"How did this happen?" Gwen said horror in her voice and on her face as she picked Arthur up off the floor with more care than she had beforehand.
Merlin was surprised that Gwen had accepted the fact so easily, but then maybe she had had some suspicions about the frog and Merlin coming back without Arthur all along and this was the missing piece that made everything clear.
"Arthur, speak to me. Can you ever forgive me?" she begged.
"Well, actually," Merlin said rather sheepishly, "He doesn't talk. I sort of orchestrated everything to make it look like he did. You see I read somewhere that if you kissed him without knowing you were breaking a spell, it might change him back. I figured you weren't likely to kiss a normal frog, so I tried to put you in situations where you would. You finally did and a lot of good it did as you can see."
She nodded slowly, "That's why he acted more frog-like when you weren't around. I suppose you were at the well too. You do a great job of throwing your voice, but you are a terrible ventriloquist. I never saw you looking at him when he spoke, but how did you get him to do all those things like getting my ring?"
"I trained him," Merlin answered quickly. "I have a knack with animals and well I suppose since he was a special frog, he was easier to train."
"Yes, I suppose so. Well, what are we going to do, Merlin? We can't leave him like this," she said, as she stroked Arthur's back with her pointer finger. For once Arthur seemed content to stay without the need of a spell.
"There's only one thing left to do. I have to go back to that swamp and track the witch down. I'll leave at first light and I promise you I won't return until Arthur's in his proper form."
Merlin took Arthur from her. "I had better lock him up, so he doesn't go missing again and you should try and get some sleep."
"I don't think I will at a time like this, but I'll give it a try."
ssss
Merlin checked that Arthur's cage was secure one last time and that Arthur wouldn't be jostled during the riding too much. He was tied tightly to the back of Merlin's saddle. He'd received a number of looks from the guards and various people in the castle who saw him with the frog and cage, but no one had ventured to ask him why. They must have thought he was on an errand for Gaius.
He was just about to mount and ride through the gate when Gwen came riding out on her horse dressed for travel.
"Where are you going?" Merlin said as if he really had to ask.
"I'm coming with you, of course," she said, calmly adjusting her grip on the reins.
"You can't come, Gwen," Merlin insisted in a whisper. "This kingdom needs you in Arthur's absence and don't you think everyone will become suspicious with you gone too?"
"I've thought of that already. I've left the knights to make any necessary stately decisions and I've told them that I had to see a dying aunt. They insisted on sending some protection with me, but I told them it wasn't far and that you were going to be my escort."
Merlin raised his eyebrows. "And they were okay with that?"
"Don't discredit yourself. You've proved yourself capable as Arthur's companion."
"I don't know. It could still be dangerous. We're up against a witch after all not just a couple of brutes. I think you ought to stay here."
She shook her head firmly. "As your queen, I am not asking your permission. I am telling you. Now if you don't mind I would like to ride with my husband."
Merlin didn't like this one bit. What could he do though? She was the queen and he was a servant after all. Maybe it would be good to have someone to look after Arthur why he confronted the witch anyway. He could just sneak off and leave Gwen frog-sitting. He passed the frog king to Gwen's care.
Merlin shook his head half in exasperation and half in amusement as he mounted his own horse. It was no wonder Arthur and Gwen made such a great couple. They were two of the most stubborn, pigheaded people he had ever met.