Disclaimer: see previous chapters

Note: so after brief hiatus with Christmas nights out and work parties as well as to work on other ideas, the saga continues…

"Damnation!" Arthur hurled his longbow to the ground and scowled furiously at it. He had missed what was considered an easy target distance for him but the arrow had shot wide of its mark. In truth, his concentration had been lapsing lately and Merlin knew full well the reason for it.

Gwen had been away from Camelot for well over a month now. There had been no more further word from her and with each passing day, Arthur's temper had become shorter and his jaw could, more often than not, be seen to be clenched. The blond Prince turned to fix a glare on his servant which Merlin returned with exasperation. He was tired of Arthur using him to vent his worries for Gwen and it was time for it to stop whether he was a servant or not. Merlin had just about reached the end of his tether with his master's petulant behaviour.

"Arthur," Merlin barked his name so abruptly that the Prince was taken aback. "Why don't you just go and get her instead of making my life a misery?"

"How dare you speak to me like that? I'll have you flogged!" Arthur was more than indignant.

"Oh, stop your nonsense, Arthur. You know full well why you've been acting like a bear with a sore head these few weeks." It was time for some straight talking and the dark haired sorcerer was going to finish what he had begun. "Ever since Gwen left, you've been more overbearing and irritable than usual. You're pacing that floor so much that you're going to wear the stone out and fall through it!"

Arthur could only gape as his servant and friend continued his tirade.

"Honestly, if you want to know so badly how she is, go and find out! There's nothing to stop you." Merlin sighed resignedly, he knew had had gone too far and that he would likely be scrubbing armour day and night for the rest of his life.

To his surprise, once Arthur had regained his composure, he clapped Merlin on the shoulder then exclaimed, "Pack the bags and prepare the horses! We ride immediately." He grinned enthusiastically then began pulling out clothes and items which he might need for the journey.

Gwen knew she had stayed longer with Hannah than had been necessary but she preferred to busy herself with midwifery duties rather than deal with the prospect of facing Arthur when he was to be another woman's husband.

She found herself crying silently most nights before falling into a restless sleep. The maid felt tired and drained but it was nothing compared to the heartbreak she was feeling now. She wanted to run, to keep moving on as she did not think she would be able to manage working at the castle whilst every day seeing the man she loved with somebody else. Gwen made up her mind to send a note to Lady Morgana asking for more time.

One small consolation was that the young woman's presence had not gone unnoticed by some male members of the community, especially one carpenter who lived nearby. Over the last few weeks, he had been paying her close attention, bringing her small gifts of flowers, a little carved figurine of a mythical winged horse, anything just to be able to talk to her, be close to her.

Gwen was not so blind as to see that he was good-natured, good-looking and would treat her very well but it was not he but another who her heart called for. On the other hand, her brain told her that she could do a lot worse than to accept this man's affections when her hopes of another love were now dashed. Also, she quite liked this little town, it had a peace and serenity which the castle town did not possess and she could see herself living there quite happily. It was time to start thinking more about her future, particularly since she had lost her own father to Uther Pendragon's paranoia.

Arthur could feel the nervousness building inside him as he and Merlin crested the hill and looked down upon the small thatched houses that nestled in the valley below. He couldn't wait to see Gwen's sweet smile again, just the thought of being near her made him more relaxed already. The two men shared an excited, boyish grin before tapping their heels to their steeds' flanks and galloping down to the little community which currently housed their friend.

The Prince was brimming with confidence. In such a little community, it was easy to ask directions to the midwife's home and he and Merlin could see smoke spiralling cheerily from the chimney belonging to the cottage in which Athur's love lay. It was time to bring Gwen home.

However, the spring in Arthur's step was halted by the sight of well-built man with his hand placed familiarly on Gwen's arm, his face close to her ear as his lips formed words which brought a smile that lit her face. They were standing in the small front garden and he was presenting her with a single red rose.

Merlin saw the jealousy that washed over his master and he felt sympathy for the pain that entered Arthur's sapphire eyes before he quickly hid it. Arthur straightened his back and coughed as he approached the cottage with Merlin following quickly after him.

"Guinevere."

He was the last person in the world that she expected to see here but it made her no less pleased and her stomach was all a-flutter with butterflies. Gwen had no idea how he did it but in just that one word, her name, Arthur had managed fill it with a warmth that she didn't know could exist but she knew that it felt right.

As if she was just aware of his presence, Gwen looked at the carpenter and discreetly but significantly moved her arm away from his touch but she could not hide the rose in her hand nor miss the faint look of hurt and confusion that crossed her suitor's face before being replaced by an air of challenge to this newcomer who had so easily stolen the attention of the lady he was trying hard to win.

"My lord." She inclined her head deferentially even as she gave Merlin a questioning look.

Seizing the upper hand, Arthur looked directly at the carpenter before adopting the tone of a man who knew he was born to privilege and nobility and was not afraid to show it.

"I am Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot." There was a slightly imperious note to his voice and Merlin could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes at Gwen. "I don't believe we have been introduced."

Upon hearing the full title of the man before him, the challenge left the carpenter and he also bowed towards his lord and master. "Sire, I am your servant, Kirin. I am a carpenter, my lord."

"Ah, I see." Arthur gave him a condescending smile which even the two personal servants of Camelot found hard to take seriously from the once-very arrogant royal. "Well, I am sure you have much to do this day."

Kirin did not fail to hear the dismissal in the Prince's statement and he bowed once more to him before turning to Gwen and asking in a low voice that the other two men were still able to hear. "I shall see you this evening?" The hope in the question was unmistakeable.

With uncertainty, Gwen could only give a placating smile at as she answered, "I'm not sure. If I am able to." It was all she was able to offer Kirin, she did not yet know what manner of reason had sent Arthur to her - perhaps Morgana required her return. It was also not in her nature to give someone false hope, a promise which she could not be sure to keep.

Kirin left the little group, already knowing that he could not hope to keep Hannah's new assistant with him. The light that had lit her person when she saw who the new arrivals were told him all he needed to know.

After a full minute of his two friends staring at each other with wonderment in their eyes, Merlin cleared his throat awkwardly before saying loudly, "I'll just go tend to the horses then. I'll meet you back here."

They acknowledged him briefly without looking at him.

"What are you doing here?" Gwen's voice was quiet as she broke the gaze and looked away. She couldn't stop herself, "I must give you my congratulations."

"Huh?" Arthur had no idea what she was talking about.

"On your impending marriage." Gwen forgot how thoughtless and insensitive Arthur could be and her sense of outraged hurt returned to her.

"Guinevere, have you completely taken leave of your senses?" Arthur scoffed as her expression became more bewildered.

Ok, that was a kinda weak instalment but I couldn't think of another way of moving Arwen on. Hope it didn't disappoint too much. Will work on boosting the next part.

Reviews will be gratefully received

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