Disclaimer: Merlin does not belong to me. But if wishes were horses...

I'm really sorry for taking long to update this story. I have been away and just got back. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter.

Thank you for all reviews and alerts. Please keep on reading and reviewing. We are almost winding up. I can't wait to get onto my next story.

They agreed that going to Arthur's house was best. Gwen is rather tired and is not looking forward to driving all the way back to her flat. Arthur, he had asked his cook to make something special for them because he had meant to have a private celebration with Gwen. He knew that she would be feeling drained after the adrenalin rush associated with the excitement of tonight had worn off. But it was such a landmark in her life, he did not want it to go unacknowledged. He had meant it as a surprise and was feeling rather resentful that the world was once again invading his and Gwen's bubble. Gwen is quiet all the way and he is feeling a bit anxious about her quietness because he is not sure whether it is because of the exhaustion or because of what she is about to tell him. He would rather it was the former. He could deal with that easier than the latter. He honestly did not look forward to dealing with Mithian right now. Their encounter earlier in the day had not been pleasant. He sincerely hoped that whatever she had said to Gwen would not damage their relationship. He was feeling very protective of it, not because he thought it was fragile (he truly believed their love was resilient enough after surviving five years apart) but because he did not want anyone spoiling their new found joy in each other. He believed that after what they have gone through, they deserved a little joy and tranquility. He however had faith that this time they would go over any barrier placed in their way and was grateful that Gwen was being more open with him in everything.

He glances at Gwen and realizes that she is dozing off. His heart constricts with tenderness for her. She looks so adorable in her slumber. His heart feels like it will burst with love for her. He would fight to the ends of the earth to retain her love. Arthur extends his hand and brushed her cheek with his fingers. She leans into his hand and moves to rest her head on his shoulders. He wraps his arm around her to make her more comfortable but also just to enjoy the pleasure of holding her. He had not been able to do that all evening and he had been looking forward to having her all to himself.

When they get to his penthouse, he is torn between reluctance to disturb her from a much needed rest and getting her inside where she will be more comfortable. The choice is taken from his hands when she suddenly stirs, yawning and stretching. Arthur feels his gut tighten with desire as he watches her. He imagines waking up in the same bed with her, her body lithely stretched next to him, limbs entangled. He has to mentally slap himself to get his mind to slow down and focus on the present.

"Are we there already?" Gwen queries, as she tries and fails to stifle another yawn.

"Yes, I was debating whether I should carry you in or leave you to sleep a moment longer. You were looking so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you."

"Ah you should have woken me. I wouldn't have minded."

Arthur opens the door for her and offers his hand as she comes out of the car. It is a bit chilly and Gwen shivers a little as she had not dressed in anything suitable for a chilly night. Arthur notices and gives her his jacket. The minute they get inside Arthur crushes Gwen to him and kisses her passionately. He had been longing to give her a proper kiss with no restraint all night. Gwen yields and gives as good as she gets. Soon, they are both panting as they draw apart to get some much needed air. They keep their foreheads touching as they fight to get composure. Eventually Arthur draws Gwen to the living room and leaves her to go check on dinner. His cook has set everything and is waiting to serve them. Arthur dismisses him, knowing Gwen would be uncomfortable to talk with him around. He lights candles and goes back to Gwen whom he finds looking around the room. He pauses quietly by the door, silently watching the woman he loves who is looking at some pictures of him and his sister when they were younger. He stealthily walks towards her and holds and captures her hand with his. She squeals a little before she realizes that it is him. Then she leans into him as he hugs her from behind.

"Would you like to join me for dinner my lady?" He asks gallantly.

"It would be my pleasure my lord," she answers magnanimously as she smiles up at him hooking her arm with his.

Arthur leads her to cozy dining area and Gwen gasps her delight at the sight that greets her. Candles light up the whole room, the table is set immaculately with her favorite flowers and the works. Although she is not feeling particularly hungry, she can tell that a lot of effort and thought had been put in the whole thing and her eyes water at Arthur's thoughtfulness.

"I thought we would have our own private celebration. I didn't think you would want to go out. Besides I rather like the idea of just the two of us by ourselves."

"Oh Arthur, this is so beautiful. Thank you. You are right, after a performance I feel so tired I usually just crawl into bed. But I love that I can celebrate with you. There is no one else I would rather be with."

Arthur smiles his pleasure and draws out a chair for before sitting opposite her hands linked. He is finding it rather impossible to keep his hands to himself.

Dinner is filled with light conversation. The food is delectable and Gwen finds her appetite better than it usually is. However, there is hanging over them the chat they know they are going to have. After dinner they move back to the living room. Arthur relaxes on the couch and invites Gwen to lie down with him. He is flipping through the television channels hoping to find something that they might both like. At the back of his mind he knows, it's just a delay tactic. He can sense that Mithian was up to no good and so her visit is on his mind and he cannot contain his curiosity anymore and dives right into it.

"Gwen,"

"Yes my love," is Gwen's reply, which prompts Arthur to kiss her in appreciation before continuing.

"Would you please tell me what Mithian was doing at your launch? I know she didn't just find herself there. Did you invite her?"

Gwen was apprehensive about telling Arthur the truth about Mithian. She was not sure he would believe her seeing as he had not believed Merlin and Morgana previously. Moreover, Mithian was rather schizophrenic. She was sweet when Arthur was around but was rude to everyone else. Gwen was not sure that Arthur ever saw the real Mithian. She did not want to be the bearer of bad news. Would Arthur think her jealous of the other girl?

"Arthur, I am really sorry but I think that I have made an enemy out of your ex."

Arthur brow furrows as he asks, "What do you mean? How could you have, you don't even know each other well enough."

"Unfortunately, that does not seem to matter. The day before you came to my house for dinner, Mithian came to my house."

Arthur looks puzzled. He lifts up his head to peer at Gwen. "Mithian came to your house? Why? Had you invited her?"

"She wanted to talk to me… about you. If you remember, that is the day that those pictures had come out in the paper."

"Yes, yes I remember. She must have been upset. But why did she come to you?"

"She felt that I was after you and she came to warn me to stay away."

"What?" Arthur shouts incredulously as he almost jumps from the couch they were on. "Why would she think that? I talked to her that day and I told her that the things printed were not true. She told me that she understood. "

"Arthur, I think right from the night Mithian and I met she knew about our feelings for each other although we were both denying them. She knew that eventually we would be drawn towards each other. When she came to my place I was shocked to say the least. I mean I knew she was very possessive of you but her approach was totally alien to me. She didn't start all nasty at all. She first tried to take advantage of my feelings of guilt over my leaving you. She then went on to tell me how you have moved on with her and she must have known I wouldn't knowingly come between you. However, I got mad with her and didn't want to give her the satisfaction to think she had had her way so I acted like I didn't care and that's when she got nasty. She threatened me and told me in no uncertain terms that she would never give you up."

Arthur could hardly believe the things he was being told about Mithian. If it had been anyone else telling him these things, he probably would not have believed them. But this was Gwen, who had no mean bone in her body. Gwen was very passionate about the people and things she loved but she was also one of the kindest people he knew. She was not one to make up stories about anyone even her worst enemy. Then he remembers what Morgana and Merlin had been trying to tell him for a long time. He realizes how much he had misjudged Mithian. How had he not seen it? Had he really known Mithian, the real Mithian at all? How was it possible to be with someone for so long and totally not see who they really are? Maybe he had never searched deep down because it had been easy to float around and not get in too deep.

"Gwen you saved me in more ways than one. Thank you. I'm so sorry that you had to deal with this on your own. I wish you could have told me though."

"Arthur, how would I have done that? She was your girlfriend. You were bound to believe her over someone who left you five years ago. That night at the nightclub after seeing how she behaves, I was totally convinced that you must have loved her very much to tolerate her character flaws. One thing though Arthur. Would you really have married her?" Gwen does not want to believe that he would have ended with someone like Mithian.

Arthur ponders over the question for a few moments.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. Eventually I probably would have married her or someone like her. I realize now that until you came back, I had closed my heart to any real feelings. The funny thing is that I knew on a certain level that you were the only woman that I could ever love and since I could not have you there was no need for me to even try. So I guess that is why I ended up with her. She is good to look at and I guess I was not too worried about what lay beneath. Pathetic isn't it? I never saw myself as a superficial person but that's what I become without you Gwen. You are the one who reminds me that I have a heart."

That's when he notices that Gwen has tears running down her cheeks.

"Arthur, I am so sorry. I never meant…"

"Sh-h, Gwen. Don't worry about it. No more crying and no more apologies. We are together and I for one am so happy we found each other again. Let's not let anything spoil that." He says kissing her tenderly. The kiss changes in intensity as Gwen responds to the feel of his lips. She feels like she is suspended on a cloud of emotions as waves of pleasure assault her body. She remembers something else she has not told him and reluctantly separate their seemingly glued lips.

"Arthur, I don't think Mithian is going to give up. I don't know what she intends to do but whatever it is it can't be good."

"I will call her early tomorrow morning. She should not even think of causing problems for you. She will regret it."

"Don't be too harsh with her. She is only fighting for what she wants. I really don't blame her. You are quite the catch." she finishes impishly.

"Oh yeah, as in I'm a fish, Guinevere?" He teases her back.

"Maybe, but if you were one you would be a prize one, let's say a tiger or something." She continues naughtily.

"Well, if I were one I would love for you to be the one to catch me. I would run for your line anytime." He says nibbling at the succulent lips and all thought of fish flew from their minds as they indulged themselves in other carnal activities.

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A.N Next up: Does Mithian listen to Arthur or not. What do you think?