WHEN ARTHUR MET GUINEVERE
Summary: This is the story of how Arthur and Guinevere first met told as a modern fiction so there's a fair bit of AU and OOC. Multi- chapters and rated M just in case. Here is Part II of Chapter Seven as promised. In this one, there's a bit of sharing (of the tea and experiences) kind, with a little bit of bromance referencing thrown in good measure. Hope you all enjoy it!
AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. Thank you for all the comments and reviews; Lara-rest easy my friend, you know there's always a fine line between love and hate so nothing is smooth sailing, christina-cheers for that!, and julygurl-arwen time all in good time my friend, kohimoana-back at ya doll!
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or the characters but if I did...
Chapter Eight: The One When Merlin's (Almost) Right Part II
Just after they "meet" for the first time in the kitchen…
Gwen notices that the kettle has boiled so she offers Arthur some tea and busies herself getting him a clean cup from the shelf while he sits comfortably at the table waiting. As she sits back down and slides a freshly brewed cup to him across the table, he notices her Shrek mug next to her left elbow. She follows his eyes down to her mug.
"Glad to see you were reunited, "Arthur observes, nodding towards it, "What's the story with Shrek anyway? If you don't mind me asking, that is. It must be a good one."
Gwen smiles wistfully, touches her mug, and then shakes her head, trying to swallow down the lump forming in her throat.
"Shrek was the last movie Dad and I went to watch – the movies were kind of our thing on Sunday nights. He went to get popcorn and the sign said if you supersized your frozen coke and popcorn, you got a free Shrek travel mug. My Dad always liked bargain type things, so he got it and gave the mug to me. Told me it was for all those late nights I was keeping because I was finally getting my degree. He said he was proud of me for not giving up on my dreams, and he'd always been a bit…ashamed, I guess, that he couldn't help me more financially.
You see, I didn't go to uni when Morgana and my other friends went because we couldn't afford it, so after high school I started working; saving so I could pay my own way. The next day after he gave me the mug, my father was…killed. Shot by a man who escaped from prison with a gun he'd stolen from one of the prison guards. He ran into the garage where Dad worked to hide and Dad startled him when he came out of the backroom.
It probably sounds a bit daft because it's just a plastic mug made in Taiwan but, it's the last memory I have of him and I being together…talking, and doing stuff you know? My mother died when I was eleven and then it was just Dad, Elyan - my older brother, and I so...yeah…that's the Shrek story." Gwen stops talking, trying not to let the tears that prick her eyes fall. Her dad's death happened two years ago, but she still sometimes has nightmares about it in those moments when loneliness - and worry for Elyan, who is on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, set in.
Arthur's POV
What a sad story. Now I feel awful. Arthur you idiot! I hate that she is almost crying now because I had to be nosy and dredge up a personal family tragedy! For some reason, I feel a keen sense of protectiveness for her all of a sudden…Like I don't ever want to make her feel sad if I can help it – or as Merlin would say "As long, as you aren't being yourself Arthur". See what I mean? Nicer to everyone else than me! It would be nice to be friends– Guinevere…surprises me, and I'm not easily surprised.
He smiles gently at her across the table, wishing there was something more he could do to show her how sincere he is.
"Guinevere…I'm sorry... For the record, it's not foolish at all to keep things to remember loved ones by", Arthur pauses for half a second wrestling with the choice of continuing, or stopping.
He takes a deep breath and goes on, "My mother passed away too - when I was almost two years old. She was a really talented sculptor and she made her last one just before I was born. I took it from our house just before I left for boarding school and have kept it ever since. When I'm having a really shite day, I'll stop and look at it, try and think of her and what she would say-or do in my shoes…Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say Guinevere is, maybe we do things like that to keep them closer to us or something, I don't know, but it's not a bad thing".
Gwen's POV
I don't normally talk to people about my family – or Dad's death, but Arthur is…easy to talk to. Did he just call me-? Yes, he called me Guinevere. Usually I feel uncomfortable when people call me that 'cos it's so formal but this time…I like it. Don't lie Gwen, you also like the way he says it! Oh shut up. Now, I'm telling myself to shut up? It sounds nice when he says it, that's all! Stop being a sap Gwen! Morgs is going to have one of her "moments" when I tell her about meeting Arthur i.e. scream at the top of her lungs (possibly in a public place and cause little children to cry in fright). No, maybe I shouldn't say a word. Not yet. Maybe he doesn't want to meet up again? And by meeting up I mean as friends of course.
It's comforting to hear him talk about his mother. He noticeably missed having her around for pretty much all of his life; I can hear it in his voice. At least I got to know mine. Poor Arthur…
Her eyes meet his, and she brushes away the tears, smiling to let him know she's ok.
"It's ok. Really. I've made my peace and all my memories are good ones." Gwen looks at him and smiles, playing with the mug in her hand, pausing before continuing, "Just like I am certain your mother's memories of your time together would be - even if it wasn't for a very long time. You know; I think you're right – about keepsakes, although, maybe they, our loved ones I mean, never really leave us? And that's a good thing too, I think. " Arthur nods, leaning back in his chair.
There is a contented silence for a moment as they both think about their lost parents.
Arthur's POV
Wow. You never talk about your mother! That's because there's not much to tell. You don't really remember her and Father never (not hyperbolic never), but actually never never mentions her. Even though I'm in a good mood and all relaxed, for some odd reason, I can't help feel slightly irritated with Merlin for thinking I would hit it off with this lady – because Merlin could (for once in a year – like the grunion running) be right. That's what's so irritating! Plus, knowing him, he'd make me admit it out loud, possibly with witnesses, and he'd record it to play back at a later day to piss me off. The crazy thing is, I don't even mind that much, it's like…I would like to hang out with her more – as friends I mean. I can talk to Guinevere knowing she won't get bored, be freaked out, or intimidated. I love saying her name…Stop it Arthur. She is easy to talk to, that's what I meant to say. Besides, you don't even know if she wants to hang out yet. No, too much – plus Merlin would just confuse me even more so I won't say anything to him about meeting Guinevere – yet.
Breaking out of his reverie, Arthur suddenly has a thought. Clearing his throat, he smiles and moves forward, raising his cup in the air, towards her mug. She looks at him with interest, eyebrows raised.
"How about we call this – whatever this is, our first meeting? That way when we next meet…M&M (Gwen giggles at the exaggerated tone Arthur uses to say the word), "we can tell them we've been there, done that, etc?" Gwen nods happily and lifts up her mug.
"Here's to Third Time's a Charm?" he offers up for their toast. Gwen cocks her head to one side, smiling at him.
"No, here's to Third and a half time's a charm", she corrects, waiting for him to agree and toast with her.
Gwen's POV
…And to making a…friend, I hope.
Arthur's POV
…And to me not screwing up this...friendship.
"CLINK!"
AN: There we have it folks! Thanks for taking the time to read. Please continue to review and share ideas as they're all welcomed. I actually thought about finishing my fic originally after this chapter but the plot bunnies won't leave me alone - so there's definitely a Chapter 9 half way done...What say you people? Should I continue or let sleeping dogs lie?...Let me know. xoxo islandgem