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wen picked up her dress as she quickly ran down the empty hall in the castle. She had just left Morgan sleeping comfortably in her room, she tried not to rush about her nightly duties. Gwen has seen Arthur earlier in the evening, they causally looked at each other but he was able to slip a note into her hand. She was able to read the note quickly before Morgana looked back to talk to her, it was hard not to have a grin across her face at Arthur's request to meet later that night. Hearing movement behind her she quickly ducked behind a corner as two guards passed slowly by her. Her heart was in hear throat, she didn't like the idea of being caught. It was right for her to be out and about, but not on this side of the castle. Finally she made it to Arthur's room, knocking twice quickly she waited only a few seconds before the door opened just a crack and an arm pulled her into the room.
“Guinevere,” Arthur smiled down at her at her body was pressed closed.
“My Lord,” She said recovering quickly and pulling away from him, avoiding his eyes. “You requested my presence?”
“We're alone Gwen,” He said kindly “Formalities aren't needed.”
“Since when?” Laughing quietly she walked away from him. “I need to get home Arthur, it's an early day tomorrow.”
“That's why I wanted to see you,” He smiled grabbing her hand lightly. “We won't be able to share a secret moment tomorrow.”
“We haven't shared one in a while My Lord,” Gwen said cautiously, this wasn't turning out how she had planned. “I really should leave.”
“I want you to spend the night,” Arthur said quickly, Gwen turned around to face him shock written across her face “No Gwen, I just want to talk. We haven't had a chance to talk lately.”
“Things have been busy since Morgana was kidnapped,” Gwen said slowly.
“Are you okay after that?”
“Shouldn't you be more concerned about Lady Morgana?”
“I should, but I'm not,” Arthur said sitting down on his bed. Gwen stayed where she was by Arthur's table. “I was worried that my father would put the blame on you for everything.”
“So was I,” Gwen sighed grabbing onto one of the posters of Arthur's bed, leaning against it she smiled lightly “I meant to thank you for sticking up for me about the fire.”
“Don't mention it,” He bowed to her as she laughed quietly. “I want to talk to you.”
“Arthur I already understand what you meant when you said we can't be,” Gwen said biting her lip “I can't help it if I sneak glances at you—or my smile at you lingers a bit more—or if--”
“Gwen,” Arthur said quickly grabbing her hand and pulling her into a seat next to her “I know, what I said and how we should react but I just can't seem to listen to my own advice.”
“My lord?”
“Guinevere,” He laughed quietly “There is something I wanted to tell you before you left.”
“Yes?” She leaned in close to him, their lips brushed slowly. His hands left hers to pull her close, to deepen the kiss like he wanted to all of those weeks ago.
A loud bang sounds outside of Arthur's room and they jump apart quickly. Gwen moves off of the bed and straightens her dress as Merlin quickly opens the door and slides in.
“I'm sorry if I—oh!” He started before he took in the scene before him. Gwen red in the face as Arthur looked like he was trying to move away from her. “Gwen, I didn't expect to see you in here.”
“Prince Arthur needed me to bring in something from Lady Morgana's room,” She said quickly moving past Merlin and toward the door. “Good-night Merlin, My Lord.” Bowing out quickly she pulled the door shit noiselessly.
“Merlin I told you I didn't want to see you tonight until you finished my armor for tomorrow,” Arthur sighed as he sat back down on his bed pulling off his boots.
“I did,” Merlin smirked “Bright as ever.”
“Wipe that smirk off your face Merlin,” Arthur laughed pulling his shirt over his head “I don't need you tonight Merlin you can go to bed.”
“Yes Sir,” Merlin bowed out quickly still smiling.
Quickly Arthur walked to the window, through the moon light he could just make out Guinevere running down the castle steps. Sighing he rested his hand on the cold glass. He watched Gwen stop as she reached the middle of the courtyard and look up at his window before quickly walking. “Just wanted to say, Guinevere, that you never leave my thoughts. And I hope you return to me safely.” Arthur said quietly to the window.