Gawain's face turned in disgust as Uther touched a sword to his muscular shoulders. He could wear a haughty expression, since he embraced his noble blood, but he seemed truly sickened to serve under Uther. Noble ladies of Camelot were quite taken with Arthur's new knight. Long eyelashes were batted in his direction along with offers of dinner. Gawain refused each lady with a firm "No" and a gentle kiss on a perfumed wrist.

Merlin noticed Arthur seemed detached, perhaps even bored with the proceedings. Ever, so often, his lifeless blue eyes drifted in the direction of an empty doorway. Merlin sensed Arthur's desire to see Gwen striding into a room carrying a bundle of cloths. Merlin ignored his guilty conscience; he made a hard choice to save Gwen. He would make Arthur understand his deception.

Merlin watched Arthur patted Gawain's back heartily. Merlin's lips twisted in a grin. He's showing a few emotions.

"Merlin."

Merlin hated that particular tone of Arthur's voice."Yes, Arthur."

Sadly, Arthur smiled," It's a good day for you. Gawain is a dear friend of yours."

Merlin nodded. "He's slick one. Roaming around causing trouble. Camelot will settle him."

Gawain drew his brown brows together. "I need a good home cooked meal like Hunith and Gwen made for me."

Arthur's face twisted in confusion. "When did Hunith and Guinevere cook for you?"

Gawain's faced paled and Merlin gasped in surprise. "I meant Gwen and Hunith at different times, not together. That wouldn't... be possible... Gwen wasn't with us. I accompanied Merlin to Ealdor."

Arthur folded his arms. "Hunith cooked for you."

"Yes."

"so, Gawain, my Guinevere made a meal for you in her home."

"Yes, before I left she made me dinner right after I left you."

Arthur's head tilted. Arthur realized Gawain and Merlin were lying to him. He watched Gwen press a kiss to Gawain cheek and walk away. Gawain strolled out of Camelot and their lives. What are they lying about?

"Yes, I miss Hunith's cooking. We should go see you mother, Merlin."

Merlin blue eyes widened. "No… it's not a good time… Winter."

"Really, Spring is upon us."

"Cenred."

"Not afraid."

Merlin wiped a hand across his face. "Not enough space."

"I don't mind sleeping on the floor."

"Arthur, maybe, in the fall."

"Is there a reason not to visit your mother?"

Merlin's blue eyes darted around. His hands trembled. "I'll send word to Mother to prepare for our visit," Merlin replied shakily.

Arthur smirked. "No, let's surprise her."

Gawain dropped his sword. Clanking vibrated around the Council room causing Uther to scowl at the trio. Arthur bestowed his father with a brilliant smile. Arthur knew it grated Uther's nerves to knight Gawain. Uther had no choice but to accept Gawain' noble heritage. His father hated crow pie.

Goodness, my father is a sour bitter man. I wish I could talk about my mother's death and speak of Gwen to him. Something to bond over, my father could never understand my despair for Guinevere, a servant. Every day is endless day of darkness. I sign treaties; smiled at Nobles; help Camelot's neediest families, but I didn't save her. I never said I love you. He saw nothing, but a servant to die a horrible death in front of my eyes. I stood helplessly as her beautiful brown skin burnt.

Arthur felt Gawain and Merlin's eyes on him. I need to see her grave. I need to say so many words to her. All the things that I never said. All of the things that I never did.

"We ride in the morning to Ealdor."

Arthur watched horror dawn on Gawain and Merlin's faces. They were hiding something and Arthur was determined to reveal their secret.

Gwen arranged five red velvet hearts tinged with gold on a shabby wooden table. Hunith smiled as she stirred a bubbling vegetable soup.

"What are you going to do with the hearts, Gwen?"

Gwen smiled with love beaming in her eyes. "I'm going to give them to Arthur. As a symbol of forgiveness for my deception. I thought of him every day. I hope I don't run out of fabric."

"Pure love is forever."

"Well, I hurt him once. I still remember his face. So proud and distant. That moment, changed everything for me. I realized so much about Arthur. He's a good man."

Hunith smiled as she slid soup in front of Gwen. "Supper is ready."

Hunith broke a loaf of bread. "Merlin's father was named Balinor, a man of magic. Gauis sent him here to hide from Uther. He had magnetic eyes. We fell in love and Uther drove him from me. Our time was brief but powerful. He died protecting Merlin. My life is complete with his memory."

"I'm sorry, Hunith."

"Don't be. Everything happens for a reason."

"I hope so."

"I miss you blue eyes. I miss him spoiled ways. I miss his pouty lips. DO you know that he's worse than a child? I miss seeing him grown into a King of the ages." Fat tears dropped in Gwen's soup. "I can't do this much longer." Gwen pulled her close as Gwen cried endlessly.

A/N: Mary comes back to help her buddy Gwen. Arthur and the gang go to Ealdor.