Many of you asked if Merlin already knew that James was Morgana . I'd like to think that her disguise coupled with her voice blinds him to some of the more obvious questions he would have. Unlike today, there's a pretty distinct set of clothing for each class, not to mention each gender. Without her more obvious markers of femininity (and ahem, the bold lipstick and eyeliner), I think she might be strange to Merlin but not totally recognizable. There's something he can't quite figure out about James- which works to this plot's advantage. Awkwardness ahead!

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Morgana simply loved Gwen's cottage.

While it wasn't luxurious or grand, there was something homey and comfortable about it. It always smelled liked wild flowers and freshly baked bread. Gwen took great pride in her cottage and it showed in the little details.

"Thanks again, Gwen, for letting me change here. I told Uther at breakfast that I would be picking wildflowers all afternoon. You should've seen the devious smile on his face. He knows this whole situation is killing me. Ugh, I can't wait to get a sword back in my hand," Morgana replied as she donned James' clothing.

"You're welcome. But are you still sure this is a good idea? It was dangerous before but now with Merlin…I'm worried," said Gwen cautiously.

"It'll be fine, I promise. I won't put Merlin in any danger. At least not from the King. I can't promise the same when we spar," she said smirking to herself.

After a few more minutes of prep work and some dirt on her face, she was transformed into James.

Morgana hung her dress over Gwen's screen. She planned to come back and change before dinner.

Gwen walked her out and at doorway, Morgana gave her friend a hug. While Merlin had unwittingly given her the idea, it was Gwen who had been supportive. A good friend, a true and loyal friend if there ever was one.

Giving her a squeeze, she hoped to erase some of the lines of worry on her friend's forehead, "Thanks, Gwen. I promise, I'll be careful. Really. I'll be back before dinner."

And with that, James walked into the streets of Camelot.

He hadn't meant to come to her home. Indeed, he hadn't planned to leave the castle at all.

But after a long and tedious morning of diplomatic duties, he needed some air. His father's voice kept ringing in his head-A good king knows every facet of his kingdom. A good king knows how to control his people. A good king knows how to perform every man's job in the kingdom. Which was exactly the reason he was trapped inside, bookkeeping of all things. Ledgers. Figures. Sums.

While he knew his father was correct, it didn't make the task any easier. Arthur was a warrior, a leader, a virile and productive man. He needed activity-and scribbling a pen was little activity for a man who spent his days swinging a sword.

Yet here in the winding streets of Camelot he felt somewhat renewed. Men bowed, women curtsied. He could see the pride shining in their eyes. Pride for him, pride for the Camelot they had all built, the Camelot that would come to pass under his kingship.

And suddenly, his bookkeeping work didn't seem so bad.

He was just complementing going back to the castle when he realized where he was. He stopped, he was ten feet away was Gwen's little cottage. Unconsciously his feet had taken him right to her. Right to Gwen.

Things had been….really bloody awkward since the tourney and the whole rescue operation.

He knew he had handled things badly. Ok, so very badly. He'd rejected her only to then feign indifference. But his pride was piqued by her obvious and open feelings for Lancelot. Feelings he wanted to see reflected in her eyes for him. Had their kiss meant nothing? Had she not felt the spark between them? The passion that he'd barely kept restrained? He felt insane, had he imagined everything?

Now when they passed in the hallway, she bowed with her usual grace and muttered "Sire". Her voice was submissive. Passive. And God, if he didn't hate that particular tone. He wanted her impassioned, angry, anything other than this cold distance between them.

But what could he offer her? Years of secrecy and waiting?

He knew it was selfish but he longed to see her. Longed to promise her anything to keep her smiling, to keep her happy. Anything to end this misery.

Before he could decide to approach her home, the door opened and out came the object to his thoughts….and a young man.

Arthur had hidden himself in the shadows of someone's porch, but from his vantage point he could see perfectly. And before his mind could offer up solutions that didn't make this situation look romantic, the young man gave Gwen a hug.

A broad smile touched her lips and he was instantly jealous. This young man would make her smile? The hug lingered and with every moment Arthur could feel his anger rise. Who was this man who dared enter Gwen's home? Who was he to hug his Guinevere?

Yet his rational mind said, she's not your Guinevere.

The young man ambled off and Arthur wanted to follow him. To find out more about this entire situation.

But as he leaned out of his spot to follow the young man's movement, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. She had noticed him; he was caught.

Removing himself from his hiding spot with as much grace as he could muster, he walked lazily over to Gwen.

"Good afternoon, Guinevere. Pleasant day," he said.

He wanted her to look angry. To give him some tart comment about how ridiculous his spying was. And then he wanted her to press him against the door and ravish his mouth. He liked the last bit. Liked it a lot actually.

Instead she looked worried. Guilty even, like she'd been caught doing something wrong. That didn't bode well.

A blush stained her cheeks as she said, "Uhh, yes, sire. It is pleasant."

He felt the same awkward tension filter into the conversation. He had to do something to upset the polite distance between them.

He's just been caught spying, should he ask about her guest? It was none of his damn business. But he desperately wanted to know….and yet maybe he didn't. Had Gwen moved on so quickly from him and Lancelot?

In the end, curiosity won out. He needed to know.

"Pleasant afternoon for company, I dare say. Who was your guest? I was...eager to make his acquaintance," Arthur said.

A spark of anger flared in her eyes before she quelled it. But it had been there and he liked it, even he disliked her answer, "Yes, I saw how eager you were to meet him."

"His name, Guinevere?"

She shifted uncomfortably, "What purpose would that serve, sire? I'm sure you can be properly acquainted with him at another juncture."

"I wish to be acquainted with all my subjects. I could always search him out-" he saw her start at that. What was she hiding?

"James. He's squire to Sir Kaye."

"I see," Arthur said, but really he did not. Who was this man to Gwen? "You two seem…friendly."

"Perhaps," said Gwen noncommittally.

More silence and again she seemed uncomfortable. He wanted to say more. To ask her outright who James was and what he was doing in Gwen's cottage, but he knew he had no right.

"Well, I better get back to the castle. It was lovely to see you, Gwen," he said and meant it. Even if she had just been in another man's arms.

"Thank you, sire," she replied and quickly moved inside.

He made his way back to the castle feeling just as downtrodden as when he left. Gwen was with another man and while it might've been innocent, he couldn't be so sure.

It's not your business. She's not yours, his rational brain said over and over.

But squire James was somehow involved with Gwen, he had just become Arthur's business.

FINIS

I've never written something from Arthur's perspective before. What fun! I like the complicated emotions between Arthur and Gwen during the 2nd series. After "Lancelot and Guinevere", I'm not entirely sure where these two go from there. Of course, "Sweet Dreams" makes everything right, but what do they do during the interim? I'd like to think that Arthur tries to hide his feelings and to avoid Gwen, but of course, he can't quite quell the ache he has for her. He's possessive but also rational. And she's contrite but not hopeful. (I melt every time he says "I've never loved another" sight) A good dynamic if I've ever seen one. Sadly, we don't have Season 3 here in the States (I'm still on a letter writing campaign to the BBC) and I know that a lot happens for Gwen and Arthur then.