Hey my friends,

Can you believe it's been 10 YEARS since the premiere of Merlin? I'm still crying. I miss this show so, so so much! No words can describe it, nor describe how much they all changed my life. Merlin is and always will be my favourite show EVER! (And I will always have this huge crush on Bradley James hahaha but that's another story x) )

Hope you'll like this new chapter, my friends!

Love you all3

AND LONG LIVE MERLIN!

Chapter 10 :

Arthur had not slept.

At all.

He had spent the entire night thinking about everything.

He couldn't lose Guinevere.

He wouldn't.

And he would fight back for her.

They had a family and that had to mean something to her.

So…

Arthur looked over at her side and smiled softly, seeing her asleep with her face turned towards him. He hesitated barely one second and brought her to him in a warm embrace. She nuzzled against his chest, sighing happily and then he saw her frown slightly and confused brown eyes looked up at him.

"Arthur?"

"I am here, my love."

"You're not mad at me anymore?"

He chuckled despite of himself and brought her even closer to him.

"You know I can't stay mad at you for the life of me."

She smiled and kissed his clothed chest.

"The feeling is very mutual, husband."

He smiled.

And then a small silence settled, silence only broken by her, in a very soft voice.

"I love you."

Arthur's heart warmed.

"I know that." He finally admitted because that was the truth. He didn't doubt her love for him, he was afraid she could love someone more. "And I know that no matter what, you and I are meant to be together." Their eyes locked in a loving embrace. "No matter how rocky things can get."

Gwen smiled, touched.

They still had a lot to talk about but she didn't want to ruin their moment. They were quite lost in each other when suddenly small footsteps could be heard and they both chuckled.

"Duty awaits." Smiled her husband, getting up but she didn't want him to leave their little bubble just yet, so she caught his hand and brought him back to her, kissing him like nothing would ever matter as long as they had this.

(Nothing ever would.)

Arthur kissed back, basking in all the love she was willing to give him and returning it.

They would be alright.

He was sure of it.

He just needed to get out of his head and his insecurities, and she needed to start opening herself to him and share what was on her mind.

But that was what marriage was about.

Overcoming both of their fears…

Together.

Merlin didn't know what to do.

His heart wanted Morgana.

(Had always wanted Morgana)

But…

But there was still Freya and they were engaged and how could he just wipe that off like it meant absolutely nothing?

He meant every word he told her when he asked her to marry him.

So now what?

He came inside their flat and Freya was waiting for him.

He froze.

Her eyes were red and puffy.

She had cried.

Because of him.

He felt terrible.

Because he did love her.

But was it enough?

"Where were you?" she finally asked but something in her eyes told him she knew exactly where he had been.

He sighed.

And sat by her side on the couch.

Wondering for what felt like the millionth time…

What to do now?

Arthur was on the road to see his sister and for the first time in weeks, he felt hopeful.

At least he had decided he would feel hopeful.

Gwen loved him and no matter this new man fighting his way through her life…

No.

He shook his head, refusing to think about it.

No.

He would fight for her and refused to think this new man would or could take his place.

So,

Arthur took a deep breath.

Because everything would be alright in the end.

He would make sure of it.

The blond man stopped his car in front of Morgana's hotel and got out, before walking to her door and knocking. She opened right away and something in her eyes…

Hope.

The same as his.

"Are you alright?" he asked as she let him in.

"I think so."

"Have seen Merlin, then?"

She smiled, a shy thing.

"I have."

"And?"

"And I have hope things can work out."

Arthur smiled.

"I know it will. I've known Merlin forever and he loves you." Morgana beamed. But Merlin was like a brother to him, so he felt the need to add..."But Morgana, you have to be sure this time. You can't break his heart again. Getting over you had been too difficult to him."

She looked down.

"I know."

He felt bad for his little sister and squeezed her hand.

"I'm not saying that to put a blame on you, you know."

She smiled weakly.

"I know, Arthur. And you're right." Then she took a deep breath. "But I am sure. I want him. More than I have ever wanted anybody." she took a deep breath. "I know I made some bad decisions but it's him, Arthur. It's always been him."

Arthur beamed.

"Then you have my full support."

Gwen was at school, thinking about her talk with Arthur this morning when suddenly Lancelot walked to her.

"You are not going to get away with the way you treated me, Gwen."

She sighed deeply.

"This is really getting too much." she glared at him, her talk with Arthur had given her strength again. "This was five years ago, don't you think you just need to let it go?"

"How dare you talk to me like this?"

He walked to her but she didn't walk back and instead tilted her chin up,

"Leave me alone or I will talk about all of this with Arthur, and I can assure you he won't like it."

A silence.

She actually thought she had won but then…

He laughed.

He actually laughed and she froze.

"Oh dear Guinevere..."

"Don't call me that." she cut him and his smile went so, so dark.

"You think I don't want you to tell your precious husband?"

She frowned,

"What do you mean?"

He walked closer to her still and she forced herself not to flinch.

"What I mean is… Please, do tell Arthur. Knowing him like I do he will come to me and then… Well, let's just say accidents do happen quickly, don't they?"

She froze in horror.

And then he left, laughing.

Her heart stopped.

Now he was not only threatening her but Arthur.

Her Arthur.

She was hyperventilating and crying.

She needed air.

No,

Not air.

She needed Arthur.

They had not talked in a few minutes and he couldn't take it anymore.

"Look-"

"I know." she said, wiping her eyes and he felt horrible. "I know where you were and I know what you did."

"Freya-"

"No. You will shut up and listen to me, Merlin Emrys." His eyes widened. "I know. I know what you did with Morgana and I know you really are lost, you have a choice to make. But… But Merlin, we are engaged and if you wait for me to step aside well… Well think again." she tilted her head and could he feel worst?

"Please, let me explain."

"There is nothing to explain." she cupped his cheeks. "Merlin, when I met you… You were so, so so heartbroken." he looked down, tears pricking at the back of his eyes. "I don't think you remember just how much you were hurt. But you were. Because of her."

"Freya-"

"NO!" she shouted and he jumped, "She is not playing fair, I won't either."

"This is not Morgana's fault. Whatever happened. It's mine."

Pain crossed her face.

"And here you are, defending her again."

He sighed.

"I just..."

"Look, I know I may not be as beautiful as her-"

"¨Please don't-"

"Or charming-"

"Freya, that's not-"

"But I never hurt you, never had and never will."

That shut him up.

"I know." he finally admitted.

"And I love you so very much, Merlin. So, so much." her voice broke and his heart did with it.

He didn't know what to do.

How could one man be that lost?

"You know I love you too." he murmured and a tear escaped her eye.

"I just don't know if this is enough."

Another silence.

"I just need to think." he breathed and she smiled sadly, kissing his cheek.

"I know you do."

And then she left to their room and he took his phone, calling the only person in the whole world he wanted to speak to right now.

"Yes?"

"Bar, now."

A silence.

"I'll be there in five."

Gwen was back home but so very distracted.

All she could think about was Lancelot's words…

Did he meant it?

The truth was, he was not himself lately and that was what worried her. She prided herself in knowing Lance quite much and that look in his eyes? She had never seen it before.

"Mummy?" came a voice that made her jump and Nicholas was frowning at her.

"Sorry baby, what were you saying?"

"You look weird." he pouted and she ruffled his curls.

"I'm fine." she tried a smile. "Just tired."

And worried.

So, so worried.

When Arthur came in the bar, he saw right away Merlin sat at a booth by himself, mopping over a beer.

"Looks like you could use something stronger than that." he said and Merlin jumped, before smiling sadly and Arthur settled in front of him, ordering his own beer.

"Thank you for coming."

"Well, I had nothing better to do." he smirked and Merlin chuckled weakly. "What is it?"

"I don't know what to do."

And it was so strange to see his best friend in this state… Merlin, always cheerful and smiling.

"About Morgana?"

He nodded.

"I talked to Freya."

"Oh."

"Yes, exactly." he chuckled darkly.

"And?"

"And I don't know."

"What did she tell you?"

"That she loved me. That she had never hurt me. That she knew I had slept with Morgana..."

"You're not a bad person, Merlin."

The young man froze and he looked up, looking at his best friend,

"It would seem like it, though."

Arthur sighed.

"Look, you're not. Trust me. I've known you all my life and I have never met someone as nice, righteous, truthful and a better friend than you. Never. I don't even think such a person exist!"

Merlin smiled at that,

"Are you aware you just told me something nice, dollop head? Will you be able to live with that?"

"Nah, I'll just say you were so depressed you heard what you wanted to." shrugged Arthur and Merlin laughed.

"Thanks."

Arthur smiled.

"So..."

"I love them both." he finally admitted.

"I know. But you have to think about who you need in your life."

Merlin sighed.

"I don't know..."

"I have an idea," said Arthur, "We'll take a break from all of that and spent tonight just drinking, and complaining about women and laughing and telling old stories we've already told a million times, what do you think?"

Merlin smiled.

"Deal."

"I'll get more booze, then." he said, getting up.

"Thank you for all of that, Arthur."

The blond man smiled and squeezed his best friend shoulder,

"It will all work out, in the end. Trust me."

Merlin smiled sadly.

A few hours later, Arthur came home quite drunk and refused to sleep even one more night without Gwen in his arms.

His talk with Merlin had shaken him up more than he was willing to admit.

He first came into his son's room, kissed his hair and wished him goodnight before going into their room with his wife, smiling when he saw she was asleep. After a few moments in the bathroom, he hopped in the bed and brought his wife to him, nuzzling her neck.

Little did he know Gwen wasn't asleep at all.

Her mind was still whirling with thoughts.

And she knew she should tell him…

But Lancelot had really scared her this time.

This something in his eyes…

She wasn't exactly sure of what he would or wouldn't do.

And she couldn't risk Arthur.

Gwen nuzzled herself closer to his chest and heard his content sigh, his arms closing tightly around her.

"Gnight, mlove." he slurred sleepily.

No.

No she wouldn't risk him.

She just didn't know what she would do.

She would talk to Lancelot.

Try to make him see reason.

Answers to my Guests:

Guest#1: I understand what you mean, but Arthur&Guinevere have both been through so much in this relationship and this left a lot of scars… But yes I do agree with you, they need to work their issues through! And Arthur started ;) Hope you'll like what is to come next! Xx

Guest#2: Here is the update, my friend! Hope you liked it and hope you'll like what will happen! xx