Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 14: Reunions

Gwen wasn't conscious of moving as she walked towards her brother. She almost felt guilty when she practically ignored Merlin, but she had other things on her mind. Her brother was here. This was the best wedding gift she could have asked for.

When Gwen approached him, Elyan immediately opened his arms, welcoming her into his embrace. He kissed the top of her head. He had missed his sister. It had been so long since he had last seen her. It was hard to imagine that this beautiful woman before him was the little girl that made sure he had breakfast in the morning, patched his clothing when they ripped, and had bandaged all his scraped knees when he was a boy.

"Elyan," Gwen sobbed into his chest. She couldn't help her tears. She wasn't usually emotional, but it was like seeing a ghost. She hadn't seen her brother in years. Not since he had run off to try and make a name for himself. She hadn't even known if he was safe.

It had been a huge change for Gwen when he left. She had practically raised Elyan. She had spent her free time making sure he was fed and properly clothed. She had watched him grow from a little boy into a man. And then suddenly he was gone. No note, no goodbye. He was just gone.

"Gwen," Elyan said, rubbing circles into her back. "Everything is okay. I'm back."

Gwen turned to Merlin. She could see him talking to Arthur while they watched her. "How did you get him here?" She asked Merlin amazed. He had done so much for her. It made her love him even more and she hadn't even known that was possible.

Merlin shrugged. "It wasn't that difficult," he said nonchalantly.

"Not difficult?" Elyan asked incredulously. "I'm not sure how he found me. He wouldn't tell me. But he broke me out of prison and then told me I was attending your wedding or he would let Cenred's men catch me and arrest me again. He literally refused to move to safety until I promised that I would be here and gave him my blessing. Which if any man goes through that length to get my blessing to marry my sister, he deserves it. Oh and he made me promise that I would move back to Camelot and find work there."

"Yes," Arthur said, cutting into their conversation. "I believe that Camelot could use a knight like you. And I'm not just saying that because someone threatened to use their magic to make me fat if I didn't."

"Merlin," Gwen chastised. She had to bite her cheek to hide her chuckle. She was impressed with the lengths Merlin had gone through to get Elyan here and to get him to stay.

"I wasn't referring to Merlin," Arthur said. He glanced at Morgana who was still sitting on her horse. She looked like she was immensely enjoying herself.

"Was I the only one that didn't know about this?" Gwen asked surprised. Arthur was in on it. Morgana was in on it.

"Yes," four voices answered her.

"Merlin got us all in on it," Morgana explained. "He wanted to surprise you. Naturally, he left me the hard part of convincing Arthur to employ Elyan when he returned."

"Thank you," Gwen whispered to Merlin.

"You're welcome," Merlin answered. His eyes were shining. It had worked. "I know we agreed no secrets, but I felt that this was an exception."

"It was," Gwen agreed, tightening her arms around her brother. "It most certainly was. But how did you find him?"

"I had a little help," Merlin admitted. He glanced at Gwen, he knew she was going to be furious at him. He had promised her no more secrets, but he honestly had just never thought to tell her about this. He looked behind Gwen and smiled at something.

Gwen turned and was surprised to see Lancelot. He was holding a little girl who was fast asleep on his shoulder. "Lancelot?" Gwen asked. She turned to Merlin. "You've had a busy week haven't you?"

"Just got back round nightfall last night," Merlin told her with a nod. He had been worried he wouldn't get back before Gwen so he had forced himself, Elyan, and Lancelot to ride all day with only the shortest breaks for water and food.

"Perhaps we should find a place to sit. I want to hear the whole story," Gwen said. She turned to Lancelot. "Who is this?" She gently stroked the child's cheek.

"This is my daughter," Lancelot told her. "Her name is Lilya."

"She's gorgeous," Gwen cooed.

Lancelot smiled. "She looks just like her mother," he said quietly.

"Speaking of whom. She's going to kill me if you're here much longer. I promised her I was only going to steal you for an hour or so," Merlin reminded him. "Especially after I took you for nearly a week. I don't think she is too happy with me…"

"You're… wife is here?" Gwen asked uncertainly.

Lancelot and Merlin exchanged uneasy glances. "She's my fiancé… it's rather a long story," Lancelot explained. "We're hoping to marry soon." Lancelot sent Merlin a meaningful look. Merlin nodded.

Gwen made a mental note to ask Merlin about that later. "Any chance I can meet her?" Gwen asked curiously.

Lancelot hesitated. "I'm not sure that would be a good idea… she's a little sensitive towards anyone who lives in Camelot right now... it took Merlin hours to convince her that she could trust him," Lancelot explained.

Gwen's brow furrowed. "Why w–" Gwen started to ask.

"Let her meet Gia. And let Arthur meet her," Merlin told Lancelot. "He has a right to know. And if he can appease her, it might change her whole outlook on Camelot. She might feel safe again."

Gwen and Arthur looked at each other confused. They were completely lost. Lancelot and Merlin seemed to be having a private conversation. Finally Lancelot relented. "I suppose this was going to happen eventually, but when Gia gets angry, I'm blaming you," Lancelot warned.

"I'll accept the blame," Merlin agreed with a small smile. "Gia likes me. She won't stay angry very long."

Lancelot grudgingly led them to the Ealdor Inn.

Elyan and Morgana had been spotted by Merlin's mother on the way. She had promised to feed them.

Gwen, Merlin, and Arthur all followed Lancelot up the stairs to a room on the second floor of the inn. Lancelot entered. "Gia?" He called. "I've brought a couple of guests. Merlin's doing."

There was no answer, but neither Merlin nor Lancelot seemed surprised. They entered the room. Arthur looked around. He had never had need to stay in an inn before. It was a new experience for him. It was rather plain with a bed and a wardrobe.

It took Arthur a moment to realize that someone was sitting on the bed. A woman was sitting up, propped against a pillow. She was drawing something on a piece of parchment paper.

Once she turned the paper, Arthur realized she hadn't been drawing, but had been writing. "Is that the girl?" the paper said.

Merlin smiled. "Gia, I'd like you to meet my fiancé Guinevere," he said slowly.

Gia turned the parchment so she could write on it. "Who's the chubby boy?" she wrote.

Merlin chuckled. "Told you that you were getting fat," he muttered to Arthur. Merlin's face immediately became grave. "Gia… this is King Arthur."

Gia's face contorted with anger. "Get him out of here," she wrote.

"Let me explain," Merlin pleaded. "He's not like Uther. Give him a chance."

Gia frowned, watching Merlin for any sign that he was not being completely honest. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't have given a second thought. But after the goodness she had seen in Merlin, she could not deny him. After a moment she nodded. She would give the prince a chance.