AN: Hello everyone, I come bearing a gift. I've actually finished writing Telling Tales, I'm just drawing it out because I love reading your comments. And I'm apologizing in advance because things have come up and the chapters following this won't be posted until after a few days. But given what's in chapter 11, I hope you forgive me ;) Anyway, I hope you like this chapter; let me know what you think! - BNQ
-11-
"Arthur," Morgana greeted her brother who was now by her side. "Meet Guinevere. Gwen, this is my brother, Arthur."
Arthur looked at the petite woman who was extending a small hand for him to shake.
"Hello, Arthur," her voice was soft and warm and Arthur forgot what else she said because all he could think about was how soft and perfect her hand felt in this and how beautiful she looked with the fairy lights all around her.
"Uh," his voice cracked and he gave a small cough to hide his discomfort. "I'm sorry, what was that? Forgive me, the band was loud."
To his left, Morgana snorted because the band just took a break and the piped-in music was anything but loud.
Guinevere gave a small laugh and it took all of Arthur's willpower not to push Morgana out of the way so he could have her all to himself.
"Woah," he mused. "Where did that thought come from?"
"I said thank you for the invitation," she had withdrawn her hand from his and Arthur was waging an internal battle about taking it back.
"Arthur," Merlin joined their little group and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Great speech! Short, direct to the point, and perfect. Of course, I wrote it so what else could it be."
"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur drew out his friend's name.
"And I see you've met Gwen," Merlin moved to give Gwen a hug and Arthur's jaw clenched involuntarily.
"Morgana," Merlin bussed her cheek and Arthur smiled when he saw how his sister blushed. "Would you care for a dance?"
"I'd love to," Morgana took Merlin's elbow and gave Gwen a wink. "See you later Gwen."
Arthur watched his sister and best friend and sister make their way to the dance floor. Morgana all but melted when Merlin took her in his arms.
"They look good together," Gwen said.
Arthur turned to see Gwen smiling at the couple who was obviously besotted with each other. An idea struck him.
"Guinevere," he offered his hand. "Would you like to dance?"
She looked up at him and her full mouth formed a small 'o'.
"Oh," she looked surprised and confused and Arthur suddenly felt awkward. "I'm afraid I'm not very good at dancing."
"Me either," he confessed and took her hand anyway. Damned if it didn't feel perfect in his. "Maybe we can be clumsy together."
She gave a small laugh that stopped abruptly when a soft buzzing sound emanated from the small evening bag she held in her hand.
"Excuse me," she said softly as she took out her mobile phone. "I'm sorry; I have to take this call."
She lightly touched Arthur's arm in apology as she turned away to speak to the person on the other line.
"Damned if that didn't feel right, too," Arthur thought.
On the dance floor, Morgana wrenched her eyes from Merlin's long enough to look at the couple on the other side of the deck.
"Look at Arthur," she murmured to her dance partner.
"Good lord," Merlin murmured, his lips close to Morgana's ear. Her shiver wasn't lost on him. "He looks like he wants to eat her up."
"I told you, didn't I?" Morgana whispered back. "I told you they'd be perfect for each other."
"Yes you did, love," the endearment slipped from Merlin's lips.
"Love?" Morgana asked, turning her head to gaze into Merlin's eyes once again. "Did you just say 'love'?"
"Yes, I did," Merlin's eyes didn't waver from Morgana's. "Do you mind? Or would you prefer sweetheart? Darling, perhaps?"
With each endearment, Merlin's head dipped a little closer to hers.
It might be the moonlight, the music, or the champagne, but Morgana wasn't questioning this development.
"Love is good," she said softly, a smile now on her lips. "Love is just perfect." She wrapped her arms around Merlin's neck and they forgot all about Gwen and Arthur.