Hey everyone, I actually got a new chapter uploaded in less than a month. Remarkable, I know. Well, here it is.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin... never have never will.
"Gwen!" Merlin almost shouts as he runs to his best friend. Guinevere is covered with bruises, and her arm is bandaged as if it is broken.
"Merlin!" She breaths as she hugs the friend that she hadn't seen since the day that she had left Camelot.
"Gwen what happened to you? Does Arthur know that you're here? Who did this to you?" The questions bubble out of Merlin so fast Gwen can hardly keep up. Gwen starts crying.
"Merlin, I- I..." She takes a deep breath to calm herself. "I was looking for work when Morgana found me. She tried to kill me. I escaped, but I wasn't sure where I was going to go, but some druids found me, offered me protection. I wasn't sure whether to trust them or not, but I really had no choice. They helped me to heal, but then they came here, to help fight against Morgana. At first I tried to leave, I tried to explain the situation, but they refused to just abandon me out in the middle of nowhere. Their leader, Iseldir, told Arthur that they would help as long as I was safe. I honestly don't understand what I did to deserve their kindness." She started to cry again.
"Gwen it's alright. The druids don't leave someone without help, you know that." Merlin smiles, happy to have his friend back.
"Umm..." Gwendolyn shifts awkwardly. "Should we leave you two... alone?"
"Oh! I'm sorry Gwendolyn! Gwendolyn, this is Guinevere, the first friend that I ever made in Camelot, and also my best friend. Guinevere, this is Gwendolyn."
"It's nice to meet you Gwendolyn, or do you go by Gwen? That could get confusing."
"It's Gwendolyn, and it's a pleasure to meet you." They all laugh, even if Merlin does go a little red. Gwen starts coughing, and Gaius makes her lie down.
"Guinevere, you should rest, you're still recovering." Gaius ushers everyone out of the room.
"Father, is there something you needed to speak to us about?"
"Yes, how are the knights and druids getting along?" The concern flows through his voice like water.
"There have been a few outbursts, but beyond that nothing of real concern. It's surprising actually. These knights have been taught to believe that all magic is evil, and to kill sorcerers, but they all seem to be getting along." Merlin tells Gwendolyn's father with a smile on his face.
"It's because of you Merlin. They all trust you, they know that if you say that not all magic is bad, it isn't. I doubt any other sorcerer would have been able to convince them." Gaius looks fondly at his ward. 'Who would have thought that the bumbling idiot who stumbled into my chambers all those years ago would end up changing the way knights, nobles, and commoners alike look at magic.'
(LINE BREAK)
"You know Merlin, you and Gwendolyn seem to be getting along quite nicely." Gwaine slaps Merlin on the back.
"I love her, I really do. It's not like how I loved Freya, where it was like a burning fire. She's like... a warm glow, that fills up the hole in my heart that Freya left. I didn't think that it was possible for me to love anyone else, yet here comes this wonderful woman, someone who is so full of light. She's so caring. I still love Freya, I think I always will, but at the same time, I love Gwendolyn." He sighs.
"Well she's a lucky woman mate. So tell me... Do I get to plan your bachelor party?"
"I don't know Gwaine, I'm afraid of what would happen if you planned my bachelor party." They both laugh as they walk.
"Merlin!"
(LINE BREAK)
Gwen looks at Gwendolyn, who had returned to Gaius' chambers. "So, you and Merlin huh?" Gwendolyn turns around.
"What do you mean by that Gwen?" She answers, blushing.
"I see how you two look at each other. I've known Merlin for a long time, I can tell you like each other." Gwen raises an eyebrow as Gwendolyn blushes.
"He's told me a lot about you. He says that you're like a sister to him." Gwen laughs.
"You could say that. I first met Merlin when he was in the stocks after trying to beat up Arthur. He told me that he was in disguise. Although I have to admit, I never would have believed that he was a sorcerer if he hadn't shown me himself." She thinks back to a few hours ago when she almost had a heart attack as Merlin held a flame in his hand. "So do you love him?"
"I love him, but I don't know if he loves me back." Gwendolyn bites her lip. "I mean, he's Emrys, the most powerful warlock to ever exist, why would he want to be with me?" She sighs. "I'm sorry, I only just met you today, and I'm suddenly telling you about my love life."
"No, that's alright, I'm the one who asked. And if I may say so, I don't think you have anything to worry about. First off, as I'm sure you know, Merlin doesn't care about titles. If I know Merlin as well as I believe I do, he's probably really uncomfortable about this whole Emrys deal. Second, from just the short amount of time I've spent with you I can tell that you are an amazing woman, and any man, including Merlin, would be lucky to have you. You're strong Gwendolyn. You don't just wait around for someone to come save you. You do what you think is right." Gwen smiles.
"Do you think so?"
"I know so."
"Thank you Gwen." Merlin bursts into the room with Percival.
"Guinevere!" Merlin stops to catch his breath.
"What is it!"
"This bracelet, do you recognize it?" Merlin holds up the bracelet that Percival had found in the dungeons when he was taking Agravaine to his execution.
"Yes, Lancelot gave it to me the day before..." She gets all choked up.
"Gwen, listen to me. That Lancelot was a shade, summoned by Morgana, that wasn't the real Lancelot."
"I found this bracelet in Agravaine's cell. The same cell that you were held in after you were arrested. It had some markings on it that seemed odd to me so I took it to Merlin."
"They're symbols of the Old Religion Gwen. You were under an enchantment the whole time. I knew that you wouldn't have done that to Arthur. I would have gone straight to Arthur but I had to make sure that you recognized the bracelet." Gwen just sits there stunned. "Percival, go get Arthur. Tell him it's urgent." Percival nods and runs out.
"I don't know Merlin, I haven't seen Arthur since he banished me. What if he doesn't believe you?"
"Gwen, believe me when I tell you that Arthur still loves you. He's missed you every day since you've been gone."
"He's right Guinevere. No one cares about you more than Arthur." Gaius reassures just as Arthur and Percival walk in.
"Guinevere." Arthur breaths.
"Arthur."
I bet you didn't see that coming! Or maybe you did. You should tell me *hint hint*. All shameless hinting aside, reviews have become few and far between as of late... It makes me sad. Please Review! I'll update again soon. Morgana will be attacking very soon, but how soon is something you'll have to find out for yourself... Mwah ha ha.