Chapter 6

Coping

Though the business meeting was a success Arthur had a very hard time focusing. Two things at the forefront of his mind. His confusion with Guinevere and his hopeful meeting with Gwendolyn. Though he was still waiting for a response from Gwendolyn. She told him that she had to go out of town on business so he was expecting to hear from her soon enough.

Guinevere on the other hand was a mixture of confused, angry, and downcast. Confused because Arthur never spoke to her like that EVER. Angry because he sent her back home and downcast because deep down she knew there was some truth to what he said.

When in doubt there was only one person Gwen felt close enough to confide in where this situation was concerned.

Merlin and Gwen

'Merlin, do you consider me to me unavailable, in relationships that is?'

'Gwen, where is this coming from?'

'Arthur told me that I keep myself unavailable. That I close myself off to love. Do you think this is true?'

'I think that you are guarded. Gwen, I think that you are one of the most beautiful, kindest, sweetest person that I have ever met. Don't tell Freya of course I she will kill me and possibly literally but I think that you are guarded. Dare I say you may be even afraid of what love holds for you. Afraid of getting hurt if you understand this.'

'Is there something wrong with protecting myself. I lost so much. I lost my mum, my dad, Elyan leaves on a whim, Lancelot-

'You and I both know exactly why Lancelot left. He told me what happened there.' Merlin said slowly not to rock the boat while still making a point.

She did not give him a reason to stay.

'It hurts, Merlin. What if I open myself up to disappointment.'

'Why were you and Arthur discussing this.' Gwen kept silent but her eyes said it all.

'Gwen, I know what happened between you and Arthur that night. He came to me. He is my best mate and we do not keep secrets from each other. He opened himself up to you and you hurt him. I love you like a sister and I hold nothing against you because I know you. Believe it or not Arthur held nothing against you either. He was just hurt is all. It was after that evening that Arthur began to receive the reputation of being 'Playboy Pendragon.' You know this.' Merlin confided

'You've spoken to him since I left?'

'He is my best mate, and he is hurt.' Merlin continued to say

'I do not know what is going on inside your head but I know you long enough to know what is going on inside your heart as it is written all of over your face. You need to admit it to yourself. Only then can you open yourself up to love.'

'Merlin, I am Gwendolyn.' Gwen confesses

'What did you say?'

'Arthur's Gwendolyn. I am Gwendolyn. I do not know what to do. How was I supposed to know that he went by the name Shawn.'

'It is his middle name, Gwen.'

'I never thought about it Merlin.'

'Where did Gwendolyn come from?' Merlin asks

'When I was born I was a twin. My sister died a few weeks after birth. My mum told me that her lungs were not fully developed and she died from pneumonia while in the hospital. They named me Guinevere and her Gwendolyn. I plan to name my daughter Gwendolyn after her one day if I ever have a daughter.'

'Merlin, what am I going to do?' Gwen questions Merlin

'Gwen, you need to be honest with Arthur but in order to be honest with him you need to first be honest with yourself.'

'That sounds like something Arthur would say.' Gwen adds

'Look Gwen, I will not tell Arthur about this right now. I cannot keep this secret for ever. He can tell when I am hiding things from him. We've known each other for so long. So I need you to take this time to figure these things out. You are a beautiful person and you deserve happiness but you have to see that for yourself. Arthur already sees it but he also sees that you continue to push him away. Do not keep doing it for long.'

'Thank you, Merlin. You have always been my best friend too and I hate putting you between this but you are the only person aside from Morgana that I can share these things with.' Gwen states thankfully to Merlin

Pulling Gwen into a hug, "We are all here for you Gwen, anytime."

Two days later at Pendragon Courts

'Alright, everyone, does anyone know what is wrong with Gwen?' Morgana questions

'I haven't heard anything but come to think of it she has been really quiet lately' Gwaine adds speculatively

Two people stay completely silent.

"Arthur, Merlin, have you noticed anything strange about Gwen lately?' Morgana questions again

'Morgana, despite what you might think I do not keep tabs on your assistant.' Arthur exclaims

'Well you use to keep tabs on here before and this change didn't seem to happen till after she came back from San Francisco and without you I might add.'

Merlin rolled his eyes. Gwaine looked amused.

'Guinevere came back early because I did not need her any longer. I figured she could use the time off.' Not wanted to give Morgana any ammunition. He did not need to relive the events of San Francisco right now.

'Arthur, if this has anything to do with you-

' Morgana, what exactly seems to be wrong with Gwen? Maybe if we talk it out or better yet if you talk to Gwen herself you may get down to the bottom of this.' Merlin trying to be the peacemaker adds

'Merlin, don't you think I tried speaking to Gwen before I spoke to any of you? She is not budging, and you know how closed off she can be when she wants to be. She came home from San Francisco early without a word saying that she was exhausted and in need of a hot bath and sleep. She's been waking up early leaving for work and going to sleep early before I could question her more. She used to be on her computer to the wee hours of the morning chatting with some bloke but now she hasn't even been doing that. Something is wrong.' Morgana states worriedly

Merlin gives her a hug and tells her not to worry and that they will get to the bottom of this.

Arthur's mind went straight to the fact that Gwen was chatting with some bloke wondering who this guy was. He knew why Gwen was being distant but he could not confide in Morgana, no matter how close they were right now. He always felt that she would take Guinevere's side. Not to mention the fact that Gwen has been avoiding him too. He noticed when she would turn around in corridors when coming towards his direction or skipped lifts in the elevator when she thought he was not looking. Arthur just refuses to put himself out on the limb this time. If she wants me she is going to have to say it this time, Arthur thought to himself.

Movie Night at the girls and an Unexpected Guest for Arthur at his flat

It was movie night again at the girls' flat tonight and all of the girls and mates were there with the exception of two. Arthur faked a headache stating that he needed to get some rest. He really just wanted to avoid the awkwardness around Guinevere. He wanted her to have fun. Maybe it would relax Morgana some. Gwen heard Merlin, Percieval, and Gwaine inform the girls that Arthur wasn't feeling well. She knew she had to speak with him or because they could not continue the way they had been. Merlin was right. Sharing a knowing look with Merlin Gwen told the others that she had to leave for a while to run some errands. Morgana was worried again but categorized it as being another way for Gwen not to be around them at the moment.

Arthur was a little more than surprised to fine Guinevere at his door when he opened it.

'Guinevere, what are you doing here?' Arthur asked slowly and surprisingly

'Arthur, I need to talk to you, can I come in?'

'Sure'

Arthur leads Guinevere to the sofa in the middle of the living area. He's still standing.

'Arthur, please sit, I really need to speak with you.'

After sitting, 'Gwen, I would be lying in saying that I am surprised to see you here. After San Francisco I doubted we would be saying anything anytime soon.' Arthur says

'I know, I thought the same, but a good friend of ours told me that I needed to be open and honest.' Not adding anything else but both saying in unison 'Merlin.'

'Arthur, I first want to start off by apologizing to you about San Francisco-

'Guinevere, you have nothing to apologize for-

'Thank you for feeling that way but I do. I also have to apologize for that night a few years back.'

This is where Arthur became silent.

'You were right when you said that I knew why you helped me. I didn't want to think about it but deep down I knew-

'Gwen-

'Arthur, I need to finish this and I need you to let me. I will finish and I will leave but I need to be honest with you.' Gwen stated while Arthur nodded in submission.

'That night, when you told me you loved me you scared me. You threw me for a loop and I was terrified. I will not lie to you and tell you that I feel nothing for you because I would be far from the truth.

Arthur eyes held Guinevere's gaze as she continued.

'I suffered so much loss in my life and I could not risk putting myself out to someone like you just to be rejected later. I am not blind Arthur, I see all of the women falling at your feet on a daily basis. Why would you want someone like me? I figured you loved the idea of me and in some ways I still do. You could have your pick of anyone woman you want. Your Arthur Pendragon and I am none other than Gwen Leodegrance assistant to your sister. There is nothing special about me Arthur.

Arthur's felt pressure in his chest and his head was going for a whirl. He could not believe Gwen thought this way.

'It hurt when you called me unavailable-

Arthur attempted to interrupt by Gwen put a hand up.

'It did, I am not angry with you. Not anymore. I don't know when I got to that place in my life but I guess I sort a did and I know now that I cannot even blame that on Lancelot. That part is me. I just hope that you can forgive me-

'There's nothing to forgive, Gwen' Arthur states

'Thank you for letting me clear the air with you tonight.' Gwen attempts to get up and Arthur impulsively grabs her hand before she moves.

'Gwen, I know it took a lot out of you to come here tonight but I want you to know, you know what, forget it.'

Arthur pulled Gwen close to him and he sealed his lips over hers. Surprising himself and Gwen she returned the kiss, they faces turned to the side and Arthur deepened the kiss instantly. They met force for force soft moans and all hunger. Arthur pulled Gwen in his lap and Gwen clung to him slinging her legs around to wrap around his waist and pulling her arms around his neck. Gwen molded her body in to Arthur and Arthur held her tightly but also like she was a precious gem that would break if dropped. At last for now he regarded her in that way.

Arthur broke the kiss and moved down to Gwen's neck sucking and kissing leaving marks along with way. He wanted this for so long he thought to himself. Arthur began to undo the buttons on Gwen's shirt keeping eye contact the whole time. In between kisses, 'What are we doing?' Gwen inquiries

Arthur answering with the only answer he knew, 'Something we should have done along time ago'

Arthur finished unbuttoning Gwen's shirt. He pulled down her bra straps and begin to nibble on her right breast. Nibbling an pulling, kissing tenderly and rough at the same time, he repeated the process on the left. Gwen groaned. Gwen tugged at Arthur shirts at first and then she lifted it above his head. He is so gorgeous she thought. She rubbed his chest and then running her hands down his back. While he was kissing her breast more she sat back to give him more room. 'Arthur' she pleaded with him. Arthur was done at that moment. He lifted Gwen up kissing her more intensely. He never wanted to let her go. They made it to the wall two door down from his room. For some reason the bed would have been nice but they just wasn't going to make it there.

Arthur raised Gwen to the wall kissing her moving from her lips, to her neck, to her collar bone, then to her breast continuing the process. He pushed her skirt up as far as it could go. He almost wanted to yank it off. The knickers were next to go lifting Gwen's leg one by one to slide her knickers off. He did something then that he never thought he would do before. Lifting Gwen all the way up to his shoulders, just above his head he began to lick her thighs moving up to her pussy. He wanted Gwen for so long. He wanted every part of her. He wanted to cherish her and he wanted to make her scream, and scream she did with each lick, each ministration. Having Gwen in that position allowed Arthur to wrap his hands around Gwen's hips and bum. He was able to open her out as far as possible navigating his tongue in and out of Gwen's entry way. Gwen started to scream more and as she continued to call Arthur's name he added more pressure with his tongue, his teeth, his lips, and even his fingers. He wrapped Gwen's left leg around his shoulder navigating her right leg in such a way to allow his fingers to penetrate her, starting with one finger and ending with three. Gwen was undone, coming came quickly after that.

As Arthur brought Gwen done enough but not completely to the floor he held her enough for her to gather her strength again kissing her tenderly, slowly, deepening the kiss before breaking it again to move to Gwen's neck. Gwen began to unbutton Arthur's trousers. Arthur helped her as soon as she undid the buttons slipping out of it. She then began to rub his dick slowly first. Arthur was so hard that his erection was painful. He wanted Gwen and he wanted her badly. She began to glide his erection with her hand up and down fully before going faster, harder. Arthur began to groan buckling almost thrusting, it hurt how much he needed Gwen right now.

He stopped her hand. Answering Gwen's questioning eyes, he lifts her straight up again sits places her in a seated position on the long table in the hallway and after Gwen instantly wraps her legs around Arthur's waist he enters her. This is no longer a time to be gentle in either of their minds. Arthur thrusts hard. When he loves he loves passionately and Gwen knew this, meeting him measure for measure. Using the support of Arthur's shoulders with one hand and the table with the Arthur they molded their bodies as one as Arthur continued to thrust pulling out and pulling back vigorously. Gwen was so spun she did not even realized that she was using nails on Arthur's shoulders and back. When she raised her arms higher it was to Arthur's hair. They kept pulling each other, when they thought they could get no closer they pulled each other closer more. With one last thrust Arthur spilled his seed inside of Gwen.

They stayed in that position for a few minutes more. Arthur inside of her while limbs were tangled together. They kissed slowly again.

There were many other times that night that they joined together again. No words of love were spoken that night but the looks upon each others' face, the gazes, the way they made love, spoke volumes that a verbal declaration could never show.

I hoped you all liked the Arwen moment. I'd like to thank you all for your reviews. A special thank you to Danielle for the tips. I hope I utilized them well. I will be asking questions soon I am sure because this is new to me.

Up next. Gwen and Arthur have the much needed talk

Gwendolyn and Shawn finally meet?

The next few chapters will finally bring all the answers together.

Please review.