to give him room.
He looked at Arthur, "It's an honour to see what a fine young man you've grown into."
He hurried away to get Merlin, leaving Gwen and Arthur to watch him go.
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "Now, didn't that make you feel better?"
He sighed, "The day off?"
"He would have been unable to work anyway."
Arthur snorted.
"You're lucky he bought the 'working hard' part of your tale."
"Merlin does work hard and it was hardly a tale," she rolled her eyes. "Everything I said was true."
They started walking down the hall back to the staircase, "And that it was my idea?" he pressed.
Gwen pursed her lips, "Well, I'm sure it would have occurred to you…eventually. She murmured vaguely.
"Probably after father had walked in on Merlin huddled near Morgana's bed and had him strung up in the stocks."
"Probably after." Gwen smiled.
Arthur met her eyes and chuckled, "How did Merlin ever get lucky enough to have a friend like you?"
Gwen rolled her eyes.
"How did Merlin ever get lucky enough to work for a man like you?" She replied, launching herself up the stairs.
Arthur grinned, then it faltered. "Guinevere, were you joking?"
Gwen giggled and climbed faster.
Aww, now its all fluffy (I just can't seem to help myself).
I like the idea of Gwen teaching him and them ending each other's sentences.
My Gauis kind of sucked - I wasn't sure what he would say, sorry - I was very relieved when he finally ran off (Hmm...I say that like I didn't make that happen, Okay...moving on).
I also love the idea of Gwen and Arthur roaming the halls together - him following her...and she just has to accept it :) I don't think he wants to leave her side until he absolutely has to (Again I say that like they're thinking for themselves - who's been spending too much time thinking about Arwen? And yes, I believe there is such a thing).
One more chapter and this will be finished...possibly my first finished multi-chapter fic (I'll have to check) Yay me!