Characters: Gwen, Mithian, Arthur & Merlin mentions of others

Pairings: Mithian/Gwen (Friendship), Gwen/Arthur (romance) and Mithian/Merlin (pre-romance)

Rating: K

Timeline: Set in 5x04 but before 5x05

Summary: Gwen offers words of encouragement to Mithian and observes her with Merlin.

Words of Advice

Gwen didn't usually go hunting. It might be hypocritical but she couldn't kill a defenseless animal, even though she did enjoy things like chicken and pork. She'd rather go fishing than hunting if she were honest but Mithian was still visiting as the injured Nemethian knights recuperated and she loved hunting. Arthur and some of the knights were taking Mithian and Rodor to some fruitful areas and the princess begged her to come. Mithian had been a frequent visitor during Gwen's three years as queen and the two corresponded regularly through letters. She should've noticed something was off, Mithian had been so distant. She supposed she was just so worried over what Arthur would do about Odin's involvement in the seize of Nemeth that she hadn't paid as much attention as she should have to her friend. She decided she could go on the hunt to make up for her uncharacteristic lack of observance.

She grabbed her red trousers, and a red tunic with a black coat detailed with red embroidery. She pulled on her sword belt and boots and pulled her hair back into a half up-half down style away from her face. She caught up with Mithian in the hallway. The paler woman wore off-white trousers, a white tunic and a light blue overcoat along with her sword belt secured around her waist and her crossbow in hand. The princess noticed the queen only had her sword.

"Are you close-quarter hunting? I believe you'll give Arthur quite the scare if he sees you chasing after a wild boar, sword in hand." She commented whilst looping her arm through Gwen's.

"His face would probably be priceless but no, the sword's just for protection. I don't really want to hunt but I want to get away from the castle and spend time with you before you leave."

"What are you going to do on the hunt then?"

"Look pretty, pick herbs for Gaius and flowers for me and Arthur's chambers, watch you and Merlin tip-toe around each other. You know, the usual." Gwen replied in a joking tone, though her last words turned Mithian scarlet red.

Gwen had been noticing the lingering looks Mithian and Merlin gave each other over the years. She was 80% sure they hadn't evolved beyond camaraderie but she thought that both her friends deserved happiness and if it was in each other, that was even better.

"I've no idea what you mean. Merlin is a nice companion and a good friend, that's all."

"Maybe but you want there to be more and don't deny it." The English rose looked down in embarrassment.

"There's nothing wrong with it! Merlin's a lovely person, he's quite worthy of your love and anybody would be lucky to receive his."

"I suppose you're right but I'm a princess and he's a servant. I know you were a maid and Arthur a prince but it's different. I'm a woman, I'm suppose to be sold off to the highest bidder. Look at what happened with Arthur, I came here to marry a man I'd never met and if we had married I would've forever lived in your shadow picking up scraps of his love for you."

"Mithian-"

"I'm over it now, don't worry. It's just more difficult for me to follow my heart than it was for Arthur."

"Well I do not believe Rodor is like Uther. I don't believe he will accuse Merlin of enchanting you and call for his execution. Arthur wouldn't allow it anyway. Perhaps you should have a bit more faith. I've found that there is always hope, even if you can't see it." Gwen advised sagely as the two women walked through the palace doors and down the stairs towards where the knights, servants and two kings prepared to head out. Arthur looked surprised at Gwen's attire, she obviously wasn't just going to kiss him goodbye.

"You're hunting with us?" He questioned incredulously.

"You hate hunting."

"I'm not going to actively hunt but I am accompanying you." Gwen informed him. Arthur suddenly smirked.

"I thought you said I'd never get you to go out on a hunt."

"Technically you didn't. I'm going for Mithian's sake, not yours." She answered. The other knights snickered at Arthur's pouting face before Gwen kissed his lips chastely and went over to where a page boy was saddling up her white mare. She looked over to where Mithian and Merlin were talking to each other behind the cover of Merlin's steed. From her vantage she could see that they were both blushing and standing a bit awkwardly though they sported large grins. It was like seeing the beginning stages of her and Arthur through a third person's perspective. She supposed she now knew how Merlin had felt watching her and Arthur:

Joy for your friends...

Gwen watched Mithian step closer to Merlin and place her hand on his arm. Merlin looked at her hand before looking back at her face. Mithian said some things to him but Merlin was just staring at the princess. Gwen was fairly certain whatever she was saying was flying over his head.

...anticipation for them to just happen already...

Mithian stopped talking and suddenly Gwen was watching them get lost in each other's eyes. If she weren't so enraptured by the two she would've looked away due to how intimate their little moment seemed.

...and annoyance when you're suddenly reminded why it isn't so simple.

One of the Nemethian knights suddenly appeared next to them eyeing Merlin distrustfully and suspiciously, Mithian immediately let go of Merlin at the man's arrival and gave him her full attention before walking off on the knight's arm. She looked back at Merlin who was watching her leave with a sullen expression. Gwen was reminded of that look on Arthur's face all too often when they had to walk away from each other. She jumped as arms wrapped around her waist.

"Leave it." Arthur said softly.

"What?"

"Merlin and Mithian - whatever's happening between them - just let it play out."

"I haven't done anything." Gwen protested looking at her husband over her shoulder.

"Yet. Don't meddle Guinevere."

"I think you're confusing me with you."

"I don't meddle!" He protested indignantly.

"Sure, just like you don't hover." She replied sarcastically.

"I don't hov- this isn't about me, we're talking about you."

"I won't do a thing beside offer the best advice I can. I don't want either of them getting hurt but I also believe they should be allowed to find happiness in each other. We got to, Merlin deserves this. I think he's more lonely than he lets on. I just worry about him."

"That's one of the reasons I adore you so much, your heart is impossibly big." Arthur whispered in her ear before kissing her cheek and tightening his arms around her waist prompting a wide smile to stretch across her lips.

"If you two are done, we'd like to leave some time today." Merlin said teasingly as he passed them atop his horse. Gwen flashed the manservant a smile before walking off to her horse and pulling Arthur behind her before he inevitably began teasing Merlin. She watched Mithian's gaze linger on Merlin before they rode out. She didn't think they'd be married in a year or anything quite so permanent but she had faith that they would find their way to each other and their happy ending.