A Midsummer Knight's Dream

by Simbeline

Arthur and Gwen elope so she can escape an arranged marriage. A jealous Vivian tells Gwen's betrothed and shenanigans ensue. Meanwhile, a troop of actors are harassed by the faerie king Merlin, who's trying to play a prank on his wife. Merlin version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

8. Act 4 Scene 2

Leon didn't like this. No one was sure what had happened to Gwaine. They hadn't seen him since they had been scared away by the creature. What if the creature had killed him? He was waiting in the streets of Camelot with Percival and Lancelot. They had sent Elyan to Gwaine's house to see if he was there. He wasn't sure what he would do if Gwaine wasn't home yet. Lancelot insisted that Gwaine was the creature. Leon didn't know what to believe anymore. He spotted Elyan on the other end of the street.

"Elyan!" He called "Was Gwaine there?"

"No one' seen him." he replied, "He must have been kidnapped, or killed, or something."

"What's going to happen about the play?" Percival asked.

"It'll be cancelled. We can't find another Pyramus in a few hours."

"Leon!" A voice called from behind them. Leon turned around, Tristan was walking towards them at a quick pace. "Uther's just been married." He said, "And two other couples were married as well. If we had a play we'd be set for life."

"Yes…" Leon sighed. He had always thought of Gwaine as a liability, but not in this way. He would have given anything to see Gwaine forget his lines and overact.

"He's there!" Lancelot cried, pointing into the crowd, his eyes wide. "I'm sure that's him."

"Gwaine? Where?"Leon couldn't believe it. He strained to see over the heads of the crowd on the street.

"Over there!"

"Are you sure?"Leon still couldn't see anything. Then he saw Gwaine. He looked so relaxed, you'd never have realised anything was wrong. "Hi." He said. "Sorry I'm late, I was lost in the forest. Then this guy names Trickler gave me directions to get out that sent me even further away from Camelot…" He noticed their expressions of shock and their pale complexions. "Are you alright?"

"Gwaine…" Percival said slowly, "Where on Earth have you been?"

"I don't really know where I've been," He admitted, "But I've seen some wonders. I'll tell you about it later. When are we meant to be performing?"

"As soon as the King's dined." Leon said, snapping out of his state of shock, "It's going to be brilliant."