CHAPTER SEVEN THE UNEXPECTED MEETING
Gwen had persuaded Hunith to walk somewhere, she'd taken Merlin, when he was younger. The walk had taken them through the patch of trees, where Gwen had, told Arthur off, all those years ago. Gwen smiled to herself at the memory, suddenly seeing the shocked look on his face, as she lectured him, about his lack of manners.
They had come to the edge of a small forest, Gwen could hear a stream nearby, babbling away. She walked towards it, clapping her hands together, as she took in the pretty scenery. She had always loved streams, from her early childhood. Her father Tom would often take her and Elyan, and they would often spend days frolicking in the water. Coming to a clearing near where they could watch the stream, Gwen and Hunith sat down on a large fallen tree trunk, and surveyed the scenery, enjoying the last hours of the sun, on their faces. Gwen felt completely at one with the surroundings, feeling as if nothing could hurt them. Camelot suddenly seemed a long way, away.
"This is beautiful, Hunith." She said, "So peaceful."
"Merlin loved this place. He would call it his little Kingdom," Hunith said a sad smile on his face. "Whenever he was upset, here was where he'd be. Hiding away somewhere."
"Hunith, I really feel he is not too far away from here, even now." Gwen smiled.
"I would love to think so. Much as I've enjoyed this, I need to get back." Hunith said, getting up.
"Do you mind if I stay a bit longer?" Gwen asked.
"I don't know, I mean is it wise, you're a Queen, Gwen, if anything happened."
Gwen pulled her cloak back, revealing a gleaming sword, "Leon has always insisted I carried it with me, on this trip." She smiled, "I'm fine, really. Anyway I feel really safe here, for some reason. It's not often I get the chance for a bit of real peace."
"Well I suppose, but please don't stay too long." Hunith pleaded.
"I won't I promise." Gwen touched her hand in reassurance.
Hunith nodded and began to walk away. Gwen as she watched the water, could hear Hunith's footsteps get fainter. Eventually she was totally alone, she revelled in the silence of the forest, with only the stream for company. No wonder Merlin called it his Kingdom, she thought to herself. It seemed like a world apart. It was a wonder to Gwen that such places still existed. She closed her eyes, the sun warming her face, she loved Camelot of course, but it suddenly seemed a mad world, compared to this one. She relaxed against the tree trunk, allowing her mind to wonder, her eyes gently closing. It was the last thing she remembered, as sleep overtook her.
Gwen wasn't sure what had woken her. It could have been the change of the breeze, going from cool, to cold. The lack of the sun shining on her face. But she suddenly felt, a little less sure of where she was. Pull yourself together she told herself angrily, as she forced her head to clear, and prepared to make her way back to Hunith. But much as she tried to think, she suddenly became less sure of how she had got there. Or more important, which way she had to go now. She could feel her heart begin to beat harder, and her nerves jangling around. She was struggling so much, that she only saw the figure in front of her, at the last moment.
Gwen suddenly found herself facing a young woman, she guessed in her twenties. The woman had been collecting firewood, and gave a start as if she too, had been taken by surprise. The initial suspicion of both of them, eventually gave way, as Gwen remembered who she was.
"It Vivien isn't it?" she asked, giving a little smile, yet still feeling apprehensive.
"Yes, what on earth are you doing here, your highness?" Vivien asked
"Oh please,I don't think I need my title at the moment. I'd come out here on a walk, with a friend, but I've got a bit lost now." Gwen, suddenly felt quite silly.
"You want to get back to Ealdor I take it?" Vivien asked.
"I'd be grateful if you could put me on the right path."
"Of course I will take you." Vivien said, suddenly a man's voice called
"Vivien?"
Gwen jumped as she suddenly realised they were not alone. Vivien looked at Gwen uncertainly.
"I just need to" Vivien pointed back to where the voice was coming from.
"Of course I'll wait."
Before Vivien had the chance to leave the voice called out again,
"Vivien, what are you doing?"
Gwen suddenly realised her heart was pounding again, there was something about the voice, that was familiar. She turned around, to see the man was now talking earnestly to Vivien. She tried to take him in, he was a tall man, dark hair, and had a way of talking with his hands. She decided to move closer to them, all the while studying the man intently as she did so. If only he would look up, just so she could be sure, she thought. Then suddenly he did, and Gwen was rooted to the spot.
"Merlin." She said softly.
Merlin looked up, his blue eyes clouding over for a second, before suddenly clearing.
"You worked it out then Gwen." He said, quietly, "you always were the intelligent one."
Vivien stepped away, "I think you two have a lot to talk about. I won't be far away." She smiled.
"Make sure you come back Vivien." Merlin called softly.
"I'm so sorry –" Merlin began, but he never got the chance to finish the sentence, as Gwen had wrapped him up in a warm embrace.
To be Continued.
