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    Uther paces the floor of his study impatiently. With his hands clasped behind his back, head lowered to the floor, eyes fixed on the ground, he looks like a man clearly disturbed. He is still weary of the day’s events but he no longer feels tired. He is disturbed Von what he saw and until he gets proper clarification, he won’t be able to rest his mind. Someone raps on the door of his study.
    “Come in,” he says without looking up. A bead of sweat trickles down his neck.
    The door opens and Geoffrey peeks in. “Merlin is here to see you, sir.”
    “Let him in,” Uther Antworten nonchalantly and walks back to his table, pulling out the chair and sitting down.
    Geoffrey nods and steps back to allow Merlin in before leaving, closing the door behind him. Merlin purses his lips and steps inside, taking brisk steps towards the furious Uther. oder at least that’s what Merlin thinks.
    “You asked for me, sir?” Merlin starts the conversation calmly.
    Uther looks up at Merlin, his eyes piercing as if he’d tear into Merlin’s skin with his laser sharp look. Merlin doesn’t understand why Uther is furiously bitter at him and why he has been summoned here in the first place. All he knows is that Uther’s voice seemed angry through the telephone.
    “Sit down, Merlin,” Uther instructs and Merlin obliges duly. He pulls out the chair and sits down, his hands crossed in his lap, waiting.
    “Drinks?”
    “No sir, I’m fine,” Merlin tells him. He just wants this conversation, whatever it is, to be done with so that he can go home.
    “Hmm…” Uther says and sighs, licking his bottom lip. “Do Du know why Du are here, Merlin?”
    ‘Am I in trouble?’ Merlin thinks. “No… no, sir,” Merlin Antwort hesitantly, as if he is trying to fork those words out from inside his throat.
    “Don’t worry, Du are not in trouble,” Uther assures Merlin. “I want to have a lengthy discussion about Arthur’s future, and since Du are his best friend, I thought it was wise to include Du in the discussion as well.”
    “Oh,” Merlin didn’t know if he should feel proud oder threatened Von this discussion. He knows Uther will not call for him if the subject is not important oder beneficial for him.
    “Do Du know anything about Arthur’s meeting with Elena?”
    ‘I thought so!’ Merlin sighs silently. “Yes.”
    “What did he tell you?”
    ‘Great!’ Merlin thinks to himself. ‘Don’t’ tell me Du don’t know, Uther, oder are Du simply trying to play your game with me?’ he thinks again.
    “Merlin?” Uther waits patiently.
“He said, umm… that the meeting didn’t exactly go… as planned,” Merlin tells him, though in his herz he wonders what sort game is Uther playing on him.
    “Is that all he said?” Uther sounds pretty surprised.
    “Yes,” Merlin lies.
    “Well, that’s a surprise, actually.”
    “About what?”
    “That he’d reveal so little about his affairs to his friends,” Uther says and leans back against the chair. He picks up his marble paper weight and starts rolling it on the table.
    “Sometimes he opts for privacy about certain things, sir, things he keeps close to his chest.”
    “Oh really?” Uther is further surprised. Merlin doesn’t know if it is genuine oder mocking. “So I believe Du don’t know anything about the girl he is currently engaged with?”
    “Which girl?” Merlin tries his best to look astonished. Uther stops rolling his paper weigh and glares at Merlin, his eyes shooting at Merlin’s own. Sweat starts to collect around Merlin’s temple, but he dare not wipe them in fear of being caught Von Uther. But the old man notices the sweat and his lips twitch into a smile. He resumes rolling his paper weight and relaxes back against the chair.
    “That’s what I thought myself… so, Du really don’t know, huh?”
    “Yeah,” Merlin hates lying and in the presence of Uther at that.
    “All right…” Uther pulls the chair back out and gets up, paper weight still in his hand. He walks over to the bar counter and pours himself a tumbler full of whisky. He picks the glass and makes his way back to the table, setting it down but he doesn’t sit down. He instead leans against the tabelle and rakes his hair. “Since Du don’t know, let me freshen Du up, son,” he says with ease. Merlin looks up and Uther smiles as he juggles the paper weight in his hand.
    Merlin knows this is going to be a long day. Uther didn’t call him over for a discussion; he was called to be interrogated. Uther isn’t satisfied with the manner Arthur handled Elena and he wants answers. But those Antwort will not arrive from Arthur; instead Merlin had been chosen instead. He is the scapegoat for the Pendragons. Bravo Merlin, bravo!
    “You know Elena and Arthur have been promised to each other since child birth, don’t you?” Uther says, looking away.
    “Yes, I am aware of that,” and Merlin hated being reminded about it. It wasn’t just Arthur who had to live with the information being drilled into his head but Merlin as well. Uther wants Merlin to remind Arthur of his responsibility and made sure the friend knows his first.
    “And that’s what she’d been told and groomed for her whole life. She has loved only one man in her life, and that man is Arthur. And I was pretty sure Arthur knew that too. But I was wrong. I found out yesterday that only Elena had been honouring her parents, wishes not my son! Arthur refuses to accept Elena as his future wife!!” Uther turns to look at Merlin. “Do Du know why?”
    “No,” Merlin’s eyes fixed on Uther’s bloodshot ones, firmly pining him on his seat.
    “Because he sagte he is in Liebe with someone else,” Uther finishes, his voice laced with anger.
    ‘Oh dear, oh deary dear!’ Merlin feels fear creeping up his spine. He understands Arthur had revealed about Gwen to his father but he doesn’t know how Uther reacted to the revelation. And he doesn’t want to find that out now.
    “The news is a slap on my face, Merlin, because… all this while I didn’t think Arthur would deceive me oder break the promise I made to my friend Godwyn. But he did and I’m disappointed, utterly disappointed.” Uther lays the paper weight down and picks up the glass and takes a sip of the whisky.
    Merlin keeps quiet and continues to watch Uther silently. He knows anything he says right now will be disastrous and will give him away. If Uther is planning something, Merlin wants to help his friend. The best way to help Arthur is to keep quiet and allow Uther to spill the beans.
    “And I just found out whom he is in Liebe with, I saw them both together,” Uther says, putting the tumbler down on the table.
    Merlin’s herz skips a beat. ‘Where the hell did he see Arthur and Gwen?’ he thinks frantically. ‘When?’
    “I happened to see them outside the shops along the streets of Silvery Shield. They were happy, hands clasped together and obviously in love,” Uther makes the last word sound completely distasteful. “I suspected the girl must be it and after watching them walking along happily, I know she must be the one.”
    “And did Du ask Arthur about it?”
    “No, I called Du immediately,” Uther replies, eyes sharp on Merlin, looking out for any peculiar reaction. But Merlin is smart and remains as astonished as he’d been from the beginning.
    “How do I fit in?”
    “I thought Du might know something about her. Like her name, what does she do oder where is she from?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t, sir,” Merlin Antworten calmly.
    “So I hear…” Uther eyes still fixed on Merlin, making the latter uncomfortable with the look. But he remains calm and poised.
    “I understand her name is Guinevere?”
    Merlin looks terrified. ‘Who told him? Arthur? He didn’t tell us he revealed Gwen’s name to his father?’
    “Arthur told me,” Uther says, as if Lesen Merlin’s mind. “He sagte he met her in the hospital and has never been able to forget her since,” he adds with a laugh. “That’s bullshit to me,” he says, shaking his head.
    “Well, he must be in Liebe with her, if he can’t get her off his mind,” Merlin tries his luck.
    “But Elena is in Liebe with Arthur, Merlin!”
    “Matters of the herz shouldn’t be forced, sir.”
    “I know that, but he knew Elena way before he met this girl! He played and grew up with Elena… how can he not see her love?” Uther argues.
    “Perhaps Arthur didn’t see Elena that way at all. Maybe he only ever had friendship in his mind? Sometimes our hearts fail to accept another because it sees them differently. And in Arthur’s case he saw Elena as his friend, and only that.”
    “And he saw Liebe in this girl?”
    “Maybe she made him fall in Liebe with her,” Merlin tries to make Uther understand Arthur’s situation. But it’s not working because Uther isn’t convinced.
    “What rubbish are Du blabbering about Merlin?”
    “Love doesn’t need to be reinforced in us; it blossoms on its own. It just hits us when the time is right. We will not know when oder with whom it happens but when it does, Du know that’s the right person. Du herz will know. I think that’s the case with Elena and Gwen.”
    “Gwen?” Uther remarks quickly.
    ‘Bloody crap’ Merlin winces. “I thought her name was too long so I shortened it,” he quickly pulls Uther’s leg. “Like I was saying, Arthur probably didn’t feel the Liebe with Elena because she isn’t the one for him but with this girl, though he just met her, the Liebe is there between them. She probably is the right person for him, who knows?”
    “That’s bollocks.” Uther brushes him off and walks to the window, pulling the drapes aside angrily. “I’ve never heard anything stupider than what Du just said,” he retorts bitterly.
    Merlin is angry too. No one calls him stupid, and if this man weren’t his friend’s father he would slapped his face and walked away. Merlin sighs and takes in a huge gulp of air. He needs to keep his temper in check. No point in blowing his cover now when he is so close to finding out what Uther’s plans are.
    “Sir, if I may…” Merlin says softly and continues without waiting for Uther’s permission. “Arthur isn’t a boy anymore. He doesn’t need to be told what to do, who to be with… he is a man and he deserves respect on his own as such. I’ve known Arthur since we were both children and I know he wants nothing from Du except to be seen as your son, not just your son in name but as someone who is capable of living on his own, making his own decisions and still uphold the name of Pendragon. He wants your blessing, sir, and I believe that’s all he’s been seeking since he graduated.”
    “Breaking my herz Von refusing to oblige my decision isn’t something I’d call upholding the Pendragon name, Merlin,” Uther turns around. “Did Du know that Pendragons keep their words? They’d never promise something and allow that promise to be broken, Did Du know that? Has Arthur told Du about that?”
    “Sir… all I’m saying is…”
    “We Pendragons live Von setting an example to others. If we make a promise, we make sure that promise is fulfilled. We don’t make fools of ourselves and we clearly don’t take anything for granted. But Arthur did all the opposite. He made me look like a fool in Godwyn’s presence and he is dishonoring the promise I made. He is not Schauspielen like a son, Merlin! He doesn’t deserve to be a Pendragon… no!!! He doesn’t deserve any respect from me either, not after today!” Uther slams his fist on the wall, frightening Merlin.
    “Sir, I think Du are jumping to conclusion too fast. Du and Arthur need to sit down and discuss this…”
    “There’s nothing to be discussed, Merlin. He made his point vividly and the clarity of his decision is there for all to see. He had been demanding my attention since he was a child and when he graduated, he simply made me look like a fool Von refusing to accept the job I offered and I helped him seek.”
    “That was because he wants to be his own man!”
    “No, it was because he wanted revenge for me ignoring his upbringing… he hated me since he was a child Merlin.”
    “That is not true sir. He loves Du and Du are his only family, how can Du talk like this? He wanted to gain your attention because he was lonely. He had never seen his mother and as far he is concerned, Du are both his mother and father. He wanted your love, he craved for your attention but Du never gave him any. But he never stopped trying.” Merlin explains.
    Uther keeps silent.
    “Arthur loves and always talks about Du to us. He sagte he wants to be smart and intelligent like his father because he looks up to you. He wants Du to be proud of him and which is why he strove hard to excel in his education. He wants to be his own man because he wants Du to be proud of him. He didn’t want any of your help because he wants his success to come from his own self, so that others can be proud of him and you, be proud of the Pendragons. He always tells me this and whether Du trust my words oder not, sir, he saw Du as his inspiration.” This isn’t a lie. It is the truth and Merlin knows it all too well. Arthur tells Merlin every single secret, agony and happiness that happens in his life; which is why Merlin understands how Arthur feels when his own father starts rejecting him. And as his friend, it is his duty to help Arthur; be it with his father oder anyone else.
    “Then why is he breaking my heart, Merlin?”
    “He isn’t, sir… he is a little sad Du are still persistent on being the same person Du were when he was a kid. Du need to give him Weltraum sir, give him freedom to allow him make his own decision. He isn’t a child anymore, he doesn’t need Du to Zeigen him the way… he knows the way and he just wants Du to believe he will make it to the end.”
    “Are Du telling me that I am a bad father?” Uther is furious.
    ‘This man is going to get a slap from me’ Merlin thinks in annoyance. “No, but I think Du can start becoming a better father to him than you’ve been before,” Merlin puts in shortly.
    Uther sighs and walks back to the table. He drains almost half glass and wipes his mouth. “So, from what Du are saying and your point of view, I should accept this girl, right, Merlin?” he asks Merlin. The latter shifts uneasily in his seat.
    “I think Du should at least give it a try to understand your son and see her in the same way Arthur does. That can help for starters,” Merlin prays hard in his herz as he tells Uther his thoughts.
    “But I don’t even know her? And what class is she from?” Uther says. Merlin clenches his cheek in frustration.
    “Sir, in Liebe class matters not,” he says flatly. He no longer fears Uther. If this conversation is going to go on late into the evening and if he is going to offend Gwen in his presence, Merlin will have to turn aggressive. Whether Arthur will like it oder not, Merlin doesn’t care.
    “But in becoming the wife of the heir of this empire, yes… class does matter. When Arthur takes over this empire, when he sits on the chair I am right now he will need a smart and qualified wife beside him. She will need to help Arthur with matters involving politics, economy, social and general. She will need certain qualities to present herself in the presence of other dignitaries, make herself worthy in their presence and be able to glide alongside them… get what I mean?”
    Merlin wants to stand up, grab the old man Von the halsband, kragen and bite his neck for the insinuations he is making about Gwen. How dare he speak of her like that and in his presence as well? But he restrains himself from doing anything foolish. He wonders what Arthur would do if he hears his father speak of Gwen like this?
    “She must have some qualities to fit in Merlin, especially in my class. Not just any Tom, Dick and Harry can come along and fit in, NO! Someone like Elena had been groomed to be the rightful wife of this empire’s future ruler… a girl of that class!”
    “This is not right sir!” Merlin blurts without thinking and curses himself for giving himself away.
    “Excuse me?” Uther sounds surprised.
    “I mean… this is not proper to talk about someone we haven’t met and we have not fully gotten to know. Arthur likes her for a reason and I believe it could be love. Knowing Arthur, I don’t think he will make a wrong decision, so I choose to trust his choice. Du need to meet her and find out about her before jumping into any conclusions.”
    “So Du think I need to meet her?”
    ‘Merlin, what have Du done?’ “Armmm… Actually, it’s best Du accept Arthur’s decision because no matter what Du do, he will be adamant in sticking to his choice. And if Du force him, I think the decision will be disastrous for Du and him both.”
    “Hmmm …” Uther thinks deeply.
    Merlin really wants the conversation to end. He is tired and weary. His limbs ache and could do with a good massage.
    “Perhaps Du can find out about her for me?”
    “What?” Merlin thinks he is dreaming. Uther can’t mean that.
    “Since Du don’t know her as I do… Du should find out about her and impress me,” Uther carries on.
    “Impress you?”
    “Yes, make me see her, the way Arthur does… and maybe that’ll change my mind, and who knows, I might even consider her for the Pendragon household.”
    “Really?” Merlin’s herz flutters. Is it true? Is Uther really willing to accept Gwen? oder should he be afraid of this proposal?
    “Yes,” Uther smiles.
    Merlin really wants to be happy with the news but he can’t. He can’t feel the euphoria and somewhere deep in his heart, he can feel this might even be a trap. A well-planned trap to break Gwen from Arthur. Knowing Uther, Merlin feels he should be extra cautious. Should he entertain this man oder should he play along with him until the time is right and let Uther know that no matter what he does, Arthur and Gwen are meant for one another? Whatever he chooses to do, Merlin knows he is stuck in the middle for good.
    “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Really? Is this true?” Merlin asks. “You really wish to learn about her?”
    “Yes. Like Du said, I might need to understand Arthur better and I can start with this girl. If she means the world to him then, perhaps I need to know about her too. What do Du say, Merlin?”
    “Sounds… good sir, for starters it’s a good plan.”
    Uther laughs and slaps Merlin’s arm. “I am not a tyrant, Merlin, and I can be a good father if I’m gegeben the chance.”
    “I’m happy to hear that, sir.” Merlin tells him, rubbing his arm.
    “Good… I’ll need Updates on her, starting with her background. Can Du give me that? The sooner the better.”
    “Sure, sir… sure” Merlin promises though his herz curses at his misfortune. ‘Why me?’ he keeps asking the Frage over and over again, as he leaves the study.


    Gwen doesn’t hear anything Gaius is explaining. Her mind is elsewhere and she doesn’t care if her actions will offend Gaius oder not. She doesn’t care, because right now, she is in Liebe and that’s all she wants to concentrate on. She is alone in this room, alone with Arthur Von her side. They are cuddled together on a sofa. Where the sofa came from, she doesn’t know and she doesn’t care. What’s important is that Arthur is with her, sitting Weiter to her on the sofa.
    Arthur lifts Gwen’s hand and places kisses on all her fingers, prompting her to sigh as his touch does wonders to her senses. He smiles at her and lifts his fingers to stroke her cheek, sending ripples of sensual awareness crashing through her. Something is different with Arthur today; he can see her! Yes, he can and he is currently skimming her with his devilishly beautiful eyes. Gwen is in Liebe with the lovely pair of blue eyes, scanning all over her, making her quiver with the addictive passion she discovered with him. Through him.
    ‘So this is how his eyes look when they see me,’ she thinks. One part of her brain wants him, to feel him and another part wants to hold back, for reasons she doesn’t know. But being with him rekindles the feuer that flamed through them when they first kissed.
    How she wished he hadn’t stopped. What could have happened? Where would they have ended up? Gwen feels her skin flushing under the sensual caress of Arthur’s fingers. He trails his fingers along her cheek and down her throat only to pause a moment before trailing them along her chin. He smiles again and Gwen feels herself turning wobbly, that smile and that gorgeous blue river swimming inside his eyes is draining her of any remaining energy she has. She feels like she’ll just melt away. She clings to him, unable to control the passion sweeping over her anymore and Arthur is Mehr than happy to oblige, circling his hand around her tiny waist, pulling her closer.
    Her lips quiver when her breasts crush against the Wand of his chest. Arthur smiles again and this time he bows his head and brushes his lips against hers, lightly. Gwen gasps, digging her hands into his shoulders. Arthur nibbles her lips, teasing her before brushing her lips again, this time bit harder than he did before. Gwen feels her herz aching, pleading silently for him to stop tormenting her and give her the pleasure her herz seriously demands. But Arthur is clearly enjoying this and he isn’t keen on stopping.
    He places a trail of kisses all along her nose before finally seeking her lips, drinking her in like one delirious from thirst. Gwen is Lost in his kisses and she didn’t realise how far Arthur seems to have taken her until his hand cups her breast. She manages a soft moan, shocked and thrilled all at once. He flicks her nipple softly, and Gwen squirms with delight. Arthur’s KISS deepens while his finger continues to thumb her nipples. Gwen’s fingers tangle in his blond locks, holding him close. Hot sensational passion is rushing all through her veins, delighting and thrilling her at once.
    She has never felt like this before. No one has ever made her feel like this before; like a woman, a very sexy woman. She loves the feuer erupting inside her. Arthur leaves her mouth and goes to nibble her earlobe while his hand leaves her breast and makes way down to her zipper. Gwen moans softly as his fingers pull down the zipper and slip inside, fondling the most private part of her. Gwen feels like erupting. No one has ever touched her like this and she doesn’t want him to stop. And when he slips a finger inside her, Gwen almost explodes. She closes her eyes and pulls him closer as her body vibrates.
    Vibrates? Gwen wakes up from her dream when her mobile vibrates in her pocket. Gwen winces shyly and looks around cautiously, to see if anyone actually spotted her dreaming. No, not one single person in the room realised she’d been in a world of her own. Smiling at her ridiculousness, she fishes the mobile out from her pocket and notices Morgana’s name is blinking on the screen. Her herz skips a beat and she fears the worse. She straightens up and raises her hand.
    “Yes, Gwen?” Gaius asks, noticing how worried she looks.
    “I need to attend this call, Gaius… if you’ll excuse me?”
    “Sure.” he says and carries on with his meeting while Gwen stands up and quietly walks to the door, opens it and steps out. Lancelot watches her but turns back when she closes the door behind her.
    Outside Gwen clicks on the button and brings the phone to her ears, “Morgana? Is everything all right? Where are Du and what happened?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. I’m here in Tintagalon. But what took Du this long to answer me? Are Du in a meeting oder something? Have I disturbed you?” Morgana enquires from the other side of the line.
    “Yeah, I’m in a meeting but it’s all right, I’m out now. And don’t worry, Du didn’t interrupt anything,” Gwen says quickly. The line crackles and Gwen moves to her left, near the window to get better reception.
    “Gwen?”
    “Yes… I’m here Morgana. What happened? Du left in such haste and we are all worried for you? Everything is all right, isn’t it?”
    “Not exactly, dear.”
    “What do Du mean?” Gwen straightens up. Her herz races rapidly.
    “Modred slit his wrist and attempted suicide. He’s in hospital now.”
    “What!!!!”
    “I know, it’s a shock… it has been for everyone, especially for his parents,” Morgana tells Gwen sadly.
    “But why? And… God, Morgana? How can this happen?”
    “I don’t know, Gwen. I thought he had troubles in his school but I didn’t think… oh, and he’s also a junkie”
    “MORGANA!!” the news is just way too much to bear. If Gwen cannot not bär it, she cannot even imagine how Morgana must feel.
    “I almost fainted when I first heard it… no one knew this until the doctor found the traces of drugs in his blood. That explains the suicide attempt. It’s horrible, Gwen… he’s looks awfully terrible.”
    “But he’d been such a good boy, Morgana… how could he turn like this?”
    “Beats me… beats me.”
    “How are Morgause and Urien?”
    “Devastated, but Urien’s holding strong, for his family’s sake.”
    “And you?”
    “I’m broken, Gwen… I really wish Du were beside me, to comfort me… I can’t see him like this, it’s…” Morgana breaks down.
    Gwen feels bad for her friend and wishes she could be there with her. At least it’d be comforting for her and the rest of the family. Elyan was right. He did say Modred looks sickly. Now everyone knows why he looked pale. “Morgana… please, stay calm and strong, dear. Du have to be, for your family’s sake. Modred will be fine. Nothing will happen to him. Think of this as bad dream, a nightmare. A new dawn awaits him…”
    “I hope Du are right, Gwen.”
    “He will be all right, and as soon he recovers, Du have to get him back to his roots. He must come back to being the same old Modred.”
    “Thanks, Gwen… I feel better talking to you,” Morgana says and sniffs.
    “I’m your friend, Morgana, and I will always be here for you, understand?”
    “Yes, and thanks again, Gwen. Anyway… can Du do me a favour? Tell Gaius I might need to stay here a week oder two. Explain what happened and I will be on leave till things are sorted out here.”
    “Sure… I’ll have him call you,” Gwen says and pauses. The line crackles and after a Sekunde oder two, Morgana comes alive again.
    “Gwen? Is everything all right?” she asks.
    Gwen hears her well but she is pondering whether to tell about her developments with Arthur oder leave it for another day. Morgana is definitely not in the state to listen to her though she will do just that, for Gwen’s sake. But she is heartbroken, and now is not the time to be sharing her good news when her friend’s hasn’t been all that good. Gwen also thinks it’s rude to be selfish on her own thoughts and feeling while Morgana is heartbroken over Modred. Her friend needs support and Gwen should be giving her that, not dwell on her own delight.
    “Gwen?”
    “Nothing, Morgana… I was thinking about Modred” Gwen lies. “I really pray for his health. He will be fine, he has a strong will and he will come back to you, good as new.”
    “Thank you, Gwen. I really could do with this sort of support right now.”
    “Pleasure’s all mine. Du take care, all right? I will call Du tonight.”
    “Sure, thanks again,” Morgana says and ends the conversation.
    Gwen sighs and leans against the wall, looking out at the city below. Her herz is laden with sadness over Modred’s misfortune. He had been such a good boy, never troubling anyone. But look what befell him? Becoming a junkie at such tender age, turned into a monster that’s driving him insane and trying to take his own life. Modred attempting suicide! The news still chills her bone. She didn’t expect the news to be this bad. Morgana must be shattered. Morgause… Gwen’s herz goes out to Morgana’s sister. How must she be feeling; watching her only son lying unconscious on the bed, not knowing if he’d wake oder not? Gwen knows how hurting those feelings can be. She felt them herself when her father died. Watching someone Du Liebe die in front of you, in your presence can be scarring. It takes some time before those scars are healed. Though her father was killed in an accident, he had lived his life. But Modred is still a child and he’s got a bright future waiting for him. He has to live, he has to recover from this sudden madness and become the person he has been before. Gwen knows she can’t do much except pray, so that will have to suffice for the moment. Voices behind her startle her. She turns around and notices two technicians, walking past her, dragging some heavy pipes with them. Gwen sighs, takes a look at her watch and heads back to her meeting.


    Elena keeps staring at the wall, for how long she doesn’t know. Her herz is aching and she has Lost interest in everything; her life included. The moment Arthur chose someone else over her, her herz exploded. She wanted to die. No, she died the moment he rejected her. She was bitter, angry and hurt, all rolled in one. She wanted to scream, let her pain out, yet she didn’t do it because she didn’t want him to think she was desperate for him. Yet she was. And that is the truth. She is desperate, has been all her life. Arthur is hers; he belongs to her and only her. He should know that Von now but that prick isn’t getting the message through his thick skull. Elena shifts her glance from the Wand towards her table, laid with all the letters, gifts, books, cards and souvenirs she and Arthur have exchanged one another when they were young. A tear rolls down her cheek. She thumbs it away and looks away. They have shared so much since they were children, growing up together. How come he isn’t in Liebe with her? He knows her, knows everything about her and still he found a stranger interesting than she is? How? Why? Elena shakes her head and gets up and walks over to the window, looking out at her garden. Her herz throbs thinking her dreams have been squashed Von a girl, someone she’d really like to meet right now. She wants to know where did she fail and that girl passed. Thinking about the girl makes Elena angry. Who is she? Where did she come from? And what class is she from? What does Arthur see in her?
    “NO!!!!!” Elena shouts angrily and pushes the vase on the tabelle beside her down. The vase shatters into pieces, sending the shards all over the room. Elena tears into her hair and kicks the Wand before moving to her table. Angrily she picks up a porzellan doll Arthur got her when he returned from his university. Tears rolls down her cheek and her herz is heavy. The doll was an exquisite piece, a rare collection he got especially for her because she loves collecting porzellan dolls. Without hesitating, she slams the doll down, sending it into pieces as well. She picks another doll and breaks it into two, cards follows on the floor in shreds, then Musik boxes, stuffed toys, frames and all the other gifts lying on her table.
    “NO!!! ARTHUR!!!” she screams and kicks her tabelle before rushing to her bett and dropping on it, hugging her kissen tightly. Someone knocks the door. She ignores them and continues crying. The door clicks and she hears keys jingling outside. It must be her father. He has another set of keys. The door opens, and like she had guessed, her father rushes to her.
    “Elena?” Godwyn hurries to his daughter with a horrified look plastered on his face. Behind him, Camille follows but her eyes scans the room rather than Elena. She clasps her mouth looking at the mess.
    “Don’t worry Father, I’m not dead,” she Antworten nonchalantly, lifting herself into sitting position.
    Godwyn sits beside Elena and tries to touch her but Elena shrinks away, refusing to look at her father nor have him touch her. Godwyn looks at Camille sadly. “Elena, please,” he pleads.
    “I don’t want Du to touch me, Father. I don’t want Du here! Please leave,” she looks away.
    “Elena, stop torturing yourself. Get a grip, dear.”
    “For what?” she turns around and snaps at him. Her eyes are red, swollen from crying and fiery with rage. “Are Du afraid I’ll kill myself?”
    “Don’t say that.”
    “I won’t, Father. Du think very little of me; I am your daughter, Father. I don’t chicken out from trouble. I will not end my life for a man, though I will not rest until I have my answers.”
    “I have called Uther, and tonight we will get our Antwort Elena. Arthur will agree to marry Du and everything will be back to normal”
    “Ha ha ha!!” Elena laughs bitterly. “Do Du really think Du can persuade Arthur to change his mind? No!!! No Father, Du can’t!” she tells him, waggling her finger at him. “He will never marry me oder crumble at your request. He has his mind set on that girl and nothing Du oder your friend can do which will turn him around. It’s done and dusted… my life has been destroyed Von Arthur Pendragon!”
    “Don’t say that, Elena,” Godwyn says sadly. He has never seen Elena behave as badly as she does now. He knows she is herz broken but he is too, watching her like this. There is a solution for everything, if only Elena can understand that.
    “This is the truth, Father, should Du choose to believe me oder not! Arthur loves her, not me!!” Elena shouts at Godwyn.
    “Then I will make him marry you!”
    “Marriage? Without him liking oder loving me? I need a husband who cares, Father, not someone who goes Von the name of husband but has his herz set elsewhere!” Elena replies.
    “He will learn to Liebe Du once Du are both married. He will forget her and Du must do all Du can to pull him to your side.”
    “And Du think it’s that easy, Father? What world are Du living in?” Elena teases.
    “What do Du want me to do Elena?” Godwyn sounds resigned.
    “Nothing!! Du will do nothing at all!” Elena warns her father. “You will not use your influence to get me Arthur!”
    “But I can’t see Du like this, Elena. You’re my child, and…”
    “I don’t need him father!” she cuts her father abruptly.
    “What?”
    “You heard me, I don’t need him. Not after he dumped me like a piece of trash. I don’t need him, but I will never let him be happy with that girl he chose over me!” Elena pounds the bett in frustration. “I will never let him be happy!”
    “Elena?” Godwyn gasps and looks worryingly at Camille who has been silent all along. The maid looks back at her master and she, like Godwyn, seems bewildered Von Elena’s behaviour today.
    “I want revenge on him, and if Du want to help me, find out who that girl is. That is all you’ll be doing for me.”
    “This isn’t healthy, Elena…”
    “I don’t care!!!” Elena shouts again, startling her father. “I don’t give a damn anymore, Father. I am sick and tired of playing kind and gentle!! I don’t care about Arthur but I will not see him happy while I suffer in silence.”
    “Elena, dear,” Camille starts.
    “Shut up Camille; keep your duties strictly to this household, not me!” Elena barks. Camille steps back, her eyes hurt and she flashes a look at Godwyn.
    “What is wrong with you, Elena? Why are Du behaving like this?”
    “Go and ask your friend’s son!” Elena says rudely and crosses her hand. Another tear rolled down her cheek. She ignores it.
    Godwyn sighs and shakes his head. Suddenly he looks old and weary. “Look, Elena, whatever Du are thinking, all this revenge talk is not you. I know my daughter and she wouldn’t hurt a fly, but…”
    “Let’s say your daughter has changed!”
    “Enough!!” Godwyn barks and gets to his feet. He had heard enough. “I will not hear any Mehr of this rubbish.”
    “I don’t care, Father…” and before she can continue, a rough hand lands on her face, burning her cheek. She stumbles off the bett and lands on the floor. Elena clutches her cheek and turns up to look at her father who towers over her; face monstrously bitter, eyes fiery and cheeks clenched tight.
    Godwyn is angry and had enough of his daughter’s erratic behaviour. She has gone way too far with her attitude and something has to be done to put a full stop to her arrogance. This is the only way she can be brought back to her senses. Godwyn has never slapped his daughter but she gave him no choice. No matter how much it hurts, Godwyn knows this is for the best.     
    “Father?” Elena almost whispers.
    “I will not tolerate anymore of this rubbish, Elena. I have spoken to Uther and he will get Arthur to marry you, as promised. I don’t care if he has another Liebe in his life oder what, all I care for is Du and at the end of the day, Du will be his wife. Understand? Get yourself sorted and start behaving like my daughter,” he snaps again. Elena keeps quiet as she doesn’t dare to go beyond her father.
    “Do Du understand oder do I have to make myself clear in another way?”
    “I do… Father,” Elena rubs her cheek and stays on the floor, afraid to move.
    “Good… apologise to Camille and get yourself cleaned up. And this room as well. No Mehr isolation and no Mehr tears and shouts. Arthur will be yours, so start cleaning up yourself and this mess,” Godwyn warns and Elena nods. Godwyn then turns towards Camille.
    “Make sure she follows my instructions,” he says and after Camille nods, he leaves the room.
    Camille looks at Elena as the latter starts to sob. She sits down beside Elena and softly touches Elena’s shoulder. Elena turns around, her sobs increases and without hesitating she falls into Camille’s open arms.
    “I’m sorry, Camille,” Elena apologises and cries, hugging her maid.
    “It’s all right. Du didn’t mean what Du said, I know. And you’re hurt, too.”
    “I don’t know why I behaved like this, Camille… to Father, to you. What must he be thinking of me?”
    “He loves you, Elena, he doesn’t want to see Du destroyed and that’s why he had to behave like he just did, But don’t misunderstand him. And he knows Du didn’t react on your own. Your father understands”
    “It painful, Camille… the rejection, it hurts.”
    “Don’t worry; I am sure your father will get this sorted. Don’t worry, child,” Camille says and comforts Elena.
    “I hope he does… I can’t live without Arthur!” Elena tells her maid and cries, hugging the distraught Camille.


    Uther finishes his drink in haste and takes a quick look at the clock. It’s quarter past nine and he knows either he has to call Godwyn oder his friend will phone himself. Uther knows he has a plan but how will he convince Godwyn to wait until the plan succeeds? His friend is clearly losing patience. Uther sighs and drops his shoulders sadly. If only Arthur didn’t trouble him with the rejection, if only everything went on as planned… Uther didn’t have to sit here looking dejected. The phone rings and Uther startles in his seat.
    “Oh dear,” he mumbles to himself. The phone rings again. Uther wonders if he should pick it up oder leave it ringing all Tag till it dies. He knows who it might be. But if Godwyn cannot get Uther, he will try Uther’s mobile instead. There is no running away from Godwyn today. Like it oder not, Uther has to face his friend. And he can be glad he will be doing it through the phone.
    Uther picks himself up and walks to the tabelle where the phone had been ringing continuously for minutes. He sighs and picks up the receiver. There wasn’t any introduction oder greetings.
    “What took Du so long?” Godwyn is brash and he didn’t care.
    “I was in another room.”
    “So?”
    “Look Godwyn…”
    “So Du haven’t spoken to him, then? Fine, put the phone down and I’ll talk to your son myself.”
    “Don’t do this, Godwyn!! Let me explain!”
    “You have ten minutes.”
    “Come on…”
    “Nine minutes.”
    “Fine… Arthur is adamant with his choice and there is nothing I can do to change his mind. But don’t think I agreed, I don’t, yet it doesn’t matter because Arthur will still marry that girl oder elope without my consent. So I have to get to Arthur in a different way, approach him softly, play him with his own game. I have devised a plan and it will take some time to take effect. We can’t expect immediate results. So, all I am asking you, pleading you, is to be patient and let me get this plan rolling. I can assure, no, I promise Du Elena will be the only girl in Arthur’s life. But if he is to marry her, then we have to be patient. Will Du give me that, Godwyn?”
    There is silence on the other side.
    “I know I shouldn’t have put Du in this situation but sometimes things get out of our hands. But nothing is impossible. Let me work this out, please.”
    “You have only one month, Uther, and pray Du don’t screw this up! One month!!” The line goes silent. Godwyn hangs up and Uther looks at the receiver a while before setting it down. He understands his friend’s anger and anyone in his shoes, who has a daughter’s future in the line, would react like this. Uther sighs. He has Godwyn’s permission to carry on with the plan and all he has is a month. That is thirty days. Massive time to get everything sorted out. He has placed his pawn in the form of Merlin. And he just has to wait for the results.