"What the hell are you doing here?" Arthur asked in rage the moment he saw Gabriella standing at the door of his chambers. "I don't want to see you here, now get out."
"Please listen to me," she said calmly.
"Listen to you?" Arthur burst into incredulous laughter to scorn her. "Now you listen to me," he said looking straight to her face without smiling. "If that thing that calls himself my father and that idiot you call a mother has sent you to me, go back to them and tell them I plan on killing you if you come close to my chambers again. Now get out of my chambers!"
"I came on my own accord," Gabriella said.
"To seduce me?" Arthur said rudely.
"No. I came to help you escape."
Arthur paused. "Why would you want to do that?"
"Because I could be in your shoes one day, we can't help who we fall in love with," she said.
"Why should I trust you?" he asked.
"You have every right not to trust me Arthur, but I assure you, you can trust me."
The two of them stood there for about two minutes in thought before Arthur finally spoke. "I believe you. But if I find out you are doing something stupid, I will kill you personally."
This made Gabriella laugh. "You don't have to trust me."
"Now, let's get to business," Arthur began. "First you have to find my servant Merlin and tell Morgana that we've got help from you. But get to Merlin first."
Gabriella went straight to Gaius's chambers. When she got there, she knocked on the door and Gaius opened it. He was very surprised when he saw the princess.
"I want to see Merlin," she said. This surprised Gaius.
"Is there a problem your highness?"
"I have a message for him."
"A message? From whom if I may ask?" said Gaius.
Gabriella was becoming impatient. "I have no time to waste with you old man, arthur has sent me to fetch him."
Gaius didn't trust Gabriella.
"Merlin left for work this morning, he isn't back yet."
"Okay, if he comes back, tell him Arthur needs his attention right away."
Gaius smiled at Gabriella who smiled back and left.
Meanwhile, Lancelot and Merlin were running towards the outskirts of the gates of Camelot when they saw the soldiers that had taken Gwen out of Camelot returning.
"They must have left her outside Camelot," Lancelot said.
As soon as the palace guards were gone, the two passed the gate.
"We have to follow the trail of their horses," Lancelot suggested to Merlin. They followed the trail to its stopping point. They looked around; there was no sign of anybody.
"Do you think she has been murdered?" Merlin asked.
"I swear I will kill Uther and Arthur if Gwen has been killed unjustly," Lancelot muttered, his fist clenching. Then Merlin saw the hem of Gwen's gown close to a tree.
"Over there," he said and ran towards the direction he had seen the gown. Then he saw Gwen sitting on the ground close to the tree.
"Gwen," Lancelot called. Her eyes were closed, she felt so weak and tired. She opened her eyes when she heard her name.
"Lancelot, Merlin," she managed to say. "What are you doing here?"
"Gwen, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you," Lancelot said. He was by her side now. "We need to get you out of here." He helped her up while Merlin helped in carrying Lancelot's sword.
"I feel so tired, and I don't have any where to go," she said.
"I should go and get Lancelot's horse, we are taking you to my mother in Ealdor," Merlin said.
"No, I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
"She won't mind," he replied.
"I'll be back," Merlin said and went back to Camelot.
"Be careful," Lancelot warned.
When Merlin was gone, he sat close to Gwen without saying anything.
Merlin snuck into the castle and went straight to Gaius's chambers. Gaius was pacing around when Merlin entered. He took a deep breath, visibly relieved.
"Thank God you are alright Merlin, the princess Gabriella is looking for you, she is saying Arthur sent her."
Merlin was surprised. "Why would she be looking for me?"
"I don't know but where you are is safe Merlin," Gaius said.
"No need to worry, I am going back there but I will come back tomorrow."
Gaius tried to dissuade Merlin but he didn't listen. Merlin went on to tell him how they had found Gwen and that he had come to take food, water and a horse so that they would be able to help her to Ealdor. Gaius helped him with food and water. Merlin went over to the stables, making sure he was not detected. He picked up Lancelot's horse and was going out of Camelot. He thought of going to inform Arthur that he had found Gwen and that she was in safe hands. But he feared he might be caught so he went straight out of Camelot. Gwen was asleep when Merlin got back but woke up when she heard the noise of the horse.
"I think she should eat something before we begin our journey to Ealdor," Lancelot said. Gwen ate what was brought by Merlin and they soon began their long journey to Ealdor.