PART 5
"We never have time for picnics anymore." Gwen said as she looked at the spread on the blanket as they stepped out on the roof of the turret.
"That's why I did this." Arthur guided Gwen to the blanket. "I just wish it was still daylight."
"I like this. It's romantic here with you under the stars." Gwen smiled up at him as he sat next to her.
"I just wish I wasn't leaving tomorrow but I have no choice. Guinevere, I must defend the kingdom." Arthur looked at her sadly.
"I know but that's not until tomorrow." Gwen leaned over and kissed him softly. "Tonight we will just enjoy this."
"Remember, before we were first married. We had time for picnics and rides and walks." Arthur took her hand and kissed it running his thumb over her knuckles.
"That was before you were king." Gwen caressed his cheek and kissed him again.
"Sometimes I still wish I was a farmer." Arthur chuckled softly.
"And I would still be your wife?" She looked at him teasingly.
"Yes, you would because I cannot breathe without you." Arthur looked at her with all the love in his heart showing in his eyes.
"Arthur, that was lovely." Gwen moved closer and kissed him slowly and deeply. "I will remember this as my favorite picnic ever."
O~X~O~X~O~X~
Between his schedule and hers they were surprised at how much time they actually had together. There weren't the constant battles taking him away or the never ending task of ruling a kingdom. Being a nurse in the geriatric ward and a businessman in shipping wasn't as time consuming it seemed. That was why Arthur had suggested that they have a picnic. Picnics were a favorite activity that they never seemed to have time for in Camelot.
It was a beautiful day. It was a perfect day for a picnic. Arthur packed the hamper himself with all the things that they enjoyed. They found a big tree in the small park near the flat and spread the blanket.
Gwen looked at Arthur "Did you really do all this yourself? Merlin must have helped a little."
"Yes I did it all by myself. I'm not the spoiled prat you think I am." Arthur looked at her mischievously. I wouldn't trust Merlin with this.
"Arthur, I never have to think about it because I know it." Gwen laughed at him when he looked at her surprised. "I wouldn't have you any other way." She leaned over and kissed him softly. That should appease him.
"Thanks I think." Arthur laughed and started to pull things out of the hamper." I think I have everything." I hope I have everything.
"Well we have each other, that's all we really need." Gwen looked at him then looked up at the branches of the trees. It's not quite Camelot but its lovely.
"Let's see: wine, cheese, chicken, bread and THIS!" Arthur pulled a small square box out of the basket. Thank god I didn't forget it.
Gwen turned to look at him with curiosity. He opened the box revealing an engagement ring. It was amethyst, just like her first ring centuries ago. This time the large stone was surrounded by diamonds. "Guinevere, will you be my Queen again?" Please say yes.
Gwen gasped in surprise. She threw her arms around him nearly knocking him over. "YES!" she drew back and kissed him, long and deep. This will be my favorite picnic ever.
Breathless and laughing, Arthur put the ring on her finger. "Merlin will be relieved." Arthur chuckled. I'm relieved for sure. Shit! They kissed again and laughed as she looked at the ring on her hand. They sat and let the silence comfort them.
After a while, Gwen looked in the basket. "Arthur, where are the glasses?"
"Well, I remembered the ring." Arthur looked slightly embarrassed. Oh shit!
Gwen laughed and kissed him again. "I know Merlin definitely didn't pack the hamper now." I love him.
Arthur looked at her and pouted a little. Gwen looked at him and kissed him. They laughed as they fell back on the blanket.
~X~
Arthur and Gwen occasionally went out to the pub or dinner with Merlin and Freya. Times were different now. There weren't any of the artificial barriers set up by society. They were all just friends having a good time. As usual they had to wait on Freya.
"Merlin, when is Freya getting here the reservation is for seven?" Gwen looked at her watch standing in the lounge of the small flat.
"Well she was supposed to be here already." Merlin looked at his watch. Where is she?
Arthur came out of their bedroom. "Are you sure she knows its tonight?" We are always waiting on her.
"Yes I'll call her again." the doorbell rang Merlin went to answer it and it was Freya
"Where have you been? We are going to barely make it." Gwen picked up her jacket.
"I'm sorry. My watch stopped working again. It does it whenever Merlin stays over." Freya looked confused as usual.
"Wonder why that happens." Arthur eyed Merlin suspiciously. I went through three watches before I learned not to bring them too near him.
"I have no idea." Merlin looked annoyed at Arthur. "Let's just go."
Gwen looks between Merlin and Arthur and chuckles. How does Freya not know about Merlin's powers?
They leave and walk to the small restaurant around the corner. They just make the reservation. The waitress comes and everyone orders a drink.
"Ok why all the planning for a simple dinner? Is there something going on?" Merlin queried. I know there is.
"Well there is this." Gwen held up her hand and the amethyst engagement ring glittered in the candle light. She smiled and looked lovingly at Arthur.
"Well done, Arthur." Merlin took her hand and looked at the ring closely. "I think this is beautiful. When is the wedding?" Took him long enough.
"That's an engagement ring?" Freya looked at the ring. "It is beautiful though."
"It's my favorite color. So Merlin when are you getting married?" Gwen teased.
Arthur chuckled. "Yes, Merlin when?"
Merlin turned very red and Freya sat there confused as usual. Damn them!
~X~
Three months from the day in the shop, Gwen and Arthur decided to host a small party to announce their upcoming marriage, just family, of course and maybe some friends. This was nothing compared to the feasts they used to have at Camelot but it took almost as much planning. Invitations sent, menu planned and executed. They were confident.
Gwen started fussing with the sofa cushions. Her nerves were getting to her. She had yet to meet Arthur's father in this life. What if he hated her as much as he did then? Arthur would be torn again between his lady and his kin.
Her father was a little cautious at first but Arthur won him over. Tom had disliked Lance because he thought he wasn't serious about Gwen. Arthur made it clear from the beginning that her happiness was the most important thing to him. Tom respected that and gave his blessing.
The door bell rang. She looked over as Merlin answer the door. It was Freya. Gwen went back to fussing with the cushions.
The bell rang again. Merlin and Freya were in the kitchen so she answered it. A well dressed man stood there. There was no question that this was the same King that tried to keep her and Arthur apart so long ago.
"Hello I'm Luther Penn."
"Oh, hello. Come in Mr. Penn. I'm Gwen." Gwen showed him in and held out her hand to him. He shook it quickly and politely.
"You must be my son's new girlfriend." He looked at her in the same way he used to, like she was nothing.
"Um yes. Yes, I am." She suddenly felt like that young maid she once was.
Before she could shut the door her father was there in the doorway. He was holding a gift in his hands.
"Gwen?"Tom looked at his daughter cautiously.
"Come in Dad. This is Mr. Penn. He's Arthur's father. This is my Dad, Tom Leodegrance. By the way you killed my father once.
"Nice to meet you." Tom held out his hand and Luther shook it as he did Gwen's.
"Yes nice to meet you. I wasn't aware there was to be gifts expected." Luther looked at the box.
"Just a little something I had. I thought they might want it. You know for when they start keeping house." Tom smiled and handed the box to Gwen.
She took it and smiled. The long narrow box was heavy and wrapped neatly. "Thanks Dad."
Just then Arthur comes thru the door with the crisps and extra wine. He smiles and looks at Gwen. "I guess everyone has been introduced? What's that?" He nodded towards the box in Gwen's hands.
"It's a gift for you when you start keeping house." Tom smiled at Arthur. "Really it's more for you than Gwen."
"You didn't have to bring a gift, Tom." Arthur was handing the bags to Merlin in the kitchen as he had come to the doorway. He spotting Freya looking embarrassed behind Merlin. They must have been snogging or something. "Hello Freya. Merlin, why don't you two come out and join us? Is Elyan on the way?" Why should you hide when we can't?
"Yes. He should be on his way." Gwen smiled as she
"What is this all about Arthur?" Luther was definitely impatient and getting a little suspicious.
"Father it's just a "get to know each other" thing. Here have a glass of wine." Arthur handed a glass to his father and held one out to Tom as well. "Tom." He went back to pour more glasses. Alcohol will help.
"Thank you, Arthur." Tom took the glass, amused with the couple's discomfort. He started to feel it too.
The bell rang again. This time it was Elyan. Following behind was Leon. He was the first knight to appear after they had come back together.
"Come in." Gwen hugged them all as they came in. Reinforcements at last.
"What are you doing down this way, Gwen?" Elyan whispered in her ear as she hugged him. He looked around seeing his father looking uncomfortable and so was the well dressed man standing beside him.
"Could everyone sit? Does everyone have a glass?" Gwen took the glass Arthur held out to her. She looked around to make sure everyone had a glass. She and Arthur joined hands. We can do this, together.
"Well we wanted everyone to get to know each other a little better since we … uh…. "Arthur looked at Gwen and she nodded. "Since we are getting married next week." There I said it.
The two fathers looked at the couple with shocked looks on their faces. Merlin was standing where he could see their reactions. He saw Arthur and Gwen tighten the grip on each other's hand in response. Leon, new to the group, was smiling. Freya looked confused as usual. Merlin was mildly amused. Oh this is going to be a disaster.
Elyan looked at his sister and just said what he was thinking. "Gwen, are you pregnant?"
"God, I hope so" Gwen replied. We have been trying, a lot.
Arthur looked at her in amazement. Secretly he hoped so too. We have been trying, a lot.
"No wine for you then." Merlin chuckled and held out his hand for Gwen's glass. They have been trying, a lot.
"Shut up. Merlin you're not helping." Arthur looked at his father then at Tom for some kind of acceptance. Say something, anything.
Tom was the first to come out of shock. "How big a wedding are we talking?" Gwen could see him mentally checking his bank book.
"Well the guest list is everyone you see plus maybe two or three more." Gwen smiled. "We are going to keep it simple. Do it right here with just some champagne and cake."
"Chocolate cake." Arthur chimed in; trying to lighten the mood and it wasn't working.
"Yes, Arthur, it will be chocolate cake." Gwen laughed.
"Are you mad? You can't be serious about this. Didn't you just meet this girl?" There it was Arthur's father's disapproval. Luther looked angry.
"I'm serious and I'm in control of my faculties. Father, marriages used to be arranged in less time than Gwen and I have been together." Well at least in this lifetime.
"This isn't medieval times. There is more to consider. How well do you know her, really, and her family?" Luther countered.
Gwen and Arthur looked at each other and laughed. Merlin looked at the floor, trying hard not to start laughing too.
"Father, you are not talking us out of it so don't bother to try. We did not ask you here to give permission only to give your blessing. If you choose not to give it then so be it." Arthur was not budging this time. I will marry her and you won't stop me this time.
Luther put down the glass of wine he was holding and walked out. Arthur let him go.
"Arthur?" Gwen looked at him. This will not be easy for him.
"Don't worry my Queen. It will all work out." Arthur sighed. It had better.
"What?" Elyan said. "Wait! Your name is really Arthur? I thought she was just calling you that. My sister, Guinevere is marrying a man named Arthur." He rubbed his temple feeling a headache coming on.
"Yes Elyan. His name really is Arthur." Gwen's tone was the one reserved for her brother when he was annoying her. Centuries may have passed but it was still the same tone.