A/N I know its been ages. I am truly sorry! Third year of university is hard work. However here it is, the next chapter. I hope you like it. It's probably not worth the wait but I wanted to put something up so you knew I was still alive and that I will finish this story eventually. I hope you enjoy it.

Gwen half ran/half skipped back to the castle, her face brimming with happiness. She slowed down as she approached the castle walls, forcing herself to be composed and walk normally. Wouldn't want to do anything to attract any more unwanted attention, she thought to herself. Gwen couldn't believe how well the conversation had gone with Arthur. He doesn't hate me! A smile started to spread across her face again as she thought back to those wonderful hours. He finally knew her deepest secrets and still wanted to be with her. Gwen sighed a breath of relief and felt the worry slowly leaving her body.

As she walked through the palace gates and down the corridors to Gaius's, her mind keep drifting back to her conversation with Arthur. She had told him everything. All about her life, even the story about the lion. She had been so worried about how he would react but he simply held her in his arms and listened as she continued with her tale.

She had been expelled from the kingdom and her father had decided to leave with her, even though the King begged him to stay, and they spent the next four years travelling around the country. Gwaine and his mother came with them as well. Gwen suspected her father and Gwaine's mother had become very close but she would not dishonour them but speculating any further.

It was Gwaine who taught Gwen all about sword fighting so she would always be able to defend herself. He understood what she had done and that she might be dangerous but he was not remotely bothered. That was the best thing about Gwaine, he accepted everyone.

Together they entered tournaments, with Gwen fighting under the name Thomas Sparks Jr. At first it was very difficult indeed, the boys were older and stronger than she was but she was determined to win and learnt how to play to her strengthens. Her speed and quick thinking soon dominated the battlefield and her reputation grew.

It became her dream to be a knight in her own right and under her own name but this dream could never became a reality. As she got older, it became harder for her to pretend to be a boy. Her beautiful figure, one that so many girls would kill for, became the thing she hated most as her curves were too obvious to hide.

Arthur piped in at this point to agree "Yes Gwen, your curves are very hard to miss".

She playfully slapped his hand and continued with her story.

Her father had become very ill by this point and there was nothing Elizabeth, Gwaine's mother, or Gwen could do to heal him. One night, when her father was very feverish, he told her about the blood oath between himself and Uther. He was adamant that Gwen should claim her rightful title. Unfortunately he did not last the night. Elizabeth was distraught and Gwaine decided it would be best for his mother to have some stability instead of living the nomadic existence.

He arranged for them to return back to his mother's homeland. Gwen promised she would visit them but first she would venture to Camelot and become a knight. That's when they split up. Gwaine was captured on his way to Camelot to find Gwen.

"That is quite a story," Arthur said after she had finished.

"Yes. There is nothing else left to tell you now," she replied.

"Well, is there anything you would like to ask me?"

"No…" she hesitated.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Its about the girl you spoke of before, Vivian?"

"Yes, what about her?" Arthur asked surprised.

"Well…from what I know of love spells…in order to break them…you have to kiss your true love…I was wondering who your true love was…," she mumbled.

"Oh I didn't kiss anyone," Arthur smiled.

"What?" Gwen asked confused.

"Yeah, Merlin and Gaius found her true love instead. He was one of her knights. They explained to him the situation and arranged for him to kiss her while I was in the room. I saw her kiss her true love, which broke the spell's hold on her, which removed the curse from me as well. Apparently it was pretty close call, had I not been looking at the right time and missed it, I could still have been in love with her now," Arthur explained.

Gwen was silent.

"Or at least I would have been, until you kissed me," he finished quietly.

Gwen smiled at the memory and her heart started fluttering again.

She realised she was stood outside Gaius's and took a deep breath before she knocked on the door and let herself in. She was greeted by someone launching themself at her and picking up her.

"Gwen!" Gwaine yelled in glee spinning round with Gwen in his arms.

"Gwaine!" she squealed.

"So you survived the encounter with his lordship then? I was beginning to get worried," Gwaine grinned at her.

Gwen rolled her eyes, "Of course my darling".

He put her back on her own two feet and gave another massive hug and big kiss.

"It's wonderful to see you looking so happy Gwen, how did our royal clotpole react?"

"Clotpole?" Gwen asked.

"HEY! Don't go stealing my word!" Merlin yelled as he wandered down the steps from his room and slapped Gwaine on the back. "But in all seriousness, how did Arthur react?"

Gwen could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Well…" and Gwen filled them in on what Arthur said. As she explained Arthur's original plan, the whole wanting to report her to his father idea, she noticed as Gwaine's hand clenched into a fist and his face set in a grim smile. Her heart broke as she watched the hope leave Merlin's eyes and his face drop. They were pleased Arthur had decided not to be an idiot and clearly cared about Gwen but there was an unspoken understanding that Merlin could not reveal his magic anytime soon. An uneasy silence fell upon them as they contemplated their fate in Camelot.

Gwaine was never one to keep the atmosphere depressed and broke the silence with,

"I'm planning on sticking around for a while if that's okay?"

Gwen grinned, "Yeah that would be amazing!"

"Where are you staying?" he asked.

"Err…with Gaius at the moment," Gwen muttered and she looked over to the pile of blankets that had been her bed.

"Well that's not right! I was talking to the lovely Morgana earlier and she has a spare room. She is expecting you tonight," Gwaine announced.

"Gwaine, you big softie! Where are you staying then?" she replied cheekily.

"Oi," Gwaine's mouth opened in shock, his eyes wide.

She stuck her tongue out in reply.

Gwen was happy. She had got to know Morgana very well during her time in Camelot and was looking forward to moving in with her.

Gwen and Gwaine laughed and giggled as they moved Gwen into Morgana's. Morgana was delighted to have the company as she had been very lonely since her dad died. Gwaine was making himself comfy on the floor of the girls' house.

He stood up and examined his hard work. He clapped his hands together and said, "Well my beautiful ladies, to the tavern!"

Gwaine linked arms with the girls and they walked off to the tavern. Merlin spotted them on their way and joined them. As they arrived, they saw a couple of the knights at one of the tables.

They went over and said their greetings.

Gwen turned to Percival and asked, "Where's Lancelot?"

"He's on guard duty with Leon. But I'll let him know you were asking after him," Percival winked at her.

"O yeah thanks," Gwen replied with a small smile. Oh great, now he is going to get even more of the wrong idea.

Percival returned her smile and she wandered over to the next table with her friends.

Gwen and Gwaine giggled and teased each other all night, the way they always have, but it was clear he only had eyes for one lady that night, her new housemate. Merlin joined in the banter with the occasional one liner.

It was beginning to get very noisy and jolly in tavern but then Arthur entered. The place fell silent and everyone's eyes turned to stare at the crown prince. Whispers started across the room.

"What is he doing here?"

"Do you think he'll punch someone again?"

"Is he drunk?"

Gwaine in his typical manner, broke the tension and invited the prince over without a care in the world.

"Hey princey, come and sit with us!" Gwaine waved him over.

"Gwaine", Gwen nudged him in the ribs, "You've got to be respectful," while Merlin's hand flew to his mouth to prevent himself from bursting out in laughter.

Arthur wandered over to them and the tavern watched his every move. There were general acknowledgements of "Sire" and "My lord". Arthur slid himself on to the bench next to Gwen who was sat with Gwaine, Merlin and Morgana.

Gwaine was never one for a dull moment and he grabbed Morgana and Gwen's hands and started to dance. Soon the party was in full swing once more with Arthur being included as a friend and not a prince. Arthur was quite jealous of Gwaine and Gwen's obvious friendship but he understood that Gwaine was more of a brother than a lover. Plus Gwaine could not stop going on about Morgana which helped. It was nice to be in such a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, treated as an equal and not a superior. He and Merlin could socialise in a way they have never been able to do in public before.

He liked being part of the friendship group and he appreciated how much of an effort they made to make him feel involved. Gwen kept catching his eye and even laughed at his jokes. Secretly thought, he was quite happy to watch the girls and Gwaine dance, and watch Merlin attempt to dance, to their songs while for once he could just be in the background.

Watching Gwen look so happy made him feel at peace. They had finally been able to have a dance but it was just the one. She was still a taken woman and he was a prince. He could not be too friendly with her.

He never craved so hard for a normal life more than he did right now.

But all good things must come to an end. Gwen and Morgana attempted to carry Gwaine home but were failing so Arthur gently pushed them out of the way and half carried, half dragged Gwaine home. Morgana saw to it that Gwaine was comfortable and Gwen wished Arthur goodnight.

Thanking her for a wonderful evening, Arthur bowed and kissed her hand, "Goodnight my lady." Gwen was rather taken back by such a sign of humbleness and affection and she smiled warmly at him in response.

Arthur walked off and back into the castle with Merlin. As the castle walls came into sight, Arthur noted how the castle seemed more like a prison than a home.

I do hope you enjoyed it. Once more, I am sorry its been ages. I am sorry that it will be ages again till the next chapter. Please review as it does encourage me to spend time writing fanfic :)