Author's Note: Thank you everyone for your reviews. The encouragement was greatly appreciated. Here is the final chapter for this story. I wish to thank Anaisnine for inspiring the chapter's title. One note about this section, there is a moment where Gwen's sensibilities may seem too easily overcome with emotionalism, but I was working from the angle that she's had a very long day and she's tired. Even the strongest women tend to be a bit emotional at the end of a tiring day. That said, I hope you find the conclusion of "For the Love of a Woman" to be an adequate one.

A Comedy of Errors

Gwen released a satisfied sigh as she glanced over her handiwork. It had not been easy, but the library was spotless. She had managed to not only dust and sweep but brush the cobwebs from the corners before scrubbing the floors clean. She was tired and hungry, having worked through lunch, but the room looked better than it had in several months. Not that she condemned those who usually tidied the chamber, for she was certain the court genealogist routinely frightened them out of the library before they could do a thorough job. He had given her his best scowls as well; but, with her determination to give the room a proper cleaning, Gwen had chosen to ignore him. Now she could return home, content with her accomplishment.

Pulling the door closed, she made her way along the hall and turned the bend into another corridor. Halfway down it, she belatedly realized her path would take her directly past Lord Jeffries' quarters. To her left was a servants' stairwell that led up to the next floor, and Gwen altered her course. She could go up two flights, cross to the other side of that hall, and descend down into a back passageway that would allow her to leave through the palace kitchens. Though it would be considerably longer, avoiding the Kabbagian's presence would be worth the extended trek Gwen decided as she hurried up the steps.

She reached the upper levels without any problem and headed down the corridor, noting that the door of Arthur's chambers stood open. Gwen resisted the urge to glance inside and was just passing the prince's rooms when a hand wrapped about her upper arm and jerked her through the doorway. Before she knew what was happening, Gwen heard the door swing closed as she was wrapped in an embrace so tight it would have taken a dozen knights to pry her loose.

"Guinevere!" Arthur's voice thundered down about her. "Good god woman! Where have you been?" He managed to sound both furious and relieved in the same breath, leaving Gwen to wonder what had happened.

"In the library," came her sheepish answer. Had she done something wrong? Surely Arthur wouldn't care that she'd traded jobs with another servant. How would he even know? What would it matter? The questions shot across her mind, one after another, like arrows from a bow. Given his tone, Gwen felt she should give a better explanation. "It took all day to get the room presentable."

The silence that greeted her words made Gwen nervous. Was he angry? She couldn't tell, for he held her so closely that she could not pull back to see his face, and the tension in his body did little to ease her apprehension. Were they in danger? Was some sorcerer prowling the streets of Camelot, reeking havoc on the population? No, if that were true, Arthur would be out facing the threat instead of standing in his chambers crushing her to his body as though she might otherwise vanish. This left her to wonder what exactly was going on. A moment later, her confusion only increased when his chest began to rumble against her cheek as his laughter burst forth, washing over her like a cresting wave.

"My lord?" Gwen's bewilderment gave way to annoyance when Arthur's only response was to continue laughing. "I fail to see the humor of this situation, sire." Her irritation sobered him a bit, and he loosened his arms enough that she might lean back and meet his gaze.

"I am sorry, Guinevere," Arthur replied, though his eyes sparkled as if he'd just won a jousting tournament. "It was wrong of me to startle you." His repentant tone once more brimmed with restrained mirth as he added, "I just never imagined I would be so grateful for a clean library." Her puzzled frown suggested he explain. "I thought –" Before he could continue, the servant's door flew open, and Merlin rushed in carrying a crossbow and several arrows. He slid to a halt at the sight of them, but Arthur refused to release her. Merlin, however, seemed more focused on her presence than her current position in the prince's embrace.

"Gwen! You're okay!" There was no mistaking the pure gratitude in his voice as he visibly relaxed. She glanced from Merlin to Arthur and sensed that they were both immensely relieved that she was here in the castle. Where did they think she had gone?

"Yes, Merlin," she stated, "I'm fine." Gwen tried to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck. It was somewhat disconcerting standing in Arthur's arms as though she belonged there. Merlin, of course, knew of their feelings. The knowledge had led him to seek her help in breaking Arthur's enchantment with Lady Vivian. Even so, protocol demanded certain tenets be upheld. Yet, both men seemed oblivious to the absurdity of the crowned prince holding a mere maid like a treasure he would not relinquish. Their cryptic behavior and fervent interest in her wellbeing prompted her to add, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, we thought – that is…" Merlin's stammering explanation faded into silence as though he were suddenly at a loss for words.

"Jeffries left for Kabbagia without any witnesses," Arthur clarified, all hints of laughter gone. "When we couldn't find you, we feared the worst."

"You thought he had taken me with him?" The idea seemed absurd, and yet…. "Why?" Both men exchanged a guarded look, implying that neither wished to divulge their reasons. She knew instinctively that Arthur would not be goaded into giving her more information. Looking across the room she prompted, "Merlin?"

"He wanted to buy you from Uther," he reluctantly answered. "The king turned him down, and he left soon after." The information struck Gwen like a sudden blow. She thought of the leers Jeffries had given the serving women, the incident in the corridor the night before, the implications of his offer to purchase her; and the trembling began, followed by a weakening of the knees that would have sent her to the floor had she not already been encircled by Arthur's arms.

"Guinevere?" His worried tone cut through her dizzy haze, and Gwen forced herself to focus on Arthur as her mind clawed its way back from the brink of unconsciousness.

"I'm fine," she managed to say, though even she had to admit that she sounded far from it. "I'm just a little lightheaded; I haven't eaten much today."

"Merlin, fetch some food," Arthur ordered, before she could protest, and Merlin rushed from the room. Arthur brushed his fingers against her cheek, drawing her gaze. "Do you want to lie down? Or perhaps a chair?" Gwen merely shook her head no and buried her face in the cloth of his shirt. Though her pragmatic conscience cautioned against it, she could think of no better place to seek safety than his strong embrace. Several minutes passed in silence before he leaned down, his cheek resting against her temple as he asked, "Shall I track Jeffries down and beat him over the head with a lance?" The light tone with which he made the offer served to lighten her mood. "Or maybe Merlin can boil him alive…." Unbidden, the comical image of poor Merlin accidentally boiling the man in his own bathwater darted across her mind, causing Gwen to muffle the sudden spurt of laughter against his shirt.

Once the smattering of soft giggles had passed, she turned her face toward his and ventured, "Or poison him with rat soup?"

"Indeed." Arthur's reply brimmed with his own amusement. Then, hugging her closer, he pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. A moment later, there was a knock at the door, and Gwen reluctantly stepped out of his arms, causing his annoyance at the interruption to seep into his voice as he called for the intruder to enter.

Arthur relaxed upon seeing Merlin appear with a plate of fruit and cheese in one hand and a pitcher in the other. He placed them both on the table before producing a cup from his pocket and filling it to the brim with cool water. With the meal set out, Arthur turned to Guinevere and saw the reluctance in her gaze. Taking her hand, he ushered her into his chair before she could decline the food, and stated, "You must eat," with just enough authority to dissuade her from rejecting the offer. Her eyes locked with his, forewarning him that she planned to argue the impropriety of a servant dining at the prince's table, but he quickly added, "Or I will have Merlin prepare some of his special soup."

"Very well, sire," Guinevere conceded, the resignation of her voice barely masking her amusement at his gentle teasing. Merlin stood to the side, watching them with a confused look that was rather laughable, but Arthur chose not to explain. He turned instead to retrieve his sword and belt from the lid of the trunk where he had tossed them upon catching sight of Guinevere in the hall. He felt she would not be comfortable with an audience while she ate, and so he returned the sword to its cupboard. Merlin came up beside him, holding the crossbow and arrows that were no longer needed.

"Shall I return these to the armory?" he asked, a slight hint of weariness creeping into his tone.

"No," Arthur replied. Merlin had been scurrying about the castle most of the day doing errands for him and Gaius alike. "Leave them. I'll use them for target practice in the morning." Besides, he had one more chore for his servant. "When Guinevere has eaten, I want you to walk her home."

"Yes, of course," Merlin readily agreed. Arthur would have seen to the task himself, but he could not travel at her side without arousing suspicion. Following her as he had the night before would only double the chances of someone catching a glimpse of him in the moonlight. Arthur did not fear being seen with a servant but rather the effect to her reputation were she to be seen strolling about with the prince after dark. Public opinion could be cruel in its ability to forgive the nobility of dalliances while ripping a handmaiden's dignity to shreds. Last night, he could not stay away, but tonight he must.

Unaware of the thoughts playing through his mind, Guinevere finished her meal with a last sip of water and pushed away from the table. Merlin hurried to collect the dishes and disappeared with them before she could protest. She started to follow him out the door, but Arthur blocked her path, drawing her warm brown eyes to settle on his face. How could the gaze of one woman affect him so? Yes, he had fallen prey to the effects of enchantment before, but this was different. Unlike those sentiments born of false affections, the feelings that swept him now were pure and strong – like glimpsing the sun and knowing that mere fire would forever pale by comparison.

"I should go," she said softly, but Arthur could not bring himself to move aside without one last gesture. Catching her hand in his, he bent to brush a gentle kiss against her smooth skin. As he straightened, his eyes met hers, pulling him to a halt only inches from her face. The draw was immediate, but Arthur hesitated, concerned that she might feel obliged to answer the longing of the future king in spite of her own wishes. Guinevere, however, soon put his worries to rest when she slid her free hand around his neck and pulled him closer. Arthur gladly accepted the invitation and claimed her lips with his own. Everything melted away, leaving just the two of them clinging to one another in a surge of emotion too powerful for words. In a single moment, Arthur felt both stronger and weaker as though the meaning of his existence could be found in Guinevere's arms were he given enough time to search it out. Only when the fire of their embrace threatened to devour them, did they gradually pull away, avoiding the break of contact until the very last.

Arthur stared down into Guinevere's eyes much as he had done the morning she saw him off to joust. On that occasion he had not been certain of his motivations, but he knew that his world had forever changed with that one kiss. Now, as he gazed at her, he felt he'd changed again, become a better man by the grace of her blessed lips. Together they stood, basking in the serenity that seemed to permeate the room, awash with one another's presence, when a sharp knock pierced their contentment.

Arthur ignored the jolt of loss as Guinevere quickly moved away and schooled his features to a placid expression as he turned to see Merlin once more hurrying into the room. His servant glanced between the two of them, but did not say a word. Instead, Guinevere moved toward the door, stating, "I must go."

"Let me see you home," Merlin spoke up, attempting to ignore the underlying currents in the air. Gwen accepted with a quiet smile while Arthur, he noticed, simply gave a silent nod. Merlin watched as Gwen swept out into the hallway, and Arthur turned away before walking over to the window. Merlin followed Gwen out the door, quickening his pace to fall in step with her as she moved down the corridor.

He didn't need his magical powers to tell him he had interrupted something in the prince's chambers. Not only had Arthur neglected to dismiss him with his regular arrogance, but Gwen silently walked beside him, absorbed in her own thoughts. Merlin was not bothered by her silence and continued alongside her as they traversed the various passages and stairways. He knew what it was to love in secret; the stolen moments he'd shared with Freya still haunted his dreams. He could only hope the fate of his friends would hold more promise.

It's just talk, and that's all it can ever be, Arthur's words echoed through his memory. Merlin suppressed a wry grin as he and Gwen left the castle and started across the courtyard. Though the two of them might use the excuse as a shield; they had proven their feelings to be much more than mere words. He had seen Arthur go to great lengths to secure Gwen's safety, while Gwen had been the sole reason for Arthur's survival when facing King Olaf. Merlin was confident that the boundaries standing between them would vanish once Arthur was king. Even now, they were drawn together, Merlin noted, as Gwen glanced back over her shoulder and he followed her gaze to see the prince silhouetted against the torch lit glow of his room.

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Arthur watched as Merlin and Guinevere crossed the square below. For the briefest moment he was graced by a last glimpse of her face before she disappeared into the shadows of the night. Though he rarely acknowledged it, he was thankful for Merlin's service. Arthur trusted his discretion; his companionship was the closest thing to actual friendship that an heir to the throne could expect. He had spoken of his feelings for Guinevere with no one else.

How can I admit that I think about her all the time? Or that I care about her more than anyone? Arthur had meant every word. Tonight he had tasted the raw knowledge of what he might do if any harm came to her. Once more, Jeffries of Kabbagia sprung to the foreground of his thoughts, followed by Guinevere's assertion, I am not the only serving woman to need protection from Lord Jeffries' advances. He would order Sir Leon to ride out and escort the man to Camelot's borders. It was a precautionary step that might seem excessive to his father, but it was not the king's approval he sought in the matter. Arthur would risk overstepping his authority for no other reason save the love of a woman; he would do it for Guinevere.

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There you have it; the final act of "For the Love of a Woman." Hope you were not disappointed. Thank you for reading, and please let me know what you thought.