A/N: I am so sorry for the delay. On the plus side, though, exams are finally over! I have a 3 week break from school for me to recover which means I will be able to focus on this fanfic, yay. Anyway, I appreciate you all hanging in with me here! In this chapter, you will be seeing Arthur's reaction. I DON'T own Merlin!
The situation we're in seems almost like a nightmare. The ones which you desperately want up wake up from and once you have, you thank god for it! As I was staring into Guinevere's hazel eyes, the shock and terror I saw in them, made it obvious that what was happening was entirely real.
Dr Agravaine had left the two to of us alone to do something. What it was I can't particularly remember as I was much too preoccupied with worrying about Guinevere. We had then fallen into a comfortable silence, the both of us emerging ourselves in our thoughts.
Guinevere seemed to be taking in the information better than I was as it seemed obvious that, although, she was scared and shocked, she was also determined to get better. It was one of the things which endeared her to me, as it was obvious that once she had set her mind to do something she wasn't easily stopped.
I couldn't help it but I was still looking at her worriedly. Of course, I was worried about her but I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. After all, she has had a rather big shock.
After Guinevere had been told what she had, she seemed to position herself away from me and whilst it hurt, I knew why. She was worried about me catching it, too. I knew that I should have been concerned about that, too, but the moment the doctor had told us my thoughts flew straightaway to Guinevere, and definitely not myself.
I wanted to comfort her, show her that I was still there for her and most importantly, she wouldn't have to do it all alone. I just hoped she knows it.
"Are you alright, Guinevere?" I asked her, knowing full well that the question was a bit superfluous.
Guinevere gave me a wry grin and gave a sigh. I could tell she was worried about something and whilst it seemed likely it would be about her illness, I still want to know. To see if I can help her, if possible….
"Not really, Arthur, but I will be eventually." She told me, a moment or two later.
The determination I saw in her eyes was also visible in her tone and I felt a sudden rush of pride for her, then. It could have been so easy to wallow in self-pity but I could see that she was determined not to do that! She wanted to get well again.
Despite her answer, I still knew she was worrying about something. It wasn't curiosity which made me feel the need to ask but rather I wanted to do something to put her mind at rest.
"You're worried about something, Guinevere. What is it, love?" I asked her, looking for some sign that I was right.
Guinevere's eyes widened at the endearment and whilst I was aware that I was beginning to flush in embarrassment, it wasn't as if I had done it on purpose. The term had just rolled off my tongue before I could stop it.
Guinevere seemed to get over her shock and started to think over what I had asked. Although, I had been worried she wasn't going to tell me, I could sense how tired she was.
I think her tiredness made her want to get it off her chest.
"It's about going into a sanatorium…." She told me, trailing off, biting her lip in worry.
I felt guilty for bringing it up as I saw what my question had evoked in her but I had wanted to help her, not make it ten times worse.
"We'll come and visit you. Of course, we will!" I told her, trying to comfort her.
She smiled at my attempt to comfort her but she shook her head to say that wasn't the problem, and then went on to explain what was.
"It's the cost of it. I don't come from a rich family. I can't ask my dad to pay for it when it would leave him with nothing to live on. It's not fair on him!" She told me, emphatically.
At her words, I couldn't help think that her father would probably happily pay for the treatment but it seemed Guinevere wouldn't take it, if it meant her father would struggle to live.
Her concern for others had always amazed me as it seemed that even when she had other things going on; other people always came first for her. It was times like these where I wished that she was slightly more selfish.
I could see how much this was worrying her and I had a strong urge to offer to pay myself but despite the fact I had only known her for a couple of months, I knew her enough to know she would be grateful for the offer but she would ultimately refuse. She would feel uncomfortable and despite the fact, I would happily do it, I also didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
"I'll sort it out, Guinevere. Don't worry about it!" I told her, hoping she would just take my word for it and stop worrying.
Guinevere frowned at my words as she always thought I was going to pay for it but I knew that I would have elaborate.
"I've heard that city councils have a fund for people who will struggle paying sanatorium payments. I can always try and contact them!" I told her, trying to make her understand that I was going try and get her the funding whilst she would be in there.
At my words, Guinevere looked relieved and I felt almost guilty as I hadn't told her that city funds may not give her the money as they may not have enough money as there must be lots of claimants.
I knew, though, that I couldn't tell her now. I had just stopped her worrying and me telling her that would definitely make her worry again.
It was at this moment that the doctor- Agravaine- came back into the room. There was something about him which made me want to take Guinevere way from him. Something which seemed like a good idea to Guinevere, too, as I could tell he looked at her with a little much enthusiasm and interest.
"Mr Pendragon, make sure you give this letter to the superior's at the airfield. It details what Guinevere's illness is and the severity of it. It also mentions the sanatorium." His voice had a metallic note to it which seemed to grate on Guinevere and my ears but it was his use of Guinevere's name which seemed to upset me. He also handed me the letter which I quickly put in my pocket so I didn't lose it.
Although, I was nodding to what he was saying, I still didn't like him.
"Do you mind getting someone to bring Guinevere's effects to the hospital? I'm sure your superiors won't mind in the circumstances!" He told me, quickly.
This was moving too fast for my liking as I looked Guinevere to see if she was alright with what he was saying, she seemed to agree with me as she turned pale, too.
It was agreed on Guinevere to stay at the hospital for the night before being transferred to the sanatorium.
ON THE WAY HOME
Even though, I was just leaving her at the hospital, I still didn't want to leave her. Despite the fact, Guinevere was trying to put on a brave face, I could see through the façade and it was killing me.
What made the situation a whole what worse that I had accompanied Guinevere to the doctors to comfort her, to give her some reassurance not to make sure she went and I hadn't done anything like it.
The day was ending as it was quickly becoming dark and I couldn't have been walking for more than hour before the air raid siren went off. As soon as I heard it, the people around me quickened their pace and were beginning to make their way into a public shelter which couldn't have been more than fifty metres away.
As I approached the shelter, I saw the air raid warden barking out orders to people just behind me. Although, I wasn't going particularly slowly at all as I was approaching the shelter, he seemed to think I wasn't going fast enough as he saw me.
"Oi, mate! 'urry up!" He shouted to me, his Manchester accent grating on my senses. I couldn't help wonder how he got up here – to Nottinghamshire.
I half-heartedly quickened my pace but my mind was still entirely focused on Guinevere and what was happening to her.
Was she still as terrified as she first looked? Could I have helped her more?
It was about five minutes after I had entered the shelter when the scatto sound of gunfire was first heard.
A/N: There you go! I hope you enjoy it. Next chapter will focus on Gwen's transfer and perhaps some thoughts on Arthur.
Please review!
