Rating: M
Characters/Pairings: Gwen, Elyan, Gwaine, Leon, Percival, Lance (Lancelot), Merlin, Arthur, Uther, Morgana
Oc (Katie, Mary, Elena, Cassie, Freya, Charles, William, Caryn, Lynnie)
Summary: Gwen found her Knight in Shining Armor.

THE KNIGHT
1. THREE YEARS AGO…..
It was a silly thing. It just caught Gwen's eye in the shop and on impulse she bought it. It wasn't even expensive. She felt silly when she took it out of the bag at home. A child's toy really, it was a knight on his horse in full medieval armor. She sat it on the night table in her bedroom.

It wasn't that Gwen believed that there were still Knights in Shining Armor. It was the concept of a childhood story. As women, we are programmed to wait for our Prince because we are told that 'someday' he will come. The same holds true for that Knight in Shining Armor, he was supposed to be one his way too. That's what they told us anyway. But is it really true? Gwen was starting to believe it wasn't.

She unpacked the bags of groceries into the refrigerator and went to get ready. There was a party to go to tonight.

Her brother Elyan and his army buddies were throwing a party for Merlin. He had been their medic overseas and now he had just finished his training as a doctor and passed his exam for his license. Elyan said everyone would be there even their unit commander, Arthur Pendragon. Gwen had never met Arthur before. He had not attended any of the other parties that she had attended.

Gwen dressed simply in a soft peach summer dress and a light rap. Elyan would pick her up in less than ten minutes. She looked at her unruly curls and sighed. There was nothing that could be done to them now. She gave them a toss and heard a knock on the door.

Gwen opened the door to see her brother in his army uniform. "What are you wearing that for?" You've been out for two years now.

"The Lieutenant said to wear them. It's a way to honor Merlin's service." Elyan looked at his sister. "You look nice."

"Thanks, I'm ready. Shall we go?" Gwen grabbed her bag and keys and headed out the door. "I'm driving"

The party was being held in the private room of a local pub. When Elyan and Gwen arrived they were greeted by Gwaine, Leon and Percival.

"They aren't here yet." Gwaine informed them. "Want ale?"

"Sure," Elyan answered.

Gwen shook her head. She was probably going to have to drive them all home. The whole lot of them didn't know when to stop drinking once they started.

"Get you a soda, Gwen?" Gwaine smiled.

"Yes, that would be good." Gwen smiled back as he went off to get the ale and soda.

Lance walked through the door with a drink in his hand as Gwaine left and smiled at everyone. He and Gwen had dated but it had ended very badly. He looked slightly embarrassed when he saw Gwen. He nodded a hello to her.

Gwen nodded back then pulled Elyan aside. "You didn't tell me he would be here."

"He's here for Merlin just like we are. I doubt he will make a scene tonight. Will you?" Elyan looked at her seriously.

"No I won't," Gwen promised. "I have nothing more to say to him."

"Good," Elyan smiled. "Because I don't want to have to punch him again, I think once for cheating on you is enough."

"Hey Elyan want to play a game of darts with me?" Gwaine said as he handed them their drinks.

"Yeah, I'll be happy to beat you Gwaine." Elyan said as they walked over to the dartboard.

Gwen walked over to Percival. "Where is Mary?"

"She had to work. She's been working doubles so we can get a new place. I have too, but I wanted to be here to toast Merlin."

"Are you renting or buying?" Gwen smiled up at him.

"Buying. We want to start a family but we can't do it in that small one bedroom flat. We almost have all of it now we just need a little more to start looking." Percival said as he looked around. "I can't believe I'm the only one married. For a while we thought that you and Lance … but I guess not anymore."

"No not anymore," Gwen sighed. "Where is Merlin? I can't believe he's late for his own party."

"The Lieutenant is picking him up. They're probably stuck in traffic." Percival smiled as Elyan hit the bull's eye and Gwaine groaned in displeasure. Leon laughed and nearly fell off the chair. "Gwaine should know better. Your brother never loses."

Gwen chuckled. "That's true."

Merlin came in with another man behind him. Everyone turned and applauded the new doctor. Merlin smiled and turned bright red in embarrassment.

Gwen's eyes drifted to the tall blonde man behind Merlin. She looked him over and thought to herself, now there is a Knight. His eyes met hers and she felt a jolt of electricity pass through her. That was strange, she thought.

Arthur Pendragon looked at the pretty girl standing there and smiled. He was just released from the service and its limitations on his personal life. He had to meet this vision of beauty. He walked around Merlin to cross the room.

Gwen smiled at him as he approached. He held out his hand to her. "Hello I'm Arthur Pendragon."

"Hello I'm Gwen. I'm Elyan's sister." She took his hand and shook it.

"I remember, he spoke of you often." Arthur smiled at her.

"Probably to say that I was annoying," she laughed.

"No, he said you were a nursing student." Arthur corrected her.

"I'm a nurse now." She realized she was still holding his hand. She really didn't want to let go but she did and suddenly wished she hadn't.

Merlin came over and hugged her. "Thanks Gwen, I'm glad you came." He glanced over at Lance then back to her.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Dr. Emrys." Gwen smiled. "Do you know where you'll be working yet?"

"Yes and I think you'll be pleased. I'll be working at the same hospital as you."

"Oh that's brilliant! We can have lunch sometime."

"Yes we will, I promise," Merlin nodded.

"Hey Merlin, want to play?" Gwaine called over.

"I think Elyan is beating him badly." Gwen chuckled.

"Elyan beats everyone at darts," Arthur said.

"Yes he does," Gwen agreed. "You think they would all know better by now to challenge him."

Arthur snorted in amusement. "You would think, wouldn't you?"

The waitress came in with platters of food and more ale. They abandoned the darts to sit at the tables and eat and drink more. Arthur maneuvered his way to sit next to Gwen.

Elyan glanced up from his drink and saw Arthur talking to his sister and frowned. Merlin was sitting next to him and noticed it too.

"Don't worry Elyan; I don't think Arthur would do anything knowing that she is your sister." Merlin whispered behind his drink.

"Didn't stop Lance, did it?" Elyan scowled.

"Well I guess it didn't." Merlin took a sip. "You want me to talk to him."

"No, Gwen is an adult and I can't run her life. She'd kill me if I tried." Elyan sighed.

"Smart move, she is a nurse and can kill you without it even showing up in the post mortem." Merlin grinned at his friend.

"That's not funny, Merlin." Elyan closed his eyes and sighed. He was slightly annoyed at what he saw

"Sorry," Merlin apologized.

Gwen looked up to see Elyan looking annoyed. "I don't think my brother approves of me talking to you."

Arthur frowned. "I don't understand why."

"Well, after what happened with me and Lance. He really doesn't want me to show any interest in his friends."

"I'm sorry, what happened with you and Du Lac?" Arthur was a little confused. He hadn't heard of anything going on.

"We were dating and I found out he was seeing another girl behind my back. Elyan punched him in the face. I'm surprised you hadn't heard."

"No I hadn't," Arthur shook his head. "That is why Elyan is staring daggers at us now then."

"Yes," Gwen blushed.

"I promise my intentions will remain honorable," Arthur grinned.

"I have no doubt." Gwen smiled back. "Why is this the first time I've met you?"

"I took an extra tour. It wasn't the smartest idea I ever had but it's over now. I was released just last week." Arthur told her.

"What will you do now?"

"Consulting. I'll be doing security consulting mostly for corporate operations. I'm not stupid enough to go back there." Arthur looked at his drink and reached for the pitcher to refill it.

"Elyan said it was difficult there. I can understand why you don't want to go back."

Arthur nodded and took a drink out of his now full glass. "Do you need another?" He looked at her nearly empty soda.

"Uh yes," Gwen nodded.

"I'll get it. What is it?" Arthur took her glass and stood.

"It's soda. I usually have to drive them all home." Gwen looked up at him.

Arthur laughed and went to the bar to refill her drink. He returned in a few minutes with a fresh glass and another plate of sandwiches. He handed her the drink and sat the plate on the table between them.

"Elyan always said you were the responsible type. These men are lucky to have you looking out for them." Arthur smiled as he sat down.

"He said that," Gwen looked amused. "He's usually the ring leader of it all."

"Always was," Arthur agreed. "Well along with Gwaine of course."

Elyan looked over at his sister and frowned again. Just then he caught sight of Lance leaving with a very upset look on his face. "Well at least some good came of this."

Merlin looked at Elyan. "You mean Lance getting upset?"

Elyan nodded. He drained his glass and reached for the pitcher to refill it.

A woman appeared in the doorway of the private room. She folded her arms and started to tap her foot.

"Katie my love." Leon looked up and tried to get up but nearly fell over.

Katie rolled her eyes and went over to help him stand and took him home.

"That was Leon's fiancé. Katie has patience that I don't think I would." Gwen laughed.

As if on cue the Gwaine and Percival stood up and nearly fell over. They giggled like fools.

"Gwweennie, could you take us home, please." Gwaine gave her a tipsy grin.

"Sure," Gwen stood. "Excuse me Arthur responsibility calls."

"Why don't I give you a hand?" Arthur stood and helped a nearly falling over Gwaine to the door. Percival wobbled along behind them.

"Thanks. Gwen smiled in appreciation. She called out to Elyan. "I'll be right back."

Elyan nodded then called back to her. "Gwen, Merlin and I will be ready when you get back."

"I have no doubt." Gwen said catching sight of the two empty pitchers on the table between them.

Merlin frowned. "What did that mean?" He reached for one of the empty pictures and looked at it confused. "Oh that's what she means."

Elyan looked at Merlin and the empty pitchers on the table. "Well did you like your party?"

"Yeah, it was good to see you all. I suppose I'll be around more now that my training is over."

"Good, I've missed you." Elyan patted him on the shoulder.

Gwaine and Percival were placed in the back seat and they were on their way. Arthur looked back at them. "Are they alright?"

"Yes, I've seen them worse." She pulls over to Gwaine's flat and she and Arthur get him out and take him in. Gwen puts a bin next to him on the sofa and leaves. Arthur follows.

Mary is waiting outside for Percival. "Elyan sent a text saying he was on the way. Percy, look at you! You are not calling off work tomorrow so you better get some sleep. Thanks Gwen, I'll take it from here." Mary props up her husband as she hauls him up the stairs to their flat.

Gwen laughs softly as she gets back behind the wheel. "Last time she slapped him."

Arthur looked back at the couple. "Really?"

Gwen nodded and laughed. "Elyan and Merlin should be almost out by now." Gwen turned the car around and headed back to the pub.

"I have to get my bags out of Merlin's car. I hate to ask but could you take me to the hotel after we drop them off?"

"It's no problem I'd be happy to." Gwen smiled. She was glad that she got a little more time to talk with him. There was something about him that was intriguing.

They went back to the pub and Gwen was right. Merlin and Elyan had their heads down on the table barely conscious.

"Come along you two." Gwen helped Elyan to the car and Arthur got Merlin up to follow them.

Arthur took Merlin's keys and got his bags from the boot of his car. Gwen opened the boot of her car so he could put them in.

They dropped Elyan off first. Gwen put him on the bed with a bin beside him and went to drop off Merlin.

Merlin's girlfriend, Freya answered the door. It looked like she had been sleeping. "What happened to him?"

"He's drunk. Where do you want him?" Gwen looked at her.

"Oh, put him on the sofa." Freya moved so that Arthur could put him where she indicated and they left.

"What is the name of the hotel?" Gwen asked as they were getting in the car.

Arthur told her and they headed there.

Arthur went in to register and then came back out. "They gave my room away, something about a conference. Any ideas?"

"You can stay with me tonight. I have a free sofa you can use." Gwen smiled.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Arthur smiled at her.

They got back in and headed to Gwen's flat. When they got there Arthur took his bags out of the boot and followed her in.

Gwen grabbed sheets and pillows for him out of the cupboard and started to make the sofa up.

Arthur came over. "Here let me." He took the blanket from her and she turned to face him. On impulse she kissed him. He returned the kiss and dropped the blanket.

Gwen and Arthur fell onto the sofa and made love. When it was over they just stared at each other.

"I … I really …." Gwen just sighed. There was nothing she could say to explain what she did.

"It's alright. I …" Arthur couldn't explain it either.

They just kissed and made love again.