fic: a promise unspoken
Title: A Promise Unspoken
Author: hope27
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Through 4x06.
Disclaimer: All characters and story lines belong to the BBC and show creators. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: A missing scene (or rewritten scene) from the latest episode, 4x06, "A Servant to Two Masters."
Sitting through meetings with the council was torture while he knew Merlin was out in the forests missing. Regardless of their stations in life, Merlin was one of Arthur’s most trusted friends. He refused to believe he was gone.
Gwen could see Arthur’s torment from across the room and swiftly grabbed one of the jugs of water. Leaning over one side of Arthur’s chair she quietly refilled his cup which was only half empty
As she placed the cup back on the table, she caught Arthur’s gaze and moved her hand from the cup she’d just placed on the table to his hand that rested on the chair. Softly she squeezed, trying to convey her comfort before moving away, back to the perifery of the great hall.
***
She found him in his chambers later, donning his armor, readying to ride. “Arthur,” she bid, alerting him to his presence since she realized she had not knocked.
“Guinevere,” he sighed, seeing her worried face, “I cannot sit here and do nothing. I have to go look for him.
She nodded, “I know, but where are you going to look. The knights have already scoured the forests.
“I need to do it myself. I cannot...he’s my friend, Guinevere. I must do this.” His voice hesitated as he reasoned with the consequences of not finding Merlin.
“Merlin is stronger than you think. He can get out of sticky situations somehow,” Gwen replied slowly. “I have faith that he will be fine.”
Arthur reached for her, his fingertips brushing her cheek, “Your faith is amazing. I will take that with me.”
She smiled, leaning into his touch and turning her face to press a gentle kiss against his palm.
“Come back to me.” She whispered, voicing her innermost fears. “I cannot lose you both.”
Sighing, he pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around him, fingers digging into the cool chain mail. “I always do my best to come back to you.”
Nodding, she released him, forcing her hands to her sides. Noting the concern still lingering in her eyes, he bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, a promise unspoken.
Her eyes fluttered closed as his breath ghosted over her face as he lingered in her space, breathing deeply.
Her hand found his and squeezed it once as he brushed his lips against her forehead before moving to the door.
She watched from the steps as he rode out with Gwaine, holding hope in her heart for a safe and swift return for her friends and beloved.