So new chapter is definitely up before year end! mersan123 and NightsAnger I hope you're both pleased.

I've been blown away by the support shown for this fic and I know that I will follow through to the end of it. This chapter was meant to be longer, or rather was meant to go in another direction but then things happened. As in events had to occur for what I need to write to be able to happen. All this means is I know where the story is really going now. Like instead of an aimless 'I think it will end here' I'm feeling more like 'This is how it ends'. The only issue is getting there.

But you aren't here to read my notes.

Enjoy!

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Feasts had always been one of Gwaine's favourite things about life in Camelot. Feasts meant good food, better company and no shortage of laughs as the night wore on. However since the hunting trips return feasts had been less enjoyable. The growing divide between Merlin and Arthur laced interactions with tension. A tension that seemed nonexistent to the two, but was obvious to the knights.

The current feast is to celebrate Arthur's achievement in the diplomatic affairs of Camelot. He has managed to broker a political partnership with neighbouring lands to the north. An alliance between the two lands had been thought to be the stuff of wishful thinking. Uther and their ruler had never seen eye to eye on many matters, especially that of magic. That Arthur has managed is an accomplishment for the young King. One that deserves a celebration. After all, the reduction of border skirmishes would be a relief to villages nearby.

The place of honour to the Kings right has gone to the leader of the northern lands. His daughter sits to the Kings left, something which made the leader smile. His daughter is fair of skin, the type who spends more time indoors than out. The type who rarely interacts with her people. Her hair has been teased into ringlets, which draw attention to her cheekbones. The feast starts with the kings attention focused on that of the northern leader. Yet as the night draws on the Kings attention turns more and more toward the fair lady.

This is a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Merlin, tasked with serving the knights rather than the king, has noticed. The knights in turn have noticed, Elyan noticing with a small measure of anger. Gwen has noticed as well, and each laugh shared by the King and fair lady make her hands shake. She continues to serve with a smile. Elyan wishes it did not have to be so.

And yet, the feast could have finished on a high note. A high note tempered by Elyan's annoyance at the King; but a high note nonetheless. But it was not to be.

As the King stands to escort the young lady from the hall to her rooms for the night she poses a question.

"My Lord, if I may be so bold, I was wondering if I might... enquire on your attitudes towards magic and those who use it? The views of your father are quite well known. Yet little on the subject has been heard from you."

"There are good reasons for that my lady. In the current situation it is often better to say nothing." A diplomatic answer if ever there was one. And still,

"Oh surely in the current company it would do no harm to speak of your views my Lord?" Arthur let out a laugh, the glance he threw over his shoulder landing on Leon and the Knights. They all attempted to smile in response. Before Arthur would have waited for a teasing comment to respond. He would have waited for more input than painfully false smiles. He would have been able to detect the false joy in their smiles. Now he couldn't.

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt." A pause. And then, "If their presence is not overbearing I have little quarrel with them. If they wish to make a home in my lands they may." The knights froze where they had been following the King. Gwaine and Mordred's focus lingered on the King for a second then turned to Merlin.

Merlin who was watching the King leave with utter betrayal written on his features.

The expression was gone almost as fast as it had appeared but it had been there long enough. Without another word Merlin turned his back and resumed his duties. Mordred and Gwaine shared a pained look, knowing that the breaking point was near.

At Arthur's words Leon felt his loyalty freeze to the core. For all that he had decided to side with Merlin he had not thought it would happen like this. He had not thought Arthur would ruin everything with such a clean blow.

These were not words Arthur had been speaking over the hunting week. These were not the words Arthur spoke each time Merlin brought the subject up. Each time the pair spoke of magic and its uses. That the king could change his tune so fast and with such sincerity...

It was worrisome. To say the least.

((()))

Merlin continued with his duties, only relenting when one of the other servants insisted. His flight from the room was only stopped by Gwen, with a hand to his elbow and a pained smile. He hated seeing her smile in such a way. They had left together, finding their way onto the ramparts. A heavy silence sat between the two and Merlin was loath to break it.

"I've been so foolish haven't I?" Gwen's voice was soft, softer than it usually was. Merlin turned to find her staring down at her hands. What little light the moon offered cast her face in shadow. Gwen was not made to stand in shadow, Merlin thought. She was meant for the light, and the bright, and thehappy.

"You're never foolish." Merlin's word's startled a laugh from her, though it was not as happy as he liked Gwen to sound. Her focus turned to the view before them and she sighed.

"I am plenty foolish Merlin." She paused, searching for the right words. "He used to… Oh it sounds silly when I think about it now. But he used to find little ways to let me know he was going off. A note here or a few words about preparations for the trip when I was in the room. It was so sweet." Gwen paused again, biting at her lip. Merlin reached for her hand and the smile he got in response was pained but grateful. "This last hunting trip, there was no warning. I found out from one of the cooks. And I thought 'oh it must have slipped his mind'. He used to ask me things about Camelot and its people. He seemed to find reasons to keep talking to me. And when he returned he asked after me so I thought… Oh I don't know what I thought any more! I'm just a silly serving girl." Her voice broke.

"Gwen, you are so much more than a silly serving girl." Merlin pulled Gwen to his side as she took deep breaths. "You are so much more. And if Arthur cannot see that any longer then you deserve so much more."

"He's never flirted so much before when I've been serving, Merlin. And the way he smiled at her as they left the hall..." Her voice was so small, so hurt, that for a moment a fierce anger filled Merlin. No-one should make Gwen feel this way. Gwen, who was never anything but kind and nice and so, so sweet to those who needed her time. Gwen who always stopped asking questions of him before he'd needed to lie to her. Who took his silences in stride and sat at his side still.

"I'll make sure I don't go easy on him next time we're training." The voice came from the shadows behind them and they spun to meet it.

"Elyan!" Gwen's brother stepped from the shadows of the doorway. The smile he offered Gwen was sincere, if tempered by some anger. He brushed a hand over her cheek and only then did she realise she had been crying.

"The King has done much to earn my ire these past weeks. That he has made you so upset has only made it worse." Elyan was so sure of his words. Gwen's expression crumpled and she buried her face into her brother's chest. And still she sought to keep her sobs quiet.

Merlin stepped back, knowing that Gwen needed only the comfort of her brother now. Elyan nodded at him, calling out as he opened the door to return to the castle.

"I believe Mordred and Gwaine were looking for you."

"I'll see if I can find them before they turn in then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Merlin."