Chapter 3

Finally having a moment to herself to settle in, Guinevere was sitting at the desk in her room, writing a letter to be delivered to her family explaining her new position and asking for the rest of her things to be sent from Nemeth to Camelot. A soft knock at the door caused her to place her quill in the ink well and walk across the room to answer it, expecting to meet her new lady's maid. Instead, there stood Merlin with a wide grin on his face and she stepped aside for him to enter and closed the door behind them. She knew this was not technically proper for a lady but she also knew that she was completely secure and safe alone with Merlin.

"Have you come to say goodbye already, Merlin?" Guin asked, a little sad at the thought. He shook his head, a look of disbelief on his face.

"No. Actually I'm not going anywhere, my lady." Merlin knew that Guinevere hated it when he used formalities with her and that was exactly why he did so frequently. "You'll never believe it. While the king was giving me a tour, we ran into the court physician. He's my father's good friend, helped my mom a lot when I was little after my father died. I could hardly believe my eyes. His name is Gaius, he's the reason I began my medical training. Then the king mentioned that Gaius was beginning his search for a new apprentice and maybe I would want to stay and fill the position!" Merlin had a tendency to ramble when he was excited or nervous. And this man was practically bouncing, he was so excited.

"That sounds wonderful, Merlin. But what about your mother? I know you had decided to leave Nemeth and return to Ealdor to be close to your mother because she had been ill. I was actually surprised when you came after my father requested for you to accompany me." Guin loved the idea of having Merlin stay. He was her best friend; she knew she could confide her deepest secrets to him with no fear of them ever being revealed. But she was concerned he would regret it if he decided to stay.

"That's the thing, the king said he has no problem allowing me to return to Ealdor to tend to my mother should the need arise. What do you think? I feel like this is the opportunity of a lifetime. And to work with Gaius, the man who caused my passion for healing? That's a dream come true." Merlin was beaming.

"Of course, you have to stay and fill the position, Merlin. And I am so pleased to know that you will be here with me. I know my father will as well. I was just writing him a letter; I will make sure to add that information in." She gathered him in her arms for a soft hug. Pulling back but leaving her hands on his chest, she looked up at him. "Merlin, I have to ask you something and I don't want you to get mad."

Merlin's eyebrows knit together in confusion and concern. "You know that you can ask me anything, Guin. Here, let's have a seat by the fire and you can ask me whatever you like and I promise I will not get angry with you." Merlin took her hand and led her to a comfortable velvet armchair in front of the yet to be lit fireplace. Once she was seated, Merlin crouched down in front of the fireplace and arranged the logs before sitting back on his heals to light a fire. But instead of grabbing the flint off the platform, his eyes flashed gold and a roaring fire erupted from nowhere. When he was satisfied with the fire before them, he took his seat opposite her and rose an eyebrow expectantly.

"Merlin!" Guinevere hissed. "You know that magic is banned in Camelot, you would be burned at the stake if someone were to have walked in while you were lighting that fire! Promise me you will be more careful! I do not wish to lose my best friend, especially not in such a horrible way."

"I promise I will be careful and safe. And I would have known if there was someone coming, I would be able to sense it. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" Merlin asked.

"Obviously I'm concerned with your pretty head staying firmly on your uncharred body but no that is not what I wanted to talk about. I, uh, you promise not to get mad?" Merlin was beginning to get nervous himself with how nervous she was.

"Guin, I said I promise. Now spit it out already, you're making me anxious."

"Well, I was just concerned about your, um not wanting a wife? I just need to know that you are going to be happy here, where all your needs might not be fulfilled?" Guinevere asked in what she felt was a discreet way, tiptoeing around the issue.

"Guinevere, you do not need to pussy foot around with me. You can be straightforward and openly honest. What you are really wanting to know is how am I going to find love without being thrown in prison for being a sodomite?" Merlin asked her with a smirk.

"Why are you smiling? This is a serious concern, Merlin. I want you to be happy. Truly happy. Being at court, living in the castle, it will not be easy for you. Your lifestyle is frowned upon, Merlin. While I have no problem with it, that may not be the case for the king and court." Guinevere spoke with compassion and concern. She truly loved her friend and it hurt her heart to think of anything happening to him.

"Guin, please do not worry about me. Several years ago, I came to the conclusion that marriage and family were not going to happen for me. That the likelihood of my ever falling in love was very small and I am not upset about it. I will be happy here. I will be fulfilled by healing people, by tending to those who need me, helping those that no one else is willing to help. There is no reason to be concerned about me, truly." Merlin explained to Guin and she nodded. "Now, let us speak of you and your new position. Do you think you and your new ward will get on? She seems like a delightful child and she has her father properly wrapped around her finger. It is very sad about her mother. I wonder why the king has not remarried."

"Princess Isolde is an extraordinary young lady and I think she and I will get on quite well. She has the protentional to be a graceful lady and queen. She is open to education, seems to be very intelligent already, and has quite the adventurous streak." Guin spoke with great affection already. "I do not know why the king has yet to remarry. He is certainly attractive enough to find a beautiful lady to be his queen and the right marriage could bring great political alliance."

"Maybe the king will see his daughter become very attached to her new governess and decide she'd do well as the child's mother." Merlin grinned and winked. Guinevere blushed and was about to tell him how crazy he was and how that would never happen but there was another knock at the door. This time the door opened without Guin and a young woman walked in and curtsied.

"I am Hilde, my lady. I have been assigned as your lady's maid. I'm here to prepare you for tonight's feast." Merlin had been sitting in the tall backed chair with his back to the door and stood up and turned to her. The young woman blushed and stammered, "My apologies, my lady. I was not aware you were not alone." Merlin chuckled and Guin smiled warmly.

"Nothing to worry about, Hilde. This is Merlin, the new apprentice to the court physician and he was just leaving." Merlin nodded and Guinevere turned to him, kissed his cheek and said "I will see you at dinner."

"Nice to meet you, Hilde." Merlin said before giving a slight bow to Guinevere and saying "my lady" before exiting the chamber.

An hour later Guinevere was sitting in the banquet hall listening to an excited Princess Isolde when Merlin and Gaius walked in chatting and laughing as if they had never been apart. Guin looked up and thought to herself that she had not seen Merlin look that happy in ages, so free and full of life. This new position at court was going to be good for him, as long as he could keep himself out of trouble. No one seemed to notice that there was another set of eyes trained on Merlin, equally excited to see the happiness on his face though for an entirely different reason.

When all those in Arthur's inner circle had joined him in the banquet hall, he motion for them to find their seat then stood to speak. "Thank you all for joining me for this feast on such short notice. Those of you in this room I consider to be trusted friends, advisors and members of my household. Tonight, I have brought you together to introduce you to two people I hope to be adding to this list. It is my hope that these new employees feel at home and will be as happy to call you friends as I am. Please stand Lady Guinevere."

Guin timidly stood, pushing her chair back and clasping her hands in front of her, hoping she looked more confident than she felt with all eyes on her. "Lady Guinevere comes to us from Nemeth and has agreed to become Princess Isolde's governess. Isolde is quite taken with her and I was very impressed as well. You will be seeing much of her around the castle so please take the time to welcome her and make her feel at home. To Lady Guinevere." Arthur said as he raised his goblet of wine and everyone else around the hall did the same and repeated the toast.

"Thank you, sire." Lady Guinevere said with a small curtsy before taking her seat and the king remained standing.

"Merlin, please stand." Merlin knew it was coming, seeing as Guin was just in the same position but he never particularly cared for being the center of attention. It made him uncomfortable to have all eyes on him but he stood, shoulders squared and goblet in hand. "Merlin accompanied Lady Guinevere at the request of her father. He recently left his position as apprentice to the court physician in Nemeth to help his ill mother. Now that she is recovered, he has agreed to remain in Camelot and be apprentice to Gaius. Gaius is very pleased to have him, having known Merlin since he was a child. I think we can expect great things from Merlin, please make him feel welcome. To Merlin." They all raised their goblets and repeated the toast before Merlin returned to his seat.

Food was served and wine flowed as freely as conversation did. The knights invited to the feast were taking every opportunity to get to know the new comers. Guinevere seemed quite taken with a young knight by the name of Lancelot. He and Sir Leon were telling her stories of their adventures protecting Camelot. Arthur was pleased that Guinevere seemed to be getting along with his knights. He had no doubt that she would fit in quite well. His eyes shifted to the other side of the hall where Merlin sat, laughing loudly with Sir Gwaine's arm thrown around his shoulder. An uncomfortable stab of jealousy struck him when Gwaine drew Merlin close and spoke directly to his ear before Merlin threw his head back in laughter, placing his hand on Gwaine's chest. Arthur didn't much care for the jealous anger he felt boiling inside him. This was Gwaine, one of his most trusted knights. He'd fought side by side this man many times, saving each other from several scuffles along the way. Why was he angry? Arthur had a slight frown on his lips and his eyebrows knit together, staring at Merlin intensely. Gwaine leaned back, speaking to Sir Percival. Merlin turned his head toward Arthur, catching the king staring at him. This should have made Arthur look away, embarrassed that he'd been caught staring but somehow, he couldn't look away. Merlin stared right back, arching one eyebrow and smirking. Who was this man and what was he doing to the king?