"Arthur it is an exciting day!" Yelled the King with a smile on his face as the three of us walked into the council chambers.
"The arrival of Lord Godwyn is always a cause for celebration."
"And Princess Elena," Uther added.
"Of course," Arthur muttered.
"I hear she's something of a beauty."
"Really?" Arthur asked sarcastically.
"Oh yes! Beautiful, charming, strategic..."
"Strategic? He asked with a frown.
"We've always thought so well Lord Godwyn and I, well Godwyn finds you strategic not Elena," Stammered Uther.
"Strategic? And beautiful?" He said making me choke back a laugh as Lord Godwyn and Princess Elena walked in, "father what are you trying to say?"
"Lord Godwyn is a strong ally the strength of such a match cannot go underestimated."
"Please say you mean jousting?" Whispered Arthur.
"I mean a love match," explained the King.
"Love?"
"Well not love! Love has nothing to do with it the other bit," he said earning a blank look from Arthur, "a more permanent union."
"Marriage!" He shrieked, I looked at them and frowned as Uther ran over and hugged Lord Godwyn and kissed his daughters hand, she was rather beautiful with blue orbs as eyes and long blonde hair that stuck out untidily around her head.
"Lord Godwyn, Princess Elena this is my son Arthur," Elena walked over to greet Arthur, tripped on her dress and landed flat on the floor, I coughed to hide my laughter and looked at Merlin and Arthur who looked horrified.
"Arthur go and prepare their rooms and send for them when they're ready, Lord Godwyn, the princess and I need to talk," smiled Uther as Arthur walked quickly out of the room with Myself, Merlin and Gwen in tow.
"Have you got their rooms ready Gwen?" Arthur asked as we walked along.
"Yep they should be ready shortly Elena won't fall to be impressed," the other Gwen answered.
"Good and Merlin it would be good if you got their things there before they did," he yelled as Merlin came running up carrying bags, he glared at Arthur and then set off breathing heavily.
"Arthur are you ok you look stressed?" I asked.
"Yes I'm fine G my father told me some distressing news he expects me to marry Elena," he whispered running a hand through his hair.
"Marry?" I exclaimed.
"Don't worry I'm not going to!" He said shrugging his shoulders.
"Why would I worry?"
"Um... No why would you be?" He asked as his cheeks went bright red. I looked at him and then at the floor before walking off leaving him slightly flustered behind me.
"Told you he likes you," giggled Gwen.
"Shut up!" I laughed pushing her slightly.
As I was walking through the castle and past Arthur's room Merlin came running out with a cheeky grin on his face, I walked over to him and he put a finger to his lip and his ear against the door and beckoned me to do the same.
"I don't have anything against Lord Godwyn, I don't anything against Elena except marriage."
"When I talk about your future I'm not just talking about your personal one because one day you are going to king!" Yelled Uther.
"But I have no feelings for her!" Said Arthur.
"Well then you better find some!" The king snapped causing me to wince, footfalls told me he was coming so I pushed Merlin away and ran down the corridor.
"Poor Arthur," I whispered.
"Yeah it must be tough... Not being able to be with the one he loves," Merlin shrugged with a smile.
"Merlin?" He looked at me, "shut up!"
"Sorry see you later," he muttered before we parted, I looked at the floor and grabbed my stomach feeling a wave of despair rush through me, why did I feel like that? Arthur was my friend wasn't he? I shook my head and walked home knowing destiny was going to change.
As I walked down to meet Merlin I couldn't help but laugh at the memory of Elena burping and dropping food all over Arthur and the royal table the night before, my stomach ached as I watched Arthur's sickened face and Uther's anxious glare that shouted annoyance. When I reached Merlin saddling Elena's horse for Arthur and Elena's date I was read and struggling to breathe, Merlin gave me a weird look before turning to greet Arthur and Elena.
"Ready to go my lady?" Asked Arthur as Elena walked towards us.
"Yes and I don't need help onto the horse! This is something I can actually do," she smirked pulling herself onto the horse and galloping away from the castle. Arthur gaped at her before galloping after her, we looked at each other before getting on our horses and galloping after them.
When we finally caught up with them Arthur looked like he was stuck between screaming and running away, "Merlin! Gwen! What took you so long?"
"You were riding so fast we thought you wanted some alone time."
"Plus Merlin's really slow!" I laughed getting a shove from Merlin.
"Anyway at least you're here now get the picnic ready." I helped Merlin set up and then lay down away from them looking at the sky.
"You know I swear there's a dragon there," I whispered pointing up at a golden glint behind a cloud.
"Killgarrah just doesn't know when to go away."
"Haha! He must be amazing!" I laughed as a Merlin made a cloud turn into a dragon.
"Stupid more like!" He said causing me to laugh even harder, I felt eyes on me and turned slightly to see Arthur looking at me with jealousy on his face. I smiled at him and he turned away.
"Someone's jealous," Merlin laughed.
"Oh shut up Merlin!" I hissed hitting him.
"Oh come on! He really likes you Gwen!"
"It can't happen Merlin he's marrying Elena," I sighed looking up at the clouds .
"Yes but he doesn't like her!"
"Well it's not how I see it," I snapped seeing Elena hug him as they stood up to go back to the castle.
"Merlin! Gwen pack up will you!" Arthur commanded, I felt my heart thudder painfully in my chest.
"Merlin I'll see you back at the castle Merlin," I said hauling myself onto my horse and galloping towards the castle with the wind in my hair blocking out all thoughts of Arthur and the annoying Princess.
"Gwen can you help me?" Asked the other Gwen as I jumped off my horse.
"Sure Gwen what is it?"
"The Lady Morgana's chambers are a mess and I don't have enough time to clean them on my own can you help me?" She pleaded, I shivered slightly and nodded before being dragged up to the chambers.