PART 2

Arthur stood on the battlement overlooking the town. The night was airless and hot. He was not getting any sleep. In the distance, a flash of lightening flared angrily. Still no air came to him where he stood. Then he saw her. A flutter of lavender caught in the flash of light. He smiled and watched her as she walked to her home. Just as she was about to disappear out of site, she turned and looked up at him. It was if she felt him there. She waved and smiled and then disappeared from his view. He sighed. The storm clouds burst forcing him back in the palace. Now maybe he could at least dream….of her.
O~X~O~X~O~X~

Sitting on the bed in his room, Arthur pushed the files from his lap and took out his mobile and called her. He toyed with a pencil impatiently as it rang. He was hopeful.

She answered. "Hello?"

"Hello Gwen? This is Arthur. We met in the shop yesterday." Yes, she definitely thinks I'm mental now.

She laughs. "Oh yes Arthur like the legend. I remember you and your friend Merlin." Oh yes he will think I meet men at shops all the time.

"I was wondering if you weren't busy, maybe we could meet for a drink or whatever you'd like." Now she thinks I'm desperate.

"I would love to meet. There is a pub on the corner near where I work we could meet there. Say in about an hour." Oh and I meet the men from shops at pubs all the time.

"Great! Just give me the address and I'll meet you." he wrote the address down on a scrap of paper. "Until then, My Lady." Yes, desperate and mental, that's me.

"Yes till then." She laughed.

They disconnected and Arthur grabbed his jacket and keys and headed out. "Merlin, I'm going out." He called out as he went thru the front door.

Merlin looked up from where he sat on the sofa just in time to see Arthur go. Finally, he thought. It wasn't that difficult to figure out that Arthur was going to meet Gwen. He smiled.
~X~

Arthur walked into the pub and saw her sitting at a small table in the corner. She was wearing lavender again. This time it was a blouse. Her dark hair coiled over her shoulders. He smiled and waved as she looked up. He walked over and sat in the chair opposite hers. I hope she hasn't been waiting long.

Gwen smiled as he sat down. He was handsome with his deep blue eyes and his blonde hair. Usually she didn't go for his type but there was something about him. He's like the stories my mother told me only he is real.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long." Arthur smiled. He motioned for the waitress. Her hair is so beautiful. He wanted to wrap one of those dark curls around his fingers.

"No, I just got here myself a moment ago." There was something in his smile that felt so familiar. Gwen felt suddenly self conscious as he looked at her. It felt almost intimate.

The waitress came over and took the order. They sat for a few minutes without saying anything. Instead of being awkward, the silence felt comforting and reassuring.

"So what do you do?" Gwen finally asked. "Work I mean." Maybe he slays dragons.

"I work for my father. We have a shipping business. We ship all over the world. What do you do?" Arthur smiled. Besides look beautiful.

"I'm a nurse. Not a very glamorous job, but its fulfilling." She felt suddenly unworthy.

"I think it's brilliant. You give people comfort. I just give orders." He felt suddenly unworthy.

She laughed. "Just like a king."

He laughed. "Prince, maybe. My father is the king of the operation, so to speak."

The waitress brought the drinks and the chips they ordered. They stared at the plate as silence visited again.

Alright if he isn't going to say it I will. "Arthur I have the strangest feeling that we have met before. I don't know if we did, but I can't remember where." There, she said it.

He frowned a little and nodded. "I have the same feeling and I'm sure I would remember you. I could never forget someone so beautiful. I... I'm sorry there I go being rude again." Why do I keep doing that?

She laughed and reached for his hand. "Nor would I forget someone so ….rude." He is so sweet even if he's rude.

He looked at her hand on his, familiar and warm. "Guinevere" The way her name felt as he said it stirred him.

Gwen just looked at him and felt a sudden rush of emotion. "No one calls me that but somehow it seems right for you to do it."

"Because my name is Arthur?" he looked up at her.

"No, because it makes me feel special." Gwen squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

Arthur smiled back. "You are special."

Silence came to comfort them again.