Forbidden

by Thepinkhouseowner

He's a world-famous actor, she's just a simple costume designer for the film he's starring in. He likes blondes, fake boobs and good times. She is gentle, genuine and quietly beautiful. Not even a one night stand could ever happen... could it?

11. Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

*gasp* oh my god, guys! This is almost the end! I'm really sorry, but this is a mega-long chapter... full author's note at the end, as usual. Enjoy!

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'I have some news,' Arthur announced, coming and sitting next to Gwen at the round table in the restaurant. 'We're going to San Diego.'

Everyone stared at him and then began to cheer, Merlin and Gwaine being the loudest.

'What's in San Diego?' asked Gwen, reaching for another slice of toast.

'Comic Con,' said Merlin happily. 'It's basically where the most hardcore fans of Camelot go to meet the cast and ask them questions and stuff...'

'They're really eager for sex, too- and they're adventerous,' said Gwaine with a wink. 'Last year when we were there I tried out this position where-'

'It's basically a massive promotional event for Camelot,' Leon intervened. 'We went last year, and it was so much fun.'

'Sounds good,' lied Gwen, looking down at her plate of toast. It looked like she would be stuck in Cardiff while her entire friendship group jetted off to sunny America.

'I hope so, because you're coming too,' said Arthur, grinning, and Gwen looked up.

'Really?'

'Oh, yeah. Merlin always complains that he has no one to hang out with backstage while we're busy being famous, so you can occupy him.'

Gwen grinned. Now San Diego really did sound good.

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They were scheduled to leave in three weeks, meaning that when they came back there would only be a month left of filming. This saddened and worried Gwen. At the end of filming she would be asked to renew her contract with Camelot, but in a way she didn't want to. Even though it was the best job a costume designer could wish for, she knew that if she continued to work for Uther then she would never be able to go public about her relationship with Arthur. Part of her said she shouldn't quit her job just to be with a man, but on the other hand, they had waited for this for so long...

Finally, the day to fly to America arrived. Everyone was packed, and at the crack of dawn they were driven to the airport to be flown across the Atlantic in first class. In a way, this is what had been exciting to Gwen the most- she had never flown in first class before. She sat next to Morgana, so none of the other passengers would be suspicious of why she was sat next to the famous Arthur Pendragon or why Morgana and Leon were so friendly, and they occupied themselves with giggly stories and plenty of fruit pastilles.

When they arrived at the airport and began to walk through the terminal, all were temporarily blinded by the harsh white flashes of the paparazzo's cameras (there were a lot more than there were in Britain) and were then rushed into cars that drove them for a couple of hours when they eventually ended up round the back of a building. With no time to look around the truly wonderful car park, they were hurried inside through empty corridors and into a large room with sofas and coffee machines.

'You'll be in here for a couple of hours to freshen up,' said Sophia, the woman who had escorted them in, 'And the panel doesn't start until four. Toilets are in the room to the left, and several people will be coming to check on you now and again. Okay, I'll leave you to it!' she smiled at all of them and then rushed off again.

'Arthur! Morgana! You made it!'

Everyone turned to see Uther walking towards them from the other side of the room, arms outstretched. He kissed Morgana on the cheek and shook Arthur's hand, but ignored everyone else. 'Father!' said Arthur uncomfortably, glancing over at Gwen. 'What are you doing here?'

'Oh, I've just come to see that everything runs smoothly, and to watch the panel from backstage,' said Uther casually, but no one missed the scathing glare he gave to Gwen when she wasn't looking. 'Just seeing that none of you are... doing anything that you shouldn't be doing. And Arthur, come with me. There's someone I want you to meet.'

He pulled Arthur away from the rest of them, and everyone stared after them as they walked off into a small side-room. 'What do you think they're doing?' asked Gwaine.

Merlin shrugged. 'I haven't heard anything. Come on, Gwen, you're coming with me- see you in a bit, everyone!'

Everyone waved them goodbye as Gwen was pulled out of the room and back through the corridors they had just come through. When they got to the door into the car park, they walked straight past it and instead through some locked doors into a room that was packed with people. A woman was standing at the door as if she was waiting for them and smiled when they arrived. 'Hello, Merlin,' she grinned, kissing him on the cheek and straightening his collar for him. 'And you must be Gwen?'

Gwen nodded, and each of them was handed a card to put around their necks with the words BACKSTAGE PASS written on both. 'There you go,' smiled the woman. 'Now you won't be stopped from going anywhere. Enjoy!'

'Thanks, Hannah,' Merlin grinned, and bounded off in the direction of the food stands with Gwen on his heels, the smell of hot dogs drawing them in. 'Free food for people with backstage passes,' Merlin told Gwen, getting them a hot dog each. 'Come on, I want to show you around.'

Gwen spent the next forty minutes being dragged round various stalls of merchandise – Gwen grinned when she saw a tiny action figure of Arthur, and was almost tempted to buy it – and several of the queuing people glared enviously at their backstage passes. After eating more food and admiring the action figures of their friends, they gradually made their way through the quickly filling room and re-entered the backstage corridors.

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Meanwhile, Arthur was waiting in an uncomfortable silence with Uther, who was watching a second door. His father had just informed him that they were waiting for the arrival of Uther's close friend Godwin and his daughter Elena. They were British, but had moved to America when Elena was a baby, as this was where Elena's late mother had been from. Godwin owned several large studios that Camelot used frequently, and Uther and Godwin were extremely close in business.

'It is an exciting day,' said Uther, clapping his hands together, trying to make Arthur look less bored.

Arthur grimaced, trying to keep his father happy. 'The arrival of Lord Godwin is always a cause for celebration,' he said, sarcastically mocking how fond Uther was of his friend.

Uther ignored the jibe. 'And Elena,' he added quickly, smiling.

Arthur grimaced again, looking straight ahead at the door. 'Yes.'

'I hear she is something of a beauty,' pressed Uther.

'Really.' The last time Arthur had met the girl (who was the same age) when they were teenagers, he had found her deeply unattractive, with wild hair and an unfortunate nose.

'Oh, yes,' Uther continued. 'Beautiful. Charming, witty... strategic...'

Arthur frowned. 'Strategic?'

'I have always thought so,' said Uther. 'We have always thought so. That is- Godwin and myself. That is- he finds you strategic, not... Elena.' Uther's voice trailed off.

Arthur stared at his father. 'He finds me... strategic.'

'Oh, yes,' said Uther happily.

'And beautiful?'

Now it was Uther's turn to stare. Before he could reply, the sound of footsteps approaching the door made them both face the door again.

'Father, what are you trying to say?' asked Arthur quickly before the door could open.

'Godwin is a serious ally, the strength of such a match cannot be unrest with,' Uther whispered.

'Please tell me you mean a football match,' said Arthur, his dread for the visit growing.

'I mean a love match,' Uther corrected him.

'Love?' said Arthur, his thoughts immediately going to Guinevere.

'Well, not love, love has nothing to do with it... the other bit.'

Arthur continued to stare.

'You know – a permanent union.'

Arthur finally realised what his father was saying. 'Marriage?'

'I knew you'd understand,' said Uther cheerfully as the door opened and Godwin walked in with his daughter trailing behind.

'Godwin!' said Uther joyfully, embracing his old friend, and Arthur had a chance to look at Elena properly. She was just as unattractive as he remembered, with a frumpy sort of yellow dress and hair that could do with a brush. She had a plain face, and looked like she was enjoying being in this room just as much as he was.

'Oh, it's been too long!' cried Godwin as they pulled apart.

Uther nodded, and turned his attention to Elena. 'Elena,' he gushed. 'You are most welcome.'

Elena attempted to smile and step forwards, but she tripped on the hem of her dress and fell flat on her face at Arthur's feet. He grimaced as she helped herself up and listened to Uther telling them all where they would all be dining tonight, along with Morgana. Until now, he had been looking forward to spending time with Guinevere away from the prying eyes of his father. Now, he wasn't so sure.

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Gwen didn't get to speak to Arthur for the rest of the day, and she knew Uther was to blame. When she and Merlin had arrived back in the green room, Morgana had told them that father and son were meeting with some old family friends, and that Arthur would be having lunch with them in the city, coming back in time for the big interviews and meet and greets in the afternoon. As the rest of them were eating their own rather quiet lunch before heading out to greet the fans and do interviews for online sites, Gwen received a text from Arthur, apologising that he hadn't been able to spend any time with her so far and that he would make it up to her tonight. Smiling, she pocketed her phone and followed Merlin out to the main area of Comic Con, as only the actors would be allowed in the press area.

She was examining a figurine of Morgana more closely when someone tapped her on the shoulder and she turned round to see a man standing behind her. He was her age, maybe a couple of years older, with blonde hair as long as Gwaine's and a completely smooth face, dressed smartly and wearing a BACKSTAGE PASS around his neck to match hers.

'Excuse me,' he said, and she was surprised that he had an English accent. 'I hope you don't mind me asking, but where did you get your dress?'

'Oh.' Flummoxed, she looked down at her own lavender creation. 'I made it.'

'Really?' the man looked impressed, and looked her up and down as he clutched his hands to his chest. 'Darling, you look fabulous. Spin for me.'

Bemused, Gwen turned quickly on the spot as he took in every angle of the dress. 'Is this the only thing you've made?' he asked.

'Um, no, I made pretty much everything that I wear,' said Gwen.

The man gasped. 'Well, I must see them! I can hear your accent, but do you live here, or...?'

'Oh, no, I'm just here for the convention. I have a flat in London, but I'm working in Cardiff for a couple of months at the moment.'

'Works in Cardiff... at a Camelot film convention... oh my god! Do you work for Camelot Film Company?' the man looked as if he was about to die from excitement. With a grin, Gwen nodded, and the man clapped his hands again.

'I take it you're a costume designer?' he asked, still admiring her dress. She nodded.

'And I suppose you're head of the department?'

'Oh- no.'

'What?' the man looked aghast. 'Why haven't you been promoted yet?'

'I don't suppose I ever will be. Uther hates me,' she blurted out, and then clapped her hands over her mouth. 'Oh god. Please don't tell anyone I just told you that.'

'My lips are sealed, darling.' He mimed zipping his mouth shut. 'But I must say...' he leaned in a little closer, and she smelt a very expensive-smelling cologne on his tailored suit. 'It seems such a shame to waste a talent like yours on costumes. Have you thought about starting your own line?'

'Oh,' said Gwen, taken aback. 'Well, a couple of people have suggested it to me...' she didn't mention that it was Morgana who had suggested it in case this man exploded at the mention of the name.

'Do it!' said the man enthusiastically, eyes shining. 'And if you're worried about how to get started, don't worry, because I have plenty of contacts. Why, even my cousin I dragged here today works for an agency, and he's looking for someone new to manage... hey, Lancelot! Over here!'

He waved to a man who was making his way over from the drinks stand, and Gwen's eyes nearly fell out of her head when she saw who it was. His dark hair was as long as Gwaine's and when his chocolate coloured eyes met hers, they widened and he smiled. 'Gwen?' he asked in shock.

She laughed. 'Lancelot!' they hugged tightly for a long moment before looking at each other properly.

'You two know each other?' the first man asked.

'We went to university together,' said Gwen, smiling. 'Oh, this is so surreal! What are you doing here?'

'I'm staying with Jahmene here, my cousin, and he wanted to bring me to Comic Con while I'm out here. And you?'

'I work for Camelot now. I'm one of their costume designers, and they asked me along for the trip. We go back tomorrow afternoon, I think.'

'Are you free tonight, then?' asked Jahmene. 'We have dinner reservations at my boyfriend's restaurant, and it would be a perfect opportunity to talk to you about getting you a manager...'

'You want a manager?' Lancelot asked.

Gwen blushed. 'Your cousin thinks I should set up my own fashion line. It's silly, but...'

'Did you make what you're wearing now?'

'Um, yes.'

'Well, with designs as beautiful as that, you should definitely look into it. But even if nothing comes of our discussions, it would be really nice to catch up properly.' Lancelot looked at her hopefully, and she found herself wavering. Arthur would be out for dinner himself, anyway, and it would be quite nice to catch up with an old university friend...

'Okay,' she found herself saying as they exchanged phone numbers. 'I'll see you both tonight.'

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'Good evening,' said Arthur with a smile when he opened the door to her. In truth, it was actually nearly midnight, but Arthur had been taken to a restaurant with Godwin, Elena and Uther and had only arrived back in the hotel half an hour ago. Gwen had arrived back from her dinner with Jahmene and Lancelot just fifteen minutes before.

'Wow,' said Gwen in amazement as she stepped inside. Arthur's room (except it wasn't just one room: there was a bar, a bed area, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom to the left) was so much more tasteful looking than her own, with plush cream rugs and crystal wine coolers and televisions and an impressive film collection all screaming money at her. Arthur scratched his head, grimacing. 'I know, it's a bit much for just one night.'

'It's beautiful, though,' said Gwen truthfully. There was some music playing in the background, she noted- something as beautiful as the room with just a guitar and a single voice. She went over to sit on the king-sized golden bed on the other side of the room when Arthur stopped her, pulling her closer to him by the hand.

'Actually,' he murmured, linking their fingers together, 'I was hoping we could go into the bathroom instead.'

'The bathroom?' she said, and let herself be taken through to find a bathroom that was nearly as big as the bedroom. In the corner was a bubbling jacuzzi with champagne in ice stood next to it. 'Oh, Arthur...'

He pressed his torso against her back as he came to stand behind her. 'Good idea or bad idea?'

She turned and kissed him softly. 'Very, very good idea,' she whispered. She felt him smile into the kiss as she began to untie his tie, leading him over to the jacuzzi all the while.

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'Cheers,' they both said with a content smile, clinking glasses before sipping their champagne. 'So how was dinner?' Gwen asked after a moment.

Arthur grimaced. 'Father's trying to set me up with Godwin's daughter, Elena.' He saw Gwen stiffen, and added, 'Don't worry, I would never go for her, especially now I've got you.' He found her hand in the water and lifted it to kiss her knuckles softly, satisfied when she finally smiled again.

'Good,' she said softly. 'Because I don't planning on letting you go any time soon.'

'Oh, and good news- Camelot's upgrading to some bigger studios in London for the next film, so you'll be able to live at home during the next film! Isn't that great? We'll be staying at each other's flats instead of hotel rooms...'

'I'm not renewing my contract with Camelot next year,' she blurted out, and he stared at her.

'What?'

'I'm not renewing my contract,' she repeated. 'So I won't be on set for the sequel, which means we'll probably never get to work together again.'

'Oh. Why are you-'

'I met an old friend from uni today at the convention, Lancelot DuLac,' she said. 'He's a manager, and he was with his cousin who lives here and adores all the Camelot films, who noticed the dress I was wearing. We got talking, and the three of us went out to dinner while you were with Elena, and he wants to be my manager if I set up my own fashion business. He says he has contacts all around the world, and that he thinks he could get me spots on the catwalks, and online sites could be set up, and he could get me a promotion team...'

'Wow.' He looked up at her, and she was surprised to see him smiling. 'You're going to set up your own business? You're going to be a designer?'

She frowned. 'I thought you wouldn't want me to leave.'

'Guinevere, I...' he swallowed, but continued to smile. 'Of course I don't want you to go. Of course I want to carry on seeing you every day on set, and having an excuse to be around you all the time, but... this has always been your dream, and I'm not going to try and stop you. I know I'm not much of a fashion expert, but everyone's been saying how amazing your costumes are, and I know you're making Morgana's premiere dress for her, so... well, go for it.'

'You're not upset?'

'I've seen you on set, Guinevere. You hate my father.'

'I don't-'

'Yes, you do,' he smiled. 'Don't worry, I don't hate you for it. I honestly don't mind. But we both know that you couldn't continue working for someone like him. Honestly, I'm happy for you.'

She finally allowed herself to smile. 'Really?'

He leant over and kissed. 'Really. But there's something I need to talk to you about, too.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah.' He bit his lip. 'After we've finished shooting, me and Gwaine are going over to America again to promote our last film Silver coming out over there.'

'Okay.' She nodded. 'Um, have fun?'

'No, that's not the point. I'm going to be gone for a few months. Maybe a year.'

Gwen suddenly went very still. 'Oh.'

'So I don't know what's going to happen between us... I mean, you're going to be making a name for yourself, and I'm going to be in another country...'

'Right.'

'What... what do you want to do?'

She bit her lip. 'I don't know. I don't know if this could work, long distance, for an entire year. I mean, I'm going to be busy all the time. And yeah, we could phone, and text, but there are the time zone differences...'

'You don't know whether to trust me,' he guessed.

She bit her lip again. 'I'm sorry. I do trust you, I just don't trust the people you'll be with. There are all those blonde girls in America that you slept with, and I won't be there...'

He leant forwards and kissed her. They pulled apart but rested their foreheads against each other. 'Guinevere Leodgrace,' he said quietly. 'You are... the love of my life. And I didn't realise it until now, but I honestly do not want to be with another woman ever again.'

For a moment she was speechless, and in reply she simply kissed him. They were going to be all right. He loved her and she loved him, that was enough. Yes, they'd be in different continents for nearly a year, but why would that affect them?

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'So,' said Arthur quietly. 'I suppose this is goodbye.'

It was the official wrap party of the film, with the final scene on location having been filmed earlier in the day. Camelot had somehow been allowed permission to close a beach to have to themselves for the night. Now, at just after three in the morning, people were beginning to leave and Arthur and Gwen were walking into the sand dunes, out of sight from everyone else, before Arthur was to be picked up by a car to take him to the airport. He would be leaving for America in just six hours.

They stopped walking and looked at each other properly. 'When are you back?' whispered Gwen.

He shrugged. 'I spoke to my father, and he's stretching it out to eight months. Maybe nine.' He paused, and swore under his breath. 'You know what? I don't want this to be goodbye.'

She breathed a sigh of relief. 'Me neither. I... I don't ever want to have to say goodbye to you.'

He leant forwards and kissed her gently. 'This whole taking a break thing? It really isn't going to work, is it?'

Gwen shook her head. 'It's going to be hard to make this work, though. We can't just be around each other in a group every day, we can't catch up at dinner... we'd have to make calls to different time zones, we'd have to know each other's schedules... it's going to be a lot of effort.'

He smiled and kissed her again. 'You know what? It'll be a lot easier than losing all contact with you for a year. I don't... I don't even want to go! I want to stay here forever, and never go to America again! I can't believe my father's organised this! I'm barely in the film! I-'

He stopped talking when Gwen pressed her lips against his firmly, pushing her body up against his and making him lose his train of thought. When she pulled away, he saw she was smiling slightly. 'Don't work yourself up,' she said quietly. 'You've got to go. We're going to spend a year apart, and you're going to make millions of pounds from this DVD release and promote Camelot even more, and I'm going to set up my business, and then we'll meet up when you come back and sort ourselves out, okay? If we still feel the same way about each other then we'll go to the premiere together, and if not... well, we had fun, didn't we?'

Arthur stared at her. 'Guinevere,' he said slowly, 'I will never stop feeling this way about you. Never. I want... I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a proposal, but... one day we'll get married, and have kids, and grow old together...'

She smiled, and they kissed again slowly. 'I know. Just... well, don't get drunk and sleep with strippers while you're in America, all right?'

He laughed. 'I'm never having that lifestyle again.'

'Arthur!'

Uther's voice came through the darkness over the speakers, making them both jump. 'Arthur, the cars are here.'

Arthur swallowed. 'Coming!' he called, and then turned back to Guinevere.

'I love you,' he whispered.

'I love you, too,' she replied, and they kissed one last time before he let go of her hands and walked back towards the party.

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Look up my interview with Leonard Hall. Think it might interest you. Call me when you've watched it? x

It had been three months since the wrap party. Three months since she had last seen Arthur, felt his touch, kissed him, made love to him, breathed in his scent. They called each other every now and again, but both their schedules were so hectic that there wasn't really enough time to properly keep in touch. Gwen missed him, but she knew their agreement to stay together but not rely on constant updates had been the right the thing to do, because it would have been impossible. This was the first text she had received from him for weeks.

Confused, she searched for the clip on YouTube and was surprised to find that the video had nearly a million hits already. She checked when it had been put up, and saw it had only been broadcasted last night. A million hits in a day? He must have said something very interesting. Frowning, she settled back in her bed and put her headphones in to watch the clip.

'So, Arthur Pendragon,' said Leonard with a beaming smile once the crowd had stopped screaming. 'You seem to have quite a loud set of fans here.'

In response, the crowd began to scream again, and Arthur grinned. 'Yeah, they're pretty loud. But I love them, I really do.'

The crowd cheered again.

Leonard talked to him about Silver for a minute before the conversation turned to the new film. 'So that's not the only project you've been working on...'

'Yeah, we just finished shooting our new one that comes out next year about a month and a half ago.'

'And I understand that the majority of this was filmed on location.'

'Yeah.' Arthur shifted in his chair. 'We shot a lot of it in a castle in France, and then a lot on location in Wales, both of which are excellent places... I reckon there are only about ten or fifteen scenes that are in front of a green screen in this film. It's brilliant, actually, because it really does make you feel like the story is real when you're on these amazing locations...'

'But because of how famous you all are, were there problems with fans appearing on location and distracting you all?'

Arthur chuckled. 'We have great security that cornered off the locations to stop them getting too close, so it wasn't too bad when we were actually filming, but when we were arriving or leaving or whatever, they were just... well, they were pretty mental. Honestly, they don't leave you alone.'

'They're quite interested in your personal life as well as your career, aren't they?'

'Oh, yeah.' Arthur rubbed the back of his neck. 'Perhaps more than my career, I think. And they always find me! I don't know how they do it!'

The crowd laughed.

'One aspect the fans are most interested in about you, Arthur, is your love life.'

The crows cheered again, and Arthur grinned, embarrassed. 'Yeah, they're a bit obsessed, actually.'

'I suppose they're quite surprised about how you've been behaving recently...'

'They are?'

'Well, before you started shooting this new film you were famous for your partying and drinking, and the amount of girls you were always with...'

An infamous picture appeared on the screen next to them that had been taken about two years ago, with a blonde on Arthur's lap who had her tongue down his throat. Arthur was holding a champagne bottle in one hand while his other was holding the bikini-clad woman tighter, and the two were surrounded by other similarly dressed (or undressed) women as they all sprayed champagne in the air. Arthur groaned as the crowd wolf-whistled, and grinned sheepishly at Leonard. 'Yeah, those days are long gone,' he said firmly. 'I've grown up now.'

'It appears so, because in the past eighteen months, you have only been seen with one woman. This woman, in fact.'

Another picture replaced the first one, and Gwen gasped when she realised it was the one of her and Arthur kissing in the not-so-dark corner of that club from a few months ago, the dress halfway up her thigh with his hands at the bottom of her back and hers wrapped around his neck. The camera had been taken from such an angle that whilst it was clearly Arthur, Gwen's face was hidden in shadow and could not be made out. Arthur smiled again as the crowd wolf-whistled once more.

Once they had died down, Leonard spoke again. 'There have been reports that this isn't just another fling, that this might be something more. Are the reports true?'

Arthur paused. 'Yes,' he said eventually with a small smile. 'Yes, the reports are true.'

The crowd gasped and then began to cheer wildly, and Arthur continued to grin as they quietened down. Leonard smirked at him. 'So for the first time ever, are you in a serious relationship?'

'I am indeed.' Arthur was still smiling.

'And how long has this been going on, may I ask?'

'Oh, about a year, maybe.'

'A year? A whole year? Why has no one found out anything before now?'

'Well, I suppose we've just been very good at hiding it. Not always, as you can see, but...' he sighed. 'I dunno, it's been very difficult, and especially for her, I think. We couldn't go out in public because the paparazzi wouldn't leave us alone, so I couldn't take her out for dinner or to the cinema, or other normal things...'

'So I take it she isn't famous?'

'No, she's not. Well, not yet, anyway.'

'What, she'll become famous when people find out who she is?'

'Well, that too, I suppose... but she's a rising star, Leonard. You're going to be hearing about her a lot very soon, I can promise you that.'

'Ooh, the anticipation grows!' said Leonard eagerly. 'But you said she wasn't famous. How on earth is your father coping with this? I know he's very focused on the brand of Camelot not being tarnished by outsiders, so to speak...'

Arthur grinned. 'He doesn't know.'

The crowd gasped collectively, as did Leonard. 'So this interview will be the first he'll hear about this?'

'Well, kind of. They've met... sort of. It's complicated.'

'You think he'll approve?'

'No.' Arthur looked down. 'But I was speaking with Morgana the other day, and we decided that I should be allowed to date whoever I want, and I don't want it to affect my working relationship with him, so...'

'Ooh, the tension grows!' said Leonard, making the audience laugh. 'So you've been together for a year...'

'Yes.'

'It's getting pretty serious, then?'

Arthur grinned. 'Yeah, I'm pretty much in love.'

The crowd aww'd, and Arthur looked across at Leonard sheepishly.

'And is it... is it too early for me to start humming?'

Arthur looked confused. 'Humming?'

Leonard began to hum the wedding march, and Arthur laughed. 'Not just yet. One day, but not yet.'

'All right, then. We're nearly out of time, but before we go can you reveal the name of your mystery lady?'

Arthur shook his head. 'Sorry. She's making a name for herself, and then we're going public. I don't want her to be known as my girlfriend, I want her to be known as who she is.'

'All right, then, you killjoy. Arthur Pendragon, everybody!' the two men shook hands before Arthur left the stage and Leonard began to introduce his next guest.

Gwen switched off her laptop and sat in silence for a minute. Arthur had gone public... well, sort of. She picked up her phone and rang his number, listening to the rings. After the third dial, he picked up. 'You watched it?' were his first words.

She sat up straighter. 'Yes.'

'Look, before you shout at me, I'm so so sorry. I didn't stop to think about what you wanted, and if you want me to deny everything I've said then that's fine, and I know we're technically on a break, I honestly don't mind... I just...'

'Arthur, I'm not angry,' she interrupted him, and he stopped.

'You're not?'

She laughed. 'Of course I'm not angry. You didn't say my name, and you didn't ask them to put up that picture of us. You had to respond to that picture at some point, I suppose.'

'You're really not angry,' he sounded amazed. 'Wow. Uh, so how have you been? I haven't really spoken to you for a while.'

'Oh, not bad. I'm very busy, Lancelot's trying to pull some strings to get my line on the catwalk for the London Fashion Week...'

'That's amazing!'

'Yeah, it is,' she grinned. 'What about you? How's America?'

'It's, you know... pretty cool. But I wish you were here. I miss you.'

Gwen paused, and smiled. 'I miss you too. Just six months until you're back, though.'

'I know. Six months is far too long. I want to see you today.'

'It'll be worth it,' she promised, and then smirked. 'Think of how sexually frustrated we'll both be by the time you get back, neither of us having sex for a whole nine months...'

'That's it. I'm getting on a plane right now.'

She laughed. 'Patience, Arthur.'

'Patience is overrated,' he muttered. There was silence for a moment. 'Have you spoken to Leon recently?' he asked suddenly.

'Er, no. Why?'

'Okay, if I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell anyone?'

'Cross my heart,' she said, intrigued.

'He's going to propose to Morgana.'

Gwen gasped. 'Oh, my god! When? How? Has he bought a ring? Does Uther know?'

'Yeah, he came over here last week to have dinner with Dad and I- said he wanted to ask for both of our permission because he knows how protective I am of Morgana. You can't tell anyone, though, I wasn't even supposed to tell you.'

'My lips are sealed,' she promised. 'Oh, that's so exciting! They'll be so happy together... and how's all the promotion stuff going? Is Gwaine is enjoying himself?'

'Promotion's going well, we've got record numbers of orders for the DVD.' Arthur paused for a moment. 'I'm a bit worried about Gwaine, though.'

'Why, what's happened?'

'Nothing in particular, he's just a bit... distant. I mean, whenever we go out he's always brought girls back to the hotel, and he's always drank, but now he's doing it a different way. Before, he was always a happy drunk, but now he just has this really dark look in his eyes, and there are a lot more women. I mean, two or three every night of the week, and never the same ones. And he's not making jokes any more, and he's made friends with these people who I really don't trust, and he's been turning up to interviews late without an excuse...'

'Do you think he's just homesick?' asked Gwen. 'If he came back here for a week or so, do you think it would help?'

'Maybe. I think having the lead role in the film might be a bit overwhelming, although he seemed fine when it premiered...'

'Just promise me you'll keep an eye on him?'

'I promise.' There was the sound of another voice in the background, and Arthur swore. 'I've got to go- press conference. I'll ring you tomorrow, okay? I love you.'

'I love you, too,' she said quickly before the line went dead. Smiling, she set her phone down and went back to sketching out designs for a new line Lancelot thought she should add if she was going to be in London Fashion Week.

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Gwaine drained his can and threw it across the room before turning back to look at the blonde woman next to him. He couldn't remember a thing about last night except that his dealer had been there and had given him something to take for a very reasonable price. America was good, he thought to himself. On this side of the Atlantic, it was easier not to think about how Freya loved Merlin and not him, alcohol flowed more freely and it was cheaper to get high. Maybe he should move out here for good, he thought to himself. Life wasn't good, but it was satisfying. He no longer lived to see Freya's face in the morning, but for the parties and the drinks and the adrenaline rushes.

No, he corrected himself. Life was definitely good.

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'Miss Leodgrace!'

Gwen span round to see one of her make-up artists rushing towards her. It was London Fashion Week, and by some small miracle Lancelot had pulled enough strings to get her line onto the main catwalk. From behind the curtain, fifteen minutes before the show was due to start, she could hear the buzz of the crowds loud and clear, and she was ready to throw up. 'Miss Leodgrace,' the man repeated once he reached her, 'We have an emergency.'

'What?' Gwen's head immediately began to fill with scenarios such as models having food poisoning, or an allergic reaction to the hair products, or-

'We can't find an eyeshadow suitable for Annabelle's look.'

Gwen breathed a sigh of relief. Something that could be fixed. She let herself be led into the dressing room, where the five other models hand-picked by Gwen from one of London's top modelling agency- Cara, Poppy, Alice, Kate and Lucinda- were clustered around Annabelle as the make-up artists argued about which shade of green would compliment her dress more. 'Girls!' Gwen called as she entered the room, and everyone turned to face her. Gwen nearly keeled over in shock at the sight.

They had destroyed her designs. Earlier, she had specifically told the make-up artists that she wanted the outfits to have the main impact, not the face. She wanted natural beauty, loose hair, minimal make-up. Now, with her models having had their faces caked in god-knows-what, complete with smoky eyes and dark red lips, she didn't know what to do.

'Okay,' she said quietly, her staff hanging onto her every word. 'I heard you're having trouble deciding what eyeshadow to use for Annabelle?'

The make-up artists nodded nervously, with the rest of the models looking on anxiously. They all looked ridiculous, Gwen realised. And then she had a brainwave. 'Where are the make-up wipes?' she asked the head of make-up. The woman picked up the pack of wipes from the dressing table and handed them to Gwen. She sat down in the chair next to Annabelle and began to wipe off the various bits of eyeshadow that had already been put on. Then went the lipstick. And the mascara. And the powder. And the foundation. Two minutes later, Annabelle sat in front of her completely bare-faced and looking slightly bewildered. 'There,' said Gwen. 'Who's next?'

One by one, the models had all their make-up taken off by Gwen until they all stood in front of her, completely bare-faced. 'These are the girls I hired,' said Gwen softly. 'I didn't ask you to come to the audition with a full face of make-up. I asked you to come with minimal or no make-up, because I need natural beauty. Okay?'

The models all nodded silently. A man appeared in the doorway. 'Time to line up,' he said, and Gwen nodded. 'Come on, then,' she said with a smile. 'Showtime.'

And that was the day the Guinevere Leodgrace Designs made catwalk history: by putting out models with no make-up, no styled hair, and simply showing off the clothes that had been designed.

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There came a knock on the door, and Gwen jumped, having been dozing off in front of the television in her small flat. Rubbing her eyes, she checked her watch. It was quarter to one in the morning. Who on earth would be knocking on her door at this hour?

She opened the door cautiously and felt her mouth drop open. In front of her stood Arthur, blonde hair slightly shorter than she remembered, some stubble on his chin, and half a dozen red roses in his hand. 'These are for you,' he managed to get out before she attacked him, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He staggered slightly and then walked into the flat, shutting the door behind him, throwing the roses down onto the ground and then leaning back against the door for support. 'Oh, my god,' she whispered into his ear, her hot breath sending shivers down his spine. 'What are you doing here? You said you wouldn't be back until next week!'

'Surprise,' he grinned, setting her down on her feet again. 'So how have you been?'

She stared up at him. 'Arthur,' she said slowly, 'I haven't had sex for nearly nine months...'

He grinned, bringing their bodies closer. Suddenly his lips were crashing down on hers and his hands were everywhere, unbuttoning her shirt, running through her hair, running up and down her back, exploring her shoulders, her breasts, her stomach, her waist...

After several hours(? Weeks? Months?) they were laying across Gwen's bed, her head on his blanket-covered lap with him absently stroking her hair away from her face. She looked up at him drowsily. 'Hi,' she whispered.

'Hi,' he whispered back. There was silence for a couple of minutes. 'Nice flat, by the way,' he said casually, looking around her bedroom.

She laughed. 'Thanks.'

'I hear you made history in the fashion world last week.'

Gwen shrugged. 'I honestly don't see why they made such a big deal about it. I wasn't trying to make a statement, or anything. I'm in trouble with the make-up company we used, though, because they sponsored us and then I refused to use their products.'

He laughed. 'Well, I saw the pictures. It was on the front cover of all the American magazines too, you know.'

'Yeah, Lance mentioned something about that.'

'Lance? Oh, your manager. How's it going with him?' Arthur tried to sound casual, but failed miserably.

Gwen looked up at him and smiled. 'Don't worry, I have no intention of sleeping with him.'

'I know,' he lied. 'Just... well, you're the most beautiful woman on the planet, so I'd kind of be offended if he hadn't thought about it at least once, but don't make me go all over-protective boyfriend on him, will you?'

She tried not to blush at the off-hand compliment and kissed his bare chest, which happened to be the nearest bit of skin to her. 'You have nothing to worry about,' she assured him. 'I love you, and only you.'

'Well, that's good to know,' he said as he continued to stroke her hair, 'Because I don't know if you've noticed, but several trailers for The Sword in the Stone have been playing online and in cinemas.'

'Funnily enough, I did notice, yes,' she said with a smile.

'Which means that a premiere's going to happen soon.'

'How soon?'

'In one month and three days. Still fancy going public in the most dramatic way possible, and simultaneously managing to piss my father off?'

'Arthur, I don't want to come between you and your father.'

'Look, if he can't accept me being happy with the woman I love, then his life is going to be made extremely difficult. You must have read the articles about this sudden, famous, beautiful, talented fashion designer called Guinevere Leodgrace. The public, even though they don't know who you are, are already falling in love with you. He'll make a lot of people very unhappy if he gives you the cold shoulder.'

She paused. 'All right, then.'

'So we'll go to the premiere together?'

'Yes. It's not like Uther can sack me anymore...' and she would have continued speaking had Arthur not have bent down to kiss her soundly once more.

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Everything was set in place. Tonight was the night they were going public.

Gwen was getting ready in the London hotel that everyone was being picked up from, Arthur's room opposite to hers and Morgana's to her left. She was in Morgana's room now, slipping her blindfolded friend into the dress that she had made for her. 'All right,' she said once the zip had been done up. 'You can take the blindfold off.'

Morgana took off the blindfold, looked in the full-length mirror and gasped. The deep green dress shimmered in the light, flowing behind her onto the floor and rustling slightly when she moved. She turned to see the dress was backless, and skintight before flowing out below the hips. 'Oh, my god,' she whispered, turning to see it from all angles. 'Oh my god oh my god oh my god...'

Gwen bit her lip. 'Do you like it?' she asked worriedly.

Morgana turned to face her, eyes filled with tears. 'It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen,' she managed to get out before crushing Gwen in a hug, who laughed and tried to escape. 'Why you haven't had your own business right from the beginning is beyond me. Thank you so much!'

'That's all right,' Gwen smiled, and then took a step backwards to admire her work once more. 'Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and get dressed...'

'Of- of course.' Morgana bit her lip and turned back towards the mirror. Gwen frowned.

'Are you all right?' she asked, concerned.

'Yes. No. If I tell you something, do you swear not to tell anyone else?' she said this all very quickly and quietly, despite the fact that the rest of the hair and make-up team had left the room now that their work was done.

Gwen nodded curiously.

'Okay. Okay.' Morgana took a deep breath. 'Well, Leon asked me to marry him.' Another pause. 'And I said yes.'

Gwen gasped. 'Oh, that's fantastic! Congratulations!'

'Really?' Morgana looked relieved. 'You don't think it's too soon?'

'If it was anyone else, I'd say that they were mad and that they were rushing into things and that they hadn't properly thought things through. But you and Leon... well, you're perfect for each other. Congratulations,' she smiled again. 'Are you going to wear the ring tonight?'

'That's what I'm not sure about. Leon says he's happy to tell the world whenever I am, but I've loved having this secret hidden from the press for so long, and...'

'You've got to let them know at some point,' Gwen reasoned.

'I suppose it is a night for letting the world know certain things,' said Morgana. 'I mean, you're going public with Arthur, too...'

'Yeah.' Gwen took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of the bed. 'But god, I'm so nervous.'

'You have nothing to be nervous about,' Morgana reassured her. 'The public love you. You've made history on the catwalk. Your online stock sold out within twenty-four hours. You've been asked to make a designer line to meet demands.'

'It's not the public I'm worried about, Morgana. It's Uther.'

'What's Uther going to do? Sack you? Reduce your pay? Demote you? You don't work for him any more, Gwen. He has no power over you.'

'But he does!' Gwen insisted. 'He's Arthur's father! I don't care what Arthur says, he still loves him, and he still influences his decisions...'

'Gwen, I've seen the way Arthur looks at you. It's the way I look at Leon. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me.' The two women hugged before Gwen left to get changed in her own room. There, she found two good luck texts: one from Merlin, who had assured her that everything would be fine, and from her father, who she and Arthur had had dinner with last night to explain what they were about to do. This way, they reasoned, he wouldn't be shocked to see his daughter's face splashed across every newspaper in the country, despite already having to get used to hearing his daughter's name in every overheard conversation about London Fashion Week.

Once dressed, with her hair styled down her back and just a touch of make-up, Gwen stepped out into the corridor at the exact moment that Arthur did the same thing. His eyes widened when he saw her. 'Wow,' he said quietly.

The dress was long and flowed out towards the ground in red velvet, encrusted with golden threaded detail up and down the main bodice. The straps went horizontally across her forearms instead of along her shoulders, enhancing her chest subtly. She was practically glowing.

'Do you like it?' she asked worriedly, turning from side to side. 'I wasn't sure if it was too much...'

'It's... well, it's perfect,' he said honestly. 'Let's just skip the premiere and go to my room...' he leant in to kiss her and she pulled away, laughing.

'I don't think that would be the best idea,' she said, taking him by the hand as they began to walk down the corridor.

'Why not? There's room service, we wouldn't ever have to leave,' he said. Eventually they reached the back entrance of the hotel from which they would be driven to Leicester Square in the limousines (Arthur had explained earlier that using the back entrance meant they could avoid the hysterical fans at the front). The chauffeur opened the car door for them and they climbed in, and as they were driven off, Arthur noticed Gwen becoming quieter and quieter.

'Are you all right?' he asked, putting her hands in his.

'I've never been this nervous in my entire life,' she said honestly.

'You'll be fine,' he said. 'Just don't answer any questions that you don't want to, stay close to me, smile, and do as the cameras tell you. You get used to it, honestly.'

She nodded, not entirely convinced. After a painful few minutes, the car slowed to a halt and Gwen could suddenly hear the deafening screams of the fans outside. Arthur kissed her softly. 'I love you,' he whispered. 'You'll be fine.'

'I know,' she whispered back, and then Arthur's door opened. He stepped outside onto the red carpet, and despite still being inside, Gwen heard the screams go louder and saw the camera flashes go wild, especially when they realised that for the first time ever, there was someone that Arthur was sharing his limousine with. She watched him wave to the fans for a moment before reaching back into the car and offering her his hand. She took a deep breath and took it, stepping outside into the madness, knowing now that there was no turning back.

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So, guys, just the epilogue left :'(

Don't panic, though – there's going to be a sequel! I've already started it, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long.

Yeah. We're nearly at 200 reviews for ten chapters- if we could make it by the time this story finishes, I could die from happiness. I won't, though- I've still got the sequel to write!

Um, yeah. Bit of a cliffhanger with Gwaine's storyline there... I wonder how that will turn out in the sequel... ;)

Also, I didn't realise how long it had been since I had updated, and I'm very ashamed of myself. Originally this chapter was two separate ones, which is why it's taken so long, but yeah. You will never have to wait this long again unless I'm dying or something equally severe, such as lack of internet. But anyway, think of this as an early Christmas present!

I'll do the big thank yous at the end of the epilogue which will be up in a few days, so until then please follow/favourite/review me/this story!