Part 7: link
“Ouch,” Gwen complains, squirming as the rough bark of the पेड़ suddenly makes itself known.
“Don’t squirm या we’ll end up starting over again,” Arthur chuckles into her neck. He is still holding her in his arms, still joined with her, still regaining his breath.
“The पेड़ is uncomfortable,” Gwen says, चुंबन his forehead.
“Sorry,” Arthur apologizes, and slowly lowers her to her feet. He grins when he sees her trousers hanging half-off, one boot still on.
“I must look a mess,” she says, embarrassed, bending to put her trousers back on.
“You look beautiful,” Arthur counters, tying his own trousers closed.
She smiles at him, then her eyes grow wide. “Oh… the men… do you… do आप think they heard… anything?” she stammers.
“No idea,” he says. Very likely, he thinks. “Guinevere,” he starts again, pulling her into his arms, “about Lancelot…”
“I knew आप wouldn’t be entirely pleased to see him,” she says, her fingers fidgeting with the ties hanging at the neck of his shirt.
“He is a skilled fighter. Would have been an excellent knight. Has all the qualities, save one,” he allows, releasing her and sitting heavily on the fallen tree.
“But,” Gwen supplies.
“Exactly. But. I… I know you’ve chosen me, Guinevere, but… but the image of your face that morning, when आप woke up and he was gone… the sadness, the disappointment there… I thought I had put that insecurity behind me when आप broke the Vivian enchantment, but…”
“Arthur,” Gwen stops him, the pain and uncertainty on his face too much. She sits beside him, turning his face towards hers. “Listen to me. आप have no need to worry. My दिल is completely yours. It always has been. Lancelot… Lancelot was a fancy, an idea. I never loved him.”
Arthur breathes again, almost a sob. “Does he know this?”
“We talked, yes. He knows. I was… brutally honest with him. He knows that आप are my world, the sun in my days, the moon and stars in my nights.”
“I am?” he asks, his voice very small.
“Yes, Arthur. Did आप not know this?” She leans over and kisses him once.
“I know that आप are my life, my दिल and my soul,” he answers. Her hands still cup his face and he takes them in his own, चुंबन her fingers. “I know that without आप I am half the man I could be.”
“You doubted my feelings?” she whispers, suddenly anxious.
“No!” he exclaims. “No. Seeing him again… I… I guess I just wasn’t sure if there was still a place in your दिल that someone else occupied.”
“Lancelot,” she says. He nods. “You are currently my heart’s only occupant, Arthur, and it bursts at the seams with your presence.”
“Currently?”
“Well, you’ll have to share with…” she takes his hand and places it on her stomach.
Arthur’s eyes grow soft and he smiles. He opens his mouth to say something, but no words come. So he pulls her to him and kisses her deeply, pouring the words he doesn’t have into the kiss.
xXx
“Elyan, is there any armor in your forge?” Arthur asks, striding into the camp, taking command of the conversation immediately lest Gwaine let fly with a telling remark.
Gwen is holding his hand, trying not to look too embarrassed. Arthur catches Gwaine’s knowing wink and turns a glare on him that would freeze an entire lake.
“A bit,” Elyan says quietly, trying to erase the memory of his sister’s impassioned cry from his brain.
“I need some chainmail. So does Gwaine. So do you, Elyan.”
“I should like some, too,” Merlin says.
“Do आप really need any, Merlin?” Arthur asks. “Can’t आप just… magic your attackers away?”
“Morgana and Morgause don’t know about me, Arthur. About what I can do. I think it would be wise to keep it that way. The less she knows, the better.”
“It will give us an advantage,” Leon agrees, nodding. “They would change their strategy completely if they knew we had magic on our side as well.”
“Hmm,” Arthur nods, sitting beside Gwen.
“Armory,” Leon says.
“What’s that?” Arthur asks.
“We sneak into the armory. Sneak in, take what आप need, sneak out. Simple.”
“Then we find my father,” Arthur nods.
“And Gaius,” Merlin adds.
“Right.” Arthur switches into battle mode, standing, pacing, thinking. He stops and looks at Bors.
“Bors, आप stay here with Guinevere.”
“Yes, Sire,” he nods.
“Arthur, I don’t need a babysitter,” Gwen protests, standing and scowling at him.
“He’s not babysitting. He’s guarding. There’s a difference.”
“Not when there’s nothing from which to be guarded, Arthur.”
“You are not staying here alone, and that’s the end of it,” he says.
“I will be fine, Arthur. No one knows we’re out here.”
Merlin steps in between them. “Gwen, don’t be stubborn. Arthur, don’t bully your wife,” he snaps. “Let’s go; time’s wasting.”
Arthur opens his mouth to say something, but just gives up and closes it. He looks at Gwen, gives her a kiss, and walks away.
“She doesn’t leave your sight,” he orders Bors.
“Arthur,” Merlin chides.
“I’m not bullying my wife, I’m bullying one of my knights. I’m allowed to do that,” he snaps stomping past.
Gwen sits with a humph. “I guess I’ll just clean up after everyone, then,” she grumbles.
“There आप go, keep yourself busy,” Gwaine grins as he walks past her, ducking the सेब core she’s flung at his head.
The men creep along the forest’s edge, keeping just out of sight, moving parallel to the castle, towards the armory.
“There,” Leon points to a low door in the दीवार surrounding the castle. It is still very early, so there is not a lot of movement from Cenred’s men.
“Okay. To the wall,” Arthur says, moving forward, reaching the treeline and sprinting across the घास for the wall.
They get to the door, and Leon gives a shove. “Stuck,” he says, then shoves with his shoulder.
“Allow me,” Percival says, putting his hand on Leon’s shoulder. Leon steps aside, and when Percival opens the door, he scowls.
“Handy to have around,” Gwaine comments, walking through the door.
There is a handful of men milling around, actually looking rather bored.
“Merlin,” Arthur turns, “I believe a diversion is in order.”
“I think आप are right, my lord,” Merlin says, tapping his chin a moment, thinking. “Ah.”
He fixes his gaze at a stand of spears on the training grounds, on the far side of the field, away from the armory. A whisper and the flash of his eyes and the stand falls over noisily. Three of the men go to investigate.
“That’s it?” Leon asks, unimpressed.
“Yeah, आप didn’t even draw them all away,” Gwaine complains.
Merlin heaves an exasperated sigh, and turns his attention to a small tent near the stand. Another whisper and flash, and the tent bursts into flames. The other three men run towards it now, leaving the armory unguarded.
“That’s better,” Arthur says. “Come on.”
They sprint for the building, ducking quickly inside.
“Good thing no one is inside, hey?” Gwaine remarks.
“Here,” Leon strides over and starts tossing chainmail at them, and they quickly pull it on over their heads.
“Merlin, आप really are hopeless,” Arthur sighs, and reaches over to help him.
“I don’t normally put this on myself, Arthur,” he grunts, finally emerging.
“I’d say grab और weapons, but they won’t really do any good, will they?” Arthur sighs.
“Not really. But if it makes आप feel better, द्वारा all means,” Merlin says, waving his hand at the array of weaponry.
xXx
“What did आप find out about the Cup, Merlin?” Arthur asks as they creep along, heading for the dungeons.
“We need to spill it,” Merlin answers.
“What?”
“It contains the blood of the immortal army. A drop from each man. We find it and knock it over.”
“Then we can kill them?” Arthur asks.
“Then we can kill them.”
“Finding it will be the trick,” Leon mutters.
“Exactly,” Merlin agrees.
They reach the entrance to the dungeon and Merlin turns. “I’m going to find Gaius. आप can handle this without me.”
“What? What if we need another diversion?” Arthur asks.
“Throw a rock या something,” Merlin shrugs. “Some tactical genius आप are,” he mutters.
“Gwaine, Lancelot, go with Merlin, then,” Arthur orders, shoving Gwaine’s shoulder lightly in Merlin’s direction.
“Thanks,” Merlin says, and leads the other two down a darkened corridor.
“Come on,” Arthur ducks into the dungeons, heading down the stairwell.
They reach the bottom to find two men guarding the entrance to the cells. Arthur looks at Leon, who bends and picks up a rock, handing it to him.
Arthur rolls his eyes and chucks the stone. One guard goes. Arthur sighs, but then Percival strides आगे and simply knocks the other guard out.
“They may not be able to be killed, but they can still be dropped,” he says.
The three of them enter the cells, the felled guard’s keys in Arthur’s hand. A few of his knights are in the cells already, and Arthur brings his finger to his lips to silence them before they start celebrating.
“Where is the king?” he whispers, and they point. “We’ll be back for you, I promise,” he says, and they nod, bolstered द्वारा the return of their prince.
Percival looks around, at the men’s faces. He sees admiration. Hope. He is और than just a leader to these men.
“Father,” Arthur sighs, finding him in a cell with Geoffrey. He puzzles over why Geoffrey is with him, but now is not the time for questions.
“Arthur!” Uther exclaims softly, standing. Arthur opens the door and Uther comes forward.
He looks smaller. Older, Arthur notes. I haven’t been gone that long, my departure coupled with Morgana’s betrayal has lessened him. “Come on,” he says, taking his father’s arm while Leon sees to Geoffrey.
“We must हटाइए quickly. Can आप manage?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, I think so,” Uther says, his face a mask.
xXx
Merlin steals through the corridors, heading towards Gaius’ chambers. Gwaine and Lancelot follow, eyes ever alert for guards.
“Not many know this way,” Merlin explains. They reach a corner and he stops, peeking.
There is a guard.
“This corridor, however, is common knowledge,” he whispers, smiling.
“How many?” Lancelot asks.
“Just one. I’ve got him,” Merlin says. He looks around the corner and whispers, “Swefn.”
The guard slumps to the floor, sound asleep.
“Okay,” Merlin says, and the trio run to Gaius’ door. Merlin tries the door, opening it slowly, quietly.
“Gaius?” he calls softly. The room is deathly quiet. Nothing moves save the motes of dust floating across a lone sunbeam. They slip inside, closing the door behind them.
“Gaius?” Merlin calls, slightly louder. “Gwaine,” he nods up to the door leading to his old room.
Gwaine nods and heads that way, while Merlin goes to a closet and Lancelot watches the door.
Merlin opens the closet door to find Gaius hiding within, a large piece of wood in his hands. It looks like a chair leg.
“Gaius!” Merlin exclaims.
“Merlin!” Gaius drops his makeshift weapon and hugs Merlin tightly, overjoyed at seeing him.
“Merlin, I’m happy to see you, but आप couldn’t have picked a worse time,” Gaius says.
“I know, Gaius, that’s actually the reason we came back,” Merlin says. “You remember Lancelot and Gwaine,” he motions to the other two.
“Of course,” he says nodding to the men. “Don’t tell me Arthur’s come back as well,” he says.
“Gwen, too, but she is staying out of Camelot. And Morgana is not to know she is anywhere near here.”
“Well, I don’t plan on encountering Morgana, but why all the secrecy about Gwen?”
“I’ll explain once we get आप to safety, to our camp. Grab some supplies, Gaius, we’re smuggling आप out of here.”
xXx
Arthur’s party returns first. Gwen has prepared खाना for lunch, and tidied things up a bit. She and Bors have gathered और firewood, and Bors even snared a few rabbits.
“Arthur,” she breathes, rushing to him, into his waiting arms, almost welcoming the familiar cold harshness of his chainmail against her, and realizes how much she has missed it. Missed him, being who he is meant to be. He was a lousy farmer.
He hugs her warmly, and kisses her cheek.
She sees that they have successfully freed both Uther and Geoffrey and quickly bustles for water and खाना for them.
“Sire,” she hands him a mug of water, and he ignores her.
“Father,” Arthur says sharply. I cannot believe he is being this way still.
Uther takes the mug without looking at her. She hands one to Geoffrey.
“Thank you, Gwen,” Geoffrey says kindly, taking the water gratefully.
“When have आप last eaten?” she asks him, realizing that Uther will not talk to her, even though she is being every bit the serving girl he would remember her to be.
“I don’t recall,” Geoffrey says. “Before we were put in the cells.”
Gwen nods grimly, and sets about preparing plates for them from the provisions they have.
She serves Uther first, then Geoffrey, as she should, and after a glare from his son, Uther mutters, “Thank you.”
“So it’s a party, now?” Gwaine asks as their group returns. He groans inwardly when he sees Uther, but holds his tongue.
“Gaius!” Gwen exclaims, running to hug the old physician.
“Gwen, I’m so happy to see you,” Gaius says, चुंबन her cheek. “You look well, dear, very well indeed,” he observes.
“Thank you. आप look just the same,” she teases, laughing.
“Arthur, I see a little hard work hasn’t hurt आप at all,” Gaius observes, surprised when Arthur hugs him as well.
“He didn’t really do that much hard work,” Merlin says.
“Yes, Merlin, I did notice आप seem to be a bit bulkier than आप were when आप left,” Gaius laughs as Arthur scowls.
Gwen sets about feeding everyone, and soon the group is quiet again, their mouths full.
“Guinevere, make sure आप save some खाना for yourself,” Arthur says.
“Yes, Gwen, आप need to eat,” Merlin agrees.
“Merlin,” Arthur leans over and whispers, “you know, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” Merlin answers. “Don’t make that face, she didn’t tell me, I just knew.”
“Not fair.”
“Can’t help it.”
Arthur scowls anyway, and Gwen elbows him. She didn’t hear their conversation, but she knows that they’re talking about her.
Uther finally looks around. “Sir Leon. Where the hell have आप been?”
“Sire, Sir Bors and I have been searching for Prince Arthur.”
“For over two moons?” Uther asks, suspicious.
“Well, Prince Arthur is here, so for all आप know, we were successful in our quest.”
“What is this impertinence? I expect it from… him,” he waves his hand vaguely in Gwaine’s direction, “but never you. आप disappoint me, Leon.”
Leon actually looks rather nonplussed at this news, and merely shrugs his shoulders slightly.
“I’m impressed,” Gwaine sidles up to Leon. “And here all this time I thought आप were just another stuffed-shirt noble.”
“Too much time away, I guess,” Leon quietly answers.
“Keep it up,” Gwaine advises. “It looks good on you.” He laughs and wanders over to sit अगला to Merlin.
xXx
After lunch, Uther leaves the group to go sit a short distance away, staring into the woods, facing toward Camelot. The only person he allows near is Geoffrey.
“We need to talk to him, Arthur,” Gwen says quietly.
“I know. I just wish it was a better time,” Arthur answers.
“There will never be a good time for this discussion. Not with him.”
“True.” He sighs, and reaches over caress her stomach, just barely swollen, not yet noticeable to most. “Perhaps the news of an heir will soften the blow.”
“Heh,” Gwen laughs a humorless laugh. “Doubtful, since half of it is mine.”
“Worth a shot. Merlin,” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“We’re going to talk to my father. I want आप to come, too.”
“Um, okay.”
Arthur grabs his arm. “Better keep quiet about the wizard stuff,” he mutters.
“Do I look like I have a death wish?”
The trio approaches cautiously. Arthur clears his throat. “Father?”
“You have dishonored Camelot,” Uther says, his voice cold and low. Arthur stops in his tracks.
No beating around the bush, then. “Your kingdom has been taken द्वारा Morgana and Morgause and I am to blame?” he counters.
Uther turns and looks at his son. “Yes. Your flight of fancy, your little… affair brought this on the kingdom.”
“It is neither a flight of fancy nor an affair, and it has done no such thing. It is आप who has dishonored the kingdom. And me.”
“By not indulging your little romance with a common maid?”
“By not having the foresight to change as the times do. द्वारा denying the kingdom its rightful heir and leaving it vulnerable to Morgana’s treachery.”
“You brought this on us. If आप had stayed and obeyed my order to end the relationship, this wouldn’t have happened. If the girl had been executed for the witch that she is, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I disagree. And for the last time, Guinevere is no witch. She is my wife.”
Uther sighs heavily.
“The poultice आप found was Morgana’s doing, father. She planted it there to frame Guinevere. But this is not the time for that discussion. Don’t आप see, Morgana is solely to blame for this mess. She and Morgause.”
“I… I do not wish to believe that,” Uther admits quietly, his voice trembling slightly.
“Father, I know she is your blood. Gossip travels very fast. That does not change the fact that she has usurped your throne.”
“If आप had been here…” Uther tries again.
“She still would have found a way. Morgause is very powerful.”
“You abandoned the kingdom.”
“You abandoned me,” Arthur shoots back.
There is a heavy silence, the air thick between them as father and son regard one another. No one moves. They hardly breathe.
“You cannot stay married if आप intend to return.”
“You are no longer the king, Father. But I still intend to reclaim Camelot for आप as well as remain married to Guinevere.”
“I can have your marriage dissolved.”
“You wouldn’t! Guinevere is…”
“The maid is with child, I presume?” Uther asks, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.
“She has a name, Father, and yes, she is carrying my heir. Your heir. And our marriage is legally binding, so don’t bother looking into it,” Arthur says, his eyes flicking to Geoffrey. “I assume that’s going to be the अगला order.”
Geoffrey nods once, observing the interchange, absorbing every detail.
“And who performed the ceremony? Some local magistrate in a tiny speck of a village?” Uther asks disdainfully.
“A Druid priest,” Merlin says quietly from behind Arthur. He has his arm around Gwen, supporting her just in case she needs it.
“Bah,” Uther says dismissively.
“My lord,” Geoffrey speaks up, clearing his throat. “This should not be dismissed so lightly.”
“Whatever for?”
“A handbinding ceremony performed द्वारा a Druid priest is completely legal and binding. Completely.”
“So?”
“So, the Druids take marriage very seriously. It is very sacred to them. And Druid priests will not marry just any couple. They will only perform a ceremony for a couple that truly belongs together, that truly have a प्यार and a bond that will withstand time, Sire.”
“Did आप know that, Merlin?” Gwen whispers to him.
He nods, very slightly, a trace of a smile on his face, and she squeezes his arm.
Arthur smiles, feeling he has the advantage now.
“Can it be broken, though?” Uther asks, unwilling to budge.
“The priest gave आप parchments?” Geoffrey asks Arthur.
Arthur turns and looks at Merlin. “Of course,” Merlin says.
“Then it would be very difficult indeed, my lord,” Geoffrey says.
“Difficult but not impossible,” Uther muses.
“Father…”
“The only way to do it is to find the priest that performed the ceremony. Only he can undo the bonds that unite them.”
“Then we will find him,” Uther says simply.
Arthur laughs now, and Uther wheels on him. “What’s so funny?”
“Father, Druid priests can only be found if they allow it. If they don’t want to be found, they won’t be. आप may as well be chasing the wind.”
“May I say something?” Gwen speaks finally, quietly.
“Of course,” Arthur says, answering before Uther can say no.
“Sire, I know I don’t measure up to your standard,” she starts, stepping forward. Arthur takes her hand as she reaches him. “But will आप at least tell me if your disapproval is based on anything other than my standing, my class? Is it merely because I was the Lady Morgana’s maidservant, या is there something more?”
Uther says nothing, looking off in the distance.
“Father, answer the question.”
“I do not know आप as a person,” Uther finally says. “I only know that आप are a servant, and that automatically makes आप unworthy of my son.”
Arthur’s anger rises again, and Gwen squeezes his hand.
“Sire,” she says again, “do आप trust your son?”
“I used to.”
“Till recently, has he been a prince worthy of Camelot’s throne?”
“Till recently.”
She pauses. “Do आप प्यार your son?” This last सवाल she asks very softly.
Uther hesitates. He knows he must answer. “Yes,” he replies, just as quietly.
“Arthur is brave, wise, and has a good heart. He did not have to come to Camelot’s aid. We did not have to come to your aid. He would lay down his life for this kingdom. For you.”
“I know this.”
“And I would lay down my life for him.”
“Guinevere…”Arthur starts, not sure where she’s going with this.
“Please, Arthur, let me finish,” she says. “I प्यार this kingdom just as much as Arthur does. As much as आप do, Sire. I have lived my whole life here. As a servant, working my fingers raw for nobility such as yourself. I often received little, if any thanks, and still I always worked my hardest and kept my mouth closed and my eyes and ears open.” She pauses a moment, then continues. “I have been imprisoned in the dungeons और than once. द्वारा you. My father was wrongfully executed. द्वारा you. I was forced to flee for my life because I did nothing और than find प्यार with a prince, प्यार that I spent a very long time trying to ignore and deny. Yet despite all the heartbreak and hardship I have experienced here, it is my घर as much as it is yours, my lord. Please believe me when I say if आप would but give me a chance, I will prove to आप that I am worthy of your son. After all the grief आप personally have caused me, here I stand, ready to help in any way I can. For Camelot. For Arthur. Even for you.”
Uther is quiet for a long moment, letting her words sink in. Finally he speaks. “A very long time,” he repeats her words, furrowing his brows, finally looking at her. “How long, exactly? How long were the two of आप sneaking around under my nose before आप were finally discovered?” His eyes dart from her face to Arthur’s and back.
“Nearly two years, Father,” Arthur says matter-of-factly. That is the detail आप choose to टिप्पणी दे on? “Honestly, if she was enchanting me, don’t आप think evidence would have been found long before it did?”
“That was false evidence, as Arthur said,” Merlin says from behind them. “Morgana planted it. It is she who is the witch, not Gwen.”
“As I said,” Arthur echoes.
“You have proof?” Uther says, raising his eyebrows at Merlin.
“You need proof? Go to the गढ़, महल and take a look in the सिंहासन room, my lord! Your proof is right there, sitting on your सिंहासन wearing a jeweled crown!” Merlin says, raising his voice.
“You will lower your voice!” Uther snaps, standing.
“You are not the king anymore,” Merlin says, raising his chin, standing his ground.
Uther growls slightly, irritated. “What of the infatuation with Lady Vivian?” he says suddenly, spinning on Arthur.
“That was an enchantment,” Arthur says. “As my father, I would have thought that आप would have been able to see the difference in my behavior with Lady Vivian and my behavior with Guinevere. I was a bumbling idiot those few days I was एनचांटेड with Vivian. I could barely hold my own in the ring against Olaf. Olaf! The enchantment made me weak. Guinevere makes me strong.” Arthur looks at the sky, exasperated. “You truly do only see what आप wish to see.”
“Camelot cannot have an uneducated commoner as its future queen,” Uther says, trying a different approach.
“I can read and write as well as you, my lord. And I know numbers and history, and I have worked enough with Gaius that I even know a fair amount of science and medicine,” Guinevere defends herself, no longer intimidated. By the gods, he is stubborn and ignorant.
“Oh really? And how is it आप have been educated?”
“My mother worked in Sir Leon’s household when I was a girl. Lady Amelia had a fondness for my brother and me and would include us in the children’s lessons. When I came here, Morgana discovered that I was clever and had a thirst for knowledge, so she would teach me everything she learned at her own lessons.”
“Guinevere’s intuition and wisdom is surpassed only द्वारा her beauty, Father. Maybe. Even Gaius acknowledges that her words should be heeded. She knows her mind and she knows the minds of the people. Furthermore, she is not afraid to stand up for them because she truly cares about them. How can आप say that a person like that is not fit to be queen?” Arthur asks. If आप want to argue logic, I can argue logic.
“It is just not done!” Uther finally yells, feeling defeated; running out of arguments.
“Father, आप are the king. Well, आप were, and if I have anything to say about it, आप will be again. If anyone can change the rules, it is you. And if आप don’t, rest assured that I will do when my time comes, and then I will take the glory of being the first king to place value on the common man, the first king to prize ability and worth over status.” Arthur twists the चाकू just a little. Merlin smiles behind him, and Gwen clears her throat, hiding her smirk behind her hand.
Uther stares at his son. The people would प्यार a commoner queen. One of their own, sure to look after them, see to their needs, he suddenly realizes, the thought hitting him like a ton of bricks. He sits heavily on the same large rock he was on before.
“Leave me. I am weary and wish to rest and think,” he says quietly.
Part 9: link
“Ouch,” Gwen complains, squirming as the rough bark of the पेड़ suddenly makes itself known.
“Don’t squirm या we’ll end up starting over again,” Arthur chuckles into her neck. He is still holding her in his arms, still joined with her, still regaining his breath.
“The पेड़ is uncomfortable,” Gwen says, चुंबन his forehead.
“Sorry,” Arthur apologizes, and slowly lowers her to her feet. He grins when he sees her trousers hanging half-off, one boot still on.
“I must look a mess,” she says, embarrassed, bending to put her trousers back on.
“You look beautiful,” Arthur counters, tying his own trousers closed.
She smiles at him, then her eyes grow wide. “Oh… the men… do you… do आप think they heard… anything?” she stammers.
“No idea,” he says. Very likely, he thinks. “Guinevere,” he starts again, pulling her into his arms, “about Lancelot…”
“I knew आप wouldn’t be entirely pleased to see him,” she says, her fingers fidgeting with the ties hanging at the neck of his shirt.
“He is a skilled fighter. Would have been an excellent knight. Has all the qualities, save one,” he allows, releasing her and sitting heavily on the fallen tree.
“But,” Gwen supplies.
“Exactly. But. I… I know you’ve chosen me, Guinevere, but… but the image of your face that morning, when आप woke up and he was gone… the sadness, the disappointment there… I thought I had put that insecurity behind me when आप broke the Vivian enchantment, but…”
“Arthur,” Gwen stops him, the pain and uncertainty on his face too much. She sits beside him, turning his face towards hers. “Listen to me. आप have no need to worry. My दिल is completely yours. It always has been. Lancelot… Lancelot was a fancy, an idea. I never loved him.”
Arthur breathes again, almost a sob. “Does he know this?”
“We talked, yes. He knows. I was… brutally honest with him. He knows that आप are my world, the sun in my days, the moon and stars in my nights.”
“I am?” he asks, his voice very small.
“Yes, Arthur. Did आप not know this?” She leans over and kisses him once.
“I know that आप are my life, my दिल and my soul,” he answers. Her hands still cup his face and he takes them in his own, चुंबन her fingers. “I know that without आप I am half the man I could be.”
“You doubted my feelings?” she whispers, suddenly anxious.
“No!” he exclaims. “No. Seeing him again… I… I guess I just wasn’t sure if there was still a place in your दिल that someone else occupied.”
“Lancelot,” she says. He nods. “You are currently my heart’s only occupant, Arthur, and it bursts at the seams with your presence.”
“Currently?”
“Well, you’ll have to share with…” she takes his hand and places it on her stomach.
Arthur’s eyes grow soft and he smiles. He opens his mouth to say something, but no words come. So he pulls her to him and kisses her deeply, pouring the words he doesn’t have into the kiss.
xXx
“Elyan, is there any armor in your forge?” Arthur asks, striding into the camp, taking command of the conversation immediately lest Gwaine let fly with a telling remark.
Gwen is holding his hand, trying not to look too embarrassed. Arthur catches Gwaine’s knowing wink and turns a glare on him that would freeze an entire lake.
“A bit,” Elyan says quietly, trying to erase the memory of his sister’s impassioned cry from his brain.
“I need some chainmail. So does Gwaine. So do you, Elyan.”
“I should like some, too,” Merlin says.
“Do आप really need any, Merlin?” Arthur asks. “Can’t आप just… magic your attackers away?”
“Morgana and Morgause don’t know about me, Arthur. About what I can do. I think it would be wise to keep it that way. The less she knows, the better.”
“It will give us an advantage,” Leon agrees, nodding. “They would change their strategy completely if they knew we had magic on our side as well.”
“Hmm,” Arthur nods, sitting beside Gwen.
“Armory,” Leon says.
“What’s that?” Arthur asks.
“We sneak into the armory. Sneak in, take what आप need, sneak out. Simple.”
“Then we find my father,” Arthur nods.
“And Gaius,” Merlin adds.
“Right.” Arthur switches into battle mode, standing, pacing, thinking. He stops and looks at Bors.
“Bors, आप stay here with Guinevere.”
“Yes, Sire,” he nods.
“Arthur, I don’t need a babysitter,” Gwen protests, standing and scowling at him.
“He’s not babysitting. He’s guarding. There’s a difference.”
“Not when there’s nothing from which to be guarded, Arthur.”
“You are not staying here alone, and that’s the end of it,” he says.
“I will be fine, Arthur. No one knows we’re out here.”
Merlin steps in between them. “Gwen, don’t be stubborn. Arthur, don’t bully your wife,” he snaps. “Let’s go; time’s wasting.”
Arthur opens his mouth to say something, but just gives up and closes it. He looks at Gwen, gives her a kiss, and walks away.
“She doesn’t leave your sight,” he orders Bors.
“Arthur,” Merlin chides.
“I’m not bullying my wife, I’m bullying one of my knights. I’m allowed to do that,” he snaps stomping past.
Gwen sits with a humph. “I guess I’ll just clean up after everyone, then,” she grumbles.
“There आप go, keep yourself busy,” Gwaine grins as he walks past her, ducking the सेब core she’s flung at his head.
The men creep along the forest’s edge, keeping just out of sight, moving parallel to the castle, towards the armory.
“There,” Leon points to a low door in the दीवार surrounding the castle. It is still very early, so there is not a lot of movement from Cenred’s men.
“Okay. To the wall,” Arthur says, moving forward, reaching the treeline and sprinting across the घास for the wall.
They get to the door, and Leon gives a shove. “Stuck,” he says, then shoves with his shoulder.
“Allow me,” Percival says, putting his hand on Leon’s shoulder. Leon steps aside, and when Percival opens the door, he scowls.
“Handy to have around,” Gwaine comments, walking through the door.
There is a handful of men milling around, actually looking rather bored.
“Merlin,” Arthur turns, “I believe a diversion is in order.”
“I think आप are right, my lord,” Merlin says, tapping his chin a moment, thinking. “Ah.”
He fixes his gaze at a stand of spears on the training grounds, on the far side of the field, away from the armory. A whisper and the flash of his eyes and the stand falls over noisily. Three of the men go to investigate.
“That’s it?” Leon asks, unimpressed.
“Yeah, आप didn’t even draw them all away,” Gwaine complains.
Merlin heaves an exasperated sigh, and turns his attention to a small tent near the stand. Another whisper and flash, and the tent bursts into flames. The other three men run towards it now, leaving the armory unguarded.
“That’s better,” Arthur says. “Come on.”
They sprint for the building, ducking quickly inside.
“Good thing no one is inside, hey?” Gwaine remarks.
“Here,” Leon strides over and starts tossing chainmail at them, and they quickly pull it on over their heads.
“Merlin, आप really are hopeless,” Arthur sighs, and reaches over to help him.
“I don’t normally put this on myself, Arthur,” he grunts, finally emerging.
“I’d say grab और weapons, but they won’t really do any good, will they?” Arthur sighs.
“Not really. But if it makes आप feel better, द्वारा all means,” Merlin says, waving his hand at the array of weaponry.
xXx
“What did आप find out about the Cup, Merlin?” Arthur asks as they creep along, heading for the dungeons.
“We need to spill it,” Merlin answers.
“What?”
“It contains the blood of the immortal army. A drop from each man. We find it and knock it over.”
“Then we can kill them?” Arthur asks.
“Then we can kill them.”
“Finding it will be the trick,” Leon mutters.
“Exactly,” Merlin agrees.
They reach the entrance to the dungeon and Merlin turns. “I’m going to find Gaius. आप can handle this without me.”
“What? What if we need another diversion?” Arthur asks.
“Throw a rock या something,” Merlin shrugs. “Some tactical genius आप are,” he mutters.
“Gwaine, Lancelot, go with Merlin, then,” Arthur orders, shoving Gwaine’s shoulder lightly in Merlin’s direction.
“Thanks,” Merlin says, and leads the other two down a darkened corridor.
“Come on,” Arthur ducks into the dungeons, heading down the stairwell.
They reach the bottom to find two men guarding the entrance to the cells. Arthur looks at Leon, who bends and picks up a rock, handing it to him.
Arthur rolls his eyes and chucks the stone. One guard goes. Arthur sighs, but then Percival strides आगे and simply knocks the other guard out.
“They may not be able to be killed, but they can still be dropped,” he says.
The three of them enter the cells, the felled guard’s keys in Arthur’s hand. A few of his knights are in the cells already, and Arthur brings his finger to his lips to silence them before they start celebrating.
“Where is the king?” he whispers, and they point. “We’ll be back for you, I promise,” he says, and they nod, bolstered द्वारा the return of their prince.
Percival looks around, at the men’s faces. He sees admiration. Hope. He is और than just a leader to these men.
“Father,” Arthur sighs, finding him in a cell with Geoffrey. He puzzles over why Geoffrey is with him, but now is not the time for questions.
“Arthur!” Uther exclaims softly, standing. Arthur opens the door and Uther comes forward.
He looks smaller. Older, Arthur notes. I haven’t been gone that long, my departure coupled with Morgana’s betrayal has lessened him. “Come on,” he says, taking his father’s arm while Leon sees to Geoffrey.
“We must हटाइए quickly. Can आप manage?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, I think so,” Uther says, his face a mask.
xXx
Merlin steals through the corridors, heading towards Gaius’ chambers. Gwaine and Lancelot follow, eyes ever alert for guards.
“Not many know this way,” Merlin explains. They reach a corner and he stops, peeking.
There is a guard.
“This corridor, however, is common knowledge,” he whispers, smiling.
“How many?” Lancelot asks.
“Just one. I’ve got him,” Merlin says. He looks around the corner and whispers, “Swefn.”
The guard slumps to the floor, sound asleep.
“Okay,” Merlin says, and the trio run to Gaius’ door. Merlin tries the door, opening it slowly, quietly.
“Gaius?” he calls softly. The room is deathly quiet. Nothing moves save the motes of dust floating across a lone sunbeam. They slip inside, closing the door behind them.
“Gaius?” Merlin calls, slightly louder. “Gwaine,” he nods up to the door leading to his old room.
Gwaine nods and heads that way, while Merlin goes to a closet and Lancelot watches the door.
Merlin opens the closet door to find Gaius hiding within, a large piece of wood in his hands. It looks like a chair leg.
“Gaius!” Merlin exclaims.
“Merlin!” Gaius drops his makeshift weapon and hugs Merlin tightly, overjoyed at seeing him.
“Merlin, I’m happy to see you, but आप couldn’t have picked a worse time,” Gaius says.
“I know, Gaius, that’s actually the reason we came back,” Merlin says. “You remember Lancelot and Gwaine,” he motions to the other two.
“Of course,” he says nodding to the men. “Don’t tell me Arthur’s come back as well,” he says.
“Gwen, too, but she is staying out of Camelot. And Morgana is not to know she is anywhere near here.”
“Well, I don’t plan on encountering Morgana, but why all the secrecy about Gwen?”
“I’ll explain once we get आप to safety, to our camp. Grab some supplies, Gaius, we’re smuggling आप out of here.”
xXx
Arthur’s party returns first. Gwen has prepared खाना for lunch, and tidied things up a bit. She and Bors have gathered और firewood, and Bors even snared a few rabbits.
“Arthur,” she breathes, rushing to him, into his waiting arms, almost welcoming the familiar cold harshness of his chainmail against her, and realizes how much she has missed it. Missed him, being who he is meant to be. He was a lousy farmer.
He hugs her warmly, and kisses her cheek.
She sees that they have successfully freed both Uther and Geoffrey and quickly bustles for water and खाना for them.
“Sire,” she hands him a mug of water, and he ignores her.
“Father,” Arthur says sharply. I cannot believe he is being this way still.
Uther takes the mug without looking at her. She hands one to Geoffrey.
“Thank you, Gwen,” Geoffrey says kindly, taking the water gratefully.
“When have आप last eaten?” she asks him, realizing that Uther will not talk to her, even though she is being every bit the serving girl he would remember her to be.
“I don’t recall,” Geoffrey says. “Before we were put in the cells.”
Gwen nods grimly, and sets about preparing plates for them from the provisions they have.
She serves Uther first, then Geoffrey, as she should, and after a glare from his son, Uther mutters, “Thank you.”
“So it’s a party, now?” Gwaine asks as their group returns. He groans inwardly when he sees Uther, but holds his tongue.
“Gaius!” Gwen exclaims, running to hug the old physician.
“Gwen, I’m so happy to see you,” Gaius says, चुंबन her cheek. “You look well, dear, very well indeed,” he observes.
“Thank you. आप look just the same,” she teases, laughing.
“Arthur, I see a little hard work hasn’t hurt आप at all,” Gaius observes, surprised when Arthur hugs him as well.
“He didn’t really do that much hard work,” Merlin says.
“Yes, Merlin, I did notice आप seem to be a bit bulkier than आप were when आप left,” Gaius laughs as Arthur scowls.
Gwen sets about feeding everyone, and soon the group is quiet again, their mouths full.
“Guinevere, make sure आप save some खाना for yourself,” Arthur says.
“Yes, Gwen, आप need to eat,” Merlin agrees.
“Merlin,” Arthur leans over and whispers, “you know, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” Merlin answers. “Don’t make that face, she didn’t tell me, I just knew.”
“Not fair.”
“Can’t help it.”
Arthur scowls anyway, and Gwen elbows him. She didn’t hear their conversation, but she knows that they’re talking about her.
Uther finally looks around. “Sir Leon. Where the hell have आप been?”
“Sire, Sir Bors and I have been searching for Prince Arthur.”
“For over two moons?” Uther asks, suspicious.
“Well, Prince Arthur is here, so for all आप know, we were successful in our quest.”
“What is this impertinence? I expect it from… him,” he waves his hand vaguely in Gwaine’s direction, “but never you. आप disappoint me, Leon.”
Leon actually looks rather nonplussed at this news, and merely shrugs his shoulders slightly.
“I’m impressed,” Gwaine sidles up to Leon. “And here all this time I thought आप were just another stuffed-shirt noble.”
“Too much time away, I guess,” Leon quietly answers.
“Keep it up,” Gwaine advises. “It looks good on you.” He laughs and wanders over to sit अगला to Merlin.
xXx
After lunch, Uther leaves the group to go sit a short distance away, staring into the woods, facing toward Camelot. The only person he allows near is Geoffrey.
“We need to talk to him, Arthur,” Gwen says quietly.
“I know. I just wish it was a better time,” Arthur answers.
“There will never be a good time for this discussion. Not with him.”
“True.” He sighs, and reaches over caress her stomach, just barely swollen, not yet noticeable to most. “Perhaps the news of an heir will soften the blow.”
“Heh,” Gwen laughs a humorless laugh. “Doubtful, since half of it is mine.”
“Worth a shot. Merlin,” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“We’re going to talk to my father. I want आप to come, too.”
“Um, okay.”
Arthur grabs his arm. “Better keep quiet about the wizard stuff,” he mutters.
“Do I look like I have a death wish?”
The trio approaches cautiously. Arthur clears his throat. “Father?”
“You have dishonored Camelot,” Uther says, his voice cold and low. Arthur stops in his tracks.
No beating around the bush, then. “Your kingdom has been taken द्वारा Morgana and Morgause and I am to blame?” he counters.
Uther turns and looks at his son. “Yes. Your flight of fancy, your little… affair brought this on the kingdom.”
“It is neither a flight of fancy nor an affair, and it has done no such thing. It is आप who has dishonored the kingdom. And me.”
“By not indulging your little romance with a common maid?”
“By not having the foresight to change as the times do. द्वारा denying the kingdom its rightful heir and leaving it vulnerable to Morgana’s treachery.”
“You brought this on us. If आप had stayed and obeyed my order to end the relationship, this wouldn’t have happened. If the girl had been executed for the witch that she is, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I disagree. And for the last time, Guinevere is no witch. She is my wife.”
Uther sighs heavily.
“The poultice आप found was Morgana’s doing, father. She planted it there to frame Guinevere. But this is not the time for that discussion. Don’t आप see, Morgana is solely to blame for this mess. She and Morgause.”
“I… I do not wish to believe that,” Uther admits quietly, his voice trembling slightly.
“Father, I know she is your blood. Gossip travels very fast. That does not change the fact that she has usurped your throne.”
“If आप had been here…” Uther tries again.
“She still would have found a way. Morgause is very powerful.”
“You abandoned the kingdom.”
“You abandoned me,” Arthur shoots back.
There is a heavy silence, the air thick between them as father and son regard one another. No one moves. They hardly breathe.
“You cannot stay married if आप intend to return.”
“You are no longer the king, Father. But I still intend to reclaim Camelot for आप as well as remain married to Guinevere.”
“I can have your marriage dissolved.”
“You wouldn’t! Guinevere is…”
“The maid is with child, I presume?” Uther asks, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.
“She has a name, Father, and yes, she is carrying my heir. Your heir. And our marriage is legally binding, so don’t bother looking into it,” Arthur says, his eyes flicking to Geoffrey. “I assume that’s going to be the अगला order.”
Geoffrey nods once, observing the interchange, absorbing every detail.
“And who performed the ceremony? Some local magistrate in a tiny speck of a village?” Uther asks disdainfully.
“A Druid priest,” Merlin says quietly from behind Arthur. He has his arm around Gwen, supporting her just in case she needs it.
“Bah,” Uther says dismissively.
“My lord,” Geoffrey speaks up, clearing his throat. “This should not be dismissed so lightly.”
“Whatever for?”
“A handbinding ceremony performed द्वारा a Druid priest is completely legal and binding. Completely.”
“So?”
“So, the Druids take marriage very seriously. It is very sacred to them. And Druid priests will not marry just any couple. They will only perform a ceremony for a couple that truly belongs together, that truly have a प्यार and a bond that will withstand time, Sire.”
“Did आप know that, Merlin?” Gwen whispers to him.
He nods, very slightly, a trace of a smile on his face, and she squeezes his arm.
Arthur smiles, feeling he has the advantage now.
“Can it be broken, though?” Uther asks, unwilling to budge.
“The priest gave आप parchments?” Geoffrey asks Arthur.
Arthur turns and looks at Merlin. “Of course,” Merlin says.
“Then it would be very difficult indeed, my lord,” Geoffrey says.
“Difficult but not impossible,” Uther muses.
“Father…”
“The only way to do it is to find the priest that performed the ceremony. Only he can undo the bonds that unite them.”
“Then we will find him,” Uther says simply.
Arthur laughs now, and Uther wheels on him. “What’s so funny?”
“Father, Druid priests can only be found if they allow it. If they don’t want to be found, they won’t be. आप may as well be chasing the wind.”
“May I say something?” Gwen speaks finally, quietly.
“Of course,” Arthur says, answering before Uther can say no.
“Sire, I know I don’t measure up to your standard,” she starts, stepping forward. Arthur takes her hand as she reaches him. “But will आप at least tell me if your disapproval is based on anything other than my standing, my class? Is it merely because I was the Lady Morgana’s maidservant, या is there something more?”
Uther says nothing, looking off in the distance.
“Father, answer the question.”
“I do not know आप as a person,” Uther finally says. “I only know that आप are a servant, and that automatically makes आप unworthy of my son.”
Arthur’s anger rises again, and Gwen squeezes his hand.
“Sire,” she says again, “do आप trust your son?”
“I used to.”
“Till recently, has he been a prince worthy of Camelot’s throne?”
“Till recently.”
She pauses. “Do आप प्यार your son?” This last सवाल she asks very softly.
Uther hesitates. He knows he must answer. “Yes,” he replies, just as quietly.
“Arthur is brave, wise, and has a good heart. He did not have to come to Camelot’s aid. We did not have to come to your aid. He would lay down his life for this kingdom. For you.”
“I know this.”
“And I would lay down my life for him.”
“Guinevere…”Arthur starts, not sure where she’s going with this.
“Please, Arthur, let me finish,” she says. “I प्यार this kingdom just as much as Arthur does. As much as आप do, Sire. I have lived my whole life here. As a servant, working my fingers raw for nobility such as yourself. I often received little, if any thanks, and still I always worked my hardest and kept my mouth closed and my eyes and ears open.” She pauses a moment, then continues. “I have been imprisoned in the dungeons और than once. द्वारा you. My father was wrongfully executed. द्वारा you. I was forced to flee for my life because I did nothing और than find प्यार with a prince, प्यार that I spent a very long time trying to ignore and deny. Yet despite all the heartbreak and hardship I have experienced here, it is my घर as much as it is yours, my lord. Please believe me when I say if आप would but give me a chance, I will prove to आप that I am worthy of your son. After all the grief आप personally have caused me, here I stand, ready to help in any way I can. For Camelot. For Arthur. Even for you.”
Uther is quiet for a long moment, letting her words sink in. Finally he speaks. “A very long time,” he repeats her words, furrowing his brows, finally looking at her. “How long, exactly? How long were the two of आप sneaking around under my nose before आप were finally discovered?” His eyes dart from her face to Arthur’s and back.
“Nearly two years, Father,” Arthur says matter-of-factly. That is the detail आप choose to टिप्पणी दे on? “Honestly, if she was enchanting me, don’t आप think evidence would have been found long before it did?”
“That was false evidence, as Arthur said,” Merlin says from behind them. “Morgana planted it. It is she who is the witch, not Gwen.”
“As I said,” Arthur echoes.
“You have proof?” Uther says, raising his eyebrows at Merlin.
“You need proof? Go to the गढ़, महल and take a look in the सिंहासन room, my lord! Your proof is right there, sitting on your सिंहासन wearing a jeweled crown!” Merlin says, raising his voice.
“You will lower your voice!” Uther snaps, standing.
“You are not the king anymore,” Merlin says, raising his chin, standing his ground.
Uther growls slightly, irritated. “What of the infatuation with Lady Vivian?” he says suddenly, spinning on Arthur.
“That was an enchantment,” Arthur says. “As my father, I would have thought that आप would have been able to see the difference in my behavior with Lady Vivian and my behavior with Guinevere. I was a bumbling idiot those few days I was एनचांटेड with Vivian. I could barely hold my own in the ring against Olaf. Olaf! The enchantment made me weak. Guinevere makes me strong.” Arthur looks at the sky, exasperated. “You truly do only see what आप wish to see.”
“Camelot cannot have an uneducated commoner as its future queen,” Uther says, trying a different approach.
“I can read and write as well as you, my lord. And I know numbers and history, and I have worked enough with Gaius that I even know a fair amount of science and medicine,” Guinevere defends herself, no longer intimidated. By the gods, he is stubborn and ignorant.
“Oh really? And how is it आप have been educated?”
“My mother worked in Sir Leon’s household when I was a girl. Lady Amelia had a fondness for my brother and me and would include us in the children’s lessons. When I came here, Morgana discovered that I was clever and had a thirst for knowledge, so she would teach me everything she learned at her own lessons.”
“Guinevere’s intuition and wisdom is surpassed only द्वारा her beauty, Father. Maybe. Even Gaius acknowledges that her words should be heeded. She knows her mind and she knows the minds of the people. Furthermore, she is not afraid to stand up for them because she truly cares about them. How can आप say that a person like that is not fit to be queen?” Arthur asks. If आप want to argue logic, I can argue logic.
“It is just not done!” Uther finally yells, feeling defeated; running out of arguments.
“Father, आप are the king. Well, आप were, and if I have anything to say about it, आप will be again. If anyone can change the rules, it is you. And if आप don’t, rest assured that I will do when my time comes, and then I will take the glory of being the first king to place value on the common man, the first king to prize ability and worth over status.” Arthur twists the चाकू just a little. Merlin smiles behind him, and Gwen clears her throat, hiding her smirk behind her hand.
Uther stares at his son. The people would प्यार a commoner queen. One of their own, sure to look after them, see to their needs, he suddenly realizes, the thought hitting him like a ton of bricks. He sits heavily on the same large rock he was on before.
“Leave me. I am weary and wish to rest and think,” he says quietly.
Part 9: link