Chapter One-News of Arrival

"MERLIN!"

Merlin woke with a start. The voice of his master, Prince Arthur Pendragon had woken him from a deep and rather refreshing slumber. No doubt he wanted his armour polished or his bedding linen replaced or some other ridiculous order carried out. He opened one eye and saw the angry face of Arthur looking down on him.

"Finally!" Arthur exclaimed in an exasperated manner. "It seems like I have been calling you for hours. Get up, would you!"

With a groan, Merlin pulled himself out of his bed and followed Arthur down the staircase from his room to the main room that he shared with his uncle, Gaius, the court physician. Gaius was nowhere in sight, thankfully. Merlin was glad that he did not have to have him there to witness the arrival of Arthur, who had so much as never stepped foot inside this part of the castle. Now that he thought about it, as he started to awake fully, the fact that Arthur had come to collect him was something of an oddity.

"Arthur," Merlin asked hesitantly, as Arthur stormed out of Gaius' chambers and headed towards the main halls of the Camelot castle.

"What, Merlin." Arthur's voice was annoyed, which was the typical tone that he usually adopted when addressing Merlin.

"If you do not mind my curiousity, sire, why did you come to my chambers to retrieve me? That's very unlike you."

"If you must know, Merlin, there is a lot that needs to be done today, and I cannot afford to have my servant lying around and sleeping all day, can I?"

"Uh, no I suppose not," Merlin replied, confusion crossing his features. "What's the occasion?"

At this point, Arthur and Merlin had reached Arthur's chambers. Arthur pushed the door opened and led the way inside. "Well, Merlin, the reason for the activity is because today my dear cousin is arriving for an extended visit."

"Your cousin? I did not realize that you had one, sire."

Arthur turned to look at him with a bemused expression upon his handsome features. "Yes, I do. She is the child of my father's brother."

"She, sire?"

Arthur looked at Merlin, confused. "Yes, she, Merlin. What's so unbelievable about that?"

"Nothing," Merlin answered quickly, a small smile on his face. "Tell me about your cousin, sire."

"Why?"

"So I know what to expect when she arrives."

Arthur looked at Merlin as if he had gone temporarily insane. Merlin maintained his innocent expression.

"My cousin, Arianna, is the daughter of my uncle. She is the same age as me, and we were very close as young children, but we haven't seen each other for years. There's not much else to tell."

"And when shall she be arriving?"

"She is expected this afternoon. So as a result, I need you to iron my feast clothes, polish my boots, and then I need you to prepare the room in the east wing. Arianna will be staying there for the duration of her stay."

Merlin bowed slightly. "Of course. Is there anything else I can do?"

"No," Arthur replied absolutely.

Merlin bowed again slightly and then turned to leave the room. However, as he reached the door Arthur's voice carried out to him. "Merlin, wait a moment."

Merlin turned to see Arthur at the window, looking down into the courtyard below. "Yes."

Merlin saw Arthur's great shoulder's heave in a sigh. "How is Guinevere?"

Merlin gaped. This question caught him off guard. It had been a few months since it was discovered that Gwen was Arthur's true love. He had fallen under an enchantment and had believed himself to be in love with King Olaf's daughter Lady Vivian. Merlin had discovered that the cure to his false love was to be kissed by the woman he truly loved. And that woman happened to be Gwen, the lady Morgana's maidservant. Merlin still remembered what Arthur had said to him after the kiss he shared with Gwen.

"Merlin."

Merlin looked at Arthur questioningly. He had a determined look in his eyes, just like the old Arthur. He knew about the kiss between Arthur and Gwen, as the prince no longer had the airy, lovey look in his eyes that had almost gotten him killed in his joust with King Olaf over Lady Vivian. Merlin smiled a little as he saw Arthur look out into the crowd to where Gwen was currently sitting.

"Yes?"

"If anything should happen to me, take care of Gwen. She may be a servant, dispensable," he turned to look back at Merlin, "but she's not dispensable to me."……………

"Gwen?" Merlin began uncertainly. "She is fine, I think. Have you not seen her?"

"Not for a few nights."

"Nights?"

Arthur sighed again, and then turned around to face his servant. "Tell anybody I told you this, Merlin, and I will end you."

Merlin nodded quickly.

Arthur looked at him hesitantly and then continued. "Gwen and I have been meeting in secret."

Merlin's eyebrows rose. "Really?"

"Yes, Merlin, really. And if you raise those eyebrows any further, they will disappear into your hairline."

"Oh, it's just that, I thought you two were trying to deny your feelings for each other. I believe you told her and me, if I remember correctly, that nothing could happen between you because of your social standings."

Arthur nodded. "Yes, that was true to begin with. But to be honest, after what happened in the tent, I have realized that I cannot deny the way I feel about her anymore. I remember the kiss so clearly, and the way that she felt in my arms. It felt completely right and true. I can't be away from her anymore. I am….in love, Merlin. For the first time." Arthur laughed, but it was a happy laugh, full of bliss.

Merlin smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Gwen is a great girl. You are very lucky."

"I know I am. Anyway, I went to see her a few nights later and managed to convince her to take another chance on us. She accepted. She has been staying overnight, here, with me, in my chamber." Arthur glanced at Merlin to assess his reaction.

"So, why have you not seen her?"

"Uh, things have been getting in the way, if you must know."

"Fair enough. Do you want me to give her a message?"

"Yes, tell her I will visit her tonight at her home."

"I shall do that for you."

With that, Merlin turned and left, with a huge smile on his face.

Gwen walked into her mistress' cambers carrying freshly laundered gowns. The sight that met her was unnerving. The Lady Morgana was situated at her chamber window, gazing out of the window, a troublesome expression on her face. To see her mistress and close friend troubled always bothered Gwen.

"My lady," she called into the room. Morgana came out of her reverie at the sound of Gwen's voice. She smiled meekly at her.

Gwen placed the gowns on Morgana's bed and proceeded towards her. "Is there something wrong? You look troubled."

Morgana chuckled quietly, "Oh Gwen, you always read me like a book." She turned back to the window. "Yes, in fact, there is something bothering me."

"What is it? Is there anything I can do?" Gwen asked her kindly.

A sad look crossed Morgana's face and she clutched Gwen's hands in hers. "No Guinevere, there isn't. "

"Please tell me, regardless."

"It's the arrival of Arthur's cousin."

"The Lady Arianna? Why would that trouble you?"

"I am not looking forward to her visit. We never got along as young children."

"Why is that?"

Morgana sighed, let go of Gwen's hands and crossed over to the headstand of her bed. "Arianna is….difficult to tolerate. Kind of like Arthur." She laughed sadly as she grasped the headstand. "Actually, she is a lot like Arthur."

"Um, well, then you will not like this news that I have received." Morgana looked at her curiously. "I have been told that I have been assigned to look after Lady Arianna during the duration of her stay."

"Oh." Morgana replied faintly. Suddenly she composed herself and continued, "Well, you needn't worry, Gwen. I know you have ordered to do so, so I will not interfere. I will have Elena look after me while you have been assigned to Arianna."

Gwen nodded. "Morgana, you know that if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."

"I shall."

The door opened then. Merlin's head popped in. "Sorry to interrupt. Gwen, can I talk to u please?"

"Of course," Gwen replied. She curtsied Morgana and then left the room. Merlin turned to her once they were clear of Morgana's room.

"I have been asked to relay you a message."

Gwen waited expectantly.

"Arthur," Gwen's heart quickened at the name, "would like you to know that he is going to visit you tonight at your home."

After a moment, Gwen nodded and then blushed at the grin on Merlin's face.

"Oh, shut up," she replied, smacking his arm lightly.