A/N: I had actually finished this story before posting. I am editing and tweaking, and in the process, I am taking the story in a different direction. Just blame the characters. I do. It won't always be this sad and full of angst.

Chapter 4

In a field outside Camelot, dragon and Dragonlord met.

"Destiny has changed, young warlock" The Great Dragon, Kilgarrah said.

"What can I do to save Arthur? How can I fix this?"

"The bond between Arthur and his wife is permanent until death. Only a kiss of true love can destroy it"

Hope flared in Merlin's heart. "Gwen can-"

"The Lady is gone."

"Gwen can't be gone! She's Arthur's only chance of being free."

"A broken heart can only take so much before shattering completely, young warlock. You know this first hand" Merlin thought of Freya. The thought of Freya with another…he wouldn't be able to live with that. There was no way his friend could stay and watch Arthur and Elizabeth day after day. Merlin absently nodded.

"The Lady's heart will heal. Arthur will be a good king. His son will be the greatest King of Albion. You will help them all, Merlin. That is now your destiny. While the acts of others changed what was meant to me, Love will triumph and bring all things to completion. I must go" In a graceful way that only the dragon managed, he lifted his wings and flew into the night sky.

Merlin headed back to Camelot, saddened yet hopeful. Somehow, he thought, Love will triumph.

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The prince surveyed his new suite of rooms. His wife's rooms were through an adjoining door along a wall. He wondered how he'd make it. He desired her, but knowing the source of his desire galled him. When he parted from her, he was disgusted with himself. The day following the feast, he sought Gaius out. Finding him in the physician's workroom, Arthur looked around to see if anyone was in there. Gaius was alone, preparing various remedies for people in the castle. Hearing someone approach, he looked up.

"Hello Sire" Gaius' tone, while polite, lacked its usual warmth.

The news of Arthur's marriage had spread quickly through the castle. The servant's information chain informed everyone of the marriage and of Guinevere being jilted within only a few hours. Yesterday's events seemed surreal to the physician. Gwen's face of pain, betrayal and suffering would be something that stayed with him for a long time.

"Gaius, I've been enchanted somehow" The Prince's tone was somber.

The physician said nothing at first, merely raised one brow in question. "Enchanted, Sire?"

"Yes" The Prince then began to describe his experiences over the past few weeks.

"When we arrived at the castle, the King introduced us to his sister. I thought she was pretty, but that's all. As time passed, I found myself when around her, very attracted to her. By the end of the talks, I was fighting with the desire to kiss her" Arthur looked at Gaius. He nodded, and the Prince continued.

"But I didn't feel like myself. It doesn't compare to what I feel for Gw-"Arthur couldn't speak her name. It simply hurt too much. Gaius nodded and said. "Go on."

"It's like I had to have her or I'd go mad without her. The feeling built and built until the final night" The Prince could not stop; he had to get it all out. "I found myself drawn to her like never before. When I saw her, I just kissed her. Then the King saw us. He saw me as trying to take advantage of his goodwill. Angry, he insisted on the marriage. Many knights and nobles were there also. Camelot's reputation is built upon honor. So I married. But Gaius, I know this feeling, it's not normal. I know I've been enchanted. She's even admitted it."

The old physician was thinking even as the Prince explained. "Was she wearing any particular charms?

The prince shook his head. "No"

"What about you? Did she offer you a token, or gift of any kind?

"No"

"Did you smell anything?"

"No…wait. She smelled really good, in fact the smell reminds me of how Gwen smells her hair..." Arthur trailed off. He really didn't want to talk to Gaius about how good Guinevere smelled. It was of lilacs, lavender, and something that was uniquely her.

Gaius was silent for a few moments. Then he said "It sounds like the work of a Siren's bond"

Arthur looked at him quizzically. Gaius went on to explain.

"Legend says in ancient times, the song of the Siren would seduce men to do their will. It was found that a few drops of the blood from one could be used for the same purpose. It can be used to make a scent. The user of the scent focuses on the man she desires, and that man will be drawn to her. A kiss between the two seals the bond. It can only be broken through death."

"There's no other way?" Gaius reached for one of his many books. Opening it he began to read. "True love's kiss can destroy the bond". A shadow crossed the older man's face.

"Gaius where is she?" Gaius said nothing; instead he reached in his pocket and handed him a piece of paper. A sinking feeling entered Arthur's heart as he saw his name written neatly by her hand. Slowly he opened it. It read:

Arthur,

As you are married, we cannot be. Thus, I shall not remain here. The pain of seeing you together is more than I can bear. Do not search for me. I hope things go well with you. Goodbye.

Gwen

Arthur balled the brief note in frustration. His fist slammed against the table. Once he started, he continued, his fists nearly smashing a hole in the middle. "SIRE!" Gaius' authoritative tone stopped him. Arthur stood up, breathing heavily, arms hanging limply at his sides. One question slipped from his lips.

"When?"

"I don't know" I found this enclosed with another note, asking me to give this to you," The Prince nodded, unable to speak. How could she leave? He felt alone. Carefully, he straightened out the piece of paper. That and the token she gave him during the tournament were all he had of her.

Slowly, Arthur stood. "Gaius is there anything you can do to lessen the effect?"

"I'll see what I can do." The door burst open, and Merlin, failing to see Arthur said "Gaius! I spoke to the dragon! He said that –"

"What dragon?" Arthur interrupted.

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Guinevere left Camelot the very same night of Arthur's return. After witnessing the future king and his wife in such a passionate embrace, she knew she could no longer stay there. She'd seen the pitying glances everyone gave her. That was the last thing she wanted to deal with. She knew that if she'd stayed there she'd also have to endure remarks not only from Arthur's wife, but also the nobility who did not like the idea of a Prince and former servant together in the first place. It simply would not do for her to live in the castle anymore. Her old cottage had already been sold.

After her brother was knighted, both moved into the castle. Gwen was technically a lady now. She struggled with the transition, used to serving others. She began teaching small children to read in the town. That helped. And Arthur was so kind. Quietly they courted, and Gwen knew he was proposing soon. He kept alluding to the future, their future together. So when Gwen saw Arthur's wife wearing her ring and kissing the man she loved, she was angry, hurt, confused and sad. The kisses kept replaying themselves in her head, a constant reminder that the dreams she had with Arthur were gone. The sadness was consuming her. Going to her suite of rooms, she packed her things. She then wrote letters to her brother, Gaius, Merlin, and Arthur. Quietly she walked through the castle, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She'd endured enough to last a lifetime. Arriving to the stables, the lady saddled a horse, and left Camelot, determined to start anew.

Gwaine folded his red knight's cloak with reverence. His belongings already packed, Gwaine prepared to leave the first place that actually felt like home in 15 years. Attaching notes to Arthur and Merlin on the cloak, Gwaine left the castle, procured a house, and rode out of Camelot. Traveling was something Gwaine was quite used to, so out of habit, he readied himself to travel far, keeping an observant eye on the road. Roads could be quite dangerous, with bandits waiting to rob someone for their own gain. Slavers also roamed certain areas. Gwaine knew where to go. Taverns were not only good for mead, but they also knew who was in certain areas that he needed to avoid. A piercing scream suddenly filled the air.

Instinctively, the knight rode in the direction he'd heard the scream. It sounded feminine, he thought, spurring his horse faster. Soon he heard more voices. They were male.

"She'll fetch a fair price."

"She's fair enough. You know the kind of women Jarl wants for his bed. She's got brown hair"

"She's a woman isn't she? She'll do. Matter of fact, we can warm her up for him"

"No! Please let me go! "You can have my things just please-"The sickening sound of a hand meeting flesh infuriated the knight. During the conversation, he made his way quietly toward the pair. He was sickened by the sight before him.

A woman was in the dirt, struggling against a man. The man was leering and was on top of the woman. She kicked and wriggled an arm free. She struck the man, who then smacked her, stunning her and stopping her movements.

"That's better. The man began to untie his breeches. He was stopped by a knife that seeming struck him from nowhere. The man fell over, dead. The other man pulled out a sword. "Who's there?"

"I am" Gwaine stepped out from the bush. The slaver charged at him. The knight, who had become an even better fighter after training with Arthur, made quick work of him. In moments, he was dead as well. Turning to the woman on the ground, he made a quick assessment. She was wearing pants, which probably saved her from further attack. Her shirt was slightly torn, and bruises began to form on her wrists. Stepping closer, he saw she was still unconscious. Kneeling beside her, he turned her over. He paled, and sucked in a surprised breath. Underneath the bruises forming on her jaw and forehead, she was still recognizable

"Gwen".