Prince Arthur has dinner with another eligible member of the royal family: Is he about to choose a wife?

Elena pushed the Camelot Voice towards Gwen. She took one quick glance around the cafe they were having lunch in, then dipped both her head and voice. "So, what's the scoop?"

The large photo splashed across the center pages of the tabloid was of Arthur leaning close to Lady Serena and laughing, his hand splayed across her lower back. It was an intimate pose and despite the fact that Arthur had, at the end of that date, turned up at her apartment, a habit he'd developed since that party with Brianne, Gwen still felt that familiar tug of uncertainty and jealousy.

"Just another of his possible wives," said Gwen.

"They look cosy. Maybe this one will be the one and that bonus would be yours. Can you imagine 'G & E Lifestyle Management'?" Elena sighed dreamily as leaned back.

"About that. I don't know if I will be getting that bonus."

Elena shook her head as her eyes widened with sympathy. "I knew it. He must be a terrible person. No wonder, despite his money and looks, he's still single. Poor women. And poor you! It must be such a pain to work with him."

Gwen should really have left the conversation there, move on to something else - Elena's new client who kept giving her small chores that she could easily do herself, for example - but apparently, Gwen's mouth had other thoughts.

"He's not that bad. He's a little oblivious, especially when he's focused on that house of his and he has the usual blindness that afflicts those who live in those privileged circles. But he's also kind and full of good intentions, responsible -"

"You know, it almost sounds like you want him for yourself. Oh my -" Elena leaned across the table and grabbed Gwen's hand, knocking the thankfully empty water glass over. "You like him. Like, like him. In the whole, I want to sex you up way."

"I do not want to sex him up," said Gwen, tugging her hand away and looking out of the cafe so Elena couldn't see the lie in her eyes.

But she and Elena had been friends for too long.

With the smuggest of grins, Elena whispered, "Liar. Now, you have to tell me everything."

"Why don't you tell me about your new client -"

Elena wagged a finger. "Uh no. We are talking about you. Have you kissed him? More? Come on. I'm your best friend. Spill."

And so, with a mix of reluctance and relief, Gwen spilled judiciously to a very interested Elena.

"So when is it your turn to go on a date with him?"

"He has two more dates to go on, but he's been really reluctant to schedule a date with me." It was the first time that Gwen had voiced that out loud, and now that it was out, that sliver of uncertainty raised its head again. While she hadn't quite asked directly, she'd dropped hints about planning his ninth date and all Arthur did was change the subject. Granted, he often changed the subject by kissing her but still, it made her wonder if Arthur had changed his mind now that they were back in the real world, away from his fairy tale home.

Elena's expression immediately shuttered. "Are you sure he's not just stringing you along? All these years of working with the rich -"

She tailed off and shrugged, but Gwen knew exactly what Elena was getting at. Only people at a certain income level could afford a personal concierge and more often than not, these people approached the world in a very different way.

"I don't know," said Gwen honestly. Perhaps there was a chance that Arthur was simply having fun with her. Perhaps he really wanted that ninth date with her.

Gwen suspected she had fallen hard enough that she really hoped that it was the latter.


"A ninth girl." The chair Uther sat in was much larger than him, and anyone else would have looked ridiculous but not Uther. Merlin would probably describe it as Uther owning the chair. Arthur wondered if he too could own the chair. Probably not. The tabloids were quick to point out how much he resembled his mother, how much kinder and softer around the edges he was. He would sit in the chair and look ridiculous. "Is she of royal stock?"

Arthur harnessed his kinder and softer side. "She's not a brood mare, father."

With a dismissive huff, Uther picked up a pen and twirled it. "I guess that is a no. Where did you find her?"

"She's not a stray cat I picked up either," said Arthur coldly, his kinder and softer side slowly giving away to the parts of him that were more like his father. "You said you wanted me married. You didn't say anything about the person I marry having to be royal."

Uther tapped the pen against his desk, a frown on his face. "I didn't think you would look beyond your usual circles."

Arthur stood. "I am just doing the courteous thing and letting you know. I might have let your bulldoze me into this ridiculous arrangement, but I am not letting your prejudices ruin whatever I have with Gwen."

The pen fell from Uther's hand, it's heavy metal body hitting the solid wood. "Gwen. That's the matchmaker."

"Yes."

"I see."

"What exactly do you see, father?"

Uther leaned back in his large chair. "I see a money grubbing woman who -"

"Don't. Don't finish that sentence." Arthur slammed his palms down on Uther's desk. "Gwen is a great woman and you will not disrespect her like that."

Uther's only reaction was a slow lift of his eyebrows. "Marriage should be a strategic partnership, not one built on fluffy notions of love and attraction."

"You are a cold man, father." With a shake of his head, Arthur walked to the door of the office. "I have another date to go to."

"Arthur."

Hand on the door, Arthur stilled.

"Bring her for dinner."


Gwen moaned and Arthur chuckled, his fingers working on the sole of her foot. Her eyelids fluttered and her lips curved into a satisfied smile. That alone was enough to warm Arthur's heart. She was gorgeous in this state, her hair loose and her professional mien packed away.

"Who knew a prince could give such good foot rubs?" Gwen asked with a sigh. "So how did your date with Lady Heather go?"

"Not too bad." Arthur pressed his thumb into the arch of her foot, causing Gwen to writhe a little which in turn sent blood rushing to Arthur's groin. "The wine tasting you arranged was pretty good. But you know what? I'm just glad I've gone on all the eight dates. Three dates in two days was not fun."

"You asked for that," said Gwen.

"I did. Because I want this all to be over. And now it is." Arthur wriggled his eyebrows at Gwen, pleased when Gwen collapsed into giggles, sinking further into the plush cushions that filled her sofa. Keeping his hands still on her foot, Arthur leaned over and brushed his lips across hers.

"Uh uh," said Gwen, shaking her head. "You still have one more date. But if you changed -"

Arthur's nose nuzzled against her cheek. "I'm practically lying on top of you on your sofa, in your house and you're asking if I have changed my mind?"

Gwen slid her arms around his neck. "Well, you wouldn't discuss details the last few times I asked you. What was I supposed to think?"

"You were supposed to think that I wouldn't be as crass as to get you to organise your own date." His hand moved up to her ankle, then smoothed over her calf. Under his palm, he felt her shiver. It was only right, then, that he soothe her by kissing her. Her lips parted and he felt her tongue slide against his.

They almost fell off the sofa, stopped only by Arthur's quick reflexes. He laughed, his face buried in her throat and his arms tight around her. Then, he moved, shifting them to a sitting position and smiling when she snuggled into his chest.

"How is the work on Ealdor House?"

Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Slow, now that you're not working on it."

"Hey!" Drawing back, Gwen gave him a shove. "I believe I was the one who arranged for the stone masons to drop by to give you a quote."

The frown that drew her brows together was irresistible and Arthur pressed his lips to them. "Ah yes, that quote."

"You haven't looked at it."

Gwen's elbow dug into him and he winced. "I was getting to it. I asked Merlin to look at it but he was too busy apparently. Paperwork is boring."

"Stop looking at me like that. You are a prince for goodness sake. Learn to deal -" At his first touch on her waist, she scowled but it quickly turned to laughter when he moved his fingers to tickle her. Yet, as she laughed, she swatted his hands away. "Arthur! You know, I almost think you're pretending to want to be with me so that I'll work on your house for you."

Gwen said it teasingly and her eyes danced with amusement, but her words sobered him. "I am serious about us, Guinevere. This isn't some sort of rebellious fling or some weird ploy to get you to work on my house."

Her hand cupped his cheek. "I know."

But he could see that she hadn't. Turning his face, he kissed her palm. "Are you free this Thursday evening?"

"It depends. I might be."

"Would you be free if a prince wanted to take you on a date."

"Mmm. Possibly. I have high expectations for a prince."

"I better let Merlin know."

She laughed again, shaking her head, stopping only when he kissed her.


Elena popped another chocolate into her mouth. "You look fine. Stop fussing with your hair."

"I can't help it. I'm nervous." Gwen wiped her hand down her shorts, wondering just what Arthur had in store. "This is clearly not the usual dinner date I expected from Arthur."

"At least he's making an effort to do something different."

Gwen let out a breath and took one more look at her hair. "At least, Merlin's making an effort."

"Don't pretend you're not secretly pleased," said Elena. "You'd have been disappointed if he'd just brought you out for dinner."

"Distract me. Tell me about your new client."

Popping another piece of chocolate into her mouth, Elena gave her a look, then obliged. "She wants me to find a suitable pet for her."

The conversation took a turn towards debating the pros and cons of dogs and cats and other possible pets. As they chatted, Gwen found herself wondering what kind of pet Arthur would like. She fancied herself more of a cat person, but Arthur appeared to be more of a dog person.

Her phone rang, and with a frown she picked it up. At the voice on the other end, her heart sank.

"What's wrong?" Elena gestured to Gwen.

Gwen put her phone down after a short conversation, and looked at Elena. "The babysitter says he can't cope with the triplets. He's quitting."

"Oh crap. I'd help but I have to get back to -"

Just at that moment, her doorbell rang. Gwen sucked in a breath. "I think I know what we're going to be doing on our date," said Gwen. She just hoped that Arthur would take the news well.

The moment she opened her door, flowers greeted her and with a smile, she took them. Arthur's beaming face appeared behind the flowers and he leaned down, wrapped one arm around her and kissed her, uncaring that he was crushing the very expensive bouquet.

Behind them, Elena cleared her throat.

"Arthur, this is my friend, Elena." Gwen eased herself out of Arthur's embrace.

Even Elena's curtsey was better than hers.

"Pleased to finally meet you properly. Gwen tells me a lot about you."

Arthur's smile changed a little, not enough that Elena would notice, but Gwen caught it. It was the smile he used in public and she remembered the tabloid of photo of him with Lady Serena. That was the smile he had on his face.

"And Gwen has mentioned you as her potential partner when she sets up her new business."

"That's right. I don't suppose that you're looking for a business to invest in, now that she's not getting her hefty bonus?"

"Elena!" Gwen, as subtly as possible, nudged her friend to the door. "She was just leaving. Bye Elena! I'll call you."

With a wink and a smile, Elena took the hint and left.

"So, are you ready?" Arthur took her hand and tugged her to him again.

Lifting herself up on her toes, Gwen kissed his cheek, then whispered into his ear, "I have bad news."


Arthur stared at the three babies in their cribs. Their tiny chests rose and fell, and little bubbles of saliva escaped their tiny, rosebud mouths. With their eyes closed and eyelashes long enough to flutter against their cheeks, they looked every bit like chubby, little angels.

Only Arthur knew better.

They were devils. Screaming, pooing, smelly devils. And somehow, date night with Gwen ended up with them looking after these devils.

He heard a quiet yawn and he turned to see Gwen. The front of her top was slightly damp, but at least most of the food that baby number 2 had puked on her had been washed off. Arthur cast one more look at the little devils, then as quietly as possible, walked out of the room.

"I hope you have a fitting punishment for the errant babysitter," muttered Arthur as they walked to the living room. "Now I know why my parents put us under the care of nannies for most our lives. We must have been little terrors, especially Morgana. Look at her now and imagine her before she was trained."

They both fell into the sofa together, letting out sighs in unison. Arthur let his head flop onto the back of the sofa, then he turned to look at Gwen who was frowning at the baby monitor.

"We switched it on, right?"

"Mmm, yes. I checked it again too." Reaching over, he took the monitor from Gwen and placed it on the coffee table. "Finally, just the two of us. And it only took up till 1am to get them to bed. What time are the parents coming home?"

"Soon. I'm sorry."

"You should be," said Arthur as he slung his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "We could be skinny dipping in a lake now."

Gwen laughed. "I really need a shower. I feel like I'm caked in baby food and vomit."

"Me too, although I suspect your client won't be pleased if we showered together in their bathroom."

"No." Then she looked up at him, eyes warm and full of affection. "Thank you for doing this."

"I couldn't leave you alone with the terror threesome, could I?" He played with a curl. "You'd do it for me."

"I would," said Gwen. "Arthur -"

He placed a finger on her lips. "Aside from the picnic and the skinny dipping, I also prepared a speech. I could at least do that."

"Ok."

"As of my last date two evenings ago, your contract with my father is terminated. He is, of course, bitterly disappointed that his little scheme to get me married has failed, and he is not going to give you that nice bonus that he promised." Arthur tugged on the curl, then slid his hand into her hair. It felt a little sticky but he didn't want to find out why. "The thing is, I don't need to go on a fancy date with you to know how I feel about you. I like you very much. In fact, I suspect I'm in love with you."

"Arthur -"

"I am hoping fairly desperately that you feel the same way."

Somehow, she'd crawled into his lap, her arms loosely around his neck. "I admit falling in love with a prince was not on my to-do list, but apparently you're irresistible."

Arthur hadn't even realised just how nervous he was until her words, and a weight rolled off his shoulders and his breathing came easier. "Not to some of the women I dated."

"Lady Brienne was quite curt in her rejection of you."

"She was. Thankfully you were there to soothe my ego."

Gwen yawned and tucked her face into his neck. "Always," she murmured.

"I love you, Gwen." He said, then bent his head, burying it in her hair that smelled slightly of apple, banana and sourness.

Her only response was a soft snore.

And that was how Tom and Jenny Long found the crown prince and their personal concierge asleep on their sofa.


AN: So this was basically a whole fic of fluff. There's going to be an epilogue where we revisit Ealdor. Thank you for the comments. I love reading them!