Lost in Albion 3 (Merlin) - Completed

Chapter 28: Confessions and Maps

Chapter 28

"What has you in such a good mood this morning?" I ask Gwen. The smile hasn't left her face since I ran into her as we both headed to the laundry rooms. I want whatever she is having.

"Lancelot," she says, smiling even wider but shyly, ducking her head down. Her curls frame her face elegantly. "I got a letter from him yesterday."

A knowing smirk parades on my own face, wide and toothy. "A love letter?"

Gwen laughs, blushing but doesn't deny it. "I suppose you could call it that. He wants to visit me, but he thinks coming back to Camelot isn't a good idea."

"Why don't you visit him then?" I suggest, shifting the weight of my basket to look at her as we walk. Gwen purses her lips, shaking her head.

"No, I can't leave Morgana. I have duties here."

Not having an argument to that (well, one that she would want to hear) I leave it, though it saddens me to see her so smitten with a man that she cannot even see. My heart begins to break after not seeing Arthur for a few hours. It's been over two years for her, yet her heart still longs for him.

As we round a corner into an open corridor, another man, the same brown skin tone as Gwen stops in his path, staring at Gwen.

"Gwen?" he gasps. My head turns to Gwen who is holding the same shock on her face.

"Elyan?"

The laundry basket drops from her hands and the two run to each other, locking in the other's embrace tightly. I feel a little awkward standing there, watching them both and having no idea what is going on.

To give myself something to do in their reunion – whatever type it is, I bend down, picking up the clothes that have fallen from her basket.

"Where have you been?" Gwen questions. "Why are you here?"

The man doesn't answer for a moment, just breathing heavily. "I...I thought about writing a letter to you, but I didn't think it was right. I'm sorry for not coming after father's death." Ah, so he is Gwen's brother. I never knew she had one. "I wasn't sure what to say."

"No matter, you're here now," Gwen says. I can hear the emotion she hides behind her voice and I have no choice but to stand back up now that Gwen's basket is neat once more. Gwen notices my presence. "Oh, Elena. This is my brother Elyan. Elyan, this is Elena, a seamstress and one of my friends."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," the man says, sending a sincere smile to me. I give one back, nodding my head in greeting.

"You as well." Finally, I feel as though it isn't awkward for me to slip away so I smile once more at the each of them. "I'll let you two catch up then."

The rest of the day is uneventful, and I can feel Merlin's presence running all over the place. Arthur must be making him train for a marathon. I also promise Leon and Castor to have dinner with them this evening, an almost forgotten tradition. While our nights together are still...joyful, there's a lost innocence in them. Even Leon who is oblivious to the evils currently lurking only a few corridors away can sense the unrest. But we push on, drowning out those thoughts in laughter and good food.

As the night comes, I haven't seen Arthur or Merlin all day. I should be meeting in Castor's room shortly but a quick visit to the Prince and warlock before the days end. It's unusual for me not to see either of them at least once a day, especially considering we are all in the same space.

I let the bond guide me, my feet doing the work as my head envisions the food I'm desiring for dinner. I had expressed my love for chicken to Leon as we met today, hoping that he would catch the hint and source us some since he said he would organise it.