Gwen went into work the next day with a smile on her face. She practically shone as she helped the kitchen maids prepare the royal breakfast. Many of the servants suspected that there was a romance behind this cheeriness and there was some gossip about who it was. Some thought it was Sir Leon. Others thought it was Gwaine an actor from the travelling fair. Or it could be Lancelot one of the guards in the castle. No one knew or suspected the truth that she'd actually fallen in love with the crowned prince. Some were jealous but a lot were glad she'd found happiness again. It hadn't been easy since her father had been executed
Gwen practically skipped to Morgana's room. Her mistress was sitting at her desk. She looked troubled and Guinevere noticed that she hadn't drunk her medicine.
"What's wrong" Gwen asked with concern in her voice "Why didn't you drink your medicine?"
"I had to see what's going to happen to me" Morgana replied in a sad tone.
Gwen hugged her friend "They're just dreams" she reassured. Morgana turned to look at her friend and not for the first time, she considered telling her the truth. But she couldn't risk anything happening to Gwen, conspiring with a witch meant certain death. No if her magic was discovered only she would be punished for it. She would make sure of that.
"I know" Morgana said trying to look as if she wasn't falling apart.
"Well you need cheering up" Gwen said with firmness "I know we can go to the fair outside town"
Morgana smiled mischievously at her friend "Is that for my benefit or yours?"
Gwen blushed "I don't know what you mean"
"I've been informed you're friendly with one of the performers." Morgana implied.
"That is preposterous and you shouldn't listen to gossip my lady" Guinevere said jovially.
"Who's meant to be giving the orders around here?" Morgana said staring at her servant. Gwen gave a silly apologetic expression and they both burst out laughing.
"See you're feeling better already?" Gwen remarked "Now let's get you dressed and go have some fun" Gwen already rushing of to her lady's wardrobe finding an appropriate disguise for her to wear. Morgana wished she was feeling better but the truth was that her dream was real and she'd seen her future husband and didn't like the look of her future.
The fair was breathtaking. One of the biggest in all of Albion it took up about 500 metres of the field it called its home. There were acts from all over the world. A falcon display, dancing bears, trapeze artists, plays, fire eaters. The list goes on and Gwen was fascinated by it all. She'd also become friends with Gwaine who was playing Solomon the fool in the Magic Horse. She liked his free spirit and seeming fearlessness and although she didn't have feelings for him. It was nice to have someone flirt with her without immediately looking over their shoulder.
Gwen could spend years just wondering through the fair. It was a shame really. It was so big, no one person could possibly enjoy everything it had to offer.
"Hello dear ladies." Morgana and Gwen were both startled by this person that had seemingly appeared from nowhere.
"My dear ladies. I am but a poor artist trying to make ends meat in this harsh world and I would be honoured if you would look at my paintings." said a man with an impish grin, big ears and a red scarf. He bowed theatrically to his entranced audience
This man was certainly not the first person who tried to sell them something. But there was something about him that made them both curious about what he had to offer. He led them into a tent that was covered in paintings. They were all rather good. Gwen could see Morgana considering buying one. Morgana said in an authoritative tone "How much is this?"Morgana said pointing at a painting. It showed a mother with her baby. It was well painted and there was a castle at its border. She thought that must have been what her mother looked like. As she looked at it, she wondered of her mother ever held her like that.
"A fine choice my lady and it's yours for one sovereign" said the artist.
Morgana looked confused "That seems awfully cheap for such a fine piece of work"
"Not at all. I always offer a special discount to royalty" he replied. Morgana immediately put her hand to her dagger. Gwen edged towards the exit.
The man laughed "Do not fear ladies. I wish you no ill will. I am simply looking for a patron."
Morgana still uneasy that this man seemed to know who she was said "I am afraid my father is no great lover of the arts"
The artist smiled "He is yet to see my works. All I ask is that I am allowed to paint a portrait of you dear lady so that I may present it to the king as a testament to my artistic skill."
Morgana wasn't sure what to make of this man but she was sure he wasn't dangerous. "Of course, when will it be finished?"
"You cannot rush art my lady but for you very soon." Morgana smiled at the young eccentric and left.
The painting arrived at the castle in two weeks. When it arrived everyone was amazed even Uther in how alive the painting looked. Uther decided to hire him as the official court painter and commissioned portraits of himself and his son. Merlin graciously accepted this post enjoying the irony of a man he stole from regularly giving him a job.
Edwin was quite angry at Merlin. The moment he heard he rushed to Merlin's room and shouted "Are you stark raving mad or just plain stupid?"
"I don't know" Merlin considered "I guess I'm both but with a little bit of charm thrown in."
"You do realise you could be executed of he finds out who you are" Edwin said.
"Yes I am but I have a plan that could dethrone Uther. It was worth the risk of being discovered" Merlin answered whilst lying on his new bed. It had been too long since he had slept in a proper bed.
Not bothering to ask what his plan was. He simply paced the room angrily. "So when did you become a master painter?"
"I have a multitude of talents." Merlin replied stretching out on his nice soft bed.
Edwin picked up a paintbrush. "I assume you use magic"
"Don't be absurd" Merlin admonished. "You can't just charm a paintbrush to create art. The creation of art is a majestic process. It's about becoming one with your brush and understanding the mystery and beauty in every object. You need to understand how each colour works and how they interact together to create something truly beautiful" Merlin finished with a theatrical swish of his paintbrush.
"You've been spending way too much time with these fair folk" Edwin said exasperated. "So how have you been painting these paintings?"
"He hasn't" a voice replied. "I have" Edwin found the source of the voice and couldn't quite believe what he saw.
"Merlin, what is that."
"Oh that's Will." Merlin said smiling. Will who had just appeared out of Merlin's chest
"I rescued him a couple years back. He's been painting for ages but I never had a good use for it till now."
"Merlin you have smuggled into a castle a man who has the head of a newt." Edwin collapsed onto Merlin's bed. He sat there for a few seconds not sure what to make of all this.
"How? Where? Why?" Edwin asked.
"Well" Merlin stood up "I cast a spell on the chest to conceal my friend. Sorry for the uncomfortable ride by the way."
"It's ok" Will replied "I don't mind small spaces."
"As for where" Merlin continued "I found him in the forest. He was being chased by bounty hunters so I offered my assistance."
"You saved my life, sir" Will interjected "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."
Merlin smiled at his friends "The reason why I brought him here was I needed a job inside this castle and I wanted to give Will, here some confidence in his artistic ability."
Edwin managed to regain some composure. "How are you going to keep him a secret?"
Merlin replied sitting back on the bed and looking at Edwin. "I'm not going to have to do it for long just long enough to exact my plan which should only take a week."
Edwin looking at the floor "Ok then but how are you going to keep Will fed."
"Simple" Merlin answered bringing out a box of worms "Do you want one?"
"Now that you mention it I am a bit peckish" Will replied.
Merlin tossed a worm and Will caught it in his mouth. "It's a good thing that the gardeners keep 1000's of worms in their supply shed."
Edwin just sighed "This plan better work."
Gwaine's show had been invited to perform at the castle. Gwen couldn't wait. She'd seen it a hundred times already but she never grew tired of it. She made herself as pretty as she could whilst still being in her servant clothes and made her way to the great hall. She'd been assigned to look after the new painter. The only person she would have wanted to look after more was Arthur but Merlin was certainly a puzzle. He'd been kind to her and she even suspected they were becoming friends but he seemed to be hiding something.
The play was an adapted folk tale from a far off land. An old farmer had three sons. Two of them helped his father run the farm. The other one Solomon the fool didn't help run the farm. In fact Solomon decided the best use of his time was pretending to be a bird. It was hilarious watching Gwaine pretend to be a bird. Even the actors were struggling not to laugh. The father knowing he would die soon told each of his sons to leave bread at his grave as this was accustom in this land.. Because it was stormy the other brothers decided to let their little brother Solomon deliver the bread. His father's ghost came and told him that because he'd been a good son and did what he was told. He would tell him how to summon the magic horse. Meanwhile the king announced that whoever could get their horse to jump high enough so that he could kiss his princess while she was in her room in the tall tower could marry her. The two brothers both tried but failed. Then Solomon rode in on a white horse and he managed to kiss the princess. Gwen laughed at the look of jealousy he saw on some of the female courtiers as he kissed the princess. They got married and they lived happily ever after.
Merlin looked at Gwen "You like this play then?"
"Yes I love it" Gwen replied with a big goofy smile.
"What do you like about it?" Merlin asked.
"I love the idea that someone no one expected to do anything defies the all by being kind and becomes king."
"It sounds like you sympathise" Merlin remarked.
"I guess I do. I hate the way that my life has already been plotted out for me. I'm a servant so I must serve until I die."
"I think I sympathise too" Merlin said longingly.
"But you're so successful" Gwen said surprised.
"However I think we all limited by our birth in one way or another" Merlin said while looking at Arthur.
He was talking to Lady Aimee. He seemed incredibly bored with whatever she was saying but she was behaving like such a slut she wanted to march over there and rip her eyes out. "I suppose your right but some people are luckier than others" Gwen said turning her attention back on Merlin. They talked for a while and then Gwaine came over and he invited them to go to the pub and they did.
The next morning Gwen was pretty sure she'd had a lot of fun. But the headache she had now convinced her it wasn't worth it. She got out of her bed but the problem was her stomach wasn't ready for such a sudden movement and she was sick all over her own floor. "Great I'm hung over and I'm going to have to clean it up" Gwen thought "Well at least I got home alright." She managed to make it to her cupboard and found a loaf of bread. The thought of food repulsed her but she ate it anyway. That way if she was sick again, she'd have something to throw up. It would also hopefully absorb the alcohol.
She managed to make it to the castle despite feeling like she'd been a boxing match with Thor. To her horror she saw Arthur. She couldn't let the man she loved see her like this. "If I can make it across the courtyard while he's looking away. I might be able to retain some dignity" Happy with this plan she set forth and walked straight into a barrel of water which she managed to trip over. "Damn" was all Guinevere thought.
Arthur came over and helped her up. She could sense his anger before he spoke. He whispered "Where did you go after the feast?"
"I went to the tavern with Merlin and Gwaine" Gwen replied in what she hoped was a dignified way.
Arthur struggling to control his voice and his temper "Did you have fun?"
Gwen wasn't sure what to say and confused by the anger in his voice. "Look I had a bit too much to drink last night and I can't deal with you right now" Gwen tried to walk away but ended up losing balance and back on the floor. She got on her feet quite quickly though.
"Gwen, you can barely walk. How do I know no one tried to take advantage of you?" Arthur asked with real concern in his voice.
Gwen relented "Look you can't watch over me all the time. You're going to have to trust me."
Arthur looked at her and said "That would be a lot easier to but your taste in friends leave a lot to be desired."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gwen asked getting really annoyed.
"Gwaine is a common brutish lout who thinks nothing if the people he seduces and cheats and Merlin might be a good artist but he's untrustworthy. He has an agenda in this castle, I'm sure of it." Arthur answered. He saw the hurt in Gwen's eyes and wished he could take it back.
"Well" Gwen said tearfully "They are my friends and if you think they are common or untrustworthy. You must think the same of me" Gwen than ran to an alcove and cried her eyes out.
A/N So what do you think. I hope you like it Merlin's secret plan is being put into action and Gwen learned about the perils of alcohol. I wish I could have included Gwaine a bit more I could just imagine him being an actor. He'd get to travel and impress all the ladies with his skills lol. Anyway about Lancelot. I wanted him to be in the world not completely sure what to do with him. He'll probably get promoted to captain of the guards. Also the folk tale that Gwaine performs is an actual folk tale that originates from Russia. It's actually called the dun horse if you're interested and apparently in medieval times fairs did travel the country performing folk tales and biblical stories. If you're wondering about the bread it was apparently customary on Russia to leave bread at your parents grave. I guess you want to have a full stomach before you hit the afterlife. But the reason I chose it was that I just liked the idea of someone common becoming king and I thought Gwen would like it. Anyway I loved writing Merlin in this chapter he's just so funny. So plz review and thanks for all the feedback.