Author's Note: Morgana's going to be good in this story. I already have her being the evil of all evils in Undying Love, and I didn't want to repeat myself. But she will have her own little agenda.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 5: Plans

The car came down the driveway, right on time.

Uther shifted slightly trying to subtly shake out his nerves. Arthur stood next to him much calmer. On the other side of him, Mithian beamed with excitement. Gwen stood opposite of them with Merlin, Lancelot, and Percival. Gwen's eyes were fixed on the approaching vehicle.

Gwaine exited the car and opened the back door. Morgana stepped out and looked up at the estate before turning her attention to Arthur and Uther. The footman went around them and assisted Gwaine with unloading Morgana's luggage and bringing it to her room. Uther swept her in a large hug which she returned half-heartedly.

"My girl, look at you." Uther held Morgana at arm's length. She gave him a minute before pulling away. She acknowledged Arthur and grasped hands with Mithian, and then turned to Gwen.

"Gwen!" she exclaimed, embracing her best friend and former maid. "Come, we have so much catching up to do!" Gwen followed her lady enthusiastically.

The luggage was neatly stacked in Morgana's room, and Gwen helped Morgana unpack. Morgana casually threw clothes in the dresser drawers, and Gwen smiled at the familiar manners, neatly folding the clothing for her before hanging the fancier dresses in the wardrobe.

"Oh! I almost forgot," Morgana said and dug through another bag. She pulled out a book. "The Turn of the Screw. It's a ghost story involving a governess; it reminded me of you."

Gwen held the book close to her. "Thank you, my lady."

Morgana flopped down on the bed. "Still so proper," she sighed. "You're my friend before my maid, Gwen. And you're not even a maid now."

Gwen sat on the bed and fell back more graceful than Morgana did, still holding the book to her chest. "It's out of habit…and under this roof…"

Morgana sighed again. "Under this roof…"

Morgana stayed in her room with Gwen until dinner. Arthur was surprised she didn't come up with an excuse to miss dinner, too. Now, Uther had the chance to ask Morgana every question he could come up with, all of which she avoided answering.

Percival leaned forward offering the platter of appetizers to Morgana. "Oh, you're a tall fellow," she commented. "Gwen sure hired an interesting bunch."

"And they all do their job excellently," Mithian said.

"It's a bit of a downgrade isn't it—?" Morgana asked looking at Arthur. "Gwen going from governess to housekeeper."

He glared at his sister. "She—"

"She's too kind for her own good, but that's our Gwen. In her letters, she would go on about how much she loved her job as governess to Lady Annis' grandchildren. But she dropped all that to come back here."

Morgana was trying to guilt him, he could tell, and she wasn't done. "But I wish she wouldn't work so hard. She needs to see the world, meet a nice man—"

"And have you met any nice men," Arthur shut her up. Or so he thought.

She looked at Uther out of the corner of her eye, then sharply back at him. "So, have you decided on a date for the wedding?"

Dammit, he cursed to himself.

"No they haven't," Uther spoke for him.

Morgana turned to Mithian next to her who gave her a small, nervous smile. When Arthur caught his sister's eye, Morgana smirked. "I think a fall wedding would be wonderful!"

The table was silent. Merlin and Percival looked at each other from their position on the side.

"Splendid!" Uther exclaimed.

Morgana continued. "You would look absolutely stunning in a white gown among the foliage, Mithian. How about it?"

"I…agree," Mithian said shyly. "Arthur?"

Five sets of eyes were on him. He couldn't say no. "Well…at least we've picked a season."

Gwen was helping Cook set the plates for the main course when Merlin and Percival came down to return the appetizer leftovers. "Oh, Merlin!" Cook said. "What's the talk of the table?"

Gwen didn't miss the quick glance Merlin sent her. "They're discussing wedding plans," he said. "For the fall."

Excited, Cook already started listing popular autumn foods. Apple pies and tarts, pumpkin bread, a wedding cake decorated with frosting leaves in gold and orange. The other maids joined in wondering what kind of decorations there will be while simultaneously complaining (mostly Eira and Kara) about how much work they'll have to do. Gwen was silent the rest of dinner.

She silently turned down Morgana's bed, well aware her lady was looking at her with sympathy.

"It's must be hard to watch the man you love marry another woman," Morgana said.

Gwen paused. "I'm sorry?"

"Gwen," Morgana said her name in a nurturing tone. "I know. I've always known." She sat down on the bed and pulled Gwen down to sit with her. "I almost would've missed it if I haven't noticed Arthur always skipping out on rides, and you rearranging your hair to cover love bites the same day. I almost thought your secret lover was Merlin," she smirked. "But the way Arthur would look at you every time you were in the same room gave it away." Morgana looped her arm with Gwen's. "Sometime after the wedding, I think I'll leave again. I want you to come with me."

Gwen stared at Morgana unsure. Morgana answered for her. "You don't have to answer right away, but it would save you a great deal of pain. I know Camelot has been more of a home to you than it was for me, but…"

"Morgana…"

"Oh, the fun we used to have. You will not be a maid or a governess, but my companion. We can go to America! I'll show you my favorite places in New York, and we can take a train across the country."

It sounded exciting. Gwen had to admit.

Morgana pleaded. "Promise me you'll think about it."

"I promise."

After leaving Morgana, Gwen found herself in the servant's quarters instead of her bedroom. She was on the men's side, outside of Merlin's room. She knocked.

Merlin opened the door, smiling when he saw her. It quickly turned to a frown at the sight of her forlorn appearance. He pulled her into a hug before sitting her down. It was the second time someone's sat her down within the hour. She was beginning to feel pitiful.

"What's wrong Gwen?"

"Was coming back here a mistake?" she asked him.

"Of course it isn't, but that's me being selfish. I'm glad you're back, Gwen." Merlin said. "Will you stay after the wedding? You can remain housekeeper until they have children, then you can be a governess again."

Gwen gave an undignified snort. She joked about being governess to Arthur's children, but now the thought of it being a reality made her uneasy. "And when their children are old enough, I can be housekeeper again until I die an old maid."

Merlin gave her a nudge. "We both know you're no maid, Gwen."

They laughed together, until Gwen quieted. "Morgana wants me to go with her when she leaves."

Merlin frowned. "Will you? I mean, I will forgive you for leaving me again." She appreciated his light jest. It eased her stress, even if only a little. "But in all seriousness, I don't want to see you hurt."

She would miss him dearly if she were to leave again. Other than Morgana, Merlin was her closet friend, her confidant. And he was right; he always was when it came to matters of the heart. If she stayed, she would be in a world of pain.

Arthur was on his way to his room and stopped when Gwen rounded the corner, surprised to see her in the bachelor's wing. She answered him before he could ask why she was there.

"I was speaking with Merlin." She came down from the male servant's entrance. "A fall wedding," she said. "It will be beautiful."

"You heard?" He said absentmindedly. "Of course you have."

He watched her walk closer, arms wrapped around herself, head down. When she was next to him he said, "I wish things could be different."

She stopped, and he silently pleaded for her to look at him as he looked down at her. Her hair blocked her profile, and he was about to sweep the curls to the side so he could see her, but she began to moving again, walking down the hallway and out of sight.

In the morning, Arthur checked his appearance in the mirror, straightened his waistcoat, and watched Merlin's reflection behind him. "You spoke with Guinevere last night."

Merlin almost dropped the cufflinks he was handling. "Uh…"

Arthur turned around and took the cufflinks from Merlin, putting them on by himself. "I spoke with her briefly last night. She mentioned she was with you."

"It was just talk," Merlin muttered, grabbing a jacket from the wardrobe.

"Did she seem upset during this talk?"

Merlin stayed silent. His valet was never silent. "Merlin?"

Merlin snapped out of his thoughts. "Sorry, my lord. It was just talk."

Just talk. Arthur had some idea. "Guinevere was your first friend when you came to Camelot; I understand your loyalty to her. I will not pry." Merlin slipped the jacket on him and he caught his gaze in the mirror. "But please tell me if she is unhappy."

Merlin looked back at him apologetically. "She just wants you to be happy."

And he would be, if only he could be with her.

A/N: Morgana wants Gwen to go with her, Merlin wants Gwen to stay, Arthur wants Gwen, Uther and Agravaine wants Arthur to marry Mithian for money…I should rename this fic Everyone is Selfish for Their Own Reasons Except for Mithian Who Currently Has No Idea What's Really Going On

Ooooh when will she find out? Haha

Thanks always for reading and reviewing and following!