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 T just in case.

A/N: There are some references to Hawaii 5-0 in this chapter since I like the show and thought it might make a good addition to the dialogue. Also there's some slight homage to the RWC, the French played so well but yay ABs! Thank you to my wonderful reviewers for your thoughts, I have this to say: The plot bunnies are my best mates and we're putting together a few more chapters, bringing closure to some of the points you guys rightly raised. Tankiu tumas guys!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin and its characters, or Hawaii 5-0 and its characters either. If I did, there would have been at least 1 Arwen scene in S4Ep3, and Lori would make like a lettuce.

Chapter Nine: The One With Crumble

Gwen checks the topping before placing the dish carefully into her old (yet very trusty) oven. She has even thought to make extra so there's enough for seconds. Although they don't advertise the information widely, she and Morgana have been known to work their way through a whole dish of crumble when there have been…"emergencies" in the past. Not that she'll get more than a few crumbs once Merlin gets his paws on it. That man sure can pack away the food! Glancing at the clock, she reckons she has about an hour to get to Morgana's so there's enough time for a shower and to wash her hair - again. The gunk from two days ago still hasn't completely come out – a mixture of glue and tiny plastic stars. How did that happen? Well, when one is doing a teaching practical for six weeks with seven year olds who love to stick shiny things on surfaces, sometimes, said surfaces include hair, hence…

She sighs and gives up attempting to run a comb through her hair which is still curly, but now also contains gluey clumps of sparkly plastic stars in it.

Gwen's POV

Funnily enough re: not funny in the slightest, the peanut butter which Arthur suggested did not work too well. In fact, even though it's been two days since the glue incident, I swear I can smell a faint whiff of peanut butter coming from my hair too. Great! Where did he even get that idea from? Probably Merlin…or Google. No, I don't even want to know what sort of experience the two of them would have gone through to have to use peanut butter in their hair. Cheers for the tip Arthur! At least it kinda looks pretty – in an attending-a-Halloween- party sort of way… Oh well, they do say that scarves are back in as hair accessories now don't they? Bloody hell, I can smell the peanut butter! Mental note: Don't ever take cleaning (of any sort) advice from a guy again – or maybe just not from Arthur or Merlin.

If I leave in the next ten minutes, I'll probably be the first one to get there. Which is fine, since I want to let Morgs know that I met Arthur properly two weekends ago that night in the kitchen and we're… friends now. Crazy but true. In fact, we're getting into this habit of him coming down to the staff room after he finishes work and I am done with my section in the evening and we have tea in the kitchen and chat. It's actually quite nice and I do look forward to that time with him because it's a chance to just relax and not… think about everything that needs to be thought about…if that makes sense. Even if it's only for an hour or so.

Arthur keeps trying to turn me over to the dark side to bag on Merlin but I refuse to. One of us has to be the voice of reason after all, and despite all the crap he gives Merlin, I know they're close and really do value their…bromance or whatever it is. I haven't used that term in front of Arthur yet – he might go off on a tangent about Merlin's lack of pros. All I'm saying is, if Steve and Danno can have their carguements, then Arthur and Merlin can have their bromance. Hahahaha…Since we're both going to be at the dinner party tonight, I figure it's better to chat with Morgs first so she doesn't embarrass herself later and then blame me for it. Ok Gwen; keys, bag, purse, dish, coat, phone, gas off, door locked…Check.

Earlier that day, at Pendragon Park…

Arthur left the field, secretly relieved the game was over. It had been a while since he's played rugby – "Try five years "a while" Artie", Merlin had unnecessarily pointed out after watching Arthur get tackled for the fifth time by two younger, fitter PI employees. In response to that comment, Arthur suggested to team manager Kelvin that Merlin would be "really good" in the wings where he endured exactly five minutes of game time before he was being helped off the field, limping by Kelvin and his son Bill.

Arthur tried to feel bad for purposely getting Merlin to play but couldn't, since as it turned out, Merlin had the last laugh and Arthur watched as he sat comfortably in the stands lapping up all the sympathy from the other lads' wives and girlfriends who'd also come to watch the game for the rest of the eighty minutes, downing hot tea and munching brownies. The PI team was currently ranked third on the table, and took part every year in the City Business Houses Tournament in different sporting and cultural disciplines.

Arthur's POV

Not feeling too sore but…Ow…Ok, a little bit. Glad I had some Panadol before though. I wish I could have stayed under that hot shower forever but I'm now forcing myself to get dressed for M&M's dinner party. Yep, that's right – Merlin "gave" dinner parties now…I snort and wonder, not for the first time, why Merlin doesn't just cancel the lease to his flat, seeing as he practically lives at Morgana's house anyway! When I asked him about it the other night at the pub he seemed a bit uncomfortable to talk about it – and by uncomfortable I mean he didn't go on and on about it like he does about 98% of whatever's on his mind usually. In fact, all he said was he wasn't ready to do that yet. Since we're guys and this is not "The View", I left it at that – if he wanted to say more on the issue, he would've.

I just hope he doesn't ask me what to do about it – he already has the Freya experience to-ok, maybe that's a bad example, but then if he did ask, all I would have to say is that sort of thing is guaranteed to end badly. I mean, I tried it once and learned firsthand what Ray Charles meant by the term "gold digger", so as far as I am concerned simple, no strings is the way to go. Although what with Father's insistence, and not so subtle hinting about settling down anyone would think I was channeling Charlie Sheen – which I'm not. I just want to be able to have fun. Merlin says I'm scared of settling down, but maybe it's a matter of meeting the person who makes you feel like you can do anything you want to…Who knows?

For once, I can't even blame Merlin for thinking it was a brilliant idea to join the PI rugby team for the tourney. It's bad enough most of the managers and staff are too intimidated to even speak to me – even during meetings, imagine how surprised they were when I rocked up to the field with Merlin? Eventually it all worked out though, and aches and pains aside, I did have a great time – just playing rugby, not thinking of work, or my father.

If anyone's to blame for the slight, re: a fair bit of pain and bruising, I suppose I should lay it on Guinevere. It was she who suggested that if I joined the social club, not only would it be a chance to get to know the other PI personnel better and put them more at ease, but I'd also alleviate some of the stress… Righto. Thank you ever so much Guinevere. Not that I would ever get onto her about stuff like I would to Merlin. Double standards he'd call it. Oops, I've just realised I never got around to filling Merlin in on Gwen and I meeting up that night and how we're friends now.

We've got this sort of routine thing going on where she will finish her shift and do some study in the kitchen and when I get done with my evening regional conference calls, I come by and we hang out, laugh at Merlin (well I laugh at Merlin, she is too good a person to laugh at Merlin too much), and yeah…Without wanting to adopt any Merlin-esque mannerisms, I have to say it's sort of become like a highlight of my days…To be fair, the last two weeks have been really busy and Merlin did go to Hong Kong last week so yeah…I'll just tell him this evening at dinner. I mean, Gwen and I were both invited and we're meeting up there anyway. It also gives me a little bit of a immature kick because I can't wait to see the look on Merlin's face – he'll be so surprised that I am intelligent ('human' he would say) enough to resolve my own issues without him. Please. As if I can't handle women. Not that I think Guinevere is just some woman. She's my friend and it's important that I try to be a good friend to her, that's all.

Forty minutes later, at Morgana's place…

Gwen unlocks the front door to Morgana's town house with her key, calling out as she pauses at the coat rack removing her coat and boots.

"Hey guys! It's only me! I'm a little early so I'm taking my time with my coat so you can get yourselves decent before I –"Gwen walks the short distance to enter the kitchen and is surprised to find she's not early at all. In fact, all the people in the kitchen stop talking abruptly when she enters with her large dish of crumble. There is an ominous silence and if Gwen didn't know better, they're all looking somewhat guilty. She raises her eyebrows and turns to Morgana whose standing in front of the sink next to Elena while Leon and Merlin sit on the two bar stools at the bar. She notices that Morgana and Elena give her outfit - and her hair, a quick once over. That is definitely odd.

"I guess I am late then…uh…sorry? Hi guys! What's…going on?" Gwen turns towards Merlin and Leon, the latter looking very uncomfortable. Merlin moves forward to peck Gwen's cheek hurriedly. She notices that even usually easygoing Merlin looks a bit jumpy.

"Hi Gwen. You look great by the way. Mmm…that crumble smells good, let me put it in the oven for you". Gwen watches Merlin as he grabs the dessert from her and moves like the Road Runner towards the oven. Elena comes forward and after greeting her, motions for her to sit on Merlin's vacant stool. Leon also gives Gwen a quick kiss and moves off the other stool to sit on a sofa near the bay windows, pretending to read a week old magazine article about Brad and Angelina's latest adoption news. Morgana comes to sit next to her at the bench and Elena moves closer also.

Gwen's POV

Now I'm really starting to get worried. Merlin is acting unusual. So are Morgs and Elena. Why are they checking out my clothes and hair? No one ever comments on what I wear – well they do when we go shopping but its only because most of the time I don't feel comfortable with the short, tight stuff Morgs tries to force me to buy. Even Leon…well he is not the best at being secretive, or enduring emotional scenes, but I know he doesn't really care about Brad and Angelina's adoption news? I hope no one has been in a terrible accident or died...It's not Elyan, thank God he's fine. I hope nothing's happened to Arthur though…He should be here by now.

Gwen can't stand it any longer; they're all acting strange!

"Morgs, is everything ok? What's happened? Has someone been hurt or something?" Gwen waits for Morgana to tell her some awful news, but to her surprise, Morgana just shakes her head and smiles at her reassuringly whilst attempting to remove some of the gunk (which Gwen thought was not that visible anymore) from her hair and trying to undo another button of her lavender top. Gwen slaps her hands away, starting to feel irritated and looks over at Merlin for help but just then the doorbell rings and he rushes out of the kitchen to answer it. Gwen is not sure what all the urgency is for, it's probably only Arthur anyway.

Gwen strains her ears and can now hear Arthur and Merlin talking in the hallway, mostly Merlin though, and they seem to be having an in-depth conversation about…a contract? On a Sunday? Merlin talking about work on his weekend in an I-want-to-because-I-can't-think-of-anything-more-fascintating-to-discuss tone? Gwen tries to recall a time when Merlin has done that in the year and a bit that she has known him and fails.

Gwen's POV

Yep, that's Arthur's voice. I'd know that voice anywhere….Anywhere? What are you doing Gwen? Having a "The Notebook" moment? No! I mean, I recognise it. Yes it does sound quite nice…Deep, rich baritone and I admit it, when he says my name…it can almost elicit shivers down one's spine. Not that this has happened to me. I am just saying…Stop it Gwen – before you think something daft. I wish Morgana would shut up for a minute so I could hear what they're talking about out there. Why is Merlin banging on and on about work? Arthur sounds…as confused with Merlin's behaviour as I am.

Gwen is still trying to discern what they're talking about but keeps getting distracted by Morgana fidgeting. Eventually, Morgana takes her hand gently and speaks hurriedly to her in a quiet tone, forcing her to forget about the conversation in the hallway and concentrate on what she's saying.

"Gwennie, I know you and Arthur didn't hit it off at all when you met and you both can't stand each other, and we feel awful about it. That's why Merlin and I didn't say much when you two were really upset and talked to us about the whole thing, because we didn't want to make you feel angrier. I know that in some ways, it's entirely our fault –for pushing you guys in the first place when we should have organised something more informal. So, we thought that we would make sure you both came to dinner today so we could…um…well…" Morgana stops talking and looks up at Elena for help.

…"I think what Morgs is trying to say is, so we could encourage the two of you to talk through your issues. Please don't be mad Gwen; this is good for both of you. He's actually quite nice, and we know you're wonderful, so maybe if you two meet with some familiar faces around, it will take the pressure off?" Elena is smiling in what she thinks an encouraging manner, while Morgana beams at Gwen, waiting for her response.

Gwen's POV

No way. What? Hahahahahaha…OK, so this is quite funny! I get it now. Morgs doesn't know that Arthur and I finally met and made up the other week and maybe he hasn't told Merlin so….An intervention? This is priceless. They really think I am that desperate? I wonder…No that's too mean …But it will teach them to think twice again about meddling in my love life (or lack thereof). This requires a tag team effort though Gwen. Think, think, think…

"Morgs! How could you? Ellie, please tell me you and Leon aren't in on this too? Fine. Whatever. Excuse me, I need to go throw up in advance before Mr. Arrogant comes in here and I start feeling nauseous when he won't stop going on about himself". Gwen speaks as coldly as she can to Morgana and Elena, leaving the room to use the rest room, knowing that both women must be exchanging uneasy looks because of Gwen's "reaction". Once she is safely locked in the bathroom, Gwen quickly sends a text to Arthur's phone, hoping he hasn't turned it off and will still be able to hear it over Merlin's endless dialogue.

Meanwhile, in the hallway…

Merlin greets Arthur who seems to be walking quite gingerly, though he won't admit it. He offers to hang up Arthur's coat and grabs the two bottles of wine from him.

"Not too sore from the game are you? I told you to go easy on yourself, but no, you had to be bloody Richie McCaw or Thierry Dusautoir today. Very impressive Boss man," Merlin sarcastically offers, catching Arthur trying not to wince as he removes his coat.

"Not sore at all. What on earth are you on about Merlin? If I recall correctly, you tripped over your own foot and then needed to be carried off the field after five minutes. I suspect you took your own advice to heart eh?" Arthur chuckles when he sees Merlin struggling not to make a retort as he hangs up Arthur's coat.

Arthur makes to walk down the hall but Merlin stops him and starts asking him about the Latin American company charter and whether he's had a chance to read through the additions he's made. Arthur is quite surprised Merlin is talking about it here, and answers briefly before turning to leave but he's stalled once again by Merlin and asked another question concerning the document.

Arthur's POV

What's with Merlin today? He practically pounced on me when he opened the door and then he starts talking about work at a dinner party? Something must be up with him. He rarely talks about work at work, and now he wants to talk about a contract? Must be - My phone's buzzing. (Arthur takes it out of his pocket and looks at the Message sender ID) Guinevere? I thought she was coming today. Isn't she here yet? Wait a minute, why does the message say 'Call me bk nw pls but dn't tell M ur talkn 2 me'? Hmm…that's odd. I hope she's ok. At least it gives me an excuse to get away from Merlin who suddenly seems fascinated in Argentinean wool factories.

Merlin is still going on about the contract when Arthur holds up his phone, waving it in front of Merlin's face and, adopting an apologetic tone says, "Merlin, could you please excuse me for five minutes, I have to make a call outside. Be back soon". He opens the front door and goes back out, closing the door behind him.

Merlin sighs and starts walking back towards the kitchen to face Morgana and Co. He has tried his best to stall Arthur for as long as possible when he arrives so Morgana and Elena can explain to Gwen what they're trying to do.

He has a gut feeling (which he wisely did not share with Morgana) that their plan may not work out too well – he knows both Arthur and Gwen well enough to imagine what all of their bizarre meetings must have been like. Fireworks… (Only bigger, more hazardous, and not as pretty or heartwarming as anything from a Katy Perry video clip). The worst thing was, Morgana had asked him to refrain from having any alcohol today since they needed to be "on their toes", whatever that meant. As he reenters the kitchen, Merlin resolves that perhaps, if things go south this evening, he can just sneak some vodka into his Sprite while Morgs is busy putting out the fires. Now that is a good plan, he thinks, silently thanking Gwaine for the tip who'd also suggested that, if she found him out, to say it was an aide for his rugby injury.

Outside Morgana's front door….

Arthur hits the speed dial button and tries to ignore the fact that he's pleasantly surprised when Gwen answers on the first ring.

"Guin-", he is cut off as Gwen quickly shushes him on the phone. Her voice sounds muffled.

"Sssh! Sorry…Arthur…I didn't mean to be rude. Did you manage to get away from Merlin?"

"Uh…yes. Guinevere, is everything alright? You sound like you're in a closet. Or the boot of a car…Make sure you kick out the tail lights to get your bearings ok? "

Arthur's tone is teasing now and they both laugh, although he observes that she does so very quietly, so he asks her again if everything is ok.

"Yes. No. Yes. (Exasperated sigh), please, just listen to me ok?

"Okay. I'm listening."

Thank you for reading, please keep those reviews coming. Chapter 10 up next; the plot thickens…