AN: Again, sorry for the long ass wait. This chapter keeps things moving. We meet a new somewhat important character, Simon, we'll see some old characters like Gwaine and Ofgwaine in the next chapter incase you're missing them. Anyway, hope you enjoy it. Let me know if you do! Thanks for reading.

Chapter 17: Growing Up

"Did you hear?" Caroline has a smile on her face. She's getting dressed as Arthur lays sleepy on the bed, barely awake, rubbing his eyes.

"Hear what?" It'd been about a fortnight since the picnic, Arthur still hadn't gotten the chance to speak to Guinevere or really come to terms with the fact that he was fathering her baby. The fertility problem was still very much a problem and Caroline was still content with keeping the reason behind it a secret.

"About Guinevere..." Caroline ties her hair up, leaving a few stray strands at the front, framing her face. She smiles at her reflection as she begins to rub her stomach.

Arthur tries not to show any emotion at the mention of Guinevere's name.

"Hear what about Guinevere?" He sits up, more awake now.

"She's gone and gotten herself pregnant." Caroline laughs. It hadn't yet occurred to her that Arthur could be the father.

Arthur feigns surprise.

"Oh, wow." He forces a smile.

"I know, it's quite hilarious. I don't know how she intends to take care of it."

Arthur forces a fake laugh.

"You want to know what makes it even more hilarious."

"What?"

"Apparently, Lancelot, you know The Guardian we hired," Caroline pauses as she walks over to the wardrobe, picking out a shirt for her husband, "well apparently, he's the father."

Arthur doesn't know how to react to that. He's silent.

"It's all very dramatic." Caroline turns to face Arthur, throwing him a shirt. He nods absent mindedly, unable to make sense of his emotions. Caroline notices. "Arthur, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." He forces a smile again.

"Good, because you've got that meeting, with the King of Brobwyn. We need this meeting to go well, Arthur. He's offering to trade crops and food supply with us."

"Yes, but at the cost of our men. We barely have enough knights as it is and he wants us to give them away for some potatoes." Arthur frowns.

"Arthur, we're running out of resources and frankly there's no point of having knights if all our people are dead from starvation." Caroline gives Arthur a soft smile.

"I know, I just can't help but feel like Camelot is a laughing stock, like I'm a laughing stock. I don't know how my father coped, and knowing King Roger, with his idiot of a son, this meeting will be a nightmare." Arthur forces a smile back.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"Have you forgotten how much of an idiot Simon was?"

"I like to pretend I've forgotten."

The pair laugh. With Caroline, it's a genuine laugh... with Arthur, he couldn't help but still think about Guinevere and all the problems he was facing at the back of his mind.

"When were you two planning on telling me that you thought it would be a good idea for Lancelot to pretend he fathered your baby and not the king?" Merlin stares at his two friends.

"No time like the present?" Lancelot smiles. Merlin doesn't.

"I don't even have time to be angry, King Roger of Brobwyn is visiting and I have to make sure that the castle is spotless."

"Don't they have cleaners for that? I thought you were the King's personal servant not a common cleaner?" Guinevere frowns.

"Yeah, well, Queen Caroline really has it in for me these days."

"Are you going to be at the jousting event?" Lancelot asks.

"I have to." Merlin nods. "Part of my job description, attend stupid events that take our minds off the big fertility problems... all part of the job." He rolls his eyes. "I'll see you later," he runs off, leaving Guinevere and Lancelot alone. The stare at each other awkwardly. He places an affectionate hand on her shoulder, she half smiles.

"You're okay with this, right?" Lancelot asks, his brown eyes penetrating hers.

"Yes," Guinevere wasn't sure if she really was okay with it, but she knew she really had no choice. The real father of her baby was the king of Camelot, he was married and about to father his own child with his wife, it would never work out. As much as she wanted it to work out, she'd be stupid to hang on to the fairytale of her Arthur being together one day. It wasn't going to happen. She'd convinced herself of this and it made it easier for her to go along with Lancelot's idea.

"You're sure?" Lancelot asks again.

Guinevere nods. She smiles fully this time.

"Arthur!" Simon, King Roger's son, beams as he notices Arthur. Arthur forces a fake smile.

"Simon!" The pair embrace.

"Wow, last time I saw you was at your betrothal. Now you're King of Camelot and about to be a father." Simon is still smiling. Arthur is still forcing his.

"Yes. Look, I'd love to chat and catch up with you Roger but busy busy, have to organise the meeting with your father and the jousting event. I trust you'll be participating?" Arthur fakes interest.

"I was supposed to but my arm injury has reduced me to a mere spectator."

Arthur nods at Simon's response.

"Well, I must be going-", he tries to leave.

"-wait, I'll help you. What are you doing?" Simon follows after Arthur.

"Really, Simon I don't need your help. I'm sure my wife, Caroline, would love to catch up with you. She's probably in the meeting room, she'd be very pleased to see you."

Simon takes the hint.

He makes his way down to the meeting room, finding Caroline who is arranging some flowers, he smiles to himself.

"Caroline." He makes his presence noticed.

"Simon." Caroline politely responds. "I hope you're enjoying your stay in Camelot," she continues making her way closer to him.

"I am, I tried to have a catch up with Arthur but he seemed really busy, I guess it's all getting a bit much for him." Simon replies, a slight smirk on his face.

"It's not easy being king, you'll learn one day."

Simon nods.

"Congratulations on your baby by the way, it's somewhat miraculous I couldn't believe it when I was informed. The whole of Brobwyn was in shock, nonetheless we're very happy for you." He takes a seat as he begins playing with the flowers. Caroline tries to hide her irritation. She didn't like anyone touching her flowers.

"Thanks, we could hardly believe it ourselves." She begins rubbing her stomach.

"Miraculous might not even be the word to describe this. I mean, you were thought to be barren for years, you even hired a surrogate and now, almost by magic, you're pregnant. Come on, what's your secret?" Simon persists. Caroline doesn't know how to respond.

"I guess someone was looking down on us favourably." She manages to let out.

"Caroline, please stop patronising me." Simon's voice grows cold.

"I'm not patronising you, Simon and frankly I'm sure your father taught you better than to speak to a Queen, much less one with child, in such a disrespectful manner."

Simon laughs. Caroline doesn't.

"Everyone is suspicious of you. Do your people really believe your stupid little miracle story? Arthur must have a way with words like his father." Simon pauses, "so who's idea was it, yours or Arthur's?"

"Sorry?" Caroline still plays innocent.

"Who's idea was it to use magic to bear a child?"

Caroline is quiet. Her body frozen. What was she supposed to say?

"Magic is outlawed, Simon. You and I both know that."

"Magic is outlawed in Camelot, you could have easily travelled elsewhere, so who's idea was it? It was Arthur's wasn't it? He was acting so shifty just now, like a man with a secret. Did he convince you then? Made you see that it was for the greater good?"

"Why are you doing this, Simon? I thought we were friends."

Simon laughs even louder this time.

"You and Arthur always hated me, believe me the feeling was mutual. Being prince leaves me with a lot of free time, especially when our Kingdom is always in a good position, crops are always high, fertility high, no one dares launches an attack on us. It's very boring, I get a lot of time to consider things and whilst I really want to believe that your little baby there was a miraculous gift from the gods or the old religion looking down on you favourably, I'm really not that stupid." Simon stands, he moves closer and closer towards the queen until he is just inches away from her.

"You and Arthur always underestimated me. That was stupid of you." His warm breath lands on Caroline's face. She doesn't flinch.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You have every idea what I'm talking about. You know and that's why you're scared, you're shaking, look at you, you can barely breathe, you're scared your dirty little hypocritical secret will come out and your people will absolutely detest you. They'll hate you and they'll hate that baby too. Lying barren queen, it'll be hard to support that. Once the people hate you, Camelot is finished. You know that. That's why you did this. Look, I get it..."

"I didn't do anything."

Simon rolls his eyes.

"Why are you doing this? What do you have to gain from all this?" Caroline asks, still shaking.

"Nothing, really. I'm bored..."

"You're playing mind games with me because you're bored?" Caroline takes a step back, she could barely recognise the Simon in front of her. He was always annoying, an irritant, but this was evil. Simon was never evil.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Simon asks.

"You've changed." Caroline's voice is a soft whisper.

"And you haven't? You're empty, Caroline. We all are. It's called growing up."

"You two are early!" Merlin's voice interrupts the moment. The tension breaks and the pair of them force a smile.

"So are you, why are you here, Merlin?" Caroline asks bluntly.

"Arthur told me to give the room a quick clean." He turns to Simon, "he really wants to make a good impression on your dad. I guess because it's been so long since we all saw each-other last." Merlin smiles, Simon smiles back.

"I can't believe you're still scrubbing floors, Merlin. I always assumed once Arthur became king, you'd get some kind of promotion."

"Things change, Simon." Merlin's voice is cold.

"I can see that." Simon's eyes dart towards Caroline's, she avoids his gaze. "Well, I'm going to change into more appropriate clothing for the meeting. I'll see you all then." He walks out.

"There's something different about him." Merlin mutters to himself. Caroline ignores his remark.

"Have you said anything to him?"

"Sorry?"

"Merlin, have you spoken to Simon?"

"No, this is the first time I've seen him since his arrival." Merlin notices Caroline's demeanour. "Why? What's happened?"

"He knows."

"Knows what?"

"He knows about us using magic to get this baby." Caroline eyes are filled with panic.

"What do you mean 'us'?" Merlin drops his broom. "You forced me to follow you and you're making me keep this a secret. This isn't my problem, this is yours."

"And I'm sure Arthur will forgive you for accompanying me and keeping this to yourself... stop being so naive, Merlin. You're involved in this whether you like it or not."

"How does Simon know?"

"I don't know, I don't know but he knows. We have to stop him, before he tells anyone before this gets out." Caroline's voice turns manic. Merlin doesn't know how to articulate his thoughts. How could Simon know?

"Unless he has concrete proof, it would just be speculation. Speculation is normal, right? We have to deal with speculation all the time, most of them are pretty change and regarded as mindless gossip. He has no proof, surely it's nothing to worry about." Merlin offers.

"I'm not going to wait for him to get concrete proof, Merlin."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I'm going to make sure he doesn't say anything he shouldn't." Caroline smiles to herself. Merlin stares at her, she wouldn't, would she?

"You're not seriously thinking about-" He pauses. "Caroline, you wouldn't..."

"I'm doing this for Camelot."

"You can't... he might not do anything with this information. You know how Simon is, he's a wind-up merchant." Merlin's eyes widen as he pleads.

"You might think this is a joke, Merlin but we're not little kids any more and frankly Simon has over-stayed his welcome."

"You're going to kill him." Merlin's voice is devoid of any emotion. "You're actually going to kill a man."

Caroline doesn't respond.

"Who are you? What has happened to you? Who did this to you?" Merlin felt like he was in mourning for his once friend.

"It's called growing up." Caroline's voice is cold, she walks out leaving Merlin alone.

"Lancelot?" Guinevere calls out as the front door to her house opens. She'd assumed it was Lancelot returning from getting a few herbs. "Lancelot, did you get them?" She calls out again.

"Guinevere." Arthur's voice. They stare at each other.

"What do you want?"

"Cosy, is he living with you now? Fathering your baby, sharing a house, he really works fast, that Lancelot." Arthur's voice is filled with subtle anger. Guinevere stands up, her hands firmly on her stomach.

"What do you want, Arthur?"

"How could you?" He looks down, containing his emotions. "Really? Pretending he's the father? I know I hurt you, Guinevere and I know you deserve better than me, than this, but that is my child. Mine!" Arthur screams. Guinevere is silent.

"You're trying to hurt me, is that it? Trying to make me feel half of the pain I made you feel? Is that what you're trying to do? Walking round with my baby and letting the world think that guardian penetrated and impregnated you? If you're trying to hurt me, Guinevere. It's working."

Guinevere laughs.

"For once, this isn't about you. This is about me. Oh, shock horror. I'm making decisions that aren't directly for you. Is that why you're hurt, Arthur? That I'm doing exactly what you to do to me? I mean you've actually impregnated another woman. This child is yours, whether or not I go round saying it's Lancelot, it's yours. What more do you want from me? You know I love you, you know that, you know I'm carrying your child and you know I want to be with you, what more do you want? I am tired, I am sick and tired of you, of wanting you, of us, of me and you, Arthur and Guinevere, I want more. Is that so much to ask? I want more than to exist for you. I am not your surrogate any more, I am no longer yours. You have no right to make this about you!" Guinevere shakes with anger. Arthur's lost for words.

"So now you know, Arthur. Now you know why I'm calling Lancelot the father. Get out." She doesn't look at him. She can't.

"You know I'm supposed to be at a meeting right now. A meeting to get my kingdom some crops, my failing kingdom to go with my failing marriage to go with my failing existence as a man. Honestly, that meeting is the last place I want to be right now." Arthur's voice is casual. Guinevere is unsure how to take the sudden change in tone.

"I wish I wasn't King." Arthur runs his fingers through his hair. "I would gladly give this title away."

"Why don't you?"

"It's in my blood. It's my destiny. You can't run away from destiny, Guinevere."

"Try."

"Believe me, I've tried. I've tried to run away from duties as king. I've tried to stop loving you, but you can't run away from it. You know that as well as I do."

"I'm trying, Arthur. That's difference between me and you. You're not trying. You never try." Guinevere is still avoiding his gaze.

"I don't want to try. I'm going to go that meeting and I'm going to do my part. I'm going to be king because it's not only my duty, it's my destiny. I am destined to be king of Camelot. I am also destined to love you, we're destined to be together, Guinevere and I have no idea how it's going to happen or if it'll happen but that's our destiny. That's my destiny. I can't change it. I can't stop being drawn to you. I can't stop wanting you. I can't stop it, when I try, I hurt you. I am sick of hurting you-"

"If you're sick of hurting me, you'd leave me alone." Guinevere's eyes finally meet with his.

"It's not that easy, Guinevere."

"Make it that easy. You want to see me? Don't. You're thinking about me? Stop. It's what I do and it's working. We can't be together. Not like this, not whilst you're king. It can't be your destiny to be king and be with me-"

"-Yes it can." Arthur interrupts. "It can. It is."

"No it isn't." Guinevere wasn't going to be sucked in. "You only have one destiny, you can't have two, and you've made it clear to me time and time again that being king of Camelot is your destiny. I am an obstacle to that destiny, you have to let me go."

"Let's say you're right and being king is my one and only destiny, what's yours, Guinevere?" Arthur asks. Guinevere is taken aback.

"What?"

"What's your destiny? Come on, we all have one. What's yours?"

"I-I don't..."

"You don't know?" Arthur moves closer to her. His eyes firmly on hers.

"I don't care to know."

"Your destiny lies with mine." He takes her hand in his, caressing her fingers softly, before pressing a soft kiss on her cheek. "I promise you, Guinevere. I promise you, I'll fix this." He sighs heavily. "I don't know how, but I will. I need to deal with the Kingdom first, you have to understand that... but I'll be with you. I promise you. I can't be without you. And you can't be without me. We're destined, Guinevere. Let's stop running away."

"You've promised me so many times." Guinevere buries her head in his shoulder, holding back her tears.

"I know," he rubs her hair, "I know I have, but I mean it this time. I'll end it with Caroline, I will and I'll be with you, I promise you, you have to believe me. I'll fix the kingdom, and we'll be together."

"What about the other baby, the heir?"

"You don't worry about that, okay? Just leave it with me. Don't worry."

AN: So, what do you guys think? Do you believe Arthur for the umpteenth time? Will he really fix it? Is Gwen right to trust Arthur? Is Caroline gonna kill Simon? What are Simon's motives? Does Arthur know more than he's letting on? Let me know below! (Sorry if this chapter seemed very melodramatic, I'm trying to keep things moving, I think you're all bored of the slow burn anyway)