Obstacles

by Soledad

Disclaimer: Arthur, Merlin and the other characters belong to the BBC. I'm just borrowing them to have some fun. No copyright infringement intended, no money made.


Part Seven

Gaius had been waiting for Gwen's return in the King's chambers until the candle in the anteroom burned to the ground. When she still had not returned by then, he went to look for her – but to no end. Having checked in the kitchens, in Arthur's chambers, even in his own workroom, with no results, there was only one possibility left.

So he gathered his courage and went to the chambers of the seneschal, which had been used by Lord Agravaine, ever since he had returned Camelot to support his nephew as Vice-Regent.

Agravaine's voice invited him into the dimly lit antechamber as soon as he had knocked on the door. Upon entering, he found the lord sitting at the table, alone.

Seeing him, Agravaine rose.

"Gaius!" he stepped closer to the door, as if trying to keep the visitor from entering the room any deeper. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

His tone was as friendly as ever; and yet Gaius had the feeling that his own presence was most unwelcome here. He could not well back off now, though.

"Actually, my lord, I was looking for Guinevere," Gaius answered slowly, keeping any hint of suspicion out of his voice, although he had the uncomfortable feeling that Agravaine knew it better. "I understand you wanted to speak with her."

There was clearly a flicker of annoyance on the lord's face, although he did an impressive job of concealing it.

"Then I'm afraid you've wasted your journey," he said. "She left some time ago. I've sent two of my trusted guards to see her home safely."

"That was very kind of you, my lord," Gaius said humbly. "I wonder, though, how could she have left without seeing after the King first."

"Oh, she wanted to!" Agravaine smiled. "But I told her not to concern herself with that. She was there all evening, after all. I promised her to see that the king will be well looked after. She'd had a long day."

"I imagine she was grateful for your concern," Gaius managed to keep the sarcasm out of his voice… with some effort.

Agravaine raised his eyebrows.

"She was indeed," he replied. "She must be almost at home by now."

"Of course," Gaius muttered. "Forgive my disturbing you, my lord."

He bowed in his usual hunched manner, his face showing no expression, and left, leaving a somewhat uncomfortable Vice-Regent behind. Agravaine closed the door behind him; then he closed his eyes, too, and relieved a long-held breath. That had been close.

"Well," he said, to no-one in particular, "I believe we kept the fair Guinevere long enough. 'Tis time for her to return to her quaint little house in the lower town… safely escorted by her new bedmates."

~TBC~