Chapter 12
Arthur quietly stepped through the glass door once he saw Lance leave. He saw Guinevere's lone form still standing by the door which closed in her face. Her shoulders were heaving up and down up and down. Arthur took a moment to stare at them. He didn't know if he could handle seeing Gwen's face-no doubt heartbroken. He would want to gather her up in his arms and never let her go. And he wasn't sure if she would be okay with that yet-or ever.
Although Arthur was deliriously happy that Gwen had turned down Lance, he couldn't deny that a part of her heart would always belong to him. He and she were serious enough to almost get married after all! He was just lucky to intervene at the time he did. If he hadn't…well…he didn't really want to think about it.
He approached her softly, treading as lightly as he could and put a hand on her shoulder tentatively saying, "Guinevere?"
She turned around at the sound of her name and looked up at Arthur. He was so large in comparison to her small body, and standing so close, that he was like a solid wall in front of her. All she could see in front of her was his deep scarlet button up framed by his gray blazer. However, she kept her eyes downcast, staring at her silver heels which were still glinting in the light of the lamps. He had seen her weak so many times already. The first time being when she was sick, and second to have a breakdown after Lance's proposal. She didn't need him to see her have another one so quickly. She was supposed to be the strong one, after all. She was supposed to be the rock for him, not the other way around. That's how she preferred most of her friendships. She could recall the times she was there for Lance, Elyan, and Merlin.
-Flashback-
Two years ago:
Lance had just got off the phone. He and Gwen were at his apartment celebrating their first three months together as a couple. Nothing too fancy, as Gwen thought that month-a-versary celebrations were frivolous, however, Lance still wanted to make the evening special for Gwen. He had presented her with a dozen red roses in honor of their landmark, and presented her with a gentle kiss at the door. Winding his arm around his girlfriend, he led her over to the sofa in his considerably sized apartment. Lance was into politics, but he didn't live like most people would have on the finances he made. He was a man of simple comforts, and lived humbly. His living room was decorated in earth tones, and tastefully done. A large window streamed the fading sunlight into the kitchen which was open and adjacent to the living room.
Lance had picked a romantic movie (No Reservations) to watch with Gwen. He wanted something light-hearted and fun, but still romantic enough to qualify it as a day of romance for the both of them. He had just put it in, and had settled down on the couch. His arm was around Gwen, and they were both getting situated. Gwen leaned slightly more into his hold, and Lance curled his hand around her shoulder. However, just as they had gotten settled and pushed play Lance's phone went off.
He grumbled about letting it be, but Gwen had piped up, "You should at least see who's calling."
He looked down at the caller ID: Maria.
Concern and confusion became etched on his brow as he rose, and said, "Excuse me, but I think I have to take this."
Now he had just come back. His face was a perfect relief of despair.
Gwen had immediately picked up on the sudden change in the atmosphere. It was now somber, and the mood was effectively killed. He approached the couch, and slowly sat down a little bit away from Gwen-as if he had forgotten she was there.
"Lance, what is it?" Gwen tentatively asked.
She scooted closer to him and put her arm on his shoulder. Lance sighed, and turned around to face her.
"It-it's my sister. Maria." Lance whispered.
"Your sister?" Gwen asked hesitantly.
As far as she knew, Lance and Maria were not precisely on speaking terms since she had decided to run away to America with a man Lance did not approve of. They hadn't spoken to each other in over five years.
"Well, the caller ID said Maria, but it wasn't her. It was-him."
"Oh. Where is Maria?" Gwen inquired gently, but curiously. She knew that whatever was troubling him, it would soothe his soul to release the pressure of whatever was disturbing him.
"She-she's…dead." Lance sobbed out the last word.
His shoulders slumped forward, and he buried his face in his hands. Gwen knew that despite their feud, Lance always felt guilty for driving his sister away. Now, there could be no redemption for his actions. She edged closer to Lance, her compassionate side kicking into over drive.
"Oh dear. Lance, come here," Gwen insisted as she wrapped her arms around Lance.
They were both on the couch, movie paused and completely forgotten, with Gwen holding Lance in her arms. She rubbed his back, and made comforting noises as he sobbed into her hair.
"Oh Gwen, I'm-I'm so sorry that I'm ruining-I'm supposed to be the strong-" Lance tried to start, but Gwen shushed him.
"Lance, it's ok. The fact that you trust me enough to be here with you is the best way I know to confirm the strength of our relationship. It's just unfortunate that it had to be under such awful circumstances. But right now, don't apologize. Don't worry. Just let it out."
So they sat for a few hours. Eventually, Lance started to fall asleep.
"I love you," Lance mumbled before drifting off completely.
Gwen was touched-it was the first time one of them had said "I love you". She held him even tighter as she responded, "I love you too."
One year ago:
Gwen and Elyan were standing face to face in the kitchen of their small apartment. It was in the cheaper district, but not uncomfortable. They had just thought that things were looking up financially for them-they might be able to afford to move out of the neighborhood-but not anymore.
"Elyan, Elyan calm down!" Gwen implored her brother.
"Gwen, HOW CAN I CALM DOWN WHEN I HAVE JUST LOST MY JOB?" Elyan shouted.
Gwen looked stricken. Her brother, no matter how angry or frustrated, never raised his voice at her.
"Oh Gwen-crap-I'm-I'm sorry. I just-I am just really frustrated right now." Elyan quickly backtracked.
"No," Gwen took a deep breath, calming herself down. She was more than saddened by Elyan's reaction to his situation-she was angry. However, she forced it down and continued, "I understand that you're upset. But just-just try to calm down, yeah? For me."
Elyan's angry resolve quickly broke at the look of sincerity on his sister's face, "Yeah-al-alright. It's just-I've been in the wielding and auto mechanic industry for years. I've worked there for years. And they just fire me out of the blue-now? How…why…" Elyan drifted off. He didn't shed a tear, but his eyes were glistening.
"Oh Elyan," Gwen said softly, and quickly closed the space separating their bodies. She wrapper her arms around her brother in a comforting embrace, and they both stood there hugging each other for a long while.
"Who cares about what they think," Gwen said into his ear, "You're the best mechanic I know. You're smart, and clever with your hands. You're always coming up with better, easier, and more affordable ways to solve all of your customer's problems-and people respect and appreciate that. And you know what else? You know that we Leodegrances always bounce back, no matter what."
Gwen slightly broke away from their fierce hug just so that Elyan could see the proud smile which graced his sister's face.
"Thanks," was all Elyan could say.
One week ago:
Merlin was gone. A simple note that said, "Went out. Be back soon" was taped to the front of the door. Gwen hesitated. She had visited the large mansion to see if Merlin wanted to go out for a coffee or something, since Arthur and Lance were away doing an interview. Merlin was surprisingly away from it all that day, and Gwen had inquired Arthur about it. He had merely said that he might be able to be found at the house, but apparently, he was wrong.
'Now what?' Gwen thought. She supposed there was nothing for it, but to go walk around for a bit. It was her lunch break, so she had some time to kill before heading back to the office.
She wandered around London, wondering what to do until somehow she ended up at Battersea Park. She wasn't exactly sure how she ended up there, but she did. And right in front of her was a lake, by which was sitting a young man with raven hair and a skinny frame. His back was facing Gwen, and it looked like his head was bent.
"Merlin!" Gwen cried, hurrying forward.
Merlin spun around, "I'll call you back later," he hurriedly said and hastily put his phone away, attempting to hide it from Gwen. His eyes were mysteriously clouded over, and although the atmosphere was slightly awkward, his face gave away none of his emotions. He looked like he had steely resolve, but at the same time, he looked deeply saddened. Gwen was smart enough to see that she had clearly interrupted something that Merlin did not want discovered, so she quickly hid the fact that she had seen his brief slip-up.
"Gwen!" Merlin forced a smile, "Fancy seeing you here!"
"I know! I didn't expect to see you here either! I saw your note," Gwen referenced, putting on a falsely cheery voice to fool Merlin.
"Oh yeah? Well…here I am, I guess," Merlin vaguely responded, "So what are you up to?"
Gwen noticed his sudden change of subject, but didn't bother him about whatever it was. They weren't good enough friends yet for her to take the liberty of prodding, she figured, so she did the next best thing she could think of. So she sat there with him, and took his mind off whatever was troubling him with conversation. Soon, it appeared like Merlin's problems were forgotten, and his laughter came as easily as ever. They sat there together until Gwen regretfully had to go back to work, and Merlin had insisted walking her back.
As they neared the door of her office, Merlin stopped and turned to face her. They stood awkwardly before the front of the office. Merlin's eyes were downcast as he quietly said, "Thank you."
Gwen just smiled and nodded, pleased that she had correctly chosen what Merlin had needed.
"Anytime," she said softly before kissing Merlin on the cheek and turning away, went into the building.
-End Flashback-
"I'm not supposed to be this weak. I'm a supposed to be one of the calmest, coolest, collected, yet compassionate lawyers in the country," Gwen gave a watery chuckle.
Arthur quirked his head at her and smiled gently.
"You may be all of those things, Guinevere," Arthur said as he tilted her head up towards his, "But that doesn't mean that the best lawyer in England can't cry now and again."
And with that, Arthur gathered her up in his arms, and stroked her back tenderly. They stood there for a while, him holding her, and her relying on him.
In an amount of time Gwen couldn't decipher (had it been only minutes? Or hours since they had last uttered a word?), Arthur silently scooped her up in his arms, and walked back to her living room.
There, he plopped her down on the comfortable cushions, and soon settled in beside her, wrapping his arm instinctively, protectively, around her body. He could tell that she was fading fast-her chest was rising and falling in a much more even rhythm, and the crease in her brow had released. With that, he brushed his lips upon her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Guinevere," he murmured, leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes too.
And so there, on her couch on Christmas Eve, Arthur held Guinevere tenderly, as if she was the most delicate gem in the world.
….
Meanwhile Gwaine and Lance were drinking the night away together. Lance was attempting to drown his troubles in the dull glow the alcohol provided, and it was just like a normal evening for Gwaine. It was very uncharacteristic of Lance to perform such an act, but no one questioned his motives tonight. The ruckus brought with the joys of the drinks was beginning to grab the group that was previously in Gwen's living room. Ridiculous claims were made by Percival, and Elyan and Gwaine had their arms around each other singing a ballad about a lost love. Lance was still at the bar, ordering what had to be more than his fourth round of shots. Amongst all of this chaos, no one saw Merlin quietly slip out. Not a drop of alcohol had touched his lips.
To be continued
Note: Sorry this took so long. I had supreme writer's block for this chapter (it was tricky to figure out how to transition to where this journey's going)! And I'm not sure how happy I am with it. I also just had a wealth of Merlin/Freya inspiration these past few weeks! But I haven't given up on this story (never fear)! And don't think that because Gwen's single, and in Arthur's arms, it means that the story's over! Arthur and Gwen haven't even been on a proper date yet, and she's still confused over her feelings for him anyways. Also, poor Lance! What will become of him? And who's going to win the election? We're not even halfway there folks!
