Aaaaand here's the Arwen date! :) I borrowed just a couple lines from 3.11, Queen of Hearts. It fit so well, I couldn't help myself!
Sherri- Everyone will at least be working toward a match by the time I'm done. :)
Stacy- I've got at least 1 more chapter planned.
larasmith- I totally agree about Leon & Mithian. There's a glimpse next chapter. Alternate dessert, eh? Intriguing, but I'm keeping this K+.
The morning of Arthur's last date, Merlin was walking down the corridor toward his chamber. Suddenly a hand appeared on his arm and yanked him into the nearest alcove. It was Gwen, and she looked panicked.
"Merlin, you've got to help me!" she said.
"Gwen, shh. Think calm," he tried to soothe her.
She lowered her volume, "How can I be calm? I'm going to see Arthur tonight. How can I possibly compare to a Lady and a Princess?"
"Oh that's all." He chuckled then stopped when she glared at him.
"I'm nowhere near as beautiful as they are, or refined, or . . ."
"Gwen. You're doing it again. Take a deep breath and listen to me." She breathed in and out slowly then looked at him expectantly. "You are beautiful. And you are definitely refined enough for Arthur. I know what's happened between you. And trust me when I say you have nothing to worry about. He loves you for you—if he really cared about that shallow stuff he wouldn't have noticed you." He took her hands to reassure her further.
"Thanks," she muttered sarcastically, then stopped for a moment to think. She looked him in the eyes searchingly. She must have found what she was looking for, because she said, "I trust you."
He gave her his usual broad grin. "Great! Now, let's go see Morgana."
"Morgana?"
"Yeah, if anyone can dress you to boost your confidence, it's Morgana." He then led her down the corridor to Morgana's chambers, where he left her in good hands.
xxxXxxx
Inside his chamber that evening, Arthur paced impatiently. Every once in a while he'd stop, mutter something then shake his head. It was starting to drive Merlin crazy—he was supposed to be the neurotic one.
"Arthur . . ." He started.
"Don't talk to me!" Arthur snapped. To his surprise, Merlin started laughing. He rounded on the servant, "And just what is so funny?"
Merlin put down the tray he'd been carrying. "You're nervous."
"I am not, Merlin. I'm just working off all this extra energy I seem to have."
"Whatever you say Sire." He paused for a moment. "But if it helps, Gwen is just as, um, energetic as you." He picked up the tray again while Arthur stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "Oh, and you might want to close your mouth. Gwen probably wouldn't enjoy seeing caught flies in there." Arthur closed his mouth and flopped down on his bed.
"What am I going to say? What am I going to do?" Arthur whined. Merlin rolled his eyes. The great Arthur Pendragon, Prince of Camelot and fiercest warrior in the realm was nervous about talking to a girl.
"Arthur, it's just Gwen. You like her, she likes you. You don't have to change anything about yourself for her. Just be yourself."
Arthur sat up and shot Merlin a quizzical look. "There you go, acting wise again. Just when you think you know someone . . ."
Merlin opened his mouth to reply, but was again interrupted by a knock on the door. "That'll be Gwen, I expect." Arthur stood up quickly and ran over to a mirror. Merlin walked over to the door and opened it while Arthur darted over to the table.
Gwen stepped through the door, looking absolutely gorgeous, in Arthur's opinion. His mouth dropped open again. Merlin, who was behind Gwen, mimed closing his mouth. Luckily Arthur caught on and closed his mouth. Again.
"Enjoy your evening, you two," Merlin said, then walked out the door and closed it behind him.
"Guinevere, you look . . . amazing," Arthur stammered out. She was wearing a deep purple velvet dress, trimmed with delicate lace at the cuffs, neckline, waist, and skirt bottom. Her shawl matched the dress's lace and was draped over her elbows. Most of her curly hair was piled atop her head, with a few strands dangling by her ears. Her make-up looked natural; used just to enhance her natural beauty. She smelled lightly of rose and vanilla—it made her seem exotic. All in all, Arthur had a hard time looking away from her.
"Thank you," she replied softly, blushing and inclining her head slightly.
He moved forward rapidly, and took her hand in his. Lifting it to his lips, he bestowed a fervent lingering kiss on it. Startled, she lifted her eyes to his and gasped at what she saw there. He lowered their joined hands and led her to the table, where he pulled out her chair for her before sitting in his.
Gwen reached out automatically to serve their dinner. Arthur restrained her by her wrist and said, "You are not here as a servant." He took over from her, serving her first, then himself and they began eating.
"This is certainly different," Gwen mused.
"I guess it would be, for you," Arthur chuckled. "But being here with you . . . there's no place I'd rather be and no one I'd rather be with."
Gwen blushed. "Flattery will get you . . . almost everywhere." He smiled while she giggled a little. He joined in.
"Oh, laughing helps me unwind," he replied. "And being here with you lets me be myself."
"I like that, you being yourself."
"It's refreshing. I can be open with you." He paused to think a moment. "Sometimes I dream of leaving Camelot."
"Really? Where would you go?"
"I don't know. Somewhere where nobody knew who I was. I'd get some land and become a farmer."
Gwen laughed at this. "I can hardly see you toiling away in the fields all day."
"Obviously I'd take Merlin with me; he can do all the hard work."
"I'm sure he'd love that."
"He's the one who reminded me of why I'm here with you." He took her hand again.
"He's awfully good at helping people like that."
"Indeed. But let's not talk about him." They looked into each others' eyes, getting lost for a few minutes.
"Arthur," Gwen said quietly. "Arthur, if you don't let go of my hand we'll never finish dinner."
He blinked and came out of his trance. "Sorry. Let's do that. I have a surprise for you when we're finished." She smiled sweetly and they got on with their dinner, chatting over trivialities while they ate.
They reached dessert without too many more delays. It was a delicious type of cake Gwen had never tasted before. As she ate, she pondered how she came to be here, with him. She'd had no chance of being selected for that silly "Love Match" game. Only noblewomen had been considered. But somehow, she'd gotten the notice and now here she was. It was almost magical! She smiled as she looked at Arthur. He smiled back at her. What had she done to deserve a man like him? She was sure she loved him and he loved her in return. Stupid stupid laws!
They'd both finished while she'd been pondering. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Now stay right here," he said. He got up and moved their dishes to the other end of the table, then crossed over to his wardrobe. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small wrapped package and walked back to the table and sat.
He handed her the package and said, "Open it."
She did as she was bid. Under the cloth wrapper was a small box, which she opened. Inside was nestled a long, beautiful chain. It was simple, as if he knew she didn't care for ostentatious gifts. As she lifted it out, she noticed a ring dangling on the chain. It was a plain gold band. It puzzled her. "Arthur . . .?" She started to speak.
He took both her hands in his. "Guinevere, it frustrates me to no end that we can't be together like we want. I know you feel the same." She nodded. "I love you, and I can tell that you love me." She nodded again. "So I wanted to give you this," he indicated the ring, "as a reminder of that love and as a promise that I will marry no other as long as I draw breath." He pulled them both up to standing.
"Oh Arthur!" She exclaimed, and threw herself into his arms. To his surprise, she burst into tears.
"Guinevere, what's wrong?" He held her a bit tighter.
She stepped back a little to look up at him. "N-nothing. Everything's right." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She dabbed at her eyes with it and smiled. "I'm just so happy right now, I feel like my heart could burst."
He gathered her in his arms again. "I don't ever want you to feel as if you're not loved. Even on days I seem to ignore you, know that I will always love you. However hard it gets, however long we have to wait, please remember that." He took the chain from her and slid it over her head so it would fall around her neck. "There now. Wear this always, to remind you of how I feel."
"I will." He put a hand to her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Then he drew his hand down to her chin and tipped it upward while he leaned down to press their lips together. That hand drifted to the back of her head to tangle in her hair while the other went to her waist to secure his hold.
Gwen shivered at the contact of their lips. She felt warm, safe and secure. He would never let her down and she would wait for him, as long as it took. Someday they would be together, out in the open and they would be free to marry. For now, this was enough.
As the kiss broke, he held out his arm for her and she tucked her hand around it and laid it on top. They set off for her home at a slow walk, not needing to speak. Just enjoying the evening and the promise it held for the future.
xxxXxxx
Not too far away, in Gaius's chambers, Merlin released the scrying spell he'd held over the bowl of water. He'd seen enough to be sure Arthur and Guinevere would stay true to each other and end up together. Phew, now I don't have to worry much about that facet of my destiny, he thought, then flopped to his bed to sleep, at last.
Thanks again for reading/favoriting/following! Even if "favoriting" isn't actually a word. Ha, spell-check. :P