Honestly, Gwen wanted to take her hand and run it across her motley trio's faces hard. Elyan, does he ever think? Gawain, will he ever settle down? Merlin, you're a wizard, does magic twist your brain?
Gwen's hands planted to her trim waist; her lips puckered in fury as her curls blew in the wind. Her foot tapped a steady beat of annoyance. "Did you think about this?" Gawain flashed a smile. Elyan shrugged. Merlin blinked his long lashes.
"So, no, you don't think about it. You bring me to Ealdor, a town located in Cenred's lands. Cenred, you kidnapped and tried to kill us. Gawain, you miss that little adventure." Gwen huffed as she stormed into Hunith's small house.
"Now, you see why I ran away from home, Merlin and Gawain. She's unreasonable." Elyan stomped towards a burning forge. "Going to melt steel."
Gawain swallowed a chuckle. "She's fiery. I love fiery women." Merlin scowled. "She's not for you. Her destiny belongs with Arthur." Gawain winked devilishly. "I know."
"Maybe, I could have thought of other hiding spot. I trust my Mother. Everyone here will protect Gwen."
"Don't kill the messenger." Merlin shook his dark head. His large feet left tracks on a dirty path as he walked to his childhood home. Quietly, he opened a creaky door. He bit his lip to stifle a gasp. His mother's worn hands soothed Gwen's soft hair as she cried in Hunith's arms. Merlin listened to Gwen's sobs as she relayed her horrific tale. Softly, Merlin exited his childhood home without disturbing them. He trudged back to Gawain.
"We did the right thing. Sometimes, you just need a mother."
Arthur's strong hands tore through his wardrobe. He was lost without Merlin. He would never admit it , but he missed Merlin. He needed someone to pour out his heart about Gwen. Someone to bond with over mutual despair; his desperate need to see her one last time. To say a proper goodbye. He failed her in life and death. Where's my cloak? How can I go from missing Gwen to thinking about a cloak? What's wrong with me?
Arthur couldn't remember joining Morgana and his father for breakfast. Food felt woolen in his mouth; mindlessly, he ate his meal. He made idle chatter with his family. Morgana's sharp voice cracked his mourning buuble
"How stupid can you be?"
A young maid mopped a water spill on a cluttered dining table. Tears spilling from her eyes as she attempted to clean her error.
"I'm sorry, milady," she muttered. "It was accident."
"I'll forgive you this time. Next time, you're in Camelot's stocks."
"Thank you."
Arthur sat in horror as a trembling Maggie darted from the room; leaving a path of tears.
"Morgana, a little harsh."
Uther pooped a grape in his mouth. "Not at all, they need to earn their wages."
"Yes, but they have to want to work for us. Our people will revolt under tyranny."
Uther shook his head in disgust. "Camelot belongs to Pendragon blood. They dare not revolt."
"Of course, Father."
Arthur surveyed his morning meal; did they really need so much food for three people? We wasted so much every day. How many families could we feed?
Hunith and Merlin watched Gwen sleeping.
"I can't believe Morgana is evil, Merlin."
"It's been difficult. Tough choices, everyday, Mother. At times, I'm lost. Soon, I won't have a choice except to face her."
"We make choices, Merlin. She made hers."
Hunith walked to Gwen; gently, she smoothed away a few loose tendrils from Gwen's damp brow. "How could she try to kill, Arthur, Elyan, and you? Do what you have to, Merlin. Protect Arthur and yourself. I'll take care of Gwen."
Merlin moved to Hunith's side. He dropped to a cold ground. "I know, Mother." Hunith brushed Merlin dark head. Her lips pressed a soft kiss on his cold cheek. "Destiny is not easy, my son."
"Tell me about it."
Gwen promised herself that she wouldn't cry. Her eyes closed as Gawain's arms tightly cradled against his muscular frame. "Take care, Princess. Watch for evil. Soon, you will return to Camelot." Gawain brushed tears from Gwen's eyes. She nodded her head slowly. Gwen smoothed Elyan's tunic. "Behave; I don't want to lose you again."
Elyan flashed a beautiful smile. "Me, I'm always good." Elyan hugged his sister as her feet lifted from a dirt filled road. Merlin shot Gwen a sheepishly look. Gwen could see he hid something behind his back. She attempted to peer around his boney frame.
"Patience, Guinevere."
"Merlin."
"It's just a piece of Camelot, just a piece of Arthur, dream of him and wear it." Merlin revealed Arthur's red cloak. Heavy red velvet felt soft under Gwen's touch.
"How?"
"I'm his servant, remember."
Merlin draped Arthur's cloak around Gwen's dainty shoulder. His masculine scent invaded her fine. "He smells like pine, soap, and adventure."
"Well, it's musty to me," Merlin remarked.
Merlin kissed his small friend and gave her a deep hug. "Just for a little while." Gwen pressed her head into Merlin's chest to hide her tears. "Now, there," he soothed. "I promise." Elyan ignored a flash of jealousy over Gwen's connection to Merlin. Watching Merlin and Gwen, Gawain made a decision; it was time to say goodbye to roaming across the countryside. Time to say goodbye to brawls, ale, and women. Finally, he had a family. To assist Arthur in his destiny, he must embrace his own. Although, it turned his stomach to serve Uther; he would present his family crest to Uther.
Gwen felt secure when Hunith gathered her into her warm embrace."Hurray, Merlin. Darkness falls soon." Merlin pressed a kiss to his mother's cheek. "Almost, forgot, Gwen." He fumbled around in his pocket and withdrew a small clear oval crystal with a golden chain. Gently, Merlin dropped around Gwen's neck. "Arthur wanted you to be buried with this. He could not bear the thought of you being alone in the dark." Gwen's fingers felt the hard ridges of the crystal. "If you ever need me, grab and yell Merlin. I'll come running."
"How?"
"Magic."
Merlin sheepishly smiled as he ran in the direction of his horse. "Be careful.
Hunith and Gwen watched as the trio disappeared from their sight. Sadness formed a knot in Gwen's chest. She pulled Arthur's cloak tighter around her. "Soon, my love. "
Hunith smiling brown eyes twinkled at Gwen. "How about dinner?"
Gwen hated to admit it, she enjoyed Hunith's company. It was nice to spend time with an older woman; someone close to her mother's age. Last night before she fell asleep, Gwen blubbered about her feelings for Arthur; her disappointment in Morgana, and her hope for a bright future. Hunith was like an older female version of Merlin, always there providing comfort. Gwen needed a mother.
Arthur dropped next to Maggie on a quite stairway deep in the castle. Her pitiful cries tore at his heart.
"Why are you crying?"
Maggie's red tearstained face rose to meet Arthur's. "Milord, I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me. I asked."
Maggie rubbed a red hand across her swollen eyes. Arthur noticed small bruises on her wrist. Carefully, he grabbed her arm. "What are these?"
"Nothing."
"Did someone hurt you?"
Maggie furiously shook her head in denial. "I fell."
She's lying. Arthur's blue eyes scanned over Maggie's shivering body. She was Morgana's new maid. An ached formed in his stomach; Morgana bruised Maggie's arm. What is going on with Morgana?
"How old are you?'
"Fourteen."
"Report to our kitchens in the morning. I'll inform cook."
Maggie's eyes widen in fear. "Sire..."
"I'll take care of it." Arthur patted Maggie's shoulder.
Merlin placed Arthur's breakfast tray on a polished table. Sadly, Merlin viewed Arthur's sleeping body. His blonde hair tousled as an arm flung above his head. His face pressed into a soft pillow. A loud pig like snoring filled Arthur's drafty chamber. Merlin noticed Arthur's hand clenching his pillow. Merlin flung open Arthur's heavy red drapes. Sunlight filtered around Arthur's chamber. He didn't move.
"Arthur, wake up."
Merlin knew Arthur was awake. Pig grunts weren't emitted from his large frame. "Out of bed, Arthur!"
"Did you bury her?"
Merlin swallowed nervously. "Yes."
Arthur heard a slight hesitant in Merlin's voice. It remained him of Merlin's voice on that fateful day when he attacked Uther over his mother's death. Merlin's goofy voice full of hesitation, defeat, and sadness. A voice imploring Arthur to believe him. Why would Merlin need that voice concerning Gwen? She was lost to them. She was lost to me.
Arthur's blonde head rose. He noticed a gleam in Merlin's blue eyes. Silently, he stared at Merlin until his blue eyes dropped in remorse or sadness. Merlin never turned his eyes from me before. Grief or deception?
"Are you hungry, Arthur?"
"Not really, I'll eat. Then, give the rest to lower town residents."
Arthur laid in his cold bed as Merlin scampered around tidying his chamber. "It's rather clean, Arthur."
"Didn't want to leave a huge mess for you."
"Thanks."
"How's Hunith?"
"She's fine."
"Merlin, I can't find my cloak."
"I gave it to Gwen," Merlin mumbled. "So, she could think of you?"
"Why would Gwen need to think of me?"Arthur angrily asked.
Merlin stopped in his tracks. His blue eyes darted around Arthur's chamber. I wrapped her body in your cloak to keep her safe. She would always have your protection."
Arthur noticed that special tone of voice returned. He's hiding something. What?
"Thank you."
Merlin nodded.
Days faded into nights as long weeks separated Gwen from Camelot. Often, her mind drifted to Camelot. Was Arthur yelling at Merlin? Is Merlin behaving? Could Arthur forgive her for such a horrible deception?
Gwen cut herbs for medicine. She loved Hunith's little worn house. She spent her youth running through Camelot's grand halls. Often, she would taste rich food and sweet treats. Yet, Hunith's shabby home with worn furniture and simple food was a home. Her small hut generated warmth and kindness. Emotions not found in Camelot's glorious halls.
Richard burst into Hunith's hut; hours earlier stating his mother needed help delivering a baby. Kind Hunith roused from her bed to provide aid to her neighbor. Her hand sorted pile of leafy green stems.
"Not a lot of Yarrow. We'll need Yarrow for wounds."
Wrapping Arthur's cloak around her, Gwen opened Hunith's door. Covering her head with a heavy red hood to protect her eyes from a blinding sun; Gwen stepped outside. She grabbed a basket as she turned in the direction of Ealdor's woods. She hummed happily as she left Hunith's safe home.
##
Cenred and his men slowly galloped through Ealdor's woods. Rumors of scouts from Camelot reached his ears. He could no longer ignore his outer lands. His dark eyes scanned a shadowy perimeter. A sweet melody assaulted his ears. Cenred dismounted from his stallion. He signaled his men to remain at their positions. His heavy feet broke twigs and crushed flowers as he broke through a dense brush to view his mysterious melody maker. Morgause ignited his desire, but she never dampened his fires. Her teasing drove him to an abyss of need and want. Her soft words persuaded him to attack Camelot; kidnap a young girl and her brother; and listen to her schemes. Yet, she failed to quench his desire.
His dark eyes spied curly locks blowing in a slight breeze. Her small body wrapped in red; a color that annoyed Cended. Her soft voice bounced around a small green meadow. He crept upon her like a wolf. He could feel her hair wrapped around his hands. So lost in her chore, his little doe didn't hear his approach.
"What are you searching for?"
Herbs dropped from Gwen's grasp. She bite her lip to stop a gasp that formed in her lungs. She knew that deep masculine voice. She remember how her skin crawled as it vibrated in her ears. How his large hands grabbed her and whispered dark words in her ears. Gwen shook her dark head.
"You don't know, lovely?" Cenred loved nervous peasant girls. Timidly, Gwen swallowed a lump in her throat. "Herbs," she muttered.
"Herbs, of course. Are you a midwife?"
"No."
"Oh, what do you make with fresh tender herbs?"
"Medicine."
"To treat my injured warriors."
'Of course."
Cenred loved her jerky movements and nervous voice. "Can I see your eyes?"
"No, milord. I must work to aid your knights"
"Do you have big wide eyes? Or small little ones like a robin?"
"Why?'
"So, you can see me."
"I have normal eyes, milord."
Cenred chuckled above her. 'What about your teeth?"
"My teeth?'
"Do you have a beautiful smile for your king?"
"No, my smile is small and not brilliant."
Her flirting did not contain Morgause's suggestiveness, but her innocence inflamed Cenred. Gwen whimpered when he dropped a large hand on her shoulder. "Let me see you." Gwen closed her eyes as Cenred's hand cupped her chin.