Chapter 9
Arthur woke to a banging noise. He felt something stir against his chest and realized that it was Gwen. They had spent the night together.

The banging started again and he swore under his breath. This time Gwen raised her head and looked around.

"Oh look how late it is. I should have been at the forge hours ago." Gwen said. She jumped up taking the blanket with her as she went behind the curtain to get dressed.

Arthur got up and pulled on his breeches as he walked to the door. It wasn't exactly the way he had hoped they would wake up to each other. He swung it open expecting to see Merlin standing there but it was Micah.

"Why are you banging on the damn door?" Arthur growled.

"I was worried, Sire. Gwen is usually at the forge by now. I thought something had happened to her." Micah said. He looked at Arthur's appearance and realized he had been there all night.

"She is fine. She will be there shortly." Arthur stood there and waited for him to leave. "You may go,"

Micah just nodded and walked off.

Gwen came out as Arthur was closing the door. "Why was Merlin banging on the door? Is there something wrong with Duran?"

"It wasn't Merlin. It was Micah. He was worried about you." Arthur frowned and pulled on his tunic. "What is with him? He seems very strange. I thought for a second he was going to punch me."

"Don't get mad but he has feelings for me. I wasn't even aware of them until he said something yesterday when I told him I was leaving." Gwen said.

Arthur sighed. "There was nothing between you?"

"No. I never saw him as anything but a friend. He was the one that thought there was more. I promise that there was nothing between us." Gwen said.

"I believe you." Arthur said. He pulled her close. "I am just worried that he will think he can win you over."

"Never." Gwen said. She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. She leaned against his chest for a moment. "I have to get to work. We leave tomorrow and I don't want to leave things unfinished."

"I will look after Duran today." Arthur said. "We will have fun playing together."

"And who will look after you?" Gwen teased.

Arthur swatted her bottom making her giggle. "Merlin will look after me like he always does. Get to work." He kissed her one more time before letting her go.

She laughed and went through the door. Arthur found his boots and sat down to put them on. He realized that he was truly happy for the first time in a long time.

Merlin appeared in the doorway. "Did you sleep well, Sire?"

"Well enough." Arthur eyed him suspiciously. "What has you all chipper and cheeky?"

"You and Gwen." Merlin grinned. "I am pleased you are getting on so well."

"What would you know about that? Were you peeking in the window?" Arthur looked at him.

"No. I came to see if you were coming to get Duran and I could hear you and Gwen … getting on." Merlin blushed.

"We really need to have a talk about you watching things that you shouldn't." Arthur said as he stood up and walked to the door. "I am going to spend the day with Duran while Gwen finishes up her work. Let's go."

"I wasn't looking at anything." Merlin said. "I could hear you through the door."

Arthur glared at him and went out the door to Hunith's house.

Merlin rolled his eyes and followed.

Duran was up and ready to play by the time Arthur and Merlin got there. Arthur took him to play behind the house. Merlin watched for a while until Hunith called to him.

"Merlin, where are you?" Hunith called out the door.

"I'm here, Mother." Merlin went to see what she wanted.

Hunith waved him inside. "Well? Did they say anything?"

"No. but they had just woken up when got there." Merlin said. "I saw Micah walking away from the house. I wonder what he was doing there."

"Micah is sweet on Gwen. He may have thought they had a future but that was never the case. It was one sided on his part." Hunith said.

"Was there anything between them?" Gaius asked from his seat at the table.

"No. she was focused on Duran and her work. She never paid him any attention." Hunith said. She handed Merlin a basket of turnips. "Peel these and I will mash them for the midday meal."

Merlin took the basket and sighed. "I never told you this but I really don't like turnips."

Hunith laughed. "I know. You make a face when you eat them but you do eat them."

"It wasn't because I like them. It was because I was hungry." Merlin said. "I don't eat them anymore. I'll peel these and go look for some mushrooms in the woods. Maybe I will even go get some watercress from the stream. Anything but turnips."

"Camelot has spoiled you, Merlin." Hunith said.

"Yes it has and I have no problem with that one bit." Merlin said as he went to sit on the wall outside.

Hunith sighed and went back inside.

Gaius chuckled when he saw Hunith's face. "He is a hand full that one. You should be commended for raising him. He has been something of comfort to me and I thank you for sending him to me."

"I see now that was a good decision for everyone." Hunith said. "He has a way of making things better for everyone."
X

Gwen came into the forge to find Micah at the grinding wheel with the last of the finished spades. The others were already fitted with handles and sharpened.

"I wasn't that late, was I?" Gwen said. "You never came to check on me before."

"Are you sure he isn't using you like noblemen do?" Micah said. He could tell she was annoyed with him.

"I am sure that he loves me. He is trying to put the past in the past just as I am." Gwen said. "I told you we were betrothed once before."

"But you are a peasant not a noble. Why would he even give you a thought?" Micah asked.

"You know nothing of Arthur's true nature. I have always been more than a simple peasant to him. It's true that I am not of noble blood but that means very little to Arthur." Gwen told him. "Merlin is his closest friend and he was born right here in this village. My brother is a Knight of Camelot and his friend."

"All I know is that Noblemen are all alike." Micah said. "They have no thought to the peasants beneath them. We are just toys to them to do with what they will. You would do well to remember that."

"You are here to help me at the forge not question my choices in my private affairs." Gwen said sharply. Anger was flashing in her eyes now. "I need to mend the broken scythe and make two more. They will need handles. Go find some."
Micah threw the spade on the ground and left in a huff.

Gwen lit the fire and chose some iron to make the two new blades from. She got to work and took out her anger with Micah on the iron.

Micah had lost his senses if he thought what he said would change anything. She knew Arthur better than anyone with the exception of Merlin. Micah was jealous and that was all it was. Micah didn't return all morning and she was grateful for that.
Gwen worked steadily until Merlin came to fetch her for the midday meal. Merlin leaned against the post until she looked up.

"What has made you so upset?" Merlin asked.

"Micah is jealous of Arthur and he said some harsh things." Gwen wiped her brow on her sleeve. "I sent him for handles for the new scythes and he disappeared. Is it time for midday meal already?"

"Yes. We are having mashed turnips, mushrooms and watercress." Merlin said.

"Sounds very fancy for around here." Gwen smiled. "Don't you hate turnips?"

"Arthur isn't too fond of them either." Merlin grinned. "So I picked some cress and gathered mushrooms too. Are you going to speak to Arthur about Micah?"

"No. It will only make Arthur angry. Besides he already knows that Micah has feelings for me. I told him." Gwen said as she took off her apron.

"How did he take it?" Merlin asked.

"Like Arthur." Gwen laughed.

Merlin nodded. "I see. Micah would do well to make himself scarce until we leave then."

"That is what I am hoping. I was rather sharp with him." Gwen said. "I hope he now sees there is no hope of me returning his feelings."

"Love makes people stupid." Merlin said.

"Do you really believe that Merlin?" Gwen asked as they started to walk to Hunith's house.

"Maybe I should say that jealousy makes people stupid." Merlin said. "Arthur was jealous of Lancelot that is why he believed the worst that night. That is also why he is willing to believe there was an enchantment involved now that Lancelot is out of the picture."

"I understand." Gwen said. "Micah thinks Arthur is like all other noblemen. That he is just using me like a toy. I know better. I have seen the love that is still in Arthur's eyes for me."

"Never doubt his love for you, Gwen." Merlin said. "It is the one thing that makes him a better man when you are with him. He can be a great King but only if you are at his side."

"Merlin, you are very wise sometimes." Gwen looked at her friend in wonder.

"And other times?" Merlin asked.

"You are just a good friend." Gwen smiled at him. "Did Arthur and Duran get into anything today?"

"No. They played hide and seek for a while then followed me down to the stream to look at the fish. They are so alike." Merlin said. "You will have your work cut out for you."

"What do you mean?" Gwen was confused.

"It will take a lot of love to keep them both in line." Merlin told her. "Are you prepared for that?"

"Yes." Gwen said confidently.

Merlin laughed. "Just so you are sure of what lies ahead then."

"I am very sure." Gwen said. "I love them both with all my heart and that will never fail. Merlin, in all these years, has there been anyone to love you?"

"Once but she died." Merlin said. "I fear I am not going to find the love like you and Arthur have. That doesn't mean that I will stop looking for it."

"Good because one day I am sure you will find it." Gwen said as they reached Hunith's house.