A/N: Sorry for any errors, it becomes difficult after editing it so many times. It becomes a lot like a word repeated over and over again until it no longer makes any sense.

I just couldn't keep looking at this chapter and had to get it out there. Let me know it I messed any of it up.

Comments are always welcome.

I hope you enjoy...

Chapter 34

A Sweet Reunion

"Milady!" A young man shouted. Giaus and Gwain turned to see who approached. The Queen couldn't be bothered to tear her eyes away from the field that might become her husbands deathbed.

"Milady!" The boy gasped, coming up behind them. A young woman trotted after him. Both Giaus and Gwain turned to greet the young squire and physicians assistant.

"Who comes, my boy?" Giaus prompted.

"Arthur." The boy panted. "He's here."

Guinivere turned at the sound of her husbands name. "Arthur?" Her eyes narrowed on the young lad. "Where is he?" She demanded, her heart suddenly in her throat.

The squire shifted uncomfortably under the Queens penetrating stare.

The young maiden jumped in when he couldn't speak. "The medical tents, Milady." The young maiden jumped in, bowing respectfully. However, she threw a hot glare at the young squire. Guinevere would have laughed at the cousins interaction had she not been so concerned about Arthur.

"Thank you Jordana." Guinevere nodded, eager for her to continue.

"He brought some others with him." Jordana paused for effect. "I think one's a Druid," She whispered conspiratorially. "A magic user. I saw his mark when Elnath removed his shirt on his arrival." She paused for effect. "He's wounded badly."

"Magic?" Guinivere asked surprised. She glanced at Giaus but he wasn't looking at her. He was already making his way to the medical tents. Guinivere followed after him. Catching up to him she hooked her arm with his and leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Do you think it's Merlin?"

Giaus glanced at her out of the corner of his eye before he looked back to the path. He wound his way down the small hill and into the mass of tents and bustling Knights. "What makes you think that?" He asked nonchalant.

Guinevere didn't really think it was Merlin injured in the medical tent, but a large part of her wanted it to be. Even if he was the one who had magic, she just wanted him here, safe, with family and those who love him.

"Hope, maybe." Guinevere frowned. "Don't you?"

"At my age, my child," Giaus shook his head. "No. I have no expectations or grand illusions, and I also don't believe in luck. I believe in what we are able to do for ourselves by preparing ourselves for the future. Preparation is everything." He paused in both word and motion. "Merlin is resourceful enough to survive. He has his skill sets." The old man smiled softly, a secret light danced in his weathered blue eyes. He patted her arm and disentangled himself from her. "That is my hope."

"He is a special kind of person to be able to survive going on patrols, and even into battle with my husband, without armor, I might add, and survive relatively unscathed." Odd if you asked her, Guinevere though absently as her eyes strayed from the weary old man. She grimaced and tugged her cloak closed and shivered.

Giaus' weathered bright eyes appraised her laggardly. Not unscathed, Giaus thought as he remembered the multitudes of scars the young Warlock had accumulated over the years. Giaus had no doubt that his time with the Lady Morgana had added to the boys heart-wrenching collection. "One day, you will see what Merlin has to offer, and what he has done for all of us." Giaus nodded. The queen seemed to be off in another world. Giaus smiled gently. He used her distraction to excuse himself, and quietly left her to search for her King. Giaus had a patient to see.

"What do you mean?" Guinevere murmured as she searched the crowd for her husband. She glance back when no one answered. Giaus was gone. She sighed. He was probably already in the medical tent. She swallowed and wrung her hand under her deep lavender cloak as she continued to search the area for the one she wanted. She didn't see him. She started to feel her panic well up. Her gaze continued to roam until she notice a man standing next to a group of Knights.

He didn't seem to fit in with the men clad in the red and gold colors of Camelot. They glared at him like he was a large rabid wolf that wondered into the camp. She scrunched up her noes in distaste and pity. Her heart ached for the man. He looked worse for wear. She contemplated whether she should get Gwain to ask him to leave, or offer the stranger a hot meal. Hear hear won out and she started to make her way over to him. The closer she got the more she felt she knew him. The familiar shape of him, the the way he held himself. Her gaze lingered on him as she came closer. Her eyes narrowed in concentration. She felt he knew him. Suddenly she gasped. Her delicate hand covered her trembling lips.

Arthur? Her heart cracked wide open at the sight of her husband. She almost didn't recognize him standing alone in the middle of dozens of dissembled tents in clothing that definitely were not his. He looked lost. Scared and unsure. Something out of character for Arthur.

Guinevere dropped her hand to her side and smiled, tears of joy clogging her throat. "Arthur?" Guinivere cried. She started towards Arthur at a faster clip.

Arthur looked up at the call of his name. He searched the crowd blindly for the familiar feminine vox that called him. She watched him turn in circles until he finally caught sight of her.

As soon as their eyes met Guinevere finally felt whole again. She had the other half of her heart back. She walked forward at a clipped pace, forced not to run to him for fear of slipping in on the slushy ground and twisting her ankle and breaking the heel of her shoe. As soon as she was withing reach she launched herself at Arthur. He opened his arms wide to receive her. Holding her close.

Arthur knew he was home the moment his lips touched hers. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up and molding her to him. He had to peel himself away from her delightful lips with great difficulty. He couldn't be seen ravaging his wife in front of his own Knights. Slowly he let her slide down his body. Her softness giving way to his hardness.

"Guinivere," Arthur breathed against her lips when her feet touched the ground. With both hands on either side of her face he smoothed down her hair. His thumb caressed her crown and then her cheek bone. "I've missed you."

"And I you..." She smiled up at him. "Come, let's get you warm."

Arthur nodded finally noticing just how cold he was. He followed dutifully after his wife. They hurried through the camp and back up the small hill to the royal tent. Slipping on the watery snow and ice. Once under the tents shelter Guinivere sat on the bed to watch Arthur. She couldn't tear her eyes from him. She just wanted to soak in the sight. Remember every detail about him.

Slowly and methodically Arthur began to undress. He hissed as he took off his clothes one piece at a time. His shirt hit the ground with a slop. It was drenched from sweat, blood and melted ice. The fresh powder only covered the sleet that layered the ground. Giving the land a false sense of safety. Slush was dangerous, snow was tolerable. He looked down at his feet. His boots weren't in much better shape having taken the full brunt of the odd weather.

Guinevere sucked in a breath when she got a full look at Arthurs back. He turned around at her exclamation. She chewed her bottom lip between her teeth as she silently took in the sight of Arthurs bruised back and torso. A large black and red bruise wrapped around him from one side of his rib cage to the other connecting in a thick band of black, red and navy bruising across his back.

Arthur ignore her and continued getting undressed. He wanted out of these cloths. He bent down to start unlacing his boots but froze. All of a sudden his vision blurred. Nausea swarmed him and his mouth watered. A consuming wave of pain swarmed him like a hive of bees. He grit his teeth and stood back up. Arthur forced himself to breath in through his noes and out through his clenched jaw. Each breath he took sent hot searing pain through his chest. His lungs screamed at him each time air flowed into them.

"Would you like some help?" Guinevere asked lovingly, finally able to shake herself out of her stupor and actually help.

Arthur looked up at her with an almost blank star. Like he didn't quite recognize her. After a few moments of harsh breathing on his part, Arthur nodded mutely. She stood up and walked over to him. His eyes followed her every move. He focused on only Guinevere. On every line of her face. Every curve of her body to keep himself from falling backwards into a dark pit of despair, remorse and agony.

Humbly she knelt down and gently unlaced his boots. Thankful that her husband was here with her. But she didn't miss the fact that Merlin was still absent. She thought it best not to bring that up now, with Arthur in such a state. She helped Arthur step out of the last of his trousers. She felt his cold hands on her shoulders through the sleeves on her lavender dress. Once she finished helping him she stood up and faced him towards a round bath in the corner of the tent.

"There is a tub of water in the corner, there." She pointed. "It's cold but it will do the job."

He walked over to it and dipped in a finger. The freezing cold water sent another savage shiver through him. He shook his head. "It's too c-cold." He tried to say around his chattering teeth. Now that Arthur was indoors he felt the cold all the more. He noticed he was shaking. His teeth chattered and his lips were no doubt turning blue.

Guinevere frowned. She stood back and finally got a proper look at him. He looked miserable. She didn't know what to do to help. It would take too long to heat up a tub that size. "I can ask a servant to heat up a bucket of water." She suggested.

Arthur shook his head. "No," It wouldn't be enough to fight the chill. Besides, he remembered he had two Magic users in camp, granted one was unconscious, but Ranue wasn't. He gave Guinevere a small smile. "It wont be necessary." He wrapped a towel around his waist.

"Oh?" Guinevere raised a brow at him.

"Gwain!" Arthur suddenly shouted. He saw the Knight follow them back to the tent. He had to be close. "Gwain," He shouted again. There was several empty seconds before Gwain popped his head into the tent.

"Yeah," Gwain asked. He took in the sight of his near naked King.

"Can you bring Ranoue here?"

Gwain raised a brow. "Ranoue? Really?" He laughed. He stepped all the way into the tent, eyes shining with humor.

"Yes. Ranoue." Arthur pressed. He shivered again. Guinevere got up and wrapped a fur around his shoulders. Arthur thanked her and turned back to Gwain.

"So can you get him?"

"Ah, yeah," Gwain sassed. "But why?" Gwain wondered. He scratched his cheek.

"I need help with the bath," Arthur shook his head at how ridiculous he sounded.

Gwain raised both brows. "Oh," His thoughts were going to get him in trouble. "A little kinky." Gwain miled, a wicked twinkle in his hazel brown eyes. "But who am I to judge, eh? I would have thought you two would have wanted the afternoon to reacquaint yourselves. Alone. But hey," he shrugged. "Who doesn't like a good threesome." Gwain winked and laughed heartily.

"Gwain!" Guinivere gasped. He cheeks heated uncomfortably. She covered her mouth to hide her smile, but she couldn't fully hide her giggle. Arthur looked at her over his shoulder with a raised brow and a light twitch of his lips. He shook his head and looked back to Gwain.

Gwain grinned flashing his dimples charmingly. He raised his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

"Okay, Gwain, that's enough." Arthur snapped lightly at his friend. "Can you get Ranoue?"

"Yeah, of course." Gwain sobered. "Give me two minutes."

Arthur nodded and watched Gwain disappear. The tent flap swung back into place. Arthur shrugged the fur higher on his shoulders wrapping it around him trying to get some kind of warmth. He started to pace hoping that it would help. Arthur contemplated he next move. Without Merlin as Emrys to help, Arthur's odds of winning against his sisters' army became slimmer and slimmer.

"Why do you need Ranoue?" Guinevere asked interrupting his thoughts. She sat back on their bed and watch him pace. It made her a little dizzy.

"Hmm?" Arthur asked distractedly.

"Ranoue. Why do you need him?" She asked again.

"He can help me heat the bath. He's a druid." Arthur sighed. He kept pacing. Back and forth, back and forth in front of his wife. "And he has magic,"

"And... your okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" He glanced at his wife.

"Why wouldn't you..." Guinivere murmured. "Arthur," She snapped seriously, demanding his full attention. "Magic is outlawed."

"Maybe it shouldn't be."

She was quiet for a moment. "I'm going to play devils advocate here, darling and say; even if you were okay with magic, your father hunted, persecuted and burned them into the ground for decades;" She scowled. "Why would they be okay with you? And what's changed your mind?"

Arthur stopped his pacing and face her fully. He looked at her pained. "Merlin." he said simply.

"Merlin?" Guinivere was taken aback. "How could he have changed your mind?" She asked. "Did you find him?" Her brows drew together.

Arthur didn't answer her. He started to pace. The question driving spiks of pain into his heart.

Guinevere huffed. Irritated. She grit her teeth and continued. "Weren't you always saying how Merlin was always there in the fight against magic."

"Yeah," Arthur snorted. "Turns out he's not as opposed to magic as we thought." Arthur stopped pacing and glanced at Guinivere.

"What do you mean?" Guinivere wondered.

Arthur sat next to Guinivere on the bed. "Turns out Merlin is the Emrys Morgana has been searching for." He rubbed his eye tiredly. His fur sliding down his shoulders. He pulled it back up tighter around his shoulders. "He was the warlock who tried to heal my father, and yours. He was also the one who got you out of hanging. He had magic the entire time. Hell, his entire life!" Arthur scowled.

"Oh Arthur, I'm so sorry." Guinevere bit her lip and apologized.

Arthur looked at Guinevere closely. "You don't seem very surprised."

She shrugged. "I guess not," The side of Guinevere's lip lifted lightly in a small smile. "It just kind of makes sense."

"Huh," Arthur stood back up, unable to stay still. "Am I the only one that was truly clueless?" Arthur spun around when he heard someone enter the tent. Gwain opened his mouth to speak but Arthur turned to him and hushed him with one hand while he held up the fur around him with the other. "Don't even say it."

Gwain tossed up his hands. "Wasn't going to say a word," He stepped aside and let Ranoue into the tent. "Arthur, Ranoue. Ranoue, Arthur." Gwain bowed dramatically. "My job here is done." He turned around and left the tent. Enough playing around, he had Knights to ready for battle.

"King Arthur." Ranoue greeted. "Queen Guinivere," Ranoue bowed. "What can I do for you?" He asked stiffly.

"Has James woken up yet?" Arthur asked.

Ranoue shook his head. "No, so lets move this along. Gwain said something about a bath."

"Not that that doesn't sound a little weird." Arthur muttered to himself quietly. "Could you please use your magic and heat the water?" Arthur requested louder. He pointed to the wooden tub in the corner. Another vicious shiver wracked his battered frame. His fingers and toes were numb and his lips,well, he no longer felt like he had any.

Ranoue looked over at him, scrunching up one eye as he assessed the King. He didn't look good. Ranoue knew Arthur needed to be tended by a physician, but nothing would help him as much as magic would right then. Arthur needed to be in top shape if he was to fight in the battle. Still, everything in Ranoue fought against using his magic. Especially in front of both the King and Queen.

"No harm will come to you," Arthur pressed. He wavered on his feet as another violent shiver wracked his battered frame. He needed to heat up soon, or he was going to pass out.

Ranoue nodded. "Yeah," He cleared his throat and walked over to the tub. He put his hand over the water and whispered softly in the old religion.

Arthur watched entranced and not a little uneasy as Ranoue's eyes flashed an eerie gold. The water started to steam.

Arthur walked up to the tub beside Ranoue. "Thank you," Arthur croaked.

Ranoue glanced up at Arthur. "No problem," Ranoue murmured warily. He leaned forward and gently dipped the tip of his finger into the hot water. The moment he removed his finger from the water the ripples fanned out, glowing blue, before they blending back in to the steaming water. "I'm no healer, but this should help heal most of your injuries."

Arthur nodded. "Thank you." Arthur conveyed again.

Ranoue bowed briefly before he turned on his heel and exited the tent as quickly as possible. He couldn't suppress that slide of terror that snaked its way up his spine and around his neck. That was the very fear that had kept him awake at night as a child. Uther and Arthur Pendragon were the boogeymen of his childhood. To be caught doing magic in front of either of them was such a terrorizing thought that it left him in a state of blind panic most of his childhood.

As soon as Ranoue left , Arthur, now shivering uncontrollably, let the fur around his shoulders fall to the floor along with the towel around his waist. Guinivere quietly stood and helped him into the bath.

Arthur er, using the edge of the wooden tub and Guinevere's arm for support, stepped into the hot water. Arthur moaned at the relief. The magic infused water was such a relief to his aching body tears sprang to his eyes. He dunked under the water rinsing his face and hair of the the blood, mud, sweat and tears. He leaned back and rested his head on the edge of the tub . He relaxed into the water. Enjoying the heat.

Arthur watched Guinevere silently as she gathered a cloth and a small round of soap.

Guinevere was quiet as she sat on the stool next to the tub. She lathered up the cloth with her rose scented soap. It took everything in her to keep quiet. She was reeling with the information that they had another druid in the Knights ranks, a magic user no less, and even when her mind was spinning she kept her thoughts and worries to herself.

Arthur sighed. "Why are you so quiet, Guinivere?" Arthur murmured with his eyes shut.

Guinivere didn't answer. Instead she dunked the clothe beneath the water and began to wash his shoulders. Gently massaging his tender flesh.

As soon as he felt her tough him his eyes shot open. First, in alarm, because he has been on warrior mode none stop for too long to not react on instinct to an unseen touch, and desire, because he had not been touched by a woman since he last had Guinevere, before he left to find Merlin. Arthur opened his eyes. He put a hand over her's to stop her. He took the washcloth from her.

"Guinivere." Arthur chided. He sat up and turned to look at her.

Guinevere sighed. "What if Ranoue is like Mordred? He was a Knight, he had magic and he turned on you, even after you helped save his life as a child."

Arthur looked at Guinivere. His brows screwed together casting shadows over his eyes darkening blue eyes. "Yes, and I executed the woman he loved." Arthur pointed out. He paused for a moment, searching the soft brown eyes of his wife. "What's this really about, Gwen?" Arthur asked gently.

She bit her lower lip. Hesitating. "Did," Guinevere paused to take in deep breath. Her eyes roamed back and forth in front of her searching for what she wanted to ask. "Did you find Merlin?"

Arthur pressed his lips together. He nodded steadily, his eyes uncharacteristically void. "He found me, actually." He started slowly.

Guinevere was taken aback. If he had found Arthur, then where was her now? Where was he? She opened her mouth to speak but Arthurs fingers over her lips stopped her. Her brows creased in confusion.

"But," Arthur hushed her, he smoothed out the crease between her browns with his thumb. "He cant come home." Arthur frowned. "Not yet. Not until this war is over and Morgana is dead." Arthur pet her hair. Comforting her. Smoothing the back of his knuckles lovingly over her smooth cheek. He grabbed her by the back of her neck. His fingers tangled in her hair with his thumb caressing the spot under her ear. He gave her a long kiss.

"Join me, my love?" Arthur breathed against her lips. She nodded. She sat up out of his reach and let her dress fall to the rug covered dirt floor. She stepped into the tub savoring the heat of the water and the hot press of her husband firm body against hers.

"Exquisite." Arthur murmured as he took her in his arms...