No. 4: Do You Trust Me? Gwen's Trust Fall

Whumpee: Gwen

Cenred's youngest soldier squirmed uncomfortably under his armor. At just 13, he never asked for this – to kidnap a young maiden who had been sitting in a cell for the past day and a half, with just enough water to survive. She was beautiful, with almond-colored skin and big trusting eyes. Eyes that flickered just a second too late as she found herself changing from a maiden helping a young crippled boy to being kidnapped in the lower town of Camelot.

Quentin never thought he'd end up like this – fatherless, motherless, pledging loyalty and working for a despot like Cenred. But here he was, a shadow of his former self. After watching his mother walk crippled for years before the sickness finally took her, he was a little too good at acting – a skill Cenred seemed to enjoy to no end.

Gwen chewed her lip nervously. When she was taken, she didn't know by who, or why… but she was a bit wiser than the last time she was kidnapped. "What a life", she thought, "to be desired, and just picked up, and taken. Arthur would never do such a thing, no matter how much he coveted something or someone." Perhaps that's why she got that mushy feeling in her chest each time he even glanced her way, or why her steps seemed to quicken every time she had to walk by his chambers. She sometimes went completely out of her way to walk near his chambers, in the off-chance she might see him. No, Arthur wasn't like these pigs, who just looked at her as though she was a thing to be taken and passed around. He saw who she was as a person. He saw all of his people as people first, which is why he'll be a great king.

Gwen sighed. A night had passed, and still nothing. The men wouldn't let her see their faces, so perhaps they'd still let her go. She had no idea what was happening in the outside world, and the not knowing was getting to her…. She resumed pacing around her small cell, eager to burn off some nervous energy. No point in worrying about what might come… "just focus on putting one foot in front of the other, Guinevere", she sternly told herself. "Arthur will come."

In the halls of Camelot, Merlin had a problem. A big, 35-pound problem. He had to figure out a way to get Arthur's pack out to his horse – down the steps, around the crowded hallways, and through the mess of royals coming for Uther's big feast – all without being seen. He took a deep breath and plunged into the mess of bodies carrying various meats, cheeses, barrels of wine, and linens for the 60 guests the castle was currently hosting. Miraculously, he made it to the back of the stables, where Arthur was in plain clothes, waiting by his horse with murder in his eyes.

"TODAY, Merlin – geez, I think a mouse could run faster than you! Maybe I should employ a mouse as my servant, eh? What about hurrying do you not understand?"

Merlin could tell he was nervous about Gwen, who hadn't been seen for 3 whole days. Morgana had mentioned that she hadn't shown up for work, and Arthur was immediately put on alert – especially when he heard reports of a strange cripple boy hanging around the lower town asking about Morgana's handmaiden. While Uther simply saw the help as beings that flittered around the castle, Merlin knew just how troubled Arthur had been. Now they were off to go find his best friend.

Even with Arthur's meticulous tracking skills, it wasn't until the next morning that Merlin and Arthur caught sight of Cenred's latest hewn stone outpost. It was nestled in the rock and hills, and blended in so well that they almost walked past it – almost, except for the 200 or so dark-clad soldiers that loitered on the hill.

Arthur was full of jitters and adrenaline. He had barely slept for the past three nights, thinking about how his heart yearned for Guinevere. He knew logically that his father would never condone such a thing, and his upbringing scoffed at his heart, though he couldn't stop thinking about her kind eyes, those eyes that could say an entire love poem in a gaze. He adored those eyes, and those dark curls that were always dancing in the sunlight. "One foot in front of the other," he told himself. "Every step counts."

When they finally arrived at the outpost, Arthur decided to head directly towards the top, Merlin fast on his heels. Merlin had been quiet during the entire ride, somehow knowing that Arthur needed the silence to help collect himself, but he also knew how much Merlin cared for Gwen.

They made it to the top of the rocks, which housed the dungeons below. Through a small window, they saw Gwen chew on her nails – she looked tired, hungry, and utterly worn out, but she was in one piece. Arthur worked to get Gwen out of the cell while Merlin used his usual *skills* to temporarily disarm the guards. They ran out of the outpost together, clambering down the hill towards the horses. Merlin risked a quick look back, something he regretted when he saw about 20 soldiers hot on their heels.

Tripping over his own feet, Merlin was focused on getting as far away from the soldiers and outpost as possible. "Go, Arthur, go!" he shouted. If Cenred ever got ahold of Arthur… goodbye, Albion; goodbye, destiny.

Arthur heard Merlin's shouts and quickened his pace, a hand firmly holding Gwen's. Just a quick turn here, a jump there… and hold on! They didn't go up this way, and all of a sudden, Arthur found himself facing a small cliff. He couldn't afford to put on the brakes, though, so he dipped, letting go of Gwen's hand and rolling on his shoulder, landing at the bottom in a small heap.

"Come on, you two!" he shouted and held out his arms. "Trust me!"

Gwen was frazzled. Here was this huge cliff, and now Arthur was asking her to do the unthinkable, to jump, when she was just so tired, so worn, and would rather be anywhere else than in this situation. Merlin put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Do you trust me?" he asked with his crooked grin.

Gwen eked out a small smile. This was Merlin, her Merlin, with Arthur – kind, courteous, caring Arthur. "Yes," she finally said – and that was all Merlin needed before he chucked her over the side.

The trip down was surprisingly quick, and she landed on something soft that grunted. "Oof," was all Arthur could muster, trying not to think about how lovely Gwen felt against him. She got up just in time before they were both assaulted by Merlin's elbows as he took the last dive from the cliff.

Once they were all on their feet again, Arthur resumed his handholding and Merlin resumed shooting little spells behind them to trip up Cenred's soldiers. They made it the last few yards to the horses, catching their breath in gasps. Gwen treated them both to a hug as thanks for yet another daring rescue, and they started the journey home, Merlin resumed his position in the back, a watchful eye on the two lovebirds in front of him.

-Fin-