I have a very close relationship with my siblings, so I'm a sucker for close sibling relationships and the idea that it's not only romantic love that can save the day.

Arthur hadn't been sure what to expect when Merlin told him to get into his armor, follow him, and stop asking questions. It probably had something to do with Leon and Gwen—Merlin was unusually interested in the development of their relationship. Arthur took the view that if they were going to fall in love they could do it on their own time and without interference from friends, well-meaning though it might be. After all, nobody had interfered when Merlin and Arthur were fumbling their way through things.

All right, nobody had interfered much.

But whatever Arthur had possibly expected, it certainly wasn't this.

He gripped the handle of his sword tightly, pressing back against the tree as he began to unsheathe Excalibur.

"Arthur, don't," Merlin warned. "Morgana's too powerful. Now is not the time."

"How could she do this?" Arthur demanded, glancing over at where Gwen stood with Morgana, betraying everything Arthur had ever believed her to stand for.

"That's not the Gwen we know and love," Merlin replied. "She has fallen prey to a dark and powerful magic."

"We have to get her back," Arthur growled. "First you and now Gwen. I can't lose my family, Merlin."

"And you won't," Merlin replied. "We'll get her back, Arthur, I promise."

Guinevere entered her room that night filled with thoughts of revenge.

And then she saw what was on the table.

Peering around to see that nobody was in the room, she undid her cloak and walked over to the table. On it lay a single rose.

It was predictably adorable and romantic but Gwen's stomach fluttered and her cheeks warmed, a smile growing on her face.

"Do you like it?" Leon asked, hovering in the doorway.

Gwen turned around, stroking the petals with the tips of her fingers. "I love it."

"Merlin had to help me pick it out," Leon admitted, entering the room properly. "I know nothing about where flowers grow."

"But the thought was sweet," Gwen replied. She approached him, a small smile on her face. It was so strange—most of the time she was consumed with thoughts of hate for Arthur, her mind darting from one plan to the next, wondering how to best secure Morgana her throne. But when with Leon, such thoughts fell away. She almost felt like the serving girl from years ago, young and unaware of just how carefree and simple her life was. Leon wasn't one for star-crossed love or sweeping romance, but he was noble and thoughtful and just a little shy and Gwen lo—liked him immensely.

To think, they had known one another all of these years, and it had taken Arthur's near death experience to bring them together. Gwen had bee faking tears for Arthur, sobbing about how she loved him so, he was such a brother to her, how could Camelot go on without him. Leon had been watching over Arthur and, upon hearing Gwen's staged pleas, had given her such a passionate speech about her leadership skills and her ability to rule Camelot that Gwen had forgotten to keep crying. Everyone knew that should Arthur die it would be Gwen ascending to the throne, not Merlin. Aside from the fact that he'd keel over and die just to follow Arthur to the afterlife, Merlin had no wish to be king. But Leon's speech had held more than simple loyalty. When he had finished, Gwen found herself staring at him and wondering if she had ever truly seen him before. A thousand moments had flashed through her mind—dancing with Leon at the feast, sitting next to him at the tavern, speaking with him when Morgana and Morgause took over Camelot—and she felt like an utter fool.

"Sir Leon," she had said, "Your loyalty is admirable, but where does such belief in me stem from?"

In response, he had kissed her.

He kissed her now, too, just the once before stepping back. "I should begin patrol."

Gwen nodded, the smile refusing to come off her face no matter how she struggled. "Be careful."

She set the rose in a vase, right in the middle of the table.

"Leon."

To his credit, Sir Leon didn't jump. "Sire?" He asked, turning to see not just Arthur but Merlin as well, staring him down.

"Do you love Gwen?"

Arthur turned to Merlin. "Yes, let's be subtle about it, shall we?"

Merlin glared right back at Arthur. "Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware we had loads of time to waste."

"Is something wrong?" Leon asked.

Arthur shoved Merlin behind him, ignoring Merlin's squawk of disapproval. "Merlin and I couldn't help but notice the, uh, changed nature of your relationship with Guinevere, and we wanted to make sure that your intentions were honorable."

Leon shifted a little, unconsciously going into a neutral fighting stance. "Not that it's any of your business," he began, "But I understand that she is family to you."

Merlin nodded encouragingly.

"I have known Guinevere since she was born. Our mothers were close friends, despite their difference in status. Gwen's mother was, in fact, the ladies' maid to my mother. Our home is rather isolated—as I'm sure you know, my lord—and there were no other children to play with. Gwen and I grew up together." Leon paused. "I cannot think of a time when I did not love her."

"Are you telling me," Arthur said incredulously, "That you loved her while she was with Lancelot and you didn't say anything?"

Leon shrugged. "I want her to be happy."

"I'm much too jealous for that," Merlin admitted.

"Yes," Arthur grumbled, "We've noticed."

"And does she care for you?" Merlin asked.

"I hope so," Leon answered. "She seems to welcome my attentions."

"Interesting," Merlin said, adopting his suspiciously deep thinking look. Such looks usually preceded an insane plan or odd scrap of knowledge that ended up paying off, even if it defied all logic.

"Will that be all?" Leon asked. "Sire?"

"I'm going to ignore the sarcasm in your tone," Arthur replied. "Because I've just made you late for patrol."

After Leon left, Merlin rounded on Arthur. "You see?"

"No, I don't see," Arthur replied. "What on earth does Gwen's relationship with Leon have to do with Morgana?"

Merlin didn't call Arthur a dunce, but he might as well have for the expression his face made. "It shows that Gwen is still capable of love."

"What if she's just using Leon?"

"I think she would have done so by now. She's had plenty of opportunity since the last time she tried to get you killed. And besides, Leon has always put loyalty to the crown first. I bet if you were to marry Gwen he wouldn't even say a word. It's how he is. If Gwen was going to seduce one of your knights she'd be better off with Gwaine."

"Which means…"

"It means that she can still love, Arthur," Merlin said. "It means that deep down, she is still our Gwen. And that means that there is hope."

"Can't Leon just do it?" Arthur asked. Riding a horse with an unconscious Guinevere draped over it was proving to be more difficult than he'd anticipated.

"No," Merlin said. "It has to be you. You're the center of her false hatred."

"What on earth am I going to say to her to get her to go in?"

Merlin shrugged. "I'm sure you'll figure something out."

Guinevere stirred slowly, rising from drugged slumber and gazing around her. She took in the lake, and Mordred in his armor, the Dolma, and finally Arthur, and scrambled to her feet with a shriek of hatred. "Where am I?" She demanded. "What have you done to me?"

"You've been asleep for a long time," Arthur said, trying to soothe her and taking a step forward.

Gwen reared back as if he touch would burn her. "Get away from me!"

"Guinevere," Arthur said. "Our Guinevere. Sister."

"Your Guinevere?" Gwen laughed. "You stupid, foolish man. I was never your family and I never will be."

"You must reach her, Arthur," The Dolma instructed. "Reach her or all is lost."

"Who's this old crone?" Gwen demanded.

"You called me family once," Arthur said, ignoring Gwen's question. He had to reach her.

"You are easily fooled, Arthur," Gwen sneered.

"And still do."

"It was a trick. Nothing more. A subterfuge to pass Camelot to its rightful Queen."

Arthur grabbed Gwen by the arms. "I don't believe that."

Gwen struggled, writhing like a fish caught on a hook. Her eyes bored hatefully up into Arthur's face. "Believe what you like, the fact remains."

Arthur began to drag Gwen to the pool, thinking to hell with this, he was far stronger than she was, he could throw her in easy as anything—

"No!" The Dolma cried. "It must be of her own free will!"

Arthur pulled Gwen into him. "Look at me. Tell me that we are not family."

"Let me go!" Gwen squirmed, pinned by his gaze.

"Arthur!" The Dolma warned.

"You are my sister," Arthur said. "In every way that matters. I love you, Guinevere. Merlin loves you. Leon loves you. The people love you. No matter what you do or say that isn't changing. And maybe I didn't make it clear enough before, maybe I should have said it more often. But you are our family, Guinevere. That is never changing, no matter what you do." He paused. "You remember what you said when I asked you to stay, to be my heir and a part of our family? Remember what you said when I asked you to come home?"

Gwen stared up at him, frozen.

"You said, 'with all my heart'," Arthur recalled. "That's what you said, Guinevere. That was no subterfuge. No trickery."

He took a step backward, releasing Gwen and extending his hand to her. "With all my heart."

He walked slowly backward towards the lake as Gwen stood transfixed, watching him. "With all my heart," he repeated.

Arthur entered the lake, his arm still extended.

Gwen stared at his hand, and then looked up into his face. Then she spoke, softly, "With all my heart."

Arthur reached out further. "Come."

Gwen placed her hand in Arthur's and stepped into the water.

"Yfel gaest, ga thu fram thisselichaman. Bith hire mod eft freo. Ar ond heofonutungol sceal thurhswithan," the Dolma chanted, her eyes glowing gold.

A white light surrounded Gwen as she lowered herself into the lake, momentarily obscuring her from view. The light seemed to settle into her, soaking into her skin, dimming until it vanished altogether.

Guinevere turned, saw Arthur, and smiled. She held out her arms, sniffling a little, like a child. Arthur waded in and picked her up, hugging her, and Gwen clung to him. And she whispered, "Brother."

"So," Merlin said, rubbing his hands together. "How soon can we plan the wedding?"

"Merlin!" Arthur chastised.

"What?" Merlin blinked innocently. "Now that Gwen's back I have to make up for lost time. Say, Gwen, is Leon a good kisser?"

Gwen just laughed. "You have no right to tease, Merlin, not after all you two have put me through with your forgetting to lock doors and missing council meetings."

"Fair point." Merlin grinned. "It's good to have you back, Gwen. We missed you."

Gwen smiled. "And I, you." Her smile turned wicked. "Can't get by without my best friend to tease, can I?"

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Why do I put up with you two?"

In the back of the group, Mordred just smirked.

Who thinks Mordred spent the entire time with the Dolma trying not to laugh at Merlin? *raises hand*