At the Feast
"Remember when you had to serve at these?" Merlin jabbed at Gwen in the large hall. A feast had been served to celebrate Arthur's return.
"Please Merlin, sometimes I have to fight the urge to get up and fill wine glasses." She smiled back at him.
"Amarah -"
Hearing her name made Merlin pause. His mind raced back to the feeling of pure power running through his veins and the gentle kiss.
"She is the new baker?" Merlin shook his head out of his dream.
"Yes."
"This must have taken her days."
Merlin turned to look at what she meant. The servants brought out trays and trays of desserts. It was a magnificent mound of breads and sweets.
"Who made this?" a man shouted. The party fell quiet and turned to see who spoke. Merlin leaned over himself.
"Who made this?" Gwaine shouted louder even though the room was almost silent. He was holding a small apple tartin in the shape of a heart. Merlin could feel his heart start to race. A loud scrape echoed off the walls as Gwaine pushed his chair back, stood, and hurried out of the great hall. Curiosity stirred the crowd and soon the entire party got up to follow him.
"Gwaine!" Arthur called after him - clearly not appreciating the drama. When he did not reply or turn around Arthur growled a bit then scooted his chair out to follow. Gwen and Merlin joined.
They rushed ahead to try to catch up with Gwaine, he was almost at a run and headed straight for the kitchens.
The kitchen was a mess of people, pots, pans and plates coming and going in a blurr. Gwaine stopped at the entrance and looked around. Arthur, Gwen and Merlin caught up just in time to see him rush toward the brick ovens. He didn't stop or even slow down- instead he rushed her grabbing her by the waist and picking her up in a spin. Then pulled her in and kissed her.
"STOP!" The crowd turned from the couple to stare at Merlin. The kitchen stopped moving to stare at him too. Merlin's heart raced.
"You'll - he could rip her stitches." Merlin managed.
"Actually," Amarah said with a pained sigh.
She gently ran her hand up the inside waist of her corset. "I think I have broken them" Her gloved hand came away glistening with fresh blood.
"Someone get Gaius!" A cook called.
"He is with Rose! She is in labor." Shouted a courtier glad to have been able to contribute to the drama. A rumble of chatter restored the bustle of the kitchen.
"I will take her." Merlin walked toward her, but she desperately tried to avoid his eyes. She was still flushed from Gwaine's kiss.
"Fantastic, can we all go back to the fest now?" Arthur turned back toward the great hall. "Great, Merlin's gone- who will serve us now? Huh, you have some experience right Guinevere?" He jabbed her in the side and then pulled her in for a kiss.
"I'm sure it is fine Merlin. I can wait for Gaius." Amarah said. Gwaine was standing there a bit dumbfounded.
"I'm so sorry Amarah, what happened to you? How did you get here?" He asked.
"We can't wait for Gaius, we don't know how long he will be gone and infection could set in if you are not treated." Merlin replied interrupting Gwaine and avoiding eye contact. Amarah sighed and agreed.