a/n: I don't really know where I'm going here but this idea wouldn't leave me alone. I'm currently writing yet another arwen fic but I don't think it's ready yet. So until then… here's whatever this is.
Arthur Pendragon was a busy man. He spent most of his days and nights working hard at the intensive care and trauma department at "Journey of the Sacred Heart" hospital. He admittedly had no time to himself. Between long days taking care of sick people and his father always riding him to do and be better, Arthur was weary. He had no kind of personal life; oddly he was actually happy about that. He couldn't even hold onto friends. They all came and gone so quickly Arthur couldn't remember the last friend he had. The only one that stayed with him throughout it all was merlin. His friend since high school. Arthur was a jock- head of the football team while merlin was the school's mascot. Everyone always made fun of merlin, pushing him into the Gatorade dispenser at games and into lockers into lockers between classes. Calling him words like "loser" "shitforbrains" or "idiot." they all expected Arthur to the same, but Arthur was a leader and he took the high road and actually got to know him. He did admit that merlin was an idiot, but not in a bad way. From then on they became more like brothers, merlin was Arthur's shadow and Arthur didn't mind it at all. When Arthur got offered a full ride to college on a football scholarship, merlin was the first in line to congratulate him. But after his father found out he told him he would just be wasting his life with the silly dream of becoming a "flashy football star." he suggested that Arthur follow in his footsteps and go to medical school and when Arthur's father suggested something it was more like a demand. Arthur confided in merlin and merlin told him he should follow his dreams, and not to let anyone stand in his way. Instead Arthur applied to Stanford pre-med and became a doctor. He moved to New York to finish up his residency then his father finally offered him a job and Arthur took it. Merlin moved to New York as well and became a history teacher. Arthur thought he was going to lose his best
friend forever when merlin went to an away college, but once he graduated and moved to NY Arthur's life seemed easier. "At least he had merlin." Arthur thought to himself. He walked into work as usual with his glasses in tow smiling at all the nurses and people as he walked past. His father saw him and told him to come into his office.
Arthur sat down in the chair across from his dad, waiting to hear how he probably screwed something up again.
"Arthur. Good morning son." Uther said.
"Hey dad, if this is about the blank prescription pads I had nothing to do with it and the situation is handled."
Uther looked at him with bug eyes, wondering what the hell he was talking about.
"No- this isn't about any prescription pads... This is about your position here at the hospital." Arthur furrowed his brow at him inquisitively. "Am I being fired or something?" he asked his father. Uther laughed lightly. "Not at all. Look as you know, my 57th birthday is coming up and I wanted you to be the first one to know- I'm retiring." Arthur's eyes shot up wider as he tried to fully digest what his father just said.
"You're retiring- but you run this whole half of the hospital!" Arthur told him.
"Exactly. And that brings me to my next two points." Uther got up from his desk and put his hand on Arthur's shoulders. "Arthur, you have shown me that you are my most valued doctor in this hospital- you understand how everything works just the way I like it and I think you would be perfect to run the trauma wing at the hospital."
Arthur had to pick up his own jaw. Because it was open wider then a sharks when it's ready to pounce on its prey. "Me? Run the entire unit? Dad I- I don't know what to say." Uther smiled at him and cupped his face. "You don't have to answer this moment. But I do need one by next week- make me proud son."
Arthur just stood there in nothing but shock. Running the entire half of the hospital was scary. There was so much work and he was going to be in charge of everyone. He sometimes didn't know how his father managed to do it all. Arthur's wordless thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his father's door.
"This brings me to my second point... Come in!"
Gwen walked into the room and smiled at Uther. It was nice to finally meet him. After three interviews and a lot of paper work Gwen was now the new registered nurse at the hospital.
"It's so nice to meet you sir." she shook Uther's hand then looked down at the blond guy sitting in the chair staring blankly in space.
"Is he alright?" she asked Uther.
"Oh! Yes he is- in fact this is my son, Arthur." Uther stood Arthur up and turned him around. Arthur's initial shock wore off when he saw her. She was completely beautiful. Her curly black hair fell down in cascades down her back and her slim figure strained against the black and purple flower dress she was wearing. She had beautiful brown eyes and a killer smile. Arthur felt like a teenager again as he admired her. Uther tapped him to speak when he saw Gwen put her hand out and Arthur not move.
Arthur snapped out of the daze her body kept him in and met her gaze. "I'm Arthur. M.D."
"I know who you are... Everybody does." Gwen said. "I'm Guinevere. Nice to meet you." he took her hand in his and felt a strange feeling of familiarity.
"Are you sure we've never met before? Somewhere?" he wondered. Her face, it seemed familiar. Like he already kissed those lips, caressed that face and held those hands.
"I think I would remember meeting you." Gwen said with a smile. Arthur smiled by boyishly fidgeting with his tie with his free hand.
"Well since it's my first day- I better get to work!" she told him.
"Definitely..." he added not releasing her hand. "So... Could I have my hand please?" she asked. He felt dumb and naive as he let her hand go. She walked out, ready to start her day.
"Yeah, I think I do know her." Arthur said to himself.
"I'm going to be working for whom?" Guinevere asked her dad as he continued to work.
"The Pendragons." her father said again.
"The Pendragons? As in the royal family? Why didn't you consult me before offering my services?"
"Guinevere this family needs the money. Besides- you won't be working for all of them- just the king's ward, Morgana." Gwen sat back in the chair and shook her head. She had saw Morgana repeatedly, floating around Camelot like she owned the place, yes she was very beautiful but she seemed stuck up in Gwen's mind. She didn't know if she wanted to work for a woman who had her nose in the clouds.
"Father I can find work on my own, please let me try?" Gwen pleaded
"I am sorry Gwen I already promised the king you would do it. And if you do not leave now you'll be late... So go on, get to it!" her father nudged her out the door and closed it behind her.
Gwen breathed deeply and slowly walked to the castle of Camelot. She passed many guards and servants on her way to morgana's room. She opened the door and there she was brushing her beautiful black hair in the mirror. Gwen admired her for a second before morgana noticed.
"Who are you?" Morgana took out a dagger and walked towards her.
Gwen raised her hands in surrender waving the invisible White flag. "I'm Guinevere... Your new servant my lady." She bowed as Morgana put her dagger away.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that. You scared me half to death."
"I'm sorry- I will knock next time I promise." morgana smiled at her chivalry then looked at Gwen up and down. She admitted silently to herself that she was beautiful. Almost too beautiful to just be a serving girl.
"Well Guinevere... You've got your work cut out for you. I need all my clothes washed daily, my bed needs to be cleaned up in the morning and at night and when bringing my lunch or any meal make sure it's never cold."
"Yes my lady, and if it's not too much to ask I prefer Gwen."
"Fine... Gwen. Follow me, the king wishes to dine with me for breakfast." morgana went to the mirror and finished her hair. She slipped on a red silky dress and they made their way into the hallway.
Prince Arthur was walking through the halls saying hello to his fellow men. He noticed Morgana coming towards him, smiling he puffed up his chest preparing to say hello to the goddess that is his father's ward. He walked towards her with the most manly-est walk he could think of quickly. Morgana and Gwen noticed the silly man walking towards them with his chest sticking out. He waved to her as the both almost reached Uther's chambers. Arthur decided that running up to her and saying hello would be better than his walk of shame, so he ran then immediately slipped on left over water that must've spilled from a bucket or something. He fell back first and came crashing down like a tree that had got struck by lightning. Morgana laughed and stepped over him saying "you should really watch your step Arthur." as she went inside of Uther's chambers Gwen bent over to help him up. She extended a hand to him and he reluctantly took it.
"Thank you." Arthur said. He dusted himself off not even noticing Gwen.
"You're welcome sire." she smiled. He finally looked up her and the first thing he noticed was her beautiful smile. It could literally light up a room.
"I'm sorry, I don't know your name..." he said completely taken aback by her blatant beauty.
"It's Guinevere. I'm morgana's maid."
"Really? You're a servant? You seem so..." Arthur stopped himself, even if he wanted to say "you look so beautiful fair maiden... Be mine." he knew he couldn't. After all she was a servant.
"So ... what sire?" she asked
"nothing... nevermind. I'm Prince Arthur."
"I know who you are." she looked down and wondered why the hell he was trying to have a conversation with her- a peasant.
"Well, thank you Guinevere, for your help." Arthur opened the door for her and she came inside with him right behind her.
"Arthur! Are you alright? Morgana told me you took a nasty fall." Uther said to him.
At that moment Arthur looked over to Gwen. She was pouring cold water into a big jug. He didn't know why but the first thought that came to his mind was "she is so very beautiful."
"Arthur!" Uther yelled to him. "I asked if you are alright."
Arthur took his eyes off of Gwen and turned to his father and smiled. "I'm great Father. actually- very great."