Forbidden Love (Rewritten) | Arthur Pendragon

34 • RAGNAROK

"How could he be serious?" Merlin exclaimed, throwing his hand in the air. "How could he court her? How can he do that to Winnie? My sister!"

Merlin just returned from chaperoning Arthur and Mithian who went picnicking. Uther had encouraged Arthur to court Mithian but Merlin did not think he would actually do it. He had to sit and watch them giggle at each other and no matter how much Merlin tried to embarrass the prince, Mithian seemed to find it somehow endearing which was only all the more frustrating!

"He's not in love, Merlin," Gwen reassured.

"I swear if he marries her, I'll quit! I don't care about destinies!"

"Merlin." Gwen cupped his face, making him stop pacing as his ears began turning red due to the proximity of their visages. "You must remain calm. Arthur is trying to ease the heartbreak. He'll regain his senses, he won't marry Mithian."

"How can you be certain? I don't want Winnie to be heartbroken."

"Neither do I." Gwen took his hands and gave them a squeeze. "I've seen the way they look at each other. The love that bonds Arthur and Eowyn is not something that can be broken so easily."

All Merlin did was nod. He could not do much but hope and trust that Arthur may not be that much of an idiot.

Merlin, though he would much rather stay in Gwen's company, had to leave to tend to his tasks. And so did Gwen who had been assigned to aid Princess Mithian for the duration of her stay.

As the prince's room was voided from its owner, Merlin made use of his magic to finish his task quickly. Gaius and Gwen would surely scold him if they knew, but why tire himself to do something that could be handled with a snap of the fingers?

When the chambers were all clean, Merlin left for the laundry room to retrieve Arthur's vest. He planned to go hunting with Mithian so he needed his gear and wanted to appear decent (Merlin had rolled his eyes when he heard that). It did not take Merlin's look to get the vest though when was about to leave, the Governess stopped him.

"Wait, you're forgetting that."

Merlin just had the time to turn when the Governess shoved a rolled tapestry in his arms. He had completely forgotten about it. It was gathering dust in a corner of the room so Arthur asked for it to be washed before hanging it. He had gotten a room emptied and cleaned just for it to be exposed. But then Eowyn had to leave before he could show her the gallery.

Merlin didn't know what to do with it but it still took it.

"Merlin," he heard.

As he was walking in the hallway, the warlock looked back only to see Arthur and Mithian.

"Make sure to take enough crossbows for the hunting party," Arthur said.

"Yes, my Lord–"

"And prepare the horses too."

"Yes," Merlin said. He was about to walk away but stopped and asked, "What do I do with this, my Lord?"

Arthur, who was about to leave with Mithian, froze when he finally noticed what his servant was holding. Eowyn's tapestry. With everything that happened, he had forgotten about it. About all the plans he had made just to put a smile on her face. Wasn't it funny? She made this tapestry for him yet he still wanted to please her by creating a gallery.

"My lord?" Merlin asked, seeing how shaken Arthur looked.

"Is everything all right?" Mithian asked.

"Uh, yes, yes...," he reassured, then turned to Merlin. "Put it in my room."