Gwen smiled wryly as she deftly balanced the tray in one hand while rapping against the heavy wooden door with the other. It may have been years but she was pleased to see that her skills remained with her. She had had little chance to use these skills in the last few years so it was nice to know that she could still balance a tray with the best of them.

"Come in!" The curt response startled her. It had been a while since anyone had taken that tone with her. Careful not to spill anything on the tray, she eased the door open. Mithian stood at the window, looking out. Wrapped in a shawl, she looked especially vulnerable.

"I brought you some tea. It might help you sleep." She placed the tray on the large table that dominated the room and poured out the tea.

Not unexpectedly, Mithian jumped at her voice, quickly turning around. "My lady! Oh, you shouldn't have." She quickly moved over to Gwen and tried to help with setting out the tea.

Gwen smiled warmly as she placed a hand on Mithian's to stop her. "It's fine. I can do this. In fact," she said, amusement in her voice, "you'll find I'm quite good at it. Why don't you sit down? You have had an awful few days."

"Thank you." The appreciation was genuine and it warmed Gwen's heart. As lovely as Merlin was and as supportive as Arthur tried to be, it felt lonely to be queen sometimes. Her friends from her serving days, while still pleasant, kept a distance that nothing she did could bridge. It was the same with the people from town. "If you're not in a hurry, I would like some company."

"Of course." Gwen settled into the chair next to Mithian. "How are you feeling?"

"I still feel weak but knowing that my father and my kingdom are safe is a great comfort. We owe Camelot a lot."

"You wouldn't be in this position if not for Camelot and Morgana's feud with us.I'm sorry you had to be dragged into this."

Mithian shook her head. "She's not just trying to bring Camelot down. At this rate, the whole of Albion will be in a mess. Arthur was right. We need to stand together as allies." Mithian shuddered. "Those few days were the worst of my life. I would be glad never to experience anything like that again."

Gwen covered Mithian's hand with her own and squeezed it gently, hoping to give some form of comfort. She too knew what it was like to be Morgana's pawn and while it wasn't something she shared willingly with others, she wanted Mithian to know that she wasn't alone. "Merlin said you were very brave."

It was probably a trick of the light but for a moment Gwen thought Mithian's cheeks turned red at the mention of Merlin. Like she did normally, Gwen kept the information away. You never know when such information came in useful.

"I fear it might have been my fault he was attacked by Morgana. Is he ok?"

No, Gwen mused as she looked at Mithian in the candle light, she wasn't mistaken. The blush staining her cheeks was still there and now she was looking down. "He's fine. He and Arthur were just quarrelling over polishing when I left them so I think he's fine."

"Good. That's good to hear. He too was very brave." Mithian shook her head slightly, then sat up straight, a slight smile on her face. "Let's not dwell on such negative things. Tell me, how have things been since your last visit to Nemeth? You should come again when things are more settled. We could make that trip to the old ruins you wanted to see."

"It hasn't been too bad. I think I will never get used to being Queen, quite honestly. How do you do it? Some days I just want to tear off all these fancy clothes and hide in the kitchen, washing dishes. At least there, a whole kingdom does not depend on how well I wash dishes."

Mithian chuckled. "I was born into this. It's all I've ever known. But you're a great queen and you know that. My father holds you in high regard, especially as he says - " Mithian rolls her eyes and drops her voice in an imitation of her father's. " - she was just a servant three years ago."

Gwen laughed and by the time she left Mithian's room much later, both their hearts were a lot lighter and there was a slight spring in Gwen's step.

She always woke before Arthur and this morning was no different. As she did every morning, she spent a few minutes just watching him sleep. In sleep, he looked like the young, overly-confident man, untouched by the worries and stress of kingship, who made her heart pound in her house all those years ago. A smile playing on her lips, she reached out and ran a finger gently down his cheek. When he captured her finger in his hand, she gave a yelp before it was smothered by Arthur's kiss.

"Good morning," he murmured as he hovered over her, before sinking back onto the bed and pulling Gwen into his arms.

"Good morning." Her smile widened as Arthur pressed a kiss into her hair. They cuddled and kissed a bit more, treasuring the few minutes they had alone before reality intruded. "Have you ever thought of not being King?" Gwen said teasingly. "Then we could have more time to ourselves." To emphasize her point, she slipped her hand under his shirt and drew patterns on his bare skin, laughing silently when she felt him suck in his breath and grab her wrist.

"I've always wanted to be a farmer." His thumb stroked her wrist and that was enough to make Gwen shiver and heat pool in her stomach. "I think I'd be pretty good at it."

Gwen hummed in mock agreement as he nuzzled her neck and she curled her fingers in his hair. Arthur could never be anything but King. It was in his blood and if she was honest with herself, she loved him for it.

The knock finally came. After they arranged themselves into slightly more decent positions, Arthur yelled "come!", reminding Gwen of her evening with Mithian. Merlin entered with breakfast, easily ignoring them in bed as he set out the food on the table. While Arthur was born to be king, Merlin was definitely not born to be a servant. He spilled a bit of the water and the cutlery clattered noisily against the plates, something Gwen clearly remember being told should never happen. Arthur was already out of bed and pulling on his day clothes.

Pulling her blanket around her, she shuffled to the screen.

"You're not eating with us today?" Gwen heard Arthur ask and she stopped fiddling with her dress. That was strange. Ever since they were married, aside from their first morning as a married couple, Gwen couldn't remember a morning they did not have breakfast together.

"No. I have things to do."

Gwen could imagine Arthur's expression of disbelief. "You? You have things to do? Like what?"

"Like things you wouldn't be interested in."

"Are you going to clean the stables?"

"No."

"Catch up with your polishing?"

Finally managing to tie up her dress, Gwen stepped from the screen to see Merlin shaking his head and Arthur staring at him with narrowed eyes. "Then what do you have to do?"

"Gaius wants me to check on Mithian." The words came out in a rush and Merlin made eye contact with the floor. Gwen looked curiously at him. Gaius giving Merlin work was not unusual. Merlin's eagerness together with his slightly awkward demeanor was though.

"Well then," she said, "you shouldn't keep the princess waiting." Arthur grumbled under his breath but didn't stop Merlin.

"You know something," Arthur said when Merlin closed the door and Gwen settled into the seat next to him. "You know something and you're not telling me."

Gwen smiled. "I remember someone keeping secrets before. I'm not sure you're in a position to talk."

"I told you everything in the end," he pouted as he reached for the bread on the table.
"And one day, I'll tell you everything."

He harrumphed and stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth. Gwen just laughed before lightly kicking his shin, drawing a smile from him.

Council meetings were boring. Boring but important, she reminded herself. If Arthur, the man who jumped at every opportunity to ride out of the kingdom, could sit through a meeting which was essentially every knight giving an update on their duties, so could she. From the corner of her eye, she noted that Gwaine was slumped in his chair, eyes closed. Elyan had that look on his face that he used to have when mother tried to teach him how to read. She shook her head, then tried to stifle a yawn behind her hand.

"Why don't you go? Nothing out of the ordinary is going to be discussed in this session," murmured Arthur into her ear. "You said you wanted to spend some time with Mithian right?"

"But -"

Arthur place a hand on her thigh. "Go on. I'll update you."

When Leon finally took a breath after rattling off the number and types of swords that needed replacing in the aftermath of the battle with Odin and Morgana, Gwen stood and made her exit. Slowly she made her way through the long corridors to the wing where Mithian and her father were staying. Arthur had mentioned that Rodor was preparing to leave the next day for Nemeth. Gwen supposed that Mithian would be leaving soon which was why she wanted to spend a bit more time with her.

Deep in thought, Gwen turned the corner and slammed into someone.

"Merlin!"

"Gwen!"

Smoothing her skirts, she looked at Merlin and frowned. "Why aren't you at the council meeting?"

"Neither are you, my lady," Merlin grinned cheekily.

"But I was there for a while. You look like you weren't there at all! I'm amazed Arthur hasn't complained. You know how he likes having you around to suffer with him." Gwen teased as she fell into step with Merlin. As Merlin laughed and then started to complain about how pointless all the council meetings were, it suddenly occurred to Gwen that the only rooms from where Merlin was coming from were the guest rooms where Mithian and Rodor stayed.

"You checked on Mithian this morning. I trust she is well?"

Gwen bit back a smile when Merlin stopped walking suddenly and stumbled slightly. "Uh, yes. She seemed well physically. She was still a little jumpy."

"I see. Perhaps she needs a distraction, something to take her mind off things," Gwen said thoughtfully. "It's a pity that it looks like things are going to be quite busy around here."

"I believe she is leaving tomorrow with her father?"

"That's true. I will miss her. She is very lovely."

Merlin swallowed and nodded.

"You don't think so?" It was difficult to keep a straight face so Gwen settled for staring at the floor as she walked with Merlin. "She's always been good to you." Unable to help herself, she glanced at Merlin. Even in the shadows of the corridor, she could see his reddened ears.

"She's very well brought up." As if he couldn't resist, he added, "Unlike Arthur."

That provided Gwen with the reason to laugh and she took it. "Oh Merlin." She rubbed him arm gently. "I think I'll go see how Mithian is. You should probably make your way to the meeting."

She turned and walked back to Mithian's room, only slightly surprised when she saw a tiny bunch of wildflowers on the floor near her door.

Mithian took the flowers from Gwen, confusion clearly written on her face. "Thank you."

"Oh don't thank me. They were outside your room. I guess someone meant to give them to you. Perhaps you have an admirer." Gwen sat down and gestured for Mithian to sit as well.

"I barely know anyone here besides you and Arthur." Gwen watched as Mithian bent to smell the flowers.

"They are beautiful flowers. Merlin and I used to walk in the forest and pick such flowers."

When Mithian's eyes became brighter, Gwen smiled to herself. Perhaps her speculation was not completely without basis. Then Mithian sighed. "I don't think they are from Merlin. Why would he give me flowers and why would he just leave them outside the door?"

"Merlin's a great friend. He probably wanted to make you feel better."

Amusement tinging her voice, Mithian looked at Gwen and replied, "I suppose I shouldn't have complained so much to him this morning but he was so nice and understanding. He probably thinks I'm suffering horribly here. I'm not really and you and Arthur have been so good to us."

"Merlin was always a good listener."

Mithian bit her lip and looked at Gwen, a question in her eyes. "Gwen, uh -" Her words faltered and she chewed on her lips again, her fingers playing absently with the flowers in her hand. Then she shook her head. "Never mind. You know what? I'm tired of these four walls. If you have nothing pressing, shall we take a walk?"

"I can't think of a better idea."

Usually, when various princesses and other royalty came visiting and Gwen needed to entertain them, she would take them around the castle gardens where they would ooh and ahh over the royal roses and various other nicely pruned bushes. But for some reason, she led Mithian out of the castle doors and the two of them wandered around the market, chatting lightly about inconsequential topics like the weather and arguing the merits of hunting. When the baker's son bumped into her, causing her to stumble into Mithian, it occurred to Gwen that Mithian might not appreciate being in such close quarters with the townspeople.

"We could walk somewhere else if you prefer."

"This is fine. Remember the last time I was here? You mentioned how you found it useful to spend time with the people outside the castle. I've been trying to do that in Nemeth. Father finds it slightly unnerving, all this mixing with the commoners but when I said you did it too, he relented."

"Your father thinks too highly of me."

"That's your fault really. You shouldn't have been so impressive during your last visit to Nemeth."

"I did nothing impressive."

"That's what you think," laughed Mithian. "This is nice. Being out in the sun and not being in trouble."

They walked a little more, browsing at the various stores. Gwen made an effort to buy something from each of the stores and Mithian followed suit. She liked the market. Everyone was comfortable there and when she spoke to them, they were more likely to tell her things they wouldn't in the large, unfamiliar council room. It was also a good opportunity for her to note possible issues before they blew up into huge problems. As the strolled towards the end of the market, Gwen noticed the Pendragon flags fluttering in the wind and a group of servants working in the sun on the tournament grounds. An idea unfurled in her mind.

"Camelot is having her annual knights tournament in a month's time. You should come and watch. Visit Camelot for a better reason."

A smile stretched across Mithian's face. "I might just do that."

The next morning, Gwen stood next to Arthur, their hands entwined, on the steps leading to the courtyard as the horses were readied for Mithian and her father. Gwen's eyes stayed on Merlin who was preparing Mithian's horse.

"King Arthur! Thank you for everything. If ever there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask." Rodor shook Arthur's hand tightly.

From behind Mithian appeared and said her thanks as well. Emboldened by their recent interactions, Gwen pulled Mithian in a quick hug. "Do take care and return soon."

Gwen noticed the quick glance Mithian darted at Merlin who was still fussing with the horse before she nodded her head and Gwen couldn't help the feeling of excitement that bubbled in her. When Merlin looked over at Mithian, causing her to quickly drop her gaze, Gwen smiled.

"You seem very pleased with yourself." Arthur murmured as they waved King Rodor and Mithian off.

"I'm just glad that peace has been restored to their kingdom."

Arthur's arm slipped around her waist and he tucked her close to him. "You are still not telling me something."

"I know."

Shaking his head, Arthur kissed the top of her head before leading her down the corridors to their room. Gwen turned back to see Merlin still standing in the courtyard, staring at the gate which the horses rode out off.