Sorry for the long wait, I have been busy. But now is time for writing yay. This is a short chapter but I will update again soon this time, scouts honour.

Attentively Gwen smoothed out any creases and tucked back her hair before ascending the rest of the stairs to Arthur's chambers. It had been several hours since the Prince had fallen unconscious. During this time she had found as many excuses as possible to go to his side, as an important servant of the castle she had much freedom to access his chambers as long as she was working, or at least appeared to be. Giaus was happy to say that she was helping him and she was often seen sitting by Arthur dabbing his forehead carefully with a damp clothe whispering in a soothing voice.

Carefully, so as not to make too much noise, Gwen made her way to Arthur's chambers. It felt wrong, each click and tap her feet made broke the space around her. Everything was about silence; everyone was in limbo waiting for their Prince. That's what it felt like to her anyway, a kind of limbo. Life and time came to a stop until Arthur was OK again. Life just didn't exist without him.

She approached the doorway when the guards on either side stepped in front of her.

"Excuse me." She tried to go around them but they moved.

"I am one of his maids with Giaus." She said with an authority most maids wouldn't dare to attempt.

"You are Gwenivere?"

"Yes."

"King Uther has given orders that you are not allowed to see his son Prince Arthur." The knight which spoke kept looking straight ahead at the wall behind her, he didn't even blink, the one on the right however gave a look of apology. He'd been there a number of times she'd been in to treat the prince, he knew she was no threat. But orders were orders. Gwen was not allowed near Arthur.

Merlin had his head flomped on a pile of open books. A small trail of drool was trickling out onto the top one. It was the first time he'd slept in 22 hours. He looked almost peaceful. He would almost be described as adorable if not for his mouth being wide open and the saliva dribbling out.

"MERLIN!" Gwen burst in.

Several books were sent scattered onto the floor as he jumped up in his seat.

"What. Gwen?" He knew that look. That desperate pleading look twisted with anger and betrayal. "Gwen what's wrong?"

"Uther has banned me from seeing Arthur."

"What?" Merlin stood up.

"I don't understand. Why would he do that unless he…"

"Unless he knew. No. Who could have told him?" It had to be recent, so not while Morgana had the chance. They'd been careful after the "she's enchanting him" saga when people may have used fake information against Gwen as an advantage to gain Uther's trust. No, it had been ages since anything like that had happened. Their relationship had been secret. Then again….. Merlin couldn't help but think back to the times the couple walked openly through the market together not caring who clanked their way. They'd been taking ore and more time off to spend time with each other lately. It may have been some time since Gwen had been accused of sorcery but still, perhaps they had been too careless the past month or so. Of course, Merlin didn't want to have to say that to Gwen.
"Are you sure no-one…important has seen you."

She opened her mouth about to make a sharp reply but stopped. She thought back to all the secret kisses they had managed to sneak in near public places, at least, they'd thought they were secret. It wouldn't have been hard to catch a peek.

"Oh what am I going to do?" She sighed, a tear forming in her left eye. "I can't not see Arthur."

"Gwen." Merlin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You two have been through worse (to put it lightly). He'll wake up and you can both go off together in secret like you always do. It won't be any different except maybe be just a bit more careful."

"I can't wait for him to wake up Merlin…what if he doesn't."

"He will." He spoke with such assertiveness the maid almost felt sure of that for a second, Merlin just wished he could believe those words himself.