After a few hours of serving at the feast, Gwen needed to slip out for a short break, and it wasn't hard to find someone to cover for her. And, of course, she'd noticed that Arthur had made his escape, without dragging Merlin along with him, and a small part of her decided that she should go find him, to make sure he wasn't getting into any trouble.

So, Gwen quietly slipped out of the great hall, and set off in search of her prince.

Gwen reminded herself that someday she and Arthur really had to have a talk about him sneaking up on her. But for now, she kissed him back.

"Merry Yuletide, Arthur." She answered, when they finally came up for air. "I was actually just looking for you."

"Yes, but since you're not exactly wearing any armor, dull or shining, at present, I must have the wrong man." Gwen teased him back, smiling.

Gwen laughed. "So one of these knights must be the one I'm looking for?"

"You have a gift ready for me?" Gwen was confused. "You already gave me your gift, remember?"

Morgana's been prepared for this day since Arthur's birthday, present-wise.

She has a cloak for Gwen, and although there's a distance lately, it would be odd if she did not give her maid a gift.

There is nothing for Merlin. If asked, she would lie and say she thought it inappropriate, in case of ridiculous court gossip.

It pained her to find something for Uther, but she does, and keeps a convincing smile on her face when she presents it. She wanted to have Morgause curse the gift, but it would be too easily traced back to her.

More than anything, Morgana regrets being unable to leave the palace to see her sister. On a day such as today, her absence would be immediately noticed.

So here is Morgana, about the palace, pretending she has nothing on her mind but the pleasure of the day.

The use of such a title gives her a moment's pause, as if he knows something more, but his expression puts that to rest quickly.

"I am suitably enamored with the celebrations." Translated, that means bored our of her mind and missing her sister.

"Have you received many pleasing gifts this evening?"

Morgana takes the gift for a moment as if somehow it is cursed, then must explain her reaction.

"When I open it, I shall not have a distant descendant of Geoffrey leap out at me?" She manages a convincing teasing smile with that.

It takes her a moment to realize what exactly it is. She picks it up and turns it over in her palm. She's unfamiliar with her mother's crest. If it had been the crest of the House of Gorlois, she would have known it instantly, but this?

It is only because of their recent attempts to find something, anything of her mother's that she finally grasps its significance.

She looks a the ring, lightly running her finger across the crest and then finally looks back at Arthur.

"How did you --"

No, that's not where she wants to start.

"Is this --"

No, not there either.

"This is --"

Arthur has done the near impossible, Morgana's having difficulty articulating what she means to say.

"Thank you, Arthur."

Merlin was in a bit of a rush, planning to leave to visit Ealdor. On his way out however, he found himself taking a longer route and ending up by Arthur's chamber.

He just wanted to bid the Prince a good holiday.

"I was just heading out!" Merlin was grateful for the time off. His mother was going to be thrilled with the surprise visit.

"Gaius enjoyed it, I thought there could have been a bit more dessert." He grinned, clearly joking about the food. "No, it was great, Arthur. Thank you."

"It's not really necessary, they shouldn't have to ruin their holiday just to see me home." Besides Merlin's been getting much better with a sword. Not that he really needs that to defend himself. "How about just halfway?" Compromise is the nature of the season.

Merlin in turn ducks his head. "Not exactly, I'm wearing a few extra layers." Weight on Merlin? Such a thing could not possibly happen!

"It was a nice gesture though, Arthur. Thank you." Somehow he hadn't really expected the Prince to think of his safety like that. Merlin grinned warmly. Not even offended at the continued teasing.

"Well.. I cannot deny that. But I should be going soon- I just wanted to say farewell for now, and good holiday, and that I have a gift for you, but it is not yet completed. Gwen and I were working on something together."