Title: To You, an Admirer
Characters: Arthur, Gwen, Merlin, Morgana, Gaius, Uther, The Dragon, OC and semi-OC characters.
Pairings: Arthur/Gwen, Merlin/Morgana.
Rating: PG-13/12/T
Overall summary: Albion is on the verge of war. When Arthur and Gwen fall in love their entire world is set to change forever especially when they come to the attention of Uther and Arthur's aunt, the powerful Queen Anna. Meanwhile Merlin tries to help Morgana decode a recurring dream prophesising imminent change.
Notes from author: Any mistakes are my own here. This fic was originally inspired by a red herring from Digital Spy: "Gwen writes a love letter to Merlin—but mistakenly sends it to Arthur."
Warnings: Contains spoilers for all of Series 1. Light sexuality in later chapters. Contains semi-OC characters featured in Arthurian legend and use of 5th/6th British geography to map Albion.

Special notes: Due to the extreme length of the final chapter (~25,000 and counting) and LJ basically sucking at word counts I will be posting this final chapter in parts (again) until it's done. I am STILL on hiatus but I wanted to post this so I can get on with my essays in peace without thinking about posting this part.

-

Arthur awoke the next morning.

The sound of birds and the last drips of rain ebbed into his consciousness. He finally opened his eyes at a disgracefully late hour. He lay on his back completely dazed yet invigorated. The sun was shining so brightly through the red curtains straight ahead that it was clearly at least ten or even eleven in the morning. The fact was it was almost noon.

He stared blurredly towards the light and, for a brief and worried moment, Arthur wondered whether all the memories that he had of the day and night before – of finding Gwen and marrying her at Tor; of meeting his father and aunt and them all returning to Tintagel; of the new and ratified treaty between Uther, Cador and Anna; and of retiring to bed with Guinevere and making love deliriously for the first time since her exile – had all been a dream or early morning fantasy.

But it was all momentary. Arthur knew it had to have all happened. He remembered the anticipation he felt as he, Gawain and Merlin travelled towards Tor, the dread of waiting for Gwen to arrive and the overwhelming joy he felt the moment he saw her. He remembered carrying her towards the chapel (They had to drop mid-way as the castle was so very steep).

"Maybe I should try carrying you?" Gwen had joked as he picked her up again.

Arthur had managed to laugh. "A tiny little thing like you couldn't even tackle a bulky chap like me."

"We'll see about that tonight."

"I can't wait to see you try—"

"Oi!" Cador had gasped as he trekked along behind then, both Gawain and Merlin giving him assistance as he stumbled backwards. He spoke in a stern (yet clearly joking) voice. "I'll be having none of that! I'm a modern man, Arthur Pendragon and realise you have had pre-marital relations with my charge here... but no dirty talk until she has that ring on her finger."

Then there had been the walk to the chapel. The small travelling party waited outside as the altar was just a tiny room in the chapel. Only Cador, Ysgudydd, Merlin, Gawain and the bride and groom themselves were inside. That didn't stop the travelling party poking their heads through the door, and silently waiting for the priest to appear.

Arthur nudged Gwen playfully and smiled. "We've only got two people on each side."

"I have a whole party from Cornwall," she corrected him. "They just can't fit in the chapel."

"I guess you're more popular than I am."

"Indeed," Gwen whispered teasingly. "Merlin is my friend too, you know. He could easily be on my side as well."

The ceremony was very simple. Cador gave Gwen away and both Merlin and Gawain messed around while trying to hand Arthur the wedding ring. The priest tied their hands together and personally wished them all the luck in the world. He wasn't so detached from Dumnonian politics to know that the man was Prince Arthur of Camelot and the girl was not a princess or lady of any kind. He also knew the absence of Uther could only mean this was an elopement of some kind. Most of the marriages conducted at Tor were elopements.

They kissed for the first time as husband and wife to the excited applause of Merlin, Gawain, Cador, Ysgudydd and everyone else that had accompanied them to Tor. Like their previous kisses it had lasted longer than a virtuous kiss on the lips accustomed to weddings. Even the presence of the priest didn't deter them from making their kiss last no less than ten seconds.

When it finally broke they remained nose to nose, smiling.

"You're stuck with me now," Arthur said sexily.

She stroked his cheek lovingly. "Thank goodness!"

It wasn't just the vividness that stopped Arthur fearing for too long that it had all been a dream. It was the realisation that the bed in which he was lying in wasn't his and the room was a completely different layout to any bed in Camelot. He was also comforted by the fact that it wasn't the twittering of birds that he could hear from the window but the sound of water. The only birds that were audibly clear were the seagulls.

But that wasn't all.

He felt a hand rest gently onto the centre of his bare chest. Arthur turned his head away from the window and looked up. In his weary state he hadn't thoughtful about the pressure resting on his abdomen. It was only then he realised that Gwen was sitting on top of him, straddling his stomach. Her expression watched him curiously, her hair was loose about her shoulders and she was, Arthur noted pleasantly, very naked.

Then again so was he. She looked down at him with an air of entitlement. He couldn't stop staring at her.

Gwen chuckled. "I see it still takes you a while to get going in the morning."

Arthur took all of three seconds to make his reply. "That's what you think!"

He immediately sprung into action, rolling Gwen off from on top of him to under him and pinned her beneath him with fuelled and passionate kisses. It didn't a lot for Arthur to become aroused in the 'morning' when Gwen was concerned. Especially with the euphoria of last night still fresh in his mind. Just thinking about it made him want her all the more now. Never had he really had the chance to enjoy her 'physical company' first thing in the morning or even the pleasure of having her remain with him all night after they slept together.

It still hadn't quite sunk in yet that they were married. Married!

As Gwen looped her arms around Arthur's neck and hooked one leg around his waist the thought came to both of them. No longer were they doing this with fear of someone catching them and walking in on them. Now they were married the lovemaking was to be encouraged; babies come faster to young, energetic and 'loved-up' couples. Not that having a child was on their minds. Certainly not!

But they were actually married!

Gwen hummed in pleasure at that mere thought as Arthur kissed her lips over and over again with tenderness yet hunger. Now she could kiss him whenever she liked. And touch him...

He gasped as she reached to touch a particular part... just because she could. "Guinevere..."

She laughed and kissed him again.

The only thing they had to fear now were giggles from Merlin and Gawain as well as a possible tut from Uther once they finally emerged from the bedchamber at lunchtime. Not to mention an accompanying by a joke that Cador was certain to say, they were allowed to spent the day in bed given that they were 'newlyweds'.

Yesterday evening when Uther realised there was nothing he could do about the nuptial union he agreed to enter talks with Cador (with Anna present) but not before he bashed Cador for his role in the entire affair. The Duke hadn't paid much attention. The moment that Uther and Anna arrived at Tor to meet with him he had focused more on Anna. The King of Camelot was not surprised, given that she was a co-conspirator and the unmarried Duke's only love.

Anna didn't play on that fact though and seemed to try and maintain a respectable distance between them. Nonetheless she still smiled cheerfully when Cador saw her for the first time in years and said; "Anna Dubois... longer time goes on, the more beautiful you become."

Uther was having none of this nonsense. "I will hear these talks but not before I speak my mind!"

"Surprise, surprise," Cador said sarcastically.

"The way the pair of you have approached this alliance is a disgrace on the title of queen and duke," he snapped back at him, giving Cador the 'evil' scar of doom.

"Just because it was too clever for you to figure out," Cador remarked.

Anna stepped in at that moment. "We are not here to fight. These personal grudges me nothing now we are here. I suggest we return to Tor and discuss this alliance like monarchs responsible for land and people, not pathetic little children."

Arthur, Gwen, Gawain and Merlin watched the entire exchange from a hillside curiously. Uther glanced in their direction and leaned closer to Anna and Cador. "It is all very well for you two making this plan but I'm the one that has to prepare that girl for respectable society."

Cador scowled. "I don't appreciate my charge being referred to as 'that girl', Uther. I don't refer to my niece in that way in front of you. And how dare you suggest that she is unfit for your tin-pot kingdom. She's worth a million of the simpering sheep populating your court."

"And the society on your own tin-pot castle on Tintagel is so much better? How rich that you are so protective of a girl you have been protector of for all of four weeks," Uther snapped sarcastically.

"Our ears are burning!" Arthur shouted over from the hill top to his father. His expression was stony although he clutched Guinevere close to him.

Uther turned back to Cador.

"Fine, I don't appreciate the daughter of my old friend – that you killed – being referred to as 'that girl'," Cador retaliated harshly. "I came here to make peace with the past, Uther. I came on a pilgrimage to be of use to Albion. I am more than happy to talk with you. However if you continue to talk to me in this way I will gladly take my gold, my armies and promise of land elsewhere."

Anna glared at Uther (and Cador) for their idiotic arguing. It just proved her point that men should stick to being warriors and let the women take care of forging the alliances. She understood that Uther was angry but after she had explained at length the purpose and plan the whole way to Tor she had hoped Uther would behave a little bit better. How foolish of her to think so!

"You embarrass no one but yourself," Anna scolded him quietly.

Uther felt uncomfortable about the way she said that; she almost sounded like Igraine when she reprimanded him for his hotheadedness. It was the only trait (Apart from physical aspects such as blonde hair) that Anna seemed to share with Igraine; the ability to make him feel guilty without actually yelling at him.

That was the point he finally decided to let his anger go. Or at least bury it inside him so that he wouldn't get talked down to by Anna any more. He agreed that given the circumstances it was vital that they came to an agreement over the treaty and that he would go with everyone back to Tintagel to work it out.

It had been a spectacular sight for the people of Cornwall once the now even larger party had crossed over the border at the Tamar and on their way to Tintagel. It had been many years since they had seen their Duke never mind see him inviting other rulers over to his castle at Tintagel.

It was already late afternoon by the time they returned to the castle. They all got off the ferry. Cador and Uther fought over which one of them would help Anna out of the boat as, for some reason, Uther did not trust Cador with his former sister-in-law. His concern over the matter made Anna's eyes roll. Merlin was perplexed by the whole thing and started to wonder whether there was a past hidden somewhere between Cador and Anna.

But Anna was sensible and merely thanked both of them indifferently for the aid. She could have got out of the boat herself.

Arthur and Gwen had been caught in their own world, barely noticing the arguments and petty histories between the 'adults'. Anna, however, noticed the dreamy state the new couple were in and quickly took an opportunity of introducing herself to Guinevere properly. "I hope to see you more often," she said with a smile before she left to aid the two men in the treaty plotting, "If you ever need any help or support then just let me know. Both of you."

Gwen realised then where Prince Gawain had inherited his family loyalty. Despite having been a woman that Gwen had feared above all others for so long during her relationship with Arthur, it seemed she had completely misjudged the northern queen. She too hoped to see more of her and fully intended to seek Anna's help in the future. Now she too was a royal lady she felt she would need it.

"I've always liked my aunt," Arthur confessed as he and Gwen walked alone on the hills and cliffs above the water. He wanted to get a feel of the life his wife had been leading the last few weeks. "When I was a child she was always kind to me. She's the only member of my mother's family I know. I always imagine my mother looking similar to her."

Gwen slipped her hand into his as she glanced quickly behind her; Merlin and Gawain were also walking along the cliffs about ten metres behind them. They knew to keep their distance from both the couple and the three monarchs trying to reach an agreement.

Arthur smiled and clutched her hand tightly. "I never thought I'd see you again."

"Well, you did. No matter what happens during those talks they can't keep us apart now," Gwen said, and drew herself closer to him. Her hands rested steadily on his chest.

He smiled and leaned down to give her a kiss which, like so many of the others today, she reciprocated gladly. All she could think about was the fact that he was here with her now and that nothing could take him away from her. She wouldn't let it, and neither would he.

Arthur broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. "Is it so indecent to be thinking about going to bed?"

Gwen laughed. "We should probably wait until your father and aunt finish talking with Cador. They might want to..."

"What?"

"I don't know... talk to us?"

The prince chuckled. "Talk to us? Alright fine, we'll wait for them to finish but – like I said – I intend to bid them goodnight."

Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'll bet you do."

The talks went surprisingly well once Uther realised exactly what he was getting out of the alliance. Anna knew if all else failed in getting Uther to see reason she could dazzle his eyes with offers of protection and money to keep him calm. She knew his main fear was falling victim to an attack; his greatest fear (apart from the four kings turning on him) was Cenred allying with Claudius and the Mercians as he was an ally of Bayard, and invading Camelot.

"I highly suggest that you arrange peace and alliance talks with the neighbouring kingdoms of Camelot," Anna told Uther two hours into the meeting. "Cador is protected by three and two thirds borders of water but you our surrounded by frightened minor kings who might be persuaded to turn on you if they think Cenred will attack. He hates them just as much as you."

"I have always been on good terms with Olaf and Margh," Uther said.

"Margh is an old man," Cador reminded Uther. "Very soon he might be dead, and he has always named you and Arthur as protectors of his kingdom. The other kings are all friends with Margh. I think it would be best if you go to him and suggest an alliance. He will be able to nudge the others towards Camelot."

"All the kings have wordlessly agreed that Arthur is the natural heir to all the kingdoms," Anna added, as if she needed to remind Cador of the fact. "Well all but Melwas—but then he is only in his thirties and might yet marry and have children."

"You should get in there fast," Cador told Uther with sudden urgency. "Get Melwas into an alliance before he can challenge Arthur. Like Anna said Melwas is young—he might even try to marry Olaf's daughter to try and strength his claim over Arthur's."

Anna laughed. "I hear the girl is a trial and a fool. Her father keeps her very snug."

"That won't matter to Melwas if he gets what he wants," Cador reminded her. "He can't keep her smug forever; she'll have to marry one day."

There had followed a long silence.

"I imagine the kings would be more willing to fall behind you Uther if you finalised this treaty with Cador and I immediately," Anna said softly. "No one in the south is as frightened of my husband's wrath as they are of Cador's 'idleness'."

Cador smiled.

Uther nodded. "Very well—I finally see what you have been saying, Anna. We must finalise this treaty at once and let it be known throughout the land that Uther, Cador and Lot (or rather you, Anna) have signed a binding contract of alliance."

Anna grinned and said, "Halleluiah!"

After that the discussions went on without a hitch. They drafted up the finalised document with the help of some of the officials Uther and Anna had brought with them to Tintagel (Áedh had been one of them) and Cador's own officials boated in for the day from the mainland. It was agreed that that the treaty of alliance should be signed in a public ceremony and, so it appeared to all and sundry that the alliance had always been as it was now (Rather than being a brilliantly engineered plot by the Orcadian queen), that the ceremony would be held in Camelot. It would avoid Uther looking like a fool in front of the other kings.

"After all," Anna told Uther as they added the final touches to the treaty, "the other kingdoms don't know for certain what is going on. The spies for other kingdoms know you and I have been in contact with Cador – they don't know it was over the exile of 'Guinevere' – and all know I have travelled to Camelot to finalise a treaty. If Cador announces the same then all will be saved."

"They'll find out that the girl—"

"Your daughter-in-law"

"Is... of the background she is."

Anna shrugged. "Like I said she is now – and will be announced as – the charge of the Duke of Cornwall. I doubt any of your petty southern kings will say anything bad about her publically. They'll be too frightened of Cador now he's back into society."

"And what about the alliance they thought we were setting up for Elaine?"

"It was just a rumour," Anna assured him. "Nothing was ever signed officially stating that Arthur would marry Elaine. It'll all be forgotten in a few weeks time, nothing to worry about."

It was late by the time they had agreed on the best terms and plans for the treaty. It was the usual sort of thing; armies would be promised to Lot and in return the kingdoms of the north would protect the interests of Camelot (and her allies, Anna added); the alliance between Camelot and Cornwall would be strengthened by the marriage between the prince of the former and the adopted daughter of the latter, and Cador agreed that his land would be passed on to Arthur upon his death. The list was endless and exhaustive of every tiny detail.

When the three peacemakers finally emerged from the study it was already evening. They walked into the dining room to find everyone taking dinner together. Arthur and Gwen, Gawain, the officials from Camelot, Eidin and those at Tintagel, and even Merlin were all celebrating the marriage of the new royal couple. Uther commented on the presences of servants and nobility all eating dinner together as being 'unorthodox but expected' given that the only friends the bride probably had were servants. Arthur might have launched at him had Gwen not just chuckled at what the king said; never before she would have dared to do that.

Anna laughed too. "Just ignore him. He'll get over it eventually."

Arthur damned well hope so as he couldn't promise to keep his temper forever if his father continued to be haughty. It made him feel ashamed two years or so ago he was just like that himself. He was just glad that Gwen didn't seem to be bothered by anything Uther said.

"I've been called worse names," she told Arthur.

Arthur wouldn't let the names continue. He promised himself that at that very moment as he shot his father another fierce glare.

But Uther didn't want to remain on bad terms with his son. He was acting up merely because he was expected to more than he was bothered. The thought of having a commoner as a daughter-in-law still shocked him but it wasn't like it was the end of the world. Besides a commoner in a royal position might be useful politically in keeping the proletariat in line; he could distract them with Guinevere's presence. It wasn't the nicest thing to feel pleased about but it was, admittedly, the first thing that popped into Uther's head at that point.

When Arthur finally judged it decent enough to declare he was tired and wished to go to bed everyone decided to call it an 'early night'. It had been a long day and everyone was rather tired. Everyone expect Arthur or Gwen. They were rather invigorated having refused any wine or heavy food that would make them tired. He might have leaped on her the moment they returned to Tintagel had she not suggested they wait until the talks were finalised. In the ain scheme of things Arthur realised she was right.

They had felt a little embarrassed by the jeering from the travelling parties and the chuckles from Merlin and Gawain. Arthur couldn't help noticing that his servant and cousin had become good friends over the course of the journey. He told Merlin that he would not need his assistance for the rest of the night and Gwen told Ysgyrdav and Ysgudydd the same.

After a day of showing Arthur around the place that had more or less been her prison for the last month Gwen showed him the chambers in which she had dwelt. He wasn't as interested in that as he had been with the views from the cliff or the legendary cave of Eluned. They were both more interested in getting re-acquainted with each other.

"I know this is not Camelot," Arthur said. They slowly undressed each other, using all their power not to just rip the material from their bodies and grasp at each other, flesh on flesh. "I know this is not actually our marriage bed. I know this isn't even our first time together..."

Gwen kissed him tenderly on the lips. "It is our first time as a married couple."

"You don't mind, do you?" Arthur asked, distracted as her hands slid up his chest to shoulders to hold her half-clothed body against him. "That it isn't our first time. That we didn't wait...?"

She kissed him again. "I'm glad we didn't. For a long time I thought that was all we would ever have. I wouldn't give up the memory of that midsummer for anything."

That had been the first time. Midsummer. It had been three nights before that they had agreed to take that step. They had snuck away from the bonfire early without anyone noticing and gone back to his chambers. Gwen could remember everything about it so vividly; it had been painful but she hadn't cared. The sun never went down that night and it had all added to the atmosphere. It had been wonderful. Even Merlin and Morgana didn't know where they had gone, but they had the sense to lie about it to Uther when he asked both of them.

"Besides," she said, reaching down to pull off his shirt. "I'm rather glad we got all that awkwardness out of the way. At least we know what we're doing tonight."

Arthur rolled breathlessly to one side, now fully awake and satisfied. It had been the first time he had felt so pleased to see a new day in a long time. The thrill of knowing that every morning he woke up he would turn over to see Gwen and not an empty space just added more and more to his satisfaction. He hummed pleasantly as she rolled to her side and ran her hand across his chest.

"Still think it takes me a while to get going in the morning?" Arthur asked, lopping his own arm around her waist to pull her closer.

Gwen chuckled and kissed his shoulder. "You certainly showed me. That was lovely."

He lifted his head slightly. "Lovely? Is that all? I might have to 'show you' again."

"I wouldn't want to tire you out on our second day married," Gwen said teasingly. "Lovely is a good compliment."

"You're lovely."

"Lovely? Is that all?" she replied, copying his tone.

"Alright then," Arthur said enthusiastically, rolling her onto her back again and plating swift kisses over her lips, neck and chest. Gwen laughed as he did so. He kissed each time he listed a quality. "You're lovely, and pretty, and intelligent, and beautiful, and sweet, and wonderful, and amazing, and..." he stopped for a moment before he kissed her again, "And I've run out of words, so I'll say beautiful again..."

"Your wide vocabulary is a treat for the ears, Arthur" Gwen joked. "It really is."

"Did I mention 'beautiful'? I could write you a letter, listing your qualities?" he suggested humorously.

"I'd rather you just kept kissing me."

"Then who am I to refuse my wife?"

He continued to kiss her for another few minutes or so before Gwen shifted to sit up. Arthur leaned up too. "We should get up," Gwen told him. "It's late."

"Why are we going somewhere?" he asked sarcastically.

"I just think it's time we got up," she told him, moving out from under him.

"Do we have to?"

"We don't have to but we should."

He kissed her again. "I'd rather just stay here."

"We can continue with this later and any time we want. You haven't even spoken to your father since... well, since I left before."

Arthur sighed and pulled himself out of bed. "I have nothing much to say to him."

Gwen sat up, clutched her knees and rested her chin again them. She watched as he started to get dressed, delaying doing so herself. "We're together now and the treaty is signed," she said softly. "You can forgive him now."

"It doesn't matter that the treaty is signed now; when he sent you away he did so wanting to get rid of you," Arthur said bluntly, and he spun around to look at her. He felt warmth run through his heart at the sight of her sat up in bed, calm and serene. "I still can't... forgive him for that."

She bit her bottom lip. "The last thing you want to do is be on bad terms with your father when you have to go off and fight in Lot's war."

A dart of pain shot through Arthur's chest. He didn't want to think about the war. It wasn't guilt over leaving things badly with his father that worried him; it was being separated from Gwen. He didn't know how he was meant to survive without her sensible advice, her understanding ear and her sweet body to keep him company. It almost felt like he'd be losing her again. He didn't want to think about it.

"You're right," he sighed in admittance. "I just... I just can't explain to you how much it hurt that he did that. I was locked up in those dungeons and... I didn't even get to say goodbye."

Gwen moved forward, wrapped the bed sheet around her and placed her hands on his chest. "I know but I'm here now. It hurt me too, not saying goodbye."

"I wanted to make him hurt as much as he hurt me," Arthur went on. "But not speaking to him... it just didn't cover how much I was hurting. There was nothing short of stabbing him through the heart that could match how he hurt both of us. Even then it would be half the pain."

She stroked his arm. "Let's not think about it anymore. I'm not saying you have to forgive him straight away, but don't block him out forever. If you do that he'll never accept us."

Arthur didn't want that. He was more concerned for Gwen's sake then for his father's. He could live without his father's constant wrangling but he didn't want to make things harder for Guinevere. He wanted her to live as peacefully and happily as possible as his wife. He didn't want his father to resent her for the fact that Arthur couldn't forgive him. And he would – that was the way Uther's mind worked.

"Things will get better," Gwen added softly. "I know it will."

Arthur leaned forward to kiss her again. He then moved away to put his shirt on, and changed the subject slightly.

"Did you hear that father and Anna plan for us all to return to Camelot to finalise their treaty?" he asked her and he moved over to get it.

"I heard it," she said quietly. "I'll be strange to go home again."

"Everyone has missed you."

"It won't be the same," she chuckled nervously. "When I left I was just the servant girl Gwen. Now I'm going back and I'm the wife of the crowned prince. It'll be strange."

"You'll get used to it," he smiled back. "Just think about all those people that called you names falling over each other to pay you tribute... and you can tell them where to stuff it."

Gwen laughed. "I hadn't thought about it like that."

"That's because you're too nice. They'll all be kicking themselves once news reaches Camelot of our marriage and father's acceptance of it. I like Sir Ector and Lady Ector will die!"

"Has Kay finally asked Gladys to marry him?" Gwen suddenly asked curiously.

"Yes," Arthur replied. "He asked her just after you left. I think he was worried any longer might lead to disapproval from his stick-arsed father and mother. Gladys is a bit older than him after all."

"I'm glad he's happy," Gwen said with a smile. "I have always liked Lady Bedivere-soon-to-be-Kay."

"You could have her as one of your ladies-in-waiting," Arthur suggested, jumping down onto the bed to get his boots on. "You can have up to three of the lower ranking noblewomen to be at your constant back and call. When you're queen you can have another three and maids of honour."

"How exciting," Gwen said jokily. "I think it would be nice to have Gladys. I don't expect her to like me back but—"

"She likes you," Arthur assured her.

"As a servant..."

"As a person, I promise you" he told her, and turned around to face her. "More people like you then you think. The whole of Camelot fell behind you when Elaine turned up, not that Elaine was all that bothered. Sir Leon's wife couldn't stop talking about you, either."

Gwen laughed. "I have always liked Lenora!"

He laughed too and then looked down at her still unclothed body. "You aren't dressed yet. Do you need any help?"

"Oh ho!" she remarked in amusement.

The suggestion was clearly meant to be teasing and flirty but Gwen found the concept of him dressing her funny, given she had spent her whole life dressing other people. She would like to have seen him tackle some of the fastening on the dresses she now wore. Even she had some difficulty with them and had to ask Ysgyrdav to help her. She would miss Ysgyrdav and Ysgudydd when she went home.

She lay back in the bed and sighed happily.

"You were the one that said we should get up," Arthur said.

He hypnotised at being able to see her through the white bed sheet. He thought he might get used to seeing her naked, but he didn't.

"You were the one who wanted to stay in bed," Gwen replied huskily. "I've never seen you dress yourself before."

She reached out to stroke his arm again.

That was a good point – she hadn't seen him dress before. She always felt too early in the morning to see him put his clothes on. It was a unique sight that now she was bound to see every morning for the rest of her life now.

Arthur kept staring at her. "Aren't you getting up then?"

"In a minute," she said with a coy smile.

It was strange but although Gwen was still a little awkward with sounding overtly sexual there was something unbelievably seductive about her coyness. The muscles in Arthur's stomach just twitched at the thought of it. He could feel himself starting to get worked up again. It was really counterproductive to having just dressed himself. Suddenly he felt more at a disadvantage than she did, and she wasn't wearing anything.

Gwen continued to rub circles into the skin of his hand. Arthur twitched again. "I thought you said you didn't want to tire me out," he croaked.

She shrugged her shoulders slightly. "You were the one that wanted to 'show me' again. Do you feel tired out?"

He swallowed thickly. "No."

"Well then," she said, and moved her hand away. "You've shown me that you can dress without help. Now, let's see how quickly you can undress without help."

It was another half an hour Arthur emerged from Gwen's chambers. He was lucky enough to bump into Ysgyrdav on the way out. She was a little surprised and flustered to see Arthur. She was an old woman but even she could appreciate the young prince's good looks – she finally understood why Gwen had longed and wept for him. He asked her if she was busy, to which she said no.

"Good," he said, pointing into the bedroom. "Gwen is having trouble with doing up the fastenings on her dress."