Author's note: sorry for the filler-ness of this chapter, but I wanted to something a little more light hearted after all of the angst of the last chapter. Hope you enjoy!
***
He rolled over and found leaves stuck to his face. Where was he? Then he remembered. He opened his eyes. Bright blue sky interrupted only by the boughs of the trees above him met his blurry gaze. He sat up
suddenly, clutching his head as the world began to spin.
'Are you okay?' Gwen asked from the other side of the fire.
'Its morning' Merlin stated, child-like confusion clouding his features.
'Yes Merlin' she replied slowly, mockingly.
'You didn't wake me up for my sentry duty'
'We did try but you got rather aggressive'
'We?' he asked before remembering, 'Arthur!' he said almost triumphantly, though his own loud exclamation caused his head to ache.
'Hang on' he said as an uncomfortable feeling crept into his gut, 'I didn't tell Arthur about us did I?'
'Yep'
'And Lancelot?'
'Yep'
'Oh shit' he breathed.
'Yep'
'I am so sorry Gwen. I should never have told him that. Any of it. I am so, so, so sorry. I am officially the worst friend ever. I am going to make this up to you. When we get back to Camelot I am going to
convince Arthur that it wasn't your fault. You guys are meant to be together, there is no way I am going to stand in the way of destiny. And in the mean time I will cook you breakfast-'
'I've tasted your 'cooking' and I'd advise you choose a different, more effective method of atonement' said Arthur, appearing over the brow of the hill the reigns of the horses in his hands and a grin on his face.
Merlin's brain was still sluggish and took a moment to absorb this change in events, he pointed first at Gwen, then at Arthur, before returning to Gwen. There was a pause then 'GWEN!'
She bit her lip but unable to suppress her amusement, she fell into a silent fit of laughter.
'You are evil!'
'And you are a terrible drunk' she just managed to say between giggles as Arthur took his place beside her.
'So' Merlin said slowly, his eyes flicking between the two of them, 'things are good?'
They exchanged a look and a smile before saying in unison, 'things are good.'
There was an awkward silence before Arthur cleared his throat and said, 'well the horses are fed and watered, so I guess you guys will be wanting to make a move, in which case-'
'You mean you're not coming with us?' Merlin exclaimed.
'This is your trip' Arthur smiled, 'its fine Merlin, I'm okay with it.'
'But I'm sure my mother would be glad to see you and besides what else are you going to do? I presume you have spun your father some story about a beast somewhere in need of slaying, so how will you
explain returning days ahead of schedule and without your guards?'
Honestly he hadn't thought about that, 'I guess you're right, but I don't want to butt in'
'So following and spying on us to make sure we were weren't getting up to any 'mischief' is fine? But coming with us even though you've been invited isn't? You're a total whack-'
Ignoring Merlin's words Gwen turned to Arthur saying, 'you should come, it will be good fun, and neither Merlin nor I mind you accompanying us.'
***
It was dusk before they reached their destination, thankfully the night was chilly which gave them an excuse for Arthur's face being masked by his hood. Hunith spotted them through the window and was out
of her house in a matter of seconds. Merlin jumped from his horse and sprinted towards her, enveloping her in his long gangly arms. He had not seen her for two months, and their last meeting had been brief
and less than pleasant as he had come bearing the tidings of his father's death. After a long moment he released her and she realised he was not alone.
'Gwen!' she cried out in pleasure at seeing the young woman again. She gathered her up in her arms before taking a step back to examine her, 'you look well' she said with a smile, 'are you well?'
'Very well thank you' Gwen beamed back, 'and yourself?'
'Fine, thank you' she said before catching sight of the hooded figure, 'and who may I ask is this?' she said in a low voice to Gwen.
'That's Prince Arthur' she whispered back.
'Well come in sire' Hunith said ushering them in.
Once in side Arthur removed his hood, 'I'm sorry I had to greet you so, but we thought it might be best if people did not know I was here.'
'Of course, I understand completely, though, and please excuse my impertinence, my lord, but why are you here?'
Both boys' eyes flickered surreptitiously to Gwen, but Hunith still noticed this slight shift of gazes.
'I came for the wedding. Merlin made it sound so exciting I decided to join him. In the aftermath of the Dragon's attack we have been working continuously, the King felt we both deserved a little rest bite for a
few days and this was the perfect opportunity.'
'I see' she replied, 'but surely if you will not be able to enjoy the festivities if you can not be seen.'
'He can't be seen as Prince Arthur; that is all.'
'I doubt anyone, other than those you fought beside last year, would recognise you.'
'We would not like to take the risk.'
'And that's where you come in mother. I remembered that you made a mixture to colour hair for some of your friends once, could you do that for Arthur?'
'Of course, but you and Gwen will have to go and collect some of the ingredients from the old woman who lives on the outskirts of the forest, while Arthur and I begin preparations.'
They all murmured their agreement and soon Merlin and Gwen had disappeared into the twilight.
***
Arthur was left at the kitchen table to chop up the leaves of some unidentifiable plant while Hunith went to go and collect a pail of water. Arthur had offered his services but she had insisted on the grounds
that he might be seen and recognised.
Once returned she placed the water over the hearth and sat down beside him. 'Well that all we can do until Merlin and Gwen return. Would you like anything to eat or drink sire?'
'You are very kind, but no thank you.'
They sank into an uncomfortable silence.
'I am glad that things have worked out for Merlin' she said suddenly.
'As I am,'
'You consider him a good friend don't you sire?'
'Indeed I do.'
'Good' she said smilingly, though her eyes scrutinised him intently, 'and you wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise that?'
'No'
'Good' she smiled more freely this time, 'I am so happy Merlin has found someone. If I am honest I could not have chosen better myself'
Arthur was slightly puzzled by this, 'I'm sorry I'm not sure I understand.' Was she talking about him? No she couldn't-
'Well what more could I have asked for, someone sweet, caring, intelligent, honest and beautiful'
Hang on! Beautiful? He thought. He was missing something.
'It's just so wonderful that he found her, and I am so glad he finally woke up to what right in front of him.'
Okay, he was definitely missing something.
'Are you talking about Gwen?'
'Of course' she smiled, 'I was so worried that he would let her slip through his fingers, but then he wrote to me telling me he was bringing Gwen with him to the wedding. I was so overjoyed, because he really
deserves this happiness sire. And it will be so nice to see him settled and married.'
At the word 'married' he began to choke on a lungful of air.
'Marriage?' he said once he had recovered, 'do you really think it is that serious?'
'Maybe not yet. But once you get a girl like Gwen, if you've got any sense you won't let her go, there aren't many girls like her.'
His face darkened as he was reminded by a certain someone who had appeared to have given up on Guinevere all too easily, though hadn't she told him point blank, only last night that she had no feelings for
him? He attempted to push the old flame of jealously to the back of his mind, but something in this internal struggle seemed to show in his face.
'Don't worry sire, I am sure you will find some as wonderful as Gwen' she said, misreading his thoughts entirely.
There is no one as wonderful as Guinevere he thought with an internal smile. No one so full of faith, so untarnished by bitterness, despite all she had suffered, no one who knew him better, no one who he could
imagine being a better Queen.
This time Hunith read his mind perfectly, 'please don't take this from him sire' she said, shaking him out of his thoughts.
'Erm' he began but just then Merlin and Gwen entered, the boy triumphantly holding a parcel high aloft like a trophy.
'We got it all' he beamed, 'you ready Arthur?'
'Erm,' he said a little uncertainly, 'yeah, sure.'
***
Hunith mixed the ingredients into a gloppy and unpleasant smelling paste as Merlin forced Arthur's head unceremoniously into the now lukewarm bucket of water. 'Now you are going have to hold still sire.'
'Of course' Arthur replied bowing his head a little nervously as Hunith came towards him brandishing a brush, tarred with the black, foul smelling substance.
The moment the viscous liquid hit his scalp he let out a loud yelp of pain. The patch of skin felt as if it were on fire. 'Is it supposed to do that?' Arthur asked his voice a little higher than usual.
'Arthur, don't be such a baby,' Guinevere scolded him.
He scowled up at her. She gave him a playful smile before turning back to the pot of stew she was busy stirring.
'You ready sir?'
Arthur gulped and braced himself.
He had done really rather well he thought, rather pleased with himself. After the initial show of weakness he had let out only the occasional whimper of pain.
Now he sat with his head wrapped in an old stained cloth fashioned into a turban.
'You will have to leave that on for at least the next half an hour. Watch that he doesn't take it off Gwen, I just need to pop next door: I seem to have run out of thyme.'
Gwen nodded.
Once Hunith was through the door Arthur spoke, 'I have to tell you two something'
'What?' they said in unison, worried by the anxious note in his voice.
'I have done something very stupid'
'Okay,' Merlin said before flashing him a grin, 'well that isn't anything new is it?'
'Shut it Merlin! This is serious'
Guinevere's eyes filled with concern, 'what's the matter?'
'Merlin's mother thinks you two are a couple'
Merlin and Gwen exchanged a look before simultaneously dissolving into giggles.
'This is NOT funny!'
Gwen recovered first, clapping her hand to her mouth, taking a steadying breath, 'you're right this is not funny' she said obviously fighting back a grin.
'No' Merlin said with a grin, 'it's bloody hilarious' as he dodged out range of Arthur's fist.
'So did you explain?' Merlin asked trying to keep a straight face.
'Erm'
'Is this the stupid part?' Gwen asked with raised eyebrows.
'Yeah' he admitted grudgingly looking at his boots.
'So you didn't correct her?' Merlin said slowly.
'Not exactly' but after a sceptical look from Gwen he ammended his words, 'fine, not at all.'
'Arthur!' groaned Merlin.
'She was just so happy about and kept saying how wonderful it was, and how I would be an awful friend if I stood between you two' he said defensively then added pathetically, 'I don't want your mother to
hate me.'
'Arthur, are you alright?' Gwen said squatting down beside him, so their eyes were nearly level, 'have the fumes got to you?'
'I'm fine, I just don't want to upset Merlin's mother, she was just so happy about it.'
Gwen gave Merlin an imploring look.
He put up his hands defensively, 'hey don't look at me! I don't want to tell her either. If we aren't together she will blame me.'
'So let me get this straight' she said as she straightened up, 'neither of you' she gestured between them, 'wants to tell Hunith the truth?'
'Right' they nodded in agreement.
'Arthur you do realise that would mean Merlin and I would have to pretend to be a couple for the next few days?'
'Yes' he said wringing his hands, 'and I understand that must seem a little strange-'
'A little?' scoffed Merlin.
'Okay,' he amended, 'very strange, particular given my words last night. But your mother is over the moon about this, it'll break her heart if she finds out.'
'She will find out eventually.'
'But maybe you could let her down gently and I really don't want to be painted as the cad who stole Guinevere-'
'I'm back' called Hunith as she pushed open the door, 'time to wash out the dye Arthur'
'Great' he feigned a wide smile.
'Great!' echoed Merlin with an impish grin, he was going to enjoy this.
