Full Circle

As they slipped back into her room, Gwen marveled at Arthur's ability to scale the wall while carrying a sleeping Merlin on his back.

"He can't be that light," she mused, helping to ease him onto her bed. "If I were to carry him, I'd tip right over…"

Arthur smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Is this your roundabout way of giving me a compliment? I'm touched, honestly I am."

"I believe compliments should be given when they are due," she said, raising an eyebrow, "or else one runs the risk of making someone's head much bigger than it ought to be."

"Ouch," he said winking at her.

She smiled at him and an odd stretch of silence followed in which neither of them could think of what to say. They were in some strange limbo, not knowing how to proceed yet knowing with certainty that they could never to return to how they were.

Then, without warning, Gwen found herself pressed against the bedpost with Arthur's hands around her waist.

"What on Earth—"

"Shh," he whispered into her ear, his breath hot on her skin.

The words died on her lips and she sat quietly in his arms for a few moments, leaning into his touch, and relishing in his warmth.

"You enchant me," he said finally, breaking the comfortable silence. He lifted a hand to her cheek and rubbed his thumb back and forth across her skin, "How did you manage it? Tell me your secret."

She blushed at his words, suddenly feeling a bit hot around the collar. "There is no secret to tell. You're confusing your feelings for me with something else, Arthur. It's the danger and the mystery of it all that sets the fire."

"No," Arthur shook his head trailing his hand down the curve of her neck. He lightly squeezed the soft skin of her shoulder. She gasped and he smirked, looking satisfied. "You feel it too."

"For the same reasons you do," she whispered breathlessly, trying to remove his fingers from her shoulder. "It's new, exciting and forbidden. Once you've satisfied your curiosity, you'll wonder why you ever—"

He silenced her with a kiss and she was glad for the bedpost or she would have melted right through the floor. It was different from the first time, when she had been hesitant and he, expectant. It was more familiar, more intimate than before.

He pushed forward and she wrapped her arms around his neck, wincing a little as her back dug into the bedpost.

Her pain did not go unnoticed by Arthur who promptly pulled away. "I've hurt you."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "I'm training to be a knight. If this causes me pain—"

"No," Arthur said, shaking his head. "I took advantage of your vulnerability. I know you have much more pressing matters on your mind. It was insensitive of me to add this to it."

"It's alright," she reassured him, releasing the hold she had around his neck and placing her hands on his shoulders. "We don't know what this is, Arthur. For all I know, things could return to normal when I become a man again. There is no need to move so quickly. If its meant to happen, then it will."

"You're right," Arthur said, nodding. "I just got this feeling that if I don't kiss you now, I may never get another chance to do it again."

"Indeed you won't," said a voice from behind them.

Guinevere and Arthur gasped as they looked up to find Lancelot leaning against the wall. They immediately separated themselves, but the damage had already been done.

"I would have never expected this of you, Guinevere," said Lancelot quietly. The anger in his eyes was so intense that she had to turn away. "I knew something was wrong when you said something about giving this servant the day off. You know better than anyone that today is a special day."

"I…" Gwen stammered.

She was completely out of clever ideas and Merlin was out cold. They were in terrible trouble now.

"If you don't explain your wretched behavior, Guinevere," he said, walking over to her and roughly grasping her hand, "you will be sentenced to death. Do I make myself clear?"

"Let go of her!" Arthur exclaimed, pushing Lancelot away from Guinevere and pushing her behind him.

"And you," Lancelot seethed, narrowing his eyes at Arthur, "You're supposed to be my friend! I trusted you and you betrayed me for my harlot of a betrothed—"

Arthur's fist connected with Lancelot's face before he could finish. The prince sailed to the ground, sliding across the floor until his back connected with the wall.

"You are not worthy enough to be Prince of Camelot and not nearly worthy enough to take Guinevere as your wife," Arthur growled, cracking his knuckles.

"I'll have you both burned at the stake for this," Lancelot seethed, wiping the blood from his lips on the back of his hand.

"No, you will burn me and me alone," said Arthur quickly looking at Gwen to prevent her from saying anything to the contrary, "I'm responsible for this. I placed Gwy…I mean Gwen under a trance… with sorcery. I've always thought she was beautiful and that she deserved much better than you."

"Arthur—"

Arthur raised a hand, silencing her. "She thinks she is my servant. That's why she's dressed as she is. She has no control over her actions."

"If she's under a trance, then break it," Lancelot demanded. "I never thought you would be capable of such evils. I should have known. I should have kept Guinevere away from prying eyes."

"The only way to break it," said Arthur, smirking at Lancelot, "is for me to kiss her."

Gwen raised an eyebrow at that. She knew Arthur was daring, but this was verging on ridiculous.

"It pains me enough to know that you've touched her, you think I'll allow you to kiss her! The audacity," Lancelot growled angrily.

"If not, she will forever be under my spell even after I'm burned at the stake," said Arthur, glancing down at his nails in faux nonchalance. "I'm sure you don't want that."

Lancelot looked pained for a moment, thinking about his options. Then finally, he sighed and said, "Do what you have to do. I refuse to marry a woman whose heart remains with another."

Arthur didn't need to be told twice. In three quick strides he reached her and pulled her close. The sheer romanticism of the movement made her dizzy. Then, before she had a chance to orient herself, he kissed her again.

She felt herself losing control of her body with each passing second. She'd never paid attention to him like this before. For the first time, he was raw, completely open and vulnerable. No words were needed. She knew, in that moment, that he was placing his complete faith in her.

He pulled away and whispered, "Now, slap me."

Gwen nearly didn't do it. After all, who deserved to be physically assaulted after a kiss like that?

She pulled back her hand and struck him lightly. "You heathen! How could you do something so despicable? You know where my true affections lie!"

Arthur winked at her before covering his wounded cheek with a hand.

"Guards!"

At Lancelot's order, two knights, who Guinevere vaguely recognized came into the room.

"Throw him in the dungeon!" Lancelot ordered, walking towards her, "For what he has done to my Guinevere, he deserves to burn like the filth he is."

As they dragged him out of the room, Guinevere wished she could pull out her sword, free Arthur, and run away with him. At the moment, that was her selfish desire. Here, she could be with whomever she chose. Here, she didn't have to worry about status or titles.

But she could never be a knight and Arthur would never become King. It would be like going back to square one. They would both have an unhappy future filled with "what ifs".

She'd gotten more than she'd bargained for. They had kissed, he had been kind to her, and, for the first time in a long time, she could be herself. But all good things must come to an end.

"Come, Guinevere," said Lancelot, pulling her out of her revelry. "I can't imagine what you've gone through. I wish I had seen it."

He stroked her cheek and Guinevere had to restrain herself from pulling away. "It's all right, Lancelot. I'm fine. I just want to be alone, if you don't mind. I've had enough of men for a night."

"Understood," said Lancelot, warmly. "I will station guards outside of your room in case that swine happens to find some way to escape."

"Thank you," she said, her words laced with false gratitude, "Now get some rest, you're going to need it. You know how tiring these events are."

Lancelot nodded, kissed her hand, and took his leave. Gwen let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She wondered how on Earth she managed to get herself into these kinds of situations.

"That Lancelot isn't very bright, is he?"

Gwen jumped and nearly screamed before she remembered that Merlin was still in the room. "No, he's not the Lancelot we know and love. He's a giant prat."

"If I recall, you seem to be into giant prats," said Merlin, smirking. "Giant prats of the… princely persuasion."

"Oh hush, this is serious," said Gwen, blushing. "Arthur's trapped and I have to kill Uther if we can ever hope to escape from this horrid place."

"You are listening to what the dragon told you?" Merlin asked incredulously. "That dragon's only out for his freedom and nothing else and he'll do anything to get it."

"Caelia told me too," said Gwen. She sighed and slid to the floor, placing her head in her hands. "But you're right. How do I know I can trust either of them?"

"Welcome to my world," said Merlin sadly. "I wish there was something I could tell you, but I don't understand this destiny nonsense any better than you do."

"But you know magic!" Gwen said, sidling over to him excitedly. "Surely there's something you can do. Do you know a truth spell or something?"

"No, I'm still learning," Merlin told her. "I don't mean to be so useless, I promise. I think, for once, this is not my quest: it's yours. And, trust me, I don't envy you for a second."

"Wonderful," Gwen said dejectedly. "Just…wonderful."

"Well, at least you won't have to bail Arthur out of jail," said Merlin. "Come to think of it, I'd much rather have your job."

Gwen smiled. "I'm glad you've retained your wit in these troubled times, Merlin."

"Jokes aside," he said suddenly, knelling down and lifting her chin with his finger, "I believe in you. I'll support and protect you in whatever you decide to do. Remember that."

"Thanks, Merlin," Gwen said, warmly. "That's all I could ever ask of you."

"Great, because, to be honest, that's all I've got," he said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Now," Gwen said, her voice reflecting the courage now inside her heart, "this is the plan…"

After spending just a few hours in the dungeon, Arthur wished he could throw himself out the window. He'd never realized how horrid a stone cell could be, and, being a prince, he'd never had the displeasure of being trapped inside one. He could only hope that he would be freed, and soon, before he began to tear his own hair out.

His thoughts of Gwyn were keeping him sane at the moment. Tough, strong, soft, Gwyn who would find a way to get him out of this hellhole.

Funny, he had never thought he would ever need to be rescued. He wondered if he should be lamenting the loss of his male pride or something. He shook his head and cast such thoughts aside. He was prince Arthur. There was never a shortage of male pride when he was concerned.

"Waiting for your prince charming, Prince Arthur?"

Arthur jumped up immediately, looking around to locate the source of the mysterious voice. For a moment, he wondered if he had truly gone mad.

"He's not coming," said the voice again.

"You," Arthur hissed as he looked through the bars of his cell to face Mordred. "When I get out of here you'll—"

"Don't you mean, if you get out of here? How do you know your friend won't leave you here to rot? After all, you're only second best. Lancelot was always his first choice. You were only an afterthought."

"I know what you're trying to do and it won't work," said Arthur, stubbornly. "If you were so certain in all your convictions, you wouldn't need to come down here and taunt me. Obviously you need me for something and I'm not willing to oblige."

Mordred shrugged. "Who said you had to be willing?"

Before Arthur could react, Mordred's eyes changed from blue to red. He tried his best to resist, but the young wizard was much too powerful.

He whispered Gwyn's name before and his mind went completely blank.

"Hold still, Lady Guinevere!"

For a moment, Gwen wondered whether subjecting herself to the "price of beauty" was more difficult than what she was about to do.

"I'm trying, Morgana, but my head feels like its about to explode."

"That means it's working!" Morgana insisted. Her eyes looked a bit manic and Gwen looked frantically around the room for a mode of escape. There was none to be seen and Morgana's grip on her hair was akin to a falcon's talons.

"Prince Lancelot deserves to see his bride-to-be at her best!" Morgana insisted, threading yet another pearl onto one of Guinevere's curls. "If you look bad, I look bad, remember? We definitely can't have that, can we?"

"That would be most egregious," Guinevere replied, resigning to her fate.

"I mean, The Crown Prince is already upset that his prisoner managed to slip past the prison guards—"

"Arthur escaped?" Gwen gasped before she could stop herself. "When did this happen? How?"

Morgana raised an eyebrow at Gwen's outburst, but continued her relentless hairstyling. "Late last night, he disappeared. The guards swore they were watching him and he just vanished. None of them remembers exactly what happened."

"That's horrible," Gwen sighed. In reality her heart was threatening to beat out of her chest. "What will they do when they find him?"

"The guards have been ordered to kill him on sight," Morgana answered. "You know, since King Uther seems to think that running away is an assurance of guilt."

"I've never heard of such nonsense in my life," Gwen scoffed. Her words were fueled with the anger and fear she felt on Arthur's behalf. "Running away just signifies fear. He does not deserve to lose his life. They should at least hear him out first."

"You seem very adamant about this," Morgana said, narrowing her eyes at her. "Did you—"

"No!" Gwen shook her head and willed herself to calm down, "No, I had nothing to do with it. I just don't think it's fair that they should pronounce his verdict without a proper trial."

"I know." She tugged on Gwen's hair absentmindedly, causing her to bite her lip. "I suppose you're right."

The two of them sat in silence for a while. Gwen was worrying about Arthur and marveling at his skills. She never pegged him for a brilliant escape artist. If they got out of this alive, she would have to ask him how he managed it.

"All done!" said Morgana, stepping back to marvel at her work. "My brilliance never ceases to amaze me."

Gwen looked at herself in the mirror. It was odd, seeing herself decked in jewels and pearls that were worth her father's entire life savings. Though she looked beautiful, she almost felt sick looking at herself in the mirror. What right did she have to relish in the lap of luxury while Arthur's life was in danger?

"Thank you, Morgana," she said, abruptly standing up. "I'll head down to the feast. I'll see you lat—"

Suddenly, Morgana wrapped her arms around her from behind and pressed her cheek against her shoulder. "Don't do it."

"What?" Gwen asked, surprised. "Don't do what?"

"If you do it, we're all… we'll all… oh my," she said releasing Gwen and looking astonished. "I don't know what's come over me Milady. Forgive me."

"See you at the feast," said Gwen, her stomach filling with dread.

Morgana nodded and Gwen lifted her skirts and hurried down the stairs to the dining hall, wondering what on Earth she was supposed to do.

When she arrived at the hall, the ornate decorations, the diverse spread of food, and the sheer number of people in attendance almost immediately overwhelmed her. For the first time since she'd been trapped in this world, she wondered what this feast was for. It seemed much too elaborate to be a normal celebration.

As she approached Uther's throne, all such thoughts flew from her mind and she focused on her objective. She and Merlin had planned to execution. She was to embrace Uther and, when his guard was down, she would reach behind his throne, retrieve Excalibur and drive it into his chest. They'd be home before the next few minutes if the plan went smoothly.

"You look stunning, my dear," Uther said, smiling down at her with pride. "I would expect nothing else from my son's bride to be. Sit down, revel in it. You only get married like this once."

She smiled and, as planned, she leaned over and hugged Uther, her hands groping for Excalibur.

It wasn't there.

She took a sharp breath and pulled away from him, moving to sit in a chair next to him, her heart filling with dread.

She looked at Merlin, her look conveying the dread that she felt in that moment. His look of shock confirmed it; they were in big trouble. Whatever was about to happen was not going to be good.

"Today is a very joyous occasion!" Uther exclaimed, addressing the crowd warmly. "My ward and my son's engagement is now official!"

The crowd cheered and clinked their glasses together in jubilation. Several of them bowed to her and Lancelot, who grinned at her from his throne.

"UTHER!"

The hall fell silent as the double doors flew open, revealing Prince Arthur, who began to walk towards the throne.

Any relief she felt at seeing him dissipated when she realized that he had Excalibur tied to his belt.

"Guards!" Uther yelled as Arthur strode towards him, angrily. "Do something!"

But the guards could only look on in horror. Their feet were glued to the ground and they couldn't move their limbs.

Uther tried to back away but he too could not move.

"Think about this, boy!" he spat at Arthur as he approached. "Do you really want to murder the king of Camelot? What have I done to you? I've given you a job, haven't I?"

"YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!!!"

Gwen was surprised by the raw emotion in his voice. She was used to him being so controlled, so poised. It disturbed her to see him so wild and unhinged. Something wasn't right.

"Arthur," she said softly.

She started walking towards him, realizing that she was immune from whatever spell had been cast.

"Get away from him, Guinevere!" Uther shouted. "He's going to kill you!"

She ignored him and stood in front of Uther's throne. "Arthur. Listen to yourself! You're under a spell. Uther… you don't want to kill Uther. You're going to regret this when everything returns to normal."

"Get out of my way, Gwyn," he growled. "If you protect him, I'm going to have to hurt you as well."

"You don't mean that," she said softly. "I know you're not going to do this…Merlin. Help me!"

Merlin tried to whisper an incantation, but nothing happened. His eyes did not even flash blue. He looked at her in horror.

"That Caelia," he seethed. "She took away my magic!"

Gwen tried not to panic, but she was finding it more difficult by the second. She did not have any magic and, without a sword, she was helpless.

"Do it Arthur!" said a voice from behind her. "Kill Uther. Think of the pain he's caused you. That he's caused Camelot! It would be a shame to let him live."

Arthur's eyes flashed red, indicating the influence of Mordred's magic upon him. His fingers wrapped around Excalibur and he slowly removed it from its sheath.

"Arthur, please!" she pleaded, wrapping her arms around him as she had in the forest. "Don't give into it! I know you're stronger than that. Just give me the sword…"

She pulled the sheath out of his belt and released him, holding her hand out to him.

"Just give me the sword…"

She still stood in front of Uther, her body protecting him like a shield. Arthur hesitated, before starting to hand the sword over.

"He killed your mother!" Mordred shouted. "Do it now!"

Arthur reaffirmed his grip on the sword and charged towards them. Gwen pushed Uther out of the way and closed her eyes as the sword pierced through her stomach.

"Noooo!" Merlin yelled from across the room, his voice filled with anguish, his body still rooted to the ground.

She sputtered and blood flew out of her mouth. Her body collapsed onto Arthur's shoulder, he hand still grasping the sheath of Excalibur.

Arthur let go of the sword, kneeling down on the ground, holding her bloodied body in against his chest.

"Gwyn!!" he shouted. "Oh, what have I done!"

"Good," Gwen said, chuckling weakly. "You're… you're back to normal."

"Gwyn… you're going to be alright. You're scrawny, but you're one of my best trainees. You can't die this easily."

"Take it out…" she whispered.

"What?"

"The sword," she said, looking down at her wound. "Take it out, Arthur."

Nodding, he grabbed the hilt of the sword with shaking hands and pulled it out as fast as he could. She moaned in pain and grabbed a fistful of his trousers.

"And so goes the mighty Guinevere of prophecy," Mordred said, smirking. He walked towards her. "I knew you were nothing. You couldn't even kill Uther. You're disgraceful."

Mordred knelt in front of her, lifting her chin with his hand. "You're just a weak little girl. But I win. And now you'll die in this place, a loser, as I always knew you were. You and your weak little friends."

"You can say what you will to me," she said, her hands grasping the hilt of Excalibur. "But when you insult the people I love, you cross the line!"

With as much strength as she could muster, she forced the sword into Mordred's heart, catching him completely by surprise.

She felt the world melt around her as she leaned against Arthur's chest, pressing her hand against her open wound. She felt Arthur's hands on her shoulders, steadying her as they shifted through worlds.

They were back in the forest clearing after just a few moments. The soldiers were all still lying on the ground unconscious and oblivious to everything.

Merlin rushed over to them, kneeling to brush the hair out of Gwen's face. "Are you okay?"

She lifted her shirt and looked down at her wound, astonished to find that it had completely healed.

"Wha—"

"Excalibur," said a voice from behind them.

Mordred was leaning against a tree in the clearing, an annoyed expression on his face. "I forgot it's hilt allow the wearer to be healed. Though I didn't expect you would pull the sword out of your stomach. Impressive. Looks like I've lost this battle."

"Uther wasn't a Golem, was he?" Gwen asked, standing up. "It was all a trap. You wanted me to kill Uther."

"If you had killed Uther, he would have truly died," Mordred answered, looking her in the eye. "The next time, it won't be your choice. If you knew what he's done to you, you wouldn't protect him so vehemently. You would have let the prince kill him and you would have enjoyed it."

"You don't know me," Gwen said, shaking her head. "I'm nothing like you."

Mordred shook his head. "You'll see in due time. For now, I'll believe the elders and the Fey. You are qualified enough for the time being."

"Qualified for what, exactly?" asked Arthur, stepping in front of her.

"Oh, Prince Arthur," Mordred said, smirking. "You really have no idea, do you? I can't wait to see your face when the truth comes out. I'll treasure the image forever. Until next time."

He mumbled a few words under his breath and a whirlwind enveloped him. Then, just like that, he was gone, yet the sound of his laughter lingered.

"Ugh!" Gwen screamed, punching a nearby tree in anger. A searing pain traveled through her stomach and she doubled over.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Arthur asked, running over to her. "You haven't fully healed, you idiot!"

"I don't understand… why did he put us through all of that? To prove a point? To manipulate us?"

"He's crazy, Gwen," said Merlin simply, "What other explanation should you need at this point?"

Mulpitle groans filled the clearing and one by one the knights began to wake up from their slumber.

"What on Earth?" asked Gawain, scratching his head. "What happened?"

Merlin, Gwen, and Arthur all looked at each other and silently agreed not to disclose the details of their odd adventure.

"Some strange creature passed through here," said Gwen quickly. "It was rather large and bright red. It makes everyone fall into a deep sleep for hours."

"How do you know this?" asked Leon, yawning. "Weren't you asleep?"

"I'm small," she said. "I was… the least likely target. I didn't even get hit by it."

"I suppose being a runt does have its advantages," said Pellas in a condescending tone. "I still wouldn't want to be you, though."

Oddly enough, they all seemed to buy her story. It sounded absolutely preposterous to her, and apparently to Arthur too because he snorted from behind her.

"Come mount your horses," Arthur ordered, still smiling. "The druids will be long gone by now I expect."

"Leodegrance," he barked, glancing at her meaningfully. "You will ride with Merlin."

"But—"

"No questions, that's an order," he said, turning away from her. "If I lose you now, all of this would have been for naught."

He said the last part in a soft murmur only she could hear and she couldn't help smiling back at him in response.

When they returned to the castle, they reported to King Uther about their journey, along with the strange red creature they had encountered. During the entire report, Gwen averted her eyes from Arthur. They were now in the real world. All affections he felt towards her would be forgotten and they would continue as they had before they had left Camelot.

When they were dismissed, she walked hurriedly away from the throne room and up the spiral staircase to her room. She closed the door behind her and pressed her back to the wall, sliding down it slowly until she hit the ground. She was back in the world she loved, but why did she feel so empty after such a huge victory?

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Slowly, she stood up, opening the door.

It was Arthur, looking like he'd just run three miles.

"Close the door, " he said to her.

She complied wondering what this could possibly be about.

"Gwyn," he said, his blue eye shining with determination. "I… I really like you. I like you so much it confuses me. I shouldn't like you because you're a man, but I like you."

"Arthur, please," she pleaded. "We can't do this. Whatever this is. You know we can't. What would your father say?"

"Screw my father!" he exclaimed. "Screw the damn rules! The conventions! The only thing I care about is being with you. I realized it when I thought you were dying. I felt so empty. I never want to feel that way again."

"Arthur—"

"I threw Excalibur in the lake," he said, loudly cutting her off. "I threw it in the lake because it reminded me of how I almost killed you. I couldn't bear to use it. I gave up an sword of immense power because of you and you still won't have me?"

"Arthur—"

"We can be together in secret. No one has to know and no one will find out—"

"ARTHUR!"

He turned to look at her, surprised at her outburst. "What?"

"Shut up," she said, pushing him against the wall and kissing him hard.

He smiled against her lips and wrapped his arms around her waist as she kissed him with her perfect mouth.

She pulled away and lay against his chest, relaxing in his arms, ignoring her conscience. She would let it wreak havoc on her later. For now, she would just enjoy the moment.

Th' hast spoken right, 'tis true.

The wheel is come full circle, I am here.

King Lear Act 5, scene 3, 171–175

Sorry it took so long! Inspiration kept hitting me for my other story and this one just took forever to finish. Enjoy their happiness, because it won't last too long… eh… I might be nice. But she's lying to him and you know how that always turns out…

Please review! I love your feedback!

Miki-hime