There is a woman, a serving girl, a lowly peasant called Guinevere. Or Gwen, as she's known to her friends. She is honest and straightforward, and a simple soul. There are many who have tried to gain access to the throne of Camelot, but it is she who has won the honor. Arthur trusts her entirely. As he does you. For you are Lancelot, the noble, the brave, the honourable. You're everything the Knight's Code stands for.

Before she was announced as heir, before she turned her mind to governing… before she became the people's, she was yours. You were her first love.

And you will be her last.

Arthur gazed down at Guinevere, her face pale and streaked with tears. She looked so small and fragile, so unlike the strong Gwen he knew and relied upon.

But how could he rely upon her anymore? She had forsaken the tournament and nearly cost him his life in her sudden obsession with Lancelot. Arthur had known that their love was strong (or nauseating, as Merlin put it) but he'd never guessed Gwen would let her heart rule her head so completely.

And now, she was inadvertently guilty of treason.

"You will leave, please," Arthur said softly. "All of you."

Everyone filed slowly out of the room, Agravaine with a superior look on his face. Glad to be proven right about Guinevere, Arthur was certain.

Merlin alone stayed.

Arthur began to circle Gwen. "What are you still doing on your knees? Am I just your king? Get up for goodness' sake."

Gwen stood on shaky legs.

"You were to be my heir."

Arthur completed his circle, facing her again. Gwen held his gaze tremulously. "What happened, Guinevere?"

Gwen tried to answer, but seemed to find no words, and shook her head.

"You were happy," Arthur said. "At least, I hope so."

Gwen nodded, her eyes closing to try and stop more tears from sliding down her face.

"Tomorrow… was your coronation day."

Gwen nodded again, painfully, the tears coming in earnest now. "I know."

"If you had worries…"

Gwen shook her head. "I wasn't worried."

"If you had doubts…"

"I didn't have any doubts."

"Then forgive me," Arthur said, "Because I must be really stupid." He grabbed her forearms tightly, shaking her. "What were you doing?"

"Arthur," Merlin said, taking a step forward.

Arthur blinked, looked down at his hands, and released her. "I'm sorry, I don't… I'm sorry."

"No. No. No, it is I who should be sorry." Gwen hiccuped. "You and Merlin mean everything to me, you're my friends—you're more than that, you're my family. I love and respect you, you know I do."

Arthur gazed at the wall, refusing to look at her. Merlin kept silent. Yes, he had nearly lost Arthur because of Gwen's actions, but this wasn't between him and Gwen. He and Gwen had a different friendship than Gwen and Arthur did, and it was that friendship that was on the line.

"I did love Lancelot once. But not… not for many months now. I moved on. I thought he was dead. I thought I would never see him again, and… and then… when I did, I was… overwhelmed. I was drawn to him. I couldn't stop myself, I don't know why."

Gwen pressed her hands to her face, as if in prayer.

"All I wanted was to be your friend. To serve you and to serve Camelot. All I wanted was to be the heir, to bring about a new age the way we've always talked about…" Gwen couldn't finish and she pressed a hand to her stomach and another over her mouth, trying to stifle her sob.

Merlin wanted to move forward, to comfort her, but he knew it would only make Arthur angry again and they'd have to start all over. Arthur pointed at the closed doors. "Do you know what they were saying?"

Guinevere shook her head.

"That in my father's day, you'd be put to death."

"Arthur!" Merlin said sharply.

Arthur held up a hand. Merlin quieted, but still glared warningly.

"I do not want to see you dead," Arthur said, and Gwen looked hopeful, "But I do not want to see you. I cannot look at you every day."

Gwen took a tiny step forward. "Arthur—"

"You return on pain of death."

"No," Gwen whispered.

Arthur strode past her. "That is my decision."

"No!" Gwen's voice rose. "No, you and, and Merlin and—and Elyan, you're—my family, you're all I have, I'm—I'm not leaving you!" She looked desperately at Merlin. "Where will I go?"

Arthur paused and turned his head slightly, half looking back over his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I am truly sorry." He swept out of the room.

Gwen took one gasping breath and Merlin rushed forward, catching her as she fainted.

"It's not too late."

Arthur didn't turn away from the window.

"I know what Gwen did was desperately wrong, but she is a good person. I truly believe that."

"As do I," Arthur replied.

Merlin placed his hands on Arthur's shoulders. "Can you find it in your heart to forgive her?"

Arthur pressed his lips together, holding back a sigh. "That's not the problem."

"Agravaine?" Merlin demanded, stepping in front of Arthur. "Well, it is Agravaine, isn't it? He's wrong. People won't find you weak or a fool. They will find you merciful, understanding."

"I'm afraid you're wrong, Merlin," Arthur said, finally looking at him. "I love Gwen, with all my heart. Since Morgana's betrayal… she has become a sister to me. She has filled the gap that Morgana tore out. And I'm sure in time, I'll forgive her."

Merlin's face showed his lack of understanding, and Arthur went on.

"But I'll never trust her. I can't live like that. Not as a king, and certainly not with my heir, the person I should trust above all others in matters of state. And though it pains me… it's best that she's gone."

"He'll come around," Merlin said. "I'm sure of it."

Gwen smiled sadly. "Arthur's endless forgiveness, I suspect, begins and ends with you."

Merlin hugged her tightly. "I'll find a way to bring you back. I promise."

Gwen pulled away. "Until then," she whispered.

Merlin nodded. "Until then."

He stood there, watching, as his first and best friend left Camelot.