Gwen dropped a grape into Arthur's waiting mouth. Soft squishing sounds left his mouth. Her dark eyes lovingly drifted over Arthur's face. He watched her kneeling in front of him as she arranged his lunch. Her dark curls lay over her right shoulder. Diamonds sparkled around Gwen's dainty neck. Arthur turned his head as childish laughter danced around them . Merlin chased a chubby toddler following a bright butterfly. Sunrays touched his dark blonde curls as he raced away from Merlin. His green eyes met Arthur's as he smiled happily.

Arthur jumped in his cooling bath water. His damp hair clung to his skull. A painful throbbing hammered his head. His skin felt clammy.

"Do you want that dream, my boy?" A tear fell from his eyes at the sound of her voice.

Arthur's turned his head to see Igraine standing in his chamber. "My son, do you want your destiny? I know you love her, but you can't fight this alone. You must be strong in the face of adversity."

Arthur's blue eyes memorized Igraine's image. His mind burnt her face into his memory. Her blue eyes and blond hair so like his own. Her sweet voice urging him to be patient and cautious. "You must protect Camelot. Protect Camelot, your reign as king will protect her. Don't let them know. Be brave, my son."

Arthur shook his head. His eyes looked at Merlin bewilderment. "Did you see her?"

"Who?"

"My mother,"

Merlin shook his head. "I felt a tremor of magic. Then, you fell asleep."

"She said to be patient. I must protect Camelot."

"Yes, you must protect Camelot and be patient. Stop giving me chores. You're shriveled like a prune. Get dressed."

Gwen was surprised by its warmth. Her hands traced a rough surface. She didn't have a clue about Kilgharrah's gift. It was quite large, oval shaped ,and sky blue. Tenderly, he placed his treasure in Gwen's waiting arms. His hopeful eyes stared at her gently.

"Help me, my dear. Save the last of my kind."

"Kilgharrah, I thought you were the last dragon, "Gwen inquired.

"I am with this dragon egg. It holds my future."

Gwen knew about being alone in the world. She spent so many lonely days in her house after her father died at Uther's hands. She understood the Great Dragon's despair.

"What do I need to do?"

"Keep my egg warm until I return. Merlin summoned me to Camelot. I fear that I won't resist temptations to attack Uther. He deserves it, so greatly, my gentle friend."

"Uther carries the weight of a thousand sins on his soul. Do not eat him, burn him, or flay him. Dream of a new Camelot. One of peace. One of magic users," Gwen urged. Her fingers tapping Kilgharrah's egg.

"Now, don't tap the baby. Gentle fingers."

"Of course."

'I'll return shortly."

Gwen cradled her egg to her chest as she watched Kilgharrah soar into a dark night with twinkling stars. His shadow touched the moon as he glided out of her sight. Carefully, Gwen walked into her home. She laid her dragon egg on a nestling of blankets.

"Whatever am I going to do with you?"

Morgause 's skin crawled as she listened to pure venom spat from Morgana's lips. Her desire to kill Gwen was tedious. They had more important things than a maid. Uther Pendragon was still king of Camelot. They could not rest until Camelot was destroyed or under their rule. Morgana's hate blinded her desires. Or did her hate reveal her desires?

"sister," Morgause cooed. "Calm yourself, we must think of a plan to expose Gwen's existence to Uther."

"What can he do to Gwen? She's gone!"

"We need to find her!"

"How?"

Morgana shot Morgause an icy look of malice. "Find her, what do you do with all of your time? Cenred doesn't need you. I'm sure his desire fades like the night. I'm the one in Camelot. I have to deal with Uther and Arthur."

Morgana's harsh words tore at Morgause's heart. She smiled tenderly."Sister, I've tried to help you."

"Yes, a cranky mirror, a cheap bracelet, and your soothing words."

Morgause walked silently into a dark night. "I will find Guinevere."

Merlin sat on a decaying tree stump in front of Camelot's lake. He listened to soft melodies chirped by birds. Sweet fragrance assaulted his senses. He felt warmth from a blazing sun. He fingers touched rough wood ships.

"I think of you often. Every time that life is hard, I think of you. I couldn't let Gwen die. Arthur must never know the of enduring pain of losing Gwen forever. To lose your beloved. The misery of heart ache, Freya. How I long for your touch."

Tears filled Merlin's blue eyes. His eyes closed as images of her face danced in his mind. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

A/N: I give up! Arthur is now a crucial part of Gwen and Merlin. Rumor had it that Series 3 would a dragon egg. Not so much, so we have one in Merlin and Gwen. Yes, I robbed Dr. Suess for a title. Or it was going to be Gwen's baby daddy. Up next, Merlin ahs a chat. Morgana has a meltdown, and Gwen becomes a mother.