Chapter 14: Arthur's Heartache

"No, not that one, it doesn't suit me," said Arthur as Edward took another jacket off Arthur as he stood in the mirror. This was the fifth jacket he had tried on this morning, and Edward was getting quite annoyed.

"Pass me the blue one again," Arthur asked, and Edward reluctantly put the blue coat on the Prince's broad shoulders. Arthur turned around once, then twice, before shaking his head and removing the jacket. "Too dark," he said, tossing the jacket aside.

"May I ask what has put you in such a... fussy mood this morning sire?" asked Edward as he picked up the disposed jacket.

"Oh, you have no idea Edward. You have no idea how it feels to be in love!" Arthur sighed.

"I'm sure I don't," he agreed "Who is the lucky lady my Lord."

"Never mind that," Arthur quickly said "I need to find something that makes me look good. I'm going to be seeing her later today."

Edward sighed. This was going to be a long morning.

"Lancelot, will you please take your hands off my eyes," laughed Gwen. Lancelot's promise of doing something special for her certainly hadn't gone unfulfilled, and he had made something very special for the start to her day. He took his hands off her eyes and showed her her house, which was alight with candles and glowed a brilliant shade of orange. On the table, there was a meal set out with a bunch of flowers in the middle and flower petals.

Gwen gasped at the beautiful sight that was her usual, boring house, and turned to give Lancelot a kiss. He smiled and motioned for her to sit down, "My Lady," he said in that voice that she loved. She giggled and sat down. This felt so much better than when she and Arthur had been eating together. For some reason, Gwen felt that she had always hidden apart of herself from Arthur- with Lancelot, she could always be who she truly was- Gwen. She took a deep breath as the aroma of the freshly cooked breakfast in front of her washed through her senses.

"You never told me you could cook," she commented, as she took a morsel into her mouth.

"I'm sure you have many hidden talents I have yet to discover," he smiled.

"I wouldn't be fooled, I'm not that talented. I can tell you anything you want about armour, and I can sew. That is as far as my abilities extend."

"I'm sure you're just being modest." She shook her head.

"I'm really not. I'm quite boring actually. You'll regret coming back to me," she laughed "Sure you don't want Morgana instead? You can always change your mind."

Lancelot laughed and kissed Gwen's hand.

"I'll never want anyone ever again my dear." Gwen felt a shiver run down her spine when he called her that. She had never been called that by a man- ever, and it felt wonderful to hear it from Lancelot.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked. Gwen huffed in disappointment.

"I have to go to work Lancelot," she said.

"Oh yes, of course." His disappointment was evident, but he didn't say anymore "I should really start looking for work here myself. I don't suppose Arthur needs another servant?" he joked.

"Don't say that Lancelot. Don't forget, Arthur was going to knight you before you left Camelot. He may bestow your knighthood again."

"I don't think so. Uther would never allow it," he said solemnly.

"I'm sure we'll find a way to get you knighted Lancelot. I know how much you need it."

"That doesn't matter. It is out of my hands."

"I'll do what I can," she promised "But I can't influence Arthur very much."

"But it's not Arthur who needs the influencing," he reminded her.

"True," she admitted "But I'll do what I can, I promise."

"Thank you Gwen." She smiled at him, and found herself staring at him again mindlessly. She was doing that a lot recently.

"I should be going," she said, cursing the fact that work time was approaching. They both stood up together.

"Would you like me to walk you to the palace?" he offered.

"That might not be such a good idea Lancelot. Arthur might see you. I think it's best if I see him first and... Explain things to him." Lancelot nodded.

"Good idea," he agreed.

"Thank you for a wonderful breakfast. It was the nicest time I've ever spent at breakfast. Normally it's just me and it's rushed."

"Well in that case, consider it done every morning!" he clapped his hands together, making Gwen giggle.

"Well... I'll see you later," she said.

"Later," he agreed, watching her disappear behind the oak door.

After Arthur had finally made up his mind on what to wear, he made his way up to Morgana's chambers. He would finally pluck up the courage to propose to Gwen. He didn't care what anyone said- Morgana, Uther, anyone. He had decided and nothing would change his mind. He assumed that Gwen would have already made it to the palace by now, unless she was running late. He decided to stop at Morgana's room first to be sure.

He walked up the steep stairs leading up to her room, but just as he was about to knock on the door, he found it wasn't shut, only pulled too, and he could hear voices from inside. It was Gwen and Morgana talking.

Arthur's mischievous side decided to wait outside and find out just what girls did talk about all day.

"So how was your day off?" Morgana asked Gwen.

"Ah, you know. Ok."

"You're hiding something Guinevere," Morgana teased "What did you do yesterday?" Even though he couldn't see Gwen, he was sure she was feeling nervous by now.

"If I tell you, will you promise not to tell anyone, especially Arthur? I want to tell him myself." Arthur leaned further in to hear what Gwen's secret was that she didn't want him to know about.

"It's just that no one knows he's back." Arthur's first instinct was to think of Merlin (of course it was). Who else could it be that 'came back'? But surely he wouldn't be hiding from Arthur, would he? Surely he wouldn't go to Gwen's first? He listened more to hear who it was she was talking about.

"Who's back Gwen?" Morgana asked curiously "Is it Merlin? Is he back?"

"No, of course not!" Arthur felt a twinge of pain rush through him at those words, but continued to listen.

"It's Lancelot," he heard her whisper. Lancelot? Oh No!

"Really?" asked Morgana.

"Yes. He was in the square yesterday. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it was him."

"Wow."

"I know," Gwen squealed like a little girl.

"You've always had a fancy for him, haven't you Gwen?" Morgana asked.

"I love him," she told her bluntly. This hit Arthur like a blunt knife. What was Lancelot thinking strolling back into Camelot as if he had not abandoned Guinevere like that? What was Gwen thinking in betraying Arthur like this? That is how he felt- betrayed.

He realised that there was nothing he could do now to win Gwen back. Her love for Lancelot had always been stronger than anything, and he just had do accept it. He bit his lip hard to prevent himself from shedding a tear. He had never cried over a woman in his life and he didn't intend to start now.

The worst thing was that now he had no one. No one to comfort him and no one to even love. Well... he had Morgana, but she could never understand. She had never been in love and she would never understand the loss and the pain that he felt right now. He wanted... he needed a friend. He needed Merlin.

This did make him cry. Only one tear, but a tear none the less. He stood up straight and pulled back anymore that might escape his levees. Taking one last look at the door, Arthur slowly walked away, leaving the girls to their conversation.

"I'm so happy for you Gwen!" Morgana said, moments after Arthur had left. Neither of them knew that he had been listening, and so did not understand the damage they had caused.

"You know... I have a secret to tell you too. About Arthur." Gwen shuffled in her seat.

"Tell, tell!" she said, excitedly.

"Well... he came in here yesterday and said he wanted to propose to you."

"Oh no!" Gwen cupped her mouth in guilt and turned away "Oh no, this is going to destroy him!" she whispered.

"Arthur's a strong man, he'll be alright," Morgana assured her "Don't you remember Lady Sophia?"

"Yes, but this is... different. She was... weird." Morgana laughed.

"Yes, she was. But what I mean is, you can't feel guilty over choosing the person you love over the person you don't... when Merlin returns, Arthur will realise that too." Gwen looked up at Morgana.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Don't you see it?" she asked, amusement in her voice. Gwen shook her head.

"They're in love!"

"Arthur and Merlin?"

"Haven't you noticed?"

"Well... I always knew they were close, but... well, yes, I suppose you're right!" she laughed. "That's why he's missing him so much."

"Well, that's the thing Gwen, I don't understand why he would want to propose to you, when he is in love with Merlin. He was been since he came here."

"Has he ever said so?" she asked.

"He doesn't have to. You can tell from a mile away!"

"I suppose so," she agreed. Then it dawned on her. Of course! How could she have been so stupid!

It was Merlin that had broken the spell that Arthur was under. When she had kissed Arthur, the spell wouldn't break, and it must have been Merlin. Merlin's kiss! Then why was he not with Arthur? Why had he left?

"Why?" she whispered, unaware that she was thinking out loud.

"Why what?" asked Morgana. Gwen came down from her thoughts.

"They kissed!" she blurted out "That's why he left, not because of his mother!"

"Gwen, are you feeling alright?" Morgana asked.

"No, listen, they did kiss! When Lady Vivian was here, Arthur was head over heels for her, do you remember?"

"How could I forget?" she laughed.

"But it wasn't real."

"How do you mean?"

"He was drugged- enchanted with love juice."

"Are you sure? Do we know who did it?"

"I don't know who did it, but I'm positive that Arthur was enchanted, Merlin told me. He said that only Arthur's true love's kiss could break the spell and he told me to do it. But it didn't work."

"But... Arthur isn't enchanted anymore?" Morgana observed.

"Exactly!"

"So they must have kissed?"

"Exactly!"

"But then why would he leave?" It didn't make any sense for Merlin to leave if he had kissed the man he loved. Something was seriously wrong.

"That's what I can't figure out. Surely they would be together?"

"Maybe he was afraid." Gwen shrugged.

"I suppose he's trying to hide the fact they kissed. We must never mention it," Gwen warned. "Who knows what he'd do."

"Right- we don't say that we know... although, if he ever admits it, I am going to have such fun teasing him about this!"

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AAARRGHHH What am I doing, giving you this chapter so early (hold me back) hope you guys are happy with it!!!

I really feel sorry for Arthur in this chapter, bless him!!! Don't worry Arthur, Merlin isn't far away!!! (well, a few chapters away)