Chapter 3
Gwen and Duran were waiting at Hunith's house for them when they arrived.

"Should I take this to mean you will come with us?" Arthur asked her as they walked up.

"Hunith asked us to supper that is all." Gwen said. "Go on in Duran. I will be there in a few minutes."

Duran nodded and went inside. He looked back at them before Hunith came and shut the door.

"So you are just here for supper?" Arthur asked.

"I thought it would be good for you and Duran to spend more time together." Gwen said. "I need to talk to you about tomorrow."

"What about tomorrow?" Arthur asked. He was starting to get a knot in his stomach.

"We will be staying here. I am needed during the harvest to repair tools and help in the fields." Gwen said. "I owe that to these people. They took me in. They helped me."

"When the harvest is over, will you come then?" Arthur asked.

"It will depend on you." Gwen said. "Duran knows you now. I can't keep him from you any longer. I want your word that you will never take him from me. Promise me Arthur."

"I promise." Arthur was ashamed. "I said that out of anger and hurt. I never intended to carry out that threat. Please believe me."

Gwen nodded. "I do. I need you to do something for me."

"Anything." Arthur said.

"I want you to come back to spend more time with him before I make my decision. It is important that you do this. Not just for me but for Duran too." Gwen looked at him and waited.

"How often do you want me to visit?" Arthur asked.

"I want you to visit as often as you can. I know he needs his father but we need to learn to trust each other again." Gwen said.

Arthur nodded. "Thank you for this chance, Guinevere. I will not fail you or Duran."

"Arthur, this is your only chance there will not be another." Gwen said seriously. "We have been through too much. I will not continue to let you see him if you let us down."

"I understand." Arthur said. "We should go inside. They will wonder what has become of us."

Arthur opened the door and she went in. They both sat down at the table.

Merlin nudged Arthur and gave him a questioning look.

Arthur gave him an annoyed glare and a brief shake of his head.

Merlin looked at Gwen who was helping Duran put jam on his bread. It didn't make any sense to him. They belonged together. They were a family. He looked over at his mother and frowned when she made eye contact with him.

Hunith shook her head and sighed. She had hoped that Gwen had seen sense and was going to Camelot in the morning. She knew how hard it was to raise a child on her own. She brought another bowl with bread in it to the table and sat it next to Gwen. She looked at Merlin over Gwen's shoulder.

"Gwen, will you need help packing up?" Hunith asked. "I can watch him while you get your things ready for tomorrow,"

"I'm not going, at least not until after harvest. I have already told Arthur and he agreed to abide by my wishes." Gwen said. "Please Hunith, don't make it more difficult."

"It doesn't have to be difficult. Go pack and go to Camelot with them. You have a chance to give him more, Gwen. It's a chance I didn't have with Merlin." Hunith said.

"Hunith, it's all right. If it is what Guinevere wants I will not push it further." Arthur said. "I don't want anyone else to either on my behalf. I will be back soon to visit in a little over a week three weeks. I have to deal with a few things and a visit from King Alined. So you will be seeing Merlin again soon."

Hunith nodded. "If you are sure Arthur, I will do as you ask."

"Thank you. I am starving. It smells delicious." Arthur smiled but it was obvious he was not happy.

Merlin looked at him and frowned. He got up to help his mother with preparing the meal.

Everyone remained quiet through the meal when it was served except for Duran. he talked about this and that. He was chattering away and didn't realize the adults in the room were upset.

When Duran started to yawn Gwen stood up and went to take him up in her arms. She hesitated as Arthur came forward.

"Let me take him. It will be the last time I get to spend with him before we leave in the morning." Arthur said.

Gwen nodded and stepped back so that Arthur could pick him up. Duran put his arms around Arthur's neck and held on tightly. Arthur gave him a squeeze then sighed. He followed Gwen as he carried him to Gwen's house and put him on the cot.

"Thank you for bringing him home for me. He is starting to get a bit heavy to carry." Gwen said as she took off Duran's boots and pulled the blanket over him.

"Guinevere, thank you for letting me get to know him. I know that you didn't have to and I appreciate the time I have had with him."

"You and he get on well." Gwen smiled awkwardly. "Good night Arthur. It's late."

Arthur nodded. He took out a coin purse and put it in her hand. "I want you to take this. You can use it for whatever he needs. I'm not saying that you can't take care of him on your own. I can see that you can. It's just now that I know of him I should be helping support him."

Gwen looked at the coin purse in her hand and nodded. "He does need a new pair of boots. I was wondering how I was going to manage it. Thank you Arthur."

Arthur lifted her chin with his finger so that she looked at him in the eye. "I would do anything for you and my son. All you ever have to do is ask and it is yours. That is true even if you decide to stay and not return to Camelot."

"Thank you." Gwen said. She was overwhelmed with emotion. She put her arms around him and gave him a hug. She lingered listening to his heart beat just as she had the night Duran was conceived.

Arthur held her close. He was trying hard to keep from begging her to come in the morning. She was breaking him into a million pieces by staying. He held her until he couldn't bear it any longer then pulled away.

"I must go. We are leaving at first light." Arthur's voice was thick with emotion.

Gwen nodded. She could see it was killing him to leave but she was still unsure.

Arthur started to walk out the door then turned and kissed her.

It was just a brief kiss. It was over and he was gone before she could say anything to him. Gwen just stood there staring at the door he had just walked through.
X

At first light. Merlin had the horses ready and waiting for Arthur. He glanced towards Gwen's house and he saw a light in the window. He was hoping that she had changed her mind and was packing. He was just about to go see when Arthur came out.

"Let's go, Merlin. It's a long journey and we need to get back." Arthur mounted his horse. His jaw was set and he was determined to be strong. He looked where Merlin was staring and saw the light.

"Maybe she has changed her mind." Merlin said. "Should we wait?"

Arthur shook his head. "No but we will go past her house so if she has she can call out to us."

Merlin mounted his horse. "Sounds like a good idea. I hope she did change her mind."

"As do I." Arthur headed towards the house and slowed as he approached.

Gwen stepped out. "I just wanted to see you off. Duran is still sleeping."

Arthur stopped his horse. "Will you tell him I will see him soon?"

"I will." Gwen said she looked at Merlin. "Merlin, I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything." Merlin grinned.

"Don't tell my brother that I am here. Elyan was so upset with me. I couldn't bear him coming here and finding me with a child. He was so ashamed of me I don't want him to be more so." Gwen said.

"Elyan will know soon enough, Gwen." Merlin said. "He will not hear of it from me, however. Arthur?"

"I will not reveal you to him. I promise." Arthur said.

"Thank you both." Gwen turned to go back in.

"Guinevere, is there anything you wish me to bring when I return?" Arthur asked.

"No but Duran likes presents." Gwen waved and went inside.