Chapter 8
When Gwen walked into Hunith's house and saw Duran and Arthur, she gasped. Both of them were splattered with mud.
"What did I tell you?" Merlin was trying hard to keep a straight face.
"Sorry Mummy." Duran said with a sad look on his face.
"It's my fault. I poked the silly toad and it jumped straight into the puddle. We were really close to it and we were covered. Merlin will wash everything. Wont you, Merlin?" Arthur looked up at Merlin hoping to be saved from Gwen's anger.
"Of course, Sire." Merlin turned away to grin.
"Maybe you should do it, Arthur." Gwen said with a tilt of her head.
Merlin couldn't hold back any longer and started to laugh. "Gwen he doesn't know how to do anything except fight and rule a Kingdom."
"Maybe you should teach him, Merlin. Gwen smiled. "In case he wants to be a farmer or something."
Arthur made a face. "Why would I ever do that?"
"Don't you remember the picnic that was interrupted?" Gwen asked.
"Oh yes that picnic. I do remember saying that Merlin would come along for the hard work." Arthur said with a twinkle in his eye.
Merlin frowned. "That is not fair."
Gaius laughed. "Oh but it would be so entertaining for me to see the two of you try to farm all by your selves."
"Merlin was always a hard worker in the fields." Hunith said. "He would know just what to do."
"Thank you Mother." Merlin said and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Who said I would want to go with you anyway?"
Arthur opened his mouth to say something and Gwen cleared her throat.
"I'm going to wash up a bit. I will be right back." Gwen went outside to wash the dirt off her hands and face in the basin by the door outside.
Arthur followed her. "Guinevere, I was wondering if you want me with you when you speak to Elyan."
"No. I think it would be wise for him to cool down a little before seeing you. He will be angry with us both but I am most afraid of what he might say or do to you." Gwen said as she washed her hands in the basin.
"I understand. He is one of my most trusted Knights and I feel horrible for keeping things from him already." Arthur said.
"We both have kept much from him." Gwen said. She wiped her hands on the towel hanging on the hook.
"You have a smudge." Arthur said. "Here, I will get it off." He took the towel and dipped it in the water and wiped off a smudge of soot from her cheek.
Gwen put her hand on his. "Thank you."
Arthur leaned down and kissed her. It was a soft gentle kiss. He wasn't sure how she would react after he kissed her last time.
Gwen reached up and pulled him back down for another kiss. This time they kissed more passionately. Arthur pulled her close against him.
Merlin walked out and stood there while they kissed and waited. When they broke the kiss, he coughed to get their attention.
"What is it, Merlin?" Arthur almost growled at him.
"Mother is putting supper on the table." Merlin said. "But if you are too busy kissing to eat then I'll just go back inside."
"Get inside before I hit you about the head." Arthur threatened. "We will be there in a moment."
"Arthur, we should go in. I need to see to Duran after all." Gwen said as she put a calming hand on his chest.
Arthur nodded. He took Gwen's hand from his chest and held it as they went inside.
Merlin walked in right in front of them with a big grin on his face. "They were kissing."
Arthur reached out and slapped Merlin on the back of the head. "And you were watching."
"Now sit down and eat all of you." Hunith said.
Gwen sat next to Duran and helped him put jam on his bread. Arthur and Gwen gave each other warm looks throughout the meal.
When the meal was over Hunith looked at them both. "Gwen, you and Arthur go take a walk. I will watch Duran. I know you have things to talk about."
"They will probably just kiss." Merlin said with a grin.
Hunith hit him on the top of the head.
"Ow! Mother!" Merlin winced.
"You will get another if you don't leave them alone." Hunith said.
"Thank you Hunith." Arthur said. He and Gwen got up and went outside.
X
Arthur took Gwen's hand as they started to walk. "Did I tell you how happy you have made me by coming with us to Camelot?"
"You didn't have to. I could see it in your eyes when I told you." Gwen said as she gave Arthur's hand a squeeze. "I just hope you weren't expecting a wedding as soon as we arrived."
"I am an impatient man. I admit it but I will continue to do as you ask." Arthur said.
"Thank you for the cloth. I should make it into a gown when we get to Camelot. For feasts and ceremonies of course." Gwen said.
"It will be beautiful. You were always the best seamstress in all of the land." Arthur said.
Gwen smiled. "Arthur, how will you explain Duran? Will he be acknowledged as your son at Court?"
"Yes he will. I have already made him my heir." Arthur said.
Gwen looked at him surprised. "You did?"
"Yes because even if you decided not to come back to Camelot, he is my son and the Kingdom is his upon my death." Arthur told her.
"If we marry and have a legitimate son, will Duran be disinherited?" Gwen asked.
"No. He is my first born. Whether he is legitimate or not is of no importance." Arthur said. "At least not to me. I am King and I say who succeeds me and it will be Duran."
"If we had stayed here?" Gwen asked. "What would have happened then?"
"He would be found and given his birthright." Arthur said. "I need your help Guinevere. I need you to make sure he is well grounded and I want you to help him be a good man. My father did a poor job with me, I think. It wasn't until you were in my life that I even tried to be better as a man and a King."
"You give me too much credit. I will make sure he is not a prat if that is your worry." Gwen said.
Arthur grinned. "It is. Will you be taking much back to Camelot?"
"No just clothes and toys mostly. I did bring a few things with me when I first came here that I will want to take back. There is nothing that we can't put on the horses."
"I did see a hobby horse. Did you want to bring it?" Arthur asked.
"No. I am sure he will have another soon." Gwen said. "You plan on spoiling him, don't you?"
"Some." Arthur admitted.
They arrived at Gwen's house and Arthur opened the door for her to enter. They went inside and Gwen lit the fire. She joined Arthur at the table.
"Everything we are taking with us is there in those sacks." Gwen nodded to three large sacks near the door. "Duran watched me pack but he thinks we are just going for a visit. He doesn't realize that we are leaving here for good."
"You can visit whenever you want." Arthur said. "Hunith has always welcomed us. Merlin is fortunate to have such a kind mother."
"She was a big help when I needed it." Gwen said. "I don't think I will ever be able to repay her for everything she did for us."
"Maybe we should take Hunith back with us too." Arthur said.
"Merlin would love that. Hunith is so proud of him. She told me what she had to go through when Merlin was a baby. She had no one to help her. It made me sad because I had her to lean on." Gwen said.
"I am grateful to her for that. I have always had a fondness for her. It is almost like she is everyone's mother not just Merlin's." Arthur said.
"And grandmother." Gwen said. "Merlin needs to give her a few grandchildren of her own."
"What girl would marry, Merlin?" Arthur made a face.
"He is the man servant to the King and the apprentice of the Court Physician. He is quite handsome as well. Any girl would be lucky to have him. I had a bit of a crush on him when he came to Camelot." Gwen told him.
Arthur wrinkled his nose. "I'm glad you saw sense."
Gwen laughed. She got up and went to sit on his knee. She caressed his cheek. "I have only loved you with all my heart."
"And I you with all of my heart." Arthur said as he pulled her close. "You have been the only one in my heart."
Gwen kissed him. Arthur picked her up and took her over to narrow bed. He pulled off his tunic and joined her.
An hour later, Merlin stood outside the door and hesitated. He could hear sounds coming from inside that made him grin. He walked back to his mother's house without disturbing them.
"I think Duran is staying here tonight." Merlin said as he came in.
"Why?" Hunith asked. "Are they still talking?"
"They weren't talking. They were … um …" Merlin blushed.
"Oh I see." Hunith said as she blushed too.
Gaius raised an eyebrow and grinned. "We may be getting a Queen sooner than we think."
