Part 5: link

    Back in the castle, Arthur has pried himself away from Guinevere’s side to attend to his own matters, leaving her alone to get settled in. She has been puttering around the room, putting things away, setting something here, then moving it there.
    The door suddenly opens and Merlin comes striding in, candlestick in hand.
    “Your trinket, my lady,” he teases, presenting it to her across his forearm with a bow. She laughs and says, “Thank you, my lord,” and takes it. She carries it over to the बिस्तर and places it on the bedside table.
    “You might need one of these as well, Gwen,” Merlin says, brandishing a new candle for her to place atop it.
    “Oh, how thoughtful of you, Merlin, thank you,” she says, walking back to meet him halfway as he hands it to her. She places it in the candlestick.
    “Looks like you’re settling in well.”
    “Getting there. It’s weird, though.”
    “What’s that?”
    “This is something I’ve dreamed about. Living here. Even before Arthur and I were… Arthur and I. It is natural for a young girl to fantasize about being a princess, isn’t it?”
    “Well, I wouldn’t know, but I think it probably is,” he says with a chuckle.
    “But now that it’s happening, it doesn’t seem real.”
    “Give it time, Gwen, आप just got here,” he smiles, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Now. Do आप need my help with anything?”
    “Shouldn’t आप be getting back to Arthur?” she asks, not wanting to get him into any trouble.
    “Arthur has instructed me to help you today, Gwen. Those are his orders.”
    Gwen smiles. He really is a lot और thoughtful than most people realize, she thinks. “I was thinking of going to look for linens for the room. I could definitely use someone to help me with that,” she said. Anything in the गढ़, महल is at your disposal, Arthur had told her before he left, and if आप need to go to the market for anything, please feel free. She will look here first, not wishing to take advantage of his generosity.

    Merlin and Guinevere return with some drapes in a soft green they had found in storage. Once shaken out a bit, they hung well and looked lovely.
    “I thought आप liked lavender,” Merlin had कहा when she chose them.
    “I do,” admitted Gwen.
    “Then why green?”
    “Well…” she blushed.
    “What is it?” he prods, noting her heightened color.
    “If Arthur is true to his word, then this room is not going to be mine forever,” she tells her shoes, “so I thought it would be wisest to decorate accordingly, so that it can be a nice guest suite once I’ve moved to…” she trails off, almost afraid to speak the words lest she jinx them.
    “…Arthur’s room?” Merlin finishes for her. He smiles and adds, “If I know one thing about Arthur, it is that he is a man of his word.”
    They have also been to the market, not having found any suitable बिस्तर linens in the castle. If they were in good shape, she didn’t like them. If she liked them, they were moth-eaten या worse. Their trip was fruitful, and she found some draperies for the बिस्तर and a पलंगपोश, आवरण, coverlet done in a tasteful pattern of greens and blues, with a hint of gold.
    “This will do nicely,” Guinevere says, “thank you, Merlin. I really appreciated your carrying everything for me.” She leans over and grants him a किस on the cheek. Now it is his turn to blush.
    “You’re welcome, Gwen.”
    “You should probably go see to Arthur’s lunch,” she suggests. She has enjoyed her time with him, but she is ready for some time to herself now. She is hungry as well.
    “Very well, then. See आप later,” he says and heads for the door.

    Arthur is having lunch in his room when Merlin knocks.
    “Come,” Arthur calls. Merlin comes in, grinning.
    “How’s Guinevere settling in?” the king asks.
    “Pretty good. She’s a little overwhelmed, I think,” Merlin says.
    “Hmm. So do आप think it would be too much…?” he asks, leaving the सवाल open.
    “No. I think it will help, actually. We should definitely continue with the plan. Yes, definitely,” he nods.
    “Is everything set?”
    “Yes. Everything is well in-hand, Sire. I’ll make sure she shows.”
    “Good.” Arthur is fidgeting with his napkin.
    He is nervous, Merlin thinks, biting back his smile. “Done eating?” he asks.
    “Yes, I think so. आप can take these away.”

Part 7: link