The Finale is here. I hope it was worth the wait :) (Also a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, you guys rock!)

Gwen walked into the arena to thunderous applause. It seem like the crowd had forgiven her for her earlier performance against Leon. She saw Merlin, Morgana, Gwaine and Gaius in the crowd waving enthusiastically at her.

Well, she thought her applause was loud, but Lancelot's welcome was ear shattering. He was a truly beloved knight, his kindness and loyalty had no limits.

He approached her cautiously but with a huge smile at his face.

"My lady," he bowed to her.

Gwen rolled her eyes at him. She knew Arthur would be unimpressed with Lancelot's behaviour from his seat next to Uther's.

"Come on Lancelot, let's just get this over and done with."

Gwen caught the look on Uther's face as Lancelot bowed to her. She couldn't understand how one man could be so full of hatred for someone just because of who they are. Arthur looked like he was having a hard time remaining sat down.

Gwen and Lancelot took their positions. Gwen knew how Lancelot fought, and he knew her style. She anticipated it would be a close match. They circled for a while before Gwen pounced. She had no idea what Lancelot was playing at, he had never been one for shying away from a fight. Lancelot immediately went on the defensive. Gwen stabbed and swung her sword but Lancelot defended himself brilliantly. Gwen suddenly realised she had left her side open and braced for impact. But the hit never came. Gwen assumed she got off lucky, but she had a niggling feeling that perhaps Gwaine had been right earlier. After another series of fierce attacks, Gwen finally got a massive hit against Lancelot's right shoulder. But the momentum carried her to far forward leaving a very obvious and easy to reach target by her left side. Everyone watching could see and expected the defeating blow by Lancelot. But he didn't move. Gwen was furious.

She pulled off her helmet and threw it to the ground, "Why didn't you hit me? I was wide open!"

Lancelot gently lifted his visor and gave her a sad smile, "You know I could never hurt you."

Gwen was livid. "You've seen me fight, you know I'm one of the best in Camelot! Don't do this to me Lancelot!"

Lancelot just looked at her, followed by a quick glance at Arthur, who had risen from his seat, his face as dark as thunder. Lancelot stabbed his sword into the ground and walked back towards the tents.

"Gwen is through to the final. Sir Lancelot withdraws." Gwen heard the sneering voice of Uther Pendragon as he announced the result. Gwen picked up her helmet and walked out of the stadium to a significantly muted applause than she arrived too.

Gwaine and Arthur were on straight after and it was only the apprehension over the potential assassin that made Gwen leave her tent and head back into the arena. She didn't think either one of them would ever forgive her if she missed it.

It was clear from the minute Gwen saw them that both men were nervous. Not that many others would have realised, but Gwen saw the recognisable ticks in the two men she loved. She shuffled her way through the crowd and took her seat with Merlin, Morgana and Gaius. Merlin immediately put his arm round her.

"Congratulations!" He beamed at her.

"Thank you," Gwen muttered.

Morgana was a lot more understanding, "I'm sorry Gwen, Lancelot shouldn't have done that. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I guess. Not a lot I can do about it now."

"At least you're in the final, that's amazing!" Morgana smiled, desperately trying to cheer Gwen up.

Gwen gave her small smile in return.

"Any sign of the assassin?" said Gwen attempting to change the conversation.

"Nope, nothing. I've asked all around town and no one has seen him," Merlin answered.

"I've been asking my patients and they haven't seen him either," added Gaius.

"Perhaps he was just a travelling tradesman?" Morgana suggested.

Merlin and Gwen exchanged looks.

"Maybe…but we can never be too careful," Gwen answered.

Merlin nudged her, "The fights about to start, be on your guard."

They were but slowly their attention drifted towards the thrilling encounter happening below them.

Gwaine and Arthur were evenly matched, equal in strength, speed and intelligence with a sword. They fought ferociously and there were many moments where Gwen could hear squeals and shrieks from the crowd around her.

Gwen couldn't take her eyes off the battle. Arthur was magnificence, strong and brave, he looked every bit like a king. But suddenly he was on the back foot, Gwaine had got some good hits on him and Arthur had started shuffling backwards. Gwaine strode forwards, confident and mighty, and Gwen realised exactly what Arthur was doing.

As Gwaine went to perform his show trick, his final move, Arthur let his sword go up with Gwaine's and pulled the same trick as he had witnessed Gwen do in training. Gwen saw Gwaine's knees go from underneath him and he fell to the ground. Morgana screamed next to her. And up stood Arthur, the victor. Everyone was up on their feet. It had been a fantastic match. Arthur held his hand out for Gwaine which he took graciously. He patted Arthur on the back, waved to the crowd and headed straight towards them. He climbed up the stadium wall, and planted a kiss on Morgana's lips.

"Sorry beautiful but there is always next year."

Morgana just beamed at him, her cheeks a very bright shade of pink.

Arthur was ushered off to prepare for the final. He caught Gwen's eye and smiled at her. Merlin leapt out the stands and ran after Arthur and his entourage.

Morgana and Gwaine continued to be lost in their own little world. Gaius excused himself and Gwen followed his lead. She took herself off and waited in her tent to be called for the fight.

She waited and waited, alone and worried. Her nerves were starting to get the better of her. Could she beat Arthur? He was the best knight in Camelot and she had only been a knight for less than a year, and had only been fighting a couple of years before that. Arthur had been born with a sword in his hand. She hadn't even beaten Lancelot, he had let her win. She started to breathe heavily, trying to calm her beating heart.

Stop it, you're just winding yourself up. Breathe in…and out…and in. Her heart was beginning to slow when Merlin barged in.

"Gwen! It's time for the fight and I saw him! I saw the assassin!"

"What?" Gwen asked panicked.

"Yes I saw him and I can't find anyone and your needed outside now!"

"Merlin, you have to find the others, Leon or Percival must be around somewhere. I'll warn Arthur," said Gwen taking command. Merlin looked pained.

"Merlin, go. I promise I will protect him."

Merlin gave her a quick hug, "Good luck, and keep safe!" and he ducked out the tent.

Gwen put on her helmet and grabbed her sword. After a moment's hesitation she seized her dagger as well. She slid it carefully into her boot. Better to be safe than sorry.

Gwen arrived at the stadium and was ushered straight into the arena. She was late and Arthur had already finished his traditional greeting the audience. His face broke into a smile when he saw she had arrived. Gwen ran over to him.

"Arthur, he's here. We have to go. We can't be so open. We need to get to shelter," Gwen whispered to him. She turned to leave.

Arthur grabbed her wrist, "Gwen, I can't leave."

"Of course you can, it's a matter of life or death, come on Arthur don't be silly," Gwen tugged her arm free.

"Gwen, if I leave, everyone will think I'm a coward."

"No they won't, they'll understand."

"Gwen," Arthur spoke through gritted teeth, "I can't leave."

Gwen looked him directly in the eye, "Then I'm not leaving either. Bring it on Princey," she mimicked his famous hand beckoning.

Arthur gave her a dazzling smile, pulled his visor down and took his stance.

The crowd started chanting and cheering. Arthur struck first, just like she knew he would. As she darted out of the way, she scanned the audience for any sign of the assassin or her friends. She noticed Arthur doing the same.

Their fight was not as fierce as his and Gwaine's but it was quick. Gwen strength was her speed, but Arthur was just as fast. Their defence was strong, and they moved out of the way of most blows. Arthur got a great hit across Gwen's stomach and winded her. She gasped loudly and Arthur was momentary torn between checking if Gwen was okay or proceeding with his attack. Gwen, on the other hand, had no such issues, and immediately returned his blow with an even more powerful hit across his right arm. They continued to fight, both growing tired. Arthur feinted left but attacked with his right knocking Gwen's sword out of her hand. Gwen attempted to grab it but Arthur was too fast and kicked it away. Gwen refused to give in and continued to remain out of reach of Arthur's sword. Eventually he managed to grab her and there was an almighty struggle until…

"ARTHUR WINS!" a proud Uther announced to the crowd.

The cheers were deafening, "LONG LIVE THE PRINCE, LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Amongst all the noise, no one seemed to have realised that Arthur had remained completely still, his sword still pointed squarely at Gwen's chest for all to see.

"Father, father," Arthur shouted, trying to make himself heard over the crowd.

Merlin was instantly at Uther's side, "Sire, Arthur is trying to tell you something."

"What boy? Oh yes," Uther looked to Arthur.

"Silence," Uther yelled and the effect was instant.

"Arthur, what is the matter?"

"I haven't won the tournament," Arthur admitted.

"What?" shouted an enraged Uther.

Slowly Arthur lifted his arm, to reveal Gwen's dagger pressed firmly in the gap between Arthur's chest plate and his body. One move and Gwen could stab her blade into Arthur's heart.

The crowd gasped. This was unheard of. Could it be a draw? Arthur's sword had been directly pointed at Gwen's stomach. If this was a real battle, both would have been killed instantly.

"It is a draw," Arthur declared and withdrew his sword. Gwen immediately removed her dagger and smiled up at Arthur. Arthur returned her smile.

"This is cannot be! As King, I have the right to declare the winner. The winner is Arthur Pendragon!"

The publics' reaction was a lot more reserved this time. Whispers rippled through the crowd, cries of cheat and fix started to be heard.

"No father, it is a draw. And I am delighted to share the honour and glory with this remarkable woman. In fact, father I have something to tell you," Arthur paused, turned to Gwen and held out his hand.

Gwen's heart went into overdrive. Was he going to announce their relationship here? In front of everyone? How would people react? What would Uther do?

But Gwen swallowed her fears and took Arthur's outstretched hand. Together they could take whatever the world threw at them.

"Father, I love this woman stood before you. She is my everything, the queen of my heart. And one day, with your blessing, I want her to be Queen of Camelot," Arthur knelt before his father's throne, Gwen quickly followed suit.

The crowd went mad, they cheered and threw flowers. Gwen was a popular figure in Camelot, known for her bravely and her kindness, and her skills throughout the competition had gained her many more fans.

Uther glared at his people till they fell silent. Gwen's heart was in her mouth. Having her neck freely on display in front of an angry Uther was not a pleasant experience.

"You witch! What have you done to Arthur? You will never be part of this family as long as I am breathing. Guards!" Uther stood up and went for his sword.

Arthur jumped in front of Gwen, sword raised, "You will not harm her," he growled.

"If you choose her, you will no longer be the heir to the throne! YOU WILL NO LONGER BE MY SON!" Uther spat at Arthur.

And then Uther was shot.

*Cue dramatic music* Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review, it makes my day :)