Merlin stepped back from Arthur and Gwen, actually he was a bit terrified for Arthur; never had he seen such fire in Gwen's brown eyes. Her hands resting on her hips. Her lips curled in anger. Her chest heaving as she attempted to control her emotions. Curly strands of hair hung around her shoulders. Her emerald green gown made her look like a goddess of the old religion. Arthur had better hoped that Gwen didn't discover any magical powers.

Arthur stood with his arms folded; his jaw set in anger. Merlin couldn't figure out why Arthur was infuriated. He charged into Gwen's house and starting yelling about Bob. Why in the world did she name the baby dragon, Bob? Arthur dismounted from Kilgharrah and ran frantically towards Gwen's house. He didn't knock; he just flung opened the door and raced inside. Bob didn't react well to Arthur's unexpected presence. Gwen's child rose in the air and sent a blast of fire directly at Arthur. The pair started a fight until Gwen rushed into her small house; knocking Arthur against a wall; and gathering Bob into her arms. Merlin watched silently as Gwen whispered words of love to Bob. Her small hands running lovingly over his bumpy body. Arthur sat in disbelief as Gwen cuddled Bob ad tucked him into his basket. Her eyes shooting fire at Arthur as she watched the baby dragon drift to sleep.

Of course, Arthur took a prattish stance to Gwen's defense of Bob. Immediately, he rose and demanded where she found a baby dragon. Tensely, Gwen explained Kilgharrah entrusted Bob to her care. Baby Bob thought Gwen was his mother. Arthur scoffed and ordered Gwen to give Bob to Kilgharrah. Gwen's brown eyes widened in shock. Goodness, she spent her entire life living around Arthur, how could she forget his cocky arrogant side? Arthur never was a prat to Gwen; he saved it for Merlin. As any mother would, Gwen said "No." She told Arthur to leave her home.

"Leave your home," Arthur shouted in anger. Birds deserted trees from his harsh tone. "I rush here to save you… and, I found you in the arms of a dragon."

"What? I wasn't in the house."

Arthur flung his sword to a plain of grass. "I risked everything to come here. I departed Camelot without informing my father. I was terrified for your safety. You pushed me and defended a dragon. After, what they did to Camelot."

Gwen waved her hands in frustration. "Bob did not ATTACK Camelot," Gwen yelled as she curled her hands. "He's baby. He needs me."

"I need you."

"You want me."

"What's the difference. You could live without me."

'What?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Just like you would have gone off with Lancelot, if he hadn't left you in the woods."

Arthur's lips formed a thin line. Gwen lowered her eyes in shame. "You are never going to forgive me. Yet, I did nothing wrong. You said it could never be. Your father wouldn't understand. You didn't say three words to me for weeks. I'm sorry that I had an affection for Lancelot."

"Your affection cut me to the bone. Yet, again, I rush to see you. You choose a dragon over me. After the damage that dragons have caused to Camelot."

"It's not about the dragon. It's about Lancelot," Gwen cried. "What about Vivian? Or Elena? How about Morgana?"

Arthur removed his gloves and tossed them at Merlin. He ducked as leather flew through the air. "I was enchanted with Vivian. Elena was my duty and I didn't marry her because I love you. Morgana is my sister."

Gwen arched an eyebrow, "Really, your eyes tracked her moments at one time."

"I grew out of it. What's your excuse, Guinevere? I can honestly say that I have loved only one woman, you. Can you say the same?"

Gwen turned her head from Arthur's harsh blue gaze. "Thought not."

"Arthur Pendragon, I thought I was going to die. I was tired of being lonely. I was tired of being by myself. I had nothing ;my father was gone. Elyan was somewhere. I was alone. Lancelot offered me comfort."

"How much comfort, Guinevere?"

Merlin's mouth dropped when Gwen's hand connected with Arthur's face. A clapping noise stood between them. His left cheek flushed red. Gwen's hand shook. "I'm chaste. The moment that I saw you...I knew that I made a mistake. Your face was so hurt. Yet, you said nothing. Morgana made you come. I thought you didn't care. I can't keep paying for a crime. Did I not forgive you for my father's death?"

Arthur lowered his eyes. "I was different."

"So was I."

"It hurt."

"I know. I'm lonely, Arthur. I trapped in the woods. Bob is my only friend except for Mary. I felt an impulse to protect him. Something came over me."

'And, you slapped because?"

"That was not a question for polite company."

"You weren't very polite to me.' Arthur smiled. "I was worried about you. I know you don't love Lancelot."

Gwen reach out and touched Arthur's red cheek. "I'm sorry for hitting you."

"It didn't hurt." Arthur pulled Gwen into his arms and wrapped her in his embrace. "I love you so much. He tangled his hands into her dark hair. "If you run off with Lancelot, I'm going to burn you at a stake," Arthur whispered softly.

"What?"

"Nothing, darling."

Merlin frowned. Arthur would let Gwen go, wouldn't he? He wouldn't burn her at a stake. Then, again, Uther had a supply of stakes.

He watched Arthur brush his lips across Gwen's He looked deeply into her eyes as his mouth moved passionately on Gwen's. Arthur broke the kiss and pulled Gwen towards her house. Finally, Merlin exhaled.

"Don't worry, young warlock. Her love is faithful. Lancelot is not a threat."

Merlin rubbed his large hands on the back of his head. "They are strange."

"It's called passion."

"Oh."

Merlin walked behind Gwen and Arthur. He didn't see Morgause watching in a thick dense bunch of trees. Her keen ears overheard Lancelot and warlock. At that instant, she realize Merlin was a warlock. He's protecting Arthur Pendragon. Arthur was threatened by a man named Lancelot. Her mouth curled as mischievous thoughts formed in her head.

Water sloshed around Merlin's boots as he carried a pail of water from the river. Gwen said nothing as she walked with him. A worried exprsseion hid her thoughts as she carried a bowl of fish. Merlin exhaled. "He loves you."

"I know."

"You love him."

"I do."

"Everything will be fine."

Gwen offered a tight smile. Neither one of them acknowledging that Arthur would never be fine with Lancelot. Gwen felt safe walking in the woods with Merlin. Sometimes, she longed for simple days of chatting with Morgana. Before, everything became so difficult.

Arthur scrunched his nose at the baby Dragon. What kind of name is Bob? Tiny claws waved in the air as gurgling and cooing moved around him. Arthur deicide to ignore the racket. He could wait for Gwen to arrive home. He wasn't taking of a dragon. Arthur jumped when he felt something wet on his neck. He turned slowly to stare deeply in Bob's eyes.

"Don't do that," he commanded.

Bob's little face dropped as he flew under the table. Arthur regretted his impulsive reaction. He dropped to his knees. Bob wrapped his wings around his body and stared at Arthur with puppy dog eyes.

"I'm… I'm … I'm sorry." Arthur beckoned for Bob to come to him. Did he shake his head in refusal? Arthur stood up. He looked around for a toy or human flesh, something to attract Gwen's rodent. He spotted a bottle in the kitchen. He quickly grabbed the bottle and crouched back to see Bob.

"Are you thirsty?"

Bob's eyes widened with surprise. An extra bottle from the mean human male. Mother only gave him 3 bottles. Slowly, he crawled to Arthur until his claws touch Arthur's hard thigh.

"I have to pick you up."

Arthur scooped Bob into his arms and walked to Gwen's worn rocker. He stuck the nipple into Bob's mouth. The bottle drooped. "I have to hold it. You can't hold. Goodness, you're lazy. I really love Guinevere."

Arthur didn't hear Guinevere and Merlin returning from their errands. He was too busy chatting with Bob as the little dragon wriggled in his lap. He noticed a happy light appear in Bob's eyes as Gwen walked into the house. The little dragon's eyes tracked Gwen's movements. "Mother," Bob cooed. Arthur smiled at Bob. "Yes, she is lovely."

Gwen smiled at Arthur. "So, you're friends?"

"No, he wouldn't stop whining."

"Oh."

Arthur hated to admit Gwen's baby was cute in a fire breathing animal sort of way. Gwen doted on the small creature. He watched her rock Bob to sleep; stuff something mashed into his mouth, and play with him. Merlin looked envious at Bob and Gwen. He summoned d Bob to him and he refused to leave Gwen's arms.

"Guinevere?"

Gwen's head lifted to meet Arthur's steady gaze.

"Yes?"

"Bob isn't a dragon's name."

"He looks like a Bob."

"Bob is a human name."

"It's short simple, and cute."

"Is it short for something?""

"No, his name is Bob," Gwen spat back."

'Why?"

"Do you have any idea , how long it took me to learn how to spell Guinevere. I like short names. My babies will have short names like Sue and Mary."

Arthur sat up in his chair. "No, the King names his children. I won't have a Princess Sue."

"You're going to be the father of my children?"

"Without a doubt." Arthur turned to look at Merlin. "Can you eat anymore?'

"I'm hungry. I miss Gwen's soup, "Merlin whined.

Arthur watched Gwen sleeping in her bed. Bob was snuggly tucked at the foot of her bed. Arthur brushed his lips along her forehead.

'Arthur," Merlin began. "Lancelot isn't a threat."

"Shut up, Merlin."

"No, don't drive a wedge between you."

Arthur shoot Merlin a sad look. "I'm heir to a great kingdom. I have everything. Yet, I don't truly have her. It kills me. I fear losing her to Lancelot. He can give her everything right now. I make her wait."

"she wants to wait."

An orange morning sun woke Merlin. He sat up; rubbing his sleep drenched eyes; he swung his legs over the side of Gwen's spare bed. He stumbled around Gwen's kitchen. He rubbed his neck. He laughed when he spotted Bob asleep on Arthur's chest. How did Arthur sleep like that? Arthur had an arm curled around Gwen and Bob sleeping on his chest.

"I'm the dragon lord. I can't control any dragons. Kilgharrah never listens to me."

"Because, you're foolish. How many times did I say to kill the witch," Kilgharrah bellowed from outside. "Now, my offspring is named Bob and thinks his mother is a human."

"Where did he come from?"

"None of your affair, Merlin."

A/N" In the legend, Arthur planned to burn Guinevere at the stake over the Lancelot issue. We won't have that problem on Merlin or in any of my stories. Up next, Morgause and Morgana talk, Morgause finds Lancelot, and Morgana exposes Merlin.