As usual, I want to say thanks to those who took the time to review, to anyone who listed this as one of their favourites, to anyone who is following and to those who continue to stick with me on this and my other stories.

I have come to realize that my updates, are not making it up on the Merlin Fanfiction Archive as they usually do, and if I want to see it, I have to make a search and sometimes go through many stories with either the same name or similar to, until I find it. I don't have an answer as to why it is happening, but if anyone does, I welcome your feedback. Anyway here goes….

I do not own Merlin or the characters.

The drive home to Lance and Gwen's flat was a quiet one, punctuated with his phone frequently vibrating. Gwen was a mess of emotions. She doesn't

understand what is causing her to feel the way she's feeling towards Arthur. In her head she mentally berated herself saying, 'I love Lance. Me and Arthur

are just friends, besides he's with Vivian. He was just being kind to me, like he always is, but it felt so good being in his arms tonight…no… no… no, he wouldn't

look at me that way, would he? No way! I would hardly be considered his type anyway.'

They arrived home, and as soon as they were on the inside, Lance grabbed her hand roughly, and asked her.

"What was that all about…you and Arthur…and in front of our friends, not to mention, his girlfriend. Were you trying to humiliate me? Well I've got news for you Gwen, you did. You succeeded in doing just that."

Gwen was taken aback. During the three years that they have been together, she had never seen Lance act this way, and the only time that he had ever raised

his voice or snapped at her, was earlier in the night just before they left. She suddenly felt scared, and tears spilled down her cheeks. She tugged her hand from

his grip, and stood facing him.

"I don't know what you are implying or what you thought you saw, but I never set out to humiliate you, nor am I after Arthur. For all of the time that I have known him, he has always been kind to me, and I happen to enjoy talking to him. Vivian didn't seem to have a problem, and we certainly weren't doing anything inappropriate, but for you to assume we were, shows just how much you know me. I love you, and if you can't see that after three years, then there's obviously something wrong."

With that she turned on shaky legs, and headed to the bathroom, where she locked herself in, and cried her heart out.

As the weeks rolled by, things got gradually worse between Lance and Gwen. There was an incident in which Gwen noticed that every time his phone rang, he

would distance himself from her to answer it. One day she decided that enough was enough and she called him out on it. At first he tried to make up an excuse,

saying it was work-related, but she didn't buy it, so he told her it was none of her business. This caused a row, and he left that day, returning drunk at about

two o'clock the next morning. They both ignored each other, for the next two days, until they received the news, that Morganna and Arthur's father had died of

a heart-attack, which plunged the whole group into sadness, for their two friends, as they were now father-less and mother-less, having lost their mother years

ago.

She and Lance attended the funeral in full support of their friends, and although Arthur had Vivian there with him, he sought out Gwen as usual to talk to, and

she ended up being a comfort him. This didn't sit well with Lance, and he told her about it, as soon as they got home.

"I don't understand why you have to be the one to comfort Arthur, Vivian was there, the guys were there. What is it with you two? What do you and him always find so interesting to talk about?"

He was cut off sharply by an angry Gwen.

"Enough! Where do you get off telling me what I should and shouldn't do? Arthur is our friend and we stand by our friends because we love them and care for them. It's just done. Why couldn't you go over and talk to him, offer him your condolences and your support. For once, couldn't you think of someone other than yourself, put yourself in his place, wouldn't you want your best friends around you? You need to take that stick out of your ass and get with it, because you are not immune to tragedy, and neither am I," she shouted.

With that she stormed out of the flat and headed for the nearest bar, with the intention of drowning her sorrows.

They didn't speak to each other for four days, and only resumed when she inquired about his well-being, after he kept sneezing and seemed to have a bad

headache.

A few weeks later, Vivian and Arthur broke up, after she tried to weasel a huge sum of money out of him, citing she had serious medical problems, to which he

found out, that she only wanted to have her breasts enlarged. He took it in stride, because while he cared for her, he wasn't in love with her, and she happily

moved on to the next wealthy man she could grab onto. He on the other hand, suddenly found himself at the helm of his father's very lucrative company, as its

leader with a whole new list of responsibilities. Most of their friends also worked at the company in various departments, except for Gwen and Lance, who

worked as a pediatric nurse and head of a theatre company respectively.

Things continued to go downhill between Lance and Gwen, even to the point of him sleeping away from home. Gwen's attitude and demeanor changed

drastically. She went from being bubbly, vivacious, and sometimes witty, to constantly being stressed, anxious and depressed. It affected her work and her social

life. For others, these three complications would mean losing weight, because often, the person may lose their appetite, but for Gwen it was the opposite. She

became an emotional eater, by turning to food as a coping mechanism, and it lead to a vicious circle, because weight gain from depression can make a person

more depressed, and that is what happened to Gwen.

Her friends, mostly Moganna and Merlin, because Arthur being the new CEO/CFO was always busy, and sometimes travelling, so he didn't get to be with them

that often, noticed the changes in her, and they came up with a plan to secretly help her regain control of her life. They spoke to Arthur and told him of their

plans regarding her. He immediately became concerned and gave them his backing behind their venture of love. He had promised that as soon as things settled,

and he was well in control, he would relax some of his duties by promoting people who were qualified for those positions, so that he could spend some time

catching up with everything that was going on.

For the next few weeks, Morganna and Merlin started finding different forms of distractions for Gwen, like calling her every day and every night, whether she

was at work or not. They also started going for long walks, and inviting her along. Sooner, she started showing signs of feeling better, until one night in

particular. She had just come off a long emotional shift, where a young patient had died of an Asthma attack, and she was feeling pretty low. She entered the

flat, walked straight to her room, threw her bag on the bed, and started changing to go for a shower. While she was in the shower crying her heart out at the

loss of someone so young, Lance came home and entered their room. He was in a particularly nasty mood, and the problems he was having at home with Gwen

didn't help.

As soon as she entered and saw him, she became apprehensive. They didn't participate in sexual relations anymore, due to constant fighting and her being

sensitive about her body, because of the weight she gained. She went to her chest of drawers, and took out a big T-shirt, one of which she had recently bought

and a baggy pants, with the intention of leaving the room to dress.

Lance caught on quickly, and with the speed of lightning, he grabbed her by the hand, and snatched the clothes from her.

"Where do you think you are going?" he angrily asked her.

Shock filled Gwen's beautiful brown eyes, and she was rendered speechless.

"You never had cause to not want to dress in front of me. Do you think that your body is too special for me to see it? Well let me tell you, it's not. You're fat, and being fat makes you unattractive, and I've seen better. There are dozens of beautiful women around me everyday, just clamoring for my attention, and I could have any one of them if I should so desire. I bet your friend Arthur would be disgusted by the looks of you," he spat nastily.

Once again, Gwen was reduced to tears, and she snatched her clothes from him, as she fled the room. He left soon after, not even bothering to check on her, or

apologize for his actions, and Gwen, as soon as she heard the door close, ran from the bathroom where she was hiding, locked the door and slid the bolt in place.

After crying her heart out, she got up and went to the fridge, where she kept her favourite comfort food, Rich Layer Chocolate Cake, stashed in a sealed

container. By the time she was ready for bed, she had eaten the entire cake, whilst crying and subsequently descending back into a depressed state.

That night proved to be a turning point in her life, because she gradually began to get worse, and she started gaining more weight. By this time, she had

resigned from her beloved job, and refused invitations to go out with her friends. The only people with whom she regularly kept in contact, was Morganna,

Merlin and Arthur, when he was available. Lance became unconcerned for her and what was happening to her, partly because he was responsible for most of it,

and instead, he started staying away from their flat, and sleeping out most nights.

Months later, things came to a head, when a strange woman called Gwen's phone, wanting to know who she was, and why her number was in Lance's phone.

Gwen immediately called him and told him about the exchange. He arrived home about an hour later, and an argument ensued. Many things were said, mostly

by him, and he ended up leaving.

In the days that followed, her two best friends were by her side, constantly, and they comforted her in her time of need. On one night in particular, when she

seemed inconsolable, Morganna told Merlin.

"Call Arthur and see if he is free. I'm not sure about the time difference in Las Vegas, and it's Friday also, but he will call us back when he's not busy."

Merlin did call, but true to form, Arthur was in a meeting. He quickly left a message for him to call as soon as he could, and whilst he still had the phone in his

hand, he did a check for the time difference, and found out it was thirteen hours between the London and Las Vegas. Seeing that the time was 9:23p.m in

London, it was 10:23a.m in Las Vegas.

Arthur received Merlin's message about two hours later, and called immediately. By that time, they had consoled Gwen, and she was fast asleep. It was only

then, that Morganna remembered that she could have given Arthur's personal number to Merlin, that way they would have heard him almost immediately.

"What's wrong with Guinevere?" he asked worriedly. It always amazed Morganna whenever her brother called Gwen by her given name. No one else did, and it

just seemed right when he did.

She was no fool. Growing up, part of the reason why Arthur had never reciprocated any of the girls in school and otherwise advances, was because he was in

love with Gwen. She used to tease him when the two of them were alone, but she stopped when she realised that he was definitely head over heels in love,

with her best friend. As the years wore on, his feelings grew, but he never made a move or declared his love for Gwen. She watched him become jealous of guys

hitting on her, even to the point of secretly meeting them, and threatening them to stay away from her. How Lance got away, was beyond her, but she put it

down to Arthur respecting Gwen's decision to date Lance, because he was the first boy she was actually interested in.

She exhaled loudly and told her brother what she knew.

"I'm not entirely sure Arthur. I know it have something to do with Lance and him leaving, by the looks of it, I think he's really gone... for good. She won't open up to us, and I know she sometime do with you," she said, hurt penetrating her voice.

Arthur swore, and she heard what sounded like Arthur's hand connecting with the top of a table.

"Is she asleep, or can I talk to her?" he asked.

Morganna answered in a relieved tone of voice.

"She's asleep right now. I'm going to stay the night with her, and if I know Merlin, he'll want to stay also. If you can, maybe you can give her a call tomorrow. I know you are busy, and I'm sorry if we disturbed you."

Arthur immediately spoke up when he heard his sister say those words to him.

"Listen Morganna, there are few people in this world that I can truly call friends or family. You are my only sister, and I love you. Although I love those other guys, and I think of them as family, Merlin is like my brother, I place him above all the others.

And Guinevere…I have loved her from the time I was twelve years old, and she has become like…the air I breathe. I stood by and watched her with Lance, though it broke my heart to do so, because I respected her choice, and I wanted her to have a chance at happiness.

I can't say I'm sorry to hear that he's gone…I'm however sorry for what Guinevere's going through. It doesn't matter to me…how much weight she's gained…because she'll still be the most beautiful woman in the world for me, I just want to know…she's healthy in mind, and willing to move on from Lance.

Anything else can come after…I can't be there for another week, week-and-a half, but I will call her everyday to see how she's doing until I get back, starting tomorrow."

Morganna was floored, as she listened to her brother pour his heart out. Silent tears ran down her face as she sat and let his words sink in. In a watery voice

she responded to her brother's words.

"That makes me so happy Arthur. Gwen needs all the help she can get right now, and I know somewhere among her fading love for Lance, there's growing love for you, it's always been there.

Merlin says there are thirteen hours difference between here and where you are, so bear that in mind when you call."

Arthur actually laughed.

"I'll wager you Morganna, that Merlin had to use Google to find that out. Please inform him for me, that I knew that from high-school, and if he were paying attention in class, he would have too," he said cheekily.

Morganna had already turned the speaker on, as soon as Arthur laughed, so Merlin heard everything.

"Well that's a first, you supercilious clotpole," he said playfully.

Arthur laughed heartily, and after a few minutes of banter between the two, Morganna silenced them, and they bid each other goodbye.

True to his word, Arthur called the next morning around nine o'clock and asked for Gwen.

On hearing movement in her flat, and smelling something cooking, Gwen awoke, and wasn't sure where she was. She lay awake for a few minutes, trying to

figure out what was going on. Distinctly, she heard Morganna's voice, but it sounded far away, so she sat up, and within seconds, everything came flooding back

to her. She looked around her room, and the evidence spoke for it self, Lance was gone, this time for good. Hearing a knock, she looked up to see her best

friend, waiting cautiously by the door. Beckoning to her friend, she smiled wearily, and Morganna entered.

"Good morning sweetheart, how are you?" Morganna asked. Gwen replied in a quiet voice.

"I'm fine, could be better. I know it's you and Merlin I have to thank for coming over and taking care of me. Thank you Morgs. Where's Merlin?"

Morganna sat beside her friend, and she told her.

"There's no need to thank me Gwen, or Merlin, we love you, and anytime you need us, we will move the earth to get to you. As for Merlin, he's in the kitchen taking care of breakfast.

Come, there's someone on the phone who wants to speak to you."

Gwen's heart missed a beat. Butterflies flew in her stomach, and she took the phone from Morganna.

"Hello," she said softly.

On the other side, a smile automatically appeared on Arthur's handsome features, when he heard Gwen's voice.

"Hi Guinevere, how are you?" he asked. Gwen suddenly felt better.

"I'm fine Arthur. How are you?" she asked in return. Arthur smiled to himself. He is quite sure that Gwen must be the most genuine person he has ever met.

"Now that I've actually heard your voice, I'm happy. I wish I could be there for you Guinevere, and though I can't be at the moment, I want you to know, I'm still here. If at anytime you just want to talk or you need someone to cheer you up, other than those two M's, you can call me," he said sincerely.

Gwen was smiling. When she heard Arthur refer to Morganna and Merlin as the two M's she giggled.

"Thank you Arthur. It's very kind of you," she said quietly. Arthur suddenly became serious, and not wanting to overwhelm her, he softly told her.

"Well Guinevere, it's what you do when you love someone."

An audible gasp escaped her lips at that point, but before she could answer, she heard the sound of another phone going off on Arthur's side of the line.

"That's my business phone, I have to go, but as soon as I'm able to, I'll give you a call, if that's alright with you," he said nervously.

Gwen smiled to herself, as she pictured his sweet handsome face.

"I'd like that Arthur," she said kindly. Arthur's face lit up once again, and he replied.

"Great. Have Morganna give you my personal phone number. You can reach me anytime or anywhere on that one. Have a great day Guinevere."

Gwen just got the chance to say.

"Thank you Arthur. You too," before she heard the phone going again. At that they both said goodbye.

Days after, with much persuasion, Gwen assured her two best friends, that she was fine, and they don't have to rush over as soon as they were finished with

work. She reminded them that they both have lives, and she wanted them to spend some quality time with each other. They reluctantly took her up on her

suggestion and things gradually fell into place. They remained in contact daily, even Arthur, although he couldn't always call every day, but they kept her in

their focus at all times.

One Saturday, a couple of days before Arthur was due to arrive back home, Gwen was feeling much better, so she called Morganna and on the spur of the

moment, the two girls decided to go shopping. For the longest time, Gwen had wanted new furniture, so since she was feeling good about herself, she took their

shopping trip as the perfect opportunity. That day, the two of them had so much fun, and after a few hours, a few stores, and lots of laughter, they finally

picked out a cream upholstered L-set, ottoman included, that according to both of them, 'was to die for'. They left the store that day in high spirits, with the

store promising to deliver within a week's time.

The next few days were spent arranging for someone to pick up and transport her current chair set, to a home for orphaned kids. She received a call from

Arthur saying, that he had to push back his arrival date by two days, and he hoped to see her when he finally arrived home.

Gwen felt herself going into panic mode. Although she often heard Arthur, she hasn't seen him properly since he took over at the company, which was months

ago. Lance's nasty words came floating back to her, and she had to wonder what Arthur would say or think, when he sees her. She suddenly began to think of

herself as fat, unattractive, and hideous, because she had ballooned from weighing one hundred and thirty pounds, to one hundred and sixty- five pounds.

She shut herself away from everyone, even Morganna and Merlin, and only answered their calls. She returned to her old habits of eating unhealthy foods and

along the way, she picked up a few more bad habits in terms of, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, just throwing stuff around, like books, bills and even clothes. In

some instances, she refused to take a bath, and she got to a point where she didn't care what happened to her or her home.

She left her phone off the hook, and her aunt, who usually call around month end, to update her on her property and the finances garnered from it, had to call

her cell in order to talk to her. After reassuring her aunt that she was fine, and that she just didn't want to talk to anyone, they said goodbye to each other. The

two M's put in their usual calls to her and she spoke to them for a few minutes each time, also assuring them, that she was fine. She didn't hear Arthur that

day, or that night, so she assumed that he was busy.

She lay in her bed that night, and a feeling of deep loneliness overtook her, and she began to cry. She spied a bottle of pain killers on her bedside table, and dark

thoughts began to swirl in her mind. Taking up the bottle, she tried to open it, and the lid came off with so much force, some of the contents spilled all over the

table and floor. She started to pick them up, and feeling frustrated, she placed the bottle back down on the table, leaving it, and the ones that were spilled,

exactly as they were.

Facing away from the table, she heard a beeping sound, which she knew all too well, it meant her phone needed re-charging. Not caring, she snuggled herself

under the many layers of bed clothes, and cried herself to sleep.

Present day….

Next morning, she awoke to the sound of her two best friends calling her, and she could feel a warm hand shaking her, whilst another was gently rubbing her arm.

As usual, when I start these stories, I have exactly what I intend to write lodged in my head, but when I start writing, they take on a life of their own, and I just go with the flow. Usually I'm quite happy with how things turn out, so with that said, I hope this was good enough.