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. In this one there's different kinds of reports (written ones, verbal ones, convo type ones, you name it ones), lamb roast (num num..), a teeny tiny bit of Merlin as well thrown in for good measure - since where would that show be if that boy wasn't as smart, nosey and as cool as he is? :)

AN: Italics denote POV and Real Time is in normal font so I hope it doesn't get too confusing. I am so sorry for the delay - RL is totally in my face right now so i was a bit slow with this update but please forgive me faithful readers. Thank you all for the alerts, favourites and reviews - they're much appreciated...Hope you all enjoy the update! :)

Disclaimer: Which i haven't done in a while - my bad. Obviously i don't own Merlin or the characters, but if i did i would have re-written most of S4. Shar I totally agree with you and whitecrossgirl on a number of issues!

Chapter 31: The One With Different Reports

Gaius is tired. He can feel a slight crick in the back of his neck and rubbing his eyes with one hand, he sifts through Merlin's nowhere near tidy pile of notes for the tenth time. Sighing in mild annoyance at not finding the document he needs, he picks up his office phone to call him, determined to find the file and hopes that Merlin hasn't already left even though it's well after work hours.

"Hi Gaius. Is everything alright?" Merlin asks when he finally answers and Gaius struggles to keep the irritation out of his voice, reminding himself that he's glad the younger man hadn't already left the headquarters.

"No, not really. I have just spent ten minutes looking through all your messy papers for the final contracts that I need to present to the Board. Where is the file that you sounded sure was in your papers two hours ago?"

"Uh….Oops…" Gaius closes his eyes and slowly counts to five before answering.

"Merlin…That is not an answer I want to hear. In ten minutes I would like for you to be standing in front of me with said folder. If not, I will be late to the special dinner that Alice has prepared and then tomorrow you will have to face me because I will have faced the wrath of my wife for being late. Understand?"

He is answered with uncomfortable silence and Gaius can almost picture the look of guilt on Merlin's usually easy going features.

"Yes, absolutely. Sorry Gaius. I left it with Marilyn to bind it a couple of hours ago and got swamped with some other stuff and forgot. I will be with you in ten."

Gaius smiles and replies somewhat kinder, "Thank you Merlin".

Marilyn is not at her desk, although her bag and coat are still there, and there is no sign of the document anywhere on her desk. Merlin checks the kitchenette, copy room, then knocks on the rest room doors, and is just about to call her cell phone to find out where she is when he hears voices speaking low, coming from the dark conference room around the corner. He walks over to the door and finding it ajar, makes to push it open to turn on the light when he hears the quiet voices again.

"…And you're certain that these are the final ones ready for Board approval tomorrow?" Merlin freezes and he frowns. He knows that deep, slimy toad like voice anywhere! What is Agravaine doing down here this late talking to someone in their conference room? In the dark? Any feelings of guilt Merlin might have had about eavesdropping go out the window and he stands as quietly as he can.

"Yes… Merlin wanted it bound before he delivered it to Gaius. He's the one presenting it tomorrow", a woman replies quietly.

Marilyn? Merlin frowns and moves closer to the door to hear better.

"Good…Good. I must say Marilyn…You are much better at this 'helping' gig than you first perceived", Agravaine's tone is contemptuous.

"You know why I am doing this! You blackmailed me! What did you do with those documents anyway? Gaius and Merlin will know if you change something! They won't let you get away with it!" Marilyn whispers louder but her tone suggests she is angry with him. Or herself. Merlin hopes the conversation won't end yet.

"Marilyn my dear, let's not kid ourselves. Do you honestly think I would have bothered with you if I didn't know how weak you are? How exactly do you think those two meddling lawyers would know hmm? Who will tell them that anything is amiss? You? Ha ha ha…Alright then, be my guest. Go to Merlin, or Gaius. No, better yet, why don't you tell your boss - the lovely, idealistic, young Pendragon about all the things I have had you acquire for me these past few months? Oh but…I suppose if you did that, he would ask how that would have been possible and then you'd have to tell him your part to play and why you've done this. No one else knows about our meetings, nor are there any records of it. I will simply deny any involvement of the sort and you will be jobless, and so will poor Maxwell – with his dying wife and her expensive bills to pay for…" Agravaine pauses and lets out a dramatic sigh.

"Oh dear…It must be terrible to be in love with someone who you are so close to having, but yet so far away because of everything at stake…"

"You are a despicable man! Why are you doing this?" she lets out hotly. Merlin can't see her face, but it sounds to him like she's crying.

Agravaine lets out a low cackle and Merlin feels his skin crawl.

"It's just business my dear. You may go now. Thank you."

Hearing that last sentence, Merlin bolts as quickly as he can and runs back to his office. He paces around the room for a couple of minutes, trying to digest what he's just heard. He knows Agravaine's up to something, but what exactly? And why?

He waits for about ten minutes before he's sure that Agravaine has left their floor before casually making his way over to Marilyn's desk. She is hastily packing up to leave when he arrives.

"Marilyn? I need to grab the contracts document from you please. Gaius is waiting on it." Marilyn nods, not once looking up at Merlin, and picks up the folder, handing it to him.

"Are you okay? You look a bit pale..." Merlin knows he's fishing but he might get a bite.

She shrugs and fixes a slight smile on her face as she looks up at him finally, bag in hand.

"I'm fine thank you love. Just a bit of a migraine from all the coffee I think".

Merlin studies her face for a moment and doesn't miss the way her eyes shift from his back to her desk quickly. He nods and smiles at her.

"Right well good night then".

"Good night", she replies hurrying past him towards the elevator.

Merlin watches her for a moment before following to make his way to see Gaius. He knows that Alice will be annoyed that her husband is late to dinner and that Gaius will blame him in turn.

This time though, he has a pretty good excuse.

The following day at the Board meeting…

"…Which leads us to the next item on the agenda which we've all been looking forward to. Gaius will be taking us through the final document before the Board makes a final decision on the merger. Gaius?" Agravaine pauses and smiles graciously in Gaius' direction. The older man looks up and adopts an apologetic tone, glancing around the vast table at the directors.

"Yes Sir. As I advised in the official memo I sent out earlier this morning, I regret to inform you all that due to some slight technical issues that need to be corrected by the legal department, I made the executive decision to withhold the document for a little bit longer. Until we have corrected the errors and it is properly vetted again, only then will I approve it and we can bring it up here to you –"

Agravaine cuts him off with barely concealed patience, not noticing how Gaius and Merlin are watching him very closely across the table.

"Yes, we all received the memo Gaius and I have to say I am very disappointed in the legal division for the delays and most likely exaggeration of something that can be easily ratified. You are well aware of the clause contained in the merger contract details that state the grace period for companies to put in their bids? You are cutting it rather fine with this incompetence from your department. Arthur, I strongly suggest you try and resolve this hiccup with Gaius today and–"

Arthur clears his throat loudly, cutting into his uncle's tirade, who suddenly stops, as if he remembers where he is.

"Sir? If I may? I have also received the legal department's memo stating their reasoning and I do not find it the issue to be in excess of what is normal standard legal procedure for PI. Given the fact that this merger is something that is still fairly contentious, and will be putting the company at considerable risk I believe it to be in our best interests to ensure that the contracts are air tight and if Gaius says so, and then we must give him and his team the benefit of the doubt".

Merlin looks at his friend in surprise. This is more like the Arthur he knows; sensible, logical, and thinking on his own two feet instead of two feet and a snake's tail. Arthur catches the look on Merlin's face and nods slightly in his direction before looking back at the Acting CEO.

Agravaine takes a moment before speaking and sneaks a look at Gaius and Merlin who look back at him in all innocence. As he looks at Gaius sitting across from him in all his self righteous fake innocence glory and then the wheels in his mind begin to turn and a new smirk appears on his face as he steers the meeting to another topic.

Gwen runs to catch the bus before it leaves her stop. She doesn't want to be late to meet Morgana and Ellie for a much needed Friday girl's night out.

Gwen's POV

So I've been teaching and mentoring at the Camelot Central Learning Centre for almost a month now and love my new job. In between working full time, volunteering twice a week at St. Catherine's with the children's ward activity room, by some small miracle I can still finds time to meet up with my friends and Arthur of course. It's been a bit of a struggle, since we're both really busy but yeah, we make it work. Merlin and Arthur are…Well, they had a disagreement – Merlin didn't want to talk too much about it but he did say he and Gaius tried to talk to Arthur about proposed activities that Agravaine has convinced Arthur to agree to and he and Arthur didn't exactly see eye to eye…Okay so in normal speak, that means there was probably some shouting and anger thrown into that mix but they seem to have worked that issue out, well that's what Merlin said – that its "sorted"…Mostly. I say mostly because I know Merlin and I know Arthur too – they are okay work wise but friends wise? Who can say? Being guys, they don't 'talk about feelings' and all that so it's kind of like done and dusted but I suggest to Merlin that he should talk it over with Arthur again.

I know he said he's fine but…I feel like he's under a lot more pressure than usual at work and he's not really talking to anyone. Gwen, stop being a snooping Sally…Yeah I know but he's my boyfriend…Ha ha, yep I used the 'B' word…And cue blushing. For Pete's sake, I am not fifteen anymore but honestly just thinking about being with him makes me feel like a schoolgirl all over again! Sigh...I care about him. You do more than care about him…Yes, I do…I don't know if I am ready to tell him that yet though. Why not? I….I'm not sure…Yes you are. Crap! This is why I hate having conversations with myself! I can't explain away stuff!

The ladies are waiting for their dessert and coffee when Morgana mentions that Merlin, Leon, and Elyan are having a drink at their local pub watching a football game together and laughing they discuss what early hour of the morning all of them will decide to stumble home.

"Merlin said he told Arthur to join them but he said he couldn't 'cos of some do his uncle asked him to attend", Morgana says.

"Yeah, it's the opening for an international business forum being held in the city. PI is the host organisation this year so I think Arthur has to give a speech and mingle with delegates and all that", Gwen answers before she takes a sip of her water. Putting down her glass she sees Elena and Morgana exchanging a quick look.

"What? Morgs? Ellie?..." she enquires, looking at her two girlfriends.

Elena leans closer.

"So…The last time we spoke about you guys and your…um, confusing but not really relationship status, you said you were together but now you're not…? Sorry, refresh our memories again", she says.

Gwen sighs and sits back in her chair, then waits for the waiter to serve their tiramisu before she speaks again.

"Ellie we are together, it's just the company is taking all of his time now what with his father being on leave, and his uncle and all the new things he's introduced. Arthur is trying his best to keep on top of things so we do things…just not as regular as we'd like to. I've just started my new job, and it's pretty full on too. We work around all of that stuff but…it's worth it. He's worth it…" her voice trails off and she colours in embarrassment as her girlfriends do a chorus of "Awwww!"

"Okay but…are you official official? Or is this just still the 'immediate circle' type deal?" Elena asks quietly. Gwen sighs and nods slightly.

"For now yes. He uh…Well he hasn't told his dad yet. So it's really only all of you guys – plus Gaius and Alice who know. You know his relationship with his father isn't the best, and they don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. You heard about the fight they got into that time I was waiting at a PI work thing – and we weren't even together at that point! Not only that, it's the media and their need to have Arthur Pendragon in their magazines doing stuff that people can read about. I am not a supermodel or an heiress but that wouldn't stop them from writing things that might be negative. He was really worried that they would do that though…Stop looking at me like that Morgs! Why all the questions guys? I thought you were both happy for me? I feel a little bit like I'm being interrogated here." Gwen half laughs then takes a bite of her dessert.

Morgana looks thoughtful.

"Riiight…We get the busy thing. The commitments and all that, but what's with the secrecy? He should just bite the bullet and talk to the Dragon already!"

"Morgana!" Elena admonishes quietly but Gwen smiles faintly.

"What?" I am just saying out loud what everyone's thinking and to be honest Gwennie, we did all kinda group chat about it last week. It certainly seems like no one save Arthur is too thrilled about how Agravaine's running the place. Merlin doesn't talk much about the details at his work but I do know that he, Gaius and the others are worried that Arthur is being influenced too much by his uncle. I mean, don't you two ever talk about it? How he feels about stuff going on at work?"

Gwen shrugs, "Yes, but not talk talk you know? It's been a bit difficult for him Morgana. His father brings in his uncle (who was never really around) to run the place instead of Arthur, and while I do think it's great he's spending time with the only other close relative he has in the world, I would be lying if I didn't admit that there is a little part of me that wishes Arthur could listen to Gaius, Merlin and the others – or stop for a minute and approach stuff like he used to. I know he and Merlin had a heated discussion a couple of weeks ago but they both tell me that it's all good now but…Anyway, he will tell Uther. In fact, I think he said this weekend he was going to go down there and visit his father. He will probably have a cow but Arthur said he needs to know. Also, it seems a bit dishonest, in a weird way, like we're sneaking around behind his father's back or something! A bit funny since we're both adults and we all know what Arthur's past record has been like but I would like him to tell Uther too. He is still his father and its better he finds out from him than from some gossip column in a tabloid."

"It's ok Gwen, we aren't saying Arthur's a bad guy or anything and yeah, you're right, of course it sucks. The whole father/son dynamic. I mean, the guy can write a self help guide on dysfunctional father son relationships and talk it up with Ellen with the best of them! Still…Gwen we just don't want to see you get hurt. You guys have obviously sussed it out and you're happy with whatever arrangement you've got going on – fine. Just…Just don't let him fob you off ok?" Morgana waves her spoon in front of Gwen's face and she smiles and nods at her friends.

"I won't. Promise. And thank you guys….For caring", she reaches out both her hands to touch both Elena and Morgana's arms.

"Good. 'Cos if he does do something to you, his next news item will appear in the Obituary section of the newspaper!" Morgana states, swiping a piece of Gwen's dessert from her plate.

They all laugh and then Elena changes the subject. Gwen half listens to her and Morgana talking about why Rachel Berry is one of the most annoying characters in television history still thinking about everything they've just talked about.

Arthur brings his car to a stop in the expansive driveway at Pendragon Estate, taking note of the black Mercedes parked there also. Redford the butler is already standing at the doors to welcome him in as he makes his way into the house, informing him that his uncle Agravaine is also here. Arthur raises his eyebrows slightly and Redford replies that he has been coming to see his father every weekend.

Arthur's POV

I'm still not sure I should even be here. I don't want to upset Father like last time when he said I shouldn't worry and get back to work instead, but I just want to see him again and check he's okay…He didn't sound too pleased that I was coming down though…When I rang earlier he said not to bother because he was going out later today but it doesn't matter, I'm here now. I guess it's normal that uncle Agravaine would come down regularly to visit and keep him informed about work but…Say it. Well, when I asked him the other day if my father had ever told him anything about his break, he just shook his head and said he didn't know any more than I did. Maybe I'm channeling Merlin or something and reading too much into something but…Well I figured since we've been spending time together out of work and building up a better relationship that he might've mentioned he'd been coming to see father regularly. Arthur stop it. Yeah…I guess. Speaking of Merlin…He's been a bit distant. I guess after the discussion we had about my uncle it's been a bit uncomfortable. You should talk to him. Well he should know his place. Okay…What is that supposed to mean? Please don't talk in riddles. No riddles, just plain common sense. You don't have to agree on everything all the time, but he is your friend and one should never leave things like this too long. Great, now my subconscious sounds like Guinevere! Can't help it. She gets into your brain, and have you seen the way she kisses? Hey! Sorry mate, mind was in the gutter for half a mo there. But seriously, you need to at least pay attention to what your friends – all of whom are very astute, intelligent people who also want the best for the company are saying. Right. Thank you. Anything else you want to tell me to do? Nope. No point when you're being your usual stubborn, uptight self. I heard that. Good!

Arthur knocks on the study doors and enters to find Agravaine and Uther sitting facing each other on the easy chairs. There seems to be an uneasy silence in the air and both men turn to greet Arthur with a sort of forced happiness.

"Arthur! What a surprise..." his father stands up rather slowly (and tiredly), Arthur notes. He frowns slightly and continues to watch his father as he moves towards him to shake his hand. Agravaine also gets up and walks to stand next to him, patting him on the shoulder with a kind smile.

"Father, it's good to see you. I know you said I shouldn't bother myself coming all the way down here but I had a free weekend so I thought we could play some golf or…" his voice trails off as he notices the careful (and almost painful) way his father sits back down on his chair and he moves closer to sit near him.

"Are you…Are you well? I mean…I know you said you were taking a break because the doctors said you should but…well I was just wondering if you were okay?" Arthur knows his words are coming out all funny and nervous like and he wishes he had practiced saying them more before spilling them out. He sees a normal Uther like grimace as he turns sharply to stare at his son, shaking his head.

"Oh you know the expression; as one gets older, they move a bit slower. The cold mornings have been stirring up my old knee problem again. I've even had to cancel the last few rounds of golf planned with Olaf for two weeks now. Nothing at all to worry about, I just need a rest".

Arthur nods hesitantly, wanting to press further but then Agravaine clears his throat and moves towards the doors.

"Well I'd better get going if I am to beat the lunchtime rush back to the city. Thank you though, for the offer to stay for lunch, but as I said, duty calls. Take care Uther. Arthur? See you on Monday".

Uther stares at his brother in law and nods slowly as Agravaine bows slightly and leaves them.

"I hope you will stay and have some lunch with me. Mrs. Potts informed me that she has prepared a lovely lamb roast", his father offers as he gets up and moves to the already open door, ready to leave.

Arthur nods, "Thanks, I would love to. I would like to talk to you about what's been happening at PI…maybe, get your opinion on several things…and I uh…I wanted to talk to you about something else too."

Uther turns to his son and nods briefly as he leads the way out of the room towards the dining room.

"Very good. I would like to talk to you about PI too".

Six hours later…

Arthur sits on his sofa holding a tumbler of scotch in one hand and an open file in the other. He stares at the drink for half a second before downing the contents in one go. His phone buzzes and he glances down at the message sender, groaning inwardly. He doesn't really want to talk to anyone, least of all Merlin right now. He considers ignoring it, and then curiosity gets the better of him so he checks it.

Message From: MEmrys

Message: Need to talk to you re: work and possible risk matters. Where are you? You can't still be at Pendragon Estate – you said you'd be back before night fall. Why aren't you answering your ph/msgs/emails? Call me!

Arthur's POV

Loads of sighing now, complete with shaking of head. It's bloody Sunday evening! Knowing Merlin it will probably be something quite trivial. Things haven't been the same between us for a couple of weeks now, not since I had that talk with him about keeping in line. I feel like him and Gaius are being more cautious around me these days…Maybe I was too harsh…Maybe not. I mean, Uncle Agravaine reminded me that this company is my legacy and that to be a good leader sometimes you have to play hard ball. I guess that's true but…it shouldn't make you feel like shit afterwards right? Stop it Arthur! Grow a pair…Anyway; I can't deal with Merlin's melodrama right now. I have bigger crap on my plate to worry about. I should be reading this report but after the conversation we had at lunch earlier today how the hell am I supposed to concentrate? Is it wrong to feel relieved that Gwen called earlier and asked if we could hang out tomorrow evening instead because she promised a colleague she would help her move today. Coward. I am not. Okay, then you're just a really scared person right now. I will tell him. I will…

Earlier that day at lunch…

Lunch had began quite pleasant as father and son talked about general matters within PI and then the estate repairs, and Uther even spoke briefly about the lower garden, which had been left alone since his wife had passed away almost thirty years ago. Surprisingly it was the only part of the grounds which he had instructed would be kept exactly like it was. Arthur said little, just enjoying the good food, and the opportunity to see his father more relaxed. Of course, as is the case with most of their 'quality' family time activities, it was to be short lived.

Clearing his throat again, Uther puts down his knife and fork.

"Arthur…As you know, I appointed your uncle to be my stand in for some months now, and...Well I will be extending my leave a bit longer so I have already advised him, through legal counsel that he will remain on a bit longer. I realised that…there were a few things I wanted to do and I haven't had enough time to do that and the estate has been falling apart for so long now. I trust that this is satisfactory with you, given how things have been going fairly smoothly since he's come in to assist you and-"

"Father? Sorry to interrupt but…is everything really okay with you? I know you said you were told by the doctors to relax but I just need to know? I can help you, you know that right?" Arthur blurts out, his head working in overdrive over the latest announcement.

Arthur's POV

He's extending his leave? Huh? Why? You need to tell him! Tell him that you can do it! That you can take on the reigns. That there are things that you have noticed Agravaine doing that you want to talk to him about. Go on, you can do it.

Uther frowns and waves his hand dismissively.

"Arthur, I already told you. I am fine. I just need to rest and it's what I want too. I am…enjoying it. Please drop that subject. It is not up for further discussion. Now on to PI matters. I feel that-"

"Father…As much as I have enjoyed and benefitted from having Uncle Agravaine around to guide me and the company as you take time out, I believe that I am more than capable of taking over from you for a while – until you return. Not that I am ungrateful but, I believe that I have started something and I would like to build upon that. Agravaine has done a lot of good things, but there are several things I would like to discuss with you…It is regarding the latest merger with the Pelican Investment Bank Group which he pushed for and I have to say there was a lot of opposition from several directors on the matter so-"

Uther raises his hand to stop his son's speech and gives him a hard look.

"Arthur…I thought as much that you would bring up the subject of leadership again. Agravaine has mentioned that you have been nothing short of exceptional in your work whilst I have been away and I am grateful to him and to you as you hold the fort, however, as I have stated to you before, I do not believe you are ready for the reigns just yet. No, don't give me that look – I will explain. Secondly, Agravaine has also raised some matters with me that I am quite surprised to hear, however, I suppose in business sometimes these things happen and this is what I meant by you needing to have a thick skin." He pauses as he takes a sip of his water.

Arthur is confused and asks him what matters Agravaine raised.

"I am well aware of how some of the directors have been opposed to Agravaine since he arrived and have made it clear in how they conduct themselves in their work. Differences in management styles and how people deal with them happens in every company but what I do not want to hear is how some senior staff are trying to undermine the Acting CEO's decisions. That is something that I will not tolerate at my company and frankly Arthur it is something you should have been on top of."

Arthur frowns, "What exactly are these senior staff members doing to undermine Agravaine's authority Father? How is it that this has become an issue when he has never communicated this to me?"

Uther shakes his head and his tone is harder now," You cannot be that blind not to know that it comes from your staff, your colleagues who you insist on calling friends. The latest fiasco was Gaius intentionally stalling the merger contract from being passed by the Board. What the hell was that all about?"

Arthur leans back and takes his time answering, "Yes, there have been some mutterings of how people wonder about Uncle's business tactics and what not, and yes, there are several decisions he has made that I did feel were made in…haste and this merger is a serious thing Father, we cannot be seen to be rushing into things without the –"

"Arthur that is what being a forefront runner in the business world is all about – calculated risks! You said that Agravaine is a good mentor, hasn't he told you this by now?"

"Yes Father, but calculated means smart, and it also means precautionary measures! I believe that Gaius and Merlin acted in the best interests of the company by wanting more time to go through the final contract again. Imagine if something had happened and we had lost out? Think of the shareholders and the-"

Arthur is cut off by his father's raised voice, pointing a finger sternly at him.

"Here we go again! Bleeding heart soap box antics! Arthur…you seriously wonder why I can't allow you to run the company right now? Listen to yourself. I thought we were grooming you to be a serious leader, not someone who continues to surround himself with people who can walk all over him! You can't seem to discipline anyone appropriately because they are your friends! Your uncle was sitting in my study not two hours ago telling me how much you've matured and how you've really become your own man and under his guidance you are going to make PI proud, in time. Of course, he didn't want to tell me about all the insubordination, I had to force it out of him. He really is trying his best and this is how you repay him for all the good things he is doing for the company? You second guess him? Just like you do with me at every bloody turn! Why do you do that? Why can't you just be –"

"What? Be like what? Like you? Like him? I don't know Father, because I am a different person. Maybe I am more like my mother – did she care about other people and think things through or-"

Uther slams down his water glass on the oak table, startling Arthur.

"Do not bring your mother into this! You are in my house and you're sitting there talking about a company that has been in this family for many centuries and you act so blasé about it. How dare you?"

Arthur runs his hands through his blonde hair, wishing he had never come here today.

"Father…I don't want to argue. I don't really get why you are so angry right now. Look I am just trying to be the best leader, son, and person I can be. Just because I don't always agree with you does not mean I am wrong does it? I just want you to be able to trust me enough to give me a chance to prove to you I can do this – with or without you and Uncle Agravaine. That's all Father", He finishes talking and takes a drink of his water, watching his father out of the corner of his eye and he struggles to calm himself down.

"Son…I don't want to argue either. I just…I just regret that there are so many things that you are not ready to take on yet – and that includes the company. No, it's all settled. Agravaine will remain there for a while yet. He is also going to be my power of attorney", he pauses when he sees Arthur's brow furrow.

"He is well aware of the family interests so he is the best person to act for me, with assistance from Gaius of course – if he wishes to keep Gaius on at the company what with-"

"Why wouldn't he keep Gaius on? He hasn't done anything wrong. Father…Gaius has been you trusted advisor for almost thirty years. I told you what happened in the board room that day. I will have a quiet word with the staff again regarding their attitudes towards Agravaine, but there is no need for anyone to leave the company", Arthur's tone is firm and unflinching.

As Uther listens to his son speak with the stubborn tic in his jaw working in overtime, he thinks to himself that his son really is more like him than he realizes when he speaks like that.

Uther has no choice but to nod slightly and then noticing how tense the atmosphere is now, he changes his tone.

"Son…Believe me when I say, you will one day lead this company, but I fear you still have a long way to go. I feel that you are too emotional when it comes to the hard decisions especially when it concerns people you are close to, but I wouldn't be steering you in the right direction if I didn't raise these issues with you. Can you at least see where I am coming from?"

Arthur takes a deep breath and swallows down the lump that came out of nowhere in the back of his throat. He shrugs and wipes his mouth with his napkin. Looking at his father across the table, he notes the deep circles under his eyes and the way his hands are shaking ever so slightly.

"Good".

Uther sounds relieved more than satisfied and also wipes his mouth on his napkin before reaching for his coffee cup.

"Now, was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?" he asks looking over at his son.

Arthur bites his lip, opens his mouth to speak and then plastering a forced smile on his face, he shakes his head.

"Um, no, I mean, it can wait", he replies quietly instead.

Arthur's POV

What are you doing? What happened to being firm? What happened to telling him about you and Gwen? Not now! Why not? Because!'Because'? Seriously? What are you te? You should have told him. I will but…I can't now. It's not the right time and he will get upset again. We just had a really intense conversation about the company and all the stuff that's been going on. Plus I know he's lying to me – about his leave. I am going to get to the bottom of it. Also, what was all that about Gaius, Merlin and the others? Are they really affecting me and how I run the company? Stop changing the subject! I'm not! Yes you are! You should've told him! I will! When? Soon. Good luck explaining it to Gwen. What was that? Nothing! Great…She's not gonna be happy with me. Hah! You think? Oh shut up!

The proposed meeting place is a pub is in the lower part of the city, which Agravaine thinks is a fitting location for such an establishment. Looking around at the punters he can't help thinking it should be featured in "The top ten pubs in Camelot City for criminal elements to frequent", if there was such a guide book.

He hurriedly makes his way to a booth in the far corner, thankful the lighting is so dim so that he cannot possibly be recognized. He watches as the person he is here to meet slides into the bench across from him, still wearing their jacket.

"Well well well Mr. Agravaine Du Bois. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure? I admit your cryptic phone call got me somewhat intrigued", his guest drawls.

Agravaine grimaces and then fixes a smile on his face.

"Let's just say, I know that you might be interested in some possible information that I have recently acquired. It's the type of thing your kind like", he states matter-of-factly.

His guest adopts a bored look, and shrugs, leaning back in the booth.

"Hmmpff! And what exactly is this possible information that 'my kind' like Mr. Du Bois? We get a lot of 'information', most of which usually ends up being used in the bog if you catch my drift".

Agravaine knows a bluff when he sees one, smirking he leans closer over the table top, careful not to touch the possibly contaminated surface with his hands.

"The kind that involves the young and successful Arthur Pendragon perhaps?" Agravaine teases equally casually.

He is rewarded when his guest's eyebrows rise in surprise.

"I take it you are suddenly more interested Ms. Harders?" he asks.

"Do dogs bark?" she replies with a smirk of her own.

A/N: Duhn duhn dahhh! Yep, that's me being a cornball with the foreboding muzak again ;) Yep, good ol snakeskin Aggy is pulling out all the stops now. Hands up who thinks Gwen's gonna blow a gasket when she hears that Artie's being a bit of a whimp again? Lol...Poor Artie...As always thanks for sticking around and reading guys! If you have time, i love reviews and feedback, so please drop me a line.