Chapter 5: Who you are, and who you want to be.
Arthur and Gwen remained stood in front of the king still holding hands, both as shocked as anything. They must have been gone some time for the King himself to come out to look for the two of them.
"I don't know what is going on here but I hope you both have a reasonable explanation" The king said firmly, with a hint of anger to his voice. Arthur was just about to open his mouth to speak when he was interrupted.
"In fact I don't want to know, I will speak to you both when we return to Camelot. You shall both ride separately, and will arrive into the kingdom at different times to afford suspicion... Do I make myself clear" He ended. Both Arthur and Gwen nodded in reply and walked over to where there horses were tied to a tree. The ride home was very quiet and awkward at the same time. Arthur and his father lead the group, through the forest and across the fields that surrounded the kingdom. Gwen rode quietly at the back, with a guard at either side of her, unsure why they were there she still remained quiet and fought the temptation to ride off. As they all reached Camelot the King and Prince entered with another two guards that followed behind. Gwen and the remaining guards were to wait outside of the kingdom gates for a further 20 minutes where, they would separate, to not curse a spur in the crowds.
As soon as Gwen had finally reached the stables she quickly unsaddled her horse, and headed straight home, right then all she wanted to do, was be alone and think at the past events. She had came up with the plan that tomorrow would be the best day to go and see Arthur and the King, she was hoping that by then Arthur had, had the chance to explain to his father there love, and their feelings for one another, and how nothing was going to get in their way. But she also couldn't help but think that, that was too good to be true, and that she would have to pray a million times for that to come true.
When Arthur and Uther both entered the great hall, the King immediately broke the silence;
"I do not wish to here you petty excuse just yet, I will give you the night to have a great think about what has happened, and how you and the... the servant," "Father she is more than that" Arthur interrupted. "And how you and the servant were found to be out together." The King finished. Arthur could not believe how is father was behaving. Arthur turned and strode out of the great hall heading straight to his chambers. On the way to his room, he passed Morgana.
"So then Romeo how did it go?" He just simply carried on walking passed her, and not answering the question that he had been set.
"Arthur," she called down the corridor to him, but he still carried on walking , things couldn't of gone well she thought, and headed to the great hall.
When she reached her destination, Morgana walked into the great, without knocking.
"Do you know what's wrong with Arthur, I've just seen him, and he looked miserable?" she asked the King as she went over to stand in front of the throne.
"I found him in Ealdor forest with your maidservant" was the only reply given. As soon as she was given this answer without giving a goodbye she left the hall. Going at a slow jog she headed for Arthur's chambers.
"Arthur.... are you ok?" She asked through the big wooden doors which separated them.
"Go away"
"I know what happened" She replied this time hoping for a better answer.
"Well then you'll understand me when I say go away" He was being so rude, his rudeness was needed at this time.
"Fine then" she said and walked off.
Arthur was lent against the wall, close to the stain glass which was situated opposite the bedroom doors. He had always come to this room when he was mad, upset or just needed time to think. The room, was rather big, it had a king- sized bed which had damask red drapes hanging from the top. At the end of the bed sat a chest of draws, inside Arthur kept several books, which he had been given as presents, there was even the odd scroll. He also had a large wardrobe which was towards the end side of the left. To the side of the wardrobe, he had a screen, which every morning or every time he needed to change he would go behind. In the middle of the room was a table, where he sat and ate his meals, when he hadn't been summoned to eat with his father, or there was feast. He actually enjoyed his own company, it was much better than training some of the low- life's that his father call knights.
A couple of minutes later Merlin walked in carrying his clean washing. "Here you go, all nice and clean, fresh smelling what more could you ask for" Merlin muttered feeling very proud of himself, as he hung up the clothes in the dark mahogany wardrobe.
"Arthur" He asked to gain his attention.
"Oh....I'm sorry I was just thinking" he sighed, however still looking out of the window.
"Ah I see...things didn't go too well with Gwen then?" Merlin asked, just to be nosy, and to show he cared.
"Yeah it went great it's just my father caught us" he replied sinking to the floor and resting his head in his hands. "You know what Merlin things were going great, and he had to ruin it"
"I'm sure you'll be able to work things out with Gwen" reassured Merlin.
"It's not Gwen I'm worried about" he corrected "It's my father" he put right.
"Well if your father is as bright as the next person, then I'm sure he will be able to notice the love you hold for one another" he said, hoping that he would be able to make Arthur feel better, but he didn't think it was working.
"Well I hope so" Arthur sighed.
"Anyway I have chores to get on with, so if you want your dogs to be fit and healthy then I better get on" Merlin smiled and began to leave the room.
"Merlin!" Arthur called, Merlin turned back to face the Prince. "I just wanted to say thank you... you have truly been a loyal servant," Merlin gave a friendly smile in return and continued out of the room. It was definitely going to be a long night for both Arthur and Gwen.
Surprisingly, the next day came quicker than expected. And at mid-day Arthur had a meeting with his father, about yesterday. Deep down Arthur was glad that his father caught them, it was about time he told him what was going on.
"Morning" came the jolly voice of Merlin which woke Arthur that morning. "Come on rise and shine... It's time to get ready if you want to be on time to meet with your father" he said placing Arthur's breakfast on the table. Arthur slowly dragged himself out of bed, and slumped over to the chair that had been pulled out by Merlin.
"Do you know what Merlin, I've never felt this nervous before" he stated moving his spoon around in his so called porridge.
"Well you just tell him how you mean it, and don't take for no for an answer" Arthur just looked at his manservant with a unconvinced look on his face.
"Merlin I think I can get ready myself this morning, so you are dismissed, have the day off, and do what servants do" he said slightly stuck on what to say.
"Erm.. if your sure" Merlin answered and turned to slowly walk out of the room. Arthur picked up his bowl and slung it against the opposite wall, and slouching back his chair, clearly thinking about what today may bring.
"Enter" Called the king as a knock came at the great hall doors. The door slowly opened and Arthur entered. "Ah Arthur" The king pressing the tips of his fingers together.
"Father" Arthur said nodding his head.
"Now let's get down to the point, what's going on between you and the maidservant of Morgana's?" he asked getting straight to the point.
"Well father the thing is....were...were in love" Arthur replied his words getting quieter towards the end of the reply.
"You what!" exclaimed Uther. "I have never heard of such...such garbage"
"Why is that father tell me that?" Arthur asked, not the least surprised by his father's outburst.
"It would be frowned upon in the lower town, do you have any idea, what this could do to the kingdom"
"No father I don't! How doe's me falling in love with a servant have to put Camelot in so much danger. She is as worthy as any normal women, you have put forward to me, what has her being a servant got anything to do with this." Shouted Arthur beginning to get very angry.
"It would bring disgrace upon the kingdom, what would the neighbouring kingdoms say?" asked Uther, beginning to think he was wining this argument, but Arthur had plenty more fight left him.
"You cannot stop me from loving father, it is the human nature" protested Arthur. Just then a knock came and Gwen entered.
"ah here she comes" Uther clapped. Gwen went over and stood beside Arthur.
"Sire I am terribly sorry for any problems we have cause but I can reassure you this will never happen again, I realise what it would do to the kingdom, and that is too much of a risk to take" Gwen stated lowering her head.
"At least one of you has some sense, that sounds like a good idea"
"No Gwen please!"
"Arthur, you two shall not be together; I forbid that is an order!" Uther rose from his throne shouting.
"No father, you cannot stop people from falling in love" Arthur giving his father a disgusted look. He picked up Gwen's hand and began to lead her out of the hall, and past the guards, not caring any more if anyone saw them, for now it did not matter.
"Arthur stop for a moment please" Gwen finally said snatching her hand away from Arthurs, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
"What is it?" he asked confused
"Your father is right, we cannot be together, not until you are king anyway, so until it is best if leave things there" She didn't give Arthur a chance to reply; she gave him a apologetic look and brushed past him, and walked off. He turned his head around to see the love of his life walk out of his life. Deep down he knew today was not going to end in a good way, not only had he lost his father's trust, but the women who he loved.
I hope you enjoyed that chapter. I tried to make it a tear jerker, but somehow I don't think I did, but I would love to see what you thought so please R&R. Thankies xx (oh btw thank you to Lizzie, Zoe, Sophie and Laura who helped me come up with some great ideas for this fanfic, and future Merlin fanfics ly all so much xxx)