"I have an idea," Guinevere says as soon as they sit down.
"Whoa, déjà vu," Arthur answers with a grin, and she laughs. "What's your idea?"
The waitress comes and takes their drink order, and when she vanishes again, Arthur expectantly looks at Guinevere.
"We set each other up," she declares. He opens his mouth to say something, but she holds up her hand. "No, no, hear me out. Since we are apparently crap at finding our own dates—"
"Gwen…"
"I thought we might as well see how we do at picking dates for each other—"
"Guinevere," he tries again.
"Because maybe a different persp—"
"Guinevere," Arthur presses, and she finally closes her mouth. "I was going to agree with you. I think it's a brilliant idea."
"Oh," she quietly answers. The waitress brings their drinks and takes their order. This year is Chinese food, Guinevere's choice.
"You have a really good point about different perspectives," Arthur continues. He leans forward, resting his hands on the table. "And I'm actually rather curious about what kind of woman you think I should date."
She laughs and says, "I'm wondering the same thing. And a little… nervous."
"Why?" he asks, tilting his head to the side. "I wouldn't set you up with some total weed or—"
"No, that's not what I meant at all!" she exclaims. "I know you'll make every effort to find someone you think I'll like. It's just… giving up control…"
"Guinevere, this is your idea," he reminds her, chuckling.
"I know," she answers, shaking her head at herself. "I suppose it's no crazier than agreeing to get married to each other if this whole… experiment doesn't work out, right?"
He quirks an eyebrow upward. "Actually it's slightly less crazy," he assesses.
"True," she says, regarding him across the table. It shouldn't be too difficult to find someone suitable for him. She starts thinking of all the single women she knows. None of them seem right. Someone will present herself.
"Guinevere?" Arthur asks, seeing her distant look.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry. Miles away. How is graduate school going?" she asks.
"Well, it only just started, but so far, so good…"
xXx
"Gwen, Freya, you remember Mithian Rodor, yes?" Dr. Gaius asks as he walks into the Seed Bank, accompanied by a young woman.
"Yes, hi Mithian, nice to see you again," Guinevere answers. Freya greets her as well, but then excuses herself to return to her task. "She doesn't want to forget where she is," Guinevere explains. "She's counting."
"Ah, very good," Dr. Gaius replies.
"It's lovely to see you, Gwen," Mithian says, and the two women shake hands.
"Are you thinking of hosting another event here?" Guinevere asks Dr. Gaius. Mithian has done some freelance work with the Gardens organizing special events in the past, and Guinevere always found her to be very intelligent and charming.
"I am thinking of hosting many events here," he answers. "That is why Mithian will now be working for the Botanic Gardens in a permanent capacity as our new Events Coordinator."
"Oh, how wonderful!" Guinevere exclaims. She knows this is something Dr. Gaius has been working on for a while. They have occasional weddings and corporate parties here, but he's been looking to open up the Gardens for more public use. "And just in time for Christmas, too," she adds with a smile.
The two women chat for a bit, and Gaius wanders around a little, checking things out. He returns a few minutes later and says, "We still have a few more people to meet."
"Of course," Guinevere says.
"Everything looks very good, Gwen," he praises, granting her a nod and smile. "I always knew you were the right person for this position."
She beams at his praise. "Thank you, Dr. Gaius," she replies. "See you later, Mithian."
"We'll have to have lunch this week," Mithian replies with a wave of her left hand. Her left hand with an empty ring finger.
Guinevere nods, the wheels already turning in her head as she walks to her desk, where her mobile is sitting. Have lunch with me today.
She walks away, but her phone buzzes almost immediately so she returns to read Arthur's reply.
A: Are you asking me or telling me?
G: Telling. I mean, unless you have something important going on.
A: No. What's up?
G: I will tell you at lunch. :)
A: Tease. Come to the hotel. I'll buy you lunch at the restaurant.
G: "You" will buy me lunch. Right.
A: All right, PG will buy us both lunch…
Laughing, Guinevere sets her phone down, plans still forming in her brain.
xXx
Guinevere walks through the lobby of the Dragon Hotel, heading past the desk towards Arthur's office. Most of the staff recognize her and no one stops her when she walks right up to his slightly open door and knocks lightly. "Hey," she says.
"Right on time," Arthur smiles and stands. "Hungry?"
"Yes," she answers.
The hostess seats them and when the waiter comes, they order right away.
"So what's going on?" Arthur asks.
"I think you should convince your father to have the New Year's Eve Gala at the Gardens this year," Guinevere says.
"I assume you mean in one of the greenhouses," he answers.
"Obviously."
He folds his hands on the table in front of him. "Why?"
"So you can meet the new Events Coordinator Dr. Gaius just brought on," she says, a slow grin spreading across her face. "She's lovely."
"Aha, so that's your game," he says, understanding. "When was she hired?"
"Today is her first day, but she has worked with us in the past, so it's not like this is someone I have only just met. Her name is Mithian Rodor. She's a little taller than me, brown hair, brown eyes, very pretty. And every time I've spoken with her she has been smart, witty, and kind," she explains. "If I ever get the opportunity to take a picture of her, I will. But she's gorgeous, trust me."
"Um… wow… okay, that's pretty overwhelming," he says, taking in all of this information. "So your plan is for me to convince Father to have the Gala at the Gardens and then volunteer to meet with this Mithian person to 'discuss details', and then what?"
"You just be your charming self and see if you can get her phone number," Guinevere answers. "Easy."
"You can't just arrange to have us meet?" Arthur asks.
"I didn't want to be so obvious," she replies. "Plus, I know she's not married, but I haven't yet discerned whether or not she's actually available," she sheepishly adds.
"Oh, well, that's not important at all," he sarcastically replies.
"That's what I'll be trying to find out while you work on your father," she states.
The waiter comes with their food. "That was fast, thank you, Peter," Arthur says.
"Sure thing, boss," the waiter replies.
"So?" Guinevere asks.
Arthur finishes chewing his food, swallows, and finally answers, "Yeah, all right. If she's single. If she's not… well, I still think having the Gala there is a cool idea, so we'll still do that, but I'm not going to try chatting her up."
"Well, of course not," she replies, grinning.
xXx
The Gala was a huge success. Everyone loved the novelty of having it at the Botanic Gardens, especially being able to watch the snow gently falling outside while they were all warm and cozy amongst the tropical plants inside.
Arthur, ever mindful of professionalism, did not actually ask Mithian out until the Gala was over. He called her the next day and was only a little surprised to learn that she had been contemplating asking him out, but, similarly, had been waiting until their contract was over.
Then Arthur called Guinevere and told her the good news. She was very happy for him. They had been one another's "consolation dates" (for the third time) at the Gala this year, and their New Year's kisses were planted on one another's cheeks.
The staff of the Botanic Gardens were all invited to the Gala this year as well. Merlin took one look at Freya, was instantly smitten, and the two have been nearly inseparable since.
Guinevere has never pressed Arthur about holding up his end of their deal, but he has been ever aware that he still needs to find someone suitable.
Wherein lies the problem. No one he knows is good enough for her.
His mind wanders as he looks around the classroom, only half listening to the lecture. The professor is telling the class about a "hypothetical" situation with which Arthur is already intimately familiar, being that the situation being described is something that actually happened at the Pendragon Group two years ago. Arthur can tell the professor knows he recognizes the scenario because he is strenuously avoiding looking at him. So Arthur stares at his fellow classmates, once again finding no viable options for Guinevere. Maybe Mithian knows someone, he ponders, but decides that would go against the spirit of their agreement. He has to find someone.
The class ends and he exits quickly before the professor tries hailing him to offer awkward explanations or apologies. He really doesn't care that his father's empire was used to illustrate a point, and doesn't really fancy talking to this particular professor about it.
He walks to his car, glancing at his watch, deciding he has time to grab a quick bite of lunch before heading to the hotel. He pulls out his mobile to find out where Tico's Taco Truck is parked, when he hears a voice he hasn't heard in years.
"Arthur?"
Arthur stops, head turning. I know that voice. It couldn't be…
"Arthur! It is you!"
"Leon?" Arthur exclaims, seeing his old friend from back in Public School quickly walking towards him.
The two old friends hug, trading friendly greetings.
"What are you doing here?" Leon asks.
"Graduate studies," Arthur answers, indicating his backpack. "You?"
"I work here," Leon explains. "I teach physical education and am the assistant coach for the football team."
"Brilliant, mate," Arthur replies, smiling. "When did you come back to Camelot?"
"Just this fall," Leon says. "I was in Essetir, but I really wanted to come back home, you know?"
"Missed your mum," Arthur nods.
Leon smiles shyly and looks down, reddish-brown curls flopping into his face. "Yeah."
"Hey, I was just going to grab some lunch. Are you free? We can get out of the cold and catch up," Arthur suggests.
"Yeah, I don't have class until two," Leon answers.
"I don't have quite that much time, but I've got enough," Arthur says.
"Come on then," Leon replies, leading the way to the cafeteria.
As they walk and talk, wheels begin to spin in Arthur's mind.
xXx
"Hey, Leon, glad you could make it," Arthur greets his old friend, letting him into his house.
"Am I late?" Leon asks, handing his coat to Arthur.
"Nope. Just waiting on my mate Merlin," Arthur says. "Everyone else is here, but they were all early."
Arthur decided to "invite some friends over to watch the rugby" as a way of introducing Leon to Guinevere. He told Guinevere about Leon after they had lunch (and Arthur made certain his friend was still single and unattached), and she was intrigued. He tried to ask her for advice on how to get them to meet, but she refused, pointing out that she didn't enlist his help to plan his meeting with Mithian.
The two men walk into Arthur's media room. "Leon, you remember Morgana, of course," he introduces. "This is her husband, Alvarr. Over there are Percival and Elyan, and this is Guinevere. Everyone, this is Leon, an old mate of mine from way back. I ran into him at University last week."
They all say hello. It turns out Leon and Percival already know one another, as Percival is from Essetir and used to be one of the trainers for their university football team.
Guinevere smiles in greeting, then gives Arthur a look that clearly says "Well done". Pleased, Arthur grins, then notices there is an empty seat beside her. Before he can figure out how to guide Leon to that spot, the doorbell rights. "Ah. That'll be Merlin," he says.
"I think he's bringing Freya," Guinevere calls.
"Excellent," Arthur returns over his shoulder.
"Have a seat, Leon," Morgana invites, pointedly gesturing in Guinevere's general direction. Guinevere looks over at her, and she winks.
She wonders if Arthur told his sister, but Morgana does like to play matchmaker, so anything is possible.
Arthur returns with Merlin and Freya, and more introductions are made. He has to bite back his grin when he sees Leon has, indeed, sat next to Guinevere.
"Isn't Mithian coming?" Merlin asks, plopping down on the sofa with Freya.
"She couldn't make it," Arthur explains. "It's her gran's 80th birthday today, and they were having a small get-together."
"You weren't invited?" Morgana asks.
"Her gran's in a care facility, so there's not a lot of room," he answers. "Plus, I haven't even met her parents yet."
Morgana nods, apparently mollified. Arthur makes sure everyone has refreshments and snacks, then emphasizes that everyone is to make themselves at home before they settle in to watch the game.
Arthur pays more attention to Leon and Guinevere than to the game. He's happy Leon seems comfortable, figuring it helps that he already knows Morgana and Percival. But he does seem interested in Guinevere, and talks to her a fair amount. He can be a bit shy with the ladies, so I hope that doesn't pose a problem.
While Arthur is mentally reviewing possible scenarios to try and give Leon a little shove, opportunity presents itself.
Guinevere stands up. "I'm getting a refill. Anyone need anything?" she asks. Elyan, Percival, Merlin, Freya, Morgana, and Alvarr all say "Yes", and Guinevere laughingly replies, "How many hands do you lot think I have?"
"I'll help you," Leon volunteers, standing. He glances back at Arthur as he follows Guinevere to the kitchen, and Arthur gives him an encouraging thumbs-up. Leon blushes, and Arthur knows his setup attempt is about to be successful.
xXx
"Really?" Arthur says, spotting Guinevere and Mithian just inside the doors of the Botanic Gardens' main building. Leon was supposed to be there as well. Arthur steps over and kisses Mithian hello.
"What?" Mithian asks, looking between Arthur and Guinevere.
"Leon sprained his ankle," Guinevere explains. "Just today. He's on pain meds and is on orders to elevate and ice tonight."
"Thus thwarting our attempt to double. Again," Arthur says, shaking his head.
Last time, Arthur and Mithian had to cancel because Arthur was stuck dealing with an emergency at the hotel. The time before that was thwarted by a late winter blizzard/ice storm, so no one could go anywhere.
"He insisted I still come," Guinevere continues, explaining why she's not over taking care of Leon.
"Well, it is the first concert in this new series," Arthur allows, smiling fondly at Mithian. "I still say it's a brilliant idea. And I love the name."
"Thank you, Arthur," Mithian says. "'Music Under Glass' was Gwen's suggestion actually, so I can't take credit for that part."
"I still think you could have it more than once a month," Arthur says, looking around. There aren't a lot of people in attendance yet, but it is still quite early.
"We need to walk before we can run, darling," Mithian replies. "Plus, once a month is still a bit of a scheduling nightmare, not to mention trying to draw performers."
"I'm sure it will be a huge success," Arthur reassures her. "Where are our seats?"
xXx
When the four of them finally manage to meet in the same time at the same place, Arthur and Guinevere can hardly believe it.
They wind up meeting for dinner at The Rising Sun, deciding to do something simple. The weather has finally turned pleasant, and they discussed the possibility of walking the three blocks to an ice cream parlor afterwards.
"You don't get dessert though," Leon teases Guinevere after they order.
"And why not?" she asks, smiling up at him.
"Because you ordered breakfast, obviously," Mithian answers, joining in.
"Yes! Thank you!" Leon triumphantly declares. "You don't have dessert after breakfast."
"Sometimes she'll get the soup before her dinner breakfast," Arthur volunteers, deciding to take Guinevere's side.
"What?" Leon asks.
"I like soup," Guinevere simply says. "If they have a type I like, I'll get a cup. Honestly, I don't see what all the fuss is over my getting breakfast for dinner."
"She does it all the time," Arthur adds.
"I don't even like breakfast for breakfast, honestly," Leon says, taking a drink. "Most of the time I'll make a sandwich or something."
"That actually sounds good… I'm going to have to try that," Mithian agrees, nodding thoughtfully.
"Oh, so you can tease me for wanting breakfast for dinner, but it's perfectly acceptable for you to have lunch for breakfast?" Guinevere asks, biting back her grin with only moderate success.
Leon leans over and kisses her cheek. "Yes," he says, and they all laugh.
As the dinner progresses, Arthur and Guinevere can't help noticing that their dislike of breakfast isn't the only thing Mithian and Leon have in common. Mithian used to play football at university. Leon minored in Public Relations. They follow a similar exercise regimen. When they begin bonding over some American television show it turns out they both watch, he glances over at Guinevere and can tell she has noticed it, too.
Suddenly, dinner seems very long.
But Leon wraps his arm around Guinevere when they walk to the ice cream parlor and Mithian feeds Arthur a taste of her ice cream, and things start to feel okay again.
Later, when Mithian kisses Arthur and pulls him to the bedroom, he decides he was worrying over nothing.
And across town, Leon is similarly erasing any troubled thoughts Guinevere may have had.
xXx
"I'm sorry, Arthur," Guinevere says. It's two weeks after the strange double date at the Sun, and Mithian has just broken up with Arthur.
He came over to Guinevere's flat, looking pathetic, and plopped himself on her couch. She made him some tea.
"Can you talk about it?" she asks, handing him a mug.
"She said she thinks I'm a great guy, and any woman would be lucky to have me," he says into his tea.
"Any woman apart from her, apparently," Guinevere says with a frown.
"That's pretty much the next thing she said," Arthur explains. He sips his tea, noting how Guinevere has prepared it just the way he likes it. "She said, 'I just don't think I'm that woman. Not anymore.'"
"Cryptic much?" she asks, still puzzled. She thought Arthur and Mithian were happy. They were certainly well-suited, or so she thought. And it turned out that she comes from a wealthy family, so she even lived up to Uther's rather shallow standards.
"I know… I'm beginning to wonder if there is someone else. Like, I don't think she's cheating, but maybe she has someone in mind?" he says, turning it into a question.
"Who knows?" she answers. "I guess it's possible." Leon's name suddenly comes to mind, but she pushes it away. Then she wonders how he'll react when she tells him the news when he calls her later, after his evening class is done.
Arthur sighs, setting his mug down. "Well, for whatever reason, she decided she wasn't happy, and I'm not going to stand in her way of being happy."
"Have you eaten?" Guinevere asks, touching his shoulder.
"No," he replies.
"Do you want to eat?"
"No."
"Do you mind if I do?"
"No. As long as you don't mind if I hold your couch down for a while."
"Of course not," she answers. "You want to stay over?"
He thinks a minute. It wouldn't be the first time he's crashed on her couch. "Yeah, all right. I do have to work tomorrow though, ugh."
"Phone in," she suggests, calling from the kitchen, where she is making herself a small dinner. Ugh, I'll have to see Mithian at work tomorrow, too.
"Can't. Too much going on. Renovations are starting, and I need to be there."
"It'll give your mind something to do," she suggests.
"Yeah. I suppose."
xXx
"What?" Arthur asks, four days later. It's Guinevere's turn to call him and wake him up very late at night.
"Leon… he…" Guinevere tries again, only this time the words don't come out.
"No, I heard you. I just can't believe it."
"He said I was… amazing… or something… but… he just didn't think it was going to work out…" She sniffles again.
Arthur hates listening to her cry over the phone. "I'm coming over," he says, getting out of bed.
"You don't have to," she says. "The phone is fine." She listens a moment. "You're already out of bed, aren't you?"
"Hang on," he says, dropping his phone on the bed so he can pull a t-shirt on. "Yes. I have just put a shirt on. I'll be there in ten minutes."
"It takes fifteen minutes to get here," she says, huffing an inexplicable laugh through her tears.
"Guinevere, it's 11:51 p.m. There is no traffic," he insists.
She can hear him getting into his car. "Drive safely," she warns.
Twelve minutes later, he is just about to knock on her door when it opens.
She immediately leans into him and he wraps his arms around her in a comforting hug. "I thought things were going really well," she says, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "To the point where I was even thinking he might be… you know…"
"I know," he soothes. "Come on." He is about to lead her to her couch, but sees soft light coming from her room, so he redirects, heading there. "Do you need anything? Tea? Chocolate? Tissue?"
"Tissue," she says, absently patting the wet patch she's left on his t-shirt. "Sorry."
"I am the Human Tissue," Arthur jokes. When she gives him a weak smile, he gives her elbow a reassuring squeeze, then reaches down to the nightstand and hands her a tissue from the box there.
"Thank you," Guinevere replies, wiping her eyes. She sits on the bed.
He looks around a moment, then sits beside her, as she has no chairs in her room. The TV is on, the volume quiet, and it's bathing the room in a soft blue glow.
She leans her head against his shoulder. "I don't want to talk about it right now," she says. "I'm sorry. You came all this way and now I don't want to talk."
"We don't have to talk," he says. "Do you want me to go?"
"No," she answers. "Just… be here."
"I can do that," he says. "Why don't you lie down? I'm going to run to the loo, but I'll be right back."
"Okay," she says, scooting further onto the bed.
Arthur kicks his flip flops off, then goes to the bathroom. When he returns, she is blankly staring at an infomercial on the television. He sits beside her on the bed, on top of the covers. He tries to lean back, but the headboard isn't solid enough to make a decent backrest.
"You can lie down," she says. "Not the first time we've been in bed together," she says, weakly chuckling. She's not referring to their 21st birthday. There have been several occasions where they've stayed up too late and wound up just drifting off to sleep, mostly at University. Once she woke up sandwiched between Arthur and Merlin, overheated and stiff, with Merlin drooling on her shoulder.
"True," he answers, even scooting his feet beneath the covers as he slides down. He isn't completely surprised when she moves over and rests her head on his shoulder. "At least it's the weekend this time," he absently says.
"How are the renovations going?" she asks.
He looks down at her. "You don't really care about that right now," he says.
"Not really," she admits. A moment later she adds, "You can tell me about it in a few days."
"You can come see how things are going anytime, Guinevere," he answers. "In a few days."
She nods, and Arthur can tell she's getting sleepy. That's good. She needs to sleep.
Her breathing grows slow and even, and, in her sleep, she cuddles closer to him.
This is… kind of nice. Arthur decides the late hour is the reason for his sudden tender feelings about his dear, sad friend snuggled to his side. She probably thinks I'm Leon anyway, he decides, then grabs the remote, turns off the TV, and closes his eyes.
Even so, I don't think I would mind a lifetime of this.
