Note: This chapter was almost never published because my brother tried to kill me tonight. As we watched 4x09 I thrashed about in agony, moaned, and yelled at the TV so much that he started plotting against me. I thought I had known the meaning of the following words: frustration, angst, aggravation, anger, sadness, and heartbreak. But I was wrong. I never knew the true meaning until tonight.

Chapter 5

Merlin took Gwen to one of the nicest restaurants in town. When he and Arthur wanted to impress particularly "hard-to-please" investors, clients, diplomats, or other "VIP"s they went here-to Elena's Elegant Eateries. There certainly was a reason for this. The restaurant could've been-and had been-the poster child of the finest gourmet establishment in all of the UK. And there was a very long line trailing around the corner to get in.

Merlin strode confidently past the seemingly never-ending queue. He went straight up to the host of the restaurant. As Merlin took in the form of the man, his eyebrows rose in surprise-this was not the usual person for the job.

"Table for three, please," Merlin said as he stepped up to the podium

People glared at Merlin with beady eyes as they watched him talk with the host. He wasn't even dressed properly! There was a sort of "unwritten" dress code for eating at the establishment-semi-formal attire (or better) only. Merlin, however, was still sporting his paint splattered jeans and blue V-neck shirt. The only differences were the added brown blazer he had thrown on walking out the door along with a red scarf. Also, he had swaped out his lucky Nikes for some brown shoes which matched his blazer. Gwen was slightly better off than Merlin. Her little black dress could've been counted as semi-formal. However, the grey leggings, hat, and black boot set a more "casual" tone for her attire-albeit a stylish one.

The host merely gave them a condescending look over his rather large, pointy nose. He opened his mouth as if to negate their presumptions that they could skip the long line wearing thatattire. Gwen could feel her cheeks beginning to burn underneath the stare. Despite knowing that Merlin was a respected artist and writer, she wasn't exactly sure how much "street cred" he held outside of the artistic community. Furthermore, almost no one knew who Colin Myrddin really was-or what he looked like. It was one of the most enticing reasons to buy The Voice series. However, everyone knew that the writer used a pen name-so the host might think that Merlin was lying if he actually revealed his "true identity". She may have been a lawyer, but she wasn't sure that even she-as an "up and coming"-could talk their way into the restaurant or out of their embarrassing situation.

But Gwen needn't have feared for Merlin merely smiled as he finished his request with, "For Emrys."

At the sound of the famous painter's (not to mention regular customer's and friend of the owner's) name the host's mouth snapped shut and his eyes widened. Clearly, the name "Emrys" was more powerful than Gwen had thought.

"Of course sir," was the host's reply as he led them away to a top-notch table setting with a view.

Merlin could feel Gwen's eyes boring into the back of his skull as the host led them to their table. He could sense her unasked questions-How did you do that? Do you have connections with this place? Who's the third person? However, he didn't want to spoil his plans. Merlin needed to gauge how much Arthur liked this girl. If he could see both of them together, Merlin hoped the entire situation would become clearer. On top of this, there was still the promise of embarrassing Arthur if his affections were as deep as Merlin suspected.

When they reached the table, Merlin courteously helped Gwen out of her jacket, and pulled the seat out for her. As she accepted, Merlin saw that she was settled before excusing himself. He claimed that he needed to use the bathroom, but instead Merlin dialed a familiar number from a safe distance away from Gwen.

"Hey," Merlin said into the device.

"What?" Arthur snapped.

Merlin could tell he was particularly on edge.

"I've left to snag a bite with a friend I met at the debate at that nice restaurant we usually eat at with clients for lunch. When you're done "taking a beat" or whatever you're doing, you should join us."

"Of course, sounds great. See you there." Arthur's voice had taken on what Merlin liked to call his "business tone".

Merlin wondered who Arthur was near to put on such airs. Before Merlin could respond, Arthur had hung up on him. Merlin simply shrugged. 'I'll find out later,' he thought, 'after all, I room with the guy!' Merlin pocketed his phone and went back to the table. He took a rather circumvent pathway to get there so he could appear as if he emerged from the stalls.

"Sorry I took so long," Merlin said to Gwen as he sat down. Gwen merely smiled as Merlin continued, "So did I miss anything exciting?'

"Yes. A rather beautiful young woman came over here asking about your whereabouts, and if you were available." Gwen teased. She giggled as she said it-she could tell she already liked Merlin.

"Did she now? I knew the ladies couldn't resist me, but now they try to approach me even when I just want to have a peaceful lunch! I never knew women could sink to such depths as to attempt to interrupt my meal time!" Merlin jokingly proclaimed.

Gwen laughed as she picked up her menu. Her eyes became saucer dishes as she saw the prices. Everything here was so expensive! She wondered how she would be able to afford even a simple glass of wine or appetizer. Just then she felt a warm, comforting weight on her arm. She looked up to see Merlin's face peering at her over her tall menu. His eyes radiated his dominant emotions-concern and reassurance.

"Don't worry Gwen. These aren't the real prices-for us anyways! I know the owner of this place and she gives us a great discount," Merlin smiled, "Besides, I am nothing if not a gentleman! I would never expect you to pay for an outing which I invited you to."

Gwen blushed, "Really Merlin, that's very kind of you-but unnecessary. How did you manage to come by this arrangement anyways? I mean, being able to go to the front of the line, receiving a premium seating area, anda rather large discount? What on earth does the owner get in return for all of this?"

"A fantastic friend-and wingman-if she ever wants one," Merlin winked, "Honestly, Arthur and I come here with various people to discuss business. Well, that's what Arthur does. I mainly tag along if I'm bored or Arthur wants some moral support. The people we bring in are…erm…"well-connected" or "influential" if you get my meaning. So we basically give Elena-the owner-really great advertising and new "regulars". See that guy over there?"

Here, Merlin interrupted his explanation by gesturing to an elderly man with horned rim glasses. He was concentrating a great deal on the conversation between himself and a younger man.

"He's one of the chief advisors to the head of the Russian government," Merlin continued, "And now one of Elena's regulars. He always orders the soup with vodka."

Gwen was impressed. Merlin continued pointing out important people in the world that were at the restaurant. According to him, he and Arthur were the cause for why they had gotten hooked on Elena's food. Gwen was so engrossed in Merlin's stories, (and the grandiose hand gestures that went with them), that she never noticed another approaching their table.

As Merlin was in the middle of regaling a tale Gwen wasn't sure was completely accurate, she jumped as she heard a cough behind her.

"Ahem."

As Gwen turned around she felt her heart stop. She was looking up into the eyes of none other than the handsome stranger. The one she had felt an instant connection with-Arthur Pendragon.

…

Arthur made his way quickly to the restaurant. He didn't want to think about how he would repair the damage done with Vivian. On top of that, he wasn't sure if any press caught wind of their impromptu make-out session after the debate. 'That would surely make the tabloids explode with joy,' he thought drily. Arthur knew the papers were usually out to "get him" so to speak. His perceived arrogance coupled with his alleged womanizing ways and "bad boy" behavior made the tabloids go into a frenzy. Although he knew that people didn't believe the rubbish they spread about him and his campaign, he could hardly blame them for where they first formed this image. Arthur's life had been under the public's scrutiny from a young age. His father was a successful business man, and his grandfather had been the prime minister. These facts on top of the outbreak of media attention when he became the youngest member ever to go into parliament made his life nearly an open book. When he was younger, he could admit to himself to being arrogant. He was young and foolish. His arrogance drove him to perhaps be a bit of a "bad boy" and "womanizer". However, unlike most people Arthur's past youthful self-centered attitude could not be moved past easily. The press had formed their picture of Arthur, and it was hard to shake it off. Especially an image that could be a potential money spinner.

When Arthur made his way to the front of the line, the host immediately recognized him. Unlike Merlin, Arthur's face had been plastered over much of the city. The host was apparently one of the people who could recognize Arthur from the pictures-not to mention that the classy restaurant was a place people expected Arthur to go to.

"I'm here looking for Merlin Emrys," Arthur said.

"Yes, right away sir," the man said, and led him to the table.

As Arthur approached the table he saw Merlin's mouth moving. His friend was making wild motions with his hands and arms, laughing with the unknown friend.

He couldn't make out their form. Either the chair was too large or their body was too small. He heard a snippet of laughter from the other person as he approached. It sounded like the most beautiful music ever created to his ears.

"…and then Arthur decided that he needed to 'play the hero' and he went to rescue-"

"Ahem," Arthur coughed, interrupting Merlin's most-likely-false story.

That's when he noticed the person sitting across from Merlin shift in their chair. As they turned around brown eyes met blue and Arthur felt his breath hitch. Merlin's "friend" was none other than Guinevere Leodegrance. 'MyGuinevere,' he thought.

"Hello again," Arthur attempted to smile as warmly as he could at Gwen as he made his way around to his seat.

The table was arranged to have one chair at each side of the table. Arthur took the seat which positioned himself in between Gwen and Merlin, since the two decided to sit across from each other. As Arthur settled himself in, he turned his attention back to Gwen.

"Hello," Gwen muttered.

Her response to Arthur's greeting was barely audible as he settled in. She avoided his eye contact, and mentally sent pleads of help mingled with annoyance to Merlin. 'So thisis the man we were waiting for all this time!' she thought. The man who somehow broke her heart without her knowledge of him ever pertaining the key to it.

"I'm sorry I am late," Arthur directed his statement to Merlin now. He sensed Guinevere's obvious discomfort to being by him. He felt stupid for thinking that she would overlook his presumptuous ways during their first meeting. On top of that, now that he knew she had a boyfriend (and not just any boyfriend, but theLance du Lac) he figured that her feelings of awkwardness would exponentially rise. After all, how do you let down someone you just met, and are now having lunch with, gently?

"No worries," Merlin responded.

Just then, his phone rang. Merlin looked at the caller id: Gwaine.

"I'm so sorry for abandoning you once again Gwen, but I really do have to take this. I'm afraid that my performance thus far this afternoon has not helped my reputation of being a gentleman," Merlin said. With that, he got up from his chair and walked a few feet away from the other tables, wishing for some privacy.

Now with only Arthur and Gwen at the table, the waiter decided to appear.

"Hello Mr. Pendragon, miss, what can I get you today?" they asked.

After Arthur conveyed his order (steak and potatoes), and Gwen relayed hers (seafood linguini alfredo) the waiter took their menus from them. As she did, she couldn't help but add, "You two make a very cute couple" before walking off.

Arthur and Gwen both turned scarlet. They didn't know that awkward feelings could increase so rapidly.

"Soo.." Gwen started.

"Indeed…" Arthur trailed off.

Silence again as they looked everywhere but each other.

"You did well at the debate today," Gwen said. 'Start with something good. At least a compliment," she thought.

"Thank you. I saw you there as well. You looked very lovely. You were sitting in the front row," Arthur said. 'Idiot,' he thought, 'now she'll think that you stalk her as well as being a desperate lovesick fool!'

Gwen colored again. She felt like she was doing that a lot, recently.

"Thank you," she said, "I think that your suit looks wonderful. I mean, not just the suit. Obviously. I mean you in the suit look great. Not to say that I know what you look like without your suit-I don't. Although I'm sure you'd still look good. Not that I think you're good looking. I mean, you're not ugly. Clearly you're not. But you're not-I mean-" Gwen's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. She hadn't meant to babble all of that away. Furthermore, she basically admitted to finding Arthur attractive at the same time as calling him ugly. 'Stupid stupid STUPID' she thought.

Arthur chuckled inwardly. He would've loved to express it outwardly, but he was afraid that Gwen would misinterpret his laughter for mocking her. Far from it, he was laughing at how she practically tripped over her words making she didn't offend anyone. From his brief impression of her, she was the one who should be the least concerned about that.

"Guinevere, it's alright," Arthur said. He decided to lay a hand on her arm in a reassuring manner. However, instead of reassuring Gwen it elicited a short gasp from her mouth. Gwen had never felt the electricity she experienced from Arthur's presence. But when his hand laid on her arm in a comforting manner the shock was so huge her mouth curved into a perfect "O" and a rather large intake of air came in. The tingling feeling travelling up from her arm, and slowly spreading to every other part of her body. Arthur too felt the tingling sensation between where their bodies made contact. He felt the sense travel and spread throughout his body from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. He enjoyed it immensely. However, reality has a way of crashing down everything.

He quickly withdrew his hand after her gasp. Arthur knew that he should not be experiencing these types of feelings-not after how he took advantage of Vivian's feelings to assuage his. Nor was Arthur expecting a simple touch to ignite such passion from within him. He didn't know what it was about this Gunievere, but whatever it was he wanted to find out more.

To be continued