We're just going to pretend this was updated a month ago, okay? 'Cause I'm trash who can't update regularly anymore, and I'm sorry.

Anyway, this ended WAY differently than I wanted it to, but it opened up a new storyline and the return of a certain character a few of you have been asking about, so yeah.

Um, thanks for reading. I don't own anyone remotely recognizable. And drop me a comment if you can.

Thank you to those who've reviewed, alerted, and/or favorited last chapter. You guys are truly amazing, and I will try (I stress try) to update quicker next time.

Have a great weekend!


It started at the banquet Arthur threw for Gwen's birthday. She had said, several times, that she did not want anything too big, that she'd be happy spending a quiet evening with Arthur (and perhaps Merlin and the knights), but she should have known her husband wasn't going to listen to her this time. According to Merlin, who let everything spill after ten minutes of probing, Arthur had had been planning the banquet for weeks. So, Gwen decided to accept she's getting a big party and opt to ask for something a bit more low key next year.

It's not so bad, the banquet. She recognized most of the guests, got a lot of birthday kisses from Gwaine (much to Arthur's dismay), and gave Merlin a hug when he gave her an enchanted mirror (one that reminded her of the mirrors Morgana used to own, and her heart hurt for her lost friend). "You can use it to keep track of Arthur," the warlock teased grinning when the king gave him a dark look.

"Thank you, Merlin," Gwen said looking down at the mirror. She jolted back in surprise, certain she had seen a flash of green looking back at her, but it's gone when she looked closer. Figuring it's a trick of the light, she put the mirror down and took the beautifully wrapped gift Arthur held out to her.

"What's wrong?" Merlin asked softly, no doubt seeing her reaction to the mirror.

"Nothing," Gwen insisted unwrapping the gift. It's an emerald pendant, hanging from a golden chain, and from the way Merlin looked away quickly, Gwen knew Arthur had help picking it out. "Thank you," she said looking between both men, putting the necklace on, letting the emerald stone rest against her chest.

"It has a protection charm on it," Merlin explained with a sheepish grin. "I may have gone a little overboard with the spells. Sorry."

"It's quite alright." Gwen smiled, leaning back in her chair, fiddling with the stone, her eyes darting back to the mirror. The ceiling looked back at her, innocent and ornate as usual, but that doesn't stop Gwen from reaching out and turning the mirror over, leaving it face down on the table for the rest of the night.

After her party, she and Arthur carried her things up to their chambers, George having already been by to light the fire and turn down their bed, and they leave everything on the table, both getting dressed for bed.

"Good night, Guinevere," Arthur said softly, leaning down to kiss her. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," she replied with a weak smile. She watched as Arthur settled down, turning over onto his side, and promptly went to sleep. Gwen wasn't so lucky, her eyes on the ceiling as she fiddled with the necklace Merlin given her; it's a long while before she fell asleep.

Merlin

She and Arthur are startled awake the next morning by a loud shout coming from outside their bedchambers. Arthur scrambled out of bed, collecting his sword from the corner, and stalked towards the door, wrenching it open, nearly cutting Merlin when he stumbled into the room. Cook tried to follow him inside, but he slammed the door in her face, leaning against it, breathing heavily.

"What the hell was that about?" Arthur demanded nodding towards the door.

"I-I don't know," Merlin whispered wiping his forehead with his hand. "She just attacked me."

"Did she hurt you?" Gwen took a tentative step forward, one of her hands outstretched, but Merlin dodged her, shaking his head.

"No, don't," he shouted holding his own hands out. "I ran into her on my way here, and then she…" He gestured to the door, his face turning a startling red. Cook banged on it, demanding they send Merlin outside to her. "I don't know what's going on."

"It's alright, Merlin," Arthur assured the warlock, heading towards the door. "I'll talk to her." He clamped Merlin on the shoulder, his other hand on the door, but he froze, turning to look at the other man. "Have you been putting on muscle?" he asked curiously, running his hand down Merlin's arm. "It's nice."

"Oh my God!" Merlin jerked away from Arthur, nearly tripping over his feet in his haste to get away from him. "Arthur," he shouted at the king, dodging the blond as he chased after him, "Arthur, think about what you are doing!"

Gwen tried to grab for Arthur, but he maneuvered away from her, so she went for Merlin instead, grabbing his arm, dragging him from the room, out the back way. Cook burst into the room from the front entrance, making her way towards Gwen and Merlin, and the queen shut the door quickly, ushering the warlock along.

"You really shouldn't have touched me," Merlin stated, dread on his face. "You're going to turn into one of them."

"I feel no different," Gwen replied hurrying down the stairs, the stone cold against her bare feet. "Just hurry before they find us."

They end up in the north tower, Merlin and Gwen using their combined knowledge of secret passages to avoid running into anyone, only stopping when they were certain they weren't being followed. Gwen released Merlin, leaning forward, resting her hands on her knees.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Merlin asked worriedly, pacing around the room, checking to make sure they had an escape route should they need it.

"Yes." Gwen nodded, straightening up, touching the pendant around her neck. She turned to look at the warlock and carefully asked, "A spell didn't backfire, did it?"

"No," he replied quickly, shaking his head. "I didn't do any magic last night. After your party, Gwaine, Percival, and I went to the pub for a bit and then I came back here and went to bed. I swear, Gwen, I didn't do anything."

"I believe you." Gwen gave him a reassuring smile, wrapping her arms around herself. It's quite cold in the north tower.

"Here." Merlin shrugged off his jacket, offering to her, and she took it with a grateful smile, shrugging it on. "We need to get to my chambers," Merlin continued, running a hand through his hair. "See if I have anything that can explain what's going on."

"You think Gaius will know anything?" Gwen asked curiously, toying with her pendant again.

"He went to see my mother," Merlin answered his eyes settling on Gwen's necklace. "He won't be back until…" he trailed off, his eyes widening in realization. "The pendant."

"What?"

"The pendant must be why you're not affected by whatever is going on." He gestured to the necklace with both hands. "It worked."

"The protection spell," Gwen stated and Merlin nodded. "Thank you, for this."

Merlin shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Arthur picked it out, but he asked me to enchant it. He said he didn't want you to ever be in danger."

"He does know I was raised by a swordsman, right?" Gwen jested but she smiled, letting the warlock know she was grateful. "So," she claps her hands together, giving Merlin a questioning look, "how are we getting to your chambers?"

"That's a good question."

Merlin

Merlin peeked outside, looking for anyone (hoping Arthur and Cook hadn't found him), and, when he deemed it safe enough, he glanced back at Gwen and nodded. She nodded back, pulling his jacket tighter around her, and followed him out of the tower and down the steps.

"If Arthur does anything inappropriate…" Gwen started in a hushed voice.

"Please don't, Gwen," Merlin grumbled back, carefully pushing a door open. "It's bad enough Cook tried to kiss me." He shuddered, shaking his head. "If Arthur does I may have to look into memory erasing charms."

"I'm just saying, I forgive you," she finished standing on her toes, trying to see over the warlock's head. "And him."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Merlin whispered and opened another door, nearly running into Gwaine.

"There you are, mate," the knight said, clutching both of the warlock's arms to steady him before either Gwen or Merlin could advise him against it. The change is instantaneous; Gwaine's eyes glaze over briefly before becoming clear again, a brilliant smile breaking out across his face before he plants a big kiss on Merlin's cheek.

"Ugh," Merlin complained as Gwen pulled him away from Gwaine.

"Where are you going?" Gwaine asked with narrowed eyes, watching as Gwen and Merlin retraced their steps. Both were very much aware of the knight chasing after them, so they hurriedly ducked behind an old tapestry, nearly falling into the hidden room when the door swung open easily. Merlin ushered Gwen inside first before following her, closing the door quickly and muttering a simple locking charm to keep Gwaine out.

"I hate this spell," Merlin grumbled rubbing his cheek.

"We'll figure out how to reverse it," Gwen stated slowly walking across the floor, seeking out another exit. "And if we don't…" she trailed off, biting her lip pensively. "I guess you can always live in the woods, but then you run the risk of every traveler becoming obsessed with you."

"You're not helping, Gwen." Merlin slowly paced around the room, muttering darkly under his breath, and Gwen left him to it, continuing her search for a way out. She passed the window three times before stopping next to it, peeking outside, and raised an eyebrow.

"Please tell me you're not afraid of heights," she stated glancing back at Merlin.

"Why?" He gave her a suspicious look before letting his eyes fall on the window, his eyebrows furrowing. "Are you suggesting I let the queen of Camelot climb out of a window?"

Gwen opened the window, poking her head outside, looking down at the balcony below them. "You're not letting me do anything," she said clambering onto the sill, glancing back at Merlin. "Are you coming or not?"

Merlin

"Okay, just gently lower yourself," Gwen hissed up at Merlin.

"I am being gentle," he hissed back just as his hand slips. He let out a startled shout before falling the seven feet, dropping into a heap at Gwen's feet. "Ow."

"Are you okay?" she asked crouching down next to him, feeling around for any wounds. "Nothing broken."

"I don't think so," he answered sitting up, rubbing the back of his head, feeling something warm and sticky coat his fingertips. "Probably won't be able to remember the ingredients to that hair growth potion, but it's not really import…"

"Merlin," a sharp, angry voice asked, cutting the warlock off. Both Gwen and Merlin turned, finding Arthur standing over them, his hands on his hips, a dark look on his face. "What are you doing with her?"

"Arthur," Merlin started getting to his feet, raising his hands, shaking off the small bout of dizziness he felt. "Listen, this is Gwen," he gestured to his friend, offering her a reassuring smile, "remember. Your wife."

"I have no wife," the king snapped and Merlin felt Gwen stiffen next to him, letting out a quiet sob.

"Okay, this is ridiculous," he muttered before pointing at Arthur, mumbling a stunning spell. It works quickly, the blond's eyes rolling into the back of his skull as he collapsed. Merlin grabbed Gwen's hand, dragging her from the room, saying, "He doesn't mean any of it. It's the spell."

"It still doesn't make it hurt any less," Gwen stated glancing back at her husband. They hurry out of the room and around the corner, only to run smack dab into Cook's rolling pin. Ears ringing, his already sore head throbbing, Merlin staggered back at step, feeling blood roll down his face.

"The ickle warlock has no time for me now," she snarled stalking towards them. Gwen yanked Merlin backwards, the two turning to leave, but freeze when they find Gwaine standing behind them.

"What is it with her," he spat glaring at Gwen. "Do you love her more than me? Is that it? I can change; be more like her."

"No, I don't…" Merlin could barely see straight, blood falling into his eyes, and every spell he seemed to have learned over the years has left his mind for the time being. He didn't know what to do, didn't know where they can turn, and he's fairly certain he was either going to pass out or throw up.

He felt more than saw Gwen squeeze his hand before releasing him, balking when he heard her say, "If you want him so badly, you're going to have to kill me first." He then heard her take off running, away from him, followed by two sets of footsteps chasing after her.

"Gwen," Merlin whispered falling against the wall, his vision swimming. "Gwen, come back." His legs seemed to give out, his body sliding down the wall and into a heap on the floor.

He's mostly out of it when he felt the hands grab him, pulling him to his feet, and a familiar voice said, "It seems we finally meet, Emrys."

"Wait. Wait, you're…" he tried opening his eyes, tried to get a glimpse of whoever had him, but his head suddenly felt too heavy, his legs were barely working, everything going rapidly black.

The last thing he heard, before blacking out, were the words: "Sleep now, you'll be needing it."