Just a quick note-if you're trying to figure out where this story takes place in the canon, it's after episode 2 of Season 2. I clearly deviate from that point forward.

We Americans aren't lucky enough to be privy to Season 3. Seriously, I sulked for the entire month of February. Merlin haunted my dreams, kept me up late…not cool, BBC, you'll be getting my letter soon. Downton Abbey thankfully brought me out of my Merlin funk, but as you can see, the obsession still lives.

Chapter 6

It seemed they had silently agreed not to speak about the "incident". Each of them had attempted to avoided each, which was rather difficult considering that a servant and an inhabitant of the castle were bound to come in contact. Still there was nothing new to say that hadn't been said before.

But with all the strangeness of the past few days, it was time to break the code of silence.

She tentatively knocked on his door and he bade her to enter. Wiping her suddenly clammy hands on her apron, she curtsied and said "Sire."

"Gwen?" he asked, a plethora of emotions-happiness, longing, and the tiniest bit of dread- his face before he masked them behind a look of indifference. It appeared he was as eager for this meeting as she.

"Sire, I'm sorry to disturb you, but it's somewhat urgent and I didn't know who else to speak to about it," she said as way of answering his silent "why are you here?".

He straightened from the table as his mask of indifference changed to his Prince-Arthur-problem-solver face, "Whatever it is, you can trust me. What seems to be the problem?"

The concern in his voice and the sincerity of his address made her go on, "Well, it's Morgana…and well, Merlin for that matter. They've both been acting rather….strange."

"Hmm, strange how?"

"Mostly things out of the ordinary. I found Morgana tearing apart her room the other day searching for Merlin. And she's been extremely agitated. Like she needs something and isn't sure how to get it. The same thing with Merlin. Yesterday I saw him walking rather peculiarly to and from all manner of places in the castle with no rhyme or reason. Almost as if he's not in control of his body. He too seems rather anxious about something. I'm worried about them," she said. Somehow she found herself leaning against the table, Arthur beside her, their hands almost brushing. Almost.

"Hmmm, Merlin has been preoccupied to say the least. And he's no been himself…no insults or sassy comments in nearly two days. Very curious. Although Gaius did tell me he was sick last night. Maybe he and Morgana have agitated loosened limb flu?" he said.

She smiled but quickly turned serious, "It's more than that. I think it might be magic," she said, "and I think it might be trying to push them together."

He was silent for a few moments, contemplating her words. She couldn't help but think how adorable he was when he was concentrating. His brow furrowed, his lips pursed, and his blue eyes fluttered. His ability to listen was one thing which would make him a good king. It also made her

"You could be right, Gwen. But I'm just not sure what goal would be accomplished by magicing Merlin and Morgana…together. It seems rather small in the grand scheme of destruction," he said.

"Maybe it's not magic, but something's going on here," she said.

"You're right. I'll speak with Gaius this afternoon. He seems to know about everything magical and non-magical so he should be able to help us. But let's keep this between us for now. My father…he can be rather rash where magic is concerned. And one whiff of Merlin and Morgana (he shuddered)…together and he might just lop off Merlin's head for good measure. If we can diagnose the situation and find a solution, he need not know at all. Let's just be on the lookout of these two and try to keep them apart. Maybe it is something as trivial as a passing illness" he replied. She couldn't help but notice how often he used "we". She liked it.

"I think that's a wise plan. I'll try to keep Morgana occupied and you do the same for Merlin. But I best start now. I haven't seen her since this morning…"she said, "I won't tell the King, either. Imagine, Merlin a sorcerer? Seems as likely that I'd be queen."

She intended it to be a joke, mainly as a reason to see that dashing smile again, but the wound was still a little too fresh for both of them. So they laughed without mirth as she quickly left the room.

She wasn't more than five minutes away from Arthur's chambers when she heard the most peculiar sounds coming from the other end of the corridor. It was like a low keeling and she swore she made out the name "Merlin". She quickly made her way to broom closet.

The door swung open to reveal Merlin and Morgana in the most odd position. Her leg was nearly riding his hip, her hands were nearly on his As for Merlin, he had his hands on Morgana's lower back

Gwen wasn't naïve, but she was shocked to find her friends in such an intimate position. And their flushed faces and panting breathes said there was quite a lot more to the story. This wasn't good.

At the sight of Gwen, Merlin and Morgan broke apart only to start sputtering.

"Hi…Gwen…Morgana and I….we were..uh..um not in here for anything…inappropriate or anything. We were…uh..uh umm,"he stammered.

Morgana broke in, "Yeah, Merlin and I…we were…well, you see, I um hurt my back…and Merlin was just helping me to…adjust it?". It was evident from Gwen's face that she didn't believe a word (how could she? They were practically humping when she opened the door) but she chose to end their embarrassment and hers.

In a voice of feigned nonchalance, she replied, "Oh, I see. Well, it's a good thing Merlin was able to help you. Maybe you should go lie down. We wouldn't want there to be any lasting effects from your injury."

Morgana began to protest, "But…I. Merlin- "

"I'll be fine, my lady" he cut in, "Go with Gwen, we don't want a repeat of this 'injury'." His voice held a note of pleading. And just a bit of warning.

"Alright," Morgana said and swept from the broom closet as regally as a queen. Gwen quickly followed behind, eager to make sure that Morgana actually went to her room or really anywhere away from Merlin.

Just as they were about to turn the corner, Morgana stopped and looked back. Merlin was still in the hallway, his eyes glued to Morgana.

Even from a distance, Gwen knew the look in his eye. She knew because it was the same one that Arthur had given her when he turned away from her in the corridor-resolution. It appeared that Merlin was determined to avoid Morgana.

Gwen felt both relieved and sad.

FINIS

I had you fooled, didn't I? You thought that I was going to skip over their discovery and merely show the aftermath? Gwen and Arthur do have quite the parallel relationship to our young couple. Well, sans the sexy magical pull.

Day 2 is drawing to a close. Yet the day won't end without some more sexiness. You asked for another chapter. I delivered.

Now review! Please review!