Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 13: The Proposal

Four days passed since Merlin woke up. Since then, he had been worked to the bone by Arthur. Arthur didn't make him do work maliciously, he just had a significant more amount of work to do now. He was really depending on Merlin. He trusted Merlin with his life and often went to him for council. Merlin did his best. He knew Arthur needed him and he wasn't about to refuse his king.

Gwen had been reinstated as Morgana's maidservant and she had her work cut out for her. Morgana had refused to accept a new maidservant after Gwen had gone into hiding. Morgana wasn't the most adept at cleaning her chambers so a fairly large mess had been waiting for Gwen when she went back to work.

Merlin made his way to Gwen's house when he finished work for the night. He had barely seen Gwen since the day he woke up. Just a few minutes here and there. He hadn't dared stay the night at her house like he had so many times before when she was in hiding. Now they had to worry about the eyes that never truly rested. Anyone could see them and the last thing they needed was unpleasant gossip. That would reflect badly on Arthur and Morgana, and both of them were under far too much stress for that.

Everything was going to change now. Merlin had never been so nervous in his life, which was saying something given everything he had been through.

Merlin knocked on the door to Gwen's little house. She had moved back in after Arthur had pardoned her of the crimes Uther had found her guilty of.

Gwen opened the door and seemed surprised to see Merlin there. "Merlin?" Gwen asked surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you," Merlin told her with a small smile.

"Come in," Gwen said, moving aside to let Merlin in. Gwen sat down at the table and expected Merlin to do the same. She was surprised when Merlin nervously lingered by the door before he took a seat next to Gwen.

"Everything alright Merlin?" Gwen asked him worriedly. These past few days hadn't been easy on him.

"Everything is as good as it can be under the circumstances," Merlin told her honestly. He hesitated. "There's something I need to ask you."

"You can ask me anything," Gwen said. She was watching Merlin curiously. She wasn't sure what he was up to.

"Guinevere," Merlin said slowly. "I'm not sure how to do this." Merlin took a deep breath. He had practiced one thousand things that he could say, but somehow they never sounded right. "There comes a time in a man's life when he needs to move on to his next great adventure."

"Merlin?" Gwen asked confused.

"Gwen," Merlin said. "I think that you are a spectacular woman. You are kind and compassionate and you symbolize all things good. I have never met another like you before…"

"Merlin," Gwen said cutting him off. "Are you trying to leave me?"

"What?" Merlin asked shocked. He was trying to do quite the opposite. Why would she think that? He had to admit, his proposal may have been a little choppy, but he didn't think it had been that bad.

"I know we haven't had much time to spend together, but I love you and I know we can find a way to make this work," Gwen said. She had started to cry. She really couldn't help herself. The thought of losing Merlin was unbearable. They had been through so much together. She had only just gotten him back after fearing for days that she was going to lose him.

"Gwen," Merlin tried to say.

"I know we both have our obligations as servants. You serve the king and I serve… I'm not really sure what her title is anymore. She's not the king's ward technically, but she is practically Arthur's sister. Those are demanding jobs, I agree, but surely that's not a reason to end what we have," Gwen said pleadingly. She hated that she was begging, but she didn't know what else to do. She couldn't figure out why Merlin would want to leave her.

"Gwen," Merlin tried again.

"I'm sure if we talked to Arthur and Morgana they would give us some time off, time to spend together," Gwen rambled. And she was confident about that. Arthur cared enough for Merlin that he would grant him anything.

"Guinevere," Merlin said loudly.

Gwen swallowed whatever she was about to say and looked at Merlin confused. Merlin ignored her questioning look. "I'm trying to ask you to marry me," he told her. He looked into her chocolate brown eyes, searching for the possibility that this is what she wanted. She had made it clear she didn't want to leave him, but he wasn't sure if she was ready for this step. "I never want to leave you, in fact I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want a single day to go by where I don't get to kiss you good morning and hear how your day went before we go to bed. I love you more than I thought possible. Please, do me the honor of becoming my wife," Merlin said. He didn't take his eyes off of hers once. He had no experience with this. He wasn't sure how proposals were supposed to work. He had spoken from his heart and he had to hope it would be enough. At least now there was no way she would think he was leaving her.

Gwen threw her arms around Merlin holding him tightly. "Yes, yes," she said in his ear. "A thousand times yes!"

Merlin let out the breath he had been holding. "Great," he said excitedly.

Gwen chuckled. She pulled back and pressed her lips to Merlin's. They were happier than they thought it possible to be. For years they had to sneak around to have a relationship so Uther wouldn't know about it. Merlin only got to see Gwen for a couple of hours every night. Now, their relationship would be able to truly start. They were excited for this chapter of their lives.

They were to be married by the king at the end of the month. Arthur traveled to Ealdor with Gwen and Morgana to perform the ceremony. When Merlin had requested that they have the ceremony in Ealdor, Gwen readily agreed, but she was a little upset when he insisted on leaving early. He had told her to stay and travel with Arthur and Morgana. What Merlin would need an entire week to prepare, Gwen had no idea.

That is, she had no idea until she stepped foot into Ealdor. Merlin wasn't the only one waiting to greet her, Arthur, and Morgana when they arrived.

For a moment, Gwen just stared. She didn't quite believe her eyes. For standing next to Merlin was her brother, Elyan.