Love Woven Through Two Territories

[elsewhere87]

*Made by hope27*



Title: Love Woven Through Two Territories
Rating: PG13, may border on R later
Art: beautiful inspiration artwork: hope27 // beautiful award banner: ella_rose88

Author's Note Story liner notes with first part// Note that the story is moving slower than it originally did because I'm filling in the gaps that I felt were left open too much when I first posted this. As much as I enjoyed writing the original, I felt there were holes in my rush to get it up {I'm almost always rushing when I do challenge fic, lol}. Here I get to patch them up. Thank you so much for all your inspiring reviews.

***

Love Woven Through Two Territories



*Made by ella_rose88*

Part Four: Sapid Heat of Life Kisses Goodbye Charade

***

The next morning when Gwen woke the bed was empty. However, there was a note upon the chair nearby. She stretched her arms upwards, a tad sore after her sleep upon the floor.

Her muscles then less taut, she unrolled the note and read it.

Guinevere,

I left early for a ride. I should be back by afternoon. If you require anything, Merlin stayed behind.

I wish you would have slept upon the bed. The floor really does have too much of a chill for the body. I don’t want you to be ill.

Heed my words about Agravaine. He’s not to be trusted.

Your Husband,

Arthur

Gwen laid the note back upon the chair, letting out a heavy sigh. Of course there was no ‘loving husband’, but then even ‘your husband’ sounded false. There was nothing loving about their relationship, except for maybe his gentle issues of ‘thank you’ when she stoked the fire for him. He received no such favor last night, as his behavior left him quite undeserving.

Sighing, Gwen stood. Her husband up first was rare, but then maybe he was meeting with his mistress. Well she had plenty to do with her day.

Gwen called for Mary so she could start it.

***

It was remarkably surprising to Arthur, how he was able to find the place without much issue. After all, it had been quite some time since his last visit. Not even his mother’s insistent requests had worked.

The death five years in the past, it would seem ample enough for most people to have dealt with it and moved on. Perhaps it was how it all happened though that left Arthur with a vivid ugly picture that never fully retreated from his mind.

That day, four men, knights of Camelot, carried his father to the physician’s table as cautiously as they could. His wounds were grave, one upon the head, the deepest one near his heart. They left him splattered with blood that Arthur still felt sick from when he thought too deeply of.

Survival lasted no more than a few moments, even with the physician and those attending to him working feverishly to keep his father breathing. It was too late. It was too grim. There was only enough time for a few last words, ones of sage advice that Arthur wished contained more.

”Be brave Arthur. Do what is right. I love y-

And that was it. His father often found little ease with words of affection. That was usually left to Arthur’s mother, but when death knocked, Uther Pendragon attempted it at least, telling his son that he loved him.

His heart just stopped beating before the sentence could be completed.

It hurt then, the feel of that shaking, dying hand, and it hurt now, to have a grave to visit, a slab, no matter how fancy it may be, instead of the man.

“Be brave…do what is right…”

For all these years, Arthur had buried the words, giving into indulgence to not have to face his own horrid battle someday, to not have the memory of his father’s bleeding, to not face what destiny expected and required of him.

It wasn’t working anymore though. His conscience kept nagging him since marrying her. For some reason, his wife’s questions about his father, her interest, and her disapproval of his ways made his father’s memory so vital again.

He should have known his mother would be wise in her pickings. Guinevere was not the kind of woman you could just ignore or act cavalierly about making angry or upset. She had the upbringings of finest royalty and she was keen of mind. Even when silent, she had a way of putting him in his place. Although that bothered him quite a bit, it was also something he couldn’t help but respect.

Guinevere never knew his father, but she was wise enough to surmise that his father hadn’t had liaisons on the side while married to his mother. Arthur never saw sign of it and never heard complaint of it from his mother. They were in love and committed. The balance between them of strength, intellect, kindness, and courage, built Camelot into a kingdom of considerable power and prestige.

Much of that was under threat now though. Arthur noticed its wear upon his mother privately in the morning when she didn’t realize she was being watched as she stepped out of the council chambers for a short moment of rest. He felt his first true concern about it when Guinevere feared for Tirmaiur. Usually a picture of calm, her upset struck him.

The latest kingdom on the list was Chenary. Bayard was likely at its weakened border now. Kingdom after kingdom, Bayard was stomping upon them, they like bugs underneath an Ogre’s massive foot. Once powerful, once noteworthy, they succumbed to his forces as if they were nothing more than tiny ants.

Now some of them had not ever been the most stalwart, but those most recently taken were kingdoms whose demise seemed far premature.

Plus there was the fact of Bayard himself. Although a man of muscle and raging mouth, he wasn’t the most sage of rulers. Thus, it was baffling, how he was achieving all this.

Arthur let out an extensive groan, kneeling at his father’s tombstone. “Why do I care so much?”

He asked, a silly part of him hoping for an answer. No vocal one came, but his mind showed its reluctant astuteness. “Because you used to. Because Mother does. Because it is my duty to…”

His father told him to be brave, to do what was right. How he was acting now though, Uther Pendragon would view as laziness and cowardice.

“The same way Guinevere sees it.” Arthur muttered, recalling his wife’s words the previous night, that he was closing himself off, that he was afraid to live. That he was selfish, shameful.

Although he had never coveted marriage, it could be frightfully worse. She could be an unappealing and uncouth woman. She was nothing of this. Guinevere instead had distinct beauty and already was familiar with kingdom. She was a woman of integrity, the kind his father married.

“Now where’s my integrity?” Arthur questioned with reluctant honesty. So much of him loathed it, being shown his conscience in all its nakedness again, but it was there now in front of his blue eyes, and what he saw he didn’t like much. He had no intention of giving up all his perks he indulged in before Guinevere.

However, there was one activity he started believing fully just last night, when she refused to sleep upon the bed with him, he needed for more than one soul’s sake, to end.

“Right Father? Time I do what is right.”

He lifted back up to his feet, fingers grazing over the stone for a moment with lingering, before he walked away.

It was time to stop cowering away from it, time to honor his father’s memory and meet his own fate.

***

Gwen knew what she was doing was wrong and that it could land her into a heap of trouble, but it was for the better good. That was her defense, not that sleuthing also kept her mind off her less than amorous husband.

Well, perhaps he was amorous, but not with her. And really that was fine.

Gwen did not consider herself some romantic fool. She entered this marriage for purpose of kingdom, for love for her father. It had nothing to do with imagining lasting happiness.

However, she did expect a husband who, if not faithful, at least would show veracity. Arthur instead was a man of secrets and cowardice. He regarded his duty in ways that she thought were insulting to kingdom.

It was awful because she knew that there was more to him; it annoyed her that it mattered.

Ah, perhaps she should get off her high horse. After all, she was intruding upon a man’s private chambers.

Dressed now in a frock of off white with golden accent, another present from the queen, Gwen perused the furniture. The dressing table near the bed had a variety of objects. She stepped closer to inspect them in better detail.

There didn’t seem to be any more vials like the one held in her pocket, just other daily necessities like a wide eyed comb and cloths for washing face and hands. It was all quite immaculate and orderly, unlike how Arthur kept his things. They would be forever disorganized if Merlin didn’t help him.

Strangely enough though there was a blue tunic in the middle of a table, just lying there as if it might be covering something. At least that’s what her sleuthing eyes told her.

Gwen scanned the room’s entrance, seeing no one there, and made her way to the small round table with the tunic upon it. She started to lift it, glancing upon a spark of golden shine that-

“I know who tends to Lord Agravaine’s room, and you’re not him, so what do you think you’re doing in here?”

Turning around quickly, jarred by the voice, she nearly lost her footing. It took a rapid grasp of the table for her to keep her balance as she simultaneously with her other hand dropped the tunic back to cover the barely glimpsed golden object.

“Oh. Lady Guinevere. Sorry. I didn’t know it was-

Pressing her hand against her breast, getting her equilibrium back, Gwen shook her head with disapproval at Arthur’s tall, lanky, dark haired servant, dressed in worn, but bright clothing. “Merlin…I thought we were friends.”

With awkwardness he bit down upon his lip. “We are, but well…what ARE you doing?”

Gwen nodded, making her way over quickly. “You’re right. This looks terrible. Really, I can explain. Just probably best we get out of here before-

“It had to be stolen from my chambers.”

“Agravaine…”

Merlin and Gwen exchanged anxious looks. It was the voices of Agravaine and his sister, and they were nearing quickly.

There was a locked closet at the back of the room. Merlin scanned for the key, but with no time, made a decision to do things the faster way.

Merlin’s eyes flashed with fire-gold before they returned to their natural blue, and the door popped open. Gwen gasped in astonishment. “Merlin, you have-

He grabbed her arm anxiously. “Gwen, come on.”

Smartly shushing up, she nodded her head. They stepped into the closet to hide, keeping it open just a crack for the purpose of breathing. They made it just in time; Ygraine and Agravaine entered the room a few seconds after. Her look was tired. His was angry.

“Maybe you just dropped it somewhere. I’ll have the physician make you up a new one. Things of my own have been disappearing sometimes too.”

“See! There is a thief in this castle!”

Ygraine shook her head. “I’m as bad as Arthur when it comes to organization of small things. You and I are siblings. Must run in the family.”

Agravaine gestured around to his immaculate room. “Look at this…does it appear as if I misplace things? No. There is a thief in this castle.”

Ygraine let out a heavy sigh. She had no time for this really with all the kingdom drama. Word had been sent just yesterday that Bayard broke through Chenary’s borders. With how messy Bayard was about things, she imagined there was much bloodshed, death and injury. The gravest concern was who was helping him because there was no way he could conquer so rapidly five kingdoms on his own.

It got worse.

Isgard had been giving Chenary aid, but when Bayard was just a few miles from the border they fled to protect their own vulnerable kingdom. They also opened their mouths, starting up a nasty rumor, blaming Camelot for Bayard’s success, implying they had someone within that was helping him. It was of course completely false, but creating unneeded strife.

Ygraine was working feverishly into the late night hours, with discussion and negotiation, to get all the kingdoms to hold within the alliance, to cease the spread of rumors that would only benefit Bayard.

She reiterated tiredly, as sleep was something she hadn’t been getting much of. “There is no thief.”

“I’m telling you, there is.”

Ygraine fisted her hands at her deep blue dress. “Alright Agravaine, and who are you accusing of thievery, one of the servants? I am telling you that there is no way that-

“Her. I’m accusing her.”

“Who?”

“The girl you brought here to be with your son.”

Within the closet Gwen let out a tiny shudder. Merlin stared at her for a second before gesturing for her to hold it in. They could still be found.

Ygraine simply laughed, regarding her brother as if he had gone insane. “Oh Agravaine, you can’t be serious! Guinevere? She would not steal from you or anyone else!” Her small pale hands fisted at her waist. “Guinevere is part of this family now, not some stranger.”

Agravaine was insistent though, a sneer of disdain forming at his lip. “She was wandering in the middle of the night in the halls just this past evening, acting quite suspicious-

Ygraine cut through rapidly. “And what were you doing in the halls big brother? Spying on a young woman?”

“I was doing no such thing Ygraine! You’re twisting my words!”

“Then don’t make blind accusations.” Ygraine told him firmly, giving that shocking display of assertiveness when those who dared to go against her thought she was nothing more than like her skin’s paleness. Weak. Without quarrel.

Oh she had plenty of tenacity when needed. It was something her late husband learned about her with intrigue when they first met. “I will make sure the physician has a new vial for you within a few hours, but you will not offend Arthur’s wife again.”

“How much do you even know of this girl?” Agravaine was not backing down.

Neither was Ygraine. “I know enough of her parents, friends to Uther and I for years. Her father still as he lives on. I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Guinevere too when visiting Tirmaiur earlier this year. I know more than enough. For you to accuse her of being a common thief is disgraceful and will not be tolerated. I don’t want to hear another word of it Agravaine. Understood?”

He bit his tongue, but with a look of fury.

Sighing, Ygraine reached out to touch her elder brother’s arm. “I probably don’t say it enough. I am so thankful for you coming to live here. I know Arthur does not make it easy, but I am grateful for your presence and your counsel when I ask for it. Sometimes you and I do not see eye to eye Agravaine, but after the loss of Uther I needed more family around me. I needed to have my brother here.”

His expression actually softened as he returned the favor, pressing his hand against hers, his words not all that supportive nevertheless. “I think you sometimes make mistakes with how you run this kingdom, as I have told you before, and you have not listened to me those times. I think Arthur should be better disciplined. I think you are too trusting.”

Ygraine let out an exasperated sigh. She knew they’d never fully agree, but still it was just another irritation she didn’t need. Arthur hated having Agravaine in Camelot. With how Agravaine viewed him quite unfavorably at times too, there was little question why.

Ygraine had a different belief though than her son. Agravaine could be of great benefit to Camelot in the future. She hoped someday when most essential, Arthur would see that, and use it to his and Camelot’s advantage.

She teased her brother with a bit of veracity now. “Well you can be entirely greedy. You know of what I speak.”

“Ygraine-

“I have to go back to the council. This problem is still not stumped enough. If you will see to the kingdom matters…”

“Of course.” He gave a slight bow.

Ygraine smiled at him wryly. “Alright. Thank you.”

She left the room. After she did Agravaine realized she had done little to solve his thieving problem. Just like Ygraine, getting his mind to something else. Well she should know he was as canny as a watchful raven, and that he wasn’t letting Arthur’s new little bride off the hook just yet. She may be an enticing little thing, quite curvaceous, but she also seemed a troublemaker, one he would squash if need be.

For now…he had some fellows to meet with. Important matters.

…

Both Merlin and Gwen let out sighs of relief as finally Agravaine left the room too. Then stepping out, they glanced at each other curiously.

Merlin asked, “Did he really just accuse you of stealing?”

Gwen’s eyebrows furrowed. “He did. And yet…”

“Gwen?” Merlin questioned.

She brought it out of her pocket. “It’s his vial.”

Merlin’s eyes widened. “What?”

She continued on in a rush. “Merlin, I saw him with it, departing the queen’s chambers. I swear I did, last night.”

“Have you told Arthur about this?”

Gwen shook her head with a grimace. “No. He knows I had a vial, but he doesn’t know it’s Agravaine’s.” Gwen went on rapidly. “Oh Merlin, Arthur is too busy with his own things to care. His awful indulgences. But there’s more. He hates Agravaine with a passion. If I tell him about this and I’m wrong-

Merlin smiled uneasily. “Gwen, what do you think is going on here?”

She moved in closer to Merlin, wanting to make sure no one else heard. “Ygraine has been ill. Do you think it’s possible…”

To that Merlin gasped. “Are you accusing Agravaine of poisoning his own sister?”

Gwen shook her head. “I don’t know. He seems so underhanded. Arthur doesn’t trust him. Ygraine even seems to have some qualms about him.”

“Yeah, but at least she also has it under hand. Their conversation there, Ygraine didn’t sound all that weak.”

Gwen smiled with relief to that fact. “Agreed, but still…Agravaine was so keen to get back this vial. Why? If it was some simple sleeping draught, okay, but what if it’s more?”

“And how do you plan to find that out?” Merlin asked. “Going to the physician?”

There was no way she could do that. Gwen knew. “Of course not. The physician would then just accuse me of stealing. After all, if he made up the vial, he knows its purpose and he knows who it’s for. I need someone who would understand the chemistry of it, but it can’t be the physician. I need…”

She stared at him now, recalling it. “Merlin, you have magic?”

He bounced from one foot to another awkwardly. “Been wondering when you would remember that.”

“Arthur doesn’t know?”

He shook his head firmly. “No. And he can’t.”

“Why? There is no ban here against it. Most see it as trivial. Magic has no real power, not like it used to.”

It was an assumption Merlin didn’t like, but had grown accustomed to hearing. “Well, yeah, if you don’t have magic you might think that. It’s actually more Gwen. But anyway, Arthur not knowing about me is not so sinister as it sounds. The queen simply wanted someone who would keep her son guessing, and yet impress him the same. He’s rejected every servant for years now. I needed a job. She offered. She’s known my father since childhood. He passed on two years ago, but he taught me all he knew and well…some of it…”

“Some of it…what?” Gwen asked.

“Doesn’t matter. What does is now with me as Arthur’s servant, I can secretly get things done faster than ever, and keep him baffled by it. Plus keep him in order. Arthur hasn’t tried to fire me once. I’m too good at my job.”

Gwen started to laugh now as it was all true. Recalling some of Arthur’s wild bantering about Merlin, the whole thing was very amusing. Ygraine had a good sense of humor, while also looking at the practical. Arthur needed a servant who he could not take the mickey out of, who would do his job awfully well, and now he had one.

So if Merlin was good at that…was it also possible…

“What about you? Merlin, do you understand chemistry? I’ve read volumes on magic and it says that most mages in the past knew it quite well. Do you?”

The vial was in her hand. She was holding it out to him. Letting out a sigh, Merlin grasped onto Gwen’s arm. “Come on.”

“What-where?” She asked with surprise.

His blue eyes viewed her sharply. “Somewhere that we can do it in private. Somewhere that you can get your answers.”

“Oh.” A little uncertain what that meant, but trusting of him, and of her own ability to get out of a tight situation, Gwen nodded, and let him lead her out.

***

After descending the mountain and coming to the borderline between Camelot and Ascetir, Arthur spotted one of his friends that he had spent time at the tavern with, Aldous, the Duke of Ascetir’s son. He looked quite disgruntled.

“Aldous!” Arthur called out to him. A flaxen haired head looked up. Seeing his friend, Aldous stopped his horse.

“Arthur.”

The prince rode in closer, grimacing. “You look like a bear on the prowl. What’s nagging you?”

Aldous shook his head. “You heard about Chenary, right?”

Arthur gave a nod of graveness. “My mother’s been in council for days now, almost nonstop.”

“My father too, meeting in Camelot for half of it. Look Arthur, you know I don’t care about this stuff much. Neither do you. But my father is saying that Isgard is starting up some trouble because they fear Bayard will be after them next. There are mutterings that Camelot is aiding him.”

“Shut up.” Arthur stated rapidly.

“Look, I’m not saying it!” Aldous hotly defended. “But there is one thing I’ve been wondering. What do you know about her?”

“Who?” Arthur asked.

“You know, that new wife of yours. What do you truly know about her?”

Arthur’s eyes widened with shock before he laughed off the question. “Oh come on Aldous! My mother brought her to Camelot. Do you think she would bring in someone who would cause trouble? This has been going on for a while, long before Guinevere set foot in Camelot.”

Aldous sighed. “I know. But Arthur, it is really looking like an inside job.”

To that Arthur smirked tightly. “And how do we know that’s not coming from Ascetir?”

“Don’t go there.” Aldous warned darkly.

Arthur came back with just as much flame. “Then don’t suggest it’s Camelot.”

The other man faced him hard. “I didn’t suggest it. I told you. It was Isgard who started it all up.”

“Then stop listening to Isgard. If they want Camelot’s protection they best not spread any more rumors.”

Aldous laughed. “Are you threatening them? You can barely hold your drink Arthur.”

The prince sneered, angered with his friend’s accusations about the kingdom he had been born to. “Same with you, swaying back and forth each time we leave the tavern.”

He took a breath, backing off some. “Look, we’ve been friends for years Aldous. Looking to ruin that now?”

“Of course not Arthur. This has everyone edgy though. How is Bayard doing this, don’t you wonder?”

Arthur gave a ragged nod of his head, his hand rustling through his hair messily. “Of course I do, now that he’s going to get Chenary too. Five kingdoms in less than a year’s time.”

“It’s absurd.”

“Right.”

“He can’t be doing it alone. It’s inconceivable.”

Arthur fisted his hand at the waist of his brown trousers, a leather black vest over it along with a dark brown tunic. “I do think he’s getting help, but it’s not from Camelot.”

“Okay then. But I still have to wonder about your wife.” Arthur’s face tightened so Aldous went on with a frenzy of haste. “You come with us to the tavern all the time and when not there you’re with Elaine. You probably hardly see her. Do you honestly know her that well, this woman from Tirmaiur?”

Arthur hated being challenged, especially by his friends, and when it concerned personal matters like who he was married to. Without thinking much, he just pushed, forcing Aldous against a nearby tree’s trunk.

“Arthur-

He clenched Aldous’s tunic within his fingers. “I already said that my wife has nothing to do with this. So that will be it.”

It was in all literality dangerous for Guinevere to be accused of such heinous crimes. It could send madmen after her. Arthur didn’t want his wife to have lies spread about her, especially ones that could threaten her life.

Aldous stared at him quietly for a moment, their faces in such near proximity, before asking, “You’re getting to feel for her, aren’t you?”

It was enough to lessen Arthur’s fire. He dropped his hands from Aldous’s tunic. “Don’t say anything more about Guinevere, about any of this.”

“Is that a warning?”

Arthur smirked grimly. “It’s a promise.”

That was enough revelation for Aldous. “You do have feelings for her, so what about Elaine?”

This conversation just tangled from one direction into another, and Arthur was growing irritated by it. “Elaine is my business.”

“She’s our friend.”

Arthur let out a sigh, before giving a shrug. “Alright. I’m thinking to end things with Elaine.”

“So you’re committed to this marriage?”

Arthur just gave another shrug.

“Elaine’s not going to be happy.”

“I know. But it’s better it end sooner than later.”

“Yeah. Probably for the best. Like us growing up.”

Arthur smiled at that. Was this what all this was? Both of them were finally rising to their fate and destiny?

Arthur thought of the rumor…thought of Agravaine. That was preposterous though, right? He could barely tolerate the man, but that didn’t make him a traitor. Agravaine wasn’t canny enough to be behind something as well orchestrated as all this.

Aldous was wrong. No one from Camelot would ever do something so treacherous. It had to be another of the kingdoms.

The two young men eyed each other warily for a moment. Bayard’s conquerings were achieving more than he even first intended.

Ally against ally.

Friend against friend.

The possible future?

Perhaps. But for the moment, both let their aggression and doubts go.

“Good luck with Elaine.”

Arthur nodded. “Thanks.”

Each rode off in opposite directions, to their respective kingdoms.

…

From beyond, a mysterious shrouded figure watched, giving a satisfactory smile.

Everything was working quite well now.

Finally it would be done.

It would be had.

***

“Merlin…where are we going?” Gwen asked with exacerbation. Already they had passed far beyond the castle, subsequently entering the darkest part of the wood. It had to be upon horseback, the journey not a short one, weaving through trees, bushes, and barely marked paths of thick banks of dirt and forest debris. Now finally a slight opening appeared that led to a queerly sunken cave.

“Merlin?”

He stopped his horse and jumped off, coming to where she still sat. “It’s here Gwen. Come on, I’ll help you down.”

He reached up for her waist, feeling her allow the assist as she came down from her horse. “A cave?”

“Yeah.” He took her hand and led her inside. It was rustic on the outer surface, with moss growing around its edges. Within, it wasn’t exactly a palace, but it definitely felt grander than it should.

“Illusion?” Gwen asked with wide eyes.

Merlin shrugged. “No. Well not really. It just appears one way when you’re out of it. It’s when you’re within you see all the potential. Come on, it’s a few rooms down.”

What is? Gwen thought as they passed from the entrance to the kitchen. The walls were rock and moss, the furniture rustic, and yet it had a distinctiveness of the marvelous too. It had little charming flairs to the edges that resembled pictures of furniture in the mage books she studied. “You are full of secrets, aren’t you Merlin?”

He didn’t respond, just finished leading her to the appropriate room. Inside were multitudes of shelves climbing to the strangely, suddenly, tall ceiling. Upon each were vials, jars, and other types of containers of colored liquids.

“Oh my…” Gwen spun around slowly, taking all the oddness in. Coming to a stop she noticed a beautiful statue at the far end of the room, sitting upon a work table. “Is that…”

He smiled curiously. “Yes.”

“But I thought they were all extinct.” She traced it with her fingers, feeling the intricate moldings, seeing the jeweled eyes.

“It’s just a statue Gwen.”

“Right.” She let out, whispering. “Are you a maker of potions then, or what?”

“Not really.” He took the vial now as she gave it to him. “Whatever I learned, I learned from my father. He was one of the great mages. He knew Arthur’s mother.”

Merlin gestured forward and so Gwen sat down upon a chair now, noticing its labyrinthine wood design. “They were friends?”

“Yes. All four of them really. My mother. His mother. All of that, but it was years ago. Arthur never really knew much about the friendship. Neither did I. My parents went to distant lands for a while and then when I was older, after my mother passed on, my father came back here. That was after Arthur and I both were much older in age. Just a few years ago actually.”

He opened the vial and deposited the contents into a small jar, noticing how Gwen flinched.

“It’s alright. I won’t tamper with it in any way.”

She nodded. “I trust you.”

Merlin smiled at that and continued his story while setting his mind to understand the contents of the vial, using a tool here and there of magic and chemistry. “Anyway, my father didn’t associate much with other people after my mother’s death. He was a quiet man to begin with, Balinor his name. And so we came here to this remote cave. The queen would come to visit.”

Gwen stated curiously as she watched Merlin examining the vial’s contents with a trained eye. “I’m guessing she didn’t bring Arthur.”

Merlin shook his head, keeping his eyes on the vial’s contents. “No, she didn’t. I’m not sure why. It was just recently, right before you two were married, that she asked me to live within the castle, hide my magic. Although I wasn’t always around when my father was still alive, I’m certain she never brought Arthur here.”

“Why weren’t you always around?” Gwen asked as Merlin’s words had mysterious air to them.

“Oh…just…other things. Other places I needed to be.”

She got ready to ask more, but he told her before she could. “Well that’s it. I know what’s in the vial now.”

“You do?” Gwen asked excitedly, jumping off the chair.

“Yeah.” He smiled fractionally. “But I don’t think it’s going to be that illuminating.”

“What do you mean?”

Merlin shifted uncomfortably, before blurting it out. “It’s to help him perform better.”

She wrinkled her nose with confusion. “On stage? He’s an actor?”

“Gwen.” Merlin shook his head, his eyes focusing hard on her with meaning. “Perform…privately.”

“Oh my.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “In the bedroom?”

“Yeah..or wherever he…well anyway, it’s not for a woman. It’s for a man.”

“Oh…wow.” Gwen let out a long sigh. “No wonder he was so keen to get it back. And that must have been why he was out of his room in the middle of the night. But…I saw him coming from the queen’s chambers.”

Merlin shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe you were mistaken or that was about something else. Ygraine doesn’t even think anyone’s stealing from her. It’s Agravaine who wanted to accuse you because he probably wanted to stir up trouble and…”

Gwen finished for him. “And was angry at me for taking his performance enhancement. Oh dear. Now I have to get it back to him without him finding out.”

Merlin shook his head. “Leave that to me. If Agravaine finds you that won’t boast well. He would get angry and if Arthur discovered you both like that, he wouldn’t be happy either.”

Gwen shrugged off Merlin’s concern. “I doubt Arthur would care much.”

She started to walk away, but Merlin got hold of her arm, his eyes firm in belief. “Then you don’t know him well enough Gwen.”

She frowned as he went on.

“Arthur was really upset this morning about what happened with you and Agravaine last night.”

“He told you?”

“Yes, sort of. He didn’t mention the vial, just your inopportune meeting in the hall. Arthur has a habit of ranting when something upsets him. He kept talking about it more than he probably wanted to. And so I replied at all the right places and got him to talk more. Look I know that he’s still with that…woman…and I’ve told him that it’s wrong.”

Gwen shook her head with indifference. “It doesn’t matter Merlin. I don’t care about Arthur.”

“You don’t?” He asked her pointedly as he let go of her arm now.

“No.” She answered quickly. “well…I do care about him. But if he wants to be a coward and a lecherous fool then…let him. Be that.”

Even though she tried to hide it her anger was solid. Oh Gwen was definitely a woman who did not rant and rave like so many others could, but she too wasn’t made of iron. Her heart could be hurt.

“I was in love once.” Merlin told her now candidly, a bit rashly, but he knew she’d listen with all the kindness she had.

Gwen smiled, touching his hand. “You were?”

“Yeah.” He smiled too, recalling better times. “It was when I was away from here for long periods. She was beautiful, special and…we shared something together that not really anyone else would understand. Just… maybe a few.”

“Did she have magic too?”

Merlin nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m sure she had a name…” Gwen hinted.

Merlin smiled. “She did.”

“And?”

“Freya.”

“Oh!” Gwen let out excitedly. “My best friend is Freya. She has brown hair.”

Merlin smiled. “Not the same. One I loved had red. But it’s a special coincidence, them having the same name.”

“Well of course she’s not the same, as the one I know lives in Tirmaiur.” Gwen sighed. “But yes it is…special. So what happened to her?”

Merlin looked away from the chemistry contents of the room, to the statue, to the hallway, and then to the floor before answering. “She died.”

“Oh Merlin, I’m sorry.” Gwen touched his hand, and Merlin grasped hers, surprising Gwen as he stated fervently. “Love like that Gwen, it comes maybe once. I know I sound old, but I’ve felt it and I doubt I will again. If you and Arthur…if there is a chance that you can grow to love each other, like I think is possible, although now it’s hidden by denial, pride and fear, then keep being strong with him. But be there too. Don’t let him get away with the cheating aspect. Don’t let him go if you really do care.”

He thought about a shrouded figure, and another, of flames, of wings, and of…love. It ended faster than it should have. Now he needed a new purpose. Hmmm…maybe Merlin was finding it.

Gwen stared at him, feeling Merlin’s insistence rocking at her heart. She shook her head, admitting, “I told Arthur this. There was someone in Tirmaiur, Merlin.”

“Oh.”

She went on with a sigh. “He loved me and I never really…fully loved him back. Not the same anyway. I just never had that…special feeling with him that you must have had with Freya. I’m not even sure what it is…love of that nature. Here in Camelot, I’m frustrated and lonely sometimes. I do want to make something of this marriage, but I can’t be the only participant. If Arthur won’t even try, why should I? Why should I care to remain faithful to a man who shows none for me? He has no qualms about going to another in the middle of the night. It’s…”

She let it out angrily, hurtfully. “Humiliating Merlin.”

Gwen looked away from him, having given exposure to the truth of her feelings. It went beyond a relationship with Arthur, if that was to be a possibility. It went to her dignity.

Merlin grasped at her hand, seeing it, and getting it. “Gwen, he does have qualms. He knows his actions hurt and he doesn’t want them to. He’s troubled like you now. I don’t think Arthur thought you were going to be that special. But now that he sees…well…”

Gwen shook her head. “I shouldn’t even care.”

Merlin countered. “But you do. Because you have great heart. And believe it or not he does too. No matter how much he wants to deny it, he also cares.”

“Merlin-

Gwen started to say, but then heard an odd noise. A loud one. She turned down the hallway. “Is someone else here?”

Merlin’s face blanched. He should have been more careful. “No…well…”

“Merlin?”

The noise came again.

“Uh…you know…it’s a cave. Makes…weird noises.” He grasped her hand. “We should go.”

Another. Gwen pulled away and fisted her hands at her waist. “Merlin, please. I do have enough intellect to know that is no sound of some cave. What is it? Because it’s getting louder.”

As it was, filling the room.

Merlin sighed, taking her hand again. “Alright, come on. The queen knows. You might as well also. But you can’t tell Arthur. Not yet anyway.”

“Tell him what?” Gwen asked.

Merlin said nothing, just kept leading her down one hallway after another until Gwen started feeling dizzy. How could there be this many rooms? They were altering too, growing more rustic by nature except for so many vibrant jewels, as Merlin now came to a heavy wooden door.

“Don’t panic.”

“What? Why?”

She asked, but then the reason for the noise was right in front of her. The door was open and…

“Oh…my…how…what…” she asked in astonishment, holding on tightly to Merlin’s hand, her eyes staring ahead at what was in front of her.

“Remember. You can’t tell Arthur…yet.”

***

Wouldn't fit in one post so part 2 is here