Hello! I warn you now, this is not the start of the tournament. As I started writing it just kept growing and unfortunately the tournament is now across two chapters but that is not until the next chapter. So apologies to anyone hoping this would be it. However, I do promise that the next chapter will be up in a week or by 10 reviews, which ever comes first, and the same process for the chapter after that as they are both written. I hope you enjoy it and I promise there is purpose in this chapter.

Arthur left soon after they had made their deal. He didn't want to but Gwen reminded him that people would get very concerned if their prince was not in his bed in the morning. He laughed but agreed to go nevertheless. Gwen loved it when he laughed, he seemed so serious most of time but with her he seemed young and happy. She loved it when he smiled and the joy and happiness he felt was obvious in his eyes. She ushered him out of her home, gentle pushing him out of the kitchen and through the front door. He gave her a brief kiss on the lips, pulled his hood up and walked out into the night. Gwen closed the door quietly with a big smile on her face.

She was still awake when Gwaine, Morgana and Merlin returned home.

"Merlin? What are you doing here?" Gwen asked.

"Well…I was going back to Gaius's but then I fell over…," Merlin drunkenly explained.

"Into a puddle," Gwaine interjected.

"And Gwaine said, I couldn't go back to Gaius's wet and should dry off," Merlin promptly sat down on some bags of grain.

"I said that Merlin could stay here, I hope you don't mind Gwen," said Morgana.

"Of course not," Gwen giggled. "I'll go get him some blankets."

Gwen went and found the pile of blankets they put aside for winter. She tucked one blanket around Merlin's feet and another round his shoulders.

"Gwen, Gwen, you're so kind, so pretttttttttty. Don't tell Arthur I was at the tavern, okay? Sshhhhh," Merlin puts his finger to his lips.

"Okay Merlin, I won't tell him, you sleep tight now," Gwen whispered.

"Okay, NIGHT!" and with that Merlin rolled over and went to sleep.

Gwen joined Gwaine and Morgana at the table, "How did he get in this state?"

"Well….," Gwaine began, looking guilty.

"Gwaine!" Gwen lightly punched his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I thought it would be funny. And it was!" Gwaine gave the girls a cheeky grin and Morgana covered her mouth and dissolved into giggles.

"He'll be fine in the morning, plenty of water and a good night's rest," Gwaine leaned backwards and affectionately patted Merlin's head. Merlin snorted loudly in response.

"Right, well I'm off to bed. I'll see you three in the morning," Gwen waved them good night and went off to her bed.

Gwen started off the next morning by gently waking Merlin with a mug of water in her hand.

"Merlin, Merlin, wakey wakey lazy daisy,"

"Humm?" Merlin slowly stirred. He immediately rubbed his temple and moaned.

"I've got a cracking headache, what happened?" Merlin asked bewildered.

"Gwaine happened I'm afraid," Gwen shrugged apologetically.

"Oohhh," Merlin groaned.

"Well I've got to see Arthur this morning so I'll tell him you aren't well, I'll pop in on Gaius as well and let him know you are at ours."

"Thanks Gwen," Merlin mumbled.

"Go get in my bed, I'll see you later," Gwen helped Merlin stand up and guided him over to her bed.

"Sleep well Merlin," Gwen quietly opened her front door and left to start her day.

Her first visit was to Gaius.

"Gaius!" she called out loudly as she entered his workshop.

"Gwen? Have you see Merlin?" asked Gaius concerned.

"Yes, he is sleeping at mine, Gwaine took him to the tavern last night."

"Oh," smiled Gaius knowingly, "Well I'm glad to know he is safe."

"Yes, anyway I best go see Arthur and let him know," Gwen turned away and went towards the door.

"Gwen?" Gaius called after her.

"Yes?" Gwen halted at the door.

"Have you considered trying to get Gwaine a job?" Gaius asked.

Gwen was taken back.

"Erm, no, not really. He has never been one for a conventional way of life. And he has always been a traveller…" Gwen struggled for an explanation.

"It might be worth talking to Arthur about, perhaps save Merlin from being on the receiving end of a bored Gwaine? Hmm?" asked Gaius, his eyes peering over his glasses knowingly.

"I'll ask him. Thanks for the advice Gaius." Gwen smiled, "I'll see you later."

Gwen knocked on Arthur's chambers.

"Come in, come in...Merlin that better be you, I need help getting dressed," Arthur came round the corner to see Gwen staring at him with a peculiar look on her face.

"Gwen, are you okay?" Arthur asked concerned.

"Yes, I'm fine Arthur," Gwen's cheeks were turning red, her eyes not quite reaching his face.

Arthur realised he had greeted her shirtless.

"Sorry Gwen, I'll just get dressed. I thought you were Merlin," embarrassed, Arthur grabbed his shirt from his bed and threw it on over his head.

Gwen just smiled.

"Anyway," Arthur came over to her, now fully clothed, "How can I help you?"

"I've come to tell you that Merlin is ill and will be unable to perform his duties today."

"That Merlin, I bet he was at the tavern again. According to Gaius he is always in the tavern," Arthur said annoyed.

"Well…I'm sure he will be fine tomorrow. In the meantime I'm sure you can manage without him for one day?" Gwen asked cheekily.

"Yes, of course, I am quite capable you know," Arthur retorted.

"Okay, good to know," Gwen replied with a smile on her face, "I've also come to ask you for a favour. It's about my friend Gwaine, he needs a job."

"Well, what is he skilled in?"

"Erm…I'm not sure," answered Gwen honestly, "He is a very talented fighter."

"Gwen," Arthur looked pained, "You know I can't make him a knight. He is a commoner."

Gwen looked disappointed.

"But," Arthur went on, "he can perhaps be some sort of trainer? We've got the tournament coming up and we always need new people to spar against?"

"I'll ask him, I think a job like that he would really enjoy. Thank you Arthur," Gwen smiled at him.

"Anything for you," replied Arthur, taking her hand and kissing it lightly.

Gwaine joined them for training that morning. He had been pleased, if a little bit sceptical, about the offer of a job working with the knights. Ideally, he would rather be one of the knights but beggars can't be choosers. The focus of training was still heavily on the tournament and after a series of basic manoeuvres, they split into pairs and began practicing. Gwen immediately sided with Gwaine and a long running tally of their battles against each other suddenly emerged.

"I'm winning, aren't I, I think its 49 – 45?" Gwaine teased Gwen.

"You know for a fact I'm winning and its 51 – 48!" Gwen replied, their swords clashing.

"How about we call it a draw and start again?" Gwaine asked.

"You're on," shouted Gwen.

Gwaine did his wonderful trick of sliding his sword up Gwen's, flicking into the air and catching it. Only Gwen knew her friend too well and as her sword flew out of her hand, she watched as Gwaine's attention focused on her sword, slid her foot behind Gwaine's knee and yanked her foot back towards her. His leg went straight away and he fell to the ground as Gwen caught her sword and tapped Gwaine's chest plate.

"I win! 1 - 0", Gwen smiled down at him.

"You know me too well," said Gwaine, and graciously accepted her hand up.

"Before Gwen annihilated you, what you did was very impressive," said Arthur as he wandered over to them.

"Thank you Princey," Gwaine replied with a mock bow.

Arthur just laughed, "It's a shame you won't be able to show us what you are truly made of in the tournament."

"It's probably a wise decision sire, I wouldn't want to embarrass you," Gwaine retorted cheekily.

"Embarrass? Me? You're joking!" asked Arthur flabbergasted.

"Of course sire, I would hate to defeat you in front of your kingdom and on daddy's birthday as well."

Arthur was furious, "Well if you think you're so talented then prove it. I will put you in the competition and we shall see how far you get. You probably won't even get the chance to face me."

Arthur stormed off to the other side of the training field.

"I know you did that on purpose," Gwen whispered to Gwaine.

"Of course I did, he might be a pretty Gwen, but he isn't that bright," Gwaine grinned.

I wonder, Gwen thought to herself.

Gwen went to visit Arthur that evening.

"Now you are a sight for sore eyes," Arthur whispered as he answered his door.

To be fair, she had made an effort. She wanted Arthur to see her in something other than her armour, so she had borrowed a dress from Morgana, a deep purple one, and had done her hair.

"What can I do for you on this fine evening? Remember I need my sleep, the first round of the tournament begins tomorrow."

"You know Gwaine was deliberately winding you up earlier right?" Gwen asked as she sat down in a chair.

"Of course," Arthur replied, shutting the door and taking the seat next to Gwen.

"It was the only way I could get my father to agree to his involvement in the competition. You know he can't resist a challenge. See I'm not just a pretty face," Arthur winked.

Gwen's heart fluttered.

"Is this the tournament draw for tomorrow?" she asked deliberately changing the conversation.

"Yes, you'll be pleased to know we are in separate halves of the draw so we shouldn't meet till the final."

"Did you do that on purpose?" Gwen asked curiously.

"Actually it was a happy coincidence. However, you do have Lancelot and Leon in your half," Arthur pointed out.

"Yes, but you have Gwaine, and Lancelot's friend Percival. He is incredibly strong."

"I'm strong too," said Arthur a bit dejectedly.

"I know," said Gwen, her fingers gently stroking his face, "don't be jealous."

"I'm not, I was merely pointing out a fact," Arthur retorted.

As she grew to understand Arthur, Gwen had started to learn that his arrogance and confidence was just a shield against a lifetime of trying to live up to his father's ridiculously high expectations.

She smiled at him, "I love you exactly the way you are, I wouldn't change anything about you. But I do need to be getting some sleep. I've got boys to put in their place tomorrow."

She kissed him gently on the lips and walked out the room.

She practically ran all the way back home. Did I just tell Arthur I love him? Do I love him? Does he love me? He didn't say it back. Yes but he is Arthur, her conscience replied, You can't expect too much from him so soon. She didn't really mind he hadn't said it back. What she was more bothered about was if she had scared him off? Put too much pressure on an already fragile relationship.

I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, I really wanted Gwaine to be part of the tournament. And a drunk Merlin is always fun. Please review as it makes me happy :)

Wow half way there on the review count in less than 24 hours. Thank you so much guys :) xx