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Percival pours himself a cup of freshly squeezed oranje sap and pulls the chair back. He picks the newspaper from the table, flips it open and sits down. Gwen walks in and circles the tafel, tabel before heading to the refrigerator. He looks up from the newspaper and waits for her to turn to him. Gwen picks a cup, pours herself coffee and turns around, smiling at Percival.
    “Morning Percival,” she says, sipping the coffee slowly.
    “Good morning, dear … how are u feeling today?”
    “Better … thanks”
    “Whatever for?”
    “For being around… we could use vrienden like u Percival”
    “Aww, come on. You’re like my sister, Gwen and I owe Elyan meer than what I’m doing right here. Besides, I have respect for your father and he was really nice to me the last time I came visiting. This is one way for me to pay my last respects.”
    “You’re sweet, Percival, but… why do u owe Elyan? After all I think it’s the other way round, I believe? u got him the job, the place to stay and have taken him under your wing?”
    Percival laughs and puts the newspaper down. Patting the chair beside him, he urges Gwen to take seat. Gwen does as he requests and puts her cup down.
    “I love hiking and it’s been my hobby since I was a child. But once, I slipped and fell of the cliff on which I was hiking, breaking my leg in the process. Doctor told me to rest for almost two and a half months and I was bored. But Elyan accompanied me throughout those months. He had an option of either coming back home pagina of attend a career enhancement training but he chose neither and stayed with me instead. He was helpful and entertaining as he kept me company. Most of my vrienden just came door for quick visit but not Elyan. He sacrificed his holiday, time and energy to look after me. So now u tell me, Gwen … don’t I owe him?”
    “Elyan did that? No wonder he didn’t come home pagina for thanksgiving… and dad was worried sick about him. He could have told us, u know.”
    “That’s my fault. I told him not to… he was respecting my request.”
    “Well, that’s Elyan… always putting others before him. But still, thank u for coming, Percival.”
    “You’re welcome. What are your plans today?”
    “I’m thinking of heading to work”
    “So soon? I thought you’re still on leave?”
    “I am, but I can’t sit here, Percival, my father’s memories are everywhere and it’s hard to accept him gone. If I sit here any longer I’ll go mad. I need to get out… do something, and work is the only place where I can find some peace.”
    “You’re right… it worked for me when both my parents died in the airplane crash. I buried myself with work, and soon I got over their death.”
    “Precisely,” Gwen says and looks at her watch. “Better be going…” she says and gets up. “Will u inform Elyan that I went to work?”
    “Sure, sweetheart… take care.”
    “I will…” Gwen says, nears Percival, kisses him on the cheek and leaves.


    Gwen slings her bag over her shoulder and leaves her house. But instead of heading to her left which leads to her work, she takes the road on her right, to the hospital. She’s been planning all dag yesterday to pay the driver who killed her father a visit, a surprise visit. She knows he survived the crash and is being monitored in the observation ward. Let him be in the intensive care; she still wants to visit him. There’s still some unfinished business which she intends to inpakken, wrap up today. She didn’t discuss this visit with Elyan because she knows he will not approve. He has been watching her closely since the service, she realises. His eyes are always on her, trailing her every movement closely as he’s been very upset after listening to her promise to their father. She doesn’t blame him. He doesn’t know what happened that night; neither did he face the gruesome horror in which they lost their father. But she did. She saw and endured both the pain and the loss. So she has reasons to be bitter and angry with the man who caused it. And she wants payback, in any way that is. She feels slightly uneasy lying to Percival but it has to be done. She knows how close Percival is with Elyan and he will definitely try to put a stop to her plans if he learns where’s she heading, so lying is the best option there. Gwen stops at the bus stop and waits for the bus which will head to the hospital. Her phone vibrates in her bag. She fishes it out and slides it. It was Morgana on the other side.
    “Yes, Morgana?”
    “Where are you?”
    “I’m… heading out to the grocery store,” Gwen lies again.
    “Oh…” the line crackles for a minuut and resumes, “I thought u were at home. I wanted to ask u out.”
    “Where?”
    “Anywhere, as long as you’re not cooped in that house.”
    “Hmm… what time?”
    “Huh? I thought you’re heading to the grocery store?”
    “I am, but I’m not spending my whole dag there, Morgana. Where do u want me to meet u and what time?”
    “What about Golden Shield? The diner shouldn’t be packed at this hour. Can u make it before lunch?”
    “Fine”
    “Good… meet u there, then, bye,” Morgana ends the call and Gwen slides the phone down and drops it back into her bag. A bus heads to the bus stop and she awaits it eagerly.

    Arthur doesn’t know how long he’s been staring up at the ceiling, of what ever it was above him. Not that it matters though; he is blind. So what’s up there really doesn’t bother him at all. But what bothers him is the black veil to which he’s been forced to adapt since he removed his bandage. He doesn’t know how to adapt to that veil, how he’s going to live with it of even pretend everything is fine when they are not. Seriously speaking, he’s getting very scared door the thought of spending the rest of his life with this veil covering his eyes. It’s turning into some sort of phobia for him and he feels really lost right now. Arthur closes his eyes and remains still. He has never been scared of disturbed door blackness before this. When he was a little boy, he was used to sleeping in the darkness alone. His father slept in a different room and never read him stories of wished him goodnight. It was always Geoffrey who did that but after the door closed behind Geoffrey, Arthur was alone. He’s never been frightened because the darkness around him has been his friend.
    Ever since he learned to understand the world he lived in, he’s been accepting the fact his father never loved him; neither did he care what happened to him. And he’s been all on his own since then. There were of course Geoffrey and the other servants who kept him company, but when the moon was up and darkness surrounded him, Arthur had no one. So he adapted to the serenity of the darkness and used it to his advantage. He would sneak out of his room, head to the keuken-, keuken and eat. of he would sneak out of the house, head to the garden and lie out on the ground and watch the moon. of he’d sneak out to the attic, ransack the items he’s father had thrown in there and play with them. But the one thing he loved doing is sneak out to his mother’s room, where his father usually forbade him to go. He’d lie on her bed, go through her things and look at all the pictures she had left behind. It usually made him feel her presence with him and he still loves doing it. And the best part, he did it all engulfed in the darkness of the night. He’d never been terrified of it; neither did he feel blind. It was his friend and been a sidekick to his adventures. But now, this darkness has different effect on him. It was not his friend and he doesn’t like it. The night has allowed him to see but this blindness has deprived him of that. He’s afraid of it, lost, and for the first time in his life he feels vulnerable. He reopens his eyes and can feel a single tear streaming down his cheek. How long will he have to endure this torture? The thickness of the black veil is terrifying. He just wished he had lost something else. His legs, hands of even perhaps his voice. But why his sight?
    The door creaks open and Arthur flinches. Using his free hand, he quickly wipes his tears and stays still. It must be the doctor of the nurse. They have been around a number of times to ensure he’s taking the medication on time. After the revelation about his blindness, Arthur has been quite stubborn and has been throwing tantrums. He refused the medications, the assists and even visitations from Merlin and his father. Uther came somewhere late in the day, and Arthur didn’t even want to listen to him. He asked the doctor to toon Uther out of he’d hurt his head again door slamming it against the hoofdkussen, kussen like he’d done before. He even didn’t speak properly with Merlin; hurting that his friend would lie to him. He knows why Merlin hid the truth but he is still hurt and cannot bring himself to forgive his friend yet. He might later on but not just yet. But knowing Merlin, he’s sure his friend is still out there, waiting to apologise and make up for that lie.
    “Arthur?” Merlin calls as he steps closer to Arthur.
    Arthur sighs. He didn’t want to respond but he’s been shutting his friend off for days and it isn’t fair to him. Somehow, Merlin is the only one he trusts and relies upon. And he’s the one he needs right now, meer than ever, so… he shouldn’t be playing hard with him.
    “What?” the tone came off unexpectedly rough and even Arthur was surprised door it. But Merlin didn’t say anything.
    “Look, Arthur… I know you’re hurt and sad; and u feel betrayed door me. But let me make it clear it wasn’t in my intention to lie to you. I was worried for you, which is why I decided to hide the truth… I’m sorry, Arthur,” Merlin says. But Arthur keeps mum.
    “You can hate me as much u want, Arthur, but please, please do not shut me out. The doctor told me about your father’s visit and your… refusal with the medications and so on. Arthur, please!! Stop doing this to yourself. You’re hurt and they are trying to help. Please!!”
    “I wish I was dead, Merlin!” Arthur snaps. Merlin closes his eyes in dismay. He understands Arthur’s situation and wishes he could do meer to help, but how? Arthur didn’t just lose his sight but his confidence as well and that is going to take some time to restore.
    “Arthur, please stop saying that.”
    “But I do. What is the point of staying alive when I’m not useful anymore?”
    “That is not true, Arthur! u just lost your sight and the doctor assured it can be treated, that this is temporary… it will be just months of setback and you’ll be back to your old self again. Don’t lose your confidence now, Arthur.”
    “How do u expect me to do that, Merlin? u clearly haven’t been helping much and my father… he’s the winner here, isn’t he? He proved his words right… now I’ll definitely have to depend on him, forever”
    “Arthur…” Merlin didn’t know how to carry on. No words can persuade Arthur to change his mind and no comfort is good enough for his friend. Arthur is hurt and completely devastated door his current setback. Perhaps it’s best to leave this matter for another day.
    “Merlin?”
    “Yes, Arthur… can I get u anything?”
    “I thought u left.”
    “Why would I want to do that?”
    “Because everyone else did. I wouldn’t blame u if u did as well,” Arthur says and that irks Merlin. Just because his father had been treating his son like an accessory doesn’t mean his friend does as well. Arthur needs to get this clarification cemented in his mind forever, and like it of not, Merlin decides to do it. Not always the outspoken of the blunt one in the group, today he seems as bitter with Arthur as the latter is with his life.
    “Now look here, Arthur Pendragon!!” Merlin says with his hands on his hips, eyebrow arching furiously at Arthur. “I understand how u are feeling at the moment, gegeven that u are facing the worst moment in your life, but that doesn’t give u a reason to doubt your own friends, understand? We are your friends, Arthur, and we will always be with you, through your pain, grief, anything. We will share your burden and share your responsibility but we will never leave u behind, NEVER!!” Merlin says, his tone harsh, and he doesn’t seem to care. “I love u like my own brother and I will never ever let u on your own, even if u wish to shut me out. And the same goes for the other lads. So stop this crap this instant, yeah! All this shit talk about u losing your life, feeling low, all this nonsense has to go. u just lost your bloody sight, not the rest of you! There are many out there who’ve endured worse and still make it in their life. I don’t see why u should have any doubts. So hate me all u want, but I still want u to hear me out. STOP IT!!” he finishes.
    Arthur turns to his left and closes his eyes. Merlin is right, every word makes sense, yet… he can’t help feeling bitter with the way things are headed right now. Someone touches his shoulder.
    “Arthur… look, I’m sorry, mate,” Merlin says softly. “I was just …”
    “You’re right, Merlin.”
    “Huh?”
    “Your words… they are right. And I’m sorry… I…”
    “Arthur, there’s no need to apologise. We are all going through a bad patch at the moment, u the worst of the lot. But what’s important is u get better and we start this all over again, one step at a time.”
    “I’m not sure how, Merlin… I really don’t know”
    “You have us, Arthur, remember? u don’t have to go through this alone,” Merlin says and clasps Arthur’s hand in his. Arthur turns around and though he couldn’t see Merlin, he could feel his friend smiling on him. He smiles back.
    “Thank you, old friend,” Arthur says, his words warm and genuinely honest.
    “No… thank you,” Merlin says with a huge grin on his face.
    “Sorry to interrupt the emotional heartfelt moment, but… Arthur u have two meer vrienden who’d like to share this happy moment, too.” Gwaine pokes his head inside and nudges the door, stepping in with Leon following closely behind. Merlin turns around and he’s smile widens.
    “Gwaine… Leon!” Merlin says, leaving Arthur he walks vooruit, voorwaarts and embraces Leon. Gwaine leaves them both and steps up towards Arthur. He reaches and clasps Arthur’s hand, patting it gently.
    “Hey, mate… how’s it going?”
    “You tell me, Gwaine… you’re the one who sees me.”
    “Come on, Arthur… didn’t we just talk about that a minuut ago?” Merlin reminds from far. Arthur forces a sad smile. Gwaine pats Arthur’s hand again, comforting him.
    “It’s all right, Merlin,” Gwaine says. “Arthur, look, I’m sorry about this, but like Merlin said: u have us and we’ll do this together, yeah?”
    “Thanks, Gwaine, sorry about my mood.”
    “Hey, anyone in your shoes will be bitter, mate. I don’t know what I’d do if I were you, but if I have u lads with me, I’ll endure anything.”
    “Yes, he’s right Arthur… this isn’t what we expect from life, but what’s done is done. We have to think about moving on. In your case, we need to take each step at a time,” Leon says, nearing Arthur’s bed.
    Arthur feels proud he has such loyal vrienden door his side and suddenly he isn’t afraid anymore. He feels confident he can endure this. After all, like Merlin says, it’s just some five to six months depending how fast he can heal his wounds and after the operation he will be back on his feet.
    “Thank you, guys,” he says.
    “Come on, Arthur. We are your vrienden and vrienden don’t thank each other,” Gwaine says. Leon smiles and looks at Merlin.
    “So what do u have in your mind, Gwaine?”
    “I’m thinking about… booze and women”
    “Gwaine!!” Merlin says, amused and both Gwaine and Arthur laugh. Leon shakes his head. But Merlin isn’t angry. He’s thankful Gwaine finally made Arthur laugh. Gwaine slows his laugher and exchanges looks with Merlin. Merlin lip-syncs thank u and Gwaine antwoorden with a simple nod. He was just doing his duty. He loves his vrienden and will do anything for them. And he knows how distraught Merlin was yesterday, trying to make Arthur feel better. So to hear both of his vrienden laughing and smiling makes him feel better too.
    “Merlin?” Arthur calls out.
    “Yes Arthur?” Merlin nears him.
    “Is there anything else you’re hiding from me?” Arthur asks. Merlin’s smile fades and he tosses a quick emergency look at Gwaine.
    “What is there to hide, Arthur?” Gwaine chips in.
    “Knowing Merlin and how secretive he is… I’m having my doubts, Gwaine. After all, my father trusts him and that is meer than enough proof to seriously doubt him.”
    “Hmm…” Merlin looks lost. Gwaine steps closer and places his hand on Merlin’s shoulder. Merlin looks at him. Gwaine’s expression says it all. He wants Merlin to tell the truth about the man whom Arthur accidentally killed.
    “Merlin? Gwaine?”
    “Guys… what’s going on?” Leon steps closer and whispers.
    “Tell him, Merlin” Gwaine whispers at Merlin.
    “Guys?” Arthur calls again.
    “Merlin… he deserves the truth. Tell him” Gwaine urges again.
    “Tell what?” Leon whispers back.
    “Someone please answer me!!” Arthur’s is getting irritated. Merlin sighs and hangs his head.
    “Arthur… we are all here,” Merlin antwoorden softly and bites his lips. How is he going to start the conversation, he doesn’t know.
    “Then why the bloody hell didn’t anyone answer me?”
    “That’s not important right now Arthur. Just listen to Merlin, and please… don’t jump to any conclusions,” Gwaine says.
    “Gwaine, you’re confusing me. What the hell is he talking about, Merlin?”
    “Arthur… he’s right. Just listen,” Merlin adds and takes a deep breath.
    “Whatever… just spit it out already.”
    “You asked me if there’s anything else I’m hiding from you, didn’t you? There is…” Merlin stops and struggles to get his words out.
    “Like I guessed. So?”
    “Actually… first, u don’t remember anything from that accident?”
    “No!”
    “Are u sure? I mean, not the slightest at all?”
    “Merlin!! What’s your point?”
    “The dag u crashed into the wall… you, hmm… well it isn’t your fault, but u consumed alcohol and when you’re drunk u lose your senses, and… that makes sense here, so… u don’t need to blame yourself. u didn’t know where u were heading, so it’s… not your doing at all. And the car, it was a fast car and with alcohol and the fast car, we can never be sure where we are heading…”
    “Merlin!! Stop prattling and get to the point!!”
    Merlin stops and looks at Gwaine for help. He really didn’t know how to tell Arthur and needs help. Gwaine steps forward, squeezes Merlin’s shoulder in assurance and purses his lips.
    “You were drunk that night and before u crashed, u ran over a man, Arthur. And that man is dead,” Gwaine finishes. Merlin closes his eyes while Leon gapes in horror. Gwaine sighs and waits for Arthur’s response.
    But Arthur isn’t keen on replying to Gwaine of anyone else at that moment. He didn’t even hear the words properly. He killed a man? Is that what Gwaine just said? He ran over a man? But… how could he? He doesn’t remember running over anyone. He doesn’t remember anything from that night. Did he actually do that… kill a man? Arthur’s temple perspires as he tries to remember what happened that night. He was drunk, yes. In fact, he was completely bladdered and he wanted to kill himself, not another, that night. So, did he?
    Arthur tries hard to remember what happened after he stormed out from his house. He was bitter. He was completely shattered after listening to his father’s scorn and his first thought was to take his life. But those words were flashing in his mind like a teleprompter and he had to get rid of them first. And alcohol would be the fitting solution. He headed to the pub, drank himself to the maximum, enjoyed his final hours with those in the pub and headed back the car. Yes, he remembers now. He wanted to drive but the boy who drove his car back to him insisted on getting him home, and Arthur remembers bickering with him. He zei something, did something to the boy… he slapped him of something. Arthur can’t recall, but he climbed inside the car and drove it in an aimless direction. And then he drank some more. His head is throbbing now as he pushes himself to recall the accident. His head was light that night and he couldn’t even see the road but he sang and cursed his father loudly as he drove his car fast. He was moving so fast he missed all the sign boards and he screeched into a swerve and drove straight. Arthur holds his head as it starts to buzz with piercing pain. Gwaine looks at Merlin and Leon, his face panicky.
    “Arthur?” Merlin calls as he tries to shake Arthur from his thoughts.
    But Arthur isn’t listening. He was still trying to remember the crash. He was driving fast, so fast that he swore he had never tortured the wheels of his Lamborghini like he did that night. His head was swaying a bit. Yes, he remembers… his head was dizzy because the amount of alcohol he consumed. And his vision kept blurring. But he didn’t stop, he kept on driving.
    “Arghhh,” Arthur holds the side of his head.
    “Leon, get the doctor NOW!!” Gwaine instructs and circles the bed to get to the other side.
    “Arthur… Arthur, what are u doing?” he asks. But Arthur is still in pain and he didn’t answer Gwaine. He still clutches the side of his head and tosses and turns.
    “It must be his eyes… I think they are causing the pain to his head,” Merlin guesses.
    “What the… Arthur? Arthur, please hold on… the doctor’s on his way,” Gwaine says and tries to assure Arthur.
    But as the pain deepens, Arthur starts to remember. He is pushing for the memory to reemerge and that’s causing the headache. But he doesn’t care. He needs to know what happened that night and whom he drove over. He feels tears in his eyes as the pain pierces the inner core of his head.
    “Arghhh…” he shouts again, tossing his head. Merlin holds his leg from thrashing while Gwaine looks on helplessly.
    “Where’s Leon?” Gwaine asks impatiently.
    Arthur recalls driving straight. His mind was floating and he didn’t see the road of the sign that zei Sunshine Diner. He was almost half drowsy and couldn’t keep up with the road. He drove straight, up the curb and straight again. There was a person standing in his way. He blinked and urged that person to verplaats away, waving his hand in front of him. But he never stepped on the brake. He drove on and he noticed the person wasn’t moving as well. Then another person stepped in. He shouted something and his head swayed. He closed his eyes, and the car jerked suddenly, sending him forward. He pounded his head against the steering wheel and as he reopened his eyes, the person wasn’t there. But his car was still moving. His head swayed again. Another jerk and crash! His car rammed into something but he couldn’t recall what it was as he pounded his head against the wheel again, this time thrice. He heard his arm crack and felt liquid seeping out from his mouth, ear and nostrils. He also felt something trickling door the side of his forehead. He looked around; his car has stopped though the engine was still on. He heard noises, noted faces peeking through his window. He wanted to straighten up but as he did, something shot up his head. Like a mes slicing through his skin, the pain was unbearable, as was his head. His eyes felt heavy and as the noises increased outside, he flopped against the steering wheel again, his head hitting the horn.
    “What happened?” the doctor asks as he hurries towards them, Leon closely behind. Merlin and Gwaine steps back. Arthur was thrashing his head against the hoofdkussen, kussen now, screaming in pain.
    “Don’t know… he was fine and suddenly he was holding his head and shouting in pain.”
    “Arthur… Arthur. Look at me… look!” the doctor forces Arthur to look at him door clipping his chin and turning it to him. Arthur is still in pain and he hasn’t open his eyes his yet.
    “Open your eyes… what are u feeling?” the doctor asks.
    “It’s… painful, my head… arghhh!!! No, its painful… please stop it!! Please!!” Arthur says, his eyes still close.
    “He shouldn’t be thinking much, he must have aggravated his pain. Did u ask him anything?” the doctor turns towards the others in the room.
    “No, but…”
    “But what Merlin?” the doctor asks in frustration.
    “I told him the truth about the accident, and since then…” Merlin says, but struggles.
    “God, Merlin what have u done?” the doctor can’t believe what he hears.
    “He wanted to know, doctor… and after what happened I couldn’t bring myself to lie to him again,” Merlin replies.
    “Yes, but couldn’t it wait?” the doctor asks.
    “He insisted on it, doctor,” Gwaine helps his friend out.
    “He forced himself and it aggravated the injury. His head is terribly injured, Merlin, and it connects with his eyes. He mustn’t push himself to think of remember anything at the moment… this is what happens if he does,” the doctor shakes his head in disappointment.
    “What now, doctor?” Leon asks from behind him.
    “I have to give him painkillers, no other choice. It will put him to sleep, allow him to rest and calm down, and it will also reduce the pain. I don’t want this to be a habit of he’ll be depending on them everyday.”
    “He won’t, doctor, we will take care of it, promise,” Leon assures, looking at the other two.
    “I can see that” the doctor says, glaring at all three and instructs the nurse who has just walked in to prepare the syringe. Arthur is still grimacing in pain. The nurse hands the syringe and helps him out door holding Arthur’s hand. The doctor injects the painkiller.
    “I’m sorry, doctor, I really am,” Merlin apologises after the doctor hands the syringe back to the nurse. Arthur stops fighting and starts to calm down. The doctor checks his pulse and his eyes before turning back towards the rest of them.
    “I understand why u did it, but it isn’t the right time, trust me. He needs to rest his mind and allow his injuries to heal. He must not dwell on the past for the time being, and I believe u of all want him to get well soon, so… please don’t entertain his requests for now.”
    “Sure, doctor.”
    “Good… let him sleep. He needs it,” the doctor says and leaves.
    “He’s right, Merlin… come on, let’s go and grab something to eat”, Leon says and starts to leave.
    “I’m famished… come on, Merlin,” Gwaine insists. Merlin nods and walks back towards Arthur’s bed.
    “We’ll come back later, Arthur” he whispers and turns around but Arthur catches his hand, stopping him. Merlin turns back in shock and clasps Arthur’s hand.
    “What is it, Arthur?”
    “It’s a girl… it’s a girl I drove over,” Arthur says softly, the medicine kicking in.
    “No, it was a man…”
    “No… it’s a gir …lll…” Arthur drags his words and releases his clutch on Merlin.
    Merlin looks surprised but he doesn’t say anything else. He puts Arthur’s hand back on his chest, covers him up and turns around, ready to head out.
    “It’s a girl? But I thought …”
    “That’s what I heard, Gwaine … I don’t know! I really don’t know Gwaine. Best let him heal and then we can find out” Merlin suggests and leaves the room.


    Gwen stands outside the ward and watches everything with a smirk on her face. She had been allowed to watch Arthur from outside after hours of persuasion with the doctor and arrived just in time to witness Arthur’s traumatic headache and the follow up with his injection. But she didn’t understand why the doctor mentions eyes, head and so on. She saw that he is hurt, broken and at the moment bedridden but what else he is going through? If these are the only injuries he sustained from the accident then she is going to be very disappointed. She lost her father and he just broke a limb? She is far too involved in her view she didn’t realise Merlin and the rest had walked out.
    “Hello there?” Gwaine greets, his tone flirty with a huge smile on his face.
    Gwen shifts suddenly; surprised at being caught yet she calms herself down and laughs at her silliness. “Hmm… hi, hello… sorry, I didn’t hear u all coming out,” she says.
    “Do we know you?” Merlin asks.
    “No… I was looking for my friend and heard the commotion so I stopped by. Hope u don’t mind.”
    “No, of course not!” Gwaine says quickly and Merlin shoots him a teasing look.
    “I better be going, then…” Gwen says and readies herself to leave.
    “Yeah… so are we” Merlin says. Gwen smiles and walks past them. The others part to give her way.
    “Oh… if u don’t mind my asking, what’s wrong with him?” she asks, as she stops in her steps. Merlin and Leon exchange looks. Should they tell her? They hardly know her…
    “Involved in a nasty accident out the Sunshine Diner. Broke his limb, suffered nasty gashes and bruises and… lost his eyesight,” Gwaine replies. Merlin’s mouth fell open.
    “What? Oh Lord.”
    “Yes… pity isn’t he?” Gwaine says, shaking his head sadly.
    “No wonder he was struggling a while ago,” Gwen adds. Gwaine nods and looks at Leon. His friend looks at him in disbelief and Gwaine didn’t need to know why.
    “Yes… well, we really need to go. Nice meeting you,” Merlin says and tugs Gwaine with him as the latter blows a goodbye kiss to Gwen. Leon smiles at Gwaine’s behaviour and nods at Gwen before leaving.
    Gwen smiles and turns back towards Arthur. “So, you’re blind, eh?” she tells herself. A laugh escapes her throat. “Serves u right” she says as she smiles again, looks up at the ceiling, and sighs in fulfillment and leaves.