Eleven months later...
It was past midnight Arthur was the only person awake in the castle. Unable to sleep, he had quietly slipped out of bed, kissing Guinevere as he pushed a pillow to her side for her to hug in his absence. Guinevere sighed in her sleep and pulled the pillow closer; an action that made Arthur surprisingly jealous. He left the room soundlessly and went towards the room at the other end of the hallway. He did not know why he was creeping along the hallway like some second – rate thief, it was his castle and he had every right to wander along the hallways in the middle of the night. Perhaps he did not want to be discovered. Whatever the reason, the moment he entered the room and saw the baby, all other insignificant thought ceased to be. A smile crept up the corners of his lips as he approached the baby's cot in the middle of the room.
The most recent addition to their lives and the Pendragon family was just five weeks old but already has a firm grip of all their lives. It was funny how they would drop everything just to spend a few hours with her. The baby was asleep then, pouting slightly, her chubby arms raised over her head. Arthur just stood by the side of her crib and watched, he did not want to disturb her. He took a deep breath; happy, satisfied, his thoughts clear. He decided then that nothing would ever beat this feeling.
He sensed movement behind him, but he did not have to look to know that it was Guinevere. She must have realized he was gone; she knew she would find him with the baby. He held out his hand for her and pulled Guinevere towards him, wrapping his arm around her.
"She's a beautiful baby," Guinevere said, looking at the sleeping baby.
"Eyes like her Mum…" Arthur replied, kissing the top of Guinevere's head.
"Hair like her dad…" Guinevere said, as she brushed the bits of hair gently away from the baby's forehead.
"That's a beautiful baby," Arthur said, looking at Sophia Ygraine Hunith du Lac, first – born of Lance and Morgana. Arthur, along with Merlin, was baby's Sonia, godfathers; a position that was as delightful as much as it was frightening. The delight of having a new member to their family and the daunting prospects of having to behave and live like a responsible adult, all the time. But Lance assured them both that baby Sonia had still a little more growing up to do before Arthur and Merlin can make any impression on her. Morgana added that by then, the world would have discovered treatments and medication to make Merlin and Arthur normal humans. Arthur had not heeded Morgana's words that day at the hospital, because he had too preoccupied with trying not to drop the baby. Surprisingly, Merlin had held the baby like a professional baby – holder, if there ever was such a thing. Holding baby Sonia the day she was born had caused Arthur to come to a resolution, and standing in the dark nursery with Guinevere, he decided to act on it.
"I love you, Guinevere," Arthur said, turning her around so that he could see her.
Guinevere smile was all he needed. "I love you too, Arthur," she said and Arthur marvelled at how the effects of the words remained unchanged to him since Guinevere first said to him, at the end of Lance and Morgana's wedding ceremony six months ago. Three simple words and he felt like the king of the world.
"I got you a gift."
"Another one?" Guinevere was surprised. "Is it suddenly Christmas? I am positively inundated with gifts today. First the white dress and the hat and then the St. Tropez weekend..."
Arthur was quick to explain. "The white dress is sort of a gift to me..." Guinevere raised an eyebrow. "Darling, please. It's not like that. I like seeing you in a flowing white dress." He did not want to add the other parts of his fantasy; his castle, summer and emerging from the garden he was still trying to make something of; that is for another time. " The St. Tropez weekend is hardly a gift because I am sharing it with you." As he spoke, he brought up his other hand and held it out in front of Guinevere, causing her to inhale sharply. "But this one here..." Moonlight fell on his open palm and the diamonds gleamed.
"Arthur, I …" Guinevere began, but was too overwhelmed to speak. She had not been expecting this. Even Arthur had not planned on this; he had other ideas, more extravagant ones involving private jets and tropical beaches, but at that exact moment was just right, even if the temperature was just above freezing.
Arthur tried to downplay everything, for Guinevere's benefit. He knew the magnitude of what he was doing and he was prepared for that. Guinevere just needs a little time. "It's a weird gift, I know," he said, with a shrug. "It's my mother's." It was actually his great – grandmother's, a Pendragon family heirloom, six emeralds encircling a diamond set in gold.
By then, Guinevere was laughing, but she had tears in her eyes. Arthur would have been worried, but Guinevere seemed to be holding herself all right...there should be nothing distressing for a girl facing fancy jewellery.
"The gift is for you, but the promise behind it…I'll take it in exchange for the rocks," Arthur said, one finger lifting her chin so that he could see her eyes. Even in the darkness, he could see the gold in her dark eyes; patterns that are forever etched unto his mind.
"Arthur…" Guinevere spoke, breathing again.
This was it. Arthur could not remember anything of the fancy words he wrote down and practised with Merlin. He was hardly nervous, because this was what he had wanted for a long time. He had always been honest with Guinevere and decided that this occasion does not need manufactured declarations of love. He just needed to tell her what he felt. "I love you. Not just this moment, but also from the moment I saw you. I wanted to give this to you when went for dinner, but the maître-d with the fake Italian accent sort of put me off. But this moment here…it feels…right.
"Right." Guinevere's remark was so ambiguous that Arthur did not if she was echoing his sentiments or giving her approval.
"I am happy," he said quite simply, for that is the truth. He actually felt like running down the hallway, whooping like mad man, but that could wait, he decided.
"So am I. these are tears of joy, believe me," Guinevere said, smiling.
"So…" Arthur bit his lower lips, waiting.
Guinevere laughs, shaking her head. "You haven't asked me yet, darling."
"Ah." Arthur knew he was forgetting something. But Guinevere was charmed by this unfortunate slip and kissed him for it.
Arthur had always believed that tradition must be upheld. Looking at the woman he loved more than anything in the world, he said, "Guinevere, will you marry me?"
Guinevere closed here eyes. "Perfect," she said, opening her eyes again. "I do."
Regardless of the countless rehearsals of this moment he had gone through with Merlin, Arthur found himself stunned when he heard Guinevere speak. It was one thing hearing it in Merlin's ridiculous falsetto...it was something else hearing it from the woman he had just proposed to...he had just proposed marriage to a woman...these kinds things do not happen on a daily basis.
"I do, Arthur," Guinevere said again, giving his hand a slight squeeze, causing his to snap out of his reverie.
Arthur laughed and took Guinevere's hand into his. He slipped the ring into her finger; perfect fit. Guinevere had fresh tears in her eyes. Arthur kissed her, gently and pulled her into an embrace. "I love you," he said, whispering. "I cannot think of the next five minutes without you, let alone a lifetime. Thank you for finding a way into my life."
Guinevere drew away from his embrace and looked at him. "Without you, it's just life," she said, taking his hand into hers. She kissed his hands, adding, "With you, it's amazing."
Arthur smiled and pulled Guinevere in for another kiss. He did not get the opportunity to kiss his fiancée as the lights in the nursery suddenly came on.
"Didn't I tell you, darling, that we'd find them in here?" Morgana's voice rang clear in the silent nursery, causing both Arthur and Guinevere to wince; at being caught and for the sake of the baby. They both checked the baby, who gave a gurgle but kept on sleeping. Then, both Arthur and Guinevere turned to face Lance and Guinevere, still in their travelling coats, and regarding them with raised eyebrows. Lance had something to do in London for the day and since Morgana had been confined to the castle since Sonia's birth, decided that she needed a break from diapers and feeding bottles. The idea was cheered on by Merlin, Arthur and Guinevere, who relished the chance of baby – sitting Sonia and promptly sent Lance and Morgana to London.
"Stop stalking our baby, mate," Lance said, his eyes twinkling in mirth. If Morgana was amused, she did not show . Something else had caught her attention. Realization dawned at her a moment later.
"Oh my God, he did it!" Morgana said, rushing to Guinevere, holding out her hand towards Guinevere, who was laughing. "When?" She asked, taking Guinevere's hand into hers to look at the ring.
"Five minutes ago," Guinevere replied.
" After months of carrying it in his shirt pocket since our wedding day," Lance said, looking at Arthur, who gave a sheepish smile.
Guinevere looked surprised at the revelation, but Arthur just shrugged. "It's all about the right moment," he said.
"Congratulations, mate." Lance said, giving Arthur a thump on his back. Guinevere got a kiss on her cheek. "It's about time."
Morgana too congratulated Guinevere, at the acquisition of such a fine piece of jewellery...and getting engaged to her stepbrother. "I'm so happy for you...for the both of you."
Arthur and Guinevere smiled, acknowledging their best wishes.
"So, why don't you celebrate elsewhere? Leave our baby alone for a bit?" Lance suggested, grinning.
"Or try working on one of your own?" Morgana added her own suggestion. She actually did not mind Arthur and Guinevere lavishing attention on her baby, but she really did wish they could get on with it and produce some playmates for Sonia and nieces or nephews for her soon. She knew that Arthur and Guinevere's marriage was inevitable, but they were just taking too long with it.
Arthur pretended to take offence at the so-called snub. He took hold of Guinevere's hand and marched towards the door, very determined looking. "Let's go, Guinevere. Let's get started on our baby," he said. The, he paused, turned to look at Lance and Morgana, adding, "And we'll damn well make sure our baby is prettier than theirs."
Guinevere actually blushed, but she laughed as Arthur pulled her into the hallway. He kissed her and looked down at her, who nodded her agreement with whatever he had planned for their engagement 'party'. As they neared his room, they suddenly saw a figure dash from across the opposite hallway. It was a girl. And she was headed in the direction of Merlin's room. Arthur let go of Guinevere's hand and called out, "Hello?"
The girl froze and turned around. It was the produce girl, the one who Merlin thought he was seeing in secret; but did not know that Arthur and Guinevere had once followed him to the restaurant in London where he had an 'intimate' dinner with his produce girl.
The girl turned around to face Arthur and Guinevere, who had come to stand next to him. The girl looked identical to the proverbial deer caught in the spotlight. "Where are you from?" Arthur asked, arms crossed and looking like a stern schoolmaster chiding a student. He had hoped his question would cause her to admit she was with Merlin, but her answer was quite different from what Arthur and Guinevere were expecting.
"Limerick."
Arthur could feel Guinevere laughing quietly next to him.
"Right," Arthur said. "I am Arthur Pendragon. This is Guinevere Leodegrance. You are…"
"Freya Sebastian," the girl spoke quickly and quietly.
"Nice to meet you," Arthur said. Guinevere was openly laughing now.
"Likewise."
Arthur was about to ask where she was headed, when Merlin appeared at the end of the hallway. "Freya, what happened to the choc…Oh no!" He froze when he saw Arthur and Guinevere with Freya.
"Merlin," Arthur said, nodding at his friend, as Merlin came to stand next to Freya.
"Arthur. Guinevere," Merlin said, nodding at them, but not quite looking at them. He was blushing, his face a deep scarlet that caused Arthur to worry his friend might collapse at anytime. But that did not mean Merlin would get a free pass off this.
"This is Freya," Arthur said, gesturing at the girl that Merlin was obviously very well acquainted with...well enough for her to be wearing Merlin's plaid shirt and boxers.
"Yes. This is Freya..." Merlin said, looking as if he was waiting for some sort of distraction to make his escape from Arthur and Guinevere.
"Oh, so you know her," Arthur said, feigning relief. "I just thought my kitchen was broken into by someone from Limerick with a craving for ...what is that?"
"Chocolates, darling," Guinevere added helpfully.
"Chocolates?" Arthur said, looking at Guinevere with mock surprise, before turning to Merlin with an impressed expression. "Chocolates."
"We were just…" Merlin began, but Arthur held up a hand, halting him.
"Spare me the details," he said. He turned and took Guinevere's hand again, leading his fiancée back to his room. "Have fun you two," he called out over his shoulder. Merlin and Freya, glad to be out of the spotlight, disappeared down the hallway.
"You shouldn't tease Merlin like that," Guinevere told Arthur as they paused outside his room. "The poor boy looked as if he was going to faint anytime."
Arthur smiled. "He should be glad I didn't kiss him," he told Guinevere, who was not looking at him as he spoke. She was looking at behind Arthur, a surprised look on her face. "What is it?"
"I saw the ring," Merlin said, appearing at Arthur's side. He gave Guinevere a hug. "I feel sorry for you, Guinevere," he said, as they drew apart. He looked solemn enough, but there was no mistaking the laughter behind his eyes. He turned to Arthur. "And you, mate," Merlin swallowed, his voice catching. "I always thought I was the one..."
"Shut up, Merlin!" Arthur said, glaring at his Merlin, who was still looking at him with puppy eyes and an exaggerated trembling of his lower lips. "Get lost before I kill you."
Merlin's actions were surprisingly quick. He gave Arthur a sound kiss on his cheek before running away. Arthur started to go after him but was stopped by Guinevere.
"Another time?" Guinevere said. "I thought we were going to celebrate."
"We are," Arthur said, taking hold of Guinevere again. He pulled her close, looking down at her, forgetting everything and everyone else.
"What are you thinking?" Guinevere asked, touching the side of Arthur's face.
"How good everything is," Arthur said. "Merlin finally found someone. Lance and Morgana married with a baby. And we're engaged…"
Arthur's heartfelt commentary was halted by Morgana, who had stepped onto the hallway, with Lance behind her, laughing. "Enough with the monologue, Arthur," she said; her voice an urgent whisper that carried down the hallway. "I don't think Guinevere wants to spend her recent engagement in the hallway!"
"She's right," Guinevere admitted. But the look in her eyes indicated that she did not mind a cold hallway. She was happy where she was, as he was with her. But, as the Marquis, he had his responsibilities for his Marchioness.
"I shall make amends immediately," he said, swooping down to kiss her and lead her into his room and kicked the door close to commence the celebration of his engagement.
Arthur and Guinevere were married a week later.
Merlin introduced Freya Sebastian to the rest of them during Arthur and Guinevere's wedding. The rest of them were surprised, not for meeting Freya, but seeing Merlin in a vintage tuxedo that was the epitome of class and elegance. Of course, Merlin would not be able to resist exercising his artistic license, but they decided that his work boots was excusable, though Morgana was convinced Calvin Klein would kill them all for allowing such atrocity. It was actually rather charming, because the boots matched Freya's, who wore it with a little black dress. The rest of them supposed they should be thankful Merlin's clothes were not neon, paisley or plaid.
The Marquis and Marchioness welcomed their first – born son, Tristan Uther, exactly nine months after their engagement. Arthur Pendragon gave up his CEO post at Pendragon Industries and decided to concentrate on fatherhood and farming. He is still working on his garden but looks forward mostly to his wife visiting him at his garden, wearing a white, flowing dress.
~~~THE END~~~