Arthur sank back against the cell wall, closing his eyes. "This is all my fault."

He could sense Merlin's frown, even if he couldn't see it. "How is this your fault? Did you go and capture Elyan and then force Gwen to lead you here?"

"I'm the one who insisted on this false love affair." Arthur opened his eyes. "If they didn't think I'm in love with Gwen, they wouldn't have done anything to harm her or her brother."

"There's no use worrying about it now. The rumor's kind of taken on a life of its own."

"Her life is in danger, Merlin. And it's because of me." Arthur paused. "For that matter, Morgana and Elyan's lives are in danger too."

"Hey now," Merlin came over and sat next to him, putting his head on his shoulder. "I've got a share in the blame, too. I could have put my foot down."

"I just never expected…" Arthur shrugged. "Everyone gossips. I thought it would just be enough of a distraction to keep people from finding out about us. I never thought…"

"You know what this means."

Arthur looked down at him. "What's it mean?"

"It means Morgause and Cenred will stop at nothing." Merlin stared up at him, his eyes bright. "We have to watch our every step. They might even have a spy in Camelot."

"Doesn't matter now," Arthur replied. "We'll be dead soon."

Merlin frowned. "Yes, I don't understand why we're not dead already."

Arthur held in a sigh. "Because Cenred will want to torture me first, find out what I know."

Merlin sat up, one hand clenching into a fist. "I won't—"

Arthur chuckled. Merlin's protectiveness, no matter how illogical, was incredibly endearing. He placed his hand over Merlin's fist, relaxing it. "You're cute when you're angry."

"I am not," Merlin replied. "You aren't worried about this at all?"

"No. Not in the slightest."

"Sorry, I don't understand. How," Merlin relaxed his hand even more, allowing Arthur to thread their fingers together. "How can you not be afraid of pain?"

Arthur found it a funny thing to ask, coming from Merlin, because the only time Merlin ever seemed scared was when Arthur's life was in danger. Put Merlin's own life on the line and he shrugged it off like it was nothing.

"I am afraid of pain," Arthur explained. "There's just not going to be any."

Merlin was really confused now. "Right. So, you go into some sort of trance?"

Now it was Arthur's turn to be confused. "What are you talking about? There's not going to be any because we are going to escape from this filthy cell and rescue the others."

Merlin blinked incredulously. "You've got a plan?"

"Not as such…" Arthur admitted.

For not having much of a plan things were going pretty well. And then Arthur tried to convince Merlin to take Gwen and Elyan back to Camelot while he went to rescue Morgana.

He should have known Merlin wouldn't listen. His husband was more stubborn than any mule Arthur had ever met.

"No, you can't!" Merlin argued. "It's too dangerous!"

"Sorry, Merlin, I'm not leaving without her." Morgana was like a sister to him. "When you get to the horses, ride straight for Camelot. Do not wait for me. Promise."

"But I…"

Arthur placed his hand at Merlin's cheek, stroking the soft skin with his thumb. "Promise."

Merlin swallowed. "I promise."

Merlin happily pointed out that he had promised not to wait for Arthur when they reached the horses, which he did, indeed, do. He failed to leave out the fact that he was going to reach the horses after following Arthur and nearly getting himself crushed by a load of falling stone.

"Your fault for leaving me a loophole," Merlin said cheerfully, once they were safely riding back to Camelot.

Arthur rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide his smile.

Merlin must have been more tired than he let on, because he passed out the second his head hit the pillows that night. Arthur was just finishing up reading a new tax proposal (a.k.a. staring fondly at Merlin with his parted lips, smooth face and rumpled hair) when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Gwen entered, carrying a pair of dresses. Arthur's forehead creased. "What are they?"

"Two silk dresses," Gwen said, laying them out on the table. "In case your father asks any questions."

"Ah, where'd you get them from?"

"Well…" Gwen smiled, "Let's just say they won't be missed for a day or two."

Arthur nodded. He trusted her. "How's Elyan settling in?"

Gwen's smile turned into a huge grin. "Really well. He's got the forge up and running and a place to live. He really appreciates all the help you've given him."

"Well, Camelot does need a master blacksmith."

Gwen nodded, and then paused, hesitating. Arthur tilted his head. "Was there anything else?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for bringing my brother back. It means more to me than I can say."

Arthur smiled. "Well it's like you said, Guinevere. It's what you do when you love someone. Whether it's a family member, a lover, or a friend." Arthur paused. "Fact is, Gwen, it's our fault you had to go through this. Merlin and I, we shouldn't have had you play the part. I should have known it would put you in danger."

"How were you supposed to know that?" Gwen demanded. "Nobility take servants as paramours all the time, Arthur, it's hardly shocking. No one could have guessed they'd be so desperate as to trust you truly cared for me."

"I do truly care, you know," Arthur said. "I trust your judgment more than almost anyone's." He grinned. "In fact I'd say I trust it more than Merlin's sometimes. He gets so determined to keep me safe he doesn't think straight."

"That's because he loves you." Gwen's eyes were soft and knowing. "Not when you first met, but within the first week I could tell. He's always loved you."

Arthur swallowed, his face hot. "Yes, well… point is, you don't have to keep up the pretense if you don't want to. In fact, I'd almost prefer you didn't. You're my only friend, and I want to keep you safe."

Gwen looked pointedly at Merlin, slumbering away, and Arthur laughed. "He's my husband, that doesn't count."

"For what it's worth, I consider you a friend as well," Gwen replied. "And that is why I see no reason not to continue. Whatever I can do to help, I will, and if that means be your fake lover, well then." She shrugged.

"And you're sure I can't change your mind about this?"

Gwen shook her head. "Someday you will be king, and you can change things. Until then, I'll help keep my two best friends safe."

"Thank you, Guinevere."

"Of course, Arthur."

After she left Arthur slid into bed, gazing down at Merlin. He trailed his fingers across Merlin's face, feeling the ridges and outlines. "Within the first week?" He whispered.

To his surprise, Merlin snorted. "As if. It took me at least a month."

Arthur gaped at him and Merlin cracked one eye open, a smile sliding across his face. "What? Thought I wouldn't wake up? You two are louder than a pack of crows."

Arthur promptly tackled him.