"To good and true love fear is forever affixed."

~Francois Rabelais

Gwen's POV

I stand by my window, staring out into the fading afternoon sunlight that falls over the trees. The red light gleaming on the grass makes the meadow beneathe me look ominous and blood-soaked. I imagine Merlin dragging Arthur's body across the field, leaving a trail of darker crimson behind him, staining his clothes, his hands...

I shake my head, trying to force the image away. No! I chide myself. Arthur is alive, I know it. I inhale deeply and close my eyes, clasping my hands together in front of me. I twist the ring around and around on my finger until I have a sore, red circle of raw skin where the metal has scraped against my finger. Arthur, where are you?

A knock on my door pulls me out of my thoughts. I jump slightly but then move to open the door. In the hall outside my room stands Sir Leon, accompanied by--

"Gaius!" I exclaim and, in a very unqueen-like manor, throw my arms around the old man. Suddenly, a thought occurs to me and I pull back, worried. "Is Arthur alright?: I ask "And Merlin? Where are they? Why aren't they with you?" My voice rises with panic as I imagine the worst possible scenarios.

"Arthur is injured." Gaius explains.

I gasp and cover my mouth with my hands. "Is he--?"

"Merlin is with him. He--"

"We must send a paatrol at once! Where are they?"

Gaius frowns. "It is....complicated." he glances at Sir Leon, still standing beside him. "I would prefer to speak to you...alone."

"Yes, of course." I turn to Sir Leon. "You may go." As he turns to leave I place a hand on his arm. "Leon, it is not that I don't trust you." I console him. "But Gaius knows what he is talking about. If he says he needs to speak to me alone, then speak to me alone he shall."

Sir Leon smiles "I know, my Lady." he says. Then he is gone.

Gaius steps into my room and closes the door. "Here, sit." I offer, gesturing to the table. He moves tward it and I follow, sitting in my usual seat. Gaius takes the chair opposite me. "So where are they?" I ask, anxious for news about Arthur.

Gaius takes a deep breath before speaking. "As you know, Merlin is very dear to me." he begins hesitantly. I am puzzled by the seemingly random statement, but nod, encouraging him to go on. "He has a very dangerous secret that I have gone to great lengths to protect. I am about to tell you that secret." He looks deeply into my eyes, his wrinkled face intense. "It is not really my secret to share, and I would not tell you were the circumstances not dire." He pauses. When he continues, his voice is but a whisper. "Merlin," Gaius closes his eyes, "Merlin has magic."

Reflexively, I recoil and a soft gasp escapes my lips. "How long...?" I stammer. I have no hatred of the Old Religion, but to imagine Arthur's personal servant and friend with magic, to imagine sweet and lighthearted Merlin a sorcerer, could it be?

"He was born with it. It is no evil craft, but a gift. a gift which Merlin has used for years to save Arthur's life."

I nod. "Do not worry, I am not planning on executing him. I know an good, honest heart when I see one and Merlin has just that. But what does this have to do with where they are?"

Gaius leans close to me. "Mordred stabbed Arthur on the battlefield. Normally, Merlin would be able to heal him, but the blade he used was forged in a dragon's breath. That gives it special qualities. A healing like that is beyond even a warlock of Merlin's skill."

I have lost my voice as the image of Merlin dragging a bloody Arthur to the castle replays in my mind. "Is Arthur to die, then?" I choke out.

"There is hope, my Lady. At a place called the Lake of Avalon. merlin's magic will be stronger there, and he may be able to save Arthur." Gaius consoles me.

"And if he cannot?"

"Let us believe that he can. They are on their way there as we speak." he places his hand over mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "There is no one more capable than Merlin." Gaius adds. "Arthur will come home."

"I hope so." I whisper.