Sorry, can't talk for long since I have to go somewhere. Anyway, this one is a little different than the others, but that was kinda the point.

Unnoticed

Summary: Gwen notices that Merlin isn't being included or respected by Arthur and she gets angry, but that anger soon fades when she hears what Merlin has to say.

Gwen couldn't be happier. Here she was: a queen, married to the most amazing man she had ever met and the love of her life, surrounded by her friends and currently sitting next to her husband around the Round Table. A few months after their wedding Arthur had woken up one morning with a burning desire to fetch the Round table from that old castle. As he had put it, "Ever since I married you, Gwen, I feel like a new chapter in my life has been started. And I want this chapter to be the best it can be. I married you, a servant, I knighted commoners. I think it's time that I truly embrace the friendship, equality, and unity that I believe in."

In no time at all the Round Table had been brought to Camelot and had been cleaned and repaired, and now it sat in the council chambers. And that's where Gwen was now, holding Arthur's hand and listening as he and the knights and Gaius and even a few of the old council members sat and discussed things of importance.

Gwen loved this side of Arthur; the side of him that was considerate and listened to what everyone around him thought regardless of how they were born. In fact, she loved it so much that she was just content to sit back and watch as the wonderful man she married ran his kingdom with loving hands. That is, she was until she happened to glance behind her and saw Merlin on the side lines.

Hands clasped at his back and standing behind Arthur's chair Merlin waited. The manservant waited for the moment that Arthur might need something or he might be called upon for some reason.

Everyone had some sort of say. Commoners, a physician, and even the scholar, Geoffrey of Monmouth. Everyone sat at the Round table, pitching ideas and having them listened to by Arthur…except Merlin. Merlin stood behind them. He was here purely as a servant, nothing more.

And just like that all of Gwen's happiness melted away as she stared at Merlin, who was listening intently to the conversation, even though he wasn't a part of it. It bothered her more than she could say that Merlin was left out of the Round Table conference while all his friends and the people who should be including him weren't excluded.

"All right," Arthur said and Gwen turned back to him, now waiting for the right opportunity, "now that we've settled that we have one more business to attend to. Now, I know no one enjoys discussing this, but it has to be done, so now we'll talk about the taxes." Gwaine groaned, but Arthur ignored him and continued. "As I have mentioned before I don't want to run the kingdom the way my father did. When it comes to taxes things get very tricky. I am fully aware that some people in Camelot simply aren't doing well enough to pay the taxes, and not out of laziness or neglect. Especially after Morgana's attack on Camelot just a few months ago the people are still struggling. So," Arthur said, posing a question to everyone around the table, "I need opinions from those of you who know the people and how they are doing. I need to know their limits."

Before anyone had a chance to say anything Gwen spoke up. "Arthur." The king turned to his wife and smiled.

"Yes, Gwen?"

"Perhaps Merlin would have some insight. After all, he goes into town every day, surely he can provide some useful information." Gwen glanced up at Merlin and saw the shock written clearly on his face. Obviously he hadn't thought anyone would ask his opinion on anything.

Arthur looked up at Merlin, too. Apparently he misread the shock on his face for blankness because he turned back to Gwen and said, "I wish that were true, Gwen, but I'm afraid that the act of carrying out a duty and thinking at the same time is too much for Merlin. I doubt he knows anything. Anyone else?" Arthur asked, turning back to the rest of his advisors.

Gwen felt outrage boil up inside her and not at how Arthur had dismissed what she had said, but rather at how he had dismissed Merlin. It was hard to make her angry, but ignoring, hurting, or mistreating her friends was one sure-fire way to rile her up.

And so as Arthur continued talking about the tax Gwen began plotting how she would later ambush him and knock some sense into his head. He might be her husband, but she had been Merlin's friend before he had even looked at her differently. And now that Gwen had some influence over Arthur's decisions she would find a way to make Arthur starting treating Merlin like the good friend he was, instead of just some nameless servant.

Before Morgana's heart had filled with so much hate she and Gwen had been good friends. Morgana had always treated her like a person and had always been attentive to her needs and feelings. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Merlin and Arthur were much closer than she and Morgana had ever been, and yet Arthur treated Merlin sometimes with less respect than even good slaves got.

Thinking about Morgana was painful and it brought forth a whole slew of volatile emotions, but thinking about the great potential Merlin and Arthur's relationship had and how good they would be for each other if they only let the other one in almost hurt more.

Gwen looked around the table and she saw that she wasn't the only one who was upset about Arthur's dismissal of Merlin. There was obvious rage and indignation on Gwaine's and Percival's and Eylan's faces, though, it was more muted on the latter two. Gwaine had always had a bigger temper than really any of the other knights, aside from Arthur, of course. Though, as Arthur had had more responsibility placed on his shoulders over the last two years he had learned how to keep his anger in check.

Elyan was also sending Gwen apologetic looks and she guessed that if she really lent on her brother she could get him to talk to Arthur, not that she would, this was something she wanted to tackle herself. Leon and Geoffrey had disappointed and disapproving looks and Gwen could see that they were considering mentioning something about his poor judgment to Arthur as well. But Gaius' face was the most surprising. There was no anger or incredulous shock, just merely a resigned sadness, disappointment, and pain.

Perhaps six months ago when Merlin had been captured by Morgana and she had placed that magical snake in the back of his neck Guinevere had gotten a good look and a deeper understanding of Merlin's and the physician's relationship. Oddly enough Gaius wasn't overly shaken up by what had happened to Merlin or even that surprised. He had handled the whole thing with a calm and studious demeanor just as he would in any other situation.

But what had shocked Gwen about the whole thing was that not only did Gaius take everything in stride and act like it had happened before, but throughout it all he had a look of reconciled pain in his eyes. Gwen had realized that day that Gaius was used to helping Merlin out of difficult circumstances, but despite that it still hurt him to see his ward in trouble. Gwen had suddenly begun to understand that Gaius would always be there for Merlin when he needed help because seeing him hurt or in trouble or even just unsure pained him. Gaius was resigned to the fact that Merlin would always be getting into trouble, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be there to help him and take his pain in any way possible.

And so Arthur's reaction to her suggestion that Merlin could help hadn't surprised Gaius in the slightest, it had merely reminded him of yet another hardship in his ward's life. Gwen found herself wondering if Merlin truly knew how much every problem in his life pained his guardian.

And finally Gwen turned her head to look at Merlin himself, trying to say how sorry and angry she was for him as best as she could with her eyes. Merlin, still standing behind Arthur's chair, caught her look and gave her a small smile that clearly said, 'it's okay, I'm fine, thank you for trying'.

But as good as Merlin was at masking his feelings Gwen could still see a hint of pain at being so neglected. Yes, she would definitely have to do something about Arthur's attitude towards Merlin.

And so she waited until the meeting was over before walking confidently to Arthur's room, where she knew he'd be shortly. But along the way she caught a glimpse of Merlin out of the corner of her eye and called out to him on an impulse.

Merlin turned around and when he saw her he smiled and stopped walking to wait for her to catch up. "Gwen!" he exclaimed and as she saw his eyes she was reminded of yet another reason why she was grateful to have Merlin as a friend and why no one should take him for granted. Since the very first day that Merlin had met Gwen, every time he saw her his eyes would light up in happiness. And it wasn't just her, either, Merlin got that same glow in his eyes whenever he saw a friend or even happened to stumble upon some random person. Gwen knew from talking to other servants or even ordinary people walking the streets of Camelot that many times they had had a horrible day considerably brightened by Merlin's smile.

More than that, whenever Merlin talked to you he would give you his full attention, never once looking away unless perhaps he bumped into something. He always treated you as if you not just a woman or a servant or an overlooked guard, or even just a person, no, he would treat you like you were the most important person in the world and that there was no one he'd rather be talking to. He would laugh genuinely every time you said something funny, he would listen to your troubles and express real concern and empathy and do his best to find a way to help you.

Merlin never failed to give you that word of encouragement just when you needed it most, if someone was bothering or hurting you he never failed to stand up to them, even if it meant getting a few bruises in the process. He always respected you for who you were and the decisions you made, instead of what others said about you or who your family were and he was always more than willing to help you out with your chores or anything that needed to be done. And the cheeriness that he so often exuded even when he had more than enough of a reason to be grumpy or annoyed gave people hope and happiness in a way that nothing else could.

Merlin was one of a kind.

Gwen stopped walking when she reached Merlin and for a moment or two just studied his expression. There was his usual joy and he was obviously waiting and expecting her to say something, but she couldn't find so much as a speck of the pain she had seen earlier on his face. There wasn't even anger or annoyance at how little Arthur respected him. It was as if he had completely forgotten about the whole thing or that he simply just didn't care.

"Was there something you wanted, Gwen?" Merlin asked and she realized that she had been staring at him for a little too long.

"Yes, sorry," she said hastily, trying to cover up her awkward zone-out. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the way that Arthur treated you back there and I'm going to talk to him about it." Gwen gave Merlin a reassuring smile but he just frowned.

"Gwen," Merlin began slowly and took another step towards her as if he was trying to explain something, "I appreciate what you did for me in there; it was very kind and considerate of you, but I'd prefer it if you didn't mention anything like that to Arthur again.

Confusion rippled through her. "But why not, Merlin?" Gwen asked. "Arthur doesn't respect that you have opinions of your own. He doesn't always treat you the way you deserve."

Merlin sighed and ran a hand through his floppy hair. "When you tried to ask what I thought it was…heartwarming, but I don't need that kind of recognition. I've been serving Arthur for many," he chuckled a little bit, "many years and it feels like a lifetime. I've gotten used to Arthur and our odd relationship. I don't need Arthur to start asking for my opinions on things. In fact, when he does ask my advice then I know something is wrong with him." Merlin smiled and seemed to be trying to shrug the whole thing off.

Guinevere couldn't believe it. She just couldn't believe that Merlin was perfectly okay with Arthur thinking of him as an idiot half the time. She knew that Merlin was a lot wiser than he looked and that he had valuable things to say. If she was indignant on his behalf, shouldn't he be even angrier than her?

"No, Merlin," she said, letting some of her anger of this whole situation seep into her tone, "I won't accept that. You might be all right with the ways things are, but that doesn't mean you're necessarily happy with them or that you don't deserve more." Gwen took a step forward herself and looked deep into his blue eyes that she had never noticed how depthless they seemed before now. "I love Arthur, but he is not without his faults and I think his stubbornness concerning you is his biggest one. I know he would be happier if he just admitted the truth about his friendship with you—that it is the only thing that has kept him afloat during times of desperation and pain—to himself. You're a lot wiser than anyone gives you credit for and I know that with your help Arthur could really give his people the assistance and hope that they need. The only thing that is standing in the way of the amazing things the two of you could do together is Arthur's stubbornness and, apparently, yours as well. And worst of all I know that the way Arthur sometimes treats you has to hurt. Well, I'm not going to stand by and watch this anymore. Arthur needs some sense knocked into him every once in a while; you taught me that when you first came to Camelot. So that's what I'm going to do." Gwen turned around and started to walk away with the intention of finding Arthur and giving him a similar speech, but she was stopped by a hand on her arm that was pulling her back.

Gwen turned back to look at Merlin and this time she saw no cheeriness or indifference to the blatant lack of respect he was being shown. Pain, sadness, and a deep-seeded need and hunger that she couldn't quite understand were written plainly on his face and there wasn't a single piece of evidence that his usual mask ever existed.

She was so shocked by the raw and painful emotions that she had never quite seen the likes of before that she completely forgot about her anger or righteous sense of purpose. Suddenly everything in her life seemed to melt away in lieu of the intense and heart wrenching emotions that Merlin was now freely exhibiting. For the first time in her life Gwen got a true glimpse of the ever-present pain in Merlin and she realized that as hard as everything hit people—Morgana's betrayal, Uther's death, her own banishment, Camelot and its people in danger, and Gaius' kidnapping—in some ways it hurt him deeper. Now Gwen knew that at least part of it was all an act. Sure, she didn't doubt that some of that happiness that Merlin always seemed to possess was real, but now she understood that underneath it was a torrent of pain that extended from so many areas. Perhaps in comparison to all the pain Merlin had already suffered dealing with an Arthur that didn't fully respect him wasn't such a big deal.

"Gwen." It wasn't a question or even the beginning to a sentence; it was a whole speech all on its own. Gwen heard such deep pain and grief in that one word, a word that seemed impossibly her own, and in that moment she felt like she would do anything Merlin asked of her, simply because she'd have to be heartless to deny such a pleading and pained voice. But Merlin continued talking, albeit slowly, anyway.

"I care about Arthur, too," Merlin began, his tone still laced with that immeasurable emotion, "and I believe with all my heart that he is already becoming the greatest king Camelot has ever seen and he will only grow greater. The people love him because he loves them in return, something that Uther, with all the sacrifices he tried to make for this kingdom, never did. Arthur is a good man and I am honored to be his servant, let alone his friend." Gwen had seen a spark of brightness and hope in Merlin's eyes as he talked about Arthur, but now the spark faded and the servant's shoulders hunched a little bit.

"But Arthur, for all his greatness and courage and strength isn't perfect, like you said. He is so different from how he was when I first met him. He has grown and gained so much depth and maturity. But he has had to go against nearly everything his father taught him, nearly everything he once believed in. He has let servants and commoners become knights and," he paused for a second to smile here, "a queen. Arthur is not like his father, but he truly loved—loves Uther and I don't doubt that the idea of changing everything and going against all that he stood for breaks his heart and makes him feel like he isn't respecting the man who had so much influence in making him the man he is today. Personally, I believe that a lot of the things that Uther taught Arthur are wrong or wrong for him, at least, but he did teach him to give up everything for his people. He taught him honor and bravery and a kind of strength that is unparalleled. And I can't help but feel like going against everything Uther believed in would hurt Arthur to his core. Arthur never had an easy life and he had to learn some of the most important things in this world on his own or through the various trials that have come his way. I can't expect Arthur to be perfect or to give up his father's legacy completely. He's still growing and changing." Merlin gave Gwen an earnest look and then shrugged his shoulders.

"If often treating me like I'm nothing more than a bumbling servant that happens to have been through a lot with him helps Arthur to feel like he's not completely disrespecting his father or keeps him from treating anyone else that way then it's worth it. Arthur is a great man and my best friend and there is no place I'd rather be than at his side, whether it is as his friend, his servant, his equal, or just as the annoying person in his life that won't shut up. For whatever reason I tend to be in Arthur's blind spot. I'm exempt from almost all of the regular rules. I'm more than a servant and yet often less than a friend." Suddenly Merlin's eyes became very pain-filled and sad. "And I would love for Arthur to treat me differently, to look at me and see what I am; someone who will never betray him and who has been at his side through many dark times. But if Arthur ever does start seeing me as more of a friend than someone with no solid opinion and a love of taverns, I want it to be because he chose it."

Gwen felt her heart sink. Suddenly she knew exactly why Merlin had stopped her and seeing the pain in his eyes right now even made her understand it.

Merlin put his hand on her arm. "If Arthur is going to start valuing my opinions and seeing me as a friend I want him to get there on his own, not because someone pushed him there, even if that someone is you. Because as much as I love what you're trying to do for me, I think it might kill me if, after all these years and these disasters we've lived through, Arthur realizes exactly who I am and how loyal I am because someone else told him." Gwen saw Merlin's eyes begin to brim with tears a little and Merlin gazed at her pleadingly, as if begging her to understand. "I need him to get there on his own. I will always be his friend and I will never stop being by his side through thick and thin, no matter what. Arthur might never truly see that, but that won't change a thing. I am happy to serve Arthur for the rest of my life regardless of how he views me. But if his opinion changed because of someone else's input then it wouldn't feel real. Right now Arthur isn't in a place where he can handle the truth about me." Guinevere somehow felt that there was something more to his almost desperate words. "He needs me right now to be the bumbling servant. And that's what I'm here for; to be that extra silliness or push that gives him the strength to do some of the hard things he has to.

"Yeah, it hurts knowing that sometimes that Arthur has more respect for his horse than me, but it doesn't change the fact that I will always be there, right behind him to give him whatever he needs, whether that be more wine or the advice that he won't listen to but will take to heart." Merlin breathed out a sigh and seemed to be trying to compose himself. "Arthur's my best friend and I'd do anything for him. All I'm asking is that you, Gwen, will let Arthur grow and learn at his own pace. And if he ever realizes that I'm more than a servant then great. If not, then I don't want it anyway, because someone else pointing it out to him would just seem fake."

Gwen realized her own eyes were wet and she tried to blink away the almost-tears. Slowly the queen took a step back. "Merlin," she said in a quiet, shocked voice, "you're the strongest, most selfless man I have ever met and Arthur doesn't deserve you." Suddenly Gwen heard herself give a humorless laugh that sounded far away. "Camelot itself doesn't deserve you." She shook her head in shock and dismay. "I won't say anything to Arthur, yet. But one day, if Arthur doesn't realize it himself, I will." Gwen hurried on as Merlin opened his mouth to protest. "Not for you, Merlin, for Arthur." Another laugh. "That prat doesn't have any idea of the great, one-of-a-kind friendship he's missing out on." Abruptly she stepped forward until she was very close to Merlin again. "There is no one like you out there, Merlin. How far you're willing to go for someone who doesn't treat you the way he treats less deserving men is unmatchable. I know that Arthur, for all of his self-denial would give his life for you. And I know that the kind of friendship you two could have would be unbreakable and stronger than any other. If only Arthur would open his eyes."

Gwen stared at Merlin's face in wonder for a moment. Until this moment she had never realized the strength of the person standing next to her or the sheer power he contained in his loyalty, friendship, and love. "Merlin," she said, her voice breaking and sadness coloring her tone. "I promise you…one day Arthur will notice you. How can he not? Someone as strong as you can't stay hidden forever. One day you two will have the friendship you've dreamed of. The man Arthur is today is only because of you. He has changed so much since the day you arrived in Camelot and started affecting all of our lives." She smiled. "You have changed him, Merlin, for the better. You have made Arthur the great king he is by being the friend he wasn't entirely sure he had. Arthur might be slow to learn, but he will finally realize what an amazing friend he has by his side. And together I have no doubt you will change the world."

Gwen grabbed Merlin's arm much like he had hers. "I won't tell Arthur right now because I think he will get there on his own. Arthur will recognize you for who you truly are…the best friend he could ever have," Guinevere finished and grinned, trying to give Merlin the hope he so desperately needed.

It worked. Gwen saw hope and happiness brighten his eyes and Merlin give a genuine smile. It wasn't his usual grin that would light up rooms and make everything seem all right, but rather it was a smile that spoke of an anticipation of things to come. A smile that was building up to greater happiness.

"Thank you, Gwen," Merlin said and he leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the head. The kiss didn't feel weird or odd at all. It was merely the kiss of a happy friend who saw no better way of expressing his gratitude. "I can never thank you enough for the hope you have given me."

He's thanking me? Gwen thought incredulously. More than ever she now understood exactly what Merlin had been going through since arriving in Camelot and exactly what he had sacrificed. After everything he's done for Arthur and for all of us?

Out of nowhere, just as Merlin began pulling away, Gwen got an impulse and drew him into a hug. "No, thank you," she whispered into his ear.

"Merlin!" Gwen suddenly heard Arthur call and they pulled away to see him striding toward them with a look of fake annoyance on his face. "There you are! Hugging my wife. Honestly Merlin, can't you get anything right? Not only are you taking up Gwen's time, which is therefore keeping her from me, but you're also neglecting your duties." Arthur gave a small smile to signify that he wasn't really angry, just taking a pot-shot at Merlin.

Merlin put a fake-indignant look on his face. "Well, she's not just your wife; she's also my friend. Aren't I allowed to talk to her? After all, I did know her before you did."

Arthur scoffed. "No, you didn't. I knew Gwen years before you ever met her!" Arthur replied defensively.

Merlin snorted. "You did not know her. You had seen her and probably occasionally talked to her for a few brief moments, but you did not know her. You only started to fall in love with her after I became her friend." Merlin crossed his arms and had a smug look on his face.

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed angrily.

Guinevere watch from where she stood as Merlin and Arthur continued their bickering as they walked away, completely forgetting about the object of their conversation.

Today Gwen had learned something very important about a close friend. In fact, she had learned many things. But the only conclusion that she could draw from it all was this: Merlin truly was one of a kind. Gwen just hoped that someday soon he would get the notice and recognition he deserved.

I'll expand more on why I wrote this chapter later. But I have to say, I think this is some of my best writing, at least parts of it.