bennie | So Near Yet So Far

His eyes were full of the same pain that she had seen in them the last time they had spoken… The same anguish. She desperately wished she could stride across that room and take his face in her hands and kiss away all that pain…

Title: So Near Yet So Far.

Author: cantseethesky

Characters/Pairings: Arthur/Gwen, Merlin/Morgana, Uther, Gaius, OC

Rating/Genre: PG; kisses

Spoilers/Warnings: Everything up to what we know happens in 2x05

Summary: Jealous-but-sad Gwen, Conflicted Arthur, Angry Morgana, Bewildered Gaius, Impatient Uther and Merlin is… well, Merlin.

Author's Note: My first try at fanfiction! Hooray!! Please I welcome constructive criticism:) BIG THANKS to thy3tuth_iswon and lovedbyahero for helping me out and generally being awesome!

So Near Yet So Far.

The preparations for the feast in honour of Lord Auburton of Anglesey were well underway in Camelot, and Gwen was torn between tending to Morgana and helping out in the kitchens. She was currently attempting to rush across a crowded courtyard with a basket of fruit in one hand and Morgana’s unmended skirt in the other without tripping over her new dress. Not an easy feat.

Not that she didn’t love the pretty lilac thing that Morgana had given her, but bless her, Morgana didn’t quite understand that being a servant meant that wearing long light-coloured skirts wasn’t particularly practical. Especially on a day like today.

“Excuse me, sorry … Oh! I am sorry, excuse me.” Gwen muttered for what felt like the thousandth time as she squeezed through the crowd of market-goers.

“Gwen!” Someone called through the crowd; Gwen glanced up to see Merlin stumbling his way towards her.

“Merlin!” Gwen smiled, “How are you?”

“Exhausted.” Merlin gasped breathlessly, wiping his face with his neckerchief. “Arthur’s got me working overtime for Lord Auburton and all the visiting nobles, I’m on my way to feed the horses now. I just came to say Morgana’s looking for you.”

“What for?” Gwen frowned, a little crease forming between her eyebrows. “I’ve already done the laundry…”

“I don’t know,” Merlin shrugged. “Look, Gwen I have to go. I’ll see you later.” Merlin smiled again before attempting to squeeze his way between two elderly men carrying a carpet.

Gwen smiled and shook her head, hitching her skirt up a little before continuing to push her way through the crowd.

“Excuse me, sorry … Oh! I am sorry, excuse me …”

* * * *

Gwen found Morgana in one of Camelot’s many corridors. She was walking arm in arm with a pretty blonde lady Gwen had never seen in her life. Morgana’s pale lips were stretched in a forced smile, she nodded slightly to her companion; as if following the topic of conversation, but Gwen could see that her green eyes were far away. Gwen approached tentatively.

“You wanted to see me, My Lady?” Gwen asked, curtsying.

“Gwen!” Morgana cut across the blonde’s chatter, and this time her smile was genuine. “This is the Lady Indeg, daughter of Lord Auburton of Anglesey.” The blonde acknowledged Gwen’s presence with a nod, “Her servant has been obliged to remain in Wales, so I’ve offered her your services.”

Gwen’s eyes widened in panic, she had enough work to be coping with already, she didn’t have time to be trailing after another noble! She hid her distress with another curtsey. “An honour, My Lady.”

“Look,” Morgana glanced over her shoulder anxiously, “I’ve got to go, Uther’s expecting me. I trust Gwen will be able to help you settle in.” she gave Gwen a swift apologetic look before scurrying away. Gwen was surprised, she had never seen Morgana so keen to get away from anyone in her life.

Lady Indeg smiled at Gwen, a look of sudden excitement in her eyes “Come along,” she said, striding along the corridor at an almost frantic pace. “We simply have so much to do before the feast! My father says I simply must look my best, though goodness knows why, I do have a suspicion it might be because of a certain someone! Why my father should think he would be interested in me I don’t know, although he did say the King did mention...” Gwen tuned out her senseless prattle, concentrating on keeping up with her new mistress without tripping over her long lilac skirt. How was she meant to get any of her work done if she had to follow Lady Indeg around all day?

“… Prince Arthur, don’t you think?” Gwen started at the mention of Arthur’s name, almost tripping over Lady Indeg’s train.

“I’m sorry My Lady,” she stuttered. “What was the question?”

Lady Indeg ground to a halt, giving Gwen a strange look. “I was asking your opinion of my father’s choice for my husband? I have never met the man, but they do say Prince Arthur is very handsome…”

Gwen froze in horror. She couldn’t mean…

“Well?” Lady Indeg was saying. “Do tell me, is he as handsome as they say?”

Gwen drew a steadying breath “Yes,” she forced herself to reply. “I suppose he is very handsome.”

“Come along,” the Lady Indeg motioned. “You must help me decide what dress to wear to the feast!”

But Gwen’s attention was elsewhere.

* * * *

Uther tapped his foot impatiently against the stone floor, the noise echoing around the room ominously. His frown tightened as the minutes passed. An impatient King was not a happy one.

At last the large wooden double doors at the end of the room burst open and in strode Prince Arthur, heir to the realm. Behind him, Merlin, his loyal manservant shuffled in, trying to remain as unnoticed as possible.

“You wanted to see me, Father?” Arthur asked, an expression of mild confusion on his face. Merlin subtly edged over to the corner of the room.

“Arthur.” Uther tapped his fingers against the table. “I need to speak to you. Sit down.”

Arthur nodded, tossing his red cloak to Merlin and sitting down at the opposite end of the long rectangular table. Sometimes Arthur thought the king arranged his main hall deliberately this way in order to intimidate his knights. Really, why didn’t he just have a round table?

“What did you want to speak about, Father?” he asked, outwardly curious but secretly wondering exactly how long this was going to take.

“I would like you to be on your best behaviour tonight, Arthur.” Uther spoke steadily. “Towards our guests of honour Lord Auburton and his daughter in particular.” Uther gave Arthur a pointed look. Arthur paused, not quite understanding his meaning.

“Of course.” Arthur said. “When am I not?” he paused, and began to rise from his chair. “Was that all, Father? I’m particularly eager to practice my fencing with Sir Cai…”

“Arthur.” Uther leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You don’t understand my meaning. To Lord Auburton and his daughter Lady Indeg…” he paused for emphasis, “… I expect you to be particularly warm.”

Merlin, who had been studiously staring at the floor, lifted his head in sudden alarm. Arthur looked confused for a moment… and then he understood.

“Oh.” He drew a steadying breath. “I see.”

(Click here for part 2)

So Near Yet So Far | Part 1

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