Hey guys. I did say I would update soon! I thought I should do two sufficient chapters because when I go back to school it will be a lot harder to update and whatever. Thanks to everyone who added me as an author and added my story, and to all those who reviewed. It means a lot and as long as I know people like the story it gives me more motivation to carry on. I don't own Merlin. Bla bla bla on with the story anyways. R&R. Enjoy x

...

Arthur

I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I couldn't watch Guinevere stand there like there was nothing wrong, watching me, staring at me, walking down the aisle to hold the hands of a woman I didn't love. Although, my father didn't agree, and as I sat on my bed, for the third day of isolation, I wondered whether Guinevere would visit me. Obviously, she was busy, as you should be when there was still over a hundred lords and ladies residing within the walls of Camelot. Father had been reluctant to send them home and suggested they stay until we could sort out some sort of entertainment. I did suggest a feast, but it was quickly dismissed courtesy of my father. And ever since that dismissal I hadn't seen or heard from him.

Merlin wandered into my chambers with a tray of food, and placed it on my table.

"Rise and shine!" urgh. I hate it when he says that.

"Hmm."
"What's up with you?" he asked

"I don't know Merlin? Perhaps it's the fact I've been trapped in my chambers for the last 72 hours with no one for company apart from the rats and you on occasion!" I yelled. He really was a plank sometimes.

"Okay!" he said. Raising his hands and lifting his eyebrows. "I was just going to say." He continued leaning over. "You're free to leave your chambers whenever you like, the king would like to see you before you gallivanting though"

I looked up. Shocked. Freedom! I leapt up and headed straight for my door.

"Aren't you going to eat your breakfast?" Merlin called after me. No. Not today. I have things to do people to woo.

...

Guinevere

Morgause had given me the day off today so I thought I would take a stroll down to the meadows. Hadn't been there since I left and I always loved it there when I was a little girl. I walked down the corridor, back to my quarters to fetch my basket. Might as well pick some flowers whilst I am down there. I'm sure Morgause would appreciate them, Morgana too perhaps.

I looked at my surroundings- the lower town. Gosh! Id missed this place. I was startled from my mesmerizing by a familiar voice.

"Gwen?"

I looked at the woman calling my name.

"Rebecca?"

We ran toward each other giving one another a big, tight squeeze.

"God! I missed you!"
"Likewise!"

"How've you been? You look well!"

I looked down at my attire. I decided not to wear my usual dress. Instead I opted for a brown pair of trousers, my white shirt, and my brown boots and belt.

"Thank you! You too." I said looking her up and down. Rebecca was lovely. She was quite small, with pale white skin and piercing green eyes. "How've you been?"
"I've been fine. Busy as ever! I'm the Lady Morgana's maid now" my eyes opened wide at that.

"Oh really!" I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. Morgana couldn't have missed me that much. Then again, it had been over a month, or was it two. The answer escapes me.

"I managed to get roughly the same job also" I added. "I am maid servant to the Lady Morgause in Cenred's kingdom"

"Oh!" she replied gleefully "lovely. Twins we are, eh?" she said elbowing me playfully. I giggled. She always made me smile. "Anyway. I have lots do Gwen. But hopefully we can have a proper catch up soon, eh?"

"I'm sure of it" I said, pulling her into another hug, before releasing her in the opposite direction.

"See you Gwen!" she waved.

I smiled as I turned round and carried on my walk.

...

Arthur

Running through the corridors of the castle, i stopped abruptly when I reached the council chambers. I heard my fathers drowning voice wafting out. I walked in.

"Ah, Arthur" he said turning to me.

"Father "I nodded. I turned on my heels to regard the guest on the other side of the hall "Cenred."

"Arthur." He shot back. Taking his leave as he did so. The doors slamming shut behind him.

I turned to my father.

"What was all that about?" I asked, puzzled.

"Hmm? Nothing. His usual drabble."

"You wanted to see me father?"

"Oh yes. I hope you understand why I did what I did?"

"Hmm."

"I did it because, not only did you make me look a fool in front of the whole kingdom as well as others, but you also ruined my alliance with a certain kingdom!"

"you cannot honestly expect me to rule a kingdom happily, with a woman i feel nothing for!"
"then obviously, you are not ready to become King." He whispered. Close to my face before leaving again.

...

i strolled down the dusty road of the lower town. I seemed to be walking in slow motion compared to everyone busstling around me. I needed to clear my head, so i decided to head off to the meadow. Hadnt been there in a while, and i needed some space. So i carried on walking, until i got to the stables. I wasnt actually going to walk down there. One hell of a walk!
i geared up my horse, and double checked i had everything- because i actually could do things with out Merlin's help, believe it or not- and brought my horse out of the stables.

...

The sun belted down on my face and i was cooled by a lovely breeze that swarmed around me. It really was a gorgeous day. As i reached the meadow, i took the reigns off my horse and hug them up over a small tree by the river.

As i turned i saw someone.

I couldnt miss that face anywhere.

"guinevere." I said, with as much informality as i could muster.

"uh. Um" she stuttered getting up and quickly dusting off her trousers "My Lord" she continued, bowing her head.

I had to laugh. Her face turned pink and she lloked at her feet.

"just call me by my name, there is no one else here, and even if there was you dont have to be so formal all the time" i said, walking past her to go and sit under a tree, overlooking the meadow.

She turned and faced me. Biting her lip. Unsure of what to say next.

"i dont bite" he said, patting the grass next to me.

...

Guinevere

"what brings you here?" he questioned, still staring at the view before him.

"uh. I dont know really. Just needed some space" i answered.

"hmm. We are more alike than you think then" he said. Then he turned his head to me, still with the same expression. "why didnt you write to me after you left?"

Maybe because i had lots to tell you. Maybe because I'm a servant and your a prince. Maybe because...

"I.. uh. Dont know."

"hmm" he grunted rather sadly. He changed the subject. "my father isnt happy with me."

"Why not?"
"Because there are now over a hundred members of all courts over the land that have had a wasted journey, because I couldnt-wouldnt- marry." He smiled to himself.

"Why couldn't you? It's your duty."

He turned to face me, hurt in his eyes. "Because I couldn't marry I woman I feel nothing for knowing that the woman I love was watching me do so."

I was taken aback by that.

"Everyone always expects me to just fall in love with the first woman I see. "

"They don't expect it Arthur. They just hope."

"Well, they hope too much then"

I didn't know what to say to that. Silence filled the space between us for long minutes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't take it out on you."
"It's fine. I understand. Your duty must be a burden"
"You could say that."

I smiled.

"Thank you Guinevere."

"For what?"

"Everything" he said finding my hand and holding it, before looking back out at the meadow before us.

...

So what did you think? Sorry for any typos and whatever in advance because I'm sure there is a fair few read and review please. Makes my day, and makes me update faster.

Miss J x