By the end of the next day, Gwen was convinced of the fact that she wouldn't ever be able to be friends with a man whose every look spoke of his desire for her. She found herself on edge and even the lightest of touches from Arthur's hands sent sparks along her skin.

Despite this, she was able to enjoy Merlin's company, and was happy that Arthur did leave them to talk privately. When the conversation turned to Camelot she discovered that Merlin thought Arthur had come to bring her back to Camelot.

"Merlin, I'm sure that's not his intention. I betrayed him and I deserve his anger. Besides I'm leaving to work in Mercia."

"Gwen, I doubt you'll make it to the border. He didn't just come here to visit my mother, he came to see you."

"Merlin, I've agreed to be friends with Arthur but nothing more. If he'd truly loved me he would've listened to me."

"You don't know what he has been like since you left. He has been so angry and so unhappy, I tried to speak up for you, but he wouldn't even let your name be spoken. He would kill me if he knew I was telling you this, but I want you to understand the depth of his regret and how much he loves you—still loves you."

Oh dear, thought Gwen. She felt truly guilty about the pain she'd caused Arthur and could see the hope in Merlin's eyes, the hope that she'd reunite with Arthur and return to Camelot.

"Arthur and I have spoken, and he has listened to my side of the story, and he even apologized. He wants us to start again, but please believe me when I say that it is not that simple."

Merlin's face showed his disbelief, "he apologized?"

Gwen nodded, and laughed at Merlin's bewilderment.

"He apologized?" he repeated again.

"Yes Merlin, he apologized, and requested we start again but this doesn't change the fact that I'm leaving for Mercia."

"Well, I'm just glad to see you and trust that two of my best friends will be able to work out their problems," he said and wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug to offer her support and comfort, when Arthur walked in.

Arthur, while not surprised to see Merlin hugging Gwen, couldn't help the surge of jealousy that rushed through him, and silently acknowledged that his jealousy was part of the problem in their relationship. He finally managed to speak,

"Is something wrong?"

Gwen pulled out of Merlin's arms and wished that she was leaving for Mercia that instant. With effort she stood and said, "Arthur, Merlin was telling me about Camelot and what has been happening there since I left."

Arthur again felt guilt wash over him and was surprised to find Gwen had slipped her petite hand into his.

"Arthur, you must stop punishing yourself, while I wasn't happy with my banishment, I've always understood your reasons," she said, with reassurance in her voice that calmed him and he could detect the note of truthfulness in her words.

"You are so kind, Guinevere," he said. "You always provide warmth and calm to everyone, but I didn't just come to praise your qualities but to return you back to Hunith, who must be wondering if you're ever going to return."

"Oh yes, as I've spent most of the day walking- I'll be away from him if only a little while "and I need to help at home."

As she tried to pull her hand back, Arthur tightened his grip and it became apparent he intended to keep hold of her. As soon as they were on their way and Merlin had turned to walk back to the inn where Arthur and he were staying, Arthur gave voice to his thoughts.

"Right Guinevere, what were you and Merlin really talking about? You are the worst liar ever, what were you talking about?"

Gwen was reluctant to talk, but knew he would only torment Merlin until he got answers. "We were talking about something else, we were talking about you." She felt him stiffen, and with a quick look at his face showed he didn't like that they'd been talking about him without him present. She placed her hand over his and said, "We were talking about Camelot, but Merlin was telling me how you have been in a particular black mood for the last month. He asked what we'd talked about and I explained that you'd listened to me and even apologized. Merlin was stunned when I told him you'd apologized and I don't think he believed me," she said with a smile.

As she spoke, she saw his annoyance and knew while most of it was directed at Merlin, some of it must be with her, and she tried to withdraw her hand, only to have him pull her closer. She stopped and reminded herself that in two weeks she would be far away from Arthur. But she knew he must visit Mercia from time to time, no it wasn't far enough away. Where else could she go?

Arthur sensing her withdrawal, said, "What are you thinking?"

"About poor Merlin."

"Why poor Merlin?"

"I hate to think how you're going to punish him."

"Well, since he only told you what you already know, I'll let him get away with his outspokenness…this time," he said darkly.

Gwen laughed knowing that Merlin was in fact Arthur's closest friend.

"What is so funny?"

"You and Merlin, you'd never admit it, but he is in fact your closest friend."

"Yes, well, don't tell him, can't have him knowing that." They both fell into silence and Arthur was tracing his thumb over the delicate skin of her hand, and saw the colour rise in her cheeks. It gave him great pleasure to see that he affected her.

Gwen was unsure whether the sensations running through her were pain or pleasure. How could his touch still affect her so strongly when she wanted nothing more than to be as far away from him as possible? She forced herself to relax and not give away how much his touch affected her, even though she suspected he already knew.

They arrived at Hunith's house and Gwen withdrew her hand. "Promise me you won't punish Merlin."

"On one condition," he replied.

Oh no, he's going to ask for something I can't give, she thought. "What condition?" she hesitantly asked.

"That I can see you again tomorrow."

"Of course," she found herself agreeing immediately.

"Thank you," he said and kissed her cheek. The light kiss inflamed her senses, though she hated to admit it.

She felt enormous relief when he left and found herself exhausted not only from the tight rein she'd kept on her emotions but also in the sensations his touch had caused. She entered the house wanting nothing more than to lie on the bed, but as soon as she entered the house Hunith saw her.

"Gwen," she said. "There is a letter from Queen Helen."

Gwen took the letter, hoping it was a request from the Queen to go to Mercia sooner. Her hopes were quickly dashed as she read the letter. Queen Helen no longer needed a lady's maid, but there was a position available in Camelot.

"Camelot," Gwen said with a laugh. She was heartedly disappointed, this had been her chance to start her life over again, but her only chance now was to work in a place where she'd been banished from –the one place she could never return to. Would she never be free of Arthur?

A/N: I didn't like the last episode at all. I'm not going to say anything about it because I don't want to spoil it for people who haven't seen it but why would you put it on Christmas Eve? It was so sad. I did like the reference to Glastonbury Chapel which is also another place you can actually visit. What is the BBC going to replace it with? They are going to have a huge gap in their viewing audience.

Sorry about my rant but I suspect a lot of people will be feeling the same.