Off to War

Characters: Gwen, Arthur

Gwen sighed as she watched the men getting ready in the courtyard below, preparing for war. It was not like this was the first time she had sat there watching such a sight. Camelot had been under risk many a time in her life, and she remembered each one. But this was more personal than ever before.

It wasn't just because Arthur was her husband now and the King, goodness knows she had waved him off on enough quests before. But more a feeling of fear that lingered in the air. She had a feeling that around them things were happening they no longer had any control over.

Ever since Morgana's proclamation of war, the Kingdom had been on alert. Then after Mordred's defection something that had hit Arthur hard, Gwen had sensed a tension in her husband, and Merlin too. As over time, she had noticed both King and Servant had become ever closer. Yet to Gwen something kept them apart, desite their closeness and friendship.

It was something that fascinated Gwen. She didn't doubt that part of it stemmed from the mask that Merlin forever wore. She had known him long enough to recogonise the signs herself. For all the friendship between the three of them, there was something there in Merlin's life that kept him separate. She had known that from the day that she'd met him. Something he didn't want others to see. For years she had wondered what it was, but she knew he would never say, and she would never ask either. Only when he was ready would she be there.

But whatever else happened she knew that Merlin and Arthur would always be together, no matter what they had to face. It was the one thing that reassured her everytime Arthur rode away. She knew as long as Merlin was there by his side, he would bring him home to her. Not for one moment did she think that Merlin would not be there.

So when Arthur told her about Merlin not coming to Camlann, she worried. She wasn't just worried about Arthur, but also her old friend too. So many times she had wanted to make him talk, but knew that he wouldn't, that was not Merlin's way. For the first time Arthur would ride off with no Merlin by her side. She frowned thinking about it.

Suddenly she knew what she had to do. If Merlin could not be there, then she would take his place. What was the point in her waiting in a cold castle, while her husband was away fighting? She would much rather be near to him, where she could keep his spirits up, and be there when he needed her. She knew that Arthur not having his friend near him, would find it especially hard this time. She quickly packed a few things and made for the courtyard putting on her blue cloak.

As she ran outside she noticed him untying his horse.

"Arthur." she called.

Arthur looked up, his eyes widening as he saw his wife make his way over to him. "Guinevere what are you doing?" he asked.

"Im coming with you." Gwen said starring straight at him, challenging him to say no.

"The battlefield is no place for a Queen." Arthur pointed out.

"I have no intention of joining you there." Gwen assured him. "Arthur if these are to be our last days, I would far rather spend them together, then sit waiting for a man that I may never see again."

She smiled at him reaching for his hand, silently he took it. They had always worked as a team Gwen thought as they took off from the courtyard. As far as she was concerned it would remain that way.

As they made their way to Camlann, Gwen spared a thought for the face that was missing. She hoped he would find whatever it was he needed. But for now he could be assured she would play her part in supporting her husband, just like she always had. Some things never changed in life, if only it was the same outside, she reflected.