Help is Always Given

Chapter 6

Gwen picks up the paper and turns it over in her hands. She's never seen any paper like this before, so smooth but yet it wasn't a skin. So what was it? And the photo wasn't drawn in ink, the marks on the paper were a grey color and not as lavish as if written by feather. "Where did this paper come from?"

"Oh, um, it's from, uh, a shop," Amy cautiously says. "It's the new type of paper made out of trees and rice."

Gwen was either satisfied with the answer or wasn't paying full attention to Amy. Gwen starts reading the measurements and examining the rune marks that were drawn on the blade. A scribbled note to the side said the middle of the blade was gold and that a blood diamond was on the hilt along with an intricately carved design. "This is beautiful." Gwen observes. "It must be for someone important. You say you're travelers?" Amy nods. "Then tell me, you could go to any blacksmith in any village or city and you chose to come to Camelot, to me, why?"

Amy and the Doctor share a glance, silently communicating with each other that this is the time for the full truth otherwise Gwen might not help them. Amy does the explaining, the Doctor jumps in every now and then with some more input or a more complicated and scientific explanation. Gwen just sits in her chair, elbows on the table, hands under her chin, taking in all the information and trying to process. At first Gwen is skeptical, but as Amy continues their story of the detective and his sidekick from 2011 London and the 'future' Merlin and all the detail that's put into it she finds no reason that it can't be true. Amy tells Guinevere things that only Merlin would know, like how Arthur acts and what his favorite meal is, things like that. What Gwen didn't know was that 'future' Merlin was saying these things to them through their earpieces.

Clever Amelia Pond, thinks the Doctor. Subtly pressed her earpiece before we started explaining things and had said Merlin's name so John could get him on the phone. Thankfully Merlin picked up on what was going on so quickly.

Amy finishes and the room is quiet for a while before Gwen says, "I don't yet know why you need this, or your plan. I won't push for it, don't worry. I will help you. I'll go down to the lower town tonight to start on this, I assume you need it as quickly as possible. I'm afraid night time is the only available time I'll have to work on it."

Just then, Merlin and Arthur enter, Arthur is busy taking off his wrist guards when he enters and Merlin is carrying all of Arthur's sparring tools. Merlin walks over to the empty end of the table to unload his arms. This Merlin looks exactly like their Merlin, same age, but less wisdom in the eyes. He's even wearing the same outfit, aside from the shirt color, which is blue unlike the red one that their Merlin is wearing.

"Ah, Guinevere," Arthur smiles, "I hope I'm not interrupting." Merlin walks over to Arthur to help him get out of his chain mail.

"No, we were just finishing up here," Gwen explains. "These kind villagers sought my help and I've agreed. They would like a sword made as a gift and they heard I was one of the very best around these parts. They flattered me into agreement!" They all laugh at her comment. "But I'm afraid with my busy schedule, I only have time to make it during the evenings. I apologize, Arthur, I probably won't get in until very late the next couple of days."

"That's alright, I'll wait up for you," Arthur says, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Amy and the Doctor get up to leave, thank Gwen for her kindness, and walk out of the Royal Chambers.

They find a side corridor that must be used by servants only, it's deserted so they talk to Merlin, who's still connected to them.

"That was cutting it a bit close!" Amy exclaims.

"Sorry," came Merlin from the other end, "I should've written out a schedule for you so you'd know what Arthur's doing at all times."

"That's alright, we'll just have to be more careful," the Doctor says. "Merlin, where can we find a place to stay for a while?"