I know that there was a little too much delay in the time it took Arthur to return and Gwen, Morgana, Merlin and Lancelot to set up a relief effort...he wasn't THAT far from the castle and yes he was delayed by running into Leader!Lancelot but...not THAT delayed - so I'm sorry guys, but that's just what was in my head, so that's what I wrote.
The last episode...eh...I laughed (Merlin was funny and I rewound and watched Arthur reprimand him for being a peeping-tom a couple of times), but NO Arwen, NO Gwen, barely any Morgana - it was a bit like a drought. I did enjoy Merlin barreling down the corridor and pushing random servants to the ground - LOL that was pretty great, they must be SO sick of this weird guy who's always running around and is tight with the Prince and the King's ward ...ooh connections...but still I felt a bit cheated even though Sarah Parish was amazing ( and that saved the episode) and I enjoyed the Arthur/Merlin vibe Uther and Gaius were giving off - the whole "I'm going to tell you something crazy but you have to believe me!'/'Shut up and go away, I know what I'm doing!' thing.
I hope Gwen makes an appearance and gets SOME lines next week.
Also how is NO ONE thinking 'oh the King seems a little too 'enchanted' with whats-her-name' - Hello?! Suspicious (and creepy) smiling!
We also learned that Gwen must have a whole wardrobe of that purple dress, seeing as she lost it 2 weeks ago but had it for this ep (for one scene).
I realised that possibly I could have used Gaius at this point in the story but it was too late, I'd already sent him away...so it's Doctor!Gwen time.
Gwen administered to one of the guard's wounds – his name was Alex apparently, and he wasn't too enthused about having her check him over, assuring her he was fine before sitting down dizzily at her instruction. Merlin handed her some clean cloths, she smiled – he was very useful, despite what Arthur said. She cleaned away the blood and set about picking out the splinters of wood – Alex had been stabbed by a spear and pushed through a window, he'd revealed both these details reluctantly. Merlin watched over her shoulder, studying her movements – always learning. He'd seemed to have forgotten how tired he was…thankfully.
Morgana moved over to a huddle of serving maids, her arms laden with blankets – she passed them out, receiving grateful smiles and bowed heads. She sighed looking around at all the injured – this shouldn't have happened.
Arthur supervised the collection of the dead, these people had all given their lives for Camelot as far as he was concerned – and they would get recognition for their sacrifice. He felt responsible – he should have talked his father into negotiating with the Lucien's. Gwen was right; silence was easy - too easy.
Gwen finished bandaging Alex's wound and sent him on his way, she glanced up at Merlin. "He's not going to take it easy is he?"
Merlin smirked, "You know those rough, tough save the world types." He shrugged.
Gwen laughed and leaned forward to rub at some dust on his cheek, "I was very wrong about you, you know."
Merlin sighed and leant against the wall, "Do we tell Arthur...everything?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Gwen glanced away and started rolling up some extra bandages, "Yes, of course." She sighed. "We just have to find the right time."
Merlin scoffed, "The right time."
She smiled, "Merlin, you'll be happy to know now is not the right time." She glanced out the window, "We'll definitely have to talk to him together, though – the four of us." She murmured, looking thoughtful before clapping her hands together, "Right, next patient." She exclaimed sending Merlin off.
Morgana walked through the courtyard on her way to get more bandages and clean cloths when she spotted Arthur; she walked over to his side. "It's not your fault." She said softy.
He glanced back at her, "That's not how it feels." He sighed, frowning. "It feels like I let everyone down."
"We saved Camelot." She reminded.
"No, I left. Like a coward." He shook his head. "And by the time I get back the enemy's gone – mysteriously – no one has any explanation that makes sense, the castle's in disarray, so many of our people are injured – dead – and Lancelot's out there leading some kind of recruitment group."
Morgana frowned, "What are you more upset about, people getting hurt or Lancelot taking charge?"
Arthur scowled and turned his back on her, "I don't have time for this, Morgana." He said, brushing her off and striding away.
Her face flushed and she glared after him – suddenly she remembered that she'd promised herself that she wouldn't let him get away with this behaviour anymore – they weren't children any longer. She chased after him.
Arthur felt a hand grab his arm and spin him around, Morgana moved into his personal space her eyes flashing. "Now you listen to me, Arthur Pendragon." She hissed. "Not everything is about you." She laughed harshly. "Have you even noticed that Gwen hasn't spoken at all about how she's feeling? Are you really that dense you can't see she's hurting?"
He frowned, "She would have said something."
Morgana took a deep breath and stepped back from Arthur, "You don't know her at all." She said, turning and walking away.
Gwen walked quickly down the hallway, dodging people as they carried various weapons and tools from one side of the castle to the other, she saw Lancelot heading towards her from the opposite direction and smiled.
Lancelot had only enough time to notice Gwen before he found a plate thrust into his hands. "Eat something." She muttered, continuing past him, a tray clutched in her arms.
Gwen walked into the courtyard, setting her tray of food and drink on a low wall and walked slowly over to Arthur – who was standing in the middle of sheet covered bodies. She pressed a hand to his back, letting him know she was there.
Arthur sighed, "They've been sighted returning…my father's coming back. I don't even know where to start…"
"You should eat something, I brought enough for everybody." She replied looking around at the four sombre faces of the men standing guard around the courtyard.
He turned to her, watching her wearily. "Morgana says your upset." He said, watching her face closely.
Gwen sighed, "I'm fine…It's just a lot to take in." She tried to move back the way she'd come, away from all the bodies, but Arthur grabbed her arm.
She turned to him tearfully, "Arthur." She said, her voice low. "I need to keep busy."
He moved closer to her, "Or what? What are you afraid of?" he asked taking her hand.
A girl ran into the courtyard, sobbing hysterically and reaching out to the bodies, one of the guards caught her and held her back. Arthur and Gwen turned to watch as she was carried away – frantically calling out for her father.
Arthur closed his eyes in regret; his lowered awareness allowing Gwen to pull her hand from his, pick up her skirts and run from the courtyard. Morgana and Merlin were just in time to watch Gwen fly past them up the nearest staircase, Arthur on her heels. They exchanged worried looks.
"Guinevere!" Arthur called after her, not caring who heard him.
Gwen spun around a few steps ahead of him; she glowered at him, breathing heavily. "You want to know how I feel? I'm angry! That they even got in in the first place! That they invaded our home! That I'm changing into someone I don't recognise! That you weren't here! That so many people had to lose someone!" she ranted, waving her arms at him.
"You told me to go!" He reminded.
Gwen put her hands to her head, "I didn't say any of it made any sense!" she hissed, her eyes filling with tears. "Forget it! Go meet your father!" she said turning and running up the rest of the stairs.
Arthur stood on the step breathing heavily, simply stunned – she'd never spoken to him like that before, he'd bet good money she'd never spoken to anyone like that before. He heard Merlin and Morgana come up behind him.
"Can I rely on the two of you to handle things down here?" he asked after a beat.
"I can talk to her." Morgana offered.
"No, I can do this." He gave an awkward shrug "I mean I've faced Griffons and…Evil, I should be able to handle this." He added doubtfully.
"First fight?" Merlin asked.
Morgana elbowed him in the side and turned to Arthur. "Go, we can handle things." She assured, pulling Merlin down the stairs in front of her.
My Merlin's abit of a smartass...but it was the perfect time for an inappropriate comment and they're all exhausted and stressed so that's his release, Morgana gets frustrated and works hard, Gwen keeps busy and fusses over everyone else, Arthur prepares and blames himself....and Lance is out...somewhere *rolls eyes* recruiting.
I decided to name 'Alex' because saying "the guard this...the guard that" etc would have been annoying and it's short for Alexander - which is an old name. Also I figured he'd been a little iffy about Gwen helping him because of the rumors surrounding her and Arthur - plus the whole castle would know how close those four are - so he knows she's someone important, and there she is picking out his splinters.
Was it too out of character to have Gwen yelling at Arthur on the stairs?
One chapter to go...which is my original ending (this chapter is still part of 'The Gap') so I'm actually happy with it - and it's fair to say it makes sense, makes a nice change.
