Merlin

Chapter 20

Whilst Merlin and Freya sat in their home euphorically, Gwen was making her way to Arthur's chambers. When he had asked to see her earlier, she had been surprised. Usually they would meet somewhere more secret, not obvious like Arthur's chambers. She had immediately takenit as a bad sign, but had felt obliged todoas he wished, soshe prepared herself and, by the hour of eight, she was stood outside his door. Knocking gently, she entered the room.

Arthur was stood in the centre of his chambers, evidentlyin the middle of pacing. When he saw Gwen, he immediatelyceased moving and smiled at her.

"Thankyou for meetingme here." He said. She nodded unsurely.

"I was a little surprised that you wanted to meet somewhere so exposed." She replied, mentally examiningArthur.

He stood awkwardly in the middle of his room, clearlyuncomfortable about something. His unshaven face and tired looking eyes gave Gwen the impression that he was worried or nervous.

"Are youalright Arthur?" Gwen asked moving closer tohim, throwing her shawl over the back of the chair as she went.

"Fine." Arthur said, stepping backslightlyas she approached. Noticing that Gwen was hurt by his rejection, Arthur moved to rest his hands on her shoulders, "I wanted totalk toyou about something, something important." Gwen frowned in confusion.

"What is it?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Well, I was thinking about Merlin…" he started. Gwen hastily withdrew her arms. Arthur shook his head and stepped backwards, "Not like that! It's just… now he's married he seems so happy. And I want that for us." Gwen looked at him, still unsure as to where he was going with the conversation.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Takinga deep breath, Arthur looked into Gwen's eyes and spoke.

"Will you marry me?"

Gwen stared at Arthur blankly. What? He couldn't be serious! They hadn't been courting that long. And besides, the king marrying a serving girl would cause outrage! After a few seconds Gwen stepped backwards. Arthur watchedher, his eyes wide in anticipation. This was a joke; it had to be. Arthur was always playing pranks and this must be one of them. Convincingherself that Arthur was trying to be funny, Gwen began to laugh.

But Arthur just stared at her, a confusedfrown spreading across his face.

"What?" he asked. Gwen continued to laugh, "What's sofunny?"

"You can't be serious!" she replied, moving to rest her hands on his shoulders, but he moved backwards.

"You thinkI'm joking?" he asked in disbelief. Gwen's face fell as she noticed Arthur's hurt expression. Whoops.

"Arthur, we've onlybeencourting a month; marriage would be moving waytoo fast!" she said inshock.

"Why? What does that matter if we're in love?" he asked.

"It matters because you can't just jump into something like getting married! And besides, what will people think if their king suddenly marries?" she said, stepping backwards slightly.

"I don't know and I don't care!" Arthur said childishly, his volume escalating rapidly.

"Well you should!" Gwen shouted. Arthur didn't replyso Gwen continued, "A true king respects his people and doesn't use his power abusively. Just because theyhave no sayin the matter doesn't mean that you shouldn't take theminto consideration. If you suddenly announce this to the people they're not going to trust as much in future. Don't ruin what you have because of me." Arthur looked down at his feet.

"I'msorry." He mumbled.

"You're a kind man, Arthur, andI love you but maybe we should take a breakfor a while." She suggested, hating herself almost as soon as the words left her mouth. Arthur's head jerked up, but after a few seconds examining Gwen's face he nodded in defeat.