WARNING: This fiction contains SPOILERS for Season 5.

Tag: 5x08 - The Hollow Queen

An: After watching this week's amazing episode, I had to write something. Somehow, this came out. Be warned; no beta and no editing. It's probably quite rough. However, I was quite inspired by this episode, so there might be a couple more - be on the lookout. Anyway, please read and review - I love to hear your thoughts.

Note: The story was accidentally repeated. It's been fixed now.

This was a nightmare. A girl? Did Arthur seriously think he'd spent that past two days with a girl?

"So," Arthur continued, amusement twinkling in his eyes, "maybe you can tell us all about it."

Merlin knew it wasn't a request. It was a barely disguised order. He glanced quickly at Arthur, just to make sure he was serious, then stopped pouring the wine. "Right," he said, walking over to Gwen and filling her raised goblet with the crimson liquid.

How could this ever have happened? Gwen used to be so kind, so sweet. If anyone had told him even a couple of weeks ago that she would be trying to kill Arthur, he would have laughed and shaken his head. "Gwen?" he'd have asked. "Nah, never. Not an evil bone in her body."

But the evidence spoke for itself, including the way she was smiling at him now, the humour not reaching her eyes; their chocolate depths held his gaze with a clear warning. The last time someone had looked at him like that was when it was Morgana sitting in that seat, a smirk always hiding behind a smile as she silently laughed at them for being the fools that they were, as if she would ever be on their side.

He could still feel the poison running through his veins. It had mostly gone now, thanks to Daegal, but it would be a long time until he forgot the icy hold of death as it had drawn nearer, the pain consuming his whole being.

"And why you're walking with a limp," Arthur added, taking a sip of wine.

Merlin cursed silently. Of all the times for Arthur to notice something wrong with him, it had to be now? How was he going to explain that one away? Merlin pulled the jug away and Gwen tilted her head, her eyes never leaving his.

Traitor. Friend. Queen. Servant.

And that was when he knew; there had to be some way he could get the old Gwen back. He had known her for nine years - there was no way she could change so completely this quickly. Morgana had taken a whole year.

For Arthur, he promised himself. I will get Gwen back or die trying, because if Arthur knew the truth, it would destroy him.

And also for me, he added as an afterthought. Because if I don't, I think it'll destroy me too.