Chapter 2
Gwen rode her horse up to her father's grave. Kneeling down she put some flowers on his grave.
"I miss you father. So much!" A few tears ran down her cheeks.
"So much has happened in the last year I do not know where to begin."
Gwen just sat there quietly. She thought of Arthur, how he loved her even though she was just a servant. Merlin, who was a loyal friend to her, but there was more to him. He was a friend to Arthur, though he probably wouldn't have admitted it for the world, and he was always a mystery. Unexplained. Morgana, who had been her friend had changed. She was no longer herself. The two who had always been more than a mistress and maidservant had drifted apart.
Getting up Gwen was about to leave when she heard a crack in the woods behind her.
Turning around she heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Who's there?" She called out.
Before she could react a hand reached out and grabbed her by the mouth and everything went black.
Arthur and Merlin walked up the stairs into the castle. In Arthur's room Merlin started to clean off the Prince's coat, when Morgana burst into the room.
"There is a new thing Morgana. Its called knocking!" Arthur shot at her. But after she didn't reply he could tell something was wrong.
"Morgana what is it?"
"Its Gwen." Arthur clenched at the mention of her name.
"Shes been kidnapped. By Morgause."
Arthur turned pale.
"How do you know this?" he asked.
"Gwen was taking a while at her fathers grave, so I went up to fetch her. Her horse was still there and then I saw Gwen being led away by Morgause and her men."
Morgana looked so desperate.
"Please Arthur! Please go after her! Shes my friend."
Arthur looked torn.
"You do realize my father would never allow me to go."
Morgana looked at him stubbornly. "Since when has that stopped you?"
Merlin saw the determination in Arthur's eyes. He turned to Merlin.
"Merlin, I want you to pack my things when you are finished with my coat. Then polish my armor, clean my sword, and prepare the horses."
Merlin sighed. "Yes sire."
"Thank you so much Arthur! Please bring her home."
And Morgana turned away smirking to herself. Arthur had taken the bate. It had been all too easy. Smiling she walked away.
"So you are going after Gwen I gather." Giaus said as he watched Merlin start packing.
Merlin nodded.
Giaus frowned. "Morgause is a powerful sorcerer, she will not be stopped easily."
Merlin sighed.
"I know. But it's not like I am not as powerful as she is."
Giaus walked up to Merlin.
"You and Arthur could be walking into a trap. This is just the kind of opportunity Morgause has been waiting for."
Merlin nodded and started to walk away.
Giaus turned around.
"Merlin. Take care of yourself."
Merlin smiled at Giaus, and then walked away.
"Maybe if you weren't such a prat you would admit you don't even know where we were going." Merlin said to Arthur, a few hours later.
"I could have you thrown in the stocks for that! I know exactly where I am going! Besides its not like you have an idea on where to go. "
Merlin cocked his head.
"Ya I do. The castle of Fyrien that's where Cendrid was last with Morgause. They are probably holding Gwen there."
Arthur turned his head to look at Merlin. "Since when are you so knowledgeable?"
Merlin looked at Arthur. "I'm not. I read a book." was all he managed to mumble out.
Looking confused Arthur let it drop.
"We will stop here to rest." Arthur pointed to a lake.
The two dismounted. Looking at the lake Merlin saw it was very similar to the one where Freya had died. A lump formed in his throat. He still thought about her. How beautiful she was, her voice, her hair.
"Merlin!" Arthur threw his coat at Merlin.
"You look like a sick puppy. Come over here and get a fire started."
"I least I don't look like a boney eyed toad."
"You saying I look like a toad?" Arthur asked.
"Ya. And maybe you will magically transform into a handsome prince." Merlin replied hiding his face and getting the fire started.
Arthur looked at his manservant.
"Something is troubling you isn't it."
Merlin shook his head.
"Its nothing."
"Its something." Arthur replied.
Merlin looked up at Arthur. "I'm fine." He replied pulling off a goofy grin.
Arthur sighed. "I never got the chance to say thank you." he said.
Merlin looked confused. "For what?"
"For showing me I had a choice in marrying the princess Elaine." (I think that was her name! Let me know if I am wrong. From the episode The Changeling. :) )
"Sometimes you show... I don't know. Knowledge beyond what anyone would think you had. Like there is something more to you than meets the eye."
Merlin grinned.
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Don't look so cheeky! The rest of the time your a complete idiot!" he said getting up and walking to the lake.
Merlin smiled to himself. Arthur didn't know the half of it.
Gwen sat in her cell. Not knowing what was happening, she shivered. At that moment the cell door opened and Morgause walked in. Gwen got up and backed away.
"Who are you?"
Morgause smiled.
"My name is Morgause and you are my bait."
"Your what?"
"You are the key, to someone I need out of my way Guinevere."
Gwen looked shocked.
"How do you know my name?"
"I know many things." Morgause replied calmly.
"I know that you live in Camelot and you are the lady Morgana's maidservant. I also know that you are in love with Arthur Pendragon, the man I want dead."
Gwen paled but remained composed.
"That is ridiculous." she denied.
Morgause walked up to Gwen.
"When Arthur comes with his manservant Merlin, they will be the first to die, and I will make sure you will live only long enough to see them suffer while you are helpless to do anything."
And with these words Morgause left the room.
Once she was out of sight, Gwen curled up the corner and fell asleep crying softly.
What do you think? Let me know! I am open to suggestions! Please try to be nice! :)