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| Merlin Season | post S2 | Rating
(Refer to main page) | 13+ | Characters in the story
| Gwen, Merlin, Arthur | Pairings
(if needed) | Gwen/Arthur | Word Count
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| Disclaimer / Warning:
(if needed) | characters on short term loan without permission from Auntie Beeb UK. |
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Gwen walked slowly around her house, her father's house. It felt particularly cold and empty today without his looming presence, baritone voice encouraging her in all she did or dreamed of doing, loving smile silently telling her how beautiful he considered his daughter.
Silent tears traced the curve of her cheekbones as she smiled even in sadness. Tom had always used laughter, smiles and hugs to relieve the poverty of their lives. In love the young Guinevere had always been rich. Since her father's death, for love of Arthur she refused to call it murder, since his death on this very day two years ago the sparse furnishings constantly revealed their drab truths. Especially when her prince came to the house. Every flaw was seen and felt today like a sharp stab to her heart as she tidied up. The gentle knock at the weatherworn door was not enough to make her wipe the tears away.
She turned to find the door opening and Merlin holding a small posy of wildflowers, well pretty weeds because they were the only things currently in flower.
"Thought you might like some company."
Gwen flung her arms around her friend who let her cry noisily against his chest, patting her back in that slightly pathetic manner most men adopt when confronted with a weeping woman. At least he didn't uselessly mutter 'there, there', just silently waited for the storm to pass. Her sobs ended in that embarrassing mucus laden hiccup characteristic of the human race, and Merlin handed her an only slightly musty rag from his pocket so she may clean herself up as another tap sounded against the still open door.
Arthur had waited before making his presence known in order to select an appropriate greeting. 'Everything alright?' was immediately ruled out as obviously everything was not alright and was not expected to be on this sorrowful anniversary. 'Hope I'm not interrupting' would either sound like a lame joke or an accusation, and Arthur new Merlin was aware of his affection for Guinevere and had no romantic intentions toward her himself. Finally a proper phrase found its way into his head and he tapped briefly on the open door.
"Hope you don't mind my dropping by, we obviously had the same idea. Well, almost as I see Merlin's the only one nice enough to bring flowers. I did however bring a meal so you won't have to worry about cooking tonight. Don't worry I stole it. No matter how desperate things get I promise never to attempt cooking for you again."
Arthur looked about the room and Gwen felt ashamed of her life compared with his, so his next words surprised her.
"I love coming here. You can see the love you put into the tiniest detail of your home, like those curtains your mother made, and Tom's leather apron hanging on the peg. Every day you are surrounded by your family. Hunith's house had a similar, I don't know, something to it that makes you want to come back."
"Unlike your big comfy bed?" Merlin retorted with a laugh.
"Big comfy bed is preferable to small rickety bed or no bed at all, true, but how many memories are wrapped up in those heavy red curtains? None, heartless draperies! That cushion has more life in it than all my belongings ...no, the table constantly reminds me of that rat stew, so almost my entire suite."
Gwen smiled and Arthur traced the salty trace of her tears with one finger.
"There's my Guinevere."
Merlin realised his presence had become obsolete and tried to duck away without being noticed.
"Thank you Merlin." Gwen turned and hugged him tightly. He was able to return her embrace without feeling awkward this time, hugs had been a major element of his childhood too. Poor Arthur missed out on so much. Merlin decided a lifetime of big comfy bed was not worth sacrificing a lifetime of small, warm hugs.
"You're a true friend Merlin. Thank you." Merlin responded to Arthur's compliment with his radiantly contagious smile as he closed the door behind him.
Gwen marvelled at the change in the room. Less than an hour ago it had been horridly hollow. Now it shone with the warmth of her friends' affections, not only for her but for each other.
"I'm sorry for your loss Guinevere,"
She shushed him with a tender, grateful kiss.
"I still have so much!" she whispered in reply as he held her close and kissed her again.
Guinevere held in her heart a lifetime of love and Arthur felt privileged to be a part of it. One day soon, he would ask her to make his place in her heart permanent.
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