Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Although his hand was throbbing unpleasantly, Merlin didn't go to see Gaius. As it happened, he had a couple of coins in his pocket and decided to make good use of them by going to the market and buying something to eat. With them, he bought a steaming hot game pie from Thomas; an ex guard who had lost his hand in a skirmish a few years ago, and had managed to find a living selling pies made from the left over kitchen meat. It was tough and grisly inside but seemed to warm him up, to the very tips of his toes. He sighed and flexed the fingers of his injured hand; the swelling and cold weather was making them stiff and he winced. Thanking and paying Thomas, he crossed his arms over his chest to protect his hands from the cold air and hurried back to Gaius' chambers.

His guardian sighed when he saw the injury and Merlin didn't hold back when it came to telling him how he'd received it.

"The man is such an arse!" he exclaimed, grimacing as Gaius poked each of his fingers in turn, trying to assess the damage. "I mean, you'd think he'd show a bit more respect to the Queen and the knights, let alone the serv- ouch!"

Gaius straightened up, his face grim. "One broken, the rest are just bruised."

Merlin scowled, "Oh brilliant," he muttered, "Just what I need."

Gaius pursed his lips and went to retrieve a bandage. "Merlin, you'd do well to be less vocal about your dislike of the Prince. However arrogant he may be, his cooperation with the treaty is essential."

"I know, I know," Merlin said wearily.

Gaius frowned and began to bind the damaged fingers together tightly, ignoring the winces this action produced.

"Just try and stay out of his way," Gaius advised. "If you don't see him, what harm can he do?"

Merlin snorted, "If only; Arthur's got me at his beck and call. Like it wasn't bad enough being his servant –"

"Like it wasn't bad enough being whose servant?" a voice behind them asked mildly.

Guinevere had entered Gaius' chambers and was smiling only slightly ruefully at Merlin.

Merlin couldn't help but grin back. "Nothing, my lady," he said, eyes sparkling with humour.

Guinevere frowned and folded her arms across her chest. "How many times must I tell you? It's Gwen or Guinevere."

"At least once more," Merlin smiled, "As always." His smile faded slightly. "Arthur doesn't like it…"

Guinevere's frown deepened, "Well Arthur will just have to deal with it. If my best friend can't even call me by my own name…" Her voice faltered and she trailed off.

Merlin stared at her; it was most unlike Gwen to speak ill of her husband to anyone. She had always defended him fiercely and lovingly.

She returned his gaze and gestured to the door with one hand. "Walk with me?" she suggested.

Merlin nodded, experimentally moving his fingers before he stood. They did hurt less now that they were bound.

He thanked Gaius.

"It's nothing," Gaius said dismissively, turning back to the work Merlin had interrupted. "And Merlin!" he called his ward back before he was through the door. "Remember what I said."

Merlin tried, with immense difficulty not to roll his eyes. Instead he nodded and walked with Gwen.

"Are you alright?" he asked the Queen seriously.

Gwen didn't answer immediately; instead she picked intently at a loose thread on her sleeve.

"Yes," she responded finally. "I suppose part of me what expecting this." She sighed and gave up on the thread, staring ahead of her wistfully as they walked in no particular direction. She looked up and saw that Merlin was shaking his head.

"What?"

Merlin couldn't help but glance around him before he answered. "Arthur chose you to be his wife. You. And if Cador can't accept that…" he shook his head again.

Guinevere smiled at the frustrated look on Merlin's face and squeezed his arm gently.

"Thank you, Merlin," she said earnestly. "You don't know how much your support means to me."

Merlin grinned and Gwen gestured to his hand.

"How're the fingers doing?"

He held them up and showed her. "Not bad," he said. "At least this'll give me an excuse not to practise with the knights for a while. And if Cador wants his sword sharpening from now on, I'll tell him where he can stick it-"

Guinevere laughed and slapped Merlin's arm lightly. "Shh," she giggled, "You never know where he might- oh!"

They had turned a corner and almost walked straight into Arthur himself who was walking in the opposite direction. The King looked at the pair of them, bemused. His eyes rested briefly on Guinevere's hand resting on his manservant's arm.

"Guinevere," he said warmly. "I was just looking for you."

"Oh!" Gwen said, slightly flustered. "Well I didn't have any duties to perform this morning so I thought I'd go and find Merlin and…go for a walk," she finished, slightly breathless.

Arthur smiled, "Well by all means, if you want to finish your walk-"

"No, no," she hastened to say. "Um, was there a particular reason you were looking for me?"

"I was thinking that the two of us could have a late breakfast together."

Guinevere's face lit up. "Yes! That would be lovely. But haven't you got guests to entertain?"

Arthur dismissed this with a wave of his hand. "Oh, I'm sure the Prince can entertain himself for a few hours."

Merlin resisted the urge to mumble, 'Of course he will, and probably at the expense of some unfortunate servant…'

His thoughts must have been reflected on his face because Arthur raised his eyebrows at him.

"Problem Merlin?"

"Nope, none at all sire."

"Good," Arthur said, "Because there's a huge pile of laundry waiting for you in my chambers."

"Arthur!" Gwen admonished him, "He's been injured."

"He doesn't mind, do you Merlin?"

Merlin gave Arthur his most fake smile. "Of course not Arthur…"

"There you go then," Arthur said brightly, clapping Merlin on the arm. "Come on Guinevere."

"Bye Merlin," the Queen murmured as she left with her husband.

Merlin sighed and continued on his way, bracing himself for Arthur's dirty laundry. However, someway further down the corridor, he heard the all too familiar, loud, arrogant voice of the Prince, and quickly turned and took a different route.

Obviously I wrote this where Guinevere isn't under Morgana's influence. My main motive for this scene was that even before Gwen turned evil, I don't think there's ever enough Gwen/Merlin friendship in the show.

For those wondering, there should be some action in the next chapter :D

A huge thank you to everyone who review, sorry I didn't reply this time, I'll try harder this time :)

LaelaRose xxx