So here is my next chapter, a week as promised, I am sorry if there is not much action but it should pick up by chapter 4.

Very importantly I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to review my story and I am trying to use all your righting tips (I am trying… not succeeding much but getting better I hope…. :-P ) and thank you also to everyone who has put this onto their alert or favourites list! Hugs and kisses to you all xox!

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Merlin'or any of its characters only my plot and self-invented characters for the purpose of this story.

Chapter 3:

"You and your son can stay in the girl's room, they will move into Edmond's room."

"Edmond?"

"My son"

"I never knew you had a son, how come I have never seen him?"

"He is very ill," replied Aldora and Lodema's mother rather uncomfortably because while it wasn't a lie it wasn't the full truth either. The Lady liked Gwaine's mother but she could not tell her the whole truth, not yet, people could be so judgmental and cruel. Seeing the women's distress that she may be an inconvenience she added, "and… it will be good if Aldora can be with him at night to check everything is alright." Hearing a squeal of laughter both women turned to look at the two children who were sitting on the floor.

Gwaine looked at his mother and gave her a reassuring smile, she had been so fragile since his father's death, he had never even met his father; yet his mother still mourned as if her husband had been taken away from her within their first year of marriage and thinking about it, that was exactly what had happened. Gwaine had heard the surprise in his mother's voice when Edmond was mentioned but he had already learnt about Edmond from the girls and had pieced together that Edmonds illness was a disability of the mind and an illness per say and while the girls talked about him as a toddler, he was actually closer in age to Gwaine and Aldora than little Selene.

As if conjured by his thoughts Selene waltzed into the room with the grace of the lady her mother hoped she would one day be. Going up to her mother she was awarded with a quick hug after which she joined her sister and new friend who was fast becoming the older brother she had always wanted. Sitting between the two older children she babbled on about the flowers, trees, clouds in the sky and how to use them to your advantage in a hunt as well as all other things lady couriers didn't really seem to care about but Gwaine had decided that she should learn because even prospectus ladies should know how to track and defend themselves and starting with 'pretty' objects seemed the quickest way to get though a six year old.

Gwaine's eyes were prickling when he came around. Sitting up with the help of Merlin he looked around him. Seeing Selene the past few minutes came rushing back to him like a brick wall.

"Wha..t are you doing here Selene?" Gwaine blurted out before he thought how it might sound to the young girl.

"I am glad to see you're alive too Gwaine,"

"Sorry, it's just I never….. I didn't expect….. Is Aldora…."

"its fine Gwaine, I understand and Aldora…. She is still alive" blushing at the look that passed Gwaine's face when he mentioned her sister.

Gwaine nodded seeming too relived to speak.

Arthur oblivious as always rudely interrupted the strange reunion "so how do you know Gwaine and why in all of Albion did Gwaine faint!"

"I did not faint!"

"No you just attacked the floor backwards" Arthur added smugly. Seeming to have no reply Gwaine he paused. Gwaine was looking at Selene taking in how much she had changed in the past two years. She looked so much like her sister now. Selene seemed uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting from the Prince Regret and while most would assume that a simple delivery girl would be awed in the presence of the handsome prince; Gwaine knew it was because she was as fond as nobles as he was.

"I think I better get going Sire, my sister will be worried if I do not get back soon,"

"Just a moment Selene, I would like a few things to be explained to me first"

"Sire while I would be honoured to explain what is going on, but I myself have no idea and besides I am sure you are tired and Gaius needs to be alone so that he can check on his patients,"

"Yes…ye.."

And then she was gone she was gone into the night. Gwaine smiled, Selene had always been a little escape artist, whenever a situation started to get a bit too uncomfortable for her liking she would be able to wriggle her way right out of it (weather using diplomatic means or fighting her way out she always seemed to be able to scrape out of trouble).

"Well Gwaine," Arthur said, "would you care to explain to me why one of my knights just fainted at the sight of a delivery girl?"

"You know we really need to let Gaius attend to his patients, we can talk about it tomorrow hey mate? In the meantime I am going to the tavern"

"Gwaine maybe it would be best if you didn't go to the tavern tonight," Merlin said carefully, not quite certain how this advice would go down with his friend.

"Nonsense!" and with that Gwaine stumbled out of Gaius's chambers.

"There will be no need to attend on me tonight Merlin I am so tired I will probably collapse soon as I lie down so farewell Merlin, Gaius," Arthur said as Gaius looked up from his work to acknowledge the princes words, "and Merlin you do not need to wake me up tomorrow, we all need the sleep but I will need you to attend on me by midday, the council has much to decide"

"Yes Sire"

"And tell Gaius to let to give you the morning off, you need some sleep" looking at the old man who seemed too destructed to receive the instructions himself.

"Sleep well Arthur"

"That was an order Merlin," Chuckling Merlin started to climb the stairs, "oh and Merlin keep an eye on Gwaine will you? I have a feeling that this….. Selene may have more importance to Gwaine than just an acquaintance"

"So you're not as big of a prat as you look"

Arthur being too tired for their usual banter Arthur simply replied "good night Merlin," and with that he left.

…..

Ok so that was It I know it was a bit boring but please bare with me, I needed to get Selene out of the spot she had gotten into and tell a bit more about their shared past. And on that train of thought how do you like the flashbacks? Would you like more of them? Less? Shorter? Longer? I was thinking about doing a story after this pretty much being only this past that I am recreating so a sort of prequel? As always please review!

Ps. what did you think of my attempt at Arthur-Merlin bromance? I tried to make it a bit more mate like I imagine it to be in season 4! (7 days )

Please review (your advice/criticism/praise whichever it may be is ALWAYS welcome) xxx