Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 7: Missing

For a moment the two women stared at one another as if they weren't sure they really were there. Gwen made the first move. She took a step towards Morgana and suddenly the girls were crying and hugging. Merlin stared. He couldn't make out a thing they were saying, but he thought he caught an apology here and there. He definitely heard something about hair. He sighed and leaned against the cabin. He made himself comfortable for he didn't know how long they would talk for. He would never understand women.

Merlin was grateful when Gwen and Morgana decided to go inside and sit down. Merlin sat on Gwen's bed, studying the book of spells he had long since left there.

He submerged himself into the world of the old religion. He didn't know how long had passed before he became aware that they were talking about him.

"Is it safe for me to ask you about Merlin?" Morgana asked Gwen quietly. She glanced over at Merlin. He seemed to be entrapped in his book, but looks can be deceiving.

"Yes," Gwen said amused. "This cabin could catch on fire and Merlin wouldn't notice. He doesn't pay attention to anything when he reads that book."

Morgana chuckled. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. So how are things with Merlin? Is he good to you? Because if he's not I can get Arthur to have him arrested and thrown in prison for a couple of days," Morgana offered.

Merlin had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He could hear Gwen's laughter. He turned the page in his book so they wouldn't realize he was eavesdropping.

"That won't be necessary," Gwen told Morgana. "Things are going really well. I just wish I got to see him more. He's here every night, but we're only awake for an hour or two. He's always gone before I wake. It's not enough."

"That must be frustrating," Morgana commented. "Why don't you ask him to leave Camelot? He could come live with you. You could be happy."

"I am happy," Gwen told her. "Besides, he has a responsibility to Arthur. He can't just leave him. I understand that." Gwen sighed. It wasn't the perfect arrangement, but the perfect arrangement simply didn't exist. Gwen understood Merlin's duty to Arthur.

"You really like him, don't you," Morgana observed. If a man told her that he wasn't going to stay with her because he had to skivvy after some prince, Morgana would have some choice words to say to that man - and they would not be good choice words. She definitely would not be taking it as well as Gwen.

"I do," Gwen told her. "And he really loves me."

"I'm glad to hear it," Morgana told her sincerely.

After that, they were back to talking about strange girl stuff so Merlin began to truly read his book again.

Hours later, when Gwen was practically falling asleep, they said their goodbyes. Merlin rarely stayed awake that late and he knew he was going to be miserable the next day. Gwen kissed Merlin gently. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

Merlin kissed her forehead. "I know it's not much, but it's something," he told her.

"It's perfect," Gwen corrected. She glanced at Morgana who was standing by the door, giving them a little bit of privacy. "I love you."

"I love you too," Merlin told her. He kissed her one last time. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Merlin reluctantly left Gwen. He joined Morgana and could see from the look on her face that it was going to be a long walk back to Camelot.

Sure enough, the second the cabin was out of view, the questions started. Merlin groaned, but answered all of her questions honestly. Morgana was legitimately happy to see them together and to know Gwen was doing well.

After that, Morgana visited Gwen at least once a month. She felt partially responsible for Gwen having to leave, because Merlin and Gwen had explained that they had followed her and Uther to stop her from doing something she would regret.

It was about three years after Gwen had escaped Camelot. Merlin and Morgana had just visited her. Merlin had only missed a handful of nights with Gwen in those three years. And he had always told her he wouldn't be there beforehand. There was one time where Merlin found out that day and sent Morgana into the woods during the day time to tell her that he wouldn't be there that night. That's why when Merlin didn't show up the following night, Gwen worried. She forced herself to calm down. If there was something happening with Arthur, it was natural that Merlin might not be able to make it out to see her.

But after two more nights without Merlin, Gwen was sure something was wrong. Gwen didn't care if it was reckless. She put on the pale purple cloak Merlin had brought her for when it got cold and she walked towards Camelot.

She knew this was risky. If the knights recognized her, she would be killed on the spot, but she needed to make sure Merlin was okay.

Gwen went in the back gates of Camelot. To her relief, the guards didn't question her. She realized that was quite dangerous on their part. She could be anyone just walking into Camelot in the middle of the night.

Gwen followed the familiar path to Gaius's chambers. Merlin's chambers were beyond Gaius's workshop. Gwen snuck in, being careful not to alert Gaius to her presence. When Gwen got to Merlin's chambers, she found that his bed was empty. A blood-chilling fear began to gnaw at Gwen. instinct told her something wasn't right.

Gwen went straight to Arthur's chambers. She was relieved that he didn't have guards stationed outside of his bedroom.

Gwen entered without knocking. It was so dark, she couldn't see anything. "Arthur?" Gwen whispered. "Arthur."

Gwen could make out the sounds of shuffling feet then the curtains were thrown open lighting Arthur's chambers with moonlight. Arthur looked towards Gwen, his face contorting with surprise. "Guinevere?" He asked uncertainly. Arthur thought she would have been with Merlin.

"Arthur, I'm really worried about Merlin. I haven't seen him in three days," Gwen told him anxiously.

Arthur was suddenly wide awake. "He hasn't been here. He had mentioned a long time ago that he wanted to take you to Ealdor to visit his mother. I figured he had done that. Wouldn't be the first time he neglected to tell me something important," Arthur said worriedly. Gwen thought she detected a hint of bitterness in his tone as well. "When was the last time he visited you?"

"When he and Morgana visited me three nights ago," Gwen told him honestly.

"I'll ask Morgana if Merlin said anything," Arthur told her. Arthur put on a cloak. It was the middle of winter and while his chambers were warm, the rest of the palace wouldn't be.

"It's the middle of the night," Gwen protested.

Arthur paused. "So it's okay to wake me at all hours of the night, but not Morgana?" He asked slightly amused.

Gwen looked at him apologetically. "I figured if anyone knew where Merlin was, it would be you," Gwen explained.

"Morgana is all we have to go on. She may have been the last person to see him," Arthur told her quietly. "Ill not wait until morning. Merlin has been missing for three days. If we want to find him, we have to start now." Arthur didn't say what he was really thinking. That if Merlin had been taken three days ago, it was unlikely he was still alive.

Arthur and Gwen went to Morgana's chambers. They hoped she would have the answers they needed.