Amber jumped off Arthur's bed when Merlin entered. It'd been her lunch and instead of spending it with the other servants, she'd decided to keep him company. According to her, he was lonely and while he had laughed when Amber, her eyes wide and serious, had said that, he couldn't deny that deep down inside, he was a little lonely. Lonely and bored.

Crossing his arms, Merlin leaned against the doorway. "Gwen wants to go on a picnic."

"She mentioned that when I saw you two this morning." Arthur looked at Merlin's impassive face. This was supposed to be his best friend and while there had been moments between them that had hinted at this relationship, it was clear that Merlin was holding back.

Merlin gave a sharp nod. "She's free this evening, so this is a good time."

"Are you going to tell me what that little demonstration outside my room was about?" Arthur sat on the edge of his bed, arms crossed and stared at Merlin. "Because I may not remember anything but I haven't become dumber. And don't say I wasn't very smart to begin with."

The smile never quite manifested on Merlin's face, but Arthur could see it in his eyes. Dropping the bag he was carrying onto the ground, Merlin leaned again the door. "It was to see if you were a shade."

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

"Maybe because if you were a shade, you'll not want to be revealed to be a shade?" Merlin shrugged. "Who knows what you might have done."

"I assume the fact that you aren't charging at me with a spell or a sword means I'm not a shade."

Merlin's lips twitched a little before a slight smile appeared on his face. "No. It would seem that you're human, at least."

"And I'm not here to make trouble for Gwen."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Merlin sighed. "Magic is powerful and magic that brings you back is more powerful than anything I've ever dealt with."

"Then, maybe we should work together to find out what is going on here. We both want what is best for Gwen and Camelot." Standing Arthur reached out his hand.

Merlin took his hand without hesitation. "I will kill you if you hurt Gwen or Camelot, even if you're my king."

He wasn't quite sure what made him do it, but Arthur pulled Merlin into a hug, warmth and hope spreading through Arthur as Merlin hugged him back. They would figure this out and he'll get his life back.

Merlin and Arthur were talking quietly when she finally arrived in the forest. It was almost summer and all the flowers were in bloom, scenting the air with their sweet fragrance. As she approached, walking across the stream, Arthur jumped up immediately, reaching out a hand to help her across the rocks.

Her heart squeezed, the memory of a similar scene playing in her mind. But she dug out a smile for Arthur. As she stepped off the last rock, his lips brushed against her ear. "You look lovely." The feel of his breath against her face, his warmth next to her, his scent filling her nose sent a shockingly strong arrow of desire through her.

He moved his lips from her ear to her lips, brushing a barely there kiss against them.

Merlin cleared his throat.

"Merlin," she acknowledged.

"Cook wasn't very cooperative but Amber helped, sneaking out a really juicy roast chicken."

Laughing, Gwen shook her head. "All these years and Cook still dislikes you."

"Dislike is far too mild a word really," said Merlin. "And it's all unwarranted."

Arthur was still holding her hand and she let him lead her to the mat where a spread was laid out. Despite Merlin's initial disapproval, she realised he had done a wonderful job recreating the picnics the three of them often went on. Her eyes moved to Arthur's face, wondering if this seemed familiar to him. But he was preoccupied with fussing with the pillows.

"I was just telling Merlin that you royals really know how to picnic. Picnics with Amber usually just involved a mat and some dried bread."

"I had those picnics too when I was younger but you always preferred a certain level of luxury," she smiled, remembering when Arthur would sulk when Merlin forgot the pillows or the wine. She had once pointed out to him that he was perfectly capable of sleeping in the forest with nothing during his quests, he had told her quite seriously that it was different.

Arthur shook his head. "I am so spoiled."

"That you are," replied Gwen. "Good thing you're King. There are no shortage of people willing to spoil you."

He arched an eyebrow, then looked pointedly at Merlin. "Except Merlin, I imagine."

"You didn't need a bigger head than the one you were born with," said Merlin, his tone more amused than Gwen expected, "or your fancy helmets wouldn't fit."

Arthur laughed, then turned his attention back to her. "I hope I spoiled you a lot too."

The soft look in his eyes, the one that told her how much he enjoyed their activities the day before, made her shiver. "In your own way," she said, cursing at how husky her voice sounded. Arthur's lips quirked.

"Here, have some grapes." Merlin shoved the bowl of grapes between them and the tension broke.

The chicken was delicious, as it always was and Gwen bit down a smile when she noticed Merlin automatically handing Arthur the thigh. Arthur picked the meat off the bone before eating, unlike Merlin who bit into the chicken. There was so much familiarity in everybody's actions that Gwen couldn't imagine that Arthur wouldn't remember anything.

Gwen lounged on the pillows, enjoying the brief break from the politics of the court and the little touches and smiles Arthur bestowed on her. Her stomach full, she was on the cusp of sleep when she heard Merlin's question.

Merlin spoke again, interrupting the silence. "So, remember anything?"

With a mouthful of chicken, Arthur shook his head.

"No twinges of familiarity or anything?"

"No, not really."

Gwen could feel Arthur's eyes on her and looked away. The regret in his tone was enough to break her heart. She didn't need to see the sympathy in his eyes as well. A picnic wasn't anything special. Of course it wasn't enough to trigger any memories.

Unwillingly to think about how Arthur still didn't have his memories back, she said, "He'll remember when he remembers. Now, what do we have for dessert?"

With a grin, Merlin passed them a large slice of date loaf. "Doesn't this look wonderful?"

It did and Gwen stopped worrying about Arthur and his memories and enjoyed being with the two men she loved the most in Camelot.

Gwen appreciated the days when there were no council meetings, so when she found Hector outside her door on one of those rare days, her dislike for him doubled. She was still in a good mood from the lovely evening picnic the day before and hated that her mood was definitely taking a turn for the worse.

"Lord Hector," she greeted politely, hoping that if she walked past him quickly enough, he'd leave her alone.

Immediately, he fell into step with her. "My lady," he started, stopping when Gwen held up a hand.

"Is this important? I have a meeting with the village representatives."

Hector scoffed. "I am sure they can wait a while for their Queen."

Realising Hector wasn't about to leave her alone, Gwen sighed. "Let's walk and talk. What is it you have to say that is so important it can't wait for tomorrow's meeting?"

"I have received news that Lady Joan's army is planning to move into Lord Edward's border towns some time next week."

That stopped Gwen in her tracks. She turned to face Hector, watching his face for any signs that he might be lying. "How do you know that? Percival is in charge of information here and he hasn't mentioned anything."

"I have my sources."

Gwen glared at him, unsure if she should trust him. Hector had something up his sleeve, but she wasn't quite sure exactly what it was. "Thank you for the information. I will have Percival look into it. Perhaps your sources are mistaken."

Hector smiled insincerely. "Of course. By the way, have you thought about King Lester's proposal?"

"With all the conflicts building, I don't think this is the time to think about marriage." Gwen started walking again, hoping to shake Hector off. Being in his company made her nausea, something she hadn't experienced in a while, return.

"I think this is the perfect time." There was a hardness in Hector's voice. "With King Lester's support, you will be able to quell the conflict between Lord Edward and Lady Joan easily. Lord Edward shares a border with King Lester. He wouldn't want to cross him."

Now, Gwen knew exactly what Hector had up his sleeves. "Are you telling me that King Lester will only intervene in a conflict at his doorstep if I marry his son?"

"Of course not. I'm just saying that it would be useful to have an ally like King Lester."

"Your point is taken, Sir Hector. And now I have a meeting to get to." She picked up her pace, and was glad that Hector didn't walk after her. All she had to do was delay giving an answer to the proposal, Arthur would regain his memory, and all this would go away. And even as the small voice at the back of her head kept doubting that Arthur would regain his memory, Gwen was determined to hold on to hope. Arthur had returned from the dead. Surely anything was possible now.

AN: Wow, it feels like its been a long time. If you're still reading this, thank you. :)