"How do you know he's sleeping?"

Merlin wriggled his arms in disbelief. "Can you hear him? It sounds like a dying boar. I keep watching my back. I'm afraid that something is to eat me." Gawain's laughter mingled with Arthur's deep snoring.

A dying orange fire crackling in a dark night. Gawain slapped his neck as early spring bugs nibbled on his neck. Merlin sat quietly with his eyes closed. His lips mumbling a few strange words. Gawain chewed a small piece of chicken.

How did I get myself in this mess? Evil half sister princess. A servant that's really a wizard living in a kingdom that forbids magic. Did Merlin think about that before he moved to Camelot? A sweet servant girl almost murdered by an evil princess. Almost king lost without his servant girl love. Gawain smiled; family that's why he's here. A sense of belonging.

Gawain looked around as leaves started bustling across their makeshift camp. A heavy wind lifted his dark hair. Merlin hopped and smiled. "Don't wait up. I need to get Gwen."

"I don't want to know."

"It's better that way."

Merlin stood shamefaced before the Great Dragon. Kilgharrah shook his scaly head. "I warned you about the green eyed witch. How many times did I say she needed to die. How many times did I say you can't save those that don't want to be saved. I'm not going to say I told you so."

"You already did," Merlin griped. "I learned my lesson. I thought she could change like you."

Kilgharrah shot Merlin a disgusted look. "One day in this world or the next, I'm going to broil Uther Pendragon for dinner. However, that is not here or now. Why did you summon me?"

Merlin wondered if the old dragon would kill Uther slowly or use a burst of flame.

"Merlin, pay attention. Why do I ask questions of you? I know why I am here. Arthur's love for the girl won't fade. He still feels her."

Merlin stood in disbelief. He needed parameters with Kilgharrah. He couldn't just read his mind at will. The old dragon cleaned his claws as Merlin stomped his feet and muttered to himself about losing control. How his life was stressful. He needed a break.

"Go to the lake, Merlin. It will relieve your stress."

"What?"

"Go the lake near Camelot. It will relieve your pain."

"Get out of my head."

"Well, get on my back. It's a long ride. I don't have time for your hysterics. Next time, when I say kill the witch. Kill the witch."

Kilgharrah decided to ignore Merlin's feet walking hard along his back. He decided to ignore Merlin griping his flesh too tight. He couldn't ignore Merlin's soft face against his neck or his tears dripping down his tail.

"Don't worry, Merlin. Everything happens for a reason. She's safe. I won't allow any harm to come to Guinevere. But, I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"Not now. Rest."

Merlin snuggled on Kilgharrah's large back as his heavy eyes dropped.

Gwen hugged Hunith goodbye as Merlin fidgeted outside her snug home. His blue eyes darting around.

"Say goodbye to Mary, Hunith."

Gwen smoothed Gwen's curls from her eyes. "Mary who?"

Gwen giggled. "She's rather sweet, but a little odd. She lives with the Hoods."

Hunith shook her brown head. "No, we don't have a Mary Hood in Ealdor."

Gwen rubbed Hunith's worn hands. "Yes, she has blonde hair and deep blue eyes. She's about eight. I made her a cloak from Arthur's cloak. She's been here."

Gwen realized Mary never came to visit when Hunith was home. Her brows knitted together. Of course, Mary said the Hoods were her aunt and uncle. She was on a visit.

"Never mind, Hunith.

Hunith hugged Gwen tightly . Merlin carried Gwen's bag as he pulled her toward Kilgharrah.

Gwen's little feet dug into the cold ground when she spotted the Great Dragon rolling in soft grass. She clutched Merlin's hand and pulled his arm roughly.

"Merlin,' she whispered urgently. The dragon is here."

"I know . Don't b afraid."

Kilgharrah kicked grass in frustration. "Do I need to write you a note, Merlin? You didn't tell her about me."

Merlin dropped Gwen's hand and poked his finger into his boney chest. "You are the dragon and I'm the dragonlord. I control you."

Kilgharrah rolled his eyes. "We wouldn't be here, if I ran things around Albion." Kilgharrah softly laid his head on Ealdor's cool grass.

"Guinevere, forgive my previous actions. Rage filled my mind and body for twenty long years. I regret my actions in Camelot. I should have just eaten Uther."

Gwen giggled when Kilgharrah blinked his eyes in her direction. His sharp teeth peeking through a small, yet scary smile. Impulsively, Gwen ran to the old beast and rubbed his scaly stomach. His eyes closed in pleasure.

"Right there, Guinevere."

Merlin's mouth dropped. "Should I leave? It will never work. She's in love with a human, Arthur."

Gwen's dark head spun at the mention of Arthur. "How is he?" Even Kilgharrah's heart broke a bit from the desperation found in Gwen's voice.

"He's fine. I have to get you away."

Kilgharrah shook his head at Merlin. "Kill the witch."

"This is a bad idea, Merlin. As usual, you won't listen. She's going to need more than that crystal to save her."

Gwen, Merlin, and the Great Dragon started at the small cottage in deep in the words. A large oak draped the cottage's roof. Gwen spotted a few buds emerging from soil. Merlin pushed her towards the door.

"Yes, send the girl to check it out, Merlin."

Merlin waved a ginger at Kilgharrah. "Not another word."

"That's how I feel when I listen to you."

Merlin watched Gwen entering the dark cottage. Wooden floor boards creaked as Merlin quickly moved her. Candles lit when Merlin uttered a few magical words. Merlin dropped Gwen's bag on a dusty table. Her hands brushed cobwebs from a set of dirty windows.

"It's lovely, Merlin."

Merlin sighed. "Just for a little while.

"He won't forgive us for lying to me. He's feeling so much pain , Merlin. It's tearing my heart apart."

Merlin hugged Gwen tightly. "I need a plan. I don't have plan. I'm just making up as I go along, Gwen. "

Gwen patted Merlin's chest. "This is a mess."

"Our lives or the house."

"Both."

Arthur watched Gwen gathering wildflowers. He sat on a rock besides Camelot's great lake. Sunrays shone around them. Merlin chased a pretty girl with dark hair and eyes in a meadow of grass. Arthur felt her eyes on him; slowly, his head rose to see her face. Long strands of curly locks hung loosely around her shoulders. Her small body draped in a deep blue silk dress. A gold band circling Gwen's ring finger on her left hand.

"I love you, Arthur Pendragon." Gwen strolled towards him. Heavy silk crinkling as she moved like a nymph towards her husband. Her small hand holding an array of wildflowers.

"Close your eyes."

Obediently, Arthur shut his eyes. His lips curved into a deep smile when he felt soft petals gliding across his face. Her warm breath caressed his cheek when Gwen pressed a soft kiss on his lips. Impatiently, Arthur hands grabbed her shoulders.

Arthur sat up quickly. Sweat pouring from his body. He wiped damp hair from his brow. He listened to Gawain, Merlin, and Hunith's even breathing. Every night, it was the same dream. He was married to Gwen. Everything was perfect. Every night haunted by her memory.

Arthur pushed his large body from the floor. He shoved his feet into his boots. Grabbing his cloak, he left Hunith's home. Perhaps, a walk would clear his mind. Ealdor was deathly silent in the middle of night. Four days in a simple village in Cenred's kingdom and his questions didn't have answers. Merlin did not take him to Gwen's grave. Every day, Arthur asked Merlin to go see her final resting spot. He wanted to leave a combination of wildflowers and red rose. Carefully, Arthur guard Gwen's flowers in his saddlebag. They were beginning to wilt. He couldn't spend another wondering about her. He needed to speak with her one last time.

Arthur's hand move to his sword. His blue eyes spotted a flash of red moving through the village. Arthur removed his sword as his eyes scanned a small road leading to the woods.

"Boo."

Arthur jumped. His swords cutting cool night air. Arthur arched an eyebrow at a small blonde girl wearing a red cloak. She gave him a crooked teeth grin.

"Arthur Pendragon, what took so long?"

"Who are you?"

"Just Mary Hood."

"You know me."

Very well."

Mary waved her small hands in front of her body. "Everything is not what it seems. Your heart will have its desire. Be patient."

"What? You know nothing about my heart."

Mary looked at Arthur with sad watery eyes. "I know your heart is broken. Fear not, it will mend shortly."

Gawain and Merlin watched Arthur murmuring in his sleep.

"He dreams of Gwen," Gawain remarked. "How is she?"

"Nervous, lonely, and impatient."

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know."

Tears streamed from Gwen's face. Her hands clenched in front of her body. "Please, Merlin."

"Gwen, I can't come back today."

"I need my fabric."

"Tomorrow."

"No," Gwen cried. A sound that tore at Merlin's heart.

"I make a heart everyday for Arthur. As a way to say I'm sorry for this deception. I'm out of fabric. I have asked nothing of you. I have hurt the one that I love. I have done everything that you have asked. I need my fabric."

Gwen sank to her knees in front of Merlin. He blinked tears away as he gathered his friend into his arms. Effortless, he carried Gwen into her small hut hidden deep in Ealdor's woods."I'll get them, "Merlin murmured into Gwen's hair. "Just rest."

Arthur watched Merlin from a dusty window stuffing red things into his pockets. Merlin eyes shifted around as he departed deep into Ealdor's woods. Arthur listened to his instincts as he followed Merlin. He spotted a perfectly shaped heart lying on a dirt road. Arthur stomped and retrieved from the ground. Arthur's finger felt the familiar fabric.

"This is my cloak. That little girl wore a red cloak in my dream. What is going on? Merlin knows. This ends today."

Merlin skirted along in the forest dropping velvet hearts. Arthur retrieved each heart stuffing them into his pockets. He listened to Merlin muttering to himself. Arthur bit his lips to keep from screaming when a huge black spider dangled in his face. Arthur slapped away the black annoyance with his sword.

He groaned when he noticed Merlin had slipped from his sight.

"Which way?"

Arthur had two choices. A dark path shrouded with trees or a sunny path decorated with flowers. Arthur chose the dark path. He sighed when he spotted a red hearts. Arthur was deeply confused by the hearts. He walked for awhile until his feet began to ache. His blue eyes tired from hike such a long distance. His throat dry with thirst.

He heard a melody. A soft humming sound.

"I hearing things, "Arthur muttered. He climbed a rocky path of land. He tumbled slightly as he emerged from the trees. His sword fell from his hand.

He spotted Gwen. Her long brown hair spilling to the middle of her small back. Her body clad in a simple yellow dress. She held a bucket of water in her hand. It sloshed as she walked back to a tiny cottage.

"Am I dead?"

Gwen placed a heavy bucket on her small table. Idly, she rubbed her aching shoulder. I should have waited on Merlin to gather water. She smiled when she heard her small door open and bang shut.

'Merlin, did you bring my hearts," Gwen asked with her back to him. She smiled as her hearts fell over her shoulders. "Thank you so much, I'm going to give them to Arthur when I can return to Camelot. One heart a day for everyday that we are parted." Gwen brushed away a tear. "This is a stupid plan, Merlin. We should have told him the truth. Morgana is a witch. No, Morgana is an evil witch. She tried to kill me. Magic was used to heal me. I'm not dead. He won't ever forgive us."

Gwen felt a hand parting her hair as soon as a finger caressed her neck. Gwen realized that Merlin wasn't in her home.

"Do you hate me?"

"No," Arthur whispered against her neck.

"Are you mad?"

"No."

Gwen turned her head slightly to kiss Arthur's lips. His lips capture her in passionate kiss.

A/N: I felt guilty. They have suffered enough. Still, this is a merwen buddy tale. Arthur hijacked my story again. I hope this make sense. My dog ate a container of Chinese and we're up because he has a bellyache.