Over the next few weeks Arthur and Morgana began spending more and more time together. It would not have bothered her, okay, she admitted, it would not have bothered her so much had it not been for the

fact that he was seeking her out on an almost daily basis to enquire after Morgana, or as he liked to call her, 'the Lady in Question' and ask Gwen to pass on small gifts to her. A necklace, a ribbon for her hair,

a beautiful leather-bound book. The last gift pained her the most. It had been a book she and Arthur had been discussing only a few days before. Gwen had recalled how it had been the only one her family

had possessed and how her father had read the story to her as a child and how she had grown to love every twist and turn of the plot, every virtue and flaw in the characters. Time and love had taken its toll

on the binding however, and it was now missing a number of its pages.

***

The reasonable, serene Gwen would have granted him pardon for this injury. It was a common enough title, perhaps he had heard the plot and thought it might appeal to Morgana. How was he to have known

that she would unwrap the cloth binding the book with Gwen was still in the room? How was he to know the fierce rush of anguish this gift would cause its courier?

The reasonable Gwen was silenced however, by her jealous counterpart. How could he not know of her feelings for him? How could he have failed to notice? Even if he was ignorant of her pain, his behaviour

could hardly be considered appropriate. But when he smiled at her, when they entered a heated debate, when he asked her opinion and seemed genuinely interested in her answer, jealousy faded away. For

those moments it was just them. No barriers of class and no Morgana.

She wondered sometimes about what might have been had she been a member of the nobility, or he the son of a blacksmith, would things have been different?

When she indulged herself in such questions she shook herself mentally. It did not matter. She was a servant and he was the Prince, and no amount of daydreaming would change that. She would just have to grin and bear it.

And for the most part she bore it well...for the most part...

***

'Guinevere!' Arthur caught her by the arm as she turned the corner.

She looked up at him wordlessly.

'Have you been avoiding me?'

'No'

'But I haven't had a chance to speak to you in almost a week.'

'Indeed'

'Why is that Guinevere?'

'I would think it is because our paths have not crossed.'

He raised a sceptical eyebrow but did not challenge her, 'well,' he exhaled, 'I would like it if they were to cross a little more often in future.'

She turned to leave but his voice pulled her back, 'I have a letter for you' he said rummaging around in his jacket pocket.

'Sorry, it is a bit crumpled,' he said his cheeks reddening as he handed her the envelope.

The Lady in Question, it read.

She curtseyed and left, before her anger could bubble to the surface.

Since when, she thought furiously, had she become that jumped up, prat of a Prince's personal messenger. Why couldn't he go and find Morgana himself? The arrogant, lazy, good for-

She pushed her anger to one side as she knocked, and entered.

***

Before Morgana could speak Gwen thrust the envelope into her mistress's hands.

'It's from Arthur' she added in explanation.

Morgana tore open the letter and her eyes proceeded to scour the page with a hungry intensity.

'Gwen' she said passing the letter to her handmaiden, 'read it'

The Lady in Question,

If I were a braver a man I would have told you this face to face. But I am not a brave man, I will happily fight any adversary to within an inch of my life, and yet I can not express how I truly feel to those I care about the most. For that I apologise.
However I must tell you that you are a formidable force. You challenge me in ways that no one else can and you make my mind become blanker than a piece of parchment. I can not hear my own thoughts over the sound of my racing heart and my legs struggle to support my weight. Reading that last line back I feel slightly embarrassed by it's over sentimentality, by its cliché, but that is honestly how I feel when around you. I don't fully understand how you are capable of instilling such physical weakness, and why short of it causing me any alarm, it feels perfectly natural; but it is there none the less.
I struggle to tell you, to show you, how I feel, and for that I am sorry. If you have ever doubted the sincerity of my feelings for you, I apologise and hope that this testament will help to remove some of that uncertainty.

Yours,
A not so brave man

'Gwen?' Morgana asked as her servant's eyes lingered on the last word.

Unable to utter a word, Gwen nodded.

'I know he doesn't use the word 'love' but-'

'Yes' Gwen said, jealousy clenching in her gut.

'Oh'

'Aren't you happy about that?'

'Yeah' Morgana said a little distractedly, 'of course.'

Gwen turned around, hiding her face while gaining her composure, 'I hope the two of you are very happy together' she said brightly as she slipped through the door, her arms piled high with bed sheets.

***

Arthur caught up with her next day.

'So how did the Lady in Question receive my letter?'

'Well'

'There's nothing else you can tell me?' he said his facing falling with disappointment.

'No'

'Nothing?' his eyes were pleading and the sight of them pained her.

Angered by her own hurt, and now the pain she was feeling on his behalf, she said the first thing that came to mind, 'your use of grammar is commendable.' She cringed at the bitterness in her tone and at the

fresh wave of hurt which engulfed his features.

She left him there, in the centre of the courtyard, looking like a spaniel which had just been struck by its beloved master.

***

Morgana wrung her hands with the nervousness which had swallowed her since reading Arthur's letter. She had been avoiding him, trying to order her thoughts. She did not want to hurt him any more than

she had to. He seemed to have quickly sensed that something was the amiss for he had withdrawn into himself and was keeping busy with training. Although she did not wish to leave him in suspended

animation, she half hoped that she might one day wake up and realise she really was in love with Arthur Pendragon. He was a good man, one of the best, but her heart would not allow it. He was her friend,

her brother. It felt wrong. Yet it felt more wrong to hurt him. So she kept putting it off, hoping, though not really believing, that things would change.

It was a fortnight and three letters later before she decided it must be put to an end. She could no longer leave Arthur dangling in hope and melancholy.

She knocked.

'Arthur?' she pushed open the door. He did not look up from his desk, over which he was hunched, quill in hand, the stub of the candle nearly out.

'Arthur?'

After a moment he looked up, his eyes tired, not merely from lack of sleep.

'Morgana'

'We need to talk Arthur'

'I'm busy' he said turning back to the papers in front of him.

'It's about the letters'

He stood up suddenly, instantly alert; 'I have to go.'

'Arthur' she said pleadingly, 'this is important.'

But he had already left.

***

What was that noise? She thought testily, that incessant knocking. She rolled over trying to ignore it, but it continued. She groaned, pulling the bedding over her head.

'Guinevere' a voice said commandingly 'open up.'

It was only then that she realised the knocking was at her own front door.

Swaddling herself in her blanket, she waddled to the doorway.

'My lord?'

'Oh' he said rather stupidly, 'you were asleep.'

'Yes.'

'Sorry' he said, 'I thought you were ignoring me.'

'I have to be up at half past four, so could we make this quick?' she turned back into the house.

It was the first time he had been inside her house. It was tiny and comprised of only one room, but she had made an effort to give the place a homey feel, there were wild flowers in a cracked vase on the

patterned tablecloth, charcoal sketches and water colouring paintings adorning the walls and sprigs of herbs hanging from the ceiling.

She flushed as he surveyed her house. She felt totally naked, a feeling that had little to do with the fact that underneath the blanket she wore only a thin nightdress. She felt exposed, worried what

judgements were forming in his mind.

'So?' she said, forcing him to focus.

'Morgana came to talk to me tonight.' He paused looking for a reaction, with none forthcoming, he added 'about the letters.' Again he was disappointed.

'You told her?'

'Of course I did'

'They were private'

'I know'

'You should have asked'

'I assumed you wouldn't mind as she already knew because of the flowers and-'

'She knew even then?'

'Well yes'

'You told them they were from me?'

'Yes, but only because she asked. I'm sorry, I just didn't know it was supposed to be a secret.'

He took a deep breath, 'its okay, I probably should have told her myself'

'Yes, you should have done.'

'Maybe this is for the best, it's good that everything is out in the open.'

'Then this might be the right time to tell you that Merlin knows.'

'Oh' he breathed, 'so that's why he's been acting so strangely recently-' he said grinning, '-well stranger than normal.'

'I'm sorry' Gwen said again.

'I don't mind' he replied gently, 'it would have come out at some point and it brings us one step closer to being able to be together publically, for us to be partners at dances, to be able to walk through the

streets hand in hand. I just need to pluck up the courage to talk to my father, but there's no rush' he said before giving her a question look, 'right?'

She nodded, 'wait until you feel ready.'

'Thank you Guinevere' he said swooping down and placing a swift, chaste kiss on her cheek, 'I will allow you to get back to bed. Sorry for the intrusion.'

***

He closed the door softly behind him and she let out a long breath, her cheeks burning with shame. She was Morgana's best friend, her confidant, she should not be having feelings for, much less encouraging

the man who was to be her best friend's husband. She should not be talking to him so, letting him act so... inappropriately.

***

'Guinevere!' he shouted down the empty corridor.

She jumped and turned to face him. He was beaming, though his eyes were nervous

'I just thought I'd let you know, I'm ready'

'Ready?'

'To tell my father'

'Oh' she feigned a smile, 'good?' she offered lamely.

'It is good' he assured her, 'I think I'm just going to tell him how things stand at present over dinner. Do you think that's the best course of action?'

'I'll support you whatever you decide to do'

'What did I ever do to deserve you eh?' he grinned.

'I have no idea' she smiled grimly, 'may I ask you something, what do you mean by at present?'

'I'll tell him how I feel. I just think it would be unwise to mention anything to do with the future, what with the whole Sophia debacle, I don't want him to feel like we're rushing into anything.'

'The future: meaning marriage?'

'Yes I guess, if everything goes well, at some point down the line, maybe' he said flushing crimson and avoiding her eyes.

'I should go' Gwen said turning away, 'good luck with your father. Let me know how it goes' she said over her shoulder.

'What?' he exclaimed. 'You're not going to be there tonight?'

'I think it better I'm not'

'Of course' he said dipping his head to her as she left.

***

'What?' Morgana exclaimed.

'He's going to tell his father about you two over dinner tonight; didn't you hear me the first time?'

'You can't be serious. He's going to tell Uther' she paced back and forth, frantically running her fingers through her hair.

'I don't understand why he didn't tell you about this.'

'Probably because we haven't seen much of each other recently.'

'Why's that?'

'No reason' Morgana said a little too quickly.

***

She caught him just before they went into dinner, 'Arthur we need to talk'

'Not now Morgana, I'm really sorry, can't we talk after?'

'We need to talk now' she implored him. But just then Uther beckoned them in.

They sat down in their usual seats as the food was served. Once the servants had left them Arthur spoke.

'Father I have something I need to discuss with you'

'Arthur,' Morgana hissed, a hint of a warning in her voice.

'Yes?' Uther said, ignoring his ward.

'It is a delicate matter'

'Ah, and one of the heart?' he asked with a raised eyebrow.

'Yes Father'

'Arthur' Morgana said, a frenzied look in her eyes.

'I have developed feelings for a young woman-'

'Don't Arthur!'

'Morgana, please,' Uther said testily, 'go on Arthur'

'I have developed feelings for someone over the last few months. It is not some infatuation or bewitchment, it is real. We have been courting for a while now-'

Morgana stood up suddenly, sending her chair flying backwards 'Arthur I don't love you!' she shouted into the silent hall, her words reverberating in every particle of air.

'I'm sorry' she said, tears starting to make silvery tracks across her cheeks, 'I know I ought to have told you sooner. But I couldn't bear hurting you.'

Arthur's jaw dropped in shock and confusion 'what in heavens name are you talking about?'

'I don't love you and I could never marry you'

'You've totally lost me'

'The flowers, the gifts, the letters, I should have ended it long ago, I know' she sobbed.

'What flowers? What gifts? What-' then the truth struck him with the force of a thunderclap. 'Those weren't intended for you' he exclaimed.

'Then who-' she began before comprehension dawned on her face. 'Of course...'

'I have to go' Arthur said disorientated.

'Would someone please tell me what is going on?' boomed Uther, but Arthur was already out of the door.

***

Merlin jumped away from the door as his master entered the corridor 'Merlin!' he exclaimed 'have you been listening in on a private royal dinner?'

'Wouldn't dream of it' he replied beaming from ear to ear.

'What are you so happy about?'

'I knew it!' he nearly shouted, 'I knew you were in love with her, but she wasn't having any of it.'

'Speaking of she, do you know where she might be?'

'Morgana's room?' Merlin suggested with a shrug of his skinny shoulders.

'Right' Arthur said to himself as he sprinted down the corridor.

'Good luck!' bellowed Merlin behind him.

***

He silently pushed the door open. She was bent over the chest of drawers, singing a melancholy old ballad in a low, sweet voice. Absorbed as she was in her task and the rise and fall of the melody she did not

notice him creep up behind her.

He lent in a whispered her name in her ear.

She jumped violently.

'Arthur' she said clapping a hand to her chest, 'what are you doing here? I thought you had a dinner with your father.'

'I did, but I left.'

'What happened?

'I was in the middle of talking to my father when Morgana stands up and shouts that she could never love me'

'Oh Arthur' she said deep concern in her eyes and she reached out to squeeze his arm, but thinking better of it, withdrew her hand.

'Don't you think it strange?'

'Yes' she said her eyes darting between both of his, 'I mean there were occasions when she seemed to have a few doubts but I assumed it was nothing out of the common way, so didn't think to trouble you

with it. I'm so sorry Arthur.'

'You have nothing to apologise for'

'I should have seen this coming. I should have tried harder to protect you from this' she said looking intently, apologetically, up at him.

His mind went blank then.

He leaned down and in half a second his lips were on hers. They yielded easily to his touch, parting just enough to feel the tickle of her tongue on his, inviting him deeper. He wrapped an arm around her waist

and her fingers found their way to his neck and then were weaving themselves intricately through his hair. He had imagined this moment over and over in his mind but none of his feeble daydreams could

compare with this: the feel of her, so real, so solid in his arms, the scent of her, a mixture of lavender and silver polish, the taste of her. He was overwhelmed.

And then suddenly she was pushing him away, her hands were no longer in his hair but on his chest, forcing them apart.

She breathed heavily as she stood there, her lips slightly parted looking up at the Prince.

She felt the beginnings of tears in her eyes, but she held them back.

'I understand that you are upset about Morgana, but-'

'I'm not upset about Morgana'

'Don't deny it. I don't blame you, I just want to protect you from anything else that you might regret.'

'I am not upset about Morgana' he asserted again.

'Of course you are'

'I am not' he said simply, a smile creeping onto his features, 'I have no feelings for Morgana whatsoever'

'Then why' she asked half bewildered half irritable, 'have you been courting her for the last few months?'

'I didn't know I was courting her'

'What?'

'I thought I was courting someone else' he said with a pointed looked.

Gwen gulped, he surely couldn't mean-

'You Guinevere' he said meeting her gaze straight on, no amusement on his face now, just pure sincerity.

'But-' she began. This could not be happening.

'The flowers, the gifts, the letters- all for you'

Oh but it was.

'But why would you ask me to give you advice about Morgana?'

'I didn't'

She could not believe what she was hearing.

She went silent for a moment as she ran through all of their conversations in her head. But he was right, not once had he named the 'Lady in Question' as Morgana.

'But why, Arthur,' she said slightly exasperated 'did you always refer to the Lady in Question in the third person?'

'Erm' he said, looking determinedly at the floor, 'I thought it was romantic' he murmured, only just audible.

She let out a derisive laugh, before clapping her hand to her mouth.

'Look' he said, hanging his head apologetically, 'I told you I was bad at this stuff'

'Arthur' she said trying to hide a smile as she lifted his chin, 'this isn't bad, this is atrocious'

'That's a little harsh'

'Oh really?' she enquired, hands on hips.

'Okay, maybe not' he admitted ruefully, 'so can I have some really basic advice on how to win over a girl?'

'I will give you one cast iron piece of advice Pendragon'

'Just one?'

'Just one' she said adopting a serious tone, 'never -and I mean NEVER- convince a girl that you're in love with her best friend.'

'You're mean' he laughed.

'And you are emotionally stunted' she giggled.

'Hey, it wasn't just my fault!'

'I beg to differ'

'Even Merlin knew I had feelings for you. I'm pretty sure any girl would have read the signs perfectly, but oh no, Miss Leodegrance has to misinterpret every single one'

She opened her mouth in mock fury.

But she couldn't help smiling, 'I'm sorry' she said still grinning.

'So tell me, if you hadn't totally misread the situation, how would I be doing on the wooing you front?'

'Terribly' she replied honestly.

'What?' he exclaimed, 'but I followed your advice!' he said indignantly.

'That was advice for Morgana'

'Not all of it, some of it was more general.'

'But that was for most girls Arthur, and in case you hadn't noticed' she said with mischievous smile, 'I'm not most girls.'

'Indeed you are not' he said wrapping his arms around her, 'so are you going to give me any specific advice?'

'You've got to be joking' she said giggling into his chest.

'What'll I do without you to guide me?' he said in mock distress.

'I don't know' she said innocently, raising herself up on her toes and pressing her mouth to his, 'you'll just have to use your imagination.'

-END-

Author's note: hope you enjoyed the final chapter x