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Chapter Text

“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.” - Elbert Hubbard

Gwen stared out of the window at the courtyard below. She usually enjoyed seeing the hustle and bustle of servants, guards, knights and courtiers but today, she had no interest in any of them. There was only one person that she was able to think about and she was conflicted between what she knew and what she thought she knew. 

Gwen was terrible at keeping secrets and she was even worse at lying. Now however, she would have to do both. If she didn’t, Merlin would die. She wished that she could unsee what she had seen. She wished that she could forget. Gwen wondered if Merlin could make her forget or would he force her to forget? Did she truly want to forget? 

Now that she knew what she did now, a lot of pieces were falling into place. A tangled web was beginning to unravel itself. Indeed, the more she thought about it; the more obvious it was and she had to consider how she had never seen it before?

Merlin had magic. 

Her best friend had magic. 

Gwen knew that she had to speak to Merlin and that was the centre of her dilemma. She had absolutely no idea what to say, how to say it and how would Merlin react? If it were her, she would be terrified that someone knew such a dangerous secret, even if it was her best friend. Gwen could already vividly picture the terror and fear on Merlin’s face, his kind eyes filled with tears as he waited to hear whether she would betray him or betray Camelot. 

“Gwen? Are you OK?” Merlin asked as he spotted Gwen staring anxiously out into the courtyard, continually curling and uncurling a lock of her hair around her finger.  His concern only grew as Gwen visibly jumped at the sound of his voice and it took her a moment too long to hide the look on her face with a smile.

“Fine,” Gwen lied. She could feel her cheeks burning with the lie. She could never lie without blushing. When she and Elyan were children and in trouble, Father would always touch her cheek when he asked them what happened. 

“What is it?” Merlin asked gently as he tried to ease her fears with a joke. “If Arthur’s being a prat again, I can talk to him for you.”

“It’s not Arthur. It’s you.” Gwen admitted before she glanced around. There was no one around however within the castle, the walls tended to have ears. “I know Merlin.”

The easy smile slipped off of Merlin’s face and his eyes widened with fear. Merlin looked around before he took Gwen tightly by the hand. “Come with me.”

His fears were very slightly lessened when Gwen did not attempt to flee or scream when he took her hand. As much as Merlin had attempted to convince himself that if any of his friends were to accept the truth about him; then it would be Gwen; the reality was different. Whenever he had attempted to imagine telling Gwen about his magic; he had never imagined this. 

The anxious knot in his stomach lessened slightly once they were inside the privacy of Gaius’ chambers and Merlin had locked the door. Merlin’s mind was racing with questions, however the first one he asked wasn’t the one he expected to.

“Do you hate me?”

Gwen looked at Merlin. She saw the dread in his face, the tears in his eyes, the tremor in his hands as he waited for her response. In that instant, Gwen had her answer, not just to Merlin’s question but to all of the questions and thoughts that had plagued her mind for the past few days. 

“I could never hate you Merlin,” Gwen answered truthfully. She knew Merlin better than anyone. She knew that there was no wickedness in his heart. That if he did have magic, then he would not have used it for evil, or if he were to use it for evil then he already would have. No matter who or what he was; he was still Merlin. He was still her sweet, clever, hilarious, clumsy, loyal, quick witted best friend. He was still Merlin.

He was still her Merlin. 

“Y-you mean it?” Merlin asked, his eyes wider than ever. “But-”

“You’re you Merlin. I trust you and honestly, I feel like this helps a lot of things make a lot more sense.” Gwen reassured as she took his hand. “Besides, if you were truly to use your magic to harm any of us; you would already be the King, not Uther.”

Merlin chuckled at the thought and a wave of relief crashed over him. “I guess there is a lot that I need to tell you.”

“I think so too,” Gwen smiled before she glanced at the locked door and back at Merlin. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Show me.”

“What?” Merlin asked as Gwen’s smile widened. She had never seen magic used for good before. Only sorcerers who attempted to attack Camelot or to escape. 

“Show me your magic, please?” Gwen requested excitedly. “What can you do?”

“Honestly? I can do so much already but there is so much more I could learn. For you Gwen, I can do this,” Merlin replied as his eyes flashed gold. Gwen watched in amazement as a bouquet of yellow roses, as beautiful and perfect as those in the royal flower gardens sprang up from his empty hands. Merlin’s eyes returned to bright blue and he gently passed the roses to Gwen. 

Gwen tentatively touched the soft petals and ran her other hand down the thorn less stems. “They’re so beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Merlin said, his cheeks flushed pink with delight and humility at the compliment. “Gwen, you know that you can never tell anyone.”

“I know and I won’t.” Gwen said truthfully. It would be difficult to lie however for Merlin, to keep him safe and alive, then she would do it. No matter what the cost. Merlin was her best friend and his having magic did not and would not ever change that. 

“What about-” Merlin began before there was a loud thumping at the door. 

“ MER- lin! Merlin! Open the door!” Arthur demanded as he thumped on the door. He had been searching all over the castle for his idiot manservant and one of the guards said that Merlin and Guinevere had been heading in the direction of Gaius’s chambers. Well, whatever mischief that Merlin was scheming now, could wait until after Arthur’s boots had been polished. 

“Him?” Merlin whispered to Gwen who looked back at him resolutely. 

“Even him,” Gwen said seriously. She doubted that Arthur would ever ask her if Merlin had magic but if he ever did, he would not get an answer from her. Merlin was her best friend. She would betray him for no one. Not even Arthur. 

Merlin stood and hugged Gwen tightly before he approached the door that Arthur was still furiously thumping on. “Wait a moment!”

“Open this door!” Arthur bellowed as Merlin rolled his eyes, turned the lock and pulled the door open. He stepped back just in time for Arthur to stumble into the room, straighten himself and glare at Merlin. “What the hell have you been doing?”

“Talking to me,” Gwen replied as she stood up from behind the table. “It’s my fault Arthur, I needed to speak to him about an urgent matter.”

“Guinevere?” Arthur asked, his distemper vanished in an instant. Arthur walked across the room and cupped her cool cheek in his hand as he searched her face for any sign of fear or distress. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“No thank you Arthur, Merlin was a great help. I’m sorry for keeping him from his work.” Gwen apologised. None of what she said were lies. It was just a slightly amended version of the truth. 

After all, Arthur hadn’t asked specifically what they had been discussing. 

“No, no, it’s fine. I mean, if Merlin was somehow able to help you, that’s fine, perfectly fine with me.” Arthur replied, his own cheeks flushing scarlet as he stumbled over his words. He could be brash, charming and confident with any other lady, however Guinevere made him stammer and blush like a squire. 

Merlin let out a splutter of laughter and Arthur turned and scowled at him. “Get back to work!”

“Can I say goodbye to Gwen first?” Merlin asked innocently and Arthur reluctantly nodded and moved away as Merlin rushed over and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Merlin whispered in her ear. Gwen hugged him back and felt tears prick her eyes as Merlin and Arthur left Gaius’ chambers. She could hear the two of them bickering as they went down the corridor. Gwen picked up the yellow roses that Merlin had conjured for her. She inhaled their sweet scent deeply and felt a warm wave of affection for Merlin. 

Gwen knew that no matter what other secrets Merlin revealed to her; things would always remain the same between them. They were best friends and they would be. 

Forever.

Chapter Text

“Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth.” - Herman Melville

“Guinevere, is something wrong?” Arthur asked as Gwen walked determinedly across the training field. She had bribed Merlin with some of her homemade honey bread if he looked after Uther for her. Merlin had been reluctant to do so, so she had had to agree to help polish Arthur’s armour, however it was worth it. 

She needed to have an urgent conversation with a certain knight and she needed to do so without Merlin intervening. 

“I need to speak to Gwaine,” Gwen replied as she looked for Gwaine who was laughing with Elyan and Percival about something that had happened on yesterday's patrol involing Leon and a badger's sett. 

“Is something wrong?” Arthur asked, concerned and Gwen smiled at him.

“Nothing’s wrong, I just need to speak to Gwaine in private.” Gwen replied as she glanced at Lancelot who was trying and failing to hide that he was eavesdropping on the conversation. “Only Gwaine.”

Arthur took the hint and nodded. “Gwaine! Guinevere needs to speak to you.”

Gwaine grinned and walked towards them, his usual carefree, cheeky grin on his face as he spread his arms and bowed low. “Princess Esmeralda, how can I be of service?”

Gwen shook her head fondly as she felt Arthur bristle at the nickname. “I need to speak to you privately.”

“Of course,” Gwaine smiled and offered her his arm. Gwen took it and together they walked across the training field. Gwaine looked back to see Arthur and Lancelot both shoot him warning glares and he chuckled to himself. Truly they had no idea. 

Gwen led Gwaine towards the flower gardens where she knew that they were less likely to be disturbed. Gwaine waited for Gwen to speak as they wandered around the flowers. The sweet scent hung in the air and Gwaine made a mental note to find some bluebells for Merlin. Merlin enjoyed bluebells. 

“I wanted to talk to you about Merlin.” Gwen said after a few moments. Gwaine raised an eyebrow but waited for her to continue speaking. “I know the two of you are together and I wanted to ensure you knew a thing or two.”

Gwaine laughed out loud as he freed his arm from Gwen in order to look at her properly. “Wait a moment, are you trying to say what I think you’re saying?”

“That depends.” Gwen replied as she paused to smell a hyacinth flower. “If you think that I am going to warn you about what shall happen to you, should you be foolish enough to hurt Merlin.”

“I can assure you Gwen, that will never happen.” Gwaine reassured seriously. He and Merlin were still figuring a few things out. However what he did know was that he had never felt this way before about anyone. Merlin had a way of captivating his mind, it was Merlin whom he wished to spend his time with, to love and be loved by. Whatever this was between them, it was special. The sort of relationship he had never imagined that he would have but the sort he was determined to never lose. 

“I know it won’t.” Gwen stated seriously. “You are a dear friend Gwaine. However Merlin is my best friend and I will not allow anyone to break his heart. He is loyal and loving and once you have his trust, you will have it forever. But if you break it, you will destroy him. And then, I shall destroy you.”

As serious as the conversation was, with Gwen standing in her blue dress with an apron around her waist and fresh flowers in her hair, she looked as intimidating as a puppy. Still, Gwaine humoured her. 

“May I ask, how shall you do that? Get Arthur to run me through with his sword?” Gwaine asked cheekily and Gwen smiled and shook her head. 

“No. I will cut off all of your hair as you sleep.” Gwen retorted, smiling to herself as Gwaine’s eyes widened with horror. If he was forced to admit there was one thing that he loved more than Merlin, then it would be his hair. Actually, they were both tied for his most beloved thing. 

“You're bluffing. You would never,” Gwaine warned as Gwen folded her arms and glared back at him. 

“Ask Elyan and Leon. They'll tell you that it's not a bluff.” Gwen challenged. Admittedly they had received late night haircuts as children for tearing her favourite dress (Elyan) and for pushing her into the stream (Leon) but it had taught both of them a valuable lesson. If they made Gwen mad, their hair paid the price. 

“Understood,” Gwaine nodded before he smiled at her. “Merlin is lucky to have a friend like you.”

“And I am for having him,” Gwen replied. “So we understand one another.”

“I swear on my honour and on every hair on my head,” Gwaine commented seriously. “I shall never do anything to hurt or upset Merlin. If I do, then I will throw myself upon your mercy.”

“Good,” Gwen smiled and took his arm again. “You make him happy.”

“He makes me happy,” Gwaine admitted with a rare blush on his cheeks as they left the gardens and walked back towards the training fields. “Also may I say, if that speech was anything to go by, you will make an outstanding Queen one day.”

“Gwaine!” Gwen exclaimed as she flushed with embarrassment. Yes, everyone was aware of her and Arthur’s relationship, however not everyone was accepting of it. His toad of an uncle had made his opinions clear the day he met her and she knew that should Uther regain his sense, they would have to return to hiding their love. Therefore she could not allow herself the luxury of imagining a future with Arthur. In an ideal world, they would have that future, perhaps already be wed, however this was not their ideal world. 

“I mean it. If Arthur doesn’t make you his Queen, then he’ll be a bigger idiot than I thought he was!” Gwaine insisted as they spotted Arthur ahead of them. Merlin had joined them and Gwen smiled softly as she felt Gwaine quiver with delight at the sign of his beloved. 

Merlin looked at Gwen and Gwaine, slightly puzzled at why they were walking arm in arm. When Gwen asked him to look after Uther in exchange for some honey bread and help polishing Arthur’s armour, she hadn’t mentioned speaking to Gwaine. Gwen had been overjoyed to learn of their relationship and had joked about warning Gwaine about what would happen should he hurt Merlin. He hoped that she hadn't actually done that. It would be nice for him to have a relationship without any potential threats, real or joked.

“What were they doing?” Merlin asked Arthur who shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. 

“Guinevere wanted to speak to him,” Arthur replied casually. He knew exactly what Guinevere had wanted to speak to Gwaine about but he decided that that particular piece of information was not for Merlin to know. 

At least, he wasn’t going to tell him anyway.

Watching Merlin trying to hide his curiosity and a split second flash of envy was all the amusement Arthur needed.

Chapter Text

“A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.” - Charles Darwin

“I need to talk to you.” Merlin said as he walked into Arthur’s chambers. As usual, he entered without knocking and without a flinch as Arthur tossed a leather glove in his direction. Merlin evaded it with ease and Arthur frowned at him. 

“Your manners seem to be getting worse.” Arthur pointed out and Merlin laughed. 

“Coming from a prat like you, that’s a compliment.” Merlin retorted, ducking as a goblet came flying at his head too. 

“What do you want?” Arthur asked. He hadn’t wanted to be so annoyed but Merlin had been annoyingly competent the past few days. Arthur had had very little reason to be irritated at him therefore, he was making the most of the opportunity to vent. 

“We need to talk. About Gwen.” Merlin replied, his smile widened as Arthur immediately leapt to his feet, his hand instinctively flying to his waist where his sword would be. 

“What’s the matter? Is she in danger? Hurt? And why are you laughing?!” Arthur demanded as he felt a wave of panic rush through him. Despite all his training, all the battles he had survived, all of the dangers he had endured, all of the times he evaded death by the skin of his teeth; he did not feel fear. For Guinevere, the idea of her being unsafe or harmed, that made him feel fear. 

“You! Gwen’s fine but I need to talk to you about whatever this is between you and her.” Merlin replied, his humour replaced with uncharacteristic seriousness as he reminded himself just why he was there. Whatever relationship was between Arthur and Gwen, it couldn’t be widely known. Should the king find out… therefore to protect his best friend, Merlin needed to know exactly where Arthur stood. 

“There is nothing between her and I. She is my friend and yes, I care about her. Even if,” Arthur began before he remembered himself. “We both know that it can’t happen.”

“But you want it to happen,” Merlin prompted and as much as Arthur wanted to yell at Merlin to mind his own business, he couldn’t. Merlin was the only other person who knew about him and Guinevere, that despite what even the two of them thought, their relationship had passed that of merely friends. Even Morgana didn’t know; Arthur knew that if she did, she would have already teased him about it in every way she knew how to. Arthur never had had a sister but he imagined that if he did, Morgana would be just like her. 

“Of course I do, we do, but,” Arthur trailed off before he frowned at Merlin. “You know all of this. So again, what is the point of this?”

“I need to know one thing;” Merlin said as he looked Arthur directly in the eyes. “Do you love her?”

Arthur was tempted to tell Merlin to shut up, to revise his earlier thought and insist that Merlin actually do begin to mind his own business. Yet once again, he found himself compelled to speak the truth. Even if he couldn’t quite tell Guinevere yet, he could at least admit it to Merlin.

“Yes. Yes I do love her.” Arthur confessed before he looked at Merlin with frustration. “Happy now?”

“I will be,” Merlin replied simply. “Now I can tell you.”

Merlin took a step closer and despite himself, he could feel his magic within him, giving him courage and determination to confront Arthur in order to protect his closest and dearest friend. 

“What?” Arthur asked, it was strange, Merlin seemed to shift before his eyes. He could sense an air of power and authority around Merlin. His idiot servant had almost appeared as an equal. Almost. 

“That should you be stupid enough to do anything to hurt her; if you make her cry, if you cause her to feel inferior, if because of you she gets put in danger; then you will have to deal with me.” Merlin said sternly. Each word seemed to drip with power and Arthur bit back any clever remark or sarcastic comment by Merlin’s third word. As ridiculous as it seemed that Merlin of all people was having this conversation with him, Arthur found that it actually wasn’t that ridiculous at all.

“I-” Arthur began before Merlin cut across him. 

“Let me be more specific. On the day we met, I told you that I could take you apart with less than one blow. Should you ever break Gwen’s heart; I will show you exactly what I meant.” Merlin stated firmly. It was the closest he would be able to get to actually revealing his secret to Arthur, however for Gwen, he would do just that. Gwen was his sister, his best friend and her happiness was worth more than anything to him. If , for some strange reason, an idiot like Arthur made her happy, then he would do everything possible to keep them together. 

However, should anything happen to take away Gwen’s happiness; then Destiny be damned, he would make Arthur pay.

Arthur looked at Merlin, impressed by both his courage and loyalty as well as being momentarily stunned at his threat. To his surprise, Arthur found that for a moment, just a moment, he had actually been intimidated by Merlin’s words. For once, Arthur had no response, instead he merely nodded. 

Of course Arthur had no intention of ever hurting or upsetting Guinevere and he was positive that fate would bless their love someday. However, should he indeed be that stupid to hurt her, then for once, he would allow Merlin to actually be right and take whatever punishment he deserved. 

“Good,” Merlin smiled as he turned on his heel. “I’ll be back soon with your dinner Sire.”

And with that, Merlin cheerily left the room whistling to himself and leaving a stunned Arthur in his wake.

Chapter Text

“Her godmother simply touched her with her wand, and, at the same moment, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all decked with jewels.” - Charles Perrault

“Gwen? Gwen are you in here?” Merlin called as he tugged at the handle of the heavy door. For once, Arthur hadn’t had to give the instructions to him. The moment Merlin spotted Morgana arriving at the ball, a smug, conniving smirk on her face, he knew there had been trouble. 

The ball had been a brainwave of Arthur’s after the fiasco with Princess Elena. Uther had been so desperate for Arthur to marry, that he had agreed to Arthur’s idea to hold a ball in order to find a bride. Indeed, Uther had even promised that whoever Arthur chose that night, regardless of her standing, he would bestow his blessing on their union. Merlin had prompted Arthur to make the request for the ball in front of the entire council, therefore Uther would be unable to go back on his word should Arthur choose anyone other than a noblewoman or princess for his wife. 

Of course, it was his and Arthur’s plan that Arthur would pick Gwen for his wife but it seemed that Morgana had had her own plans. 

“Merlin?” Gwen called tearfully through the door. “Is that you?”

“It is,” Merlin replied. “I’m coming in.”

“You can’t, she’s locked the door.” Gwen replied. She still couldn’t understand why Morgana had turned so cruelly on her. Her cheek stung from Morgana’s slap and her new dress was stained with the ashes and cinders from the fireplace where she had fallen. Thankfully the fire hadn’t been lit but that had been little comfort. Especially when Morgana had locked the door and taken the key with her.

“I have my ways,” Merlin replied mysteriously as he held onto the doorknob and felt his magic easily flow through him. With a loud click the lock slid back and Merlin opened the door. “Oh Gwen,”

“I’m alright,” Gwen insisted as she wiped her eyes. “It was a foolish idea anyway.”

“No it wasn’t.” Merlin stated as he looked at Gwen. Her new pink dress, the one Gwen had sat up for hours each night to make, was torn and stained. Her cheek had a bleeding cut from one of Morgana’s rings, she was covered in ashes and dust. Clearly Morgana was determined that there was no possible way for Gwen to go to the ball, even if Gwen had managed to escape the locked room. Merlin looked at Gwen and knew what he had to do. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do,” Gwen stated as Merlin walked across the room and shut the door. Kilgharragh had insisted that tonight would be a night that would be remembered forever. The story would be shared, discussed, told and retold for centuries. The night that the Once and Future King chose the Once and Future Queen at a ball and asked for her hand that night. All before the stroke of midnight. 

“You are going to the ball Gwen.” Merlin vowed as he raised his hand. With a softly whispered spell, Gwen gasped as Merlin’s eyes flashed gold and a warm air hung around her. Her cheek tingled and when she touched it, Gwen felt only smooth, uncut, painless skin. A quick glance in the mirror also confirmed that the ashes and soot had been cleaned from her face too.

“You have magic,” Gwen breathed and Merlin smiled gently.

“I do but you do trust me, don’t you?” Merlin asked and Gwen nodded. Merlin had magic but she knew in her heart, despite the wickedness that Morgana had shown her, Merlin would not show her the same wickedness. He had just healed her cuts on her face. Had he wanted to harm her, he would have. 

“I do,” Gwen whispered and Merlin’s smile widened into the familiar, beaming grin he always had. 

“Then let’s get you ready for the ball. Your handsome prat of a prince is waiting for you and you are going to be the most beautiful woman there.” Merlin said as he looked at Gwen’s dress. Before it had been ruined, it had been a fine dress, but it wasn’t one for a future queen. 

As Merlin whispered an incantation, the very air around Gwen seemed to shimmer and glow. There was a bright light that caused her to close her eyes and when she opened them again, she was clad in a gown more beautiful and finer than any she had seen. The material was a dark, midnight blue of soft silk with silver and gold embroidery which gave the impression that her dress itself was made from the night sky and stars. Her hair had been gently untangled and her curls sat loosely around her shoulders. 

“Merlin!” Gwen gasped. “It’s so beautiful, I-I don’t know what to say or how to thank you,”

“You don’t need to thank me,” Merlin replied as he squeezed her hands tightly. “Also, to ensure that Arthur doesn’t forget you, look at your shoes.”

Gwen frowned slightly at the peculiar comment but raised her skirt. A pair of beautiful, smooth flawless heeled slippers shone on her feet. Gwen had never seen a pair like them before. In fact, if she didn’t know any better she would have guessed they were made of-

“Glass.” Merlin confirmed with a grin. “Unbreakable glass and specially charmed so that they will only fit you. Even if someone else has your shoe size.”

“This is unbelievable, Merlin, I can’t,” Gwen said as words failed her. How could she ever express how grateful to have someone as incredible and wonderful as Merlin in her life? She would truly be lost without him.

“You can and you will. Now come on, we haven’t got much time.” Merlin insisted as he took her hand and led her across the room. Just as they reached the doorway, Merlin paused and murmured one final spell. A crown of daisies formed in his hands and he carefully placed it atop Gwen’s curls. “Just so Arthur knows it’s you.”

Gwen shook her head fondly at Merlin’s silliness before she linked her arm with his. Although they would discuss Morgana’s strange actions tomorrow, tonight, Gwen allowed herself to be risked up in the excitement and romance of attending a royal ball and dancing with Arthur without fear of reprimand or punishment. For once, she would focus on her and Arthur’s happiness and Gwen was comforted by the unshakeable, unmistakable fact that should any trouble arise from tonight; she and Arthur would have Merlin by their side.

Chapter Text

“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” - Thomas Aquinas

“Did you hear that?” Gwen asked, her hand pausing over the hellebore petals that she was about to gather. Merlin glanced towards the source of the noise and froze. This was not good. This was most definitely, not good.

“Uh, no?” Merlin attempted feebly. In his mind, he attempted to shoo Aithusa away but only received a sad chirp in response. “Maybe it was a bird?”

“It didn’t sound like a bird.” Gwen replied as she stood and walked towards the trees where she had heard the noise. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was definitely a creature that was in pain. She couldn’t just abandon an animal in pain, it was cruel. Gwen pushed aside some low hanging branches and gasped at the sight. “Oh my,”

“What is it?” Merlin asked innocently as Gwen knelt and scooped up the whimpering, injured creature. “Gwen?”

“It’s a dragon,” Gwen whispered before the realisation hit her. She was holding a dragon. She was holding an actual dragon. Admittedly, it was an adorable, snow white dragon with large sad eyes but still, a dragon. “It must be a baby.”

“Must be,” Merlin replied vaguely as Gwen gently stroked the cool, scaly head of the dragon. “Be careful,”

“I am,” Gwen said as she examined the dragon. One of its paws was at an odd angle and it let out a cry of fright before Gwen could even touch it. “Oh you poor thing, your little paw.”

“Let me see,” Merlin said as he stepped forward. Aithusa was his responsibility and she had been hurt. He knew that he needed to take care of her but how was he going to do that without Gwen finding out any of his secrets? Aithusa nestled her head against his touch and Gwen smiled at him. 

“It’s as if you know one another,” Gwen remarked. She had a suspicion or two about Merlin, yet after Morgana’s betrayal, she had decided to keep them to herself unless she had proof. They had believed that with Balinor, the last Dragon Lord had died. Perhaps there was one more after all...

“Or maybe it’s a dragon who wants to eat me,” Merlin quipped. “What do we do?”

“What do you mean?” Gwen asked with a raised eyebrow. “We can’t just abandon him.”

“Her,” Merlin corrected quietly at Gwen’s suspicious look. “I-I think she looks like a girl.”

“Her then,” Gwen continued, her suspicion closer to being confirmed. “We need to make sure her little paw is going to heal.”

“And how do we do that?” Merlin asked. He had never expected this, usually Gwen was the pragmatic one and he was the one with the foolish idea that Gwen had clearly gathered. The two of them had gotten away with some extremely foolish escapades before but this was on another level. Usually they were trying to get the magical creatures to leave Camelot. 

“We take her home with us. It’s only a baby. No one will find out.” Gwen explained. Arthur and the knights were too busy training and trying to hunt down Morgana. Agravaine had dismissed both of them as mere servants and Gaius had his patients to treat. When they wanted to, she and Merlin were able to get away with quite a bit of mischief. 

“Are you being serious Gwen?” Merlin asked. He knew Gwen was a loyal and true friend, that her kind heart would never allow her to refuse anything or anyone who needed help but to help Aithusa, to help him; this was unexpected. 

“Of course I am. The dragon is only a baby and it would just take a few days. Besides, if the Great Dragon is anything to go by, dragons are intelligent. If this little one remembers us showing kindness, maybe in the future, it will be kind to us.” Gwen reasoned; there had been many of the hunting dogs, palace cats and stable horses that she had won over with a piece of food and a gentle touch. Besides, things had been quite quiet for her and Merlin. 

They needed some mischief to keep themselves amused before they had to rescue Arthur and the knights again. 

“You’re truly wise,” Merlin said seriously. “One day, you’ll make a wonderful queen.”

Gwen blushed at the comment. Ever since Arthur became king, she was allowing herself to believe more and more that the future they had dreamed of was possible. However, until it happened, she would have to keep her dream to herself. 

“Merlin,” Gwen whispered as she gently carried Aithusa to her basket of herbs. “What should we call her?”

“Um,” Merlin trailed off and nervously rubbed the back of his head. If he suggested Aithusa’s actual name, that would lead to even more questions. What was it that Kilgharragh said Aithusa meant? “Sunny?”

Aithusa chirped at the suggestion and Gwen smiled as she stroked the dragon’s head and scratched behind her ears. “I guess you like both of those, don’t you Sunny?”

Gwen carefully covered the basket with the shawl she had initially taken with her to prevent a chill and Merlin removed his own scarf and covered the basket too. Once they were certain that Aithusa was comfortable and more importantly, hidden, within the basket, Gwen hitched it onto her elbow and held it to her chest, supporting it with her free hand. 

“This is probably one of the most reckless things we have ever done,” Gwen stated as they walked back towards Camelot with their new dragon friend in tow. 

“Probably,” Merlin agreed before he grinned at Gwen. From the moment she had scooped Aithusa into her arms, he knew that he would be able to trust her. Together they would keep Aithusa safe until she was healed and avoid getting into too much trouble.

Hopefully.