The car was essentially divided into two. Gwen and her small family were tucked in the back, surrounded by plush leather seats and smell of fresh pine. Dan kept an arm around her shoulders and they watched as a very excited Jason poked and prodded at everything. In the front, Arthur and Merlin sat quietly.

"Jason, don't –" Gwen reached out to grab his curious hands. "Here, shall we watch something on this?" She pulled out her tablet, switched on one of Jason's favourite cartoons and passed it to him.

"Don't worry about it," said Arthur from the front. "He can't do any harm. And anything he spoils can easily be replaced."

"It must be nice being rich," said Dan, an edge in his voice. Gwen shot him a look and squeezed his hand. Thankfully, Arthur didn't seem to hear Dan's words. With a shake of his head, Dan changed the subject. "What are your plans in Southend?"

Gwen's brain scrambled to come up with something, something that didn't involve telling Dan and Jason about the hunt for a mysterious old man.

"Can we go to the beach?" Jason asked, his attention finally torn from the cartoon he was watching.

"Of course," said Gwen. "We have some business to do but I'm sure I can make some time to go to the beach. Why don't you look up on the Internet what we can see at the beach?"

"Okay!"

Gwen ruffled Jason's hair, smiling as he twisted away.

"What are your plans?" Dan prodded again.

"Um, well." Gwen darted her eyes to the front of the car where Arthur and Merlin sat, both oblivious to the conversation that was happening behind. "That would depend on Merlin. Mr Pendragon would want, of course, to see Merlin's gallery and I'm sure there'll be negotiations. Basically, I will be around to manage the relationship between the two of them."

Dan cast a suspicious look towards the front of the car. "They look to be getting along fine even without you."

She looked back at the front of the car where Arthur and Merlin were talking amicably, laughing even. Annoyance built in her. They couldn't even keep up a pretence for a few hours. "Yeah but that's only when they aren't talking about art."

It was clear that Dan didn't quite believe her but aside from the slight furrow of his brows, he said nothing, instead turning his head to look out of the tinted windows.

"I'm a little tired," Gwen lied quietly to no one in particular, allowed herself to sink into the soft leather seat and close her eyes. Aside from Jason's cartoon playing, the back of the car, silence reigned. Sometime later, the cartoon stopped, then she felt the slight weight of Jason in her lap. Gwen placed one hand on his soft hair, then slowly drifted to sleep herself.

Someone shook her gently, then Jason tugged at her shirt before Gwen opened her eyes. Dan's smile didn't reach his eyes but his voice was gentle as he informed her that they had reached. She blinked a little, stretched, and then pushed herself out of the car. Arthur was already out of the car, leaning casually against it, his eyes shielded by his shades. Sensuality emanated from him, reaching out and curling around her and it scared Gwen. Without thinking, she moved away from him.

In front of them stood a small rustic looking holiday cottage. Despite its size, Gwen could tell that it wasn't budget lodging. The warm yellow lights on the front porch were welcoming, the short cobblestone path to the reception lined with neatly trimmed flowering bushes and the clean white walls trimmed with intricate latticework all spoke of an intimate, luxury boutique hotel.

Jason leaned against her thigh, his thumb in his mouth. Gwen picked him up and waited for Dan to join them with their bags.

"Why don't I check you all in first? Then I'll drop Merlin off at his studio." Arthur pushed himself off the car and without waiting for their reply, walked up the path and disappeared into the reception.

"Wow," said Dan when he finally joined her. "This is where we're staying? Arthur is a generous man."

Gwen could hear the slight unhappiness in his voice but ignored it. Before actually meeting Arthur, Dan had been rather cheerful about the whole trip to Southend but through the journey, had progressively become more and more antsy. Yet for Gwen, now that she was in Southend, hours away from meeting the mysterious old man, from finding out what was going on in her life, Dan's discomfort was the least of her concerns. Shifting Jason in her arms, she followed Arthur into the reception, where she found him, smiling and chatting with the receptionist, his shades hanging from one hand.

"This is Guinev - uh, Gwen Thomas," he said, straightening up the moment she entered. He dropped a set of keys into her palm. "I'll leave her in your capable arms," Arthur smiled widely at the receptionist. "I have an unconventional artist to chauffeur."

As Arthur moved past her, their arms brushed and Gwen looked into his eyes. Despite Dan's entry into the small reception area, Gwen found herself unable to look away, trapped by the warmth and affection in them. Hundreds of years and apparently whatever feelings they had for each other – and they must have had some, being married to each other – still hadn't ebbed. She was in so much trouble.

"Got the key?" Dan asked, dropping the bags on the ground with a loud thump.

Gwen pulled her eyes away from Arthur, hoping her face wasn't as flushed as she felt it was. "Yeah. I think the receptionist will show us to our room?"

"Of course," said the young man. "And it's our largest suite not a room. Let me take your bags."

After passing the bags over to the receptionist, Dan took a step towards her. "Let me carry Jason." Gwen nodded, passing the now fast asleep Jason to Dan. As they followed behind the receptionist, Gwen was aware of Dan walking very closely.

The receptionist was right. Their lodging was more than a room – it was a large suite with two rooms, a living room and a kitchenette. As the receptionist showed them through the suite, pointing out the luxuriously decadent spa bath and rain shower, the branded toiletries and carpets so soft, she sank into them, Gwen felt like she had been transported into a different world - the world someone like Arthur inhabited.

This wasn't her world.

"Wow," said Dan again when the receptionist left and he'd settled Jason into one of the rooms. "This is something. Is his fee for you just as generous?" Mutely, Gwen nodded, not wanting Dan to see the complex vortex of emotions within her. Dan slipped an arm around her shoulder, pressed a kiss against her temple then guided her gently to the bedroom.

Turning her to face him, Dan kissed her forehead, her cheeks then her lips. Instinctively, Gwen's eyes fluttered close. She knew what Dan wanted and why he wanted it. Intimacy to reinforce their relationship, especially after that tense, weird ride. She knew he still had questions about this trip but was willing to put them aside to re-establish themselves as a couple. She wanted it too. Dan was a good man, she told herself as she kissed him back. But when his hands moved up from her waist, she stepped back.

"I -"

Dan's hands dropped. "We need to talk, don't we? Something has been off the past few weeks. You've been distracted, and for a mere client, Arthur Knight seems far too interested in you." He sucked in a deep breath. "Have you and Arthur - Are you two -"

The question, unsaid, hung in the tense air between them.

"If you're asking if I'm having an affair with Arthur, the answer is no." Toeing off her shoes, Gwen sat on the bed as guilt assailed her. Sure, she wasn't actually having an affair with Arthur, aside from that impulsive kiss, but sometimes, the way she was keenly aware of his presence, the way she dreamt of him, it wasn't much different was it? "He doesn't date normal people like me." Her laugh was obviously forced and Dan didn't look in the least mollified.

"Are you really going to pretend that everything is normal? Don't I at least deserve some honesty from you?"

Dan's quiet disappointment unleashed something in her. Tears stung the back of her eyes and the stress and frustration of the past few weeks threatened to overwhelm her. She clasped her hands together tightly.

"Gwen." The bed sank as Dan sat down next to her and with a sigh, pulled her gently into a hug. "Look, if you don't want to talk about it -"

"No," she sniffed. Dan was right. She owed him honesty at the very least. Taking his hand in hers, she took a deep breath and told him everything - from discovering her past life, who Arthur and Merlin really were, to the real reason they were in Southend.

Out loud, the whole thing sounded completely ridiculous and by the time she finished, she was questioning her own sanity. A quick glance at Dan told her that he was probably thinking the same thing. Gently, he withdrew his hand, then rubbed his face with a sigh.

"After a long car ride really isn't the time for this," he said, puffing out a breath. "I suppose I should have known Merlin wasn't an artist." A slight smile ghosted his face.

Gwen forced her lips into a smile as well. "No, he runs a cafe."

When Dan said nothing, Gwen looked at him. He looked in shock, not that she blamed him, and he avoided her eyes. The feeling of being all alone swept across her. For so long, Dan had been a pillar of support to her. Guilt swelled in her and she reached out a hand to touch his cheek, the familiar feel of his wiry beard a sudden source of comfort. He finally turned to look at her and it was relief that flooded her when she saw neither anger or hurt in his eyes. Then she realised what it was. Pity.

"I don't know what to think. Part of me thinks you're making this all up to cover up some affair you're having with Arthur. But the other part of me tells me that there are much easier ways to cover up an affair and this is too fantastical to, ironically, not be true. At least to you."

"You think I'm nuts," she said quietly.

"I don't know. I mean, reincarnation? Past lives? Magic?" He stood, his fingers rubbing his head gently, breaking the contact between them, again leaving Gwen feeling all alone.

She reached for him. "Dan."

"You've had time to deal with this. I need some time as well."

His word cut but Gwen knew he was right. It wasn't fair expecting him to simply digest the news and then be the supportive man she'd always known. "I'll sleep in Jason's room."

No answer came and Gwen simply took her bag and walked out of the room. A strange sense of loss settled in her stomach. As beautiful as the lodging was, as charmingly handsome Arthur was, she desperately wanted to go home, forget that all that had happened and continue with her old life. She was content. Her eyes drifted to where Jason was curled on the bed, sleeping peacefully, innocently and she remembered, she was doing this for him. To ensure he was safe. Gwen brushed a kiss against his cheek, then went to change.

Just as she slid under the covers, next to Jason, her phone beeped.

Planning to visit the old guy in the morning. A will get you from your room. M.

She tapped her phone, placed it on the bedside table and snuggled into her pillow, hoping a good night sleep would make everything seem better in the morning.

As part of their charade, Arthur had put Merlin in another hotel. And now, he was lying on his bed, staring uselessly at the ceiling, completely unable to sleep. Merlin had told him of the dreams Guinevere's son had been having – nightmares of Morgana. Why was Morgana using him? Anger unfurled in him at that thought. Jason was completely innocent. It wasn't fair that he was being dragged into this never-ending battle between them and Morgana.

Arthur closed his eyes, and like every night since he started remembering, Guinevere floated into his mind. He forced himself to think of Dan, to remember the way Dan held Guinevere, the way she tensed every time Arthur stood too closely. They might have had a past that spanned hundreds of years, but it was clear Gwen didn't, or didn't want to, remember any of it. And, he firmly told himself, it was better this way. He had to focus, on stopping whatever it is Morgana was up to and on making sure Guinevere and Jason were safe.

The smell of bacon tickled her nose, and Gwen blinked, yawned and stretched. The sheets moved under her, almost a caress. A smile played on her lips. If Dan was up cooking breakfast, he must be in a better mood. Jason was no longer in bed and as the fuzz in her brain cleared, she could hear his excited chatter. Then she frowned. It wasn't Dan's voice she was hearing.

As she entered the living room, Gwen saw Arthur and Jason bent over the dining table, chatting happily over something. Her heart constricted, but she wasn't sure if it was with apprehension or affection. Jason reached up and whispered something in Arthur's ear, his small hand on Arthur's shoulder. The smile Arthur flashed at Jason was bright and fond. The hand that ruffled Jason's hair was gentle and affectionate. Gwen closed her eyes, wondering if this was a dream.

"Mum!" Her eyes flew open to see Jason scamper off the chair and towards her. "Arthur has been telling me about dragons and castles! Did you know that an evil man killed off all the dragons in the world many years ago?" His arms winded round her legs and Gwen grabbed him, swinging him into her arms, careful to avoid Arthur's eyes.

His presence unnerved her. "Did you sleep well? No nightmares?"

"No. She was nice today."

She. It sent a chill down Gwen's spine. She was still invading Jason's dreams and Gwen didn't like it, no matter how nice she was being.

Before she could pry more details out of Jason, his sticky hands patted her face. "Uncle Dan went for a walk. I wanted to go but he said I had to stay here with Arthur."

This time, she looked at Arthur. In return, he quirked a smile at her. Walking to the table, she deposited Jason back on his chair, then slid into the other one.

"Arthur says that you are going on an adventure later. Can I come?"

"Remember what I told you?" Arthur suddenly said. A slight pout formed on Jason's face but before he could protest, Arthur spoke again. "You have to stay and look after this place. It's an important job." Arthur chucked Jason's chin gently and apparently Arthur's praise was enough to stem any potential sulking.

Before Gwen could reach for the bacon, Jason shoved his drawing towards her. "Look what I did." She looked down at a piece of drawing Jason just did. A pretty, cottage covered in flowers that were obviously drawn by Arthur, took centre stage. A man with a wizard's pointy hat stood outside the door while someone peered out of the window.

"That's lovely," Gwen said, pinching his cheeks affectionately. "You are going to be a great artist one day."

Jason beamed at her words, grabbed another crayon and continued working on his art.

"I guess he gets his love for art from you?" Arthur's amused voice captured her attention. When she looked at him, he passed her a plate of bacon.

With a smile, Gwen nodded. She liked to think so anyway. Gratefully, she accepted the plate of bacon and as Jason, his tongue poking out and brows furrowed, continued to work on his art piece, Gwen stuffed the bacon into her mouth. Arthur stood from the table, then a cup of coffee appeared in front of her. As she ate her breakfast, Arthur continued to help Jason with his art. The whole situation was surreally natural, as if they did this regularly, as if they were a family. Gwen's peered up at Arthur through her lashes, taking in the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at Jason, his long fingers that wrapped around Jason's hand as he showed Jason how to draw something. What would those fingers feel like against her skin?

Dan.

Quickly she pushed aside her fanciful thoughts. She'd betrayed Dan's trust enough already.

"So," said Arthur after awhile. "I spoke to Dan earlier. He seemed – tense."

She swallowed. "I told him the truth," she said quietly, not wanting Jason to start listening.

"Seeing that he hasn't hauled you off to a mental institution, I'd say he's taking it well."

"Yeah." Once again, guilt and an overwhelming sadness swamped her. "It'll be fine. He's very understanding."

Arthur looked at the table, his voice rough when he replied. "He is a good man."

"He is. I'm lucky to have him. Jason loves him too." Her hand moved to ruffle Jason's hair.

"I love Uncle Dan," piped up Jason although his eyes were still on his drawing. "He's very nice to me."

Something flickered in Arthur's eyes. "Well, Dan said he needed time alone, asked if I could look after Jason for a while. I told Merlin we'll pick him up once Dan returns."

Unsaid was the fact that they were off to see some old man who, hopefully, had all the answers to their questions. Gwen hoped Dan would return soon. The sooner they visited this old man, the sooner this whole thing would be over. Then she go back to living her life with Jason and Dan and put Arthur and Merlin behind her.

As if answering her prayers, Gwen heard the door open. Lifting her head, her eyes met Dan's. Usually very open with his feelings, his eyes were shuttered and his smile strained.

"Gwen. Arthur." He inclined his head in greeting. Then his smile brightened. "Jason."

Dropping his crayon, Jason scampered off the chair and grabbed Dan's hand. "Come see my drawing!"

After the requisite oohing and ahhing over Jason's work, Dan looked at Gwen. "Can we talk? It won't take long."

Gwen felt her heart plunge. Her throat far too tight to say anything, she merely nodded, then followed Dan into the room. Foolishly, she looked back, catching Arthur's eye. When she turned back, she knew Dan had seen it.

"Arthur verified your story." Dan spoke without any emotion. "Right now, I feel like I'm the one who is going nuts."

Gwen took a step towards him. "Dan –"

He backed away and her heart ached. "Do you love Arthur?"

"What?" This time it was Gwen who stumbled backwards.

"Do you love him? You were married before. You two must have been in love and Arthur is clearly interested in you."

"Arthur and Merlin remember everything. I don't."

Dan frowned. "That's not an answer."

Gwen wanted to lie, say she felt nothing for Arthur. But the dreams she had of him, the moments of awareness when their eyes met swirled in her mind and she couldn't lie to Dan again. "There's an attraction," she finally said. "But it's just an attraction. I'm not going to act on it. I'm in a relationship with you!" Her hands hung uselessly by her side. She wanted to touch him, to reassure him but she didn't want to have him reject her.

Dan turned from her and ran a hand through his hair. "I love you Gwen," he said in a low voice. "I don't understand what is happening here, how it is you are a reincarnation of Queen Guinevere, how magic can actually exist –"

"Dan –"

Turning to look at her, he raised a hand. "Let me finish. But just because I don't understand it, doesn't mean it isn't real." A sigh shuddered out of him. "You and Arthur – you find each other every lifetime – how do I compete with that?"

Gwen blinked back tears. Was Dan breaking up with her? "That's not true. You know how the legends end – Arthur and I self-destruct. We're not some golden couple. I love you Dan." Tentatively, she touched his arm, thankful when Dan took her hand gently.

"Gwen –"

"No." Everything was changing and having Dan leave as well was the last straw. "Please, I can't deal with a break-up now."

"And I can't deal with whatever is going on in your life," said Dan. "I'm angry and disappointed and I don't want to be. And you have to admit we probably need a break, re-evaluate our relationship. I've been asking you to marry me for months and you've always had a reason to avoid the question. With everything that's going on in your life, you don't have time for us right now."

"I need you," she said softly. "Please."

"I'm sorry Gwen. I can't do this."

She could feel the tears running down her face, tears that Dan gently wiped away. "I love you Dan," she murmured and with a sigh, he pulled her into a hug.

"I know," he whispered. "I don't think it's enough."

Her eyes were rimmed red when she stepped out of the room and an unfamiliar sense of fury rose in him. What had Dan done?

"Can we go now?" Her eyes refused to meet his but he could tell but the set of the shoulders and the tone of her voice that she wasn't about to confide in him. "Dan will take care of Jason for the day."

"Is Uncle Dan going to bring me to the beach?" Jason asked excitedly.

"I'm sure he will sweetie. Come give me a hug. Be good when I'm gone ok?"

From where he sat, Arthur watched Gwen hug Jason who squirmed out of it quickly. Although she turned her head away, he could see the hurt that was in her eyes. Anger at Dan rose again but he pushed it down. Whatever happened between her and Dan was none of his business. Instead, he dug out his phone and called Merlin.

The drive to Merlin's hotel was tense, something Merlin completely failed to pick up on when he slipped into the car, all smiles and chatter. Even before Arthur could say anything, Merlin launched into a long monologue on the very charming host at his hotel.

"She used to be a competitive swimmer but now she helps her family run the bed and breakfast."

"And I need to know this, why?" asked Arthur.

Merlin shrugged. "I was just making conversation. You know, you two had each other. Dumping me alone in a strange country was evil."

"Look, we'll check you out later. I've booked another room at our resort for you since Dan now knows the truth."

"Oh, there's no need for that. I promised Francine that I'd come back to have dinner with her."

Arthur just rolled his eyes. He supposed he should be happy at least one of them seemed to be in a good mood. "Whatever Merlin." Tossing the GPS to him, Arthur told him to input the address from the card.

He did.

Only he keyed in the number in the wrong order, leading to them disturbing a very angry lady who swore like a sailor and an overly friendly elderly man. After over an hour of small talk over tea, the three of them finally escaped the clutches of the old man.

"Give me the card, you useless dolt," snapped Arthur once they made it back into the car again.

"I'll key in the address," said Gwen quietly. Arthur turned to her, his eyes taking in her sad features, aching to hold her and tell her everything would work out. But it wasn't his place and instead, Arthur passed her the GPS. Obviously a much more competent user of the system, they quickly found themselves at a small cottage.

"I guess we're here," said Merlin, his exuberant mood gone. "He believes in gardening by God, doesn't he?"

"Gardening by God?" Gwen asked.

Laughing, Merlin nodded. "You know, when you don't actually tend to your garden but leave it up to the whims of God. Look at his walls. The plants growing on them are out of control."

Gwen smiled genuinely for the first time in a long while, and Arthur felt a strange mix of feelings in his stomach – pleasure that her mood was lifting and jealousy that it was Merlin who managed it. Shaking his head to rid himself of his foolishness, he turned to face the cottage.

It seemed awfully familiar.

But Merlin was already at the door, knocking loudly and before Arthur could think any more about the cottage, the door swung open and a spritely old man stepped out. A cigarette dangled from his fingers as his eyes swept across them.

"Took you three long enough," the old man finally said, letting his cigarette drop to the ground.