Arthur's POV

I pace nervously outside the physicians chambers, waiting for any news about Merlin's condition. How long has it been now? An hour? Maybe more? The sun is already high in the sky and we arrived in Camelot at first light so it must have been a few hours now.

I had insisted on staying by Merlin's side but the court physician, an old man who's just starting to sprout some grey hair, had forced me out, saying I was more of a distraction then help. So, reluctantly, I decided to wait outside.

I'm still pacing frantically, chewing at my lower lip when the physician exits from his chambers. I stop and walk up to him expectantly. "How is he? Is he alright?" I ask quickly.

"He'll be fine my lord. I managed to stop the bleeding so there is nothing more to worry about. All he needs now is rest," the physician explains to me.

"Thank you. Um... may I see him?"

"Of course. I'll be doing my rounds if you need me." The old man steps aside to allow me to pass.

I enter the physicians chambers and glance around. I'm never in here often so I gaze at everything in slight awe. All the scientific equipment lies around the room in various places. Some on tables or others are scattered along the floor. Vials upon vials of different coloured potions line the shelves and tables. I'm taken out of my trance when my eyes land on Merlin, who's currently lying on the patients cot.

I see his eyes are open and skirting around the room. His shoulder is bandaged and he's shirtless at the moment. I try to hide my blush when my eyes skim over his chest. Despite how lean he looks, I can see traces of muscles line his body. He is an outstanding swordsman. I shouldn't have expected less. I'm tempted to trail a finger over his skin, to feel the smoothness and the creases of the muscles but I hold myself back. I would probably scare him to the point of never wanting to see me again and I do not want that.

Merlin seems to finally notice me as well. He flashes me a small smile. "So... you brought me, a warlock, into Camelot?" He asks, an eyebrow raised.

"It was either that or I let you bleed to death," I say.

"Bleeding to death would have been better then being burnt at the pyre if I'm found. Which, might I add, would include you being burned as well."

I look at him confused. "Why would I be burned?"

He rolls his eyes at me. "Look I know you may be a knight of Camelot but that doesn't mean you're above the law. You'd be burnt for harbouring a warlock." Oh... I forgot he didn't know I was the prince. My father would never have the nerve to burn me so I've never considered it. "And, since we're on the topic, you're a knight of Camelot?!" He asks the last part with a shocked expression.

I nod shyly. "Yes. How else do you think I fight so well?" I try for a joking tone, hoping to get into our usual banters once more.

To my luck Merlin laughs. "Is that why you're such a prat? And good? You're not that good," he teases, making me smile. It seems he's forgotten, at least momentarily, about that incident.

"Oh yeah? You want to have a duel then?" I raise my eyebrows in amusement.

"Fine, though after I've healed of course."

"Then it's a duel." I smirk at him. He smiles back.

-----

Merlin's POV

I look into Arthur's eyes. Those blue orbs stare back at me. I gaze longingly into them. I love him. I love him so much. My heart almost stopped when I thought he was going to die. When I thought I wouldn't make it in time to save him from the Griffin. I love him. I need him but I'm still so hesitant. Why? Why can't I forgive him? He forgave me easily so why can't I?

I turn and avert my gaze, a sad look on my face. I see Arthur's expression drop when I turn away. He glances to the side as well, not wanting to meet my eyes. The silence returns. The same restless atmosphere ensues. It's like a continuation of the last time we met a few days ago.

I'm frustrated with myself. Why can't I do this? Why can't I look him in the eyes and just tell him? Is it because of what he said? Have I still not forgiven him? But I know that's not it. It's never been it. It was simply a convenient excuse. I know that deep down I had forgiven him long ago. I could never hate him over something like that, besides he even apologized as well. No... the real reason I won't tell him is because I'm afraid. I'm afraid of loving someone who was born hating magic. I'm afraid of what will happen if I allow myself to love him. I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself near him. I realize now that all I am is a coward.

My thoughts are interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. I look to Arthur who seems relieved to have something to do. He walks over and opens the door only a crack. I hear him mutter a few words before he exits the room and shut the door behind him.

I listen intently for a moment. I don't hear his footsteps, meaning he's still outside the door. I raise up an eyebrow quizzically. I wonder what he's up to? I slowly climb out of bed, making sure not to make any noise. I wince slightly as the movement causes my shoulder to spark in pain but I swallow it down and creep to the door. I open it a tiny bit, just enough to see what he's doing. I look through the gap in time to see a girl wrap her arms around him in an embrace. I immediately shut the door.

I stay frozen in place. Unsure of what to do now. A strange feeling starts to churn in my stomach. The feeling intensifies the more I picture the image of the girl embracing Arthur. I shake the thought from my head.

I move back solemnly to the bed. I sit down none too gently. My shoulders slump. My elbows rest on my knees as my hands clench together tightly. Why am I feeling like this? Am I... am I jealous? Of the girl? No I can't be... can I? I do feel an urge to storm out of the room and rip the two of them apart... oh no I am jealous.

I groan to myself. I drop my head in my hands. Perfect. Just perfect. The man I love is already in a relationship. I sigh. Perhaps I should just leave. Sneak out a window maybe? I'm sure he would be happy to be left alone with his lover.

-----

Gwen's POV

I rap gently on the door twice and wait outside patiently. I glance around nervously. I had heard from Elyan that Arthur was at the physicians and rushed here immediately, afraid he had been injured. Soon the door opens, revealing Arthur. I smile at him with relief. He smiles back.

"Guinevere! It's good to see you," he says happily, walking out from the room and shutting the door behind him. I hear him sigh with relief when the door clicks shut.

I run up and hug him when I see he's safe, that nothing is wrong with him. "Thank goodness you're alright Arthur! I thought you were injured badly when Elyan said you were here," I say with joy.

Arthur gently pats my head. "I'm fine Guinevere."

I move away from him. "Then why are you here? Was another knight injured?" I look at the door with worry.

"Um..." He hesitates. I see him rub at the back of his neck.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Arthur who's in there?"

"A... a friend," he says, looking away slightly.

"A friend? Are they a knight?"

He shakes his head.

I look at him even more puzzled then before. I think for a moment, trying to think of who could be in there. Suddenly I remember what Elyan had told me earlier, how a mysterious young man had jumped in and saved them all but had, unfortunately, been injured in the process. "Is it that young man that saved you all?"

"Yes."

I smile. "Why did you have to hide it then? Let me see him. I want to thank him for saving my dear friends and brother."

"Wait Guine-" He doesn't finish his sentence before I push past him and enter the chambers.

I look around the room until my eyes land on the young man standing atop a table. He looks to be about my age. He has short black hair and deep blue eyes. His skin looks pale, wether it was from his injury or if he normally looked that way I wasn't sure. He has a rumpled tunic on while a set of chainmail and armour hangs from one of his arms. I see a bandage peek out from his shirt collar, indicating where his injury must have been. A shimmering blade that looks better then even what my father could make hangs from his belt. I start to wonder what he's doing standing on a table when he rises up on his tiptoes, reaching up for the window.

Before I can say anything Arthur beats me to it. "What in the world are you doing Merlin!" Arthur shouts, worry clear in his voice as he storms over to the table in order to pull him down.

The young man, Merlin, curses under his breath before avoiding Arthur's attempt to grab him. "Merlin! Get down from the table!" Arthur makes another attempt to grab him. "You're still recovering! You shouldn't be doing something so dangerous!" Merlin scurries off the table, and starts to make a break for the door before Arthur tackles him to the floor. The chainmail and pieces of armour scatter across the floor.

"Ow! Arthur! My shoulder! My shoulder!" Merlin cries out.

"Well if you weren't being so reckless I wouldn't have had to tackle you!" Arthur replies angrily, pulling Merlin to his feet. Merlin glares at Arthur.

"You didn't have to tackle me..."

"And how else was I supposed to stop you?"

"You don't."

Arthur rolls his eyes. "What were you even doing on the table?"

"Trying to get to the window."

"Why? If you wanted some fresh air you could just asked."

"I wanted to get out."

"And why did you want to leave?"

Merlin glances in my direction. It's the first indication that he even knows I'm there. He averts his gaze quickly. His eyes saddening.

I look at him with concern. Does he not like me? Then again, what did I do to him? Merlin turns back to Arthur.

"Just reasons," he replies simply.

Arthur groans. "Fine. I won't ask."

Merlin turns to me again. "So what's her name?"

Arthur turns and seems almost surprised when he sees me. "Oh, this is Guinevere."

I give him a warm smile. "Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you. Merlin right?" I reach a hand out to him. He takes it reluctantly.

"Yes. I'm Merlin."

I withdraw my hand. "I just wanted to say thank you for saving Arthur and well... all the Knights."

"It was no problem," he replies before turning back to Arthur. He smiles for the first time. "Arthur you never told me you had a girl," he teases with a chuckle.

Arthur and I immediately turn red. "Oh we're not-" he desperately tries to correct but is cut off by Merlin's laugh. The younger man clasps a hand on Arthur's shoulder.

"No need to be embarrassed. You know you should have told me earlier you prat."

I giggle at the strange insult. "What's a prat?" I ask him.

He turns to me and smiles while pointing towards Arthur. "Arthur."

"At least I'm better then a certain dollophead I know," Arthur mumbles.

"Well I'm a better swordsman then you."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am."

"I can beat you in one blow."

Merlin laughs. "Do you remember what happened the last time you said that?"

Arthur looks away, embarrassed. "I was caught off guard by your..." He gestures at Merlin's body, "...seemingly flimsy form."

Merlin retorts back, causing the two to start bantering even more. I stand by the side of the room and giggle at the two. I smile at the way Arthur looks at the other man. How his eyes are full of endearment. How he looks at him as though he's the most precious treasure in all of Camelot, no, all the five kingdoms. Though I can't help but feel jealous of Merlin. I feel jealous of the way Arthur looks at him like he looks at no one else. I feel jealous that he's able to capture Arthur's heart so easily and without trying at all. I wonder if he even knows how Arthur feels. I guess he's the one Arthur spoke about yesterday. The person he's in love with.

"Well I'm going to head out now. My wounds don't quite hurt anymore so I best get going. Perhaps I'll head to an inn. Besides I think you two lovebirds would like to be left alone," Merlin chuckles, collecting his chainmail and armour off the floor before he turns towards the door.

"Oh we're not-" Before I can finish Merlin shuts the door behind him.

I sigh and turn to Arthur, who stares at the door longingly. I give him a playful smirk. "So, when do you plan on telling him?" I ask, receiving a startled jump from Arthur.

"What ever do you mean?" He asks nervously, trying for an innocent smile.

I giggle. "You know what! Anyone who knows you well enough can see the way you look at him. So he's the one you've been sneaking off to meet. He is a very cheerful young man. You two would make a good match."

Arthur immediately turns red. "Was it that obvious?"

"Yes. It was that obvious."

Arthur averts his eyes in embarrassment.

"Why won't you tell him? He looks like he might like you as well."

Arthur scoffs. "Trust me he doesn't. I don't even know if I'm considered his friend anymore."

I raise an eyebrow at him in amusement. "Oh really? You two looked friendly to me. He seemed happy to be with you."

Arthur looks down sadly. "No. His smiles are usually a lot brighter then that. He was faking it."

I look at him surprised. Clearly Arthur cared about him loads to see through his ruse. "What happened? Why doesn't he consider you a friend?"

Arthur sighs and rubs his forehead. "Lots of things."

I bite my bottom lip. I want to help him. I want to help them both. "Go talk to him."

"What?"

"I said go talk to him. Set things right between you two."

Arthur looks away. "I know what he's going to say. There's no point."

"Stop being such a coward Arthur! If you love him then go. Tell him, even if he rejects you it'll make you feel better. Trust me, I know."

Arthur still looks dubious but he seems much more confident then before. "I don't know Guinevere."

I cross my arms, giving him a stern glare. "Arthur. You're going to go out there." I point to the door, "goto the inn. Find Merlin. Then tell him how you feel. Do you understand me? And if he does reject you then so be it."

He takes in a deep breath. "I understand. I'll... I'll tell him."

I smile brightly. "I wish you luck Arthur."

He smiles back. "Thank you Guinevere."

"It's my pleasure. I said I would help didn't I?"

He smiles one last time before heading out the door. I hear him sprint quickly down the hall. I wait till the sounds of his footsteps fade away before I head back to finish my daily duties.

-----

Gwaine's POV

"What do you mean 'you can't do anything'?! Do you not care about your own son?!" I shout angrily at Balinor from across the table in the council chamber. I'm tempted to jump the man but Lancelot holds me back. Sometimes I hate the guy.

Balinor glares at me rather angrily. "Of course I care for him, but as leader I cannot send hundreds of men to Camelot simply to save him," he says before sighing, "I cannot act so selfishly. I need to put my people first... and personal feelings second."

"So you're going to leave him at the mercy of Uther?! You're going to let him die?!"

Balinor sighs again. "I'm sorry Gwaine. I know how much all of you care about him but, again, I simply cannot march an army into Camelot and risk hundreds of innocent lives to save my son. I'm afraid he'll have to find a way out himself."

I feel the blood rush to my ears. I start to struggle against Lancelot's grasp only to be pulled back by Mordred and Morgana as well. "Give it up Gwaine. He's not going to help us," Morgana whispers into my ear, "come on."

They all drag me from the room, my legs thrashing and kicking at everything. I shout curses at Balinor and everyone in the council chamber. How could they leave Merlin to die?

After I'm pulled back to my chambers I finally stop struggling. The three of them let me go and I simply stand there. Arms crossed in rage.

"We could have persuaded him. Why did we leave?" I ask angrily.

"It's useless Gwaine. I have spoken to Balinor more then you. When his mind is set you can't change his decision," Morgana replies with equal rage.

"So are you planning on abandoning him as well? You all know none of us would be here if it weren't for Merlin. Lancelot and I would still be simple mercenaries willing to do anything for some coin. Mordred, you would be dead if Merlin hadn't saved you that day when you were a child and you, Morgana, would probably have been found by your father and still be living in constant fear because Merlin wasn't there to help you when you were lost and helpless in that forest. We all owe Merlin our lives! If you won't help him then I'll go by myself," I finish my rant with a snarl.

Morgana simply rolls her eyes at me. "You think we don't know that Gwaine? We all know full well where we would be without him. We aren't abandoning him. Like I said before, if Balinor won't help us I shall take matters into my own hands." A devilish smile crosses Morgana's face.

"What are you planning?" Mordred asks before I get the chance.

"Oh you'll see. I just need to make a few preparations. You won't need to worry Gwaine. Merlin will be saved and Uther won't even know it was us."

I look at her in confusion. "Are we sneaking in?" I ask.

Morgana chuckles. "No. We won't need to step foot into Camelot."