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    Arthur sits by the tent, sipping his water, when Merlin approaches him.
    “Penny for your thoughts?” Merlin asks, slapping Arthur’s shoulder and circling his friend around to stand facing him.
    Arthur looks up at Merlin and seems surprised. “Huh?”
    “You seem deep in thought …”
    “I am? I didn’t realize that,” Arthur says, drinking again.
    “You can lie to anyone Arthur, but not me. I know Ты too well … what’s on your mind?” Merlin doesn’t want to give up.
    “Really, Merlin, I am not in any thoughts at all … sometimes I think your imagination gets away from you.” Arthur gets up to his feet and picks up his sword. But Merlin grabs his arm, stopping him.
    “Merlin …”
    “It’s Gwen, isn’t it?”
    “What about her?” Arthur asks.
    “You are thinking about her, I know.”
    “Merlin …”
    “Stop arguing with me, Arthur,” Merlin declares and crosses his arms. “You are always deep in thought recently; don’t think I haven’t noticed. Ever since Ты and Gwen started meeting with the villagers, Ты are changed man,” Merlin says. “Not that it is a bad thing или anything, but I think something is bothering you.”
    Arthur sighs. Merlin is right. Ever since he reconciled with Guinevere and started meeting with the villagers, changing his attitude towards them and even volunteering to do charity for them, he is a different man. He doesn’t like doing charity one bit; he has to be honest in that, but he loves Guinevere and he doesn’t want to disappoint her. He understands she is doing everything for him and his image, so how can he tell her that he isn’t enjoying what she does for him. It would be ungrateful and childish. But he doesn’t like meeting the villagers. And it’s bothering him. Which explains why he is always deep in thought.
    “Arthur?”
    “I don’t know, Merlin …” Arthur says and plants his sword back into the ground. He walks back to the tent and stands there, crossing his arms, looking distraught. “I just … feel different ever since I started obliging Guinevere’s requests.”
    “Different?” Merlin asks, “Meaning?”
    “I don’t like meeting the villagers, Merlin. I hate doing what I am doing right now.” Arthur admits, turning around.
    “But …”
    “I know, I know, but … I have to be honest with you, Merlin, because Ты are my friend and I can confide in you. I am doing it for Guinevere, but I am not enjoying it one bit. That’s why I am always in my own world. I don’t want to disappoint her, but how can I go on when I don’t enjoy it at all?”
    “Why don’t Ты tell that to Guinevere?” Merlin advises.
    “I can’t. She will be disappointed.”
    “She will understand, Arthur.”
    “She is doing all this for me, Merlin. She wants me to be a good king and has taken this task up as her duty to ensure that I am well liked by everyone, but …”
    “You don’t like them, and that’s why Ты are distraught?”
    “Yes …” Arthur says and sighs heavily.
    Merlin understands why Arthur feels uneasy. Arthur never liked the villagers and he isn’t the type who does charity. So asking him to change his ways can be very … distressing. “But Ты know why Ты have to do this, don’t Ты Arthur?”
    Arthur nods.
    “Then why don’t Ты try to accept this and … actually change your ways?” Merlin asks.
    “That’s why I haven’t told this to anyone, including you. Because I actually am trying.”
    “And it’s hard for you?” Merlin finishes for his friend.
    Arthur nods slowly.
    Merlin nears Arthur. “Arthur, look … I understand why this can be hard for you. And I also understand why Gwen is doing this,” he says.
    Arthur keeps looking down.
    “You Любовь Gwen, don’t you?” Merlin adds.
    “Yes.”
    “Then try to think Ты are doing this for her. Do it for her, because Ты Любовь her.”
    “I am … that’s why I am still accompanying her to the village.”
    “Yes, but I am talking about your heart, interest. I know Ты are doing this for Gwen but she is expecting Ты to be involved. Don’t just placate her. Ты are the future king, Arthur, and Ты will need all the support Ты can get from everyone, not just here but from the villages as well. And that is why it is important Ты put your сердце and soul into this matter.”
    “I don’t like them, Merlin, Ты know that don’t you?” Arthur says, kicking the dirt around his feet. “My perception of the villagers is … different.”
    “I know, and I think that is what Gwen trying to change in you.”
    “Meaning?”
    “She knows how Ты see them, and how they see you. She is trying to change both viewpoints. They don’t like Ты any еще than Ты like them. It’s a massive undertaking for her. So she’s working carefully … starting with you.”
    “I don’t understand why she must take this so seriously … I mean, why I would need their support … if I need to be the king, I only need my father to approve. I think that suffices.”
    “Yes, on the surface, but remember, Ты are the people’s king. Camelot needs you, it doesn’t just want Ты to be a king … it wants Ты to be their king. Ты need their support and trust because when Ты are down, these people are the ones who will step вперед and offer themselves to you. They will believe in Ты because Ты gave them your trust. But in order to gain theirs, Ты will need to earn it, and it doesn’t come without some hard work. That is what Gwen is trying to teach you.” Merlin explains.
    “And it’s going to be a long journey …”
    “Who сказал(-а) becoming a king is an easy job? Especially with the amount of damage you’ve accumulated over the years,” Merlin laughs.
    Arthur smiles.
    “Listen, Arthur. I know Ты are concerned about disappointing Gwen. Ты won’t, trust me, because however big an idiot Ты are, Ты still have a good heart. And Ты care for your wife, which is the key to all this mess around you. Gwen understands and that is why she is taking this upon herself. Give yourself time and Космос and Ты will learn to adapt to these changes.”
    “I hope Ты are right. I don’t want to disappoint Guinevere, that’s all. And I fear I will not be a good king.”
    “You will be a good king Arthur.”
    “How can Ты tell?”
    “Because Ты have a good Queen beside Ты … that’s why.” Merlin smiles.
    Arthur smiles. “Yes, that I do.” He pulls up the sword and sighs. “Well, thank Ты for making me better, Merlin. I know I can count on Ты to help me out.”
    “That’s what Друзья are for, Arthur … all Ты need to do is ask,” Merlin finishes.
    “Come, let’s do some fighting …”
    “With you?” Merlin looks uneasy.
    “Yes, who else do Ты expect, my father?”
    “Urmmm … I am not really good in …”
    “Let’s learn together … I shall teach you,” Arthur says, grabbing Merlin’s arm and dragging him along with him.
    “Arthur ….”
    “Come on, I don’t bite and I promise Ты I will be gentle.” Arthur promises.
    “And that’s what I am afraid of,” Merlin says but it falls on deaf ears because Arthur is already pulling him to the ground, ignoring Merlin’s pleas.


    Gwen was sewing in her chamber when Katrina walks in. Gwen starts to get up but Katrina motions her to sit down.
    “No, please … sit down, Gwen,” Katrina says and sits down opposite Gwen. She looks at the платье, бальное платье Gwen is sewing with interest. Her brow arches.
    “What are Ты sewing, Gwen?”
    “It’s a платье, бальное платье … I made it myself. What do Ты think?” Gwen shows the Queen her gown.
    “It’s beautiful, but why are Ты sewing it yourself? Don’t we have a seamstress here who can do it for you?”
    “I enjoy sewing,” Gwen says simply. “Besides, this cloth is… personal to me.”
    “Personal? Will Ты elaborate?” Katrina is curious. She leans forward. “If Ты don’t mind, that is,” she quickly says.
    “Of course not. Arthur bought me this a week ago. And I Любовь the cloth so much that I didn’t want to risk a seamstress spoiling it, so I decided to make the dress myself,” Gwen replies, clutching the платье, бальное платье closely. “After all, I was a seamstress myself once, and I understand that needlework is an acceptable activity for a Lady.”
    This information hits Katrina like bolt of lighting to the head. ‘What is the explanation of this?’ she thinks to herself. ‘Arthur buying her cloth and she is sewing it herself? Are they both … in love? Is Gwen turning back on her words?’ Katrina’s mind goes berserk.
    “You should feel the cloth, it’s really smooth. I didn’t know Arthur had such excellent taste. Maybe Далее time I need some new gowns, I will ask him to pick them out for me,” Gwen continues, laughing.
    “Gwen?”
    “Yes?” Gwen looks up from her sewing.
    “This … is all … part of your … plan, isn’t it?” Katrina asks slowly.
    “Meaning?” Gwen pretends not to understand.
    “I mean … from what you’ve told me, it seems as if Ты …” Katrina clears her throat. “It seems as if Ты are in league with Arthur. That you… like him now. But this is just part of your plan, is it not?”
    ‘You really shouldn’t trust me Katrina’. Gwen thinks and straightens her shoulders. “Of course it’s part of the plan. How else can I get Arthur’s attention?”
    Katrina smiles. “You almost frightened me there, Gwen.”
    “I did, your highness?” Gwen asks without looking at Katrina.
    “Of course, Gwen … Ты know what Ты have to do, don’t you, Gwen?” Katrina reminds, her voice rising just a little bit. “I just hope Ты will not disappoint me.”
    “Of course not, your highness … I hold on to what I promised Ты before. But I have to keep Актёрское искусство like this if I am to gain Arthur’s trust. And I was thinking, why not continue with everyone, including you. It was a little test, and I think I succeeded.”
    “Ohh … so that was a test?” Katrina leans back against the chair and looks surprised.
    Gwen nods. “I need to be the perfect wife and princess to the prince, at least publicly,” she adds, choosing her words very carefully.
    “You had me fooled, Gwen, good … I believed you.” Katrina laughs. “I have to say, it was a good one.”
    ‘Of course’ Gwen thinks, smiling carefully back.
    “Well, Ты know what … I think Ты are right. Ты should carry on with everyone, just to gain everyone’s support. Make sure at the end of the day, Arthur is in your hands.”
    “He is already is, your highness. He will soon be ready to become king and the villagers are also beginning to trust him.”
    “That’s what we all wanted to hear … thank you, Gwen,” Katrina says.
    “You’re most welcome, your highness,” Gwen replies. “You’re most welcome.”


A couple of days later …
    “Slow down, Arthur …” Merlin shouts from behind as he struggles to keep up with Arthur in front of him.
    “You are such a girl, Merlin … come on, the deer won’t wait for you.”
    “This wasn’t even my idea in the first place … and I told Ты I’m a grumpy person in forest. Ты should have expected this.”
    “Yes, I know that … and that’s why I brought Ты along. To keep me entertained,” Arthur says and laughs.
    Merlin snaps a branch and heaves it at Arthur.
    “Al right, all right. I need Ты here because Ты are a physician’s apprentice and I could use your expertise in medications and herbs,” Arthur says honestly.
    “Ahh … see I told Ты I would be useful to you,” Merlin replies.
    “For a change.”
    “Arthur!!!”
    “Hahaha!!” Arthur laughs and walks ahead of Merlin. Suddenly he stops. “Shhh!!”
    “What is it?”
    “Shhh …” Arthur says again, and looks ahead of him. He sets his feet carefully, not wanting to make any noise and shifts his body. He bends low, eyes straight ahead. His hand is ready by his side, on the hilt of his sword.
    Merlin comes to stand beside Arthur and looks to where his friend’s attention is focused. “What is it?” he whispers.
    “I think I saw something,” Arthur whispers back.
    “What?”
    “Shhh, Merlin!” Arthur elbows Merlin angrily. “Quiet.”
    “Sorry …” Merlin apologises. “What do Ты think?”
    “That’s what I’m trying to find out, and I will if Ты don’t keep asking me questions.” Arthur glares at Merlin and turns his attention back to where he was looking.
    Merlin nods in agreement and follows Arthur’s gaze. Suddenly he feels something run behind him. He whirls in fright. There is nothing behind him. But the leaves on his left are shuffling as if something disturbed them. He swallows. Slowly he reaches up and pokes Arthur’s shoulder.
    “What?”
    “I think something just ran behind me,” Merlin says, still searching.
    “What? A rabbit?”
    “No. Something big,” Merlin replies, ignoring Arthur’s sarcasm.
    “Don’t be ridiculous, Merlin…” but whatever Arthur planned to say Далее dies immediately as something rattles amongst the bushes on his right.
    Merlin’s eyes dart towards the bushes.
    Arthur pulls out the sword, ready to attack whatever или whoever is behind that bush.
    The куст, буш shuffles again. Merlin nears Arthur. “Arthur…”
    Before the prince can reply, two men jump out from bushes, one from the left and one еще from right, and attack them.
    Arthur pushes Merlin aside and parries both men. He kicks one and nudges the other. “Merlin, run!!”
    Merlin is petrified. He watches as Arthur fights both men alone. He scrambles to his feet and searches. He wants to help Arthur, but he didn’t bring his sword. Instead he finds a huge log and lifts it.
    Arthur kicks, parries and punches the men. But they don’t seem to be slowing down. Instead, they seem to be getting stronger as time ticks by.
    Arthur pushes one the men down and seizing the opportunity, Merlin whacks the man on his head as hard he can. The man shouts and Merlin steps back, clutching the log in his hand, tightly.
    “Merlin … RUN!!!”
    “I’m not leaving Ты behind,” Merlin answers.
    The man on the ground groans.
    Arthur slices the arm of the man he is in combat with and rushes to Merlin. Grabbing his friend by the shoulder, he jumps over the man on the ground and runs ahead, dragging poor Merlin along.
    “Who are they?” Merlin asks,
    “I don’t know … they look like bandits.”
    “Bandits? How … where…?”
    “Merlin, I have no idea who they are или where they are from, only that they are after us and I need to save Ты and myself so … stop talking!!”
    Merlin shuts his mouth and runs alongside Arthur.
    Arthur slices the branches ahead of them with his sword and makes way for their escape. But as they turn left, one of the bandits attacks them from the front, knocking Arthur down.
    “Arthur …”
    “RUN!!” Arthur shouts.
    But as Merlin starts to run, another man appears at the back and captures Merlin, twisting his arm around and pinning it behind him.
    “Arghhhh!!!” Merlin shouts in pain.
    Arthur collects himself, picks his fallen sword and starts fighting the man who knocked him down. He parries the man’s shot, punches and kicks him but the bandit doesn’t seem to be losing. But Arthur is losing his strength. His parries slow down.
    “Arthur … watch it …” Merlin shout but the bandit punches Merlin in the stomach. “Oof!!” Merlin crumbles to the ground, clutching his stomach. The bandit kicks him.
    “Merlin!!” Arthur shouts and using his free hand, he punches the man in the face and rushes to Merlin. The bandit who kicked Merlin rushes towards Arthur. But Arthur ducks, spins and stabs the man in the back.
    The man groans, clutches his back and drops to his knees on the ground. Blood seeps out from the wound. Arthur pulls out his sword, rushes to Merlin, and helps his friend up.
    “Are Ты all right, Merlin?” Arthur asks.
    Merlin opens his mouth to Ответы but his eyes widen. He looks at Arthur and before he can warn his friend, the bandit whom Arthur punched on the face stabs Arthur in the side, near his hip.
    “Arghhhh!!!” Arthur groans.
    “Arthur!!!” Merlin catches Arthur and both men falls on the ground, with Arthur groaning in pain. “Arthur … Arthur …” Merlin calls.
    The bandit picks up Arthur’s fallen sword and Merlin’s bag and rushes to his friend. The other bandit is dead so he leaves him behind and disappears into the bushes.
    “Argghhh … Merlin,” Arthur groans in pain, clutching his wound by the side of his stomach.
    “No, Arthur … please hold on. Please …” Merlin comforts and using his scarf, ties the wound tightly. He then lays Arthur on the ground and looks around. He has no idea where they are. Arthur is the one well-versed in this forest. Merlin never liked или fancied hunting. Now they are Остаться в живых because Arthur is wounded and Merlin doesn’t know which direction to go.
    “Go straight, Merlin …” Arthur tells Merlin, pointing.
    Merlin kneels beside Arthur.
    “Go straight and Ты will see … a tree, with red Цветы … Arghhh!!” Arthur groans again. “The Лошади are there …”
    “I won’t be long, Arthur. Please hold on till I return,” Merlin says and leaves in a hurry.


    “I’m glad Ты could Присоединиться me for lunch, Gwen,” Uther says with a huge smile as he and his daughter-in-law enjoy their lunch together. Katrina has left with Agravaine on her usual visit to Dolma but of course she didn’t mention that to her husband. She just mentioned she was going to meet an old friend who is suffering from a mystery illness. And Uther, as usual, didn’t suspect anything at all.
    “I am happy Ты invited me to Присоединиться you, Father,” Gwen replies, slicing her chicken. “We haven’t had lunch together for a long time.”
    “With Arthur around, Ты hardly have any time for me,” Uther laughs.
    Gwen blushes and pops her помидор into her mouth.
    “Actually, dear, I have to thank Ты for making my wish come true. Ты are changing Arthur and день by day, he seems to be taking his responsibilities to heart.”
    “He needed a little push and I am happy to give him that,” Gwen replies. “After all, he does have a good heart. He just didn’t know how to Показать it.”
    “And he has a good wife in you, Gwen.” Uther reaches out and clasps Gwen’s hand in his. “I am happy he found you. I am happy I decided to amend the rules to allow Arthur marry you. I wouldn’t have been able to find a better wife than Ты for him … thank you.”
    “No, thank Ты for accepting me,” Gwen says shyly. “I am sure nearly every girl born in Camelot dreams of becoming a princess one день … I am thankful for being granted the opportunity.”
    Uther wanted to Комментарий but knocking on the door stops him abruptly. “Come in,” he instructs.
    The door open and Gaius walks in looking tight and focused. He comes in and bows to Uther.
    “What is it, Gaius?”
    Gaius looks at Gwen and then back at Uther. “Sire, the prince and Merlin are back from their hunting trip.”
    “Oh good!” Uther says. “Then Ты must ask him to Присоединиться us.”
    “Sire, he prince has been stabbed by an unknown bandit in the forest. Merlin is wounded as well. Arthur is resting in my chamber and I came to here to inform you.”
    “What???” Gwen is up on her feet, shaking with shock. “What happened, Gaius?” she asks, her hands flying to her cheeks.
    “I don’t know exactly, because Merlin is hurt, too. All I could gather was that two bandits attacked them. Arthur managed to kill one, but unfortunately he was stabbed as well.”
    “Is it serious? How deep is it?” Uther asks, getting up to his feet as well.
    “Hmm …” Gaius looks at Gwen quickly. “I think it is …”
    Gwen gasps and Uther circles the таблица and near his daughter-in-law, placing his comforting arm around her. “He will be all right, Gwen, he will be,” he assures her. But deep in his heart, he is afraid. But he will not Показать that in the presence of Gwen. She needs his support right now and that’s what he will do. Support.
    “I want to see him,” Gwen says, her eyes welling with tears.
    “Yes, take us to him, Gaius.” Uther instructs.