The next day Gwaine started to put his plan in motion, alright he didn't quite know where he was going with it, but he knew the two men would be good together. As soon as he knew Merlin would be up, he texted the other man too met him at the pub for Sunday lunch. When he got a reply from Merlin saying he would be there, and that Will was coming as well he smiled to his self. Stage one commenced.

Merlin and Will walked into the pub, The Unicorn was their local and did a good roast and also catered for vegetarians, so Merlin could have a good meal. Gwaine was already there and they soon ordered and it wasn't long before they were enjoying a good meal and a couple of bottles of wine.

"So Gwaine what made you decide to get out of bed before the afternoon? Not that's it's not nice to see you." Merlin asked.

"I fancied a chat with my mates; we haven't met up for a while, well not just the three of us anyway. Also it's your Mums birthday soon and I wanted to sort out when we were going to see her." Gwaine had no intention of telling Merlin the real reason for the get together.

As they ate they planned their trip to Wales in three weeks. They would go for the weekend. Then after they had finished their meal and settled down to drink, Gwaine started to put his plan in action.

"You need to do better for yourself than that creep I saw the other day Merlin" he said casually.

"Was that Jayden? He's a real sad case mate" Will butted in "I thought you'd dumped him."

"I did, but he wouldn't take no for an answer, Gwaine seems to have chased him off." Merlin grinned "I thought you were going to hit him."

"Na, mind you if Arthur hadn't have put him off I might have." Gwaine looked at Merlin "You know Arthur really fancy's you?"

"That slag bag, no Merlin, leave him alone, he might have money but you can do better than that." Will said "Now if you were just after a good time it might be worth it."

"He's good looking I'll admit, it's just a pity he's such an obnoxious prat." Merlin muttered. Gwaine thought Merlin was clearly more smitten than he admitted.

"He's not a bad guy, when you get to know him; he's just pants at relationships. Mind you he's stopped messing around for quite a while now. I think he has his eye on someone special. Perhaps he's ready to settle down."

"What Pendragon settled down! That won't happen" Will scoffed. "Keep away from him Merlin, I know you're the best gay guy out there, but even you can't tame that one."

Gwaine secretly smiled, he could always rely on Will to say just the right thing without knowing it. Merlin was always drawn to a challenge.

"It's funny when he does fall for someone I bet its forever, he's that sort, if he meets someone he really likes that is." Gwaine realised he better leave it alone now or Merlin would smell a rat, He'd planted the seed. "Well what else have you guys been doing?"

They chatted for the next hour before splitting up. Gwaine was happy that stage one had gone well.

The next week at work was hectic, Morgana was launching a new magazine and they had hardly stopped. Morgana and Merlin hadn't had a proper lunch break all week and today was Thursday, launch day, and the magazine had hit the new stands that morning. It was twelve o'clock and they had just got back to the office after an interview for one of the television channels. As Morgana opened her office door she saw her brother sitting at her desk.

"Much as I love you, get out of my chair I'm bushed." Arthur stood up immediately.

"I thought you would be, so I've arranged for a table next door, so I can take you and Merlin out to lunch to celebrate. You have half an hour to drink the coffee I've just ordered, and to catch your breath before we have to leave."

Morgana looked at her brother in surprise "Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" she asked "Thank you you're a life saver, what do I owe this to?"

"Can't I treat my sister sometimes?" he asked. "Now tell Merlin not to get any lunch for you"

Morgana looked at her brother as the penny dropped "You haven't done this for me have you?" she went to the door and shouted for Merlin.

"Cancel what you've ordered for lunch, we're going back out, drink the coffee that's on the way up then were off again."

"Hell Morgana, we've only just come in, no wonder you can't keep PA's they all die." Came the sarcastic reply from Merlin.

"Blame my brother he's taking us out for lunch, his treat,so stop your moaning." Morgana shouted back.

"It's good to see you finally have someone who will stand up to you harpy." Arthur had a fond tone to his voice that surprised his sister.

"You have it real bad don't you? Well good luck you're going to need it." She hoped it would work out for Arthur, he deserved someone special.

The meal turned out to be a really pleasant affair, and they enjoyed each other's company. Arthur made no move on Merlin, but instead treated him with utmost courtesy though out, bring his charming side to the fore. Remembering all that Gwaine had suggested, to treat Merlin like a potential client for the company, a charm offensive and nothing more. Arthur couldn't believe he was taking advice for Gwaine but was willing to try anything.

Merlin was confused; Arthur was a real puzzle to him. One minute he was chasing after him, and then he seemed to be a totally different man. If he hadn't met him before today he knew he would have been attracted to this new nicer Arthur. He had admitted to himself that he was drawn to the blond, but at the same time the man was everything Merlin wasn't. When Will said that Merlin couldn't tame Arthur he had seen that as a bit of a challenge, but could he take the risk?

Morgana watched her brother and was impressed. If he carried on with the charm offensive he might well have a chance. Poor Merlin was obviously confused. At the end of the meal they went their separate ways and Morgana noticed her PA seemed unusually distracted that afternoon.