Gwen had marched away from Arthur once more, made her purchases at the market and returned home.

As soon as she came in the door she saw Merlin and smiling broadly, he embraced her in a hug. 'It's so good to see you, Gwen. I was thrilled when I saw you in the field.'

'But then you knew I was here didn't you Merlin?'

'Mmm yeah how did you know?'

'The Druids found me in the forest and told me that you'd sent them to protect me.'

'I couldn't believe Arthur didn't think of that when he banished you. But you've had a child I had no idea, even the Druid's didn't tell me.'

'I begged them not to tell you in case you told Arthur.'

'I wouldn't have told him if you didn't want me to you are after all my friend. So do I get to meet Llachau?'

Llachau had just woken up, but excited when she told him that there was a friend she wanted him to meet.

Gwen brought Llachau around from his bed to Merlin. Merlin looked at Llachau and couldn't believe how much he looked at Arthur. Llachau had Arthur's blonde hair but it was as curly as Gwen's. His facial features were the same as Arthur's but his eyes were the same colour as his mum's.

'Hello Llachau,' he said as he bent down to the child's level. 'My name is Merlin and I'm a friend of your mum's from Camelot.'

'Are you a knight?' questioned Llachau.

'No I'm not a knight.'

'Oh but Camelot has knights.'

'That's right we do.'

'Oh mummy can we meet the knights? Please,' he said tugging on her dress.

'We'll see,' Gwen responded while her mind was screaming no, no, no!

Llachau wondered off to play with his toy horse as he could see mummy and Merlin talking.

'Gwen, you'll have to tell Llachau about his father one day. He's going to ask about his father.'

'He already has asked me I told him his father was dead.'

'Oh,' said Merlin with a disappointed expression.

'Merlin if you had any vision of Arthur and I playing happy families, think again.'

'What about Llachau, doesn't he deserve to know the truth? He is after all the heir to the throne.'

'No he's not Merlin. He was born out of wedlock so he can't be.'

'Gwen, you do know that Arthur won't let this go.'

'Well that's his problem and he's doomed to disappointment if he thinks he can get Llachau.'

'Mummy, mummy are we going to make some potions?'

'Yes, baby, come on.'

'Bye Merlin,' said Llachau shyly.

Gwen went into work with Llachau and when she entered the rooms Nicholas the Physician smiled warmly at them.

'Hello, Gwen and little Llachau,' he said warmly.

'Hello Nicholas how are you?'

'Getting ready for our guests they'll be here any minute.

Gwen blanched.

'What's wrong?' Nicholas asked, leaning towards her with concern. Gwen swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. 'It's nothing.'

Nicholas glanced towards the entrance and Arthur, Merlin and Cendred walked in.

Gwen felt her stomach clench as Arthur and everyone else approached.

'Hello, Guinevere,' Arthur said looking her up and down. 'I didn't know you worked here.'

'Yes I do.'

Nicholas offered a hand to Arthur with a smile. 'Hello, King Arthur. Welcome to my Physician's office.'

Gwen saw Arthur's eyes flicker from her to Nicholas. Then he shook Nicholas's hand.

'So tell me about the healing potions you make,' asked Merlin to break the tension in the room.

'Oh yes,' replied Nicholas who took Merlin and Cendred to see the potions. Arthur stood frozen to the spot.

Meanwhile Gwen felt the heat of Arthur's gaze as it met hers; she felt as if it was burning her skin. She knew what he was thinking; she could see it in the sternness of his face. She knew that she wouldn't ever be able to convince him that she and Nicholas were only friends. But she shouldn't have to she no longer cared what he thought. He looked down at where Llachau sat playing and threw an accusatory look back at her before moving to the others.

When they'd all left Nicholas turned to Gwen. 'King Arthur is Llachau's father isn't he?'

'Yes.'

'I can see the likeness; Llachau's the image of his father. So why are you here with your son while Arthur is in Camelot?'

'He banished me and I never let him know about Llachau.'

Nicholas gave her a look of concern. 'You still love him, don't you?'

'No,' she said meeting his eyes. 'I don't think I will ever forgive him.'

'Well you know I'm here if you need me,' he said giving Gwen a close hug and a light kiss.

'Take care, Gwen.'

Gwen's smile faded on her lips as she looked over Nicholas' shoulder to see that Arthur was standing there and his gaze was burning through her.