A/N: Hey guys! I actually spent ALL day studying which I am so proud of so now I'm sitting here at almost one in the morning writing this so I don't forget it. The first part of this is a bit of a filler which was requested by my sister so I thought I'd add it in. Sorry for not continuing with the Merlin and Druid stuff, but the timeline I've worked out needs this chapter to come first. At least I think it does, according to the hasty plan I scribbled on my bedroom wall of all places (yeah I'll write anywhere, been known to write on toilet paper when I'm out and about and an idea suddenly hits me) so it might not be complelty accurate. Also due to the early hour there may be a few more technical accuracies, or even just blatant outright mistakes, so ummm....sorry in advance if that's the case. Enjoy!! :D

Chapter 11- Faith

Gwen remained seated at Arthur's table in his chambers turning everything over in her mind, long after Arthur had gone to his father.

She was thrilled that Arthur has finally come to his senses and realised that Merlin was not his enemy, yet at the same time, she was worried. Why had it taken him so long to realise this?

Was there that much of a trust issue between them?

She had always known that Arthur was not one to speak openly about his feelings, he never confided in anyone. He had had few childhood friends, mostly the sons of rich courtiers who never stayed long. Arthur had a lonely childhood, despite the fact he had every material desire he could wish for. She had often pitied him, as a child. She and her father had been poor, but her childhood years had been filled with happiness and fond memories. She had played with her friends in the streets of Camelot, with whatever she could lay her hands on, whether it be a stick or a rock, they had always found a way to have some fun. Arthur had none of this. He was not expected to mix with those below his class. She had often seen him as a child, trailing after his father on important state matters, boredom clearly written across his face. He had never been one for socialising. From an early age she had seen him training with the Knights, learning sword craft, archery, horse riding...it seemed he had had no childhood at all. He had always had the enormous pressure of one day being King hanging over his head, he had no time for enjoyment, all his life had been spent training for the day when he would assume the throne. His father had always been so distant from him, Gwen had been shocked when she had joined the Royal household as a servant and witnessed Uther paying no more attention or fondness for his son than any of the other Knights.

Other people assumed that as prince of Camelot, with more money and riches than anyone else, he must be happy. But Gwen knew better. A child needed more than material possessions, more than expensive toys and intellectual books. He need to be loved, and a great King will not be born out of a purely mechanical existence. He had to be able to listen to people, to be compassionate and kind, years of spoiling and endless training would not provide him with that.

When Gwen had begun working as a servant, and had begun to interact with Arthur more, she had hated him. He gave absolutely no consideration for anyone but himself and she had despaired for Camelot's future. But on rare moments, she had witnessed the real Arthur shining through. At first he had been arrogant,lazy, inconsiderate and rude, and to some extent he was still like this, at least on the surface. But Gwen had begun to notice how he changed. How he seemed to truly care about the people. He did not see them as mere workers who slaved away all day, to pay their taxes and keep him living in luxury, but he had begun to really see them for who they were.

This was all because of Merlin.

When Merlin had arrived, it had signalled a complete change in Arthur. Merlin did not know how much he had really changed him, he had not truly witnessed Arthur beforehand; the years when he was growing up. Merlin had allowed the real Arthur to be seen, and for that Gwen was eternally grateful. It had been Merlin that brought Arthur and Gwen together, Arthur would never looked at her twice otherwise. Arthur would once have never dreamed of risking his life for a servant. Merlin had opened his eyes.

Seeing Merlin again had been a bitter sweet moment. She was relieved and overjoyed at seeing him alive and well, yet the news he brought was dire. Gwen had felt her pulse racing and her breath rate increasing, and a shiver of fear had reached her. She had not fully comprehended the seriousness of the situation that Camelot now found itself in.

However, she had complete faith in Arthur to do the right thing. Her faith had been pushed to its limits in the last few weeks. It had pained her seeing Arthur so tormented when the answer was so clear in front of him. How could he ever think Merlin had betrayed him? Gwen had been shocked at the news Merlin was a sorcerer, but the only anger she had felt was at Uther, at persecuting a boy who had risked his life time and time again for the good of Camelot. She had thought Arthur would feel the same, after all, he knew Merlin better than most. But she had been mistaken.

She couldn't believe Arthur would betray Merlin like that. A typical arrogant prince, his pride had been hurt and he refused to see clearly. Sometimes Arthur was like his father in that respect...

But now he had seen the light, and that was all that mattered.

Gwen then stood up from the table. She hastily chastised herself for sitting so long, absorbed in her thoughts when there was so much work needing done in Camelot to prepare for the battle.

She felt a little ripple of fear.

She left the room and began to make her way along the corridor determined to find something to do to distract herself when she was called back by one of her friends.

Newra was hurrying down the corridor to meet her, her scarlet hair, so unusual in Camelot, escaping from the messy bun she had hastily tied it in. Newra had just joined the palace household, but already Gwen and she had become fast friends. However, Newra always seemed to know exactly what was going on with Gwen, which slightly unnerved her.

"Are you all right Gwen?" She asked concernedly, as she approached.

Gwen nodded hurriedly.

"Perfectly, I'm just a little worried that's all."

Newra nodded in agreement. "Aren't we all?"

Gwen remained silent, Newra had no idea what was really troubling her. Arthur would soon be riding into battle against an army of sorcerers, that was what Gwen was truly concerned about. She feared she might never see him again, she feared all the feelings that needed to be said between them would never be spoken, she feared she would cling onto them forever, eternally in regret she had never told him outright how much she loved him.

Uncharacteristically, Newra did not see her distress.

"Gaius has asked me to search through the palace for any old clothing we might use as bandages for the wounded. Would you help me?"

Gwen nodded fervently; she needed distraction.

She and Newra set off through the palace, working for most of the morning in silence. Gwen was not one for silence, she needed idle chatter to keep her happy, to remind her of the friendships she had and the goodness and frivolity of life. But neither she nor Newra were forthcoming in conversation. The weight of the battle hung heavily over them, stifling them.

Gwen ran her hands over some of the clothes she was sorting through, distressed to think that tomorrow she could be binding terrible wounds with this cloth, how this beautiful fabric, designed for noble Lords and Ladies could soon be used to save the life of a lowly farmers son, how it would soon be stained with scarlet.

Gwen and Newra eventually found themselves in one of the ante-chambers off of the throne room, which was going to be used as a temporary infirmary, ripping up the elegant dresses and folding the strips of cloth. Then she noticed Arthur striding purposefully past the open door of the chamber, on his way from the throne room. He seemed to be radiating anger and frustration. It took all of her will power not to run after him and ask what was wrong, to hold him in her arms and comfort him. She guessed his conversation with his father had not gone well.

Newra observed her watching Arthur with a curious expression on her face. When she noticed Gwen watching her she coughed self-consciously, tucked a tendril of scarlet hair behind her ear and continued with her work. After a moment or two though, she spoke:

"You're in love with him aren't you?"

Gwen looked at her quickly, intending to deny it, but the look on Newra's face stopped her, and she knew it was hopeless; Newra could see right through her.

"Is it that obvious?" Gwen asked her quietly.

"Not to most people it isn't. But I'm not most people," Newra smiled at her knowingly. "It's a gift I have, I can see into people' s hearts. It didn't take me long to realise that the both of you were madly in love, even though you both hide it extremely well."

Gwen had no answer to this. She was glad was not as transparent as she had feared for a brief moment, but she did not want to discuss this with her, it pained her too much.

"You look upset. Why is that?" Newra looked confused.

She obviously wasn't going to let this go.

"Nothing can ever happen Newra. We may be in love, but it will all come to nothing, we have to accept that. We cannot go on hoping for something that will never happen."

Newra still looked confused.

"Why can it not?"

Gwen sighed. Newra was new to Camelot, she obviously didn't know how things worked.

"Love can never cross the great barrier of social class. It's a universal fact," Gwen looked down at the fabric in her hands, decorated with iris flowers. "It may hurt me to admit it, but I have to accept the fact that nothing may ever come of this. A Prince cannot marry a servant."

Newra looked at Gwen, innocence and purity conveyed in her eyes.

"Why should he not? What will stop him? If he is truly in love, he will not allow it to fade, particularly a man of such strong character as Arthur. He will not give up. He loves you deeply, I can tell."

Gwen still did not dare to begin to hope.

"Yes, I believe he does, at least as much as I love him, but that love may not be enough to risk sacrificing his own kingdom for me."

Newra took her hand and smiled warmly at her.

"Stranger things have happened. I am sure I have heard tell of occasions like this before. The ancient legends tell many stories about the conquering power of love in the face of adversary and turmoil. Love always prevails. The ability to love is probably one of mankind's only redeeming features. While all this war and strife is going on, Arthur's love for you will remain constant. It will not fade."

Gwen looked at her and laughed dryly.

"We are not in one of the ancient legends Newra, this is real life. It is quite different."

Newra was not phased.

"The old stories have to come from somewhere don't they. Legends have to be made, they have to be lived. Be that legend Gwen, perhaps in hundreds of years time, Bards will sing of the love of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. You never know what will happen. Do not give up hope, not for anything."

Gwen contemplated her words for a long time as they both went back to work, behaving as though nothing had happened. She needed some time on her own. She excused herself and walked out into the courtyard, on the pretext of finding someone else to help.

She breathed in deeply and watched the birds as they flew through the sky joyfully. There was nothing containing them, they were free to do what they wanted, they alone in this world were truly free, even the earth itself could not constrain them.

She heard a clattering of hooves and turned to see Arthur streak out of the palace stables on his prize stallion, fully dressed in his armour with a determination on his face.

Gwen felt her heart leap at the sight of him. He glanced at her as he rode past, a quick glance was all it took to convey to her every feeling in his heart. Newra was right, he truly loved her.

He continued riding at full speed, as though in a mad rush to be somewhere. Gwen wondered for a brief moment where he was going. Off to fight? To find Merlin? To spy on Cendred's army?

Gwen knew it didn't matter. She knew her heart would follow him wherever he went.

Arthur tore out of Camelot on his horse at a ferocious speed, determined and ready to fight. He felt anger pulsing through his body as he remembered the conversation he had just had with his father.

"Ho do you know this Arthur? How can you be sure what you say is true?" His father had questioned him relentlessly as soon as Arthur had informed him of the sorcerers that had joined Cendred's army.

"I told you Father, I had an anonymous tip-off. Someone I completely trust." Arthur felt tired explaining it over and over.

"Who is this man? You must tell me Arthur!" Uther had begun to get really angry by this point at Arthur's refusal to enlighten him of the informer's identity.

"I can't tell you that Father," Arthur had sighed again. "But what I can tell you is that he gave me this information at great personal risk."

Uther had scoffed.

"You refuse to tell me because he has come about this information in an immoral manner! You are protecting him! I know you Arthur! If this information had come form a reliable source you would have told me outright. I declare that we cannot trust this man. Not until he comes to me directly."

"He cannot do that Sire."

"Therefore we cannot trust him! If he has done no wrong why should he fear to come to me?"

"He does it for his own safety, it is not a matter of cowardice. He is one of the bravest men I know."

Arthur had grown weary of this conversation.

"It matters not. I refuse to act upon this information until I have solid proof, a confession."

Arthur was getting desperate now.

"You cannot ignore this information! It will be the ruin of Camelot!"

"Then tell him this and we shall see if he truly cares about this Kingdom enough to come forward!"

Uther now had had a dangerous look in his eye, and at any other time Arthur would have known not to go against him at this point, but he refused to back down when there was so much at stake.

He had to tell his father it was Merlin who had given the information. He knew his father would likely not take it seriously, but there was no other option. He would not be persuaded without the informers name, he had to throw caution to the winds for the good of Camelot.

"He can't tell you this himself because....well..because, it was Merlin who told me this."

Uther stood stock still in the middle of the throne room, shock in his face, shock which was slowly taken over by rage.

"Merlin?! You would trust the word of a sorcerer?!"

"Yes I would! Merlin did not harm anyone in Camelot, he may be a sorcerer but he is a good man and I trust him! He appeared to me in my chambers and told me of this threat, why would he risk coming back here if not to help us?"

"He is a sorcerer Arthur! It is his job to deceive, manipulate and coerce! Explain to me how he knew of this information! He must be a part of it! This is all part of his plan to overthrow Camelot,he is playing on your fondness for him to use you! Don't you see that?"

Arthur did not even flinch as Uther had yelled at him. His father was incandescent with rage, and Arthur could see he would not be persuaded. He had kept his voice calm and low as he answered:

"No Father, I do not. Camelot will fall if we do not act. I trust him. I may not know his motives, but I trust they are all in the best of intentions. What sort of world do we live in where we cannot trust those who were by our side day after day. You have become paranoid Father, you see foes where there are none. I will not allow this to happen."

With that, he turned and strode out of the hall, ignoring his father's cries after him.

Once outside the room, he had let out a deep breath and held his face in his hands. He knew what he must do. He must find Merlin, convince the Druids to fight alongside him. Camelot would be destroyed if he did not, he must show his father there is good among sorcerers. He knew that trusting the Druids would be hard, he would have to overcome a lifetime of prejudice, but he would not let that stand in the way of what was best for his people. He had learned once before that his pride was his downfall, he must not let it be so again.

Sir Leon had followed him out of the hall, Arthur had summoned the entire Royal court to hear him, unfortunately none of them had stood up for either Uther or Arthur. They knew not to get involved. Arthur had turned to face Leon.

"You heard what I said?"

Leon nodded,his face unreadable.

"And what is your opinion?"

Leon looked up at him without any doubts in his face.

"I stand by you Sire, as I always have done. I knew Merlin, not well, but well enough to know he would never harm a fly. His relationship with you always intrigued me, I never saw how you could befriend a servant, but now I know. If you have faith in him, so will I."

Arthur nodded in approval.

"Then I can rely on you to make sure Camelot in prepared for this threat in my absence?"

"Sire?" Sir Leon had looked confused.

"Can I count on you?" Arthur had pressed him

"Of course Sire, but where are you going?"

"To fin someone else who can help us."

Arthur then took his leave and made for his chambers, donned his armour and then had went to the stables to saddle up his horse.

As he left Camelot, he observed Gwen standing there, watching him.

He had tried to show her in a single glance how he felt, and he saw she acknowledged it. It physically hurt his heart to leave her. He wished more than anything he would survive this war and return to her, and finally voice all the unsaid feelings between them; he did not want any regrets.

Arthur did not know exactly where he was going, he relied on the horse to guide him somewhere, anywhere. He hoped that Merlin would find him.

He wasn't entirely sure what he was going to say to Merlin when he saw him, how could be apologise for doubting him so much? He hoped when he saw him everything would just fall into place. He needed to let this go, this heavy burden that had been lying on him for the past three weeks. He had to have everything resolved between them before he went mad.

He sincerely wished that Merlin did not resent him.

He also worried about the reception he would have with the Druids. Would they accept and listen to the son of their hated enemy? Arthur knew that the Druids were traditionally peaceful people, but he was not sure how far their tolerance would stretch. And they were also sorcerers, a lifetime of mistrust meant he would take a while to actually look at them without suspicion.

He was pulled out of this by his horse suddenly stopping in the middle of the road. It was only reaching midday but the trees cast a gloom over the road, sending a chill down Arthur's spine.

He soon realised what had stopped the horse.

A small figure was standing on the road in front of him, cloaked and hooded.

Arthur opened his mouth to speak, but found himself speechless as more and more cloaked figures appeared out of the gloom, enclosing him in a circle.

At first he thought these were the Druids Merlin was with, but the coldness and hostility of the air told himself this was not so.

He looked desperately around him, looking at each figure in turn, looking for a way out. But it was no use.

He was surrounded.

A/N: Oooohhhh...will I keep you hanging? Probz will unintentionally. Sorry! My wee sister wanted a bit of an ArWen scene in here somewhere, which I don't think I pulled off paticularly well...but anyways she's happy.:D She only wants the scene cause her name is actually Arwen which is kinda cool (Merlin fandom and us was just meant to be) and I'm so glad I converted her...she actually used to watch X Factor on a Saturday night instead of Merlin....*shudders*. The character of Newra is based on her, (geddit, Newra= Arwen backwards) and the scarlet hair is just an in joke considering she's just died her hair like RED!! Really red, along with half of her scalp and face. I call her Weasley now lol.

Anyways...this is for you Arweeeeeeee!!! :D