Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 6: Reunion

The next morning found Merlin exhausted, but happy. Merlin brought Arthur his breakfast, humming under his breath.

"I take it everything went well with Guinevere?" Arthur asked amused as he watched Merlin. Merlin had just spun in a circle while dusting.

Merlin nodded. "Very well," he admitted, unable to keep the smile off his face. He never knew a woman could have this effect on him. "I'll be seeing her again tonight. How'd it go here?"

Arthur raised his eyebrows. He was very surprised to hear Merlin would be sneaking out again to visit her. It really must have gone very well. "It went well. The fake trail was planted. Some of my knights believe they caught her trail on the way to Essetir. They believe she is seeking sanctuary there. My father has called off the search. He has ordered the guards to notify him if she is ever seen in Camelot," Arthur explained lightly. It was rather disconcerting how easy it was to fool his knights. He was able to justify it by telling himself it was good practice for them.

Merlin smiled. Essetir was the opposite direction of where Gwen was hiding. "Thank you sire. You have no idea what she means to me," he told Arthur honestly.

"Perhaps not. But I hope to one day," Arthur said quietly. He couldn't help but notice the substantial difference in Merlin. He would be a lucky man if he found someone he loved as much as Merlin loved Gwen. "I think it might be wise if you let Morgana know about Gwen. She was distraught when she heard that Gwen had left. I think it would bring her some relief to know Gwen is safe. I didn't tell her, because I felt you would want to, but I really didn't appreciate being told I'm just like my father and that Camelot will be doomed one day. Oh and what was the other thing? Something about how I'm an arrogant prat and I'm lucky that I know how to breathe without my father's say so."

Merlin nodded, but couldn't stop his chuckle. He could imagine how angry Morgana would have gotten at Arthur. "I'll be sure to do that," he promised. Morgana had a right to know, Gwen was her best friend. And he knew Gwen would love to see her as well. Merlin hesitated. Gwen would love to see her, but not yet. He would help Gwen find a real place to live and would help her get settled and then, when she was ready, he would tell Morgana. "One day, when you are king, do you think you would ever let Gwen back into Camelot?"

"I'm not sure," Arthur answered honestly. "There is a long time before I will be king. Right now, my answer would be no. I helped her escape for you and only for you. She was at Gorlois's grave site for a reason. I don't know why. I don't know if it was to kill my father or if it was for some other reason, but she was still there. I cannot ignore that. But maybe one day my answer will change."

Merlin nodded. It was about what he had expected from Arthur and he appreciated Arthur's honesty. "Can I ask you something?" Arthur asked him uncertainly.

Merlin looked at him amused. "You're the prince. You can ask me anything," Merlin pointed out.

"But will you answer me honestly?" Arthur asked, never breaking eye contact with Merlin. Merlin's humor immediately vanished. Arthur was being completely serious with him right now.

"I will," Merlin promised.

"If you care about Gwen so much, why don't you leave Camelot and stay with her?" Arthur asked him. It was something he had been puzzling over since Merlin left with Gwen last night. Merlin had nothing to keep him here, so why did he stay?

"Who would protect your royal backside?" Merlin asked with a straight face.

"Merlin," Arthur said with a sigh. Here he was, trying to have a serious conversation and Merlin has to make a joke about his incompetence. Typical. "I'm serious."

"So am I," Merlin told him. "You wouldn't last a day without me. Who would bring you breakfast? Who would clean up after you? Who would tell you when you are being a clot pole? No, you need me far too much for me to leave."

Arthur stared, uncertain that he had heard Merlin correctly. "You're staying in Camelot for me?" He asked confused.

"You're my friend Arthur, I'm not going to leave you," Merlin told him seriously. Merlin hated that he couldn't stay with Gwen. He wished he could spend his every waking moment with her. But he knew that if he stayed with Gwen, something unmentionably horrible would happen to Arthur and Merlin would never be able to forgive himself. He could no more distance himself from Arthur than he could distance himself for Gwen. Arthur was his destiny, and Merlin knew Gwen understood that. Merlin hated that he had to divide his time; he would never have enough for either of them, but it was the best he could do.

Arthur nodded. He didn't know what to say to that. He had never met a man like Merlin before. He never thought he would meet a peasant that would become this good of a friend to him.

Merlin waited several weeks before he told Morgana about Gwen. He was sure she would want to see Gwen and he wanted Gwen to get settled first.

Merlin and Gwen had found a little cottage in the woods. It was a little run-down, but it was long since abandoned and with a little help from magic and a bit of hard work, it was as good as new. Then came the hard part. They had to make it livable for Gwen. Most of the furniture in the cottage was broken, so they had decided to discard all of it. They cut the wooden furniture into pieces that Gwen would be able to use for the fire. Bit by bit, Merlin shrunk furniture so he could sneak it out of Camelot and brought it to Gwen. It would be suspicious if he took a lot of furniture from the castle all at once. It took three weeks, but Gwen's new home was eventually fully furnished. Merlin visited Gwen every night. Most of the time, he stayed all night, sleeping on the little cot that he had brought with him the first time he planned on staying the night. They had realized quickly that Merlin's fatigue made it difficult for him to complete his duties as Arthur's manservant if he was out until all hours of the night and then had to go back to Camelot to sleep. It still wasn't enough though. He wished he could have more time with her, but that wasn't possible. Gwen understood his responsibility to Arthur. Neither of them liked it, but they knew it was necessary.

When Merlin told Morgana, it was as he suspected. She insisted on seeing Gwen. She literally would not take no for an answer. That night both Merlin and Morgana snuck into the woods towards the cabin that Gwen lived in. As they walked, Merlin explained to Morgana that he wanted to surprise Gwen.

Merlin still felt guilty about causing Gwen to have to leave Camelot. He hoped that this would cheer her up. Morgana waited behind a tree while Merlin greeted Gwen.

Merlin hadn't told Morgana about his relationship with Gwen and he could practically feel her eyes boring into him after he kissed her. Morgana was still hiding behind a tree, but he knew she could see them.

Merlin internally groaned. He knew Morgana was going to badger him about it their entire walk back now. He was never going to hear the end of it.

"I brought you a gift," Merlin told Gwen after they had broken apart.

Gwen looked at Merlin slightly startled. "You didn't have to do that," she told him surprised.

"Oh I did," Merlin said with a small smile. If he hadn't Arthur would have killed him. Arthur was tired of Morgana blaming him for ruining Gwen's life because he refused to go against his father. And Merlin had to admit that Morgana was persistent with her insults. "Come out," Merlin called.

Gwen looked more confused than before. She looked around nervously. When she saw Morgana, her jaw dropped. "My lady," Gwen said shocked.

"Hello Gwen," Morgana said, a smile spreading across her face.