AN:

An early update, just like I promised!

At the stargate time traveller: The reason Morgana doesn't see that Merlin is Emrys is because she is fixated on finding a way to destroy Emrys. She is looking for a way out and that is all she wants to see.

Mistakes

"Can I change his mind before Arthur does?"

Weeks had passed since Merlin escaped his execution, with magic no less, it worried Arthur to no end. Before the execution the young King had asked for more time to investigate but to Queen Elena that wasn't an option. They had a suspect who walked the corridors at an ungodly hour, they had the murder weapon and a witness, a loyal servant of Gawant, that saw him there along with several of the guards. No one saw the actual murder but there were strong implications that he had done it. Arthur couldn't show her the blood crystals as they had been wiped clean of the true murderer's identity - the maid that found it had accidentally cut herself with it. Showing it to her now seems like showing off the power of magic. Earlier, Gwen had suggested he bargain with her for more time but that didn't work. Elena wanted justice for her father's death and she wanted it to be over. Nothing could make her change her mind. Merlin's magic only strengthened her belief that he was the murderer. Why else would a sorcerer risk his life walking in the lion's den as a servant? The Queen of Gawant departed the day after the execution and spoke a few words of comfort either out of kindness or respect. The alliance had wavered but did not fall. Furthermore, Merlin was now a wanted criminal for treason and magic. Arthur couldn't fathom how Merlin had kept it secret. It was Merlin, Merlin the Clumsy, Merlin the Servant, Merlin the Girl. There were hardly any secrets between them and then, all of a sudden, Merlin used magic. How did he manage with the stress of such a secret?

The King paid Gaius a visit some time ago and he explained how often his ward had used it for the better. It made things much, much clearer. And yet, Arthur was confused. His father preached that magic was evil but now the lines had blurred. Perhaps that was what his friend meant with thinking in shades of grey rather than black and white. There were so many questions in his mind and no one other than the man himself could answer them. Arthur's every instinct said he should go after him though, in his heart, Merlin's fate was undecided. Damnation or deliverance? Even if Merlin could never return to Camelot it didn't mean he could just forget about him. Merlin had saved him more than once, he deserved some sort of reward. That wasn't the complete truth. Would it really be a reward for the past or was it insurance for the future? Merlin had every reason to join Morgana in her war against Camelot. That was the greatest fear of all.

Arthur had tried discussing the matter with some of the Knights but that didn't go very well. Percival was as silent as ever and, surprisingly enough, so was Gwaine. Sir Leon told him to do what he thought right and Elyan avoided the matter entirely by stating he didn't know him well enough. Gwen refused to answer his questions and blatantly scolded him for being so careless. Her words reminded him of what Merlin said about 'caring at all'. He (verbally) lashed out towards Gwen who now refused to speak with him entirely. His uncle seemed to be the only one actually capable of voicing his view on the subject. It made for a lonely King whose shoulders wore a burden he couldn't bear on his own.

Gwaine found himself in the most unlikely place of all. Gwen's home. She had seen him sitting by the well in the lower town without his armour on and, most disturbingly, silent. Anyone could tell he wasn't alright, none of them was. They talked a lot, mostly about Merlin, and slowly but surely the arrived at the events that led up to his execution.
"He told me he had magic." Gwaine confessed.
The Knight hadn't told Arthur about it seeing as he didn't need to anymore. He had thoughts of leaving Camelot but Merlin might need a friend should he ever decide to return for whatever reason that might be.
"When?" Gwen was curious.
"The night before his execution. He wanted me to tell Arthur after he was dead."
Gwen was lost in thought for a moment. Morgana was the most powerful sorceress she knew and she let it corrupt her. Associating Merlin with magic turned things upside down. She didn't lose two friends because of they had magic. She lost them because of the ban. All it brought them was pain.
"He was going to let it happen, let himself be killed?" She asked.
Gwaine nodded silently. Gwen covered her mouth and tears began to run down her cheeks. It was sick and gut-wrenching to think someone would let himself die like that. She remembered neither he nor Arthur had spoken out against the trial. The Knight brought her to his chest and rubbed her back so she would know she was not alone in her pain. Merlin might not have died but that didn't mean it hadn't left a hole in their hearts.
"He's still alive. There's comfort to be found in that." Gwaine did his best to comfort her.
The woman's sobbing slowly eased into the occasional sniff. At last she had found someone who understood the pain that bothered her so.
"He'll come to his senses." Both knew Gwaine meant Arthur with 'he' though Gwen did not share the faith he seemed to have in the King.
Merlin had always acted as his friend's conscience and Gwen worried that, without him, it left Arthur without one. She made up her mind and removed Gwaine's hands from her back.
"There's something I have to do." She said determinedly.

Gwen was on her way to Arthur study. Her mind was made up. Merlin, magic or no magic, was a good man. He always was. Things needed to change and even yesterday wasn't soon enough. If Arthur didn't put things right, then she would have to do it for him. Changing his mind wasn't going to be pretty but it was necessary. If he didn't do it then he wasn't the man she thought he was.

She gently knocked on the door of Arthur's study and slowly opened the door.
"Arthur?" She asked as she stepped inside.
With weary eyes the King looked up from his work. He was glad to see her but her visits hadn't been reasons for joy since Merlin's near-execution.
"There's something I want to talk to you about." She said.
"Merlin."
She nodded as she moved closer to Arthur's desk.
"I know I can't ask you to bring Merlin back." Gwen admitted, "That's why I want you to lift the ban on magic."
Arthur frowned at the idea. If magic was free then Morgana could openly recruit an army of sorcerers.
"Sorry?"
"Magic isn't evil, Arthur. It can be used for good, Merlin has proven that." Gwen pleaded for her friend's case.
"Who says he hasn't joined Morgana and wants to remove me from the throne?" Arthur asked.
Gwen shook her head in disbelief. Merlin would never act against Camelot and the people he had protected for so long.
"Who says he has?" Gwen argued.
"Reason." Arthur said as he looked down in shame, "I lied about having a plan."
"I noticed!" She snapped.
A moment of silence followed. It gave Arthur the chance to recollect his thoughts and for Gwen to find more ideas on how to get what she wanted, for Merlin.
"I can't lift the ban for the sake of one person." Arthur said.
He was trying to explain that his hands were tied but Gwen didn't think it good enough.
"You owe it to him!" She said in outrage.
She remembered the times Merlin saved them, even as a couple. The kiss that broke his cursed infatuations with Lady Vivian was his idea. They owed him more than they would ever know.
"Agravaine said to do nothing until I know what has become of him."
It was blind faith in her opinion. The man apparently didn't know Merlin the way they did. If he did then he would know Merlin had a heart of gold and his loyalty was unquestionable.
"And I'm telling you that Merlin would never help her." She kept trying to convince him but to no avail.
Arthur understood her concern but she was too close to the fire to give an object view.
"Guinevere," He used her full name which she knew was as an ill omen, "with all due respect, you're a servant, not my advisor."
Her jaw dropped. That's what he thought of her, a servant?
"Sire, with all due respect, maybe it's best we just stayed friends."
He heard she was upset along with sudden distance and formality but the words alone were enough.
"What? Why? There's nothing wrong with us." He knew it was because of Merlin but it didn't stop him from trying.
"I don't understand you anymore, Arthur. Merlin was your friend and you did nothing to save him. You even assume that if he's not with you, he'll be against you. But do you really think he'll help Morgana when she's tortured him in the past?"
She opened the door to leave but looked back at Arthur one more time. She saw a flash of guilt in his eyes but it wasn't enough yet.
"I hope you change your mind before it is too late." Gwen said referring to both Merlin and their relationship.


Later that day, in the middle of the night, Agravaine du Bois travelled through the Valley of the Fallen Kings. The man was disgusted by his nephew's weakness. He was being torn apart by Merlin's revelation. The boy was no threat to the Kingdom but Morgana had convinced him, Agravaine, to keep Arthur from contacting him until they, he and Morgana, knew what to do.

Dismounting at the witch's hovel, Agravaine wondered how much praise he would get for what he brought her.
"Milady." He called moments before opening the door.
Morgana was reading a book by the table at the other end of the room. She had become a lot calmer with the knowledge that Merlin would no longer interfere with her plans. What annoyed Agravaine was that she also seemed to be less interested in him.
"What news do you have for me, Agravaine?" She asked without looking up.
"It may please you to know that Guinevere has put an end to her relationship with Arthur."
The High Priestess smiled to herself. Arthur and Gwen were a couple that only worked when things were well. It seemed that, without Merlin, things were starting to fall apart by themselves.
"In an argument, no doubt." She replied.
"A very interesting argument, milady."
The smug look on his face told her this would be as surprising as his previous bit of news.
"She wants Arthur to lift the ban on magic for Merlin's sake. He is considering to do it." He reported.
"Considering isn't enough." She said vindictively, "What would put his decision in our favour?"
Agravaine took pride in her little outburst and replied, "Merlin."
She sighed at the man's ignorant answer, "Be specific."
"Arthur's mind is bothered by Merlin's magic and wants to find out if magic is evil by talking to him."
"I'm sure you've pointed out the flaw in that plan. He doesn't want to be found."
She hadn't really tried but, when listening carefully, one would always hear rumours of possible sorcerers. There had been no change as far as she could tell.
"Correct." Agravaine continued, "That's why he has commanded me to take several Knights across the border with Essetir and bring back Hunith of Ealdor."
"Arthur wants to kidnap his mother?" Morgana never thought he'd go that far, "How dare he!"
"I fail to see how this upsets you."
"Because it's none of your business." She snapped, "Delay them as much as you can."
"What are you going to do, Milady?"
"I'm going to find Merlin."

AN:
Gwen breaking up with Arthur may seem a bit extreme but all she really wants is for Arthur to see that he's wrong.