WHO ELSE WAS FREAKIN IN LOVE WITH 4x13? :D IT MADE MY LIFE. ARWEN FANS FOR THE WIN!

So in honor of Christmas Eve/the Merlin Finale here's a short Christmas-related chapter!

Chapter 9

Christmas Eve

"You can do this man…you can do this," Arthur muttered to himself.

It had been a month since the party, and he and Guinevere had become great friends. But that was it. Friends. As he was constantly reminded when her cell phone beeped with Lance's name, or his "special ringtone" came on. He had finally convinced Guinevere that he and her had never existed, but he never told her why he kissed the blonde. Meanwhile, with Vivian he still couldn't get rid of her completely. She was still working at his campaign office, and was still trying to get his attention since their "date". Yet something seemed to be troubling her at the same time. It was as if something was bothering her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. He didn't have time to be bothered by her, however, when Gwen had invited him to her Christmas party.

He had never received an invitation to Gwen's house before, and he was a little nervous. All of her friends and co-workers would be there, and he wanted to impress them. He usually didn't care too much about what others thought about him, but this was for Guinevere. If he made a good impression on them, surely he wouldn't have that bad of a recommendation later. The problem was that the only people he knew would be Merlin, Gwaine, Gaius, and Lance. Somehow Gwen had instantly achieved an uncle-niece relationship with the old-timer, and had hit it off with Gwaine instantly. She and Merlin were already close, and it was natural that she would invite Lance. That left him. He wanted to present Gwen with something really special for Christmas, but he had no idea what. This was where the biggest problem really lay. They had talked a lot, sure. They had become the best of friends. Yet somehow he couldn't figure out what to get her. Nothing seemed….good enough.

So that's when he decided to drag Merlin along to go Christmas shopping with him at Harrods. And that's how he found himself muttering in front of the doors to the famous store with his best friend at his side. Merlin too seemed distracted, but Arthur didn't have time to ponder it. Merlin had been acting a little off since the party, but Arthur always seemed too busy to really investigate. He had simply asked Merlin what had caused his delay in coming home, and Merlin had said "stuff" as he shrugged. Thus, he just racked it up to "Merlin being Merlin". After all, the man was still his bright, cheery, optimistic self. He was still there for Arthur when he needed him, and completely useless at the most inconvenient of times.

They entered the building together-two souls who seemed seriously lost in a sea of marketing and high fashion. However, it wasn't all for naught. These were two of the top most eligible bachelors and wealthiest men in the country. That had to count for something. If nothing else they knew their designers.

Merlin and Arthur wandered through what felt like hundreds of stores. They looked at scores of dresses, shoes, handbags, perfume, and other things women would want. Yet nothing seemed "good enough" for Gwen, as Arthur put it. Well, not in those exact words, but Merlin knew that's what he meant when he left each store successively disgusted.

"Arthur, what's wrong with this?" Merlin sighed as they went to the umpteenth perfume shop.

He held out a bottle of classic Chanel No. 5, but Arthur merely shook his head.

"Too boring and expected," Arthur said.

They moved onto Dior, then Burberry, then Coach with no such luck. Finally they went to Tiffany's after spending four hours searching. That was when Arthur found it. The perfect gift for Gwen. It was a round pendant made of diamonds and platinum woven into and gorgeous and elegant design. Someone could instantly tell a lot of money was spent on the gift, but it wasn't so large that Gwen would be afraid to wear it in public.

"That one, please," Arthur said without hesitation. He hoped that Gwen would love it. He hoped that he would love him. In buying this necklace, it was his subtle way of wooing her without actually-wooing.

Merlin knew this, and he also knew that Gwen had a boyfriend. However, he couldn't ruin Arthur's happiness at finding the "perfect gift" for her.

They continued on in their purchases for their various friends and family. Merlin got Gwaine a twelve-pack, Gaius a new platinum business card holder (he was a doctor), and Gwen a bunch of roses. He went for the less ostentatious gift for her since he wasn't involved with her romantically. He also bought two mysterious packages while Arthur was in the loo, and refused to show him what they were. Arthur just reckoned that it was for him, and decided to abate his growing curiosity. Arthur likewise got Gwaine a copious amount of alcohol, Gaius a new leather briefcase, and Merlin a gift while his back was turned. As they made their way back home, they knew they were ready for the party.

….

Gwen's Christmas party was in full swing. All of her co-workers from work were at her place, along with all of her friends. Elyan was entertaining a young lady in the corner of the kitchen, and Gwaine was one the couch with a beer in hand and both arms wrapped around two lovely ladies. Percival was currently in the middle of a dart competition with Merlin, and both Arthur and Lancelot had disappeared. Arthur had arrived to the party right on the dot with Merlin in tow. They were both dressed up, but still semi-relaxed. Both of them wore blazers with button-up shirts, but with dark jeans underneath. Gwen herself had on a lovely short white party dress on with light blue trim. Currently, she was making sure all of her guests were comfortable, and they all seemed to be so. Yet the two men she cared the most about were absent.

The present exchange had already happened, for the most part. There was no set time or anything of that sort, people just gave their presents as they wished. Merlin had given Gwaine the beer which quickly went down to its last bottle, and Gwen some lovely roses. The flowers which were now sitting in a place of honor on her dining room table in a crystal vase. He had given Arthur a self-help book on developing one's listening skills which Arthur had promptly chucked at his head in a decidedly affectionate way. Gwaine had shown up with a bag of apples which he had won in a drinking game or another, and passed them around with a "Happy Christmas". Lance had given her Chanel No. 5, her favorite perfume, and she had given him a quick kiss for a thanks. Arthur had presented his presents last. He gave Gwaine a rather large dose of alcohol to go with Merlin's gift, and to Merlin he gave socks. When Merlin laughed at his gift, and asked what they were for, Arthur merely replied, "Don't be stupid." He hadn't given Gwen anything, and she felt surprisingly disappointed.

As the party was reaching its climax, Gwen wondered where two of her favorite guys had gone. That was when she heard a cough behind her. She turned around and saw Arthur standing behind her. His soulful blue eyes gave her a heart melting expression as he said, "I have something for you. But not here. Can we go outside? On the balcony?"

"Of course," Gwen smiled as Arthur led her out.

"So what is it that you wanted to give me?" Gwen smiled.

Arthur couldn't help but smile back. It was all too lovely. All too perfect. If only Gwen wasn't with Lance. As they stood outside for the few moments, underneath the stars on the cold, crisp night, Gwen felt herself begin to shiver. At the beauty of it all, at the chilling air to her shoulders, and at being in Arthur's presence.

"Here," Arthur said, smiling as he took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders.

"Thanks," Gwen blushed back.

"But that wasn't the only thing I wanted to give you," Arthur said, pulling a small, wrapped box out of his pocket, "Open it."

"You really don't have to give me anything," Gwen said.

"Nonsense, please. Open it. For me."

As Gwen delicately took off the silver ribbon and red wrapping paper, Arthur stared intently at her. He loved everything about Guinevere. The way her hair fell just so over her forehead as a stray curl escaped her bun. The way her eyes sparkled with excitement. The fact that they were just there together. The two of them without anyone else to stand in their way.

"Oh Arthur," Gwen sighed as the diamonds glinted from the light of the stars above her. She could barely believe that he had spent that much on her. In fact, she didn't want to believe it. The necklace was stunning-too stunning. She didn't even want to think about how much it had cost.

"I-I can't accept this," was the first thing that she could say. She had been struck speechless.

"Yes, you can. You deserve it Guinevere. You're an amazing woman," Arthur gently pushed. He knew Gwen was a selfless woman, and had been expecting her refusal.

"It wasn't that much, honest. Here, turn around," he said gently, motioning to the necklace.

She placed it lightly in his hand, and turned around. Arthur carefully raised his arms up around her, and laid the pendent upon her collarbone as he fastened the necklace on the back of her neck. His fingers brushed the nape of her neck oh so faintly, but he didn't miss the shivers which it caused her. As she turned around again, Arthur didn't realize how close they really were. The pendant now rested beautifully on her neck, and it matched her dress perfectly. It was as if Destiny had known that they would always match each other-even if they didn't know it. Her face was inches away from his, their lips both slightly parted and barely a breadth away. It was too close…too much for him. He saw her discreetly lick her lips, but it wasn't covert to him. He took in all of her, and breathed in a smell inexplicably Guinevere. It was intoxicating.

"Merry Christmas Guinevere," he said.

"Merry Christmas Arthur," she said.

He knew he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of her. The pull of another man's woman. That was when the spell was broken with a call,

"Gwen!"

Lance.

Immediately Gwen pulled away, hands quickly taking off the jacket which was around her shoulders and handing it back to Arthur.

"Thank you. For-for the gift, Arthur," Gwen stuttered out.

She quickly walked inside, leaving Arthur out in the cold, looking in through her sliding glass door. His perfect moment. Ruined. Gone forever. He thought that his heart wouldn't be able to take it, but then something else happened all together which made their destroyed piece in time like nothing.

He saw through the glass Lance pull Gwen into the middle of the circle of their friends. He saw him get down on one knee, and pull a box out from the depths of his jacket. He saw his mouth moving, forming words which weren't hard to decipher,

"Will you marry me?"

Arthur wanted to run-to escape. Yet he was trapped there, on the balcony. Waiting to see Gwen's response.

To be continued

For Arthur's necklace: flickr

.com/photos/pieces_of_jade/6579060337/