The scar stretched from his left eye to his jaw, angry and red. Bandages, stained with dried blood and frayed at the edges, wrapped around his right thigh and his right shoulder. With his skin pale and cold to the touch, it was only the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest that assured Gwen that Percy was still alive. On the other side of the stretcher, Elena fussed, dabbing his chest and forehead with a damp cloth, even as the stretcher bearers continued to walk.

"They will bring him to Gaius," said Lancelot as he adjusted the coat on her shoulders. "If there is anything to be done, Gaius will be able to do it."

Pressing her lips together, Gwen nodded. She wanted Lancelot to leave her alone, to stop hovering over her. Who did he think her was? Coming back and pretending to care for her when she was worth only 12 words before? The tight leash that she had kept on her emotions since Merlin's words was slowly unravelling. Seeing the once strong and seemingly undefeatable Percy in this state was just another kink in the leash. As she watched Elena, with her over-bright eyes and pale, drawn face and as Merlin's voice echoed in her head, Gwen wondered just how much more she was about to lose. And all because she'd pushed to help Camelot and Arthur. If she hadn't -

"Gwen."

Lancelot finally stopped adjusting his coat, dropped his hands and took a step back. "My lord."

Tearing her eyes from Percy, Gwen turned and saw Arthur. As their eyes met, Arthur broke into a wide grin. He moved towards her, his hands reaching for her with that smile still on his face.

It was the last straw.

He had gained everything and she had lost everything.

The floodgates opened and bitter anger washed over her. She stumbled backwards, avoiding his touch, and into Lancelot who immediately grabbed her shoulders to steady her. The smile on Arthur's face faltered and he stopped walking.

"Gwen," he said again, uncertain eyes searching hers.

Images of Mithian kissing Arthur on his cheek, of Merlin squeezing her hand and telling her he might leave, of Elena's tears and Percy's wounds chased each other through her mind. Unthinkingly, she pulled Lancelot's coat tighter around her to stop herself from shivering. Through the blur of tears, she could see that Arthur was still smiling, even if it had dimmed a little. Of course he was smiling, she thought uncharitably.

"Come." Arthur took a step forward, his voice gentle. "Let me walk you back to the castle. Percy will get the best care Camelot can provide."

Her throat was so tight she could barely breathe, much less speak. So she shook her head. She didn't want to go to the castle where she knew she would be unwelcomed. She didn't want to see the celebrations and the joy when she was hurting so badly. She didn't want to see Mithian and Arthur together. And she didn't want to deal with Uther and his hostilities.

"I want my ship."

The smile finally left Arthur's face and his eyes flicked to Lancelot who still hovered beside her. "Don't you have a wife to go home to, Sir Lancelot?"

His words were clipped and Gwen could see his temper beginning to fray. Good, she thought. Behind her, she could feel Lancelot hesitate. She took a step away from him. She didn't need him nor did she need Arthur.

"That wasn't a request." Arthur was still looking over her head at Lancelot.

"Of course, my lord."

Lancelot gave a one armed hug that she didn't reciprocate, then bowed and walked away, leaving her and Arthur. They weren't alone. Around them, the dock workers were still bustling around, cleaning up the ships that just came in, hauling cargo up and down the port.

"You promised me a ship," Gwen repeated. With a ship, she had the freedom to leave Camelot. She could rebuild her life. She'd done it before, when her father died and when Lancelot had left. She could do it again. Merlin knew about healing. He could tend to Percy and the 4 of them, 5 if Mordred joined them, could pick up a new crew and set sail for the seas.

"I will give you a ship. Come back to the castle first." The tenderness that had been in his voice earlier had disappeared and his arms hung at his side, his fists clenched.

She shook her head. "I want one now."

"Why? So you can sail off into the sunset with Lancelot?" Arthur took a step towards her. He touched the coat draped around her shoulders, then he snorted. "This is his coat. Is that what you have been doing while I was in the castle? Snuggling with Lancelot? He has a wife!"

Gwen shoved Arthur away, his words only fanning the flames of anger in her. "I saw Mithian with you, so don't pretend you're any better."

"You are being unreasonable."

"Unreasonable? Is it reasonable that you return, feted for saving Camelot while I have nothing? Merlin wants to leave to study his magic. Percy is on his deathbed. My ship is gone. What do I have?" She blinked back hot tears. "Tell me. What do I have now? If I had never met you -"

Her voice faltered and Gwen had the sinking feeling that she might have said too much. Yet the pain in her chest made any apologies she was willing to give die before she could give voice to them.

For a moment, Arthur didn't move and the thought that he was going to turn around and leave her too, all alone on the Camelot docks occurred to her, sending shards of pain shooting through her. But he didn't turn away. One stride and he was next to her, pulling her into a hug. She fought against it at first, but the feel of his body against hers and the sound of his voice whispering into her ear and suddenly, she was clutching him and crying.

"Come back to the castle with me. I promise I'll take care of you," said Arthur, his lips moving against her hair. "Percy should be there by now and Gaius will be able to tell you how he is."

Pressing her face into his chest, Gwen nodded, all the anger in her disappearing, leaving nothing but a gaping hole in her heart.

Arthur adjusted the blanket over Gwen's sleeping form. Even in sleep, she looked sad, a slight frown marring her brows and Arthur's heart ached. His selfishness and his impulsive, unthinking words to her on the docks ate at him. Everything she had said was true. He had come out of the battle victorious. Albion was saved, his father was happy with him and he might even get his position in the navy back. All the sacrifice had been on Gwen's side.

Bending over, he brushed his lips across her forehead, tucked a lock of her curls behind her ear then left the room, instructing the guard at the door to call him if Gwen even stirred. Right now, he had to get her a ship. But first, he had to visit Percy.

When he had been in Gaius's medical chambers earlier with Gwen, Gaius had been there, taking down copious notes as his assistant pottered around the unconscious Percy, feeling his pulse and checking his wounds. Now, the only person in the room was Merlin.

"Any changes?"

Merlin looked up from where he was seated and shrugged. "You've not been gone that long."

"Where is Elena?"

"I convinced her to get some rest. Said the same thing you told Gwen, that I'll get her the moment there's any changes. Of which there are none, because you were just here maybe 20 minutes ago." Merlin sighed, then ran his hand across the page of the book he was reading.

Although it was bright and sunny outside, thick curtains had been drawn across the room, shrouding it in darkness. Only two candles burned. One by which Merlin was reading, the other next to Percy, casting shadows on his pale, drawn face. Arthur hadn't known Percy long but he knew of the large man's loyalty to Gwen.

Arthur moved to the bed and looked at Percy. "Gwen said that you were thinking of leaving."

Again, Merlin lifted his head. "Leaving?"

"To hone your magic."

"Ah. Well, I admit I have been thinking about it." He closed the book and a cloud of dust flew from it. "It's not like we have a ship anymore. And I gather Gwen might soon become a princess."

"Were you all happy? Sailing the Excalibur?" He wanted Gwen to stay in Camelot with him, to one day rule Camelot by his side, but he hadn't planned on that making her this miserable.

Merlin's smile was slight, barely visible in the low light. "I believe we were. It was easy and we had each other. But things change, don't they?"

"If there are any changes, let Roland know and he'll fetch me."

"What am I? The general dogsbody?" Merlin waved a hand. "Fine. It's not like I have anything to do."

"Thank you."

But Merlin had opened his book again.

The Lady of the Lake was not as big or as fancy as The Grail but it was good ship, well-equipped and well-maintained. Gwaine had been at the docks, overseeing the work on the ships and when Arthur had told him that The Lady of the Lake was to be gifted to Gwen and her crew for their assistance, Gwaine had said nothing, aside from raising an eyebrow.

Upon his return to the castle, Sir James quickly hustled him to his father's chambers, whispering that Uther had been searching for Arthur. And that was how, instead of being curled around Gwen in bed, Arthur was now standing in front of his father in the throne room.

"Gwaine's men have reported that Cenred was nowhere to be found. A lack of leadership, even one as lacking as Cenred's, will lead to chaos. I want you to take a group of men and throw your support behind Lord Simpson."

"Lord Simpson?"

Uther nodded. "He's been a staunch supporter of Camelot and I want him on the throne."

As annoyed as he was to be sent out of Camelot again, Arthur merely inclined his head. It wasn't worth fighting with his father over. With Camelot's strength and Essetir's chaos, it wouldn't take long to install this Lord Simpson on the throne. And Arthur had other more important things to concern himself over.

"On your way back from Essetir, you will make a detour to Nemeth to escort Mithian's parents to Camelot."

"Why?"

"For the wedding between you and Mithian, of course. While you are in Essetir, we will put the wedding together. Not only will it be a -"

"Father."

Uther stopped talking at Arthur's interruption.

"Mithian and I are not getting married."

The only sign of Uther's disapproval was the subtle tightening of his fingers on the armrest of the throne. "Would you like to explain that?"

Arthur swallowed. Even at his age, opposing his father still made him feel like he was that little boy from years ago. "There is nothing to explain. We have decided not to get married."

"I see." The calmness of Uther's tone only made Arthur's skin crawl. "This is a betrothal that took months to negotiate and the two of you have decided to call it off? Without consultation?"

"You made the decision that we should marry without consulting us," said Arthur. "We are not suited for each other."

The movement of Uther's fingers was small, but in response, two guards stepped forward. Arthur tensed, his hand immediately flying to his sword. But there was no other movement. Still, Arthur kept his hand on his sword. He'd been thrown into the gaols before for less.

"And whose idea was this? Yours or Mithian's?"

"Mine. But I have spoken to Mithian and she has agreed."

"That's too bad then." Slowly, Uther stood and walked to where Arthur stood. He raised a hand and cupped Arthur's cheek. "This is all because of that pirate woman, isn't it? I've noticed that things have been different since you returned from her capture."

"This has nothing -"

Uther's hand moved from Arthur's cheek to his chin, the gentle touch turning into an unyielding grip. "I am no fool, Arthur. I have yet to call off the bounty on her head and I will sentence her to death simply for setting foot on Camelot's soil if you do not announce your upcoming nuptials to Mithian at tomorrow's celebrations."

Arthur wrenched his face away and took a step back, his chest heaving with the exertion of keeping his rising anger and fear in check. This time, his fingers closed around the hilt of his sword. "You wouldn't -"

"Oh I would. I don't know what the pirate did while she held you captive but I've only allowed her to live because of you." Uther patted Arthur's cheek, then walked to the doors of the throne room. "Tomorrow, we will announce your wedding. Make sure your pretty, little pirate is at the celebrations. After all, she is a special guest. And if you think of disobeying me, one order and your pirate will die, like her father did."

The doors opened, then slammed shut, leaving Arthur alone in the room.

He ran, as fast as his shaking legs would take him, to Gwen's room, letting out a harsh sigh of relief when he saw her still curled up under the covers in the guest bedroom.

"Do not let anyone in. Not even my father." Although Sir Grendel nodded at Arthur's words, Arthur knew that no one could stop his father if he wanted entry into this room. And nothing would stop him from killing Gwen if he so desired.

Arthur wanted to break something, hit something but instead, he settled himself next to Gwen on the bed and pulled her into his arms, relaxing slightly as her heart beat a soothing rhythm against his chest. Burying his face into her neck, Arthur inhaled her scent.

It wasn't long before she stirred.

Propped up on one arm, Arthur watched as Gwen blinked, adorable confusion marring her face before her eyes focused on him. Then, the slow smile that spread across her face when she looked at him melted his heart, and as she rasped out a "hi", Arthur knew what he had to do, as painful as it would be.

"Hello," he said, one finger tracing her nose. "Do you feel better?"

She blinked a few more times, then sat up, pulling the covers with her. "Percy!"

"He's still unconscious. Merlin is with him but Gaius believes he will be fine." Arthur shifted so Gwen could hold her. Her curls tickled his nose and he squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm sorry, Gwen. At the docks - you were right about me gaining it all and you not."

"It isn't your fault." Her fingers twined with his and he rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. "It's just that everything that made me, me is disappearing. I have no ship, Merlin wants to leave and Percy -"

Arthur kissed her forehead. "I'll get the kitchens to bring us something to eat, then I have something to show you."

After leading her off the docks, his arms tight around her, as if he was afraid she would run away, Arthur had taken her through the back doors into the castle, then to where Percy was resting. The court doctor, an elderly man called Gaius, and his assistant had been fussing over Percy, while Elena stood at the side, refusing to cry. Merlin was next to her, his hand in hers and in taking in the scene, Gwen felt the pain of their impending separation even more acutely. Gaius had assured her that Percy would regain consciousness soon, then under Arthur's orders, had examined her own wounds and given her a vial of something utterly disgusting that he said would help her relax.

Then, Arthur had brought her to a room and practically demanded that she rest. She hadn't put up much of a fight because she was tired and she was hoping sleep would take away all the pain and fear that plagued her.

Now, she was standing on the docks again as the sun was setting. Workers bustled around them, packing up to return to their families, bowing as they recognised Arthur standing next to her. Arthur gestured to a ship docked in front of them.

"What do you think?"

It was the size of Excalibur but looked a lot newer. The wood gleamed and in neat letter, the name Lady of the Lake was painted on its side.

"It's a good looking ship."

Arthur smiled tentatively. "Think she'll be any good for piracy?"

"Oh," she said, because she didn't quite know what else to say.

"I expected you to be happier," said Arthur as he took her hand. "Come, let's have a look onboard. She's a great ship."

As Gwen walked onto the ship with Arthur, as she examined the shiny, new cannons and modern riggings, she couldn't help but wonder if this meant the end of her and Arthur.

Wasn't that what she wanted? To have her own ship and leave Camelot?

So why was she now feeling just as depressed as before?

AN: Gwen attends the celebratory ball next! Thanks for the comments. :)