1

Today was her wedding day.

It was supposed to be anyway.

The woods surrounding her appeared as bleak as her mood. Many of the trees had lost their leaves. The sun had hidden itself from view with gray clouds, almost as if the bright light didn't want to witness this day.

This day that love died.

Gwen thought her heart had broken yesterday. She could still hear his words.

"I don't want to see you…you are banished from Camelot…"

She could still hear her pleas.

"I cannot be without you…Where will I go?…"

It didn't seem real to her.

It didn't seem real that she packed her meager belongings into a cart and left the only home she'd ever known at dawn's first light.

It didn't seem real that all of her friends turned their backs on her. Even her own brother.

She'd never forget the way Elyan looked at her. It was like he hated her.

The only one who came to see her was Merlin. His blue eyes were the only ones that looked at her with some empathy.

Once the lower town heard the news, they too, turned their backs on her. She had no one. It still didn't feel real.

But real it was.

She and Arthur were no longer.

She kissed another and betrayed him.

She was without a home.

Her choice cost her everything.

Lost in her thoughts, Gwen looked up and realized the gray day was changing into night.

Looking around, she realized she didn't know where she was.

It didn't matter.

She was banished.

Finding a tree, Gwen set her cart next to it. Her arms ached from carrying the thing. Sliding down the tree, Gwen put her head on her knees and closed her eyes. Arthur's wounded eyes flashed behind her lids vividly, the hurt in them searing her soul.

It would be a long time before she fell asleep.

The chirp of birds woke her from her fitful rest. Opening her eyes, Gwen took in her surroundings. She was east of Camelot, she realized, near Ealdor. This meant she was in Cenred's lands. Shaking her head, she knew she wanted to be as far away from Camelot's neighboring kingdom as soon as possible. She had no plan other than that.

Picking up her cart, Guinevere walked towards her future.

0000000000000000

King Arthur was a beast. He was curt, surly and impossible to please.

And I, Merlin thought to himself, I have the pleasure of dealing with him.

Merlin blamed himself for the events that transpired over the past week. If only he'd figured it out sooner…Gwen and Arthur would be married now.

He found the bracelet in the dungeon the day his friend left. Sensing the magic in it, Merlin figured the truth out quickly. Gwen was enchanted by the bracelet, which from what he could surmise, held powerful magic. This, he thought to himself as he held the jewelry in his hands, is what caused Gwen to act so out of character.

By instinct he knew Morgana and Agravaine were the source of all of this misery. Proving his instincts to the king, however, was another matter entirely. Arthur wore blinders when it came to his uncle.

Agravaine was the sister of his dead mother, Igraine. Uther and others remembering the late Queen told Arthur that he was like her in many ways, which was true. Arthur, however, wanted to believe that all of his mother's relatives were like Igraine, and this was simply not true.

His uncle and sister had plotted scheme after scheme to overtake Camelot. Merlin, with help had eliminated the threats against the king.

He just didn't see this one coming. And deep down, the warlock worried that this plan could succeed.

Arthur wasn't himself. And he wouldn't be for a long time.

Hopefully it wouldn't be too late. Until then, Merlin thought, Gwen must be protected.

He'd heard Arthur's explanation about not being able to trust her, but what possessed him to send her out, a woman without escort away from everything familiar? The roads were dangerous. The times he'd been attacked surrounded by Camelot's finest knights were too many to mention.

Gwen was alone. Anything could happen to her. And the king, the prat, was too blinded by his pain to see that. He knew Arthur would blame himself if tragedy befell her. Slipping away to his room, the young man spoke a few words. He felt the air shift. Satisfied, he knew the protection spell he placed on his friend was in place. It would keep her safe from harm until she returned.

Looking out the window, Merlin noticed the sun was set. Slipping out of the castle and heading towards an empty field, Merlin called the great dragon to meet him. Soon he felt the distinctive breeze that only happened when Kilgarrah flew in. Once landed, the dragon eyed his dragonlord. Before Merlin could open his mouth, Kilgarrah spoke.

"I told you many years ago, to let the witch die. You failed to heed my words. Morgana will continue to be a thorn in your side for many years to come."

Merlin was silent. He knew what was spoken was true. The dragon continued.

"The true queen is gone. When she returns-"

"She'll be back!" Merlin interrupted with joy. Kilgarrah frowned at being interrupted, and then continued to speak.

"Camelot will appear peaceful for a time, but forces continue to move against her. You must be vigilant, young warlock. You must be ready to fight. When the time comes, a warrior of great heart and strength will help save Camelot. Whether Guinevere stays afterwards will be her choice. Destiny has been altered, and I cannot see if it will be restored."

Merlin mulled over the words spoken. Gwen would become a warrior of great heart and strength? She was so kind and giving. He had a hard time picturing her any other way. Briefly he questioned the accuracy of the dragon's words, but deep down he knew he was right.

" I will do whatever it takes to help Arthur reach his destiny," Merlin said. Looking closely at the dragon's wing, he saw a tiny flash of white. Merlin grinned, his smile lighting up the night.

"Hello little Aithusa," Merlin said softly.

"Hello Emrys," the dragon soft voice spoke the words in his mind.

"How are you?"

"I am well. Be careful." Merlin nodded. Kilgarrah began to prepare to leave.

"Until we meet again, young warlock," The Great Dragon said. Aithusa tightened his hold on the dragon's large wing.

"Until then," Merlin replied. The two dragons flew into the night.

Merlin stood in the field for some time after they left. After collecting his thoughts, he headed back to Camelot as the sun's rays streaked the sky.

He had another task to take care of.

Merlin had to once again, protect his destiny.