Merlin sat at the table in Arthur's room, they were both trying their best to concentrate on going through all the paper work about news on the northern border of Camelot but it was very dull. Merlin was sorting them while Arthur was supposed to be writing replies, instead it seemed he was just casually doodling all over the page. Merlin couldn't really talk though, just last week he had fallen asleep and drooled all over his writing, it had taken ages to re do all the work. Arthur was laughing the whole time too.

"What are you drawing anyway?" Merlin pipped up

"Nothing" Arthur replied a little too quickly, Merlin made a swipe for the paper, snatching it up while Arthur madly tried to get it back. Merlin's eyes widened when a simple sketch of Gwen met his eyes. It wasn't perfect mind, neither was it bad, it was obvious who the drawing was of. He could practically feel the heat radiating off his brothers face. Merlin handed it back.

"Might want to keep that out of fathers gaze" He added casually

...

"What news from the norther borders?" Asked Uther from his place at the dinner table

"There have been a number of minor scuffles" Arthur replied, doing his best not to stare at Gwen who was serving him.

"You think Odin is testing our defenses?" Uther asked, Merlin hid a smirk behind his goblet as Arthur continued to casually look at Gwen.

"Arthur are you listening?" Uther demanded

"What sorry?" The oldest prince blinked, reaching out and knocking his goblet onto the ground

"What on earth is wrong with you?" Uther demanded

"Nothing, sorry" Arthur blushed, Merlin smirked.

Dinner passed by agonizingly slowly, Arthur had never been so glad to get back to paper work.

"Come on Arthur, just, spend some time with her" Merlin urged, "I know she likes you too"

"Did she say something?" Arthur asked looking hopeful, Merlin rolled his eyes.

"Arthur your heads already as big as your waist, I'm not going to flatter you any more" Merlin laughed, "Besides a blind man could see it"

"Oh shut up Merlin" Arthur groaned flinging a quill at him, "How would I even...I don't know, what if she says no?"

"You...realize you're a prince right?"

...

"Arthur wishes to spend the day with me?" Gwen repeated, Merlin felt himself getting awkward.

"I thought'd you'd be happy" He said slowly, oh he was regretting telling Arthur to do this

"It's not that simple" Gwen muttered, "If anybody found out, what is somebody sees us?"

"I'll take you to meet him outside the city" Merlin offered, "Then I'll come back and if anybody asks I was showing you where Gaius wanted his herbs from, after all if I come back quickly, without you nobody will suspect anything"

Gwen bit her lip, Merlin sighed placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Forget that its prince Arthur who can be a spilt arrogant prat, you like him" He smiled

Gwen nodded.

"And he likes you" Merlin finished, "Isn't that all that really matters?"

"I suppose it is" She smiled, Merlin grinned

"Then I'll come back in the morning" He told her turning to leave, he was excited for his brother. Gwen was good for him, Arthur wasn't a prat very often any more but Gwen had a sweet temperament and was so kind to him. It was perfect.

...

Merlin knocked on Gwen's wooden door the next morning, slowly opening it to reveal an empty house. Gwen stepped out between the hanging cloth door that separated the small two room house. Merlin stared, she was dressed in a pale pink dress and shawl, she really was beautiful. Not that Merlin himself was attracted to her, but he wouldn't lie about it.

"What, what is it?" She asked nervously

"You look lovely" Merlin smiled, she blushed. They walked through the town, discussing the herbs Gaius needed and how they had to be quick as Merlin was needed back at the palace, only dropping the facade when they entered the forest. Merlin knew the place Arthur had set up with cushions and blankets for her, it was just across a stream over a hill.

When the pair reached the spot they stifled the laugher, Arthur was preening himself in the reflection of a silver plate. Merlin quickly hushed Gwen, cupping his hands and calling out with a terrible impersonation of hawk. Arthur dropped the pate clumsily, causing Gwen to giggle.

With ease she hopped from rock to rock over the small stream, Arthur gave Merlin a nod.

"You can go now you know" He hinted, Merlin laughed and turned to go home.

...

He was on his way back inside when Uther beckoned him over, handing him the reins of his horse.

"Have you seen Arthur?" Uther questioned, "I was hoping we could go riding, the three of us"

Uh, oh.

"Um, he's off hunting" Merlin replied quickly, "I just saw him off"

"Too bad, I shall go on my own, unless you would like to join me" Uther continued, Merlin knew it really wasn't a question. At least if he went with Uther he could make sure he didn't go anywhere near where Arthur and Gwen were.

"Alright, let's go"

...

"You are not here as a servant" Arthur reminded Gwen as she passed him a plate with some fruit on it, he quickly filled hers and handed it to her.

"it feels different doesn't it?" She sighed, "Being away from Camelot"

"i love Camelot more than I can say" Arthur admitted truthfully, "But sometimes I feel when I'm there, I can hardly breath, everybody expects so much of me. Being here with you...I can be myself"

"I like that, you being yourself" Gwen smiled

"Some times I dream of leaving Camelot" Arthur admitted, feeling slightly guilty, he'd never even told Merlin that.

"Really? Where would you go?" She asked

"I don't know, somewhere where nobody knew who I was" He answered, "Get some land, be a farmer"

Gwen laughed, he had to admit it himself, it seemed stupid.

"I'd take Merlin with me, he'd do all the hard work" he joked

They both laughed.

...

Merlin would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying riding with his father. It was most enjoyable and Uther almost seemed himself. No anger or betrayal effecting his judgment. He races his horse up the hill, laughing as it reared up, he was good with horses, he didn't mind.

"Be careful!" uther warned

"I am being careful!" Merlin yelled, "You're just slow!"

"I'll show you" Uther dared racing past him much to Merlin's surprise, he laughed, suddenly stopping when He saw Uther was heading straight for the hollow where Arthur and Gwen were.

"Hey, wait!" He called desperately,

"Just because you can't keep up" Uther laughed

"No um, we should stick to the paths" Merlin tried desperately to get in front of Uther to stop him, "Bandits and all"

Uther didn't buy it, but he did slow to a trot but by the time Merlin caught up it was too late, the kings horse was over the rise and into the hollow, where Gwen and Arthur were currently, kissing. The two quickly sprang apart at the sight of Uther.

"Arthur!" Uther yelled in surprise

"Oh no" Merlin moaned

I tried writing The Changling but I honestly couldn't make it interesting. Sorry.