As always, I want to say thank you to those who took the time to review, to those who faved and to those who are still with me on this and my other stories. Mostly written in one go, you know how I do it, so here goes….

I do not own Merlin or the characters.

Arthur arrived in the UK at the scheduled time, feeling tired and clamoring for his bed.

He made his way through the Customs Area quickly, seeing as he flew on his company's private jet, and his last name was Pendragon.

Normally, when things like that happen, it would upset him, because he has always striven to

be treated as an equal, and never let the fact that his name afforded him special treatment, get to his head, but today he couldn't care less. He just wanted to

get home, and preferably in his bed.

He exited the Customs Area and stepped on the outside, where family and friends normally wait to receive their loved ones.

Promptly, a car pulled up and the driver got out.

He walked up to Arthur, and after greeting him, took his coat and bags, loaded them into the car, and held the door open for Arthur to get in.

Minutes later, the car pulled up at Pendragon Estate, and Arthur exited as he thanked his driver. He headed straight for his room, greeting a few staff members

along the way.

As he entered his room, the sight of his bed, lit up his tired eyes, and after making a few calls to the office, ensuring everything was in order, he made his way

into his bathroom to take a shower. Half an hour later, he was sound asleep in his huge bed.

Gwen and Morganna were out and about, but after a few hours of shopping, or rather Morganna dragging her around, Gwen was ready to personally have herself committed to an asylum.

They had visited five stores, all at which only the rich and elite shopped. Gwen protested, but Morganna insisted on purchasing clothes from each store.

She however, only succeeded in purchasing two outfits from each place, but only after Gwen put her foot down, by threatening to cancel the meeting with Arthur and staying locked in her room.

When they arrived home, Merlin was sound asleep, so they went to Gwen's room to sort out their purchases, and decide which outfit she would wear later.

After much debate, they settled on a pink sleeveless, sexy night-club type, O-Neck dress, with the back out, and coming to about mid-thigh, with white and yellow flowers appliqued around the neck and back.

For her shoes, Gwen decided that since they were staying in, she would go with white strappy sandals, instead of the wedges Morganna wanted her to wear.

"Morgs, we're not going anywhere special, and according to you, if Arthur cares that much for me, I don't have to try too hard to win him over," she said kindly.

Morganna relented, as she took in her friend's happy expression.

"You're right Gwen. I just want everything to go well. I want you to feel beautiful, because you are, and I don't want any negative thoughts creeping into your beautiful head either," she said honestly.

Gwen embraced her best friend and she sincerely told her,

"You worry too much Morgs. Everything is going to be fine, and it'll just be like old times…minus Lance. I won't let anything he's said about me take away from my time with Arthur, I promise."

Morganna pulled back slightly, and a mischievous grin crested her lips.

"Good, because me and Merlin are not going to be here, so if you guys decide to get a little adventurous, feel free to keep as much noise as you like," she cheekily said.

Gwen was shocked. She sat speechless with her mouth opened, and her brown eyes the size of saucers.

Morganna chuckled loudly at the look on her face, and the blush that crept over her lovely caramel cheeks.

Placing her hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, she stood and walked around the bed until she was standing in front of Gwen. Composing herself slightly, she gently touched Gwen's shoulder and said,

"I'm sorry Gwen, but I couldn't help it. I know you're just getting over Lance, but according to you, it's been a while since…you know…and for Arthur also, in fact, I don't think he actually did that much with Vivian and knowing how he feels about you, I'm sure…"

She was curtly cut off by Gwen shouting her name.

"Morganna!" She pasted an innocent look on her porcelain face, and closed her mouth.

Gwen was mortified.

"After all of these years, I should be immune to that mouth of yours. I know you mean well, but I can't think about that right now. I just want to take things one day at a time, because I still need to get myself into a good place where I can well and truly say, I've been there and done that," she kindly said.

Morganna sat listening to Gwen with a serious expression on her face. She knows within herself that Gwen is right, and although she wants to see her with

Arthur, she wants her to be healthy and in a really good place.

"You're right Gwen. I was just winding you up.

Yes, I'll admit that I really want you and my brother to be together, but I also want what's best for you, because the only way you can give your all to him, is by putting yourself in a good and healthy place," she said honestly.

Gwen smiled at her friend and said,

"Thank you Morgs, for understanding, for sticking by me…for everything. I love you, and I'm eternally in your debt, even for making me laugh."

Morganna in turn replied,

"You are more than welcome, but there's no need to thank me, besides, I didn't do anything you wouldn't do."

They eventually went back to chatting about the clothes that Morganna had purchased, and Gwen couldn't believe she'd let Morganna talked her into getting some of them.

One particular outfit was smaller than the rest, and according to Morganna, when and if she decide to go back to her original size, that should be the first piece of clothing she 'hit the town with', as it was guaranteed to turn heads, Arthur's in particular.

They parted after a while, because they both wanted a rest after the morning they'd both had.

A few hours later, Arthur awoke feeling well rested, but a bit disoriented, because he wasn't sure where he was at first.

One of the first thoughts that entered his mind was of Gwen, and a smile lit up his handsome face. He presently got up, went to the bathroom and emptied his bladder.

He headed to the kitchen next, where he found that his butler had prepared a light dinner for him, so he sat in peaceful solitude and ate heartily.

After eating, he decided to take another shower before going to see Gwen, so just before he entered the bathroom, he picked up his phone and called her.

"Hi Arthur it's great to have you back-You want Gwen-I'll get her for you-hang on a second," his sister answered.

Arthur chuckled to himself, his sister never ceased to amaze him. For the umpteenth time he wonders how Merlin is able to handle her.

He sighed audibly and thought to himself. 'She was right though, I want...no...I need Guinevere...so much.'

Gwen was awake for some time. She felt rested and her mind was at ease. For once she felt as if she was in a happy place, and she owed it all to her friends…

and Arthur, because just thinking about him, made her happy.

She heard a quiet knock on her door, and she bid the person enter. Morganna entered with a smile on her face, and she handed her the phone saying,

"For you."

She exited just as quickly with a cheeky smile gracing her lips this time.

Feeling butterflies flitting about in her stomach, Gwen calmed herself as best as she could and said,

"Hello."

Arthur's heart leapt at the sound of her voice, and he smiled to himself.

"Hello Guinevere. How are you?" he softly asked.

Gwen suddenly felt warmer. 'How is it that he can make my name sound so…beautiful and so...sexy,' she thought to herself.

"Hi Arthur, I'm fine thank you, and yourself?" she asked.

Once again Arthur smiled, and his face took on a dreamy expression.

"Good thanks…was a bit tired earlier when I first got in, so I took a shower and a nap, now I'm actually feeling quite refreshed and revitalized," he said.

All of a sudden, Gwen's mind went into over-drive. She started picturing a very naked Arthur standing under the shower rubbing soap all over his muscular

body, and before she knew what was happening, a soft moan escaped her lips.

She was subsequently brought out of her day-dream when she heard Arthur gently calling for her.

"Guinevere! Are you alright?" he asked cautiously. Gwen caught herself then, and answered,

"Uh-huh…um…I'm fine Arthur."

Arthur was not quite convinced, but he took her at her word.

"Okay. Are you still up for some company?" he asked timidly.

Gwen chuckled softly, as she pictured him running his hand through his blonde hair, and looking incredibly sexy.

"Looking forward to it actually," she replied.

Once again Arthur's handsome face lit up, as he smiled sweetly.

"Great, I am too. Now I need to ask you a couple of questions. Have you eaten and if not, can I bring you anything?"

Gwen hesitated for a few moments. She hadn't eaten since lunch time, and that was when she was out with Morganna shopping.

She had plenty food at her disposal, Morganna and Merlin saw to that, but she was still wary of her weight gain, so she resolved to eat lightly.

She really was hungry though, so she decided to take up his offer.

"No Arthur, I haven't yet. If it's not too much trouble, can you get me some fish and chips with a small salad?" she asked shyly.

Arthur wanted to tell her that he would go to the moon and back, walk on a bed of hot coals bare-footed for her, if she so much as ask him to, and that nothing

would ever be to hard for him to do for her, but he filed it away for another time. Instead he quietly told her,

"No trouble at all Guinevere. Do you have a preference as to where I should go to get them?"

Gwen thought for a second before she answered,

"No, but there's a place not too far from here that serves good stuff, so you might want to try there. Other than that, I'll leave it up to you."

They chatted for a few minutes more, and then they hung up.

About forty-five minutes later, Arthur arrived with Gwen's order and looking extremely handsome. He was wearing blue jeans, a dark blue sweater which was

molded to his sculptured chest and arms, and black boots.

Morganna answered the door, dressed for her night out with Merlin, as Gwen was still in her room getting dressed. Merlin appeared just as Arthur entered and embraced his sister.

"You two look as though you are about to leave," Arthur remarked suspiciously.

Both dark haired M's suddenly looked guilty, as they glanced at each other.

"Uh…Merlin and I are off to see a movie, and then we'll probably take in a late dinner and some dancing," Morganna answered.

Arthur caught the surprised look on Merlin's face as his sister mentioned what they would be doing.

"Oh, and which movie would that be?" he asked.

Once again Morganna stumbled on her answer.

"Uh…it's…um…that funny one…you know…I can't remember the name, but I hear it's very good," she said, as her eyes desperately sought Merlin, pleading for help in silence.

Arthur was onto her, and he had a good idea of what was really going on.

"Okay Morganna, but you really should just come out and say you're leaving to give me and Guinevere a chance to talk alone. I totally appreciate it though. Thank you," he said, with a blank expression on his handsome face.

Morganna stood speechless with her mouth opened, as Merlin tried to stifle a laugh. Suddenly, Gwen's door opened, and she stepped out. All three heads turned

to watch her as she made her way towards them, but at the hitch of Arthur's breath, the two M's and Gwen looked in his direction.

Arthur was mesmerized.

It's been a couple months since he's actually seen Gwen, and although he's heard from his sister, mostly, that she's been having trouble with her weight, at that moment he couldn't care less.

She was a vision.

Yes her bosom looked more prominent, yes her hips were more pronounced, and yes her beautiful caramel legs looked a tad thicker, but to Arthur's delight, all of the right places had certainly been enhanced.

He found himself moving unbidden towards her, and like a moth drawn to a flame, he was caught up unconsciously in the aura of her.

Both of them stopped short, right in front of each other, and after a minute of just standing and staring, they walked into each others' arms.

By this time the smiles on Morganna and Merlin's faces had totally vanished, and they both began to feel as though they were yet again intruding on a private

moment.

They looked at each other and Merlin pointed in the direction of the door, and seeing as the others were caught up with each other, they silently made their escape through the door.

As they made their way to the car, Merlin was the first to break the awkward silence.

"Wow! That was pretty intense in there." Morganna shook her head slightly and replied,

"Yes it was. I expected Arthur to be wowed, but his reaction surpassed it. That was…some…I don't know what that was, but this is what I know, Arthur is head over heels in love with Gwen, and if given the chance, he will definitely make her his wife.

Also, from Gwen's own reaction, she definitely feels something more than friendship for him, and the more time they spend together, the more those feelings are going to develop and come to light, it's only a matter of time.

All in all, this has made me very happy."

Merlin nodded his head yes, as he agreed with everything his girlfriend said.

"I believe you are right, and I couldn't be happier either," he said, as they reached the car.

Back on the inside, Arthur and Gwen were now seated on the sofa chatting companionably.

After they had parted, there was a bit of awkwardness on both parts, when they realised that Morganna and Merlin had gone.

They moved to the sofa, where at first it was comfortable silence with each of them secretly

eyeing the other, until both sets of eyes locked, and they both laughed.

From there, Arthur handed over the food he had brought for her and she set about making two plates, for the both of them.

Ever the gentleman, Arthur graciously accepted his and they ate together.

Gwen was the first to start the conversations going, by asking him about his business trip.

He delved into that subject as it was one in which he is well versed, and Gwen was delighted to see how his blue eyes lit up.

She sat attentively and listened to him as he spoke about possible mergers, acquisitions and possible take overs, although she hardly knew of what he spoke.

He finished by telling her, "I must be boring you Guinevere, with all of this talk about business, but in my estimation, the trip was successful, and I learned a great deal from it."

Gwen smiled ever so sweetly at her handsome companion.

"You didn't bore me Arthur. I was happy to listen, although I wasn't sure about some of the terms, but I do know some things, and I'm quite happy to hear everything went well for you and the company," she said sincerely.

Arthur searched her beautiful face, and he was awed by the honesty that emanated from it.

That is one of the things he really loved about her.

She has always been honest with him, and she has shown unwavering faith in his ability to be a strong leader, even when he doubted himself.

"Thank you Guinevere. It's your opinion I value most," he told her seriously.

At that he leaned towards her and kissed her on the cheek. He felt her breath caught and he smiled to himself.

Gwen was sure that Arthur could see the blush that covered her cheeks.

She didn't expect him to kiss her, and him being that close intoxicated her.

She raised a trembling hand to where he had kissed her on her cheek, and shyly looked up at him. What she saw there almost broke her heart.

His beautiful blue eyes were swimming with so many emotions, but amongst them, love took precedent. Her body suddenly felt warmer, and feelings that were buried deep within her, started to surface, and she was powerless to stop them.

If she were honest, she didn't want to stop them either, and the conversation she'd had with Morganna about moving forward came crashing through her mind.

She reached for his hand and told him,

"I'm honoured Arthur, and I'm always here for you, should you need me." Right away she blushed and ducked her head in embarrassment, because of the

implications clearly within her statement.

Arthur lifted her chin so that he could look directly into her beautiful brown eyes, and she saw it there, plain as day in his blue eyes, his need of her.

"No need to be embarrassed Guinevere, it's only me, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable or overwhelm you, but I do need you, in so many ways. I need your friendship, your honesty, your wisdom, your endless faith in me, and…I need you, but only when you are ready," he softly said.

Gwen felt as though she could cry. Never had a man appealed to her this way, not even Lance.

There were hundreds, maybe thousands of women vying for Arthur's attention.

He's been put on the cover of so many magazines and on so many lists. The titles "The Sexiest Man Alive" and "Most Eligible Bachelor" belongs to

him, plus many others, and amidst it all, she is the only woman that continues to occupy his heart.

Now that she's seen it for herself, she feels as though she could give herself a chance at real love, with a man who would clearly worship the ground she walks on.

"Thank you Arthur, for not pushing. You've been very considerate and I appreciate it very much.

I'm very lucky to have you in my life, and since we're being honest, ever since that night out on the dance floor, I've been having feelings about you…I've had them before, but I buried them and told myself it was just a crush.

I allowed myself the chance to get to know Lance and to love him, because I couldn't fathom anyone like you being interested in me.

The last few months have been especially challenging, and Lance treating me the way he did, didn't help.

Although Morganna and Merlin have been absolutely amazing, sometimes the only person I want to talk to is you. I really care about you Arthur, and I want to explore what's between us, but I just need a little time.

There are some things that I need to set order to as I try to put my life back together, for instance, I need to purge Lance from my life, and that is where you come in.

I don't want you to feel as though you are the rebound guy in all of this; I just want to spend as much time as I could with you.

I also need to make a concentrated effort to rid myself of this excess weight.

I haven't given up on my nursing career, but those two things take precedent, so I just need to hear what you think and how you feel about everything," she expressed.

Arthur was floored. In the past he's seen some signs that she cares for him more than she lets on, and that night when they were out on the dance floor, he

felt something.

He remembers clearly the look of longing when the parted to go home and his heart clenched as he watched her walking away with Lance. What he also remember, is the way she looked back at him and smiled sadly, as though she didn't want to leave.

"I've always been interested Guinevere. I've been in love you since I was twelve years old, and that's saying something, because I hardly knew what being in love meant back then.

I've only ever had eyes for you and I've never felt this way about any woman.

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was to let you be, and watch you fall in love with Lance.

At one point, I was so lonely for you, that I allowed myself to get rope into Vivian's web, and it remains one of the silliest things I've ever done.

It makes me happy to hear that you're not immune to me and you do want to explore what's between us, so there's every possibly that in time, you will end up loving me probably as much as I love you.

For however long it takes, I'll wait, and whatever you need me to do to help you, just tell me, I'll do it. I love you Guinevere, so much, and I always will," he honestly said.

Gwen was speechless and in awe.

Her eyes never wavered from his intense stare. This beautiful man loved her unconditionally.

Hearing Morganna tell her that Arthur has always been in love with her, is one thing, but hearing Arthur himself tell her, and the way in which he told her, totally entranced her and set her wounded heart ablaze, with hope, joy and limitless love.

In a bold move, she launched herself at Arthur and kissed him.

If Arthur was surprised he didn't let on, because he immediately returned her kiss.

It was the sort of kiss that a man would give to the woman he was deeply in love with, and at the same time, the sort of kiss a woman would give to a man who she deeply cares for and possibly loves.

In any case, they both relayed their feelings for each other through that kiss.

I was a bit unsure about this chapter, and where to end it, so as I always say, I hope it was good enough.