Part 3: link
“Dinner!” Guinevere calls from the doorway of the modest house the three of them have been sharing for this last মাস and a half.
Arthur and Merlin lift their heads, grateful to be able to come in out of the sun. The cool breeze drifting from the sea helps cool their skin, but the sun is relentless. Arthur’s skin has turned golden from the exposure and his hair is a shade lighter. Merlin has put on a few pounds of muscle and has a perpetual sunburn.
Arthur splashes in the water barrel, cooling himself and removing the outermost layer of sweat and grime from his chest and face before grabbing his শার্ট from where it is carelessly hanging on a fence post.
Merlin follows suit, cleaning only his face and neck. He learned the hard way that he needs to leave his শার্ট on when working outside.
“Honestly Merlin, you’d think you’d be able to magic yourself some sort of way to not get burned every day,” Arthur says, flicking his শার্ট at him.
“We’ve managed to stay inconspicuous for nearly two moons now, Aldwin, and I’m not going to risk our solitude and peace দ্বারা poking skunks.”
“Poking skunks?” Arthur looks sideways at him. “Just when I think you’ve ব্যক্ত your last weird thing…”
He enters the house and immediately crosses to Gwen, dishing up খাবার from the stove, and kisses her cheek, his arm wrapping around her waist for a squeeze.
“You stink,” she says.
“And I প্রণয় you, too,” he chuckles, স্নেহ চুম্বন her neck before going to sit at the table.
“Mmm, who was the unlucky victim tonight?” Merlin asks, leaning অগ্রবর্তী to smell the delicious chicken placed in front of him.
Gwen turns around and sighs. “I do wish আপনি hadn’t named the chickens, Merlin. It makes it just that much আরো gruesome when I have to butcher one.”
Arthur and Merlin laugh. “We didn’t give them nice names,” he protests.
“I know. This one was Cenred, I think,” she sighs, sitting.
“Excellent,” Arthur says, rubbing his hands together.
Once a warrior, always a warrior, Gwen thinks, chuckling a bit now herself.
After ডিনার Arthur and Gwen walk to the nearby cliffs overlooking the sea while Merlin cleans up. He always offers, shooing them out the door, giving them time together and giving him time alone, which they all need. He sits and relaxes while the dishes clean themselves and put themselves away.
“Do আপনি regret leaving?” Gwen asks, her arms wrapped around her husband’s waist as they stand, watching the waves crash on the rocks, the ocean air blowing her curls from her shoulders.
“No. Sometimes. Maybe. I don’t know if ‘regret’ is exactly the word for it,” he answers, his hand stroking small circles on her back. “My only regret is that my father couldn’t allow us to be together like this in Camelot.”
“Couldn’t অথবা wouldn’t?” she asks. “There is a big difference.”
Arthur ponders this. “Wouldn’t,” he allows with a sigh. “He’s the king. He could have changed the rules. But he wouldn’t. So I will.”
Gwen nods, resting her head on his chest. They listen to the roar of the sea, the cries of sea-birds as they dive and swoop.
Arthur winds a lock of her hair around his hand, feeling the strands in his fingers. He dips his head and smells her hair.
Gwen smiles, remembering the first time he did that. Our wedding night. In that inn.
She giggles a little, and he looks at her.
“Something funny?”
“I was just thinking about the first time I caught আপনি smelling my hair like that.”
“Ah. The inn.”
“You were so sweet. I hadn’t realized that আপনি were…”
“Nervous?” he supplies.
“Somewhat inexperienced,” she grins at him, and he blushes. “Not that it mattered, of course. I was merely surprised.”
He shrugs. “I only ever wanted you. And before that, I honestly never had any time for… dalliances. Well, except the one.”
“We seemed to do pretty well,” she jokes as he turns her, pulling her into both his arms so she is facing him, pressing her small body against his.
“Yes, indeed,” he bends his head and kisses her. “And we keep getting better at it, too,” he says, grinning against her lips, nibbling, remembering his eager hands and hips, her conflict over wanting him but not wanting to appear improper, him coaxing the impropriety out of her, wanting her to enjoy herself as much as he was.
The thoughts and memories spin inside his head as he slips his tongue in between Gwen’s lips, bringing forth a faint whimper from the back of her throat that Arthur has learned to প্রণয় hearing and, in fact, strives to bring forth as much as possible.
A twig snaps behind them, and they are snapped out of their world, pulling apart, grinning and looking sheepish.
“Evening, Aldwen, Goldie,” their friend local butcher, out for his evening walk, nods at them as he passes, a knowing smile crossing his weathered face.
“Evening, Bartley,” Arthur says as Gwen returns to his side. She smiles at the man as he passes them to continue along the path that follows the cliff.
“There may be gossip tomorrow,” Gwen giggles as they walk back to the house.
“Probably,” Arthur shrugs.
“You don’t actually care, do you?” she chuckles at him.
“Not in the slightest. So what if we were স্নেহ চুম্বন on the cliff? We’re married. It’s not like you’re a serving girl and I’m a prince অথবা anything,” he jokes.
“Good point,” she agrees, smiling. Then she looks at him. “You kind of hope there will be, don’t you?”
“A little,” he admits.
“Arthur, the little misunderstanding with the beekeeper’s son was two weeks ago. He was mortified to learn that I was married and still avoids me whenever our paths happen to cross.”
“I know.”
“And your very existence scares him out of his skin anyway. So I think the village has gotten the idea that I am well-looked-after.”
“I know.” He sighs.
“You’re bored.” The realization hits her.
“A bit. I meant it when I ব্যক্ত I didn’t regret leaving. But…”
They have reached their house now, and are standing outside the front door.
“But this life is too quiet for you, I know,” she says kindly, reaching up to stroke his cheek.
That always makes me feel better, he realizes as soon as her hand touches his face.
“I could scare up some griffins অথবা something, if that would help,” Merlin offers from the doorway. Gwen jumps.
“Merlin!” Arthur snaps.
“Shh!” Gwen shushes him. “Marden, remember?”
Arthur makes an exasperated noise. “I hate those names. Especially mine.”
“I know, love,” Gwen says softly, taking his hand and pulling him inside, to the privacy of the cottage.
xXx
“Going to bed,” Merlin declares, stretching. Gwen can’t help but notice that he’s put on a bit of muscle since they’ve been there. Must be all the hard work.
“Goodnight, dear Merlin,” Gwen says, স্নেহ চুম্বন his cheek.
“Merlin,” Arthur nods at him.
“Clotpole,” Merlin উত্তর back, shutting his door behind him.
Gwen looks at the গাউন, gown she had been stitching earlier. She quickly gained a reputation as a fine seamstress, and has no shortage of people asking for her work. This particular গাউন, gown is for a wedding পরবর্তি week. Sherman’s eldest daughter is marrying Bartley’s youngest son, coincidentally enough, and as soon as they got wind of Guinevere’s skills, they enlisted her services to stitch a fine wedding গাউন, gown for her.
“Too dark, Guinevere,” Arthur says, পাঠ করা her thoughts. “Your eyes will fall out of your head.”
“I know,” she sighs. “I just wish I were further along with it.”
“You’re nearly done,” he says, poking the আগুন a bit.
“Yes, I am.” She picks up the জামা and folds it neatly, setting it on her sewing basket.
“Besides,” Arthur says, pulling her down into his lap, “I can think of a better use for your hands right now. We have unfinished business, আপনি and I.” He takes her hands in his, massaging them gently, feeling the small callous on her fingertip that has built up from pushing a needle through fabric over and over. He kisses it, then the rest of her fingers in turn, followed দ্বারা her palms, left, then right.
“Come to bed,” he whispers against her neck, his lips brushing the skin there. Before she can even answer, he stands, hoisting her easily in his arms, and carries her to their room on the opposite side of the cottage, closing the door and locking it.
The familiar blue line traces the room, triggered দ্বারা the lock. Merlin’s permanent soundproofing spell, tied to the lock on their door, ensuring everyone’s privacy.
Gwen doesn’t know if his enchantment is based on thoughtfulness অথবা embarrassment, but whenever she happens to think about it, she’s in no frame of mind to pursue it.
Arthur makes quick work of her simple dress, peeling it from her shoulders, স্নেহ চুম্বন the skin as it is revealed to him. Gwen is just as adept at his garments, pulling and tossing them aside.
“You’d make a good maidservant,” Gwen teases. “You’ve gotten very good at assisting with my dresses.”
“Mainly at removing them,” he says huskily, chuckling at her carelessness with his things when his trousers bounce off the দেওয়াল and land in a heap on the floor.
He moves her to the bed, crawling over her, laying her back with his kisses. She closes her eyes and throws her arms up over her head, abandoned to him, surrendering to his decadent assault.
Arthur trails soft, wet kisses over her skin, his hands sliding, caressing. He kisses her breasts, kneading one tenderly with his hand while suckling the other, drawing a contented sigh from her parted lips.
“Arthur,” she whispers, lowering one hand to tangle in his hair, bending one knee to slide against his hip and মোড়ানো around his leg.
He hums his approval into her breasts, switching sides now, his free hand dropping between her legs now to touch her. Gwen arches her back against him, needing his attention, his love.
“Guinevere,” he groans, moving back to চুম্বন her lips, those lips that he loves so much, first taking her upper lip between his, sucking gently at it, then the lower, biting just slightly.
Gwen presses her lips against him, thrusting her tongue deep inside his mouth, his torment too much. Her hand slides down between them and she grasps him, sliding the tip of him along her moist folds, nudging his hand out of the way.
“Oh…” Arthur groans. “I প্রণয় it when আপনি do that,” he manages, and she does it again, and once আরো before placing it at her entrance, waiting for him.
Anticipation. The word flits through her brain as she waits for what seems like an eternity for him to drop his hips and thrust forward.
In reality it is mere seconds, সেকেন্ড of sweet anticipation before he moves, filling her, completing her.
“Mmm…” she voices her appreciation, moving her hands to his arms, gripping his biceps for a moment before sliding her hands down his arms.
He captures her hands in his, twining their fingers together before leaning against them, pinning them gently on either side of her head.
Arthur kisses her then, hungrily, deeply, as he increases his speed and intensity, groaning as her nails dig into the backs of his hands.
That’s going to leave marks, but I don’t care, he vaguely thinks, leaning down again, this time to gently bite her earlobe and otherwise nibble her delectable ears.
“Oh… ah…” her breath is coming shallow and noisy and she’s pushing at his hands now, but he holds fast, not releasing them. Instead he tucks his head and captures a breast between his lips, tugging lightly at the taut nipple, swirling his tongue around it.
“Oh!” she cries out now, arching again, pushing her breast further into his mouth. He bites it just hard enough, driving deeply into her as he does so, and her thighs tighten around him.
“Arthur!” she cries out, her hips bucking up into him, her muscles tightening around him, pulsating with her release.
He thrusts a few আরো times before stilling with a groan, buried deep within her, his seed rushing forth into her.
Arthur sinks over her, his head on her shoulder, and he finally releases her hands. She wraps them around his shoulders immediately, holding him tenderly.
“Why didn’t আপনি let my hands go?” she asks, tracing lines up and down his back with her fingertips.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, lifting his head.
“No, um, I liked it, actually,” she confesses, biting her lip.
He grins smugly, then places his head back on her shoulder.
“Arrogant,” she says, tugging a lock of his hair. His chuckle reverberates against her chest, the contractions of his stomach muscles against hers makes her laugh in spite of herself.
“Woah,” he blinks in surprise as her laughter pushes him out of her.
“That’s… different,” she agrees, but for some reason she is still laughing.
He finally rolls off of her, pulling her with him, keeping her close.
“Blanket,” she says, and he releases her to pull the blanket up over them.
“I প্রণয় আপনি so much, Guinevere,” he says softly, his eyelids heavy now.
“I প্রণয় you, too, Arthur,” she answers. She lifts her face and kisses his chin, finding that he has already drifted to sleep. She smiles and snuggles in against him, closing her own eyes now, joining his slumber, locked in his embrace.
xXx
“Well, as I live and breathe, if it isn’t Princess Esmeralda,” a familiar voice drawls behind Gwen as she leans over a bin of apples, looking for the best ones.
Oh, no, she thinks, but carefully schools her features to look appropriately puzzled before she turns around to face Gwaine.
“I’m sorry, sir, but আপনি must have me mistaken for someone else. I am but a simple farmer’s wife,” she answers, uttering the last bit politely but through clenched teeth, fixing him in a stare that actually makes his head hurt a little.
He opens his mouth, closes it, and then opens it again. “My mistake, good woman. আপনি see, from behind আপনি resembled a princess I met once upon a time, but now that I see your face I know আপনি cannot be her. আপনি see, আপনি are much আরো beautiful than she.”
“I am flattered, but please keep in mind that I am a married woman and that my husband is quite strong and very good with a sword,” she answers, emphasizing her words again.
“Is this bloke bothering you, Goldie?” the ফলমূল vendor asks, stepping over.
She turns and smiles at him. “No, James, he’s not, thank you. Just a case of mistaken identity; nothing to be alarmed by. I’ll just take these, then.” She presses a coin into his palm, and he smiles at her, reaching down for one আরো আপেল and setting it in her basket.
“James…” she protests. He just winks at her and waves her off.
“So,” she turns back to her old friend, “what brings আপনি to our humble village?”
“Oh, I wander where my feet take me, chatting to beautiful ladies and finding work where I can to earn a little coin for my pockets,” he shrugs, grinning that devilish grin of his.
“Well, I’m sure my husband and my cousin would welcome some help on our farm, if আপনি are not opposed to a little hard work?” she asks, looking at him pointedly, her eyes telling him that she will explain everything behind closed doors. He notices she is speaking clearly and plainly, so that anyone around might hear her words and buy her story.
“Your husband and your… cousin?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. He takes her basket from her and they walk through the market, back to her house.
“Yes,” she sighs, thinking, come on, man. “My husband Aldwin and my cousin Marden.”
He presses his lips together, eyes twinkling.
“Don’t আপনি dare laugh, Gwaine, অথবা so help me I will scream bloody murder right now and আপনি will be carried away to the stocks অথবা worse,” she mutters, pinching him.
“Ouch!” he exclaims, but quietly, rubbing his arm. “And what is your name, good lady?” he asks, his eyes still betraying his amusement.
“Goldevia,” she says, “but most people have taken to calling me Goldie.”
“Hey, that’s cute. Well, Goldie, I’m Gwaine,” he grins, nodding at her. “Or should I adopt a false name as well?” he mutters conspiratorially.
She rolls her eyes but smiles nevertheless, ushering him out of the marketplace. “This way,” she points, “just over that small পাহাড় there.”
They chat a little আরো easily outside of the bustle and listening ears of the marketplace, but Gwen will give away no details about why they are here.
“Inside,” is all she’ll say.
She waves to Arthur and Merlin, who are both attending the lone scrawny ox they recently acquired. They wave back and both their hands stop in mid-air and drop when they see who is with her.
“Is that Gwaine?” Arthur asks.
“Looks like,” Merlin says, shielding his eyes with his hand.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
“What the hell does he do anywhere, Arthur? The man is a perpetual wanderer.”
“Come on. Let’s go find out.”
“Arthur. We have to at least finish this row,” Merlin reminds him, and Arthur scowls but prods the ox along nevertheless.
“I’d rather look into the eyes of a dragon than into the backside of this ox any day,” he complains, swatting back at the tail that has just swished into his face. “You did that on purpose!” he accuses the beast.
Merlin just laughs at him and pats the ox on the shoulder. “Yes, Arthur, I’m sure he did.”
xXx
Gwen and Gwaine wait inside for the other two. Gwen fixes a pot of চা for everyone, bustling slightly anxiously in the kitchen.
“Gwen, what’s going on?” Gwaine finally asks.
“Wait for Arthur and Merlin,” she tells him. He pouts. “And get your dirty boots off my table!”
He drops his feet with a thump and makes a grand প্রদর্শনী of wiping the edge of the টেবিল with his sleeve. Gwen throws an আপেল at his head, but he simply catches it, his lightning-fast reflexes no match for her surprisingly accurate aim.
“Good arm,” he says, taking a bite.
Merlin and Arthur enter just then, and Arthur first greets his wife, স্নেহ চুম্বন her softly, then his guest, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Like a bad coin, আপনি are,” he jokes. “And eating our খাবার already, I see.”
“Nice to see you, too, Princess,” Gwaine answers, taking a pointed bite of the apple. “Merlin,” he turns, and hugs the former servant warmly.
“All right, sit down,” Gwen says, setting out cups for everyone. “Merlin, if আপনি please.”
He nods, then glances at Gwaine.
“He’s going to find out anyway, Merlin,” Gwen says softly.
Merlin’s eyes flash and his soundproofing spell surrounds the house. Just to be safe.
“What. Was. That?” Gwaine asks.
“It turns out our Merlin has been hiding a little secret from us,” Arthur says. Merlin and Gwen are actually impressed at his ability to joke about it now.
“Little? Merlin, you’re… you’re a wizard? A bloody wizard?” Gwaine sputters, spraying little bits of আপেল on the table. Gwen reaches for a cloth and tosses it at him.
“I prefer ‘warlock,’ actually,” Merlin says calmly, “but yes. Always have been. Born with magic, so as আপনি can imagine, I have little choice in the matter.”
“Wow. I mean… wow. What did আপনি just do?”
“Soundproofing. No one passing outside will hear anything we say.”
“Brilliant,” Gwaine smiles. “What else can আপনি do?” he asks, leaning forward.
“Gwaine, focus,” Gwen reminds him. “Do আপনি অথবা do আপনি not want to know what we’re doing here?”
“Oh yeah. আপনি can give me a demonstration later.”
Arthur rolls his eyes. Then he launches into the story. The picnic, that’s where it started. The interruption, the poultice. Gwen’s trial.
“Did I tell আপনি that when they were dragging me out of the সিংহাসন room I saw Morgana smile?” Gwen interrupts, remembering that she told Merlin but never got a chance to tell Arthur.
“What?” Arthur and Gwaine both ask.
“It was like she was pleased I was heading to my death. Very pleased.” She picks at the edge of her cup with her nails.
“I told আপনি I didn’t trust her, Arthur,” Merlin adds darkly.
“But… আপনি and Morgana… আপনি were আরো than just her maidservant, I know it…” Arthur says, confused.
“I thought so as well. But the look on her face… it was almost… victorious. Like it was she who orchestrated my downfall.”
“Perhaps she did,” Gwaine muses.
“What?” Arthur turns to him.
“Well, আপনি ব্যক্ত that this mysterious ‘poultice’ appeared under your pillow. We know Gwen didn’t put it there, she needs no outside help to make people প্রণয় her,” he winks at her. “Morgana would have been able to access your chambers quite easily, being the king’s ward. If her intention was to get rid of Gwen, it would have been very easy for her, indeed.”
“Yes,” Merlin agrees. “It had to have been her. She is not the same person she was before she disappeared with Morgause. There is darkness in her. I can feel it.”
No one argues Merlin’s feelings any more.
“Why?” Arthur asks.
“Morgana knows that Gwen is destined to be কুইন of Camelot. She somehow thinks that she should be on the throne. She has… prophetic dreams. She has magic, too, Arthur.”
“How do আপনি know all this?” Arthur eyes him skeptically.
Merlin sighs. “You need to first promise me আপনি won’t get mad.”
“I’m getting mad already, Merlin.”
Gwen puts her hand over Arthur’s, calming him.
“The Great Dragon is still alive.”
“WHAT?” Arthur stands, knocking his chair over in the process. Gwen bends to right it, glancing uneasily at Gwaine. She notices he is watching Arthur very carefully, and somehow it makes her feel better.
“Arthur, sit down,” Gwen says softly, taking his hand.
“You told me I dealt him a mortal blow!”
“I lied. Sorry. I had to. Please sit, Arthur,” Merlin says, quite calmly.
Arthur sits.
“The dragon is our ally now, Arthur. I promise you,” Merlin says.
“Oh really. What did আপনি do, say, ‘Oh, please, Mister Dragon, King Uther didn’t mean to imprison আপনি and he’s ever so sorry, will আপনি be my friend?’”
“Arthur…” Gwen chastises him, glaring at Gwaine now, who is stifling his laughter.
“No,” Merlin says, ignoring the other two. “I ordered him to never harm Camelot again.” He takes a breath and heaves a sigh. “I’m a dragonlord, Arthur.”
“A what?” Gwen asks.
“A dragonlord,” Merlin says. “Remember Balinor, the man we were seeking, the man that died before he could reach Camelot? The dragonlord?”
Gwen nods.
“He was my father. When he died, the power passed to me.”
Gwen gasps, her hands over her mouth. Arthur is dumbstruck and Gwaine is mainly confused, but enjoying the প্রদর্শনী nevertheless.
“I’m so sorry, Merlin,” Gwen says, taking his hand.
“It’s all right. I didn’t know he was my father until we went searching for him. Gaius told me just before we left.”
“That explains your odd behavior on that trip,” Arthur says quietly. He looks rather contrite.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Merlin says. “I wanted to. I’ve wanted to tell আপনি – everything – for so long now.”
“Did he know that আপনি were his son?” Gwen asks.
Merlin nods. “Once I told him.”
“I’m sorry, Merlin,” Arthur says quietly.
“It’s all right. At least I got to meet him, talk to him before he died. আরো than I ever expected,” he says quietly, wiping his eyes.
“Anyway,” he says, recovering, “Kilgarrah – that’s the dragon’s name – he helps me. When I have questions. He’s warned me about Morgana.”
“And আপনি couldn’t say anything because the only proof আপনি have is the word of a dragon that was supposed to be dead,” Gwaine finally speaks.
“Exactly,” Merlin says.
“Odras did warn us, too,” Gwen adds.
“Who is Odras?” Gwaine asks.
“The Druid priest who married us,” Arthur says.
“You found a Druid priest to marry you?” Gwaine asks, impressed.
Merlin nods. “The Druids know me,” he explains. “They look out for me, I think. Odras wanted me to find him.”
“Obviously, অথবা আপনি wouldn’t have found him,” Gwaine nods.
“Will আপনি stay with us, at least for a while?” Gwen asks him.
“You’re not going to order me to stay, now that I know all your secrets?” he raises his eyebrow at Arthur.
“I can’t order anyone to do anything here. I’m not a prince here,” Arthur shrugs. “Just a somewhat bored farmer who does as his wife bids him.”
“Gwaine, আপনি already know who we are and where we are, and if আপনি leave, we trust আপনি will keep it to yourself. I’m sure Uther has sent খুঁজুন parties,” Merlin says.
“Not even if they torture me. Of course, they’d have to catch me first.” He grins. “But yes, I’ll stay.”
“Good. You’ll have to take the floor until we can get another বিছানা in my room,” Merlin says, “unless আপনি prefer the barn.”
“Hmm, tough choice. I think I’ll take the floor of a warm house over a drafty barn.”
Part 5: link
“Dinner!” Guinevere calls from the doorway of the modest house the three of them have been sharing for this last মাস and a half.
Arthur and Merlin lift their heads, grateful to be able to come in out of the sun. The cool breeze drifting from the sea helps cool their skin, but the sun is relentless. Arthur’s skin has turned golden from the exposure and his hair is a shade lighter. Merlin has put on a few pounds of muscle and has a perpetual sunburn.
Arthur splashes in the water barrel, cooling himself and removing the outermost layer of sweat and grime from his chest and face before grabbing his শার্ট from where it is carelessly hanging on a fence post.
Merlin follows suit, cleaning only his face and neck. He learned the hard way that he needs to leave his শার্ট on when working outside.
“Honestly Merlin, you’d think you’d be able to magic yourself some sort of way to not get burned every day,” Arthur says, flicking his শার্ট at him.
“We’ve managed to stay inconspicuous for nearly two moons now, Aldwin, and I’m not going to risk our solitude and peace দ্বারা poking skunks.”
“Poking skunks?” Arthur looks sideways at him. “Just when I think you’ve ব্যক্ত your last weird thing…”
He enters the house and immediately crosses to Gwen, dishing up খাবার from the stove, and kisses her cheek, his arm wrapping around her waist for a squeeze.
“You stink,” she says.
“And I প্রণয় you, too,” he chuckles, স্নেহ চুম্বন her neck before going to sit at the table.
“Mmm, who was the unlucky victim tonight?” Merlin asks, leaning অগ্রবর্তী to smell the delicious chicken placed in front of him.
Gwen turns around and sighs. “I do wish আপনি hadn’t named the chickens, Merlin. It makes it just that much আরো gruesome when I have to butcher one.”
Arthur and Merlin laugh. “We didn’t give them nice names,” he protests.
“I know. This one was Cenred, I think,” she sighs, sitting.
“Excellent,” Arthur says, rubbing his hands together.
Once a warrior, always a warrior, Gwen thinks, chuckling a bit now herself.
After ডিনার Arthur and Gwen walk to the nearby cliffs overlooking the sea while Merlin cleans up. He always offers, shooing them out the door, giving them time together and giving him time alone, which they all need. He sits and relaxes while the dishes clean themselves and put themselves away.
“Do আপনি regret leaving?” Gwen asks, her arms wrapped around her husband’s waist as they stand, watching the waves crash on the rocks, the ocean air blowing her curls from her shoulders.
“No. Sometimes. Maybe. I don’t know if ‘regret’ is exactly the word for it,” he answers, his hand stroking small circles on her back. “My only regret is that my father couldn’t allow us to be together like this in Camelot.”
“Couldn’t অথবা wouldn’t?” she asks. “There is a big difference.”
Arthur ponders this. “Wouldn’t,” he allows with a sigh. “He’s the king. He could have changed the rules. But he wouldn’t. So I will.”
Gwen nods, resting her head on his chest. They listen to the roar of the sea, the cries of sea-birds as they dive and swoop.
Arthur winds a lock of her hair around his hand, feeling the strands in his fingers. He dips his head and smells her hair.
Gwen smiles, remembering the first time he did that. Our wedding night. In that inn.
She giggles a little, and he looks at her.
“Something funny?”
“I was just thinking about the first time I caught আপনি smelling my hair like that.”
“Ah. The inn.”
“You were so sweet. I hadn’t realized that আপনি were…”
“Nervous?” he supplies.
“Somewhat inexperienced,” she grins at him, and he blushes. “Not that it mattered, of course. I was merely surprised.”
He shrugs. “I only ever wanted you. And before that, I honestly never had any time for… dalliances. Well, except the one.”
“We seemed to do pretty well,” she jokes as he turns her, pulling her into both his arms so she is facing him, pressing her small body against his.
“Yes, indeed,” he bends his head and kisses her. “And we keep getting better at it, too,” he says, grinning against her lips, nibbling, remembering his eager hands and hips, her conflict over wanting him but not wanting to appear improper, him coaxing the impropriety out of her, wanting her to enjoy herself as much as he was.
The thoughts and memories spin inside his head as he slips his tongue in between Gwen’s lips, bringing forth a faint whimper from the back of her throat that Arthur has learned to প্রণয় hearing and, in fact, strives to bring forth as much as possible.
A twig snaps behind them, and they are snapped out of their world, pulling apart, grinning and looking sheepish.
“Evening, Aldwen, Goldie,” their friend local butcher, out for his evening walk, nods at them as he passes, a knowing smile crossing his weathered face.
“Evening, Bartley,” Arthur says as Gwen returns to his side. She smiles at the man as he passes them to continue along the path that follows the cliff.
“There may be gossip tomorrow,” Gwen giggles as they walk back to the house.
“Probably,” Arthur shrugs.
“You don’t actually care, do you?” she chuckles at him.
“Not in the slightest. So what if we were স্নেহ চুম্বন on the cliff? We’re married. It’s not like you’re a serving girl and I’m a prince অথবা anything,” he jokes.
“Good point,” she agrees, smiling. Then she looks at him. “You kind of hope there will be, don’t you?”
“A little,” he admits.
“Arthur, the little misunderstanding with the beekeeper’s son was two weeks ago. He was mortified to learn that I was married and still avoids me whenever our paths happen to cross.”
“I know.”
“And your very existence scares him out of his skin anyway. So I think the village has gotten the idea that I am well-looked-after.”
“I know.” He sighs.
“You’re bored.” The realization hits her.
“A bit. I meant it when I ব্যক্ত I didn’t regret leaving. But…”
They have reached their house now, and are standing outside the front door.
“But this life is too quiet for you, I know,” she says kindly, reaching up to stroke his cheek.
That always makes me feel better, he realizes as soon as her hand touches his face.
“I could scare up some griffins অথবা something, if that would help,” Merlin offers from the doorway. Gwen jumps.
“Merlin!” Arthur snaps.
“Shh!” Gwen shushes him. “Marden, remember?”
Arthur makes an exasperated noise. “I hate those names. Especially mine.”
“I know, love,” Gwen says softly, taking his hand and pulling him inside, to the privacy of the cottage.
xXx
“Going to bed,” Merlin declares, stretching. Gwen can’t help but notice that he’s put on a bit of muscle since they’ve been there. Must be all the hard work.
“Goodnight, dear Merlin,” Gwen says, স্নেহ চুম্বন his cheek.
“Merlin,” Arthur nods at him.
“Clotpole,” Merlin উত্তর back, shutting his door behind him.
Gwen looks at the গাউন, gown she had been stitching earlier. She quickly gained a reputation as a fine seamstress, and has no shortage of people asking for her work. This particular গাউন, gown is for a wedding পরবর্তি week. Sherman’s eldest daughter is marrying Bartley’s youngest son, coincidentally enough, and as soon as they got wind of Guinevere’s skills, they enlisted her services to stitch a fine wedding গাউন, gown for her.
“Too dark, Guinevere,” Arthur says, পাঠ করা her thoughts. “Your eyes will fall out of your head.”
“I know,” she sighs. “I just wish I were further along with it.”
“You’re nearly done,” he says, poking the আগুন a bit.
“Yes, I am.” She picks up the জামা and folds it neatly, setting it on her sewing basket.
“Besides,” Arthur says, pulling her down into his lap, “I can think of a better use for your hands right now. We have unfinished business, আপনি and I.” He takes her hands in his, massaging them gently, feeling the small callous on her fingertip that has built up from pushing a needle through fabric over and over. He kisses it, then the rest of her fingers in turn, followed দ্বারা her palms, left, then right.
“Come to bed,” he whispers against her neck, his lips brushing the skin there. Before she can even answer, he stands, hoisting her easily in his arms, and carries her to their room on the opposite side of the cottage, closing the door and locking it.
The familiar blue line traces the room, triggered দ্বারা the lock. Merlin’s permanent soundproofing spell, tied to the lock on their door, ensuring everyone’s privacy.
Gwen doesn’t know if his enchantment is based on thoughtfulness অথবা embarrassment, but whenever she happens to think about it, she’s in no frame of mind to pursue it.
Arthur makes quick work of her simple dress, peeling it from her shoulders, স্নেহ চুম্বন the skin as it is revealed to him. Gwen is just as adept at his garments, pulling and tossing them aside.
“You’d make a good maidservant,” Gwen teases. “You’ve gotten very good at assisting with my dresses.”
“Mainly at removing them,” he says huskily, chuckling at her carelessness with his things when his trousers bounce off the দেওয়াল and land in a heap on the floor.
He moves her to the bed, crawling over her, laying her back with his kisses. She closes her eyes and throws her arms up over her head, abandoned to him, surrendering to his decadent assault.
Arthur trails soft, wet kisses over her skin, his hands sliding, caressing. He kisses her breasts, kneading one tenderly with his hand while suckling the other, drawing a contented sigh from her parted lips.
“Arthur,” she whispers, lowering one hand to tangle in his hair, bending one knee to slide against his hip and মোড়ানো around his leg.
He hums his approval into her breasts, switching sides now, his free hand dropping between her legs now to touch her. Gwen arches her back against him, needing his attention, his love.
“Guinevere,” he groans, moving back to চুম্বন her lips, those lips that he loves so much, first taking her upper lip between his, sucking gently at it, then the lower, biting just slightly.
Gwen presses her lips against him, thrusting her tongue deep inside his mouth, his torment too much. Her hand slides down between them and she grasps him, sliding the tip of him along her moist folds, nudging his hand out of the way.
“Oh…” Arthur groans. “I প্রণয় it when আপনি do that,” he manages, and she does it again, and once আরো before placing it at her entrance, waiting for him.
Anticipation. The word flits through her brain as she waits for what seems like an eternity for him to drop his hips and thrust forward.
In reality it is mere seconds, সেকেন্ড of sweet anticipation before he moves, filling her, completing her.
“Mmm…” she voices her appreciation, moving her hands to his arms, gripping his biceps for a moment before sliding her hands down his arms.
He captures her hands in his, twining their fingers together before leaning against them, pinning them gently on either side of her head.
Arthur kisses her then, hungrily, deeply, as he increases his speed and intensity, groaning as her nails dig into the backs of his hands.
That’s going to leave marks, but I don’t care, he vaguely thinks, leaning down again, this time to gently bite her earlobe and otherwise nibble her delectable ears.
“Oh… ah…” her breath is coming shallow and noisy and she’s pushing at his hands now, but he holds fast, not releasing them. Instead he tucks his head and captures a breast between his lips, tugging lightly at the taut nipple, swirling his tongue around it.
“Oh!” she cries out now, arching again, pushing her breast further into his mouth. He bites it just hard enough, driving deeply into her as he does so, and her thighs tighten around him.
“Arthur!” she cries out, her hips bucking up into him, her muscles tightening around him, pulsating with her release.
He thrusts a few আরো times before stilling with a groan, buried deep within her, his seed rushing forth into her.
Arthur sinks over her, his head on her shoulder, and he finally releases her hands. She wraps them around his shoulders immediately, holding him tenderly.
“Why didn’t আপনি let my hands go?” she asks, tracing lines up and down his back with her fingertips.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, lifting his head.
“No, um, I liked it, actually,” she confesses, biting her lip.
He grins smugly, then places his head back on her shoulder.
“Arrogant,” she says, tugging a lock of his hair. His chuckle reverberates against her chest, the contractions of his stomach muscles against hers makes her laugh in spite of herself.
“Woah,” he blinks in surprise as her laughter pushes him out of her.
“That’s… different,” she agrees, but for some reason she is still laughing.
He finally rolls off of her, pulling her with him, keeping her close.
“Blanket,” she says, and he releases her to pull the blanket up over them.
“I প্রণয় আপনি so much, Guinevere,” he says softly, his eyelids heavy now.
“I প্রণয় you, too, Arthur,” she answers. She lifts her face and kisses his chin, finding that he has already drifted to sleep. She smiles and snuggles in against him, closing her own eyes now, joining his slumber, locked in his embrace.
xXx
“Well, as I live and breathe, if it isn’t Princess Esmeralda,” a familiar voice drawls behind Gwen as she leans over a bin of apples, looking for the best ones.
Oh, no, she thinks, but carefully schools her features to look appropriately puzzled before she turns around to face Gwaine.
“I’m sorry, sir, but আপনি must have me mistaken for someone else. I am but a simple farmer’s wife,” she answers, uttering the last bit politely but through clenched teeth, fixing him in a stare that actually makes his head hurt a little.
He opens his mouth, closes it, and then opens it again. “My mistake, good woman. আপনি see, from behind আপনি resembled a princess I met once upon a time, but now that I see your face I know আপনি cannot be her. আপনি see, আপনি are much আরো beautiful than she.”
“I am flattered, but please keep in mind that I am a married woman and that my husband is quite strong and very good with a sword,” she answers, emphasizing her words again.
“Is this bloke bothering you, Goldie?” the ফলমূল vendor asks, stepping over.
She turns and smiles at him. “No, James, he’s not, thank you. Just a case of mistaken identity; nothing to be alarmed by. I’ll just take these, then.” She presses a coin into his palm, and he smiles at her, reaching down for one আরো আপেল and setting it in her basket.
“James…” she protests. He just winks at her and waves her off.
“So,” she turns back to her old friend, “what brings আপনি to our humble village?”
“Oh, I wander where my feet take me, chatting to beautiful ladies and finding work where I can to earn a little coin for my pockets,” he shrugs, grinning that devilish grin of his.
“Well, I’m sure my husband and my cousin would welcome some help on our farm, if আপনি are not opposed to a little hard work?” she asks, looking at him pointedly, her eyes telling him that she will explain everything behind closed doors. He notices she is speaking clearly and plainly, so that anyone around might hear her words and buy her story.
“Your husband and your… cousin?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. He takes her basket from her and they walk through the market, back to her house.
“Yes,” she sighs, thinking, come on, man. “My husband Aldwin and my cousin Marden.”
He presses his lips together, eyes twinkling.
“Don’t আপনি dare laugh, Gwaine, অথবা so help me I will scream bloody murder right now and আপনি will be carried away to the stocks অথবা worse,” she mutters, pinching him.
“Ouch!” he exclaims, but quietly, rubbing his arm. “And what is your name, good lady?” he asks, his eyes still betraying his amusement.
“Goldevia,” she says, “but most people have taken to calling me Goldie.”
“Hey, that’s cute. Well, Goldie, I’m Gwaine,” he grins, nodding at her. “Or should I adopt a false name as well?” he mutters conspiratorially.
She rolls her eyes but smiles nevertheless, ushering him out of the marketplace. “This way,” she points, “just over that small পাহাড় there.”
They chat a little আরো easily outside of the bustle and listening ears of the marketplace, but Gwen will give away no details about why they are here.
“Inside,” is all she’ll say.
She waves to Arthur and Merlin, who are both attending the lone scrawny ox they recently acquired. They wave back and both their hands stop in mid-air and drop when they see who is with her.
“Is that Gwaine?” Arthur asks.
“Looks like,” Merlin says, shielding his eyes with his hand.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
“What the hell does he do anywhere, Arthur? The man is a perpetual wanderer.”
“Come on. Let’s go find out.”
“Arthur. We have to at least finish this row,” Merlin reminds him, and Arthur scowls but prods the ox along nevertheless.
“I’d rather look into the eyes of a dragon than into the backside of this ox any day,” he complains, swatting back at the tail that has just swished into his face. “You did that on purpose!” he accuses the beast.
Merlin just laughs at him and pats the ox on the shoulder. “Yes, Arthur, I’m sure he did.”
xXx
Gwen and Gwaine wait inside for the other two. Gwen fixes a pot of চা for everyone, bustling slightly anxiously in the kitchen.
“Gwen, what’s going on?” Gwaine finally asks.
“Wait for Arthur and Merlin,” she tells him. He pouts. “And get your dirty boots off my table!”
He drops his feet with a thump and makes a grand প্রদর্শনী of wiping the edge of the টেবিল with his sleeve. Gwen throws an আপেল at his head, but he simply catches it, his lightning-fast reflexes no match for her surprisingly accurate aim.
“Good arm,” he says, taking a bite.
Merlin and Arthur enter just then, and Arthur first greets his wife, স্নেহ চুম্বন her softly, then his guest, clapping him on the shoulder.
“Like a bad coin, আপনি are,” he jokes. “And eating our খাবার already, I see.”
“Nice to see you, too, Princess,” Gwaine answers, taking a pointed bite of the apple. “Merlin,” he turns, and hugs the former servant warmly.
“All right, sit down,” Gwen says, setting out cups for everyone. “Merlin, if আপনি please.”
He nods, then glances at Gwaine.
“He’s going to find out anyway, Merlin,” Gwen says softly.
Merlin’s eyes flash and his soundproofing spell surrounds the house. Just to be safe.
“What. Was. That?” Gwaine asks.
“It turns out our Merlin has been hiding a little secret from us,” Arthur says. Merlin and Gwen are actually impressed at his ability to joke about it now.
“Little? Merlin, you’re… you’re a wizard? A bloody wizard?” Gwaine sputters, spraying little bits of আপেল on the table. Gwen reaches for a cloth and tosses it at him.
“I prefer ‘warlock,’ actually,” Merlin says calmly, “but yes. Always have been. Born with magic, so as আপনি can imagine, I have little choice in the matter.”
“Wow. I mean… wow. What did আপনি just do?”
“Soundproofing. No one passing outside will hear anything we say.”
“Brilliant,” Gwaine smiles. “What else can আপনি do?” he asks, leaning forward.
“Gwaine, focus,” Gwen reminds him. “Do আপনি অথবা do আপনি not want to know what we’re doing here?”
“Oh yeah. আপনি can give me a demonstration later.”
Arthur rolls his eyes. Then he launches into the story. The picnic, that’s where it started. The interruption, the poultice. Gwen’s trial.
“Did I tell আপনি that when they were dragging me out of the সিংহাসন room I saw Morgana smile?” Gwen interrupts, remembering that she told Merlin but never got a chance to tell Arthur.
“What?” Arthur and Gwaine both ask.
“It was like she was pleased I was heading to my death. Very pleased.” She picks at the edge of her cup with her nails.
“I told আপনি I didn’t trust her, Arthur,” Merlin adds darkly.
“But… আপনি and Morgana… আপনি were আরো than just her maidservant, I know it…” Arthur says, confused.
“I thought so as well. But the look on her face… it was almost… victorious. Like it was she who orchestrated my downfall.”
“Perhaps she did,” Gwaine muses.
“What?” Arthur turns to him.
“Well, আপনি ব্যক্ত that this mysterious ‘poultice’ appeared under your pillow. We know Gwen didn’t put it there, she needs no outside help to make people প্রণয় her,” he winks at her. “Morgana would have been able to access your chambers quite easily, being the king’s ward. If her intention was to get rid of Gwen, it would have been very easy for her, indeed.”
“Yes,” Merlin agrees. “It had to have been her. She is not the same person she was before she disappeared with Morgause. There is darkness in her. I can feel it.”
No one argues Merlin’s feelings any more.
“Why?” Arthur asks.
“Morgana knows that Gwen is destined to be কুইন of Camelot. She somehow thinks that she should be on the throne. She has… prophetic dreams. She has magic, too, Arthur.”
“How do আপনি know all this?” Arthur eyes him skeptically.
Merlin sighs. “You need to first promise me আপনি won’t get mad.”
“I’m getting mad already, Merlin.”
Gwen puts her hand over Arthur’s, calming him.
“The Great Dragon is still alive.”
“WHAT?” Arthur stands, knocking his chair over in the process. Gwen bends to right it, glancing uneasily at Gwaine. She notices he is watching Arthur very carefully, and somehow it makes her feel better.
“Arthur, sit down,” Gwen says softly, taking his hand.
“You told me I dealt him a mortal blow!”
“I lied. Sorry. I had to. Please sit, Arthur,” Merlin says, quite calmly.
Arthur sits.
“The dragon is our ally now, Arthur. I promise you,” Merlin says.
“Oh really. What did আপনি do, say, ‘Oh, please, Mister Dragon, King Uther didn’t mean to imprison আপনি and he’s ever so sorry, will আপনি be my friend?’”
“Arthur…” Gwen chastises him, glaring at Gwaine now, who is stifling his laughter.
“No,” Merlin says, ignoring the other two. “I ordered him to never harm Camelot again.” He takes a breath and heaves a sigh. “I’m a dragonlord, Arthur.”
“A what?” Gwen asks.
“A dragonlord,” Merlin says. “Remember Balinor, the man we were seeking, the man that died before he could reach Camelot? The dragonlord?”
Gwen nods.
“He was my father. When he died, the power passed to me.”
Gwen gasps, her hands over her mouth. Arthur is dumbstruck and Gwaine is mainly confused, but enjoying the প্রদর্শনী nevertheless.
“I’m so sorry, Merlin,” Gwen says, taking his hand.
“It’s all right. I didn’t know he was my father until we went searching for him. Gaius told me just before we left.”
“That explains your odd behavior on that trip,” Arthur says quietly. He looks rather contrite.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Merlin says. “I wanted to. I’ve wanted to tell আপনি – everything – for so long now.”
“Did he know that আপনি were his son?” Gwen asks.
Merlin nods. “Once I told him.”
“I’m sorry, Merlin,” Arthur says quietly.
“It’s all right. At least I got to meet him, talk to him before he died. আরো than I ever expected,” he says quietly, wiping his eyes.
“Anyway,” he says, recovering, “Kilgarrah – that’s the dragon’s name – he helps me. When I have questions. He’s warned me about Morgana.”
“And আপনি couldn’t say anything because the only proof আপনি have is the word of a dragon that was supposed to be dead,” Gwaine finally speaks.
“Exactly,” Merlin says.
“Odras did warn us, too,” Gwen adds.
“Who is Odras?” Gwaine asks.
“The Druid priest who married us,” Arthur says.
“You found a Druid priest to marry you?” Gwaine asks, impressed.
Merlin nods. “The Druids know me,” he explains. “They look out for me, I think. Odras wanted me to find him.”
“Obviously, অথবা আপনি wouldn’t have found him,” Gwaine nods.
“Will আপনি stay with us, at least for a while?” Gwen asks him.
“You’re not going to order me to stay, now that I know all your secrets?” he raises his eyebrow at Arthur.
“I can’t order anyone to do anything here. I’m not a prince here,” Arthur shrugs. “Just a somewhat bored farmer who does as his wife bids him.”
“Gwaine, আপনি already know who we are and where we are, and if আপনি leave, we trust আপনি will keep it to yourself. I’m sure Uther has sent খুঁজুন parties,” Merlin says.
“Not even if they torture me. Of course, they’d have to catch me first.” He grins. “But yes, I’ll stay.”
“Good. You’ll have to take the floor until we can get another বিছানা in my room,” Merlin says, “unless আপনি prefer the barn.”
“Hmm, tough choice. I think I’ll take the floor of a warm house over a drafty barn.”
Part 5: link
