Gwen smoothed her pants for the millionth time and ran a hand through any tangles in her hair. She usually wore it up, but she'd heard Arthur favored long hair in the women he'd liked. Not that he'd had too many romances; the king kept him on a tight leash where girls were concerned. Gwen stared at herself in a mirror. "You shouldn't," she told herself. Silly girls dreams should never be indulged. Her brother had told her that. Well, not exactly that. He'd been referring to his own.

Gwen twirled a loose hair between her fingers, thinking of Elyan. Her older brother had always been unsatisfied with the life of a blacksmith. He craved adventure, but that brought mostly trouble. She recalled the frequent arguments between her father and brother. Two years ago had been the worst of all, when Elyan spent time in the stocks. Her father had been shamed, and they had almost come to blows until Elyan grabbed his bag and left without another word. He hadn't returned.

Gwen sighed as she touched the hilt of the sword at her waist. Even though he'd tended to find trouble, she loved her brother. He had a soft way of speaking and a compassionate heart, but those too easily led him astray. He longed to be more than he was. His skill with a sword drew men with flattering tongues who promised him a higher purpose "fighting injustice."

If only he could have been a knight, Gwen mused. Their father had written Elyan off, but Gwen had felt that if he only had the chance he could have proved himself. He simply needed to be led in the right direction. Sadly, she didn't know where he was and had no means of tracking him down. Before he left he had taught her all he knew about swordsmanship. His experience of the underbelly of the world drove him to make sure she would be a woman capable of protecting herself.

"Are you practicing again?"

Gwen turned to her broad shouldered father. "Yes." She tried to hide her nervousness by clasping her hands together.

"Maybe you should invite Sir Lancelot home this time." Her father smiled in his kind way.

Gwen smiled back. "I know what you're thinking."

"Oh?"

"He doesn't love me."

"It seems to me that when a man chooses to spend this much time with a girl, he means something."

"He loves someone else," Gwen said quietly.

"Who?" her father inquired.

Gwen pushed up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "I promised not to tell." She moved to the door, exiting, her heart pattering in anticipation. Merlin had said her feelings for Arthur were obvious. She wished she were as good at hiding them as Lancelot was.

Arthur stood behind his dressing screen, a shirt in each hand. He stared indecisively. Red or blue? He'd heard girls liked his blue eyes. Did blue make his blue eyes bluer? Or did red bring them out?

"Arthur?"

"Merlin. You're here."

"I've been waiting outside. You're still getting dressed?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. Count on Merlin to be too efficient at the worst of times. "I'm almost done." He stared at the shirts. This is ridiculous! How had a servant girl turned him into a man who cared what he looked like when he was training? Arthur draped the blue shirt over the screen and pulled the red one on. It was the color of the knights after all.

Arthur did up the ties in the front, then smoothed out his hair. Three months ago when he'd met Princess Myrine he'd looked his best to please his father. He'd been every bit the royal gentlemen, playing a part that had been drummed into him since birth. The princess was pretty, reserved, seemingly virtuous, and yet, Arthur hadn't taken more than a passing concern what he looked like.

What would it be like to be married? Arthur cringed. Married. The word left a bad taste in his mouth. He'd always intended to marry some day, but his time to propose a more companionable spouse had run out.

"Are you done yet?" came Merlin's impatient voice.

Arthur blinked as he woke from his reverie. He stepped around the screen to see his gangly servant sprawled in a chair. "A prince gets to make his own timetable. You don't make it for him."

"But you always tell me to follow your schedule," Merlin protested.

"And this isn't on it," Arthur returned, whisking the blue shirt off the screen and tossing it at Merlin who missed catching it so it draped over half his face. "Make yourself useful."

Merlin stood, ambling over to the wardrobe and hanging the shirt up. "You have your practice sword?"

Arthur picked it up from the table. "I really don't like doing this without armor."

Merlin closed the wardrobe and turned. "She won't hurt you much."

Arthur set disgruntled eyes on the boy who tried to pretend he was innocent. "Merlin."

"What?"

"Your cheekiness is going to get you in trouble some day."

"From you?" Merlin suppressed a smile.

"Yes. I do have the authority to set you in the stocks."

Merlin worried his lip at Arthur's serious expression. "Would you really?"

Arthur raised his chin. "I'm not sure yet." He walked over to Merlin who gazed up with a healthy fear in his eyes. "But don't test me." He lightly swatted the back of Merlin's head. "You know very well I meant Guinevere. I don't want to hurt her."

"I don't think you will."

Arthur eyed him warningly.

Merlin raised his hands in surrender. "I mean that. She's good."

"We'll see," Arthur muttered. "Come on."

Merlin paced next to Arthur, trying to keep a grin off his face. He didn't think Arthur would actually put him in the stocks, but he just couldn't keep everything he thought in his head, and with Arthur he felt comfortable saying stuff. Merlin sighed. Except magic. The one thing he really wanted to tell Arthur but couldn't.

"There's Lancelot!" Merlin called out, catching sight of the knight ahead of them.

"What is he doing?" Arthur wondered. Lancelot was standing at a bush flowering a pale purple. "Lancelot!"

The knight jumped and turned, a flower in his hand. "Arthur. Merlin."

Arthur pointed at the flower. "What is that for?"

"Eh...An admirer."

"You have an admirer?" Arthur asked, amused.

"Why not?"

"Who is she?"

"I don't know."

"A secret admirer." Arthur grinned down at Merlin who echoed with the grin he'd been forcing back. "So how do you gift her then?"

Lancelot rubbed at the back of his neck. "I leave it outside my door and it disappears."

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "Is this one of your tales?"

Lancelot looked offended. "Me? Tales? No. This is chivalry. Now, if we can stop talking about my love life, we can proceed to yours."

Arthur scowled at him.

"We all know the girl likes you."

"That's not why I'm here," Arthur growled.

"Then why?"

"Because my servant boy hoodwinked me into coming." He fixed a hard gaze on Merlin whose face fell.

"Good for you, Merlin," Lancelot declared.

Merlin flashed twinkling eyes on the knight, but bowed his head penitently when Arthur looked back at him.

"A pox on you both!" Arthur proclaimed, stomping ahead. "Let's get this over with."

Arthur sucked in a breath when they reached the clearing used for Gwen's sword practice. The servant girl had arrived ahead of them and stood at the wait. She was dressed as she had been in Ealdor, and Arthur's thoughts flew back to the spirited girl he'd seen fearlessly taking on raiders. She was almost sixteen now, and Arthur could hardly comprehend how such a young girl could be so skilled.

"Guinevere," he greeted.

Gwen bowed her head. "My lord. Welcome." She looked up and he read worry in her gaze. He'd previously wondered if Merlin had conspired with her to get him to show up, but her expression squashed that suspicion thoroughly.

"Don't start without me!" Morgana ran up to the clearing, dressed to practice as well.

Of course, Arthur grumbled inside. She would never give up an opportunity to see him possibly trounced. "Morgana."

"Hello, Arthur," the ward returned, smiling widely. Arthur rolled his eyes. "Well, where do we want to start?"

Lancelot sat down on a log that had been pulled to the edge of the clearing for those not training. "I say Arthur goes first."

"That's not very fair," Gwen muttered.

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

Gwen swallowed. "You've never practiced with us, my lord. Perhaps you would like to see us first so you can offer your advice?"

Arthur, who had been growing more and more uncomfortable, smiled at the servant girl who was clearly trying to get out of what Merlin, and probably Morgana, had dragged her into. And neither of us can stop it for fear of looking like cowards. "Lancelot tells me you've taught him much. I'll watch him first."

Lancelot rose from his seat. He tossed an apple he'd pulled off a tree to Merlin who caught it deftly. "Enjoy the show."

Merlin sank down onto the log, biting into the apple with bright eyes. Arthur walked over to the boy, but stood instead of sitting. Morgana joined Merlin, and Arthur didn't miss the mischievous glance that passed between them.

Lancelot bowed to Gwen and Arthur observed keenly as they moved around the clearing, thrusting , parrying, blocking. They fell into an easy rhythm that revealed they knew each other's abilities well. Neither had the upper hand for quite some time. Arthur noted that Gwen held nothing back. She came at Lancelot with a knotted brow heavy in concentration. But he also noticed she favored her right side, putting more weight there most of the time. He could take advantage of that to disrupt her balance.

"Enough!" Morgana cried out after a time. "It's Arthur's turn!"

"You don't want someone to win?" Arthur asked.

Morgana smirked up at him devilishly. "It's not about winning. It's about training."

Lancelot left the clearing, wiping at his brow as he sat down on the Merlin's other side. "Good luck."

Arthur looked to Gwen. "She should recover her breath."

"I'm fine, my lord," Gwen said, running a hand over her own forehead.

"If you're certain."

Gwen nodded. Arthur stepped into the clearing, standing across from her. She seemed so small and fragile. What if he did overbalance her? He didn't want to hurt her. Better to go easy on her. Let her gain some confidence, then strike at her weakness, but do it so she didn't go down too hard.

Lancelot shared a grin with Morgana and Merlin as Arthur faced off against Gwen. "Bets on who wins?"

"Gwen," Morgana declared.

"And what do you wager?"

"Time."

Lancelot guffawed. "Time?"

"Oh come, Sir Knight. Are you afraid to be at my beck and call for a day?"

Lancelot lifted his eyebrows. "And what if I think Gwen will win as well?"

"Do you?"

"I say Arthur."

"So you bet against a lady." Morgana's eyes sparkled.

"There's no excitement if one of us doesn't take Arthur's side."

"Arthur," Merlin spoke quietly. Lancelot and Morgana looked at him.

Lancelot laughed. "After putting Gwen up to this, you take Arthur?"

Merlin nodded. He'd just wanted to get them together. He didn't care which one won, but he felt obligated to take his master's side.

"You little turncoat," Lancelot teased.

Morgana pointed to the clearing. Arthur had come towards Gwen, slashing out in a traditional stance which she met with ease. Gwen twisted his sword around her own, knocking his hand to her right, then doubled back to thrust at his middle. Arthur was quicker, meeting her blow, then pressing hard so she stepped back. Gwen feinted to her left. Arthur wasn't tricked, his sword clinking firmly against hers. So it went for some time, mostly Gwen attacking, Arthur defending. Suddenly, Gwen stopped, raising her sword in front of her eyes, then lowering it to scowl.

"What is it?" Arthur asked. "You're doing fine."

"I'm doing fine, sire, because you aren't trying," Gwen spat out.

Merlin shared a look with Lancelot who grinned.

"You're just good," Arthur said.

"I am, but how would you know that if you don't actually fight me? You're better than this."

Arthur ground his jaw. "Fine."

Merlin tensed as Arthur let loose, coming at Gwen with more force and vigor. The glade became a whirlwind of energy, Arthur taking the offense now, the girl trying her best to fend off his timely blows. She sidestepped a particularly skillful swing, then slashed at Arthur's legs. He jumped to avoid a hit to his middle, jogged back a little, then came at her again. She caught his blade and pushed forward. He shoved an elbow into her shoulder, knocking her back. Gwen caught herself by leaping against a rock. She sprung off it, using the momentum to fly at Arthur. She slashed at his side, and Arthur faltered for a moment, but ducked and crouched. He came up smiling. "I'd like to meet your brother."

"Why?" Gwen asked as she breathed heavily.

"He must be an excellent swordsman if you're this good."

"He was." Gwen jabbed at him.

"Was?" Arthur attempted his own thrust and Gwen wiggled away.

"He left."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't know him. You'd hate him."

Arthur stared, surprised at the anger in her tone and expression. "How do you know how I'd feel?"

"He broke the law."

Arthur whipped his sword around to her shoulder. She dodged.

"He follows the wrong people."

"I suppose you're right, then," Arthur said. "If even you think he's worthless."

"He's not!" Gwen slashed vehemently several times.

Arthur was taken aback by her ferocity. "Guinevere..."

"Merlin's the only commoner worth your time."

"Wait," Arthur said, standing still. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

"Gwen." Arthur made to step forward to her, but she cried out and swung her sword. Arthur gaped when it made contact, cracking against his thigh. He swallowed a yelp and lashed out, taking advantage of her blow to thrust at her right side a little too far so she stretched to defend and wobbled, going to her knees. He bent over, hand on his thigh. He clenched his teeth and screwed his eyes shut.

"My lord," Gwen said breathlessly. Clapping came from her left. She looked over at Lancelot and Morgana. Merlin met her eyes and didn't look happy at all. "Stop!" Gwen cried out. "You made me hurt him." She stood and fled into the trees.

As the duel had progressed, Merlin's stomach tangled in knots. He suddenly regretted he'd caused this at all. He had meant only for Arthur to see value in Gwen, but he'd read the tension in their eyes as they spoke to each other. This hadn't gone where he thought it would at all.

Lancelot strode to Arthur's side. Morgana stood up, heading towards the trees, but Arthur grasped her arm. "I'll talk to her."

"Arthur," Morgana stammered. "I didn't mean... I didn't think..."

"You always were too impulsive," Arthur muttered, not unkindly. Arthur caught Merlin wandering towards the trees. "Merlin!" The boy turned and Arthur's heart sank to see him blinking back tears. He walked over to the boy, resting a hand on his head. "This isn't your fault. I said I'd come."

"But..."

"I should have said something to her long before." Arthur tipped his chin up. "Wait here."

Merlin nodded.

Gwen stopped walking and leaned against a tree, rubbing at her brow. How stupid she'd been! She should never have let them do this to her! Her cheeks were boiling. She'd hurt Arthur. She'd made him look a fool.

"Guinevere?"

Gwen turned to the voice, but didn't look up. "My lord. I'm sorry."

"For what? Being good at swordplay?"

"I hurt you." Her voice was barely a whisper.

Arthur chuckled. "I've been hurt a lot worse than this. It stings. That's all." He stepped closer. "Can you look at me?"

Gwen glanced up, biting her lip.

"I didn't need this to tell me you're good. I knew that in Ealdor."

"It wasn't my idea," Gwen explained.

"I know full well it was Merlin and Morgana, though I'm certain for different reasons."

Gwen folded her arms around her waist and looked down again.

Arthur let out a long breath. "About Merlin..."

"I shouldn't have said that," Gwen mumbled.

"I don't care only about him. I care about all my subjects. But... I can't care about you like you want me to." Arthur felt his heart sink at the words he spoke as much to himself as to her.

Gwen wiped at her eyes. "You must think me a silly girl."

Arthur shook his head. "I think you gracious, brave, strong..." I think you the kind of woman I'd like to know more.

"But I'm just a servant," Gwen whispered.

Arthur nodded. "Yes."

Gwen pushed off from the tree and curtsied. "My lord." She ran passed him back towards the castle.

Arthur watched her go, feeling that fate had been cruel to set them in such different stations.

When Arthur returned to the clearing, Morgana and Gwen had disappeared. Lancelot stared at him. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"What did you say to her?"

"What could I say?"

"I suppose nothing helpful," his friend said sympathetically.

"Arthur..." Merlin attempted.

"Come on, Merlin. I need to deal with my sore leg."

"I'm sorry, Arthur."

Arthur looked over at the boy's sad eyes. "I'm not angry at you. You were trying to be nice to her. Besides, I don't think it's me you owe an apology."

"Gwen."

Arthur nodded. "But give her some time."

Arthur had just released Merlin and laid down to rest when the door to his room flung open.

"So you go and break her heart?"

Arthur sat up to face Morgana. He had understanding for his servant boy whose heart had been in the right place, but not for the ward who had simply meant to show him up. "What else could I do, Morgana? You know I'm pledged to someone else." Few people in the castle had been let in on the betrothal. Most wouldn't know until the announcement in two weeks time.

"You don't love Myrine!"

"It's not about love."

"You're going to be miserable with her."

"I'll...grow to care for her."

"For once, Arthur, stand up to Uther. Tell him you don't love her. That you have nothing in common with her."

"I can't," Arthur said adamantly.

"You can't or you won't?"

"Both."

"You can't tell me you don't feel something for Gwen."

Arthur crossed his arms over his chest as anger tightened it. "Leave me."

"She intrigues you. I've seen the way you look at her."

"She's a servant!" Arthur shouted. "If you think father would consider her for one moment... Why do you even care? This is my life, not yours!"

Morgana suddenly gulped and Arthur gawked at the tears brimming in her eyes.

"What is it?" he asked. She hardly ever cried. He could count on one hand how many times he had seen her tear up.

"It's...not right."

Arthur pushed himself off the bed and walked stiffly to her. He grasped her shoulders. "You can tell me anything."

"You wouldn't understand. It's all duty to you."

Arthur cocked his head. "Do you love someone?"

Morgana lowered her eyes.

"A commoner?"

"No," she murmured.

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter." She looked back up at him. "Uther would never approve. My marriage is supposed to be as profitable as yours."

"He can't force you," Arthur said.

"But he can force you?" Morgana came back.

"That's different. I'll be king and we need the alliance."

"So you give up love."

Arthur nodded. "For my people." Arthur squeezed her shoulders. "Morgana, I know I've not been the most supportive to you, but I promise I'll have your back in this. I'll talk to him for you."

Morgana shook her head. "I don't want you at odds with him." She brushed a hand over her eyes and looked up at him. "I think sometimes you're a good man, Arthur Pendragon."

"Only sometimes?" Arthur asked.

"You're getting better." She smiled weakly and trudged to the door and out.

Arthur stumbled back to his bed, laying down again and trying to forget that for him love and being king couldn't co-exist.