Season 1 Episode 12.

Story 12: Hidden

Chapter 19: The Plan

"Why do you want to help me?" Eilonwy asked. She was watching Arthur carefully. He was a king. He wasn't supposed to care about people like her. But he made her feel special. He made her feel like he didn't care that she was just a commoner. Eilonwy hadn't expected to have true feelings for Arthur. When she had sat down by him, she had intended to make him feel bad for neglecting his friend, but he wasn't what she had expected. He made her reconsider everything she knew about royalty or people in power. He made her give him a chance and she had a great time getting to know him. One night wasn't enough, but it made her certain of her feelings.

Arthur hesitated under her intense stare. He glanced at Merlin uncomfortably then decided he didn't care. Merlin already knew he had feelings for Eilonwy and Arthur suspected that what he was about to say wouldn't stay secret for long. "I've never felt this… this connection with another woman before," Arthur explained. "Last night you spoke to me as if I were your equal, not your king. Well technically I'm not your king, I'm not yours, I mean your king. Cenred is your king, well he's not yours either…" Arthur shook his head. He was rambling. He took a deep breath to compose his thoughts. When he was certain he wouldn't make a fool of himself, he continued. "But you spoke to me honestly and from your heart. Other than Merlin, no one dares speak to me like that. It was a nice change even if you didn't have the kindest things to say. And then we danced together and we spent the night talking. When we parted, my only thought was that I hoped I would get to see you soon. I've never felt that way before." Arthur was staring at the floor. He had never been so embarrassed in his life. Usually he wouldn't have revealed so much, but his mind seemed to not be attached to his body right now. So much for not making a fool of himself. But he didn't care how stupid he had sounded. He was too full of fear that he truly wouldn't be able to see Eilonwy again.

When he looked up Eilonwy was smiling at him. Arthur saw out of the corner of his eye that Merlin was smirking. He internally groaned. He knew that smirk. Merlin was never going to let him forget this.

"So what's the plan?" Eilonwy asked after a moment had passed.

"You and your brother could move to Camelot," Arthur offered. "I know you don't want to take your brother away from Ealdor, but if he had work in Camelot would he be opposed to it?"

Eilonwy bit her lip. "I don't know," she said cautiously. "My brother would never leave here to go skivvying after royalty… no offense." She glanced at Merlin apologetically.

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I do not go skivvying…" He started to say.

"Merlin," both Arthur and Eilonwy said at the same time. It was skivvying. There was no point in denying it.

Merlin's expression turned sour but he didn't say anymore.

Arthur turned to Eilonwy. "What does your brother enjoy doing?" He asked.

"Well he's a talented blacksmith. He apprenticed with the blacksmith for a couple of years until he passed away. Ealdor hasn't had much need of his talents since then," Eilonwy answered.

Merlin's face darkened and Arthur understood why. "I happen to know that Camelot could use a blacksmith," Arthur told Eilonwy quietly. "He wouldn't be working in the palace, but he would have his own workshop in the village." Out of respect for Gwen's father, he had left her father's blacksmith workshop alone. He didn't think she would mind if someone started to use it again.

Eilonwy stared at Arthur. "Are you certain about this?" She asked him uncertainly.

"I do not know what is going to become of us," Arthur told her honestly. "But regardless of whether this ends in friendship or a deeper companionship, I would not see you hurt."

"Very well," Eilonwy said. "I shall speak to Evi about this."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Merlin?" A voice called.

Merlin couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "Come in Gwen," he called. Gwen slowly opened the door.

She was holding Lilya. "I told Lancelot we would watch her this afternoon," Gwen explained.

Merlin nodded and smiled at Lilya. Lilya stuck out her tongue and made little spit bubbles as a greeting. Merlin chuckled. "Before we leave to go back to Camelot, I have to heal Gia of that which ails her," Merlin reminded himself.

Lilya reached towards him even though she was on the other side of the room. Gwen walked over towards Merlin and handed him the child. "Did you have a nice chat?" She asked curiously. She glanced at Arthur and Eilonwy.

"It was very informative," Merlin told her. A smile touched his lips. He glanced at Arthur and Eilonwy. "Eilonwy, I could go speak to Evi if you like."

"I would appreciate that Merlin," Eilonwy said with a smile.

Merlin squeezed Gwen's hand and knew she would follow him. "What was that about?" Gwen asked curiously.

"They have much to talk about. Arthur confessed his feelings to her," Merlin explained. "I wanted to give them a chance to talk in private. Also, I think you should be there when I speak to Evi."

"Why?" Gwen asked. Her brow was scrunched up in confusion.

"Because Arthur intends for Evi to be a blacksmith and he wants him to use your father's workshop," Merlin told her quietly. "He didn't think you would mind, but I wanted to make sure you were truly okay with that before I offered it to him."

"He really cares about this girl, doesn't he?" Gwen asked.

"He does," Merlin agreed. Gwen stared at Merlin for several minutes.

"Very well then," Gwen told him, finally breaking the silence. "Let's go speak with Evi. It's about time my father's workshop got some use."

Merlin could see how hard it was for Gwen to let go of her father's workshop. It was the only thing she had to remember her father by. Merlin looked around and pulled Gwen into an ally between two houses. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "Are you sure? I know it is all you have of your father," he said quietly.

Gwen closed her eyes. "I am sure," she said. "Not a day goes by where I don't think of my father, where I don't wish he was here. It's time that I accept he is gone. All his workshop is doing is gathering dust. My father would not have wanted that. He was a kind-hearted man and he would have wanted it to get some use."

Merlin hugged her for several more minutes. Gwen clutched tufts of his shirt in her fists as she came to terms with what she was doing.

When Gwen relaxed her grip, Merlin took a step back from her. He brushed the hair out of her face and leaned down to kiss her gently. When he broke the kiss, he looked at her. "Ready?" He asked her.

"Ready," Gwen said.

She took Merlin's hand and they made their way to where Evi worked. Gwen knew it was time to let go and look forward to a brighter future.