Gwen reels herself against the cold stone wall of the castle. She tries to compose herself as she presses her back against the stone heaving. What had she done? A part of her wanted to relax, she has done nothing wrong. She likes Lancelot he seems like such a kind and loving companion. However, something about their kiss didn't feel right. She has never kissed anyone before in her life, well, besides the one kiss a farm boy gave her on the cheek while she was younger. She had dreamed about her first kiss imagining everything about it. This kiss felt nothing of the sort.

Gwen pushes her hair out of her face as she hears someone walking. She must compose herself it would be rude and weak of her to show this type of emotion.

"Gwen," the voice is soft and she knows exactly who it is. This is the worst possible time for him to show up. For her to let him see her this way would bring him satisfaction. He would be happy to know that he with another woman, one lovelier than she, would cause her jealously. She doesn't look up at him but turns her back.

"I apologize sire, for I fear there is something inside my eye," she lies. She just didn't want him to see the moisture assemble along her eye lids. Arthur, being the stubborn horse that he is, moves her face to face him. She looks down as he tilts her chin backward so that he may stare into her eyes.

"let me help," he pesters as he stares into her eyes searching for a hair or particle of dust that is imaginary. He sees nothing and he cannot help but admire the beauty of her eyes. "I see nothing, seems as if your culprit has escaped." Gwen grins and lowers her head as Arthur removes his hands.

"Why have you left the ball?" Gwen asks trying to get the attention off of herself but back onto Arthur. He shrugs as he looks around the castle.

"Isn't really my idea of sport, merely torture. It was my father's idea." Gwen nods her head. She must admit that he does look stunning.

He wears a lovely elaborate dress shirt with appropriate black pants and he is wearing his crown. The gold a top his head makes him seem so regal. It makes everything much more obviously clear why he will never be with her. It is both their reminders of what is keeping them so far apart.

"Your fiancée Miriam, she seems lovely." Gwen rambles under her breath. Her chest heaves slightly as the lie disperses from her lips.

"If only her mind matched the grandeur of her appearance," Arthur says through clenched teeth. Gwen cannot help it she chuckles and he goes along with her and laughs as well. The air seems a little more bearable now. They both look down at the ground unable to know what to say.

"Arthur—"

"Gwen—"They both say at the exact same time. They look up at each other and he nods his head meaning he wants her to go first.

"I want to let you know that," Before she can finish Lancelot comes through the corridor and eyes her with a smile. He approaches and places his hand on Arthur's shoulder as he stares at Gwen. She sighs. He is the last person she wants to see.

"There you are, I was looking all over for you."

"Perhaps I did not want to be found," she says hoarsely but deflects her harsh demeanor with a smile. Lancelot takes this comment as a tease,

"I will always find your Guinevere. " Arthur clears his throat as he turns around to face the knight.

"Lancelot, how are you enjoying the festivities?" Lancelot runs his hands through his coiled locks,

"they are quite lavish your highness." His eyes spread across Gwen and she lowers her gaze towards the ground.

Arthur sees how Lancelot stares at Gwen and it make Arthur want to punch him in the face or throw him into the dungeon. Such a glare should be charged with treason as if he undresses her with his eyes. "You're fiancée Miriam, a beauty to be looked upon," Lancelot says throwing Arthur from his thoughts. Gwen looks up and crosses her arms around her chest.

"Yes, she is." Is all Arthur can say.

Lancelot crosses over to Gwen's side and takes her hand into his. A part of Gwen wants to throw his hand away from her, but, the jealously in Arthur's eyes as he turns around to stare at them. It's way too much, and she doesn't remove her hand.

"Shall we Gwen?" Lancelot leads her back towards the ballroom. Before they completely leave Gwen turns her head to stare at Arthur. His gaze follows her as they turn into the ballroom.

Gwen cannot believe her eyes as she glances over the small amount of paper that Merlin has given her. She looks up at him with a skeptical look. She had been inside her cottage cleaning, while her father was out in town working at his business. She re-reads the note again, in the perfectly done penmanship, and shakes her head in confusion.

"What does he want from me Merlin?" Gwen asks as she gives the letter back to Merlin. Merlin shrugs,

"He wants to meet with you to talk." Gwen takes the broom that has been in her hand and sweeps some dust off of her porch.

"Talking is pointless and only leads to things that I wish not to do." Merlin sighs as he places the note in his back pocket.

"Gwen," he says her name how Elyan use to. He has become such a brother to her lately and it pains her to see him caught in between her and Arthur. She doesn't say anything, but continues to sweep, "Gwen," he says again only more urgency inside his voice. She looks up

"What Merlin,"

"Give him a chance, hear him out, at least let him speak." She places her chin on the top of the broom. Merlin can tell that he's persuading her.

"Why should I?"

"For me," Merlin says and gives her the cutest smile that he can muster. She purses her lips at him as she takes her broom and playfully swacks him with it.

"Fine, but you will owe me monumentally at my return."

Gwen lowers her red cloak as she makes it towards the clearing where the river meets the shore. In the letter it specifically told her to meet him there. He is already there of course. She is late because she got mixed up with her directions and a part of her was fearful that he would leave, believing that she would not show. She sighs as she walks closer to him.

"You wanted to speak with me," she says as she gets to the side of him.

The sun is slowly setting and it gleams perfectly along the tawny color of his silken hair. He turns to face her and his pale blue eyes dig into the depths of hers. She holds her breath trying to silence her heart-beat.

"I was rudely interrupted last night and I didn't have the opportunity to speak with you properly." Gwen crosses her arms.

"What did you want to speak with me about?"

"I wanted to tell you this," Arthur leans in taking her shoulders into his hands leaning her closer to her. He kisses her, she cannot believe it! To even believe that his lips are upon hers she runs her hands through his silky hair.

It's real…he's real…it's really happening.

The kiss is so soft, just his lips brushing against hers. It's so perfect and she nearly melts into him. He slightly lifts away brushing her nose with his. She opens her eyes and finds his stare upon her. "You don't know how long I wanted to tell you that." Gwen places both her hands along the side of his face she shakes her head her voice shaky,

"Arthur this is wrong." Arthur's heart catches. He realizes this is the first time she has called him by his real name.

"Then I want to be wrong, I want to be the most wrong, most vial, person in the world if it allows me to be with you." Her breath catches as she swallows.

"You are to be married,"

"I called it off today." She removes her hands and turns away.

"You are silly to have done so," He grabs her hand pulling her closer to him. She looks down and he positions her face to look up at him. He desperately wants to kiss each freckle that lays spilled across the tip of her nose.

"I refuse to marry someone who I do not love."

"It is your duty, to your crown, to Camelot." She wants him to disagree with her to tell her that she is wrong. He leans in closer and her eyes dart down towards his parted lips,

"My duty Gwen, is to my heart, a heart which seems to not let me breathe without thinking about you." She chokes out a smile.

He gathers her into his arms as she lays her head against the crook in his neck. She places her hand on his chest and can feel the vibrant beats of his heart. The heart that she knows beats solely for her.

This is so cute and sweet. I'm still blushing as I re-read this chapter. I mean it' about time they kiss and finally express their feelings! But, just because their out doesn't make it any easier. Now, the real trails and tribulations will start. Also, i know that kiss is very light there will be more heavier stuff to come :D Enjoy, don't forget to comment!