Season 1 Episode 12.
Story 12: Hidden
Chapter 3: Sentenced
The next morning, Gwen woke Morgana like she did every day. "How are you feeling today my lady?" Gwen asked her quietly.
"I'm quite alright. How are you Gwen?" Morgana asked her. She worried about her maidservant after everything that had happened with her father.
"I'm better," Gwen said honestly. She didn't know how long it would be before she felt like she wasn't choking on air, but she didn't want to burden Morgana with that. Besides, she had other things to think about. She and Merlin hadn't talked on their walk back to Camelot and she hadn't seen him since. Her mind was abuzz with all the questions she had for him. She wished she had taken advantage of their walk back to Camelot, but the silence had been filled with tension and she hadn't dared to break it.
"I too know what it is like to lose a father," Morgana said quietly. "I understand what you are going through. I know how you feel."
Gwen glanced up at Morgana as irrational anger filled her. "You don't know how I feel," Gwen snapped. "Our lives are completely different. You have no idea what it is like to have to work to support your father. Your father was often away, doing work for Uther, I saw my father every day. I sat down and dined with him morning and night. He would pick flowers in the morning just because he thought it would make me happy. You have no idea what it feels like to know your father was killed because he wanted to make a better life for you. You may know what it is like to lose a father, but don't pretend to know how I feel." Once Gwen finished her rant, she could feel color shading her cheeks. She couldn't believe she had just spoken to Morgana like that.
Morgana was staring at Gwen, her mouth opening and closing. She had no idea what to say to that. Gwen's claims were true, but Gwen had never snapped at her like that before. Not once.
"I'm sorry my lady," Gwen said curtsying. She wouldn't look up. She didn't want to see how much her words had hurt Morgana. "I best go and fetch your breakfast."
Gwen practically ran out of Morgana's chambers. She went to get Morgana's breakfast from the kitchen. She saw Merlin in the kitchen while she was waiting for the food.
"Gwen?" Merlin asked. He looked taken aback when he saw her. "What's wrong?"
"What makes you think something is the matter?" Gwen asked.
"I'm no expert, but generally when one is crying, it means something is wrong," Merlin pointed out.
Gwen brought her hand up to her eyes. Sure enough, she could feel the tears that were pooled in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately.
"Don't apologize. I did a fair amount of that myself after Will died," Merlin told her quietly. "How are you feeling?"
"Awful," Gwen said sadly. She was ashamed at what she had said. "I just yelled at Morgana."
Merlin looked up surprised. Gwen and Morgan were good friends. They rarely fought. "Why?" He asked curiously.
"It was stupid," Gwen said. "She just said she knew how I felt and I snapped. No one knows how I feel and for some reason her saying that angered me. It's like she was trying to make me feel better by saying she has gone through something just as awful. With everything that has happened, I couldn't help it."
Gwen watched as Merlin picked up the tray containing Arthur's breakfast. "Perhaps you should tell her that," Merlin advised Gwen. "She may not know how you feel, but she does understand what you are going through. Your anger is only to be expected. It is part of grieving. She'll understand that. And maybe you'll find that it will help you to talk to her about your father and about how you are feeling."
Gwen sighed. "I hope you're right," she told him. She watched Merlin as he walked away. Gwen got her food then went back to Morgana's chambers.
Despite the fact that Gwen wanted to apologize, she couldn't make herself do it. She was so embarrassed by her behavior and didn't want to bring it up for fear that there would be repercussions for her outburst.
While Morgana ate, Gwen began to do her chores. Gwen was changing Morgana's sheets when the guards came. "Can I help you?" Gwen asked them confused.
"You're under arrest," one of the guards said as two others grabbed Gwen.
"This is absurd," Morgana said stepping forward. "Gwen has done nothing wrong. What are her charges?"
"She is being brought before the king for committing treason," the guard responded.
"Treason? But I haven't done anything?" Gwen said panicked. This was too similar to the last time she had been arrested. Someone had healed her father and they suspected her of sorcery. Somehow she didn't think there was going to be a miracle this time that would save her from the pyre. It seemed cruel to thrust this on her when she was still mourning her father. Why couldn't Uther just leave her be?
When Gwen was brought before Uther, she wasn't surprised to see that the doors were closed behind her. She knew Uther wouldn't want his ward here for this. Morgana wouldn't agree with whatever his sentence would be. He probably gave his guards orders not to let her enter.
Merlin stood behind Arthur, his eyes widening when he saw Gwen. He looked as if this was the last thing he had expected. She didn't blame him. This was the last thing she had expected as well.
"You have been brought before me on the charges of sorcery and conspiring to kill the king," Uther said in a cold voice. "Do you admit to your crimes?"
Gwen stared at him. "I'm not a sorceress, and I didn't try to kill you," Gwen said to him hysterically. How did she always get blamed for things like this? Why couldn't they just leave her be? Sometimes Gwen wondered if the Gods were out to get her. It seemed that as soon as she was almost recovered from something terrible, another terrible thing was thrust at her.
"I saw you when I was traveling with my ward. You conspired with a known enemy to the crown and sorcerer Tauren and you tried to have me killed," Uther said. "You were traveling with a companion. Who was he?" Gwen saw Merlin's face contort with horror. She didn't know if it was out of fear that she would turn him in or because she had gotten caught. Gwen hoped for the latter. She hoped that Merlin would have more faith in her.
"Like I would ever tell you that," Gwen spat bitterly. "You are a cruel man Uther Pendragon. You are so blinded by your hate that you refuse to see the good in people, you refuse to see that you are not always right. I was not there to conspire with sorcerers." Gwen bit her lip. That wasn't entirely true. She hadn't known it at the time, but she was indeed conspiring with a sorcerer. Just not for the reasons Uther believed. She had been conspiring with the sorcerer that saved his life. Gwen almost laughed at the thought. If only Uther could see what magic had done for him.
"You're words have shown that you are not repentant of your crimes," Uther said, his voice as angry as the expression on his face. "Tell me who your companion was."
"He is someone I care about dearly," Gwen said. She glanced at Merlin. He was looking right back at her, a faint smile on his lips. "I would never betray him to you. You are going to kill me regardless of my innocence. At least I can go to my death knowing I have spared a good man."
"So be it. You shall be executed at dawn. Guards!" Uther called. Two guards went on either side of Gwen. "Take her to the cells."
Gwen was faintly aware of the horrified look on Merlin's face before she was dragged out of the council chambers.