From her vantage point on the poop deck, Gwen watched as her crew went about their duties as the morning sun rose over them. Merlin and Percy were deep in discussion over how best to reach the Fisher King while Elena bossed the crew around. It no longer surprised Gwen that her eyes immediately drifted to where Arthur and Mordred were. He smiled at Mordred and Gwen felt her heart warm. Annoyed, she turned away. He thought she was an immoral, violent pirate and she knew he was the son of the man who cruelly murdered her father. And yet, every night she invited him to her bed, and every night for a few hours, they existed in a world that only had them. It was dangerous. She almost wanted the Pendragon navy to find them quickly and take back their prince.

"I admit, he is good looking." Merlin leaned against the railing, arms crossed and looked at her. "But of all the men, the prince of Camelot, whose father is about to launch an attack on us?"

"Have we got a plan?" Arthur and Mordred were arguing about something and Gwen tore her eyes from them.

Merlin shook his head. "I can probably get the Excalibur through the waters. Percy is an excellent navigator and with some magic, we should be alright, but after that? You know the stories they tell."

"Did you speak to Kilgarrah?"

"Yeah, but he's as vague as ever. He said something about love, courage and magic and needing all three to come together."

"I get the courage and magic but love?" Gwen sighed. "We still need to try. Supplies are running low."

"No one has succeeded before."

Gwen raised a hand. "Don't tell me to plunder a ship."

"I'm not Elena. Speaking of, she's on her way over, probably to tell you to plunder a ship. I'm going to check the charts again." Merlin patted her on the shoulder as he walked away.

A slight twinge of jealousy tugged at Gwen as Elena, on tip toe, gave Percy a kiss. The moment of tenderness on her face faded as her eyes met Gwen. Shaking her head, Gwen sighed. "No, I am not plundering a ship."

"You should have plundered the royal ship. Although, I suppose you did take the most valuable thing from the ship." There was smirk on Elena's face. "Even if we starve, you'll be satisfied in the bedroom."

Quickly, Gwen grabbed Elena's hand, dragging her to somewhere further from where the crew were working. "Elena."

"I'm all for you getting your desires sated –"

"Elena!" Gwen shouted-whispered at her grinning friend.

Elena lowered her voice. "I assume since he's been in your bed every night the last three nights, he must at least be decent."

Gwen opened her mouth, then realized she had no idea how to respond to Elena, so she closed it again.

"So," Elena bumped Gwen's hip, "Lancelot or Arthur? Who is better in bed?"

Her laughter was a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Elena!"

"Pity I don't share my partners, because Percy?" With a cheeky grin, Elena hummed in satisfaction. Raising her hand, she waved at an unsuspecting Percy who waved back. "I would have never have expected this from you, not that I disapprove." Then the twinkle in Elena's eyes faded. "Don't get emotionally involved."

Gwen scoffed. "I won't. I've learnt my lesson since Lancelot."

"You love too much, Gwen. You care too much." Elena slung an arm around her shoulders. "You care so much you can't even be a proper pirate."

"I'm sorry." With a sigh, Gwen slid down and settled on the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I know I haven't been great at this whole pirate thing."

"Someone once said, a two year track record isn't bad." Elena sat down next to Gwen.

Gwen reached over and squeezed Elena's hand. "You're a great friend, you know. You and Merlin. For sticking with me. I'm sure any decent pirate ship would love to have you."

"Captain! We're approaching!"

It was like night and day. One moment they had been sailing through calm seas, then suddenly the seas turned choppy, the wind roared against the sails which Percy was desperately directing the crew to take down and the sky turned an ominous grey.

Even Mordred couldn't hide his fear behind his usual sullenness.

"What is happening?" Mordred stopped scrubbing and stared at the sky. Next to him, Arthur stilled as well.

"It must be the Fisher King." Arthur had heard all the stories of the cursed ship. In the beginning, his own father had sent his own ships – some he'd even captained himself - to get to the treasure. None had returned successful. "You wait here."

"Why?" asked Mordred mutinously. "I want to -"

Grabbing his shoulders, Arthur forced Mordred to look at him. "Firstly, you haven't finished your work. Secondly, let me find out what is happening first. Remember what I said about proving your worth?"

Mordred rolled his eyes but repeated obediently. "I need to prove I deserve to be trusted."

"And?"

"And being an ass isn't going to achieve anything."

Arthur grinned. "Remember that." He slapped Mordred's back. "And as you contemplate my wise words, scrub that spot." Jumping up, he strode onto the main deck, the pouring rain striking him and soaking his shirt. The rain blurred his vision but he could see Percy giving directions to the riggers while Elena checked on the guns. Merlin and Gwen stood on the quarterdeck, both with identical worried expressions.

"Hey!" He waved at them. "What's going on?"

Merlin was the first to respond. "What are you doing here? You're –"

"You're really going to try and get the Fisher King's treasure, aren't you? It's a pointless trip!"

"If we wanted your opinion, captive, we would ask you," snapped Elena from behind.

Thunder roared overhead and the rain came down even harder. Arthur put an arm up over his head, useless he knew as protection against the rain, and moved closer to Gwen and Merlin.

"I think wanting to know if I'm going to die in a pointless quest is perfectly reasonable."

Elena harrumphed. "See what you've done, Gwen, giving him this much freedom. We should –"

"Elena!" Gwen took a step towards him. "Yes. We're approaching the Fisher King. If you're afraid, then you can go hide in your bunk."

He dragged a hand through his wet hair. "I could do that. Or I could tell you how I navigated through this area the last time I was here."

The shock that appeared on Gwen's face pleased him for reasons he refused to delve into.

"You've been here?"

Arthur nodded. "My father sent several ships to look for the treasure."

"I'm not sure how useful he's going to be, seeing he clearly didn't succeed before," muttered Merlin. "Look, Percy is ready at the wheel. I'm going to help him."

Gwen's eyes met his. The ship tilted suddenly, sending Arthur slamming into the side of the ship. He heard Gwen gasp, just as Merlin caught her. Percy yelled for everyone to hold on. Looking at Gwen, Arthur addressed Merlin. "I may not have gotten to the treasure but I did manage to get past this blasted storm."

"There's no way the Excalibur can navigate through such waters. Not without considerable risk. Even with Merlin's help." Percy yelled.

"There's a place we can anchor the ship, then make the rest of the way across in a boat," said Arthur, raising his voice over the roaring storm. The rain stung as it fell on him.

Percy's gaze flickered from Gwen's to Arthur's. Gwen nodded.

"Alright, come up here and tell me more." Steadying himself, Arthur slowly made his way to where Percy was, very aware of Gwen's eyes on him. Merlin followed behind.

"So what do you suggest?" Percy's hands gripped the wheel, holding it firm despite the battering wind that only seemed to get stronger. "Elena! Get the crew off the deck! Captain -"

"No!" Gwen yelled, one hand on the bulwark and the other shielding her face. "I'm not going anywhere."

The ship lurched again as a sudden wave smashed into them, and Gwen stumbled, despite the hold she had on the bulwark, her legs buckling under her as she fell. Arthur's heart jumped and he was just about to rush over to her when Merlin, halfway up the quarterdeck, turned around to get to her. His lithe body easily worked in tandem with the rolling ship, allowing him to reach Gwen quickly.

Arthur looked away, back at the stretch of dark, rough ocean.

"Reaching the rocks over there is the easy bit – relatively," said Arthur to Percy. "I assume Merlin's tricks will be of assistance?"

Percy nodded, his lips drawn into a tight line as he stared out into the dark.

"If we can maneuver the ship to beyond that cove, we can anchor it there and use the boats to get to where the Fisher King supposedly sank."

"What's the catch?" Percy shifted slightly as Merlin and Gwen joined them on the quarterdeck. The rain still poured down on them, soaking them all. Gwen's shirt clung to her, made transparent by the rain, distracting Arthur.

Percy cleared his throat. "Uh," said Arthur, trying to remember Percy's question. "Everyone knows where the Fisher King sank, and you can see parts of it from the distance, but no matter how much you paddle towards it, you never reach it. Then there are the sea creatures."

"Magic," said Merlin. "That's the only explanation."

Percy nodded again. "What do you want to do, Gwen?"

Looking at her, Arthur noticed the uncertainty in her troubled eyes. "A sensible captain would turn back," he said.

"Don't listen to him, Gwen." Merlin moved closer to her, as if trying to protect her from Arthur. Annoyance immediately rose in Arthur.

"We'll take it step by step. To the cove, then we'll assess our options." Her fingers played with her wet braid and Arthur noticed that she looked at everyone but him.

Percy nodded, then looked at Arthur. "You will help guide us?"

"I want to live, don't I?"

It wasn't easy but between Percy, Arthur and Merlin, they managed to steer the ship into the cove through the storm before noon arrived. Merlin was right about the magic. The moment they entered the cove, the weather took a sudden turn for the better.

For now, the ship was anchored and Gwen had ordered the crew to rest. Later, they would attempt to row towards the Fisher King. Arthur was right. From where she stood on the deck, she could see parts of the sunken ship. It looked like an easy journey to get from where they were anchored to the Fisher King, but Gwen was also well aware that looks could be deceiving. Her fingers flexed against the bulwark and she closed her eyes, relishing the spray of the ocean on her face. She loved the ocean but as Elena pointed out time and time again, they couldn't live on past treasures alone. And if they failed to reach the Fisher King and unearth its treasure, she might have to give up Excalibur for good. That thought alone made her heart hurt.

"It may look easy but I can tell you it's not." Arthur suddenly appeared beside her. Opening her eyes, she allowed herself a moment to soak him in. Only his damp hair suggested he'd been caught in a storm.

"What happened the times you tried?"

"The first time, we never even got this far." Arthur leaned against the ship and stared out. "It was my first outing as captain and I was keen to prove myself. So I made them sail through the storm despite advice from more experienced crew."

"And?"

"And? And four of them died." Pushing his hair off his face, Arthur grimaced. "Four people who would have lived if not for me." He sighed, slumped a little and looked up into the sky. "I had to tell their families."

Tentatively, Gwen reached out a hand and touched his shoulder, wanting to provide relief. "Sailing is always dangerous."

His hand covered hers, his thumb rubbing against the side of her hand. A wry smile graced his face as he turned to her. "I could have made it less dangerous. There was no need to find the treasure. We didn't need the riches." He cleared his throat. "The next time, I worked out this plan – that if we managed to anchor at this cove, we could row to the Fisher King. We got this far. Then it – well, it didn't go as badly as the first time – but it wasn't good."

"How bad?"

"There's magic. You can feel it in the air. And it protects the Fisher King. No matter how much you row, you never get any closer to it. And there's the sea creatures – ugly, monstrous creatures, always lurking, ready to attack if you let your guard down. Eventually, you either give up or you die of exhaustion. I wasn't about to allow more crew to die on me." He shrugged, pulling his hand and hers from this shoulder, so they stood side by side, hand in hand. "Maybe Merlin with his magic will get you closer than I ever did. I admit, I am curious to see the Fisher King."

She should pull her hand away. Standing alone on the deck with him in this manner was far too intimate. She didn't. "Thank you."

"Most captors don't thank their captives," Arthur said, pulling lightly so she moved closer to him. With his other hand, he cupped her face, tilting it up slightly. "Tell me, Captain Guinevere. Why are you so determined to get the Fisher King's treasure, despite how dangerous it is for your crew?"

His eyes bore into her and for a foolish moment, Gwen thought that he could see into her heart and see her fears and worries. "Can you imagine my reputation if I do successfully get to the Fisher King's treasure?"

"Always the cold-blooded pirate queen," he murmured as his thumb rubbed against her cheek. "And yet, sometimes, it feels like it's a mask you wear."

Immediately, she protested. "I don't know –"

But her words were cut off when his lips landed on hers, coaxing her to open up to him. He let go of her hand so he could wrap his arm around her and pull her flush against him. She fisted his shirt. Her eyes closed as she gave herself up to the feel of him.

"Come on," he rasped into her ear. "We have some free time."

Gwen nodded, heat burning through her veins, took his hand again and led him down to her bunk. But even before they reached her door, Arthur had her shirt buttons undone. Outside, he pressed her up against the wall next to her door, suckling on her neck as he deftly unbuttoned her shirt fully.

"Do you know how much I wanted you when you stood there, soaking wet in the storm, your shirt completely see through?"

She shook her head, her mind not quite making sense of his words. His hands were on her trousers, unfastening them and she dug hers through his hair as he searched for her lips.

"I can't get enough of you," Gwen groaned, her hips moving, trying to ease the ache that throbbed between her legs.

He nipped at her lips. "Neither can I." He crushed his lips to hers.

Voices floated towards them and Gwen remembered they were still in public. Dropping her hands from him, she felt for her door, then pushed strongly, sending her and Arthur tumbling into her bunk. She stumbled and felt Arthur's arm go round her, pulling her close.

"You alright?" He looked at her, the lust in his eyes dampened by concern. "Hmm?"

Something shifted in her at that look. Swallowing, she nodded, then kissed him, hoping to rid herself of that strange feeling in her stomach. Desire easily took over and she lost herself in the feel of his hands running over her heated skin.

He moved so that she was again pressed against a wall. By now, she'd somehow lost her trousers as well and was completely naked. The wooden wall was rough against her back but she didn't care. What she cared about was that Arthur be as naked as her, then give her the release she so desperately needed.

With trembling fingers, she undid his breeches. He shrugged off his shirt, then pinned her even more firmly to the wall with his chest.

"Arthur," she whispered, as she took his earlobe between her teeth. Spreading her legs, she wriggled against him, shuddering with every little movement.

"Gwen," he said and he thrust into her.

She could barely keep her eyes open but the sun was setting soon and she could hear her crew up and about, preparing for dinner. Arthur's steady breath blew against her nape, his chest against her back, one arm draped across her hip. She nudged him gently, heard him mumble something before he released his hold on her and stretched.

"Did I fall asleep?" His hair was all tousled and he looked sleepily at her.

"I have to get up," Gwen said but made no move to get up. Instead, she ran her hand across his chest, eliciting a smile from Arthur. He caught her hand, threading his fingers through hers.

"This doesn't seem like you getting up." And before she could answer, he kissed her lightly, just a brief brush of his lips across hers. Then his smile faded and his voice cooled. "You have an important quest to plan for. There's a lot of treasure at stake."

The reminder of the Fisher King washed away the feeling of warm contentment that had taken up residence in her earlier. It made her finally leave the bed and pull on some clothes.

Arthur still lounged on the bed. Gwen could feel his eyes on her and it both aroused her and made her nervous. "I still don't get your determination to continue on this pointless quest. If I were a cold-blooded pirate and I needed money, I'd just go plunder a ship. There are so many of them around, and so many without even the least competent crew."

"You don't need to understand it," said Gwen coolly as she fastened her trousers. "You said you'd help and that's all you need to do."

"You're Captain Guinevere, scourge of the seven seas. Why the need to prove yourself?"

Gwen turned back sharply and glared at Arthur. "We may spend a lot of time having sex, but that doesn't mean you know me."

He stretched, his muscles moving in ways that made Gwen want to straddle him again. "That's the problem. You confuse me."

"I don't know what you mean," she said, turning her back on him.

"If your reputation is to be believed –"

She whirled back again, this time with her cutlass drawn. "If? My reputation is not a lie." Even as she said the words with all the confidence she could muster, Gwen wondered if Arthur could hear her heart beating.

He jumped out of the bed, pushing her cutlass away. "I'm tired of you pointing that at me. I've given you no reason to distrust me this week."

"I wouldn't trust you as far as I can throw you."

"You are supposed to be the most feared pirate in Albion. Blood-thirsty, merciless, cold. But you're also the pirate who took in a young boy who is the biggest pain I've ever encountered, the pirate who, instead of slaughtering all my men and stealing from my ship, put the fire out then let them return home." He reached up and touched her chin. "Who are you, Guinevere?"

She swallowed but found herself unable to tear her gaze from his or move from his light touch. "I am who I am."

"I don't even know why I care," said Arthur, shaking his head, then he leaned down and kissed her angrily. She dropped her cutlass and fisted her hands in his hair as the kiss gentled.

It was her who pulled back, breaking the kiss. And it was her who took the step back, and fled the room as calmly as she could, trying to steady her spiraling emotions and thumping heart.