A/N: Three and a half years later, I started watching Merlin again. And so here we are. Again. Now with 2 beautiful babes in tow and a love for a show that never quite died.

This is a one shot that takes place between the Poisoned Chalice and Lancelot's arrival. Centered around Gwen's feelings for Merlin and Merlin's complete obliviousness. Once again, I do not ship the pair. But we all know Gwen was mad feeling it those first few episodes.

R&R to encourage me to keep writing.

Dinner Date

Gwen attended to her duties with a dance in her step the next day. She hummed as she changed her lady's linens. Her eyes beamed with delight. No task seemed too tedious in the moment. It was a good day indeed.

"Guinevere," Morgana greeted as she entered her chambers.

"My lady," Gwen said with a smile. "It is a lovely day, isn't it?" Morgana paused before sitting at her vanity. She eyed her maid with a smirk.

"Oh? And what's brought on this?" Morgana asked slyly. "I trust Merlin is-"
"He's alive!" Gwen burst out excited. "Arthur got the flower in time. He's," she paused to breathe and shake her head in joyful disbelief, "he's going to be just fine."

"That's wonderful, truly," Morgana said. "Gaius must be so relieved."

"Yes, Gaius," Gwen replied absently. She turned her back to Morgana to dust out the curtains, her mind drifting back to the evening prior. She could still feel the heat of her lips on Merlin's. It was an awkward and clumsy kiss, but it was one that would stay with her.

"Gwen?" Morgana asked.

"Yes my lady?"

"Why don't you take the day off?" Gwen's expression changed instantly. Morgana could see her searching for something she'd done wrong, so she quickly added, "You must be exhausted, caring for Merlin and attending to me for days."

"Oh, I'm quite alright. Thank you."

"I insist." Morgana stood and gently squeezed Gwen's shoulder. "Besides, I'm sure Merlin could use a nice supper, if you know what I mean."

"My lady?" Gwen blushed deeply.

"Oh come off it Gwen. I've seen the way you look at him."

"I've no idea what you're talking about." Gwen said, though a smile clung to her lips all the same. She was thoughtful a moment then pulled her head up high. "Although I do make a mean roast. Not like angry, or anything. Obviously. But it is really quite good."

"Gwen," Morgana stopped her maid before she rambled any further. "I'm sure he'll love it. Now, go on." Gwen beamed and gave Morgana a little hug before hurrying from her lady's chambers.

"Gaius!" Gwen called as she passed the old physician on the from to his chambers.

"Oh Guinevere," Gaius replied with a little huff.

"How is he?" Gaius' brow furrowed deeply and for a moment Gwen's heart dropped to her toes. Her hands went to her mouth. "Oh no. No, he's not," she whispered.

"No, no. Though not without trying," Gaius said darkly, frustration in his voice. "Can't keep the boy in bed. Guinevere, I hate to ask, but perhaps you could talk some sense into him. I must attend to my rounds, and I fear he will bring harm to himself in his restless state."

"Of course, I'll look after him," Gwen assured. Gaius gave her a warm smile and parted ways.

Guinevere hesitated for a moment outside Gaius' chambers. She could hear rustling on the other side of the door: a chair being moved, footsteps back and forth, tapping on a table – Merlin. Pacing like a madman by the sounds of it. Her hand lingered at the latch, her mind racing back to the night before. She'd kissed him. Gwen had kissed Merlin in her elation. Her stomach churned. But what had Merlin said to her apology?

It's fine. It's more than fine. Gwen's heart fluttered. She pushed open the door only to be greeted by a rush of commotion. Merlin flung himself into the patient's cot so quickly that Gwen barely caught sight his raven hair before it disappeared beneath a thin blanket.

"Um, Merlin?" The young man peeked his head out from above the blanket, his eyes still gaunt with purple circles, but otherwise bright and cheerful.

"Gwen!" he shouted joyfully, sitting up.

"What were you doing?"

"Sleeping," Merlin replied simply.

"Sounded like someone was pacing."

"Probably just a rat." Gwen looked pointedly down at the boot that Merlin wore on just his left foot. The right one lay knocked over on the floor nearby. "That foot was cold. Did Gaius send you?"

"He gave the impression that you're being a difficult patient." Merlin smacked his lips and scoffed.

"I'm not even ill! Honestly Gwen, look at me. Perfectly healthy." Merlin stood too quickly and swayed on the spot, one hand thrown out to his side for balance, the other reaching for his forehead. "Okay, that was bad timing." His lank frame appeared even smaller than usual, and while the brightness had returned to his eyes, his cheeks still held a noticeable pallor. "Please don't make me lie down."

"Right, well. Can't exactly have you fainting on us," Gwen joked. Merlin scoffed again, his expression sour. He crossed his arms and plopped back down on the cot. "So I was thinking," Gwen continued cautiously, "well maybe if you're up for it. I was thinking about, about supper. About making supper... With me?"

"Supper?" Merlin raised his eyebrows in confusion. "It's midday."

"Right, yes I know," Gwen laughed a little, her hands reaching for her hair. "But I had this idea for a special roast and -"

"Say no more," Merlin interrupted. "Just let me grab my shoe and we'll be on our way then."

Merlin's energy faded quickly with each step the pair made towards Gwen's home. He almost found himself regretting his eagerness to leave his chambers, and he could tell by the nervous tension and lip-biting of his counterpart that she shared his sentiments.

"I'm really quite alright, you know?" Merlin said, but the wheeze in his words begged to differ. His lungs burned from the exertion. He needed a rest. "Ah, but this architecture. Isn't it just... magnificent? I would really fancy a few minutes look at this, beautiful," he paused, walking with his hand half raised towards nothing, looking around the lower square for anything even remotely remarkable.

"Door!" Gwen shouted, pulling Merlin by the elbow before he walked headlong into the butcher's open door.

"Ah yes, this door," Merlin sighed breathlessly, his hands sliding to his knees. "This door is really something Gwen."

"Well fortunately for you, I need to go through this door for just a moment." She disappeared into the butcher's parlor while Merlin waved a hand. He closed his eyes and tried to draw a deep breath. It was uncomfortable. The poison may have left his system, but it had taken a lot of him with it.

"Merlin?" Merlin's eyes popped wide open. Uh oh. He quickly pulled his jacket over his head and tried to duck behind a couple of barrels. It was not at all a graceful maneuver. "Merlin? Merlin. I can see you." Merlin stood straight up, brushed himself off, and with much gusto decreed,

"Got it!" Merlin feigned a look of shock when his eyes met none other than the prince. "Oh Arthur, hello."

"Merlin what on Earth are you doing out of bed?"

"What are you doing out of bed?"

"I.. What?" The prince scrunched up his nose in disgust.

"Just as I thought," Merlin said, scooting carefully around his master. "If that'll be all then."

"Now wait just a minute." Arthur grabbed Merlin by his neckerchief before he could slip away. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Away," Merlin pouted.

"Back. To. Bed." Arthur paused between each word, his humor gone. He began dragging his helpless manservant by the arm when Gwen stepped out of the butcher's store.

"Gwen!" Merlin shouted.

"Gwen?" Arthur turned to see the young maid with a carefully wrapped package in her hands. Her expression worried.

"Tell him I don't need rest," Merlin demanded.

"Your Highness," Guinevere gave a little bow of her head. "If it's quite alright, Gaius turned Merlin over to my care. I will see that he gets his rest." Merlin looked a little wounded by the words, but Arthur lessened his grip. He looked Merlin up and down then back at Gwen.

"We're gonna make a special roast," Merlin said cheerful, trying to edge away from his overbearing counterpart. Arthur tightened his hold, his brow knit together. Merlin saw a small band of knights walking in their direction, and Arthur hastily moved to hide himself as much as he could behind Merlin's thin frame. "Arthur?"

"I think I ought to join you two," Arthur said with an air of authority. "A roast sounds splendid." Gwen's heart sank.

"Yes, of course sire. You are most welcome." She smiled, but it was gone the second she turned her back to the pair. Arthur still held his grip on Merlin's arm, as though his manservant might slip away from him if he let go. Merlin was secretly grateful. He sagged painfully as they walked, his energy all but gone.

They reached Gwen's home only a short distance away. It was a small dwelling. Cozy to Merlin, but underwhelming to the prince who released his manservant at the large wooden table. Gwen looked apologetic as she busied herself gathering supplies.

"Right, well I suppose I'll get things started." She looked hopefully at Merlin who rested his head weakly on the table. Her smile faltered a little and she excused herself to small kitchen. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed by a ghostly hand and she could feel the ache of emotion at her throat. It had been a silly thought, that she might steal away a night with Merlin. She was foolish and certainly selfish, given Merlin's current state. She shook her head a little, hand on her hip, and nodded, throwing herself into dicing herbs and prepping the supper.

A comfortable silence fell over the pair waiting in the other room. Merlin tried to pull himself up from the table, but found his body strongly disagreed with the move. Arthur noticed the effort as he pulled the curtains, but said nothing. Merlin gave the prince a quizzical look.

"Gaius said you were locked up," he said softly.

"My father didn't take too kindly to me aiding a servant."

"How'd you get out?"

"Get out?"

"Of the dungeon." Merlin's eyelids drooped a little.

"I'm to be king, Merlin. Men of my stature don't spend the night in a cell."

"Mmm," Merlin mumbled. "And what is a man of your stature doing in this part of town then?" Arthur eyed Merlin, the truth weighing on him. He had meant to check on his fool of a manservant after tipping the guards, but Merlin had been no where to be found. So Arthur was pacing the lower village in search of him, concerned he may have wandered off in a disoriented state.

"Eating roast, it would appear," Arthur huffed.

"Oh no," Merlin's eyebrows nit together.

"What is it?" the prince asked.

"Gwen, I was supposed to help her." The servant closed his eyes in exasperation. They stayed shut, his expression relaxing as his muscles sagged deeper into the table. Within minutes his gentle snores filled the dwelling.

"Merlin, I was wondering if you..." Gwen trailed off as she rounded the corner to see the sleeping warlock.

"Is there a bed I could move him to?" Arthur asked.

"Over here." Arthur hoisted Merlin over his shoulder for the second time this week and gently carried his servant to Gwen's bed. He brushed away a stray lock of hair as Gwen tucked a sheet around her friend.

"Thank you Guinevere," Arthur said softly.

"For what sire?"

"Watching over him. I owe him my life." They stared as Merlin slept soundly beneath them. Then Arthur clapped his hands. "And the least I could do is help make supper. What do you need?"

"You can't be serious," Gwen laughed. Arthur's expression dropped and she quickly back stepped. "I mean, of course my lord. I didn't mean to offend. It's just, it's servants work."

"If this idiot can do it, so can I." Arthur said, pointing at the still figure in the room. Gwen gave him a look that said if you say so and set the prince to work stirring the broth, making it out to be a much more serious task than it actually was. Gaius stopped by to check in on his ward as the day drew to a close. He was pleased to see Merlin resting and joined Gwen and Arthur for their meal. Guinevere opened a dusty old bottle of mead and poured three goblets.

"To you and Gaius," Arthur said raising his goblet.

"And to you," Gwen raised hers to meet the prince's.

"And to Merlin," Gaius whispered. The warlock gave a deep snore and rolled onto his side.

"To Merlin," Gwen and Arthur agreed, tapping their goblets together.