Disclaimer: Don't own Merlin.
It was a beautiful day of spring.
The flowers, all in shades of violet, were in place and the guests were all seated.
Everything was perfect, from the decorations to the smallest detail.
Merlin, the closest friend of the groom, hoped that nothing wrong would happen before, during and after the ceremony and reception.
He looked at his side where the groom was already standing in front of the altar. He was so nervous, his attempt to hide it was failing miserably. Then his gaze moved to the curly petite girl sitted on the second row of the church.
But there is something wrong already. The whole event seems so wrong.
I I I
"I'm so tired! I could sleep here right now and these stilettos are killing me!" Gwen loudly complained. She crossed her legs, put off her shoes and massaged her feet.
Morgana looked at her intently "Gwen, please.. You don't have to pretend t-"
"Another Manhattan please" Gwen asked the bartender.
"Gwen, it's the 6th already!" the girl rolled her eyes and decided to ignore her best friend. When the drink arrived Morgana snatched it and took it off the other girl's grasp. "I think you have enough for tonight.. I know you're hurt but-"
"I'm NOT!" Gwen replied harshly. Then with more calmed voice she continued "At least not so much anymore. I'm his past. She's his present and future.. plus, they're lovely together".
"You were lovely together too! And you know that there is still chance to-"
Gwen laughed "Suggesting me to have an affair with a married man huh, Morgana?"
"No! It was not what I meant. You know-"
"Yeah, yeah. I know that. But I can't and will not do anything. It would be useless anyway. They're both rich and their family are friends. He's the heir of a business empire and she's a socialite. They're perfect together! ... I'm going to the bathroom. Wait for me here". and with that the petite girl stood up and left the room.
I I I
Where is Guinevere?
The groom saw the girl left the room. He excused himself to the bride and followed her immediatly, but when he arrived at the hotel corridor, the girl was nowhere on sight. He opened the doors nearby and looked inside the room.
"What are you looking for?" a voice, her voice arrived from his back.
He turned around and saw Gwen standing there looking at him. She had a slightly amused smile on her beautiful face, yet her expression was sad. It hurt him inside because he knows that he was the cause of her pain.
"Uhm.. I was looking for you"
"Well you found me.."
"Uh.. I just want to tell you... that..." his throat went suddenly dry. His words left him. Then looking at her well now, he realized she looked very captivating on that dress.
Charming. Lovely. Beautiful. He couldn't help but think it. She's always beautiful. Even with rags she would look exquisite.
"What?" she asked
He found his words again and asked slowly "I wanted to know if we're okay.."
She giggled lightly. "Of course we are.."
"Because we kinda never had a proper ending.. we left it just like that.."
Silence filled them. Neither one of them knew how to continue.
"We were friends at first.. and I couldn't believe that you, one of the most eligible man of the nation would even notice me." Gwen started "Then we started dating. I was so happy. But we had an on and off relationship. Neither of us was set out to leave their carrier to follow the other. And I wasn't strong enough to fight for our love against your family, the press and other people. Then Elaine came along and I guess you found your other half. Things like this happen. We should just move on and leave the past behind.
"Yeah.. But I just want you to know.. That you will always have a special place in my heart. You changed me forever and I will alway-"
"I know"
He got closer to her and touch her cheek with his left hand "Guinevere you're... " Crying.
"I know."
I I I
"What a wonderful wedding!" Gwaine exclaimed "The drinks were awesomely good and never lacked! No doubt Elaine will do a marvellous job organizing parties for her now husband."
"Yeah" Gwen replied with no emotion.
"I wonder where did they go for their honeymoon.. was already a bit drunk when they left.. care to fill me up? I bet it's in a warm tropical place. That couple needs a good tan! and the girl more!"
Gwen giggled slightly. "You're right.. they went in Hawaii.."
"Really? How typical! I was expecting at least a private island lost in the Pacific. Come on! they're one of the most richest family here in England!"
"Elaine wanted so badly to go there. She insisted.. plus her father bought them a mansion there.. for vacation."
"Oh.. I see... how's your head Esme?"
"Next time remind me not to drink more than one drink at night." She said. She woke up with a huge headache and she immediatly went to Gwaine's room next to hers to ask how to survive it. After all he's the major expertise on hangovers.
"Can I ask you a question Gwen?"
The girl didn't reply and he continued "Are you okay with all of this?"
"No.. I just told you to make me remember how I feel right now next time I drink again."
He smiled and said "I mean with HIM marrying another woman. I never knew how you feel about this.."
"Does it matter? I don't have any other choice but to live with it."
"No. you may have no choice. but I'm asking about your feelings. opinion."
"You're asking me if It's okay for me that's he's spending the rest of his life with another woman?" A woman different than me.
The man just stayed silent.
"YES." NO
"I'm happy for them."
I I I
"Gwen!"
"Morgana! Hi, what a lovely surprise!"
"Really? talking about surprises, imagine mine when I learnt from Leon that you're moving into another country! Another country!
"I'm sorry Morgana, but everything happened so fast!" the smaller girl apologized
"Okay. What is done is done. So tell me everything!"
"I'm moving in Seattle. In 5 days. They're promoting me into a larger law firm. Which means major cases." she says with a smile.
"In 5 days!? For how long?" Morgana asked her impatiently
"For as long as I wish I think."
"I'll miss you! You're my best friend, and I couldn't ask for a better one!" and with that Morgana hug the other girl tightly.
"I will miss you too. So much. But i have to do this. I want to move on with my life, and I can't do it with him nearby. But I'll be back. Hope to be stronger by then.
Morgana just held her tighter, further explanations were unnecessary.
I I I
The departure day finally came. 5 days passed very fast.
Gwaine organized a "Seeyousoon" party for her the night before, inviting their closest friends. She was going to miss them. Very much.
Everybody went to see her off in the airport too. Even the newly weds. They arrived 2 days ago after one month of honeymoon.
She embraced once again her friends. No words were needed. They already said last night their goodbyes and all.
"I'm so happy for you for this opportunity Gwen" Elaine said while giving her a hug. "You really deserve it. Heard you're one, if not the best, lawyer in your firm."
Gwen returned the hug "Thank you very much. But they probably just chose me because I don't have any family attachements here in England. So I can be move easily".
"Modest as always."
She just smiled and pass on the person beside Elaine. HIM.
"So.. this is it."
Gwen giggled and said "Yes, this is it."
"You're coming back soon right?"
"Soon."
"Take care in Seattle. It's very rainy and cold there so make sure you're always covered up well."
"Okaaaay."
"And if ever you need something. Anything. Don't hesitate to contact us".
"I will not. Thank you again. For everything."
"Call and email me- us." the girl simply smiled.
"You will right? To let us know your situation there."
The attendant's voice announcing that the plaine for Seattle was starting to board echoed around the room.
"Goodbye.. Lancelot." and with those final words she turned on her shoes and headed towards her gate.
Both of them, and their friends knew that that goodbye has more than one meaning.
In order to get forward, they have to let go of the past. He already found his other half.
Now it's time to find hers.
A / N : Thinking to make another chapter. Just one. With Gwen finding her other half. And I think everybody knows perfectly who it is by now.. :)