A/N: Due to my severe writers block I apologize in advance for the seemingly short chapter. Im trying to tie everything together so I can end it in two chapters. Enjoy!
Arthur took a deep breath and entered his father's chambers. It was almost time to make a decision about Gwen and after a lot of contemplation Arthur knew exactly what he had to do. Uther was not going to control his life forever, one day he was going to be King and now a father- he had to start making his own decisions, and start growing a back bone.
"Arthur. You're here which means you've decided your... Wife's fate?"
Arthur sat down next to his father.
"Yes I have. There's no easy way to say this but… Either you let me and Gwen be together, happy and married in Camelot, or I will leave this place taking Guinevere with me and we will return when you come to your senses."
Uther gave him a very angry and disappointed expression.
"Arthur, you cannot leave Camelot! This is your home! Tell me honestly, would you leave me and your people... For some servant?"
"She's not a just some servant. She's my wife and I love her. Now I'm sorry father but the choice is yours. Let me love or lose me forever." Arthur pleaded for it to be the former. He didn't want to leave his home but he would for Gwen. She was a part of him, in his veins. He would leave all of this behind for her.
"I'm sorry but I cannot let you do either! GUARDS!" Uther yelled. The guards came in, and Uther told them to grab hold of Arthur.
"Father... What is the meaning of this?"
"I knew you would pull some nonsense like this, so I came prepared. They will escort you back to your room where you be watched at all times. Even the night."
"What? How could you do this to me?" Arthur sobbed.
"I am truly sorry my son, but it is for the best. This girl- she will die in the morning." he held onto his shoulder.
"And I know it will hurt for a while Arthur, but soon you'll see I was right all long." Uther grazed Arthur's face with his hand.
"I will never forgive you for this!" Arthur yelled to him.
"I understand your pain. But I swear after she dies eventually you'll come to see that I was right. Take him away." Uther said to his guards.
Arthur felt like everything was slowing down he couldn't see anything around him, his heart was beating a mile a minute. He couldn't let this happen. He couldn't- no he wouldn't let Guinevere die!
"Wait!" he said to his father.
"What?"
"I'll do as you asked. I will divorce her. Just please father, don't hurt her."
Uther smiled delightedly.
"Let him go." he told the guards. "Arthur! I am so happy you finally see it my way."
Arthur gave a fake smile. And Uther came towards him and embraced him tight. "I always knew you were smart my son. You will not regret this."
"I am already regretting it. But I'm doing this for my wife. To keep her safe from the likes of you."
"And safe she will be! I'll have the papers for you to sign by noon tomorrow." Arthur moved towards the door.
"I hope you realize that whatever happens next is your doing." Arthur gave him a cold look and hurried out of the door.
Uther sighed. He just wanted Arthur to see that he was right. And this ''marriage" was implausible. But Uther cheered up quickly, realizing he was going to have his wish and no longer will Arthur have to see that whore again.
Arthur enters his chambers and Merlin was there waiting.
"Well... What happened?" he asked.
"Exactly how I thought it would happen. Which means we will have to move to plan B." Merlin smiled.
"Are you sure?" Arthur nodded.
"Ok I will go to the dungeons... "Merlin said
"merlin... What if it doesn't work? What if we get caught and my father kills Guinevere?"
"Do not worry Arthur. I promise you I won't muck it up!"
"Great, that's really assuring merlin."
As merlin laughed lightly a knock happened on the door. "Come." Arthur said.
Alex entered. Merlin's mouth almost drops. "Arthur look I'm-" he began but before he could say anything, Arthur charged him and punched him in the face.
"I will kill you!" Arthur said. Merlin ran over and separated the two men.
"Arthur, I'm sorry. I swear." Alex pleaded. Arthur kept trying to move Merlin out of the way so that he could beat the holy hell out of him.
"You are the sole reason my wife is in the dungeons! Get out now while you still have your life!" Arthur yelled.
"Look my actions, they are inexplicable I know that, but I want you to know that I did it out of pure jealously. And I'm truly sorry. I come offering my help anyway I can."
"I said get out!" he yelled to him again.
As Alexander started for the door merlin tried to calm Arthur down.
"Who the hell does he think he is? Coming here with his fake apology. I swear Merlin I could kill him with my bare hands right now."
"Honestly sire, I do not think his apology was fake at all."
"What? You're taking his side?"
"No. I'm not, but he did seem remorseful. He even offered to help."
"We do not need his help Merlin, now about plan B..." Arthur got back on topic.
"Right, I will go to the dungeons." Merlin got up and headed for the door.
Arthur stopped him for a second.
"Merlin, you still haven't told me how you plan on sneaking pass the guards, and getting Gwen out."
"I said before to trust me Arthur. That's all you have to do. Trust me."
Arthur nodded and merlin opened the door. Gwaine was there with his hand up in a fist like he was about to knock.
"Merlin! Good to see you." Gwaine gave merlin a nice hug.
"Good to see you as well Gwaine."
Gwaine came in and saw Arthur sitting on his bed.
"You look terrible." he said to him jokingly.
Arthur smiled. "Well I've had my better days."
"heard about the wife, sorry."
"It's ok, she won't be there for long, merlin and I have a plan to get her out."
"A plan?" Gwaine scoffs "what sort of plan?"
"Well... Basically merlin is going to get Gwen out of there and we are going to leave Camelot... Tonight." Arthur said.
Gwaine starts chuckling. Merlin and Arthur looked at him like he's crazy.
"No really... What's the plan?" he asked again. They both just give him confused looks. Did he not hear before? Gwaine notices them looking at him and his eyes broaden.
"Seriously? That's your plan? And how is merlin... A man servant going to get Gwen out? With his strong wit?"
"Merlin asked me to trust him, so I did."
Merlin smiles at Arthur's faith in him.
"Fine! Then I'm going with him!"
"What? No... Gwaine it could be dangerous." merlin pleads. He doesn't want him messing this up. Gwaine is a skilled swordsman but if merlin is alone he could use some magical charm and have Gwen out in seconds.
"Merlin, I thrive on danger. Now if we do this we do it together. Arthur be ready. Merlin and I will be out quickly."
"I'll be waiting on the outskirts of town. Make sure you make it there."
Arthur says.
"We'll be there Arthur, I promise." merlin replied. Arthur nods and tells them to go. After they leave Arthur nervously packs some things. He hoped this would work. For his and Gwen's sake.
"Alright, I'll distract the guards and you get the key." merlin whispered to Gwaine.
"merlin, come now, I will distract the guards and you get the key."
"But-" before merlin could say anything else Gwaine was down the stairs.
"Nice night we're having aye?" he said to the guards.
"What are you doing down here?" guard one said.
"I must've gotten lost... I'm new in Camelot; don't quite know my way around."
"How's about you leave now... Before you won't be able to see which way to cross the street." guard two said.
"Actually I was thinking-" Gwaine abruptly punches the first guard in the face. Guard two immediately grabs him and holds him so that guard one could punch him in the stomach. Merlin shook his head. Gwaine was an idiot, and now he had to save him too. He enchants a spell that causes them to turn on each other. The guards start fighting and then decided to ram into each other knocking them both unconscious. Merlin makes his way down the stairs.
"Merlin did you see that? I caused them to turn against each other." Gwaine smiled. Merlin shook his head then took the keys off of the guard's belt. They proceeded to Gwen's cell where she was sleeping.
"Gwen..." merlin whispered. Gwen started to stir. "Arthur?" she questioned.
"No... The next best thing my lady." Gwaine said pretty loudly. Merlin begged him to quiet down. He turned the lock to the door and opened it.
Gwen woke up and smiled when she saw merlin and Gwaine.
"Merlin! What are you doing here?"
"There's no time to explain, take my hand. We have to go now."
Guinevere took merlin's hand and they ran out together out of the castle.
They stopped once they reached the outskirts of town.
"Merlin! We are far away from Camelot now tell me where we are going."
"Away. Far away." Arthur popped out of the shadows. Gwen started to tear when she saw him. They got lost in each other's eyes and then embraced with a tight hug and a deep meaningful kiss.
"Arthur... You would leave your home... For me?" she sobbed.
"No. I'm leaving it for us. To escape the tyranny my father has bestowed upon me. Now the question is... Guinevere, will you run away with me?" he extended his hand out to her. She looked into his eyes then down to his hand. She saw nothing but pure love. Her decision was clear. She took his hand and smile.
"I will follow you to the ends of the earth Arthur." he grinned wide.
"Then to the ends of the earth it is."