I get undressed easily, but stiffly. I know she is looking at the wound in my side, but I do not care. I let her measure me. Once she is done, she helps me back into the night gown. "I should have one for you tomorrow. The rest will take a bit of time," Gwen says happily. I stop for a minute, with my back to her. I can feel Merlin's eyes on me, and I look at him over my shoulder. He blushes bright red, and disappears behind the curtain.
I can barely breathe! I thought with what Gwen was saying that they were done. I feel my face getting hotter. She has such a beautiful body. I cover my mouth to keep from making any noise. What was even scarier was that she saw me. The heated look in her eyes was scary. It was almost like she would eat me up, if she was a wolf. "What is it?" I hear Gwen ask.
"Nothing I thought I heard a noise," Raven says simply. "It was probably nothing," she says as an excuse.
"You can come out now Merlin," Gwen says. I can hear the smile in her voice. I stand up, and come back out into the room. Raven is wrapping the cloak around her shoulders. I blush a little just looking at her. Man what is wrong with me? Why does my stomach feel funny every time she looks at me with those icy eyes? Am I getting sick?
"Now Merlin, do be a gentle man tonight," Gwen says with a small smile.
"What do you mean?" I ask in confusion.
"She is just a girl Merlin. You must be gentle," she says with a hint of laughter in her voice. I feel my face burn, as I finally get what she is talking about.
"Guinevere!" he yells. He hurries from the house. I look at the smile on Gwen's face, and I cannot stop the similar smile from spreading across mine.
"That should keep him out of trouble for awhile," she whispers to me.
"Does he get in trouble a lot?" I ask her.
"Not as much as Arthur, but they do cause a lot of mayhem," she says with a smile.
"The prince is quiet handsome. Wouldn't you agree?" I ask with a slight touch on her arm. I am not very good at human expressions. She blushes, and sputters a little. "I'll be staying with Gaius. Just let me know when the dresses are done," I tell her simply, before walking out. Merlin is waiting for me outside.
"I didn't mean to look," he says immediately. I giggle a little.
"Relax Merlin, I understand. I was not upset. I was a little self conscious. However I am a shifter, I grew up in a village where half the people walked around naked, and the other half were wolves. I am used to nudity," I explain.
"Where is the village where you were born?" he asks curiously.
"Why so you can see all of the naked women, you peeping tom?" I tease. His face heats up. I cannot keep a straight face. "I am just kidding. It is far beyond the reach of you young one," I say simply.
"How old are you?" he asks. Clearly he is not thinking at all anymore.
"Merlin, if you wish to live another year, I suggest you never ask another woman how old she is," I tell him seriously.
"Sorry, I was just curios, because you called me young one," he says shyly. I can hear him at the edges of my mind. He is furious with himself for forgetting himself so many times tonight.
"I am just a few months older than you. Knowledge is passed down through families. I know everything my ancestors knew," I tell him simply.
"So do you get taught or does the knowledge just come to you?" he asks.
It sort of floats around, and when I need it, it is there for me to use. It is a very useful technique for us shifters. It allows us to keep our intelligence as wolves," I tell him.
"What is it like to run as a wolf?" he asks me.
"The first time I shifted, it was like flying. I felt like my feet never touched the ground. Perhaps when you get a chance I can show you," I tell him simply.
"What do you mean?" he asks curiously.
"Being a creature of magic, mine has no end. I can do things with a thought, which you would have to study for hours. It is something I grew up doing. My pack used the method to hunt. I can share my thoughts with you," I tell him.
"That sounds so cool," he says a little breathlessly.
"Why have you not told Gaius that I am a shifter?" I ask him.
"That information should be shared at your discretion," he says.
"Thank you, you're so sweet Merlin," I tease him.
"I believe I am supposed to be a gentleman," he says playfully, as he holds his arm out for me. I blush slightly, before wrapping my arms around it and leaning my head on him.
I can already feel my face flushing. I did not think she would actually do it. I walk a little slower, so I can enjoy the way this feels. I like having her pressed against my side like this. I look down at her head. Her thick black hair is shining in the light from the torches. "Merlin!" I hear Arthur yell from behind me.
I stop walking, and turn to face him. He pauses for a moment when he sees Raven hanging off of my arm. "Yes Prince Arthur?" I ask in annoyance.
"Have you gone mad?" he asks seriously.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," he says simply. I watch as Prince Arthur studies Merlin. Then I see those eyes land on me, and I shiver at the look he is giving me.
"Who is your friend?" he asks Merlin.
"Entirely none of your business, that is who," Merlin says snottily.
I giggle at the horrified look on Arthurs face. His eyes shoot daggers at me, and I shoot them back. He actually takes a step back. "I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning," Merlin says to Arthur, before walking away. I giggle again. The look on the prince's face was absolutely priceless. "I don't know why, but I do not want to share you with anyone," Merlin says under his breath.
"Good, because I refuse to share you," I tell him simply, as we enter Gaius's room.
"You go to sleep in there. I will sleep out here tonight," Merlin says to me.
"Such the gentle man," I tell him teasingly, before giving him a kiss on the cheek, and disappearing silently into the room.
