Two years, two whole years had passed since the Kingdom had lost their faithful Queen. No one knew the truth about that night. Of course, there were many speculations and rumours, some more plausible than others, but no one knew the truth. At least, not the whole truth.
The first few weeks had been impossible. The people were in a panicked frenzy, wondering where their Queen had gone. Was she coming back? Had she been taken? Had she been driven out? The King had instantly set up search patrols to find her but that was mainly for the people's sake. He knew why Gwen had taken off and he knew that no matter what happened now, she would never return. He mourned her loss of course, but he couldn't help feeling that a huge weight had been lifted from him. He loved Gwen and the loss of her presence greatly pained the King. But this could mean he was free, he would no longer have to hide his true self from his friends nor his people.
After several months, the citizens of the mighty kingdom began easing themselves back into their daily lives. The Queen was never forgotten, but as time went on people found it easier to put her to the back of their minds and continue their lives as they did before. Everyone was still in mourning but, to an outsider's eye, the kingdom looked as strong as it had been before. Arthur stopped sending out search parties since he knew that where ever Gwen had gone, if she didn't want to be found then no one would ever find her. To everyone else's eyes, the King had accepted that his wife was gone and was continuing to rule alone, his strength growing more each day. However, there were two people who knew different- who knew the truth. The King himself and his loyal Court Sorcerer. For the King was not alone, he had Merlin by his side. His strength was growing because he didn't have to sneak out of bed in the dead of night each time darkness fell. The two men still felt remorse stronger than anyone and they both knew that the pain would never truly fade. But now they were free. They weren't hurting anyone anymore. No matter how hard it was to know that Gwen's absence was their fault, the knowledge that they were causing her constant pain had been far greater.
Half a year after the loss of their Queen, Camelot witnessed a substantial change in their King and his Sorcerer. Nothing was ever publicly announced nor was anything ever confirmed by anyone. But people began to see Arthur and Merlin together in a whole new different way. No one could really pinpoint how or when it had started but what was once a maidservant claiming that she had seen the two of them clasping hands to the others she worked with quickly grew to widespread kingdom gossip and speculation. Not even the King's closest friends dared to ask what was going on but everyone had their own theory. Merlin would smirk as he heard yet another group of citizens discuss him and his King in hushed voices. For Arthur and Merlin had planned this to happened. They were preparing the people for the news they had wanted to share with them for far too long.
Several days after the one year anniversary of Gwen's leaving, Arthur asked Merlin a question. A very important question that he had wanted to ask him for longer than he dared to think. And, to his delight, under the stars and surrounded by candles Merlin's answer to that question was 'yes'. A few days later, the council was gathered in the throne room under an emergency meeting set by Arthur. They paced and muttered to each other, wondering what this meeting was to be about when Arthur himself entered the room quickly followed by Merlin. The two made their way up to the front and, much to the confusion of everyone but the King, when he addressed the council Merlin did not step aside but instead remained firmly by Arthur's side. Then and there it was announced that Arthur was engaged to marry Merlin. The council instantly erupted into shouting. Whether the word being said were positive or negative no one could really say. But Arthur took hold of Merlin's hand and together they walked out of the throne room, leaving a large collection of confused and shocked people behind them.
The wedding day had been a day to remember. The news of their engagement had spread across the kingdom within days and everyone had flocked to the castle to witness the wedding that would bring upon a new age. A new age of freedom, love, and magic.
Several months later, Arthur and Merlin sat side-by-side upon the thrones that they had been destined to sit on since the dawn of time. Camelot was thriving and climbing higher than it had ever gone before. The King's ruled together over the mighty kingdom Camelot was always meant to be. Everything had fallen perfectly into place and the world around them let out a quiet sigh at it admired the work it had been building for centuries.
No one ever forgot Guinevere, least of all Arthur. But he was at peace. He realised that himself and Gwen were never met to be; they loved but they were not in love, not with each other, not really. But in many ways, he was glad of all the trials his heart had been through. For now he knew the truth...
The truth behind true love.