A/N: Haaaaapy New Year! Well it is 10.30am January 1 2014 in my part of the world and in true Pacific 'summer' season; freaking hot! Here's part 2 for your reading pleasure. Thank you those of you who've reviewed since I put up part 1 - Sherri, Guest, Guest, and Lara Smith your comments are much appreciated! As you've probably guessed, this story is almost at an end with just one more chapter to go so please bare with the storyline :) Onwards!
Chapter 44: The One With The Band (Sort of) Part II
Two seconds (or minutes) later…
Gwen freezes.
Then she turns around. Slowly.
"Arthur…How are you?" she finally asks, plastering a bright smile on her face.
Arthur's face momentarily lights up, then, he resumes his 'normal' Pendragon 'face' and nods at her politely.
Arthur's POV
Stop staring at her like she's the only person here. I can't. Yes you can. At any rate, its rude if I don't look at the person I am supposed to be talking to. Yeah but you don't trust yourself right now. Why? What can I possibly do now? Be cool. Got it…Er…Oh forget it! Just use 'the three word sentence' rule. The what? Never mind!
"Fine thank you. How have you been?" he replies, ever the gentlemen.
She nods quickly.
"Very well, thank you…"
"So…Did you just get here?" he hopes his voice doesn't sound as pathetic as the rest of him feels right now.
She is about to respond when Jake arrives, sporting a triumphant grin as he holds up a glass of red wine and a bottle of beer.
"Success!" he beams. Then stops and noticing Arthur and Mithian, gives them a friendly nod.
"Hi, I'm Mitzy", she says, shaking Jake's hand, then gestures over to Arthur who for some reason can't stop staring at Jake.
"…And this robot is Arthur", she says playfully, and then, seeing him not move. Or say a word, throws him a confused look.
Arthur shakes himself mentally and then leans in to shake Jake's hand also. Somewhat reluctantly.
"Sorry", Gwen recovers from her shock and then turns to Mithian again, "Please forgive my manners, I guess the car ride down wore me out. I'm Gwen, you've met Jake, and it's very nice to meet you Mithi- er Mitzy".
Mithian smiles and points down to Jake's drinks.
"You got lucky", she remarks with a teasing grin, "How did you get the bartender to notice you in this crowd?"
Jake laughs and shrugs.
"I used to be a bartender back in the day to pay for college so I actually asked him if I could give him a hand 'til the other lad arrived, and that's how I got to do my own order".
Mithian looks impressed.
"Very clever isn't he Arthur?"
They all watch as he takes his time answering, mechanically saying, "Yes. An absolute genius".
Silence.
"..So Jake, how do you know the bride and groom?" Mithian doesn't seem the least bit aware of the tension as she turns back to him.
Jake grins and gestures to Gwen.
"Well, I've only met Morgana once in passing when she came down to the school to organize the decorations and designs for our gala. Gwen and I work together – she's on the teaching staff and I'm the guidance counselor. This weekend I'm moonlighting as her escort".
Mithian and Jake crack up as if it's the best joke of the century and she looks at Arthur, waiting for him to say something.
His only response is to signal to the now passing waiter for a round of drinks.
Gwen looks down at her own wine glass wishing she was a better liar who could make up excuses to get out of situations like this.
Mithian throws Arthur another bemused look.
"So Jake…you and I are going to be kindred spirits at this wedding I think", Mithian says, tearing her eyes away from Arthur.
"How so?" Jake asks with interest, moving closer to where she and Gwen are standing.
"We are about to break ranks within an inner circle here this weekend. I mean, Arthur, Gwen, and their group of friends. From what I hear you all are like a modern version of Camelot's Round Table!"
Mithian and Jake laugh again and Gwen manages a small smile. When she quickly glances in Arthur's direction she takes note of the identical expression on his face.
"Not quite like the Round Table though Mitz", he mutters into his drink.
Mithian continues talking.
"...But it's fine because everyone's so nice and this is a charming location for a wedding…"
Jake nods enthusiastically and turns to Gwen.
"It sure is eh Gwennie?"
Gwen watches as Arthur's face twitches ever so slightly but for some reason, it just turns her discomfort into irritation.
Gwen's POV
Well you said you wanted to be 'fine'. This is a test. This is what happens when people move on. Bite your tongue. Smile. Breathe…Geez, does Mithian-Mitzy..Whatever! Mitzy sort of sounds like a poodle's name! Now now…look who's being slightly…what rhymes with witchy again? Oh stop it. Well if she could stop talking I could walk off with a smile on my face and down a glass of red and be done with this. Two more days…You can do this…Goodness is she still harping on about the floral arrangements? Sheesh…Behave! What's his problem anyway? Who? Jake? No! Arthur bloody Pendragon! He seems weird…Why? I don't know. What an eejit.
Gwen attempts to smile and nod in all the right places during the mostly one sided conversation, trying not to look in Arthur's general direction, or give way to the annoyance that Jake is genuinely interested in everything Mithian has to say and seems to be in no hurry to move away either.
"…Gwen your friend Morgana has such wonderful taste and her firm is top class, I've already asked if she can personally handle the decorations for our new office space downtown".
Jake agrees and they carry on talking about Asian artwork while the two of them stand there. Quietly re: uncomfortably.
Gwen's POV
He…He has no right to get..Whatever it is he is getting right now. Ooh you think he's jealous of Jake?! I don't know and I don't care. Really? Yes. I don't care! Right. I don't! We're done. Finished. He brought someone else here! So did you! Yeah, but were not together. So how do you know what's up with him and Mithian? Oh please! Your ex brings a model(well she's not only a model but a top scholar who also runs a successful global company) to your friends' wedding – a weekend wedding! What do you think?! I think…jumping to conclusions about someone you no longer 'care' about is a bit OTT. Especially for you! Why not?! Why can't I have irrational thoughts too?! A lot of people get to. Yeah, and lots of people do prescription Valium too, are you going to jump on that bandwagon as well?! That is not the same thing! Fine. Be mad. Be whatever, but don't let it ruin your weekend. Your best friends are getting married. You want to be there for them. Walk away. Now.
"Well, it was lovely to meet you. Arthur…Our speech is all set for tomorrow. I wanted to introduce Jake to Alice and Gaius before they leave for the evening so please excuse us MItzy? We'll see you tomorrow. Bye", Gwen smiles apologetically at her and with Jake finally getting the hint, they leave.
Mithian doesn't miss the way Arthur's trying not to look like he's watching Gwen, standing not too far away in the light blue cocktail dress talking to other people, her dark eyes dancing as she laughs, and her long, curly hair lifting in the light, afternoon breeze.
"Arthur…?" she turns to him.
He finally looks at her.
"So that's Guinevere? Wow…" Mithian signals to a passing waiter and grabs another glass of wine and Arthur reaches out for a bottle of sparkling water.
"Wow what?" he asks her, wishing he had just changed the subject. That he wasn't here. That Guinevere didn't look like the most beautiful in the world standing three metres away from him. That he didn't care so much that he wasn't standing there next to her right now. That she wasn't wearing her favourite white ginger lily scent. That he didn't sound snappish to Mithian right now. And that she wasn't here with some dreadlocked guy with abs who she saw every day at work and was allowed to call her Gwennie.
He presses a hand to his temples. All the overthinking is starting to make him dizzy.
"Arthur…Its okay…And as much as I like you, I don't want to hang around waiting for someone who is not ready. Or still in love with someone else", she says quietly.
He sighs and looks contritely at her.
"I'm sorry…I really am Mithian…This is just not…not going to happen…And it's not because of you, it's just..I need time to figure out stuff…on my own. And how to..fix things…Things which I don't know can ever be fixed again…"
He looks over to see Gwen, Lancelot, and Gwaine standing there. She's laughing at something Jake has said…
Mithian shrugs and then smiles sympathetically.
"I don't know what happened between you two but I don't think things are as 'over' as you think…"
Arthur looks at her incredulously.
"You must've seen something different then. Mithian, I was kind of a huge ass to her. She probably equates me with something less than mosquito larvae these days", he quips, sadly.
She smiles kindly at him and shakes her head.
"Maybe…Maybe not. But you won't know the real answer unless you ask. And I may have just met her but, judging from what I just saw now, I sure hope that one day I will be able to find someone who can care for me as much as she clearly still does for you".
Arthur opens his mouth to disagree but then simply smiles, "You're a lovely woman Mithian. I know you will", he says sincerely.
She smiles, and kisses him lightly on the cheek then steps back and away from him, "I hope so. Talk to her Arthur", she squeezes his arm again before taking her drink and walking over to where Jake and Percival are perched on garden chairs.
Gwen turns and out of the corner of her eye, sees Mithian kissing Arthur before walking off and as much as she tries not to, suddenly feels like bursting into tears.
Which would be ridiculous, because she is no longer with Arthur. And it's none of her business. Forcing herself to listen to the conversation going on around her, she tunes them out.
An hour later, across the garden, Arthur and Merlin are having a beer together and trying not to acknowledge the elephant in the room.
"You all set?" Arthur asks him.
Merlin nods.
"As much as one can be".
He takes a drink, and then studies his friend, pretending to be all casual as he sips his own beer.
"You okay?" Merlin asks.
Arthur gives him a look, then snorts.
"What?"
"It's your wedding tomorrow and you're asking me if I'm okay?!"
"Well…it's just that..you know. This is the first time you've both seen each other since you ended things and yeah, I would be lying if I didn't say we were all a bit worried that you'd be..I dunno…upset. Acting strangely…Being more of a prat than usual..Being a jealous prick since Jake is actually a pretty decent guy who can probably out bench press you and-"
"Yeah alright, I get the picture. None of the above okay? Actually…it was all very…civil. And we both came here with other people.."
"Mmm and I notice Mithian's gone AWOL now and so's Jake. Well, he's actually staying in the village with some friends of his, and he's just coming to the wedding tomorrow…Oh look, there's the lovely Ms. Ross now…"
They both look over at Mithian, whose chatting animatedly with Jake about something. They look quite at ease with each other.
Merlin bites his lip to stop himself from laughing as he watches Arthur's expression change from forced laid back to surprise. And then something else; possibly glee which he quickly rearranges into his normal poker look.
"Look, if it's any consolation, they're not together…He's the school guidance counselor-"
"I know that. A local reenact of Season 1 of Glee", Arthur mutters quietly as he tugs on his beer.
Arthur's POV
Sure sure…You can't fool me. You're doing back flips inside though. Rubbish. I haven't been able to do a back flip since age 8. Yeah, but this is good news Arthur. How is this good news?! She's clearly moving on. No you…! Sigh…I feel a migraine coming on…Oh sod off! I only had two beers. No…it's a migraine brought on by 'late bus' candidates..Don't be nasty. Then don't be so daft.
"Ah, he's not so bad Artie. No, what I was saying before you so nicely cut in was, if I didn't know better, I'd say nothing's going with you and Mithian so…"
Arthur shakes his head, and then takes a big gulp of his beer.
"Don't even go there…but yeah you're right…" he pauses, considering his options.
"Mate…I messed up big time. And I have no idea what to say…How to start to say anything that would remotely sound like an apology so-"
"So you'll do nothing? Watch her walk away? Or better yet, you'll walk away – again? Yeah, how's that strategy working out for you so far?" Merlin can't hold back the sarcastic tone.
"You just…need to figure things out Arthur. No one else can tell you how to do it. And if its meant to be, it'll work out", Merlin reasons.
Arthur says nothing, just shrugs, and then, sitting up straighter, holds his bottle out to Merlin's.
"Here's to you and Morgana. Now let's drink and be merry", he replies instead, and then sneaks a quick glance over to where Gwen is leaning against Gwaine's chair, commenting on the cocktail food.
Merlin clinks his bottle with Arthur's, then watches as his friend turns to gaze out at the ocean.
Sighing, Merlin catches Gwen watching him, and then quickly looks away again.
"Hopeless…" he mutters to himself.
The day of the wedding...
"Gwennie…? I'm ready to go…" Morgana's voice is slightly wobbly, but when she turns to look at her friend, Gwen's breath catches in her throat.
Morgana is standing in front of Gwen, in her vintage styled gown, and she looks amazing.
"Don't you dare cry!" Elena warns them both as she hovers near the door. All three of them smile and wipe away their tears before she hands them their bouquets and walks out to check whether everyone is ready for them to go down to the beach.
Elyan enters and does a double take when he spots Morgana. He is as proud as any brother could be, and he leans over to kiss her cheek.
"I love you both you know", Morgana says tearfully.
"Fiona sends her love from Dubai or wherever…but its okay. My real family is here today with me", she finishes.
Gwen nods, and dabs her friend's eyes with a tissue.
"If he hurts you I'll-"
"Break both his kneecaps!" Gwen and Morgana recite the speech they've heard from him since age eleven loudly before bursting into laughter with Elyan.
"We know El! Now, let's go so I can be Mrs. Emrys please!" Morgana shrieks with excitement, as Elena comes back into the room and they all crack up laughing again.
"It's time", she says, smiling excitedly.
Arthur's phone buzzes in his trousers pocket, ignoring Merlin's lightening glare he quickly takes it out to find a text from Gwaine – the supposed ring bearer. Grimacing, he shows it to the others who all take a quick glance at the unsuspecting groom. Who, even though looks like he's about to throw up, is standing around rather quietly.
Merlin had proudly told them all that morning while they were getting ready that he had done some meditation earlier to get prepared and that "nothing you do can make me stress out today-even you Gwaine; I am calm. I have found my centre". So far, even though the priest had gone to the wrong hotel, Percival had spilt coffee on his and Lancelot's pants, and Gwaine hadn't even been sober until five that morning, he was still repeating his mantra under his breath and no one had been strangled. Yet.
Arthur exchanges a quick word with Lancelot and Percy then leaves them and Merlin in search of Gwaine. He finds him in the car park, on all fours looking under parked cars with a worried looking Leon still dressed in his kitchen whites, having been called out by Gwaine.
Groaning in frustration, Arthur joins him on the ground and Leon leaves them to it.
"Gwaine…", his tone is warning.
His friend merely shakes his head, for once not even attempting to crack a joke.
After two minutes of searching, they find it. In the creases of Gwaine's suit. Where it was the whole time.
Arthur takes note of the ocean pier a few hundred metres from the ceremony grounds and thanks his lucky stars Merlin isn't out here to 'accidentally' push Gwaine off it. Dusting themselves off they get back to the group.
"Well?" Merlin is anxious now.
Arthur pats his arm reassuringly.
Gwaine, all recovered and back to 'Gwaine normal' now leans over and punches Merlin in the arm.
"Not too lat to back out now lad? I'll sneak ya out the backdoor…What you reckon eh?"
"I am my own circle of calm..."
"So…is now a bad time to tell you that I may have misplaced your bag this morning when you asked me to grab it from the car…Which includes your honeymoon tickets…cash…keys…Oh and your special pressie for Morgs…?" Gwaine tries again. Complete with annoying grin.
It works and the 'circle of calm' goes down the drain.
Merlin's stage whispered retort is cut off by the start of the string quartet playing the chorus strains of Landon Pigg's 'Falling in love in a Coffee Shop' as the bridal party arrive.
Arthur, glancing at his friend sees how white Merlin's turned and nudges him slightly.
"Merlin?"
"…"
"Merlin?!"
"Leave me alone! I'm trying not to hyperventilate here?! Christ…I think I need to have a lie down…"
"Relax..Do your 'circle of calm' thing.."
"Sod off!"
"Merlin?"
"…"
"Breathe you idiot!"
"Er..right! You know you're a dollop head right? But thanks…"
Arthur grins at him.
"You're welcome".
Then he stops listening – or worrying about his friend after that point because that's when Guinevere walks down the sandy path towards them.
He knows he shouldn't stare at her for too long. But he doesn't care. He cares too much. And that's why he just openly watches. She is dressed in a light lilac coloured chiffon gown that falls just below her knees. Her hair is swept up into a messy bun and she is smiling and happy…and then their eyes meet. For a millisecond. She gives him a slight nod, before turning towards the other side, where she stands with the others.
Arthur's POV
Arthur Pendragon you're a moron. The worst kind of moron. The kind that gives up on the good things. The things that make you good. Gah! 'Gah'?! What are you? Living in the 1960's?! No one says 'Gah' anymore. But they do say 'Sorry'…I can say sorry..and ask-beg. What? Beg. You have to beg for another chance. And if she says rack off, then that's that…
The rest of the ceremony goes off without a hitch, although Arthur can barely remember it, because all he can see and think about is Gwen.
Somehow he and Gwen get through their combined Best Man and Maid of Honour speech at the function. It had all been Gwen's idea two months ago to make a video collage for the speeches with film and photo clips from M&M's childhood and life with little messages and thoughts on the couple from those who know them well. It ends off with a joint message from all their friends wishing them a wonderful life together while they toast them with M&M themed wine glasses. The video speech was a hit. Both Merlin and Morgana got tearful. And, truth be told, it was a blessing in disguise in the sense that they didn't actually have to do much else together apart from introduce it, and then sit back down. Yes, at the same table, but she was down the other end with Jake I-could-run-a-healing-circle-possibly-by-removing-my-kaftan-so-you-can-all-get-some-healing-from-my-six-pack sitting next to her.
An hour or so later, he sees Gwen excuse herself and she leaves the reception room. He follows her out and spots her standing, leaning against one of the railings, admiring the view. He marches over towards her, then, as she turns towards him, he stops. Suddenly he panics. It seemed like a grand idea the time but now…
"Arthur..?" she asks, puzzled.
He walks over to where she is, gesturing out towards the ocean.
"It's a lovely spot.." he offers…Breathe Arthur. Breathe.
"Um…I was hoping we could talk about…us…and well, first of all, I wanted to say thank you for your assistance – with all the stuff at the company. I know you were able to find some information out about Agravaine that helped our case and…well, thank you Guinevere. Really…"
She nods slightly, and then looks back at him.
Expectantly.
"Guinevere I….A lot of things have happened these past few weeks…And I feel…Well the way things happened wasn't..Isn't the way I wanted them to and-"
She sighs loudly and turns away from the pier, to lean back and face him.
"Well..They have…And maybe..Maybe it's better that way", she states. Flatly.
Arthur swallows hard. Clearly she is not going to make this easy for him.
He shakes his head.
"Guinevere…I messed up. Majorly. Badly. With the company. With my friends. With you…I know now. That I was wrong. And I am sorry. I am so sorry…I wish you could know how hard it's been for me – without you..And I hope that you can find it-"
Gwen snorts and stands up straight.
"I'm sorry, I may have had a bit too much wine, did you just say you're sorry and you want me to give you a second chance?"
Arthur is momentarily confused.
"Yeeees…But I know that I hurt you and I was hoping that if you could somehow give me another ch-"
"Yes. Yes. No…"
More confusion.
"Sorry..I don't understand-"
"I accept your apology about how things ended. Yes, it hurt. It sucked. Arthur..you broke my heart that morning. Right after the media were publishing how I was nothing but a gold digging girl from the projects and other hurtful, false things! I just became background scenery in the large scheme of things in the Pendragon world. You never even called or tried to make contact after that. It was like…nothing had ever happened…But yeah okay. For my sanity. Because it's not good to hold grudges and negative stuff that will keep you down, so yes, okay – apology accepted. And Yes, I forgive you for doing it. That was how you felt. You said your piece. You were honest. You had to do what you needed to do so yeah okay – sure. But No. No – I won't give you another chance Arthur because you don't just get to come here, say you're sorry, tell me what you need and how you apparently feel and that's all done and dusted", Gwen pauses, as she struggles to keep her composure. And to keep from bursting into tears.
Arthur can feel a lump forming in the back of his throat and reaches out to touch her but she moves back from him.
"No! You don't get to go from being a devoted, caring, 'I'm in this if you are', respectful boyfriend who maybe loves me to 'I can't do this, it's too hard, let's stop' in five minutes! You don't get to treat people like that. It's like you just…change when it suits you. When things get hard, then you bail. What does that make you? And more importantly what does that say about me if I just roll over and take you back?"
Arthur shrugs helpless, then runs a hand through his hair, frustrated now. This is going downhill fast and he has no idea what to do now.
"I don't know what else you want me to say Gwen! I screwed up! I'm sorry…I know I can do better. I'm asking you to give me another opportunity. I love you…Please..Just…Give me a chance to tell you how much I want this. Want you…I just...Tell me what to say and I'll say it, just-"
Gwen shakes her head sadly as her eyes fill with tears. She stares at him for a moment, but then turns away, back to the ocean.
"Arthur…I gave you my heart…My trust..And in five minutes you threw it out the window. No second thoughts. Nothing. And even if I forgive you and accept your apology, I can't..forget that. I won't lie to you…I still have feelings for you too. But…I can't do this anymore. I deserve better. And I think you need to figure out what you really want – from life. From any other relationships you have in your life. Maybe..you weren't ready to get into a serious one, who knows? I think…like you said, that we should just…move on with our lives…Go on to do the things we're meant to do and stop forcing something that was just too hard to start off with…"
Her voice trails off as she brushes away the tears, and Arthur moves closer, touching her shoulder.
"No…Gwen, please…I just need some time to tell you how I-"
Gwen shakes her head, and then turns back to him.
She clears her throat and gives him a wistful smile, and struggling to keep her voice steady, she finishes her speech.
"We..we have common friends, and that's something that will never change. I don't want to cause inconvenience to anyone, least of all M&M, so…I will try to be as normal as possible when it's a mixed crowd, and I know you'll do the same…I'm glad we've had this talk…We needed to anyways…But..You know this is the right thing to do. For both of us…"
"So…that's it..? We're just back to being…Friends? Friends of friends?" he can barely get the words out. The lump is threatening to stop all speech.
Gwen nods and tucks a curl behind her ear.
"That's where it all started so I guess that's where it will end…Look; I've got to get back…Will you be okay?..."
Arthur can't help smiling sadly. This is Guinevere. Even though he's been the world's worst boyfriend and she's not been afraid to point that out in plain English, she still cares. And shows him more respect than he has her.
"So…I'll see you later then."
As she moves past him to walk back to the party he calls to her.
"Guinevere..?"
Half turning, she looks back at him; her dark brown eyes are soft and wet.
"I still want you to be a part of my life Guinevere…", he says gently.
She smiles sadly and bites her lip.
"It's not enough Arthur".
He watches her walk away, crying as the sea breeze blowing her crazy curls.
Arthur's POV
She's gone. I've lost her. Forever. Don't…Don't what? Don't give up. Why not? She was very honest with me. And were you? What do you mean? Well is that all you had to say to her? Yes…Why? How do you mean? Is there more? Arthur..Give it time..Give yourself time to think things through. I just want her back…Remember all those months ago when you were being a worse version of yourself-Thanks. Yeah, and you would have those thoughts of her hair and how she'd stalk away all angry like? I don't want to think about that. Why not? Because, this moment could be the final time I'll ever get to see her walk away from me again.…So this is what it feels like..What? Having your heart broken…
Two weeks later…
Gwen pushes the Art Centre doors open, struggling as the cold wind cuts around her. She had been on her way out to grab a sandwich with Jake and some other colleagues down the road when she got a message from Admin that she had a visitor waiting for her in the Art Centre. On the way over there she kept the dreaded feeling that it may be Arthur.
Gwen's POV
You don't want to see him. Yes. Yes? No…I mean, no I don't. He's left you alone and not bothered you again since that time. Yes. He was nothing but polite the other night at M&M's house, when you guys were around for a barbeque after they returned from the honeymoon. I know. He hasn't called you to beg you again. Why would he? Well…There's no need; we spoke already remember? Oh yes, that wedding 'discussion'. Golly! You two sure know how to do things the hard way…What on earth does that mean? What if it's him here today to see you? I don't know…I guess I'll just have to play it by ear and hope I don't start crying again. Geez Louise, I'm starting to feel like a darker, older, less dead version of Moaning Myrtle…Oh please, the dramatics are a bit much. Just…be honest. I can't. Why not? Because I don't know what I honestly feel right now…Oh dear. That is not Arthur Pendragon. No shit Sherlock!
"Hello…Guinevere..." the voice calls out to her.
The tall, slim, older man looking back at her has steely grey eyes instead of bright blue, but with a more than a familiar stance, and tightened jaw, so similar to that of his son's.
Gwen pauses, and then half blinks. She moves further into the room, to join Uther Pendragon as he walks around the back of the room.
"Hello…Mr. Pendragon", she finally replies.
He gives her a tentative smile, and then points to the prints on the walls.
"This is a nice space. So bright and airy. There's obviously some very talented young people that attend here. The Centre has come a long way hasn't it?" he murmurs. His voice is so quiet, Gwen knows that he is talking more to himself than her.
Not knowing what to say, or why he is here and wanted to see her, she remains silent.
Finally he turns and faces her, gesturing towards the art stools and she joins him at the table.
"I suppose you're probably wondering why I came here today to talk to you. I know I haven't been the most…cordial person towards you, or made things any easier throughout your relationship with my son Guinevere and you have every reason to despise me but, I was hoping you would be so kind as to allow me a few moments to speak to you", he pauses and Gwen nods to him to continue.
"I have been a single parent such a long time. Running a successful company isn't easy, but being a parent - there is no comparison. I wasn't…the easiest one to have, and I know now how much my son has tried his best to rise above this, and to live his life despite all of our history. Lord knows I never made it easy for him, but Arthur has this passion for life and the ability to see the good side of people, and situations by trusting his instincts and heart. He gets that from his mother…You see, I tried for so long to keep him protected. Safe in our world. The only one I knew and assumed to be what he wanted too. That was wrong of me. Arthur and I have been spending a lot of time together since everything has happened, and I have made it very clear to him that I don't want him to be like that. Not when he's got his whole life ahead of him. I was afraid that having someone like you..someone so.."
"Different?" Gwen cuts in quietly, staring at him.
Uther grimaces, then nods.
"Different in the sense that you were able to challenge him to grow and 'think outside the box' for want a better phrase. Not in a negative way, but by helping him to…be his own person. Supporting that. And Guinevere…I see that now. And that's why I wanted to come by today, to tell you in person how deeply sorry I am for how I treated you..and your relationship with Arthur".
Gwen swallows hard, and then nods slowly.
"Thank you Mr. Pendragon, I do accept your apology. And I'm happy to hear that you and Arthur are spending time together. But you don't need to worry; Arthur and I are no longer together so…"
Uther shakes his head sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that Guinevere. I knew how much you both loved each other.."
Gwen smiles tightly.
"How..how is he doing?" she can't help it.
"He's been drowning himself with work…but I know he's..still adjusting".
Silence.
"Please Guinevere, you mustn't think that I'm here to try to convince you to give him a second chance, as it's none of my business, but I will say this for my boy. In the entire time he's been alive, he's only ever had the courage to stand his ground against my controlling ways on two occasions. The first time was when he said he was taking his mother's sculpture with him to school at age 12 and that's that".
Uther smiles and stands up, moving back towards the door and Gwen gets up quickly to follow him.
"And the second time?" she is curious.
He turns and gives her a wry grin.
"The second time was about you".
Gwen shrugs slightly, confused now.
Uther puts his jacket back on and pats her shoulder.
"Thank you Guinevere. Have a nice day".
Then, leaving Gwen standing at the door staring after him in surprise, oblivious to the cold, Uther Pendgraon walks away.
Later that evening, across town at PI Headquarters…
Merlin is struggling to stay awake. He's been back almost a week and wasn't totally shocked to hear from other staff and friends that Arthur has been pretty much pulling all nighters and turning into a hermit of sorts.
He stifles another yawn and looks at his friend as he types his response to the annual audit reports. Something which is not due for another two weeks. He takes note of the rumpled clothes, the dark circles under his eyes, and the messy blonde shag that is overdue for a haircut.
He is reminded of one of those season one characters from that awful (but riveting) TV show Walking Dead. Shaking away that thought from his head, he throws a crumpled piece of paper at Arthur's head. It's enough to get his attention.
"What?"
Another paper bomb goes flying, but Arthur has great reflexes so just misses his right ear.
"What are you six? Merlin…?!"
"Oh good…You've stopped being a robot. Arthur…It's almost 9pm…On a Friday night…"
"So..?"
"So..I'd like to leave now. And go home and pass out on my sofa with my beautiful wife. And so should you. In fact, if you could possibly go to the man down the road who cuts hair that would be grand..Here's ten quid for the cut. Well either that or at least change your shirt. Or sleep for more than ten minutes of a night for once. You're starting to look like some vampire underling who died in the final installment of Twilight!"
"Merlin, if you've got something to say then please do so instead of breaking into a theatrical monologue. All that's missing from your repertoire is a dance number".
"Fine. I'm worried".
Arthur snorts, and looks back at his friend. An amused grin on his face.
"About me?"
"No, about Lewis Hamilton's move. Yes! About you."
"Why? I'm fine…Busy as a bee. Fit as a fiddle. Buff as a-"
"Stop it. Come on…This isn't like you. You're different these days…Yes, you're busy and things have been hectic after we got out of the Snake pit, and its great your dad's getting better. But you're not the same…Not since Gw-"
Arthur raises a hand up, as if to stop him.
"Don't-"
"Since Gwen and –"
"Merlin…"
"No! Hear me out! You need to get over it. Or do something to move on. You can't go on like this. Walking around like everything's fine when we can all see that you're not".
Arthur gets up from the table and walks back over to his desk and sits on top. He shakes his head, and then folds his arms.
"Merlin…She won't…She doesn't want to give me another chance. She was very clear that night at the wedding. I've made a huge cock up and now all I'm left with is my own stupidity for company. That and a shitload of regret. So, the best thing for me to do is work until I'm so tired I can't even remember what it was like with her. But that doesn't work. Because all I can ever think of is her and being with her. And the fact that she doesn't want to remember. So no more talking about her. Please…"
As he gets up to walk back to the table, his hand knocks a small folder off the desk onto the floor. Out spill the yellow post-it notes from Gwen.
Merlin picks them up, and recognizing her handwriting, he hands them back to Arthur who is now standing there, looking sheepish.
"So try and make her remember then", he suggests not unkindly.
Arthur looks down at the notes in his hands, getting ready to tell Merlin to shut it, and then he looks up at his friend, and smiles something that resembles the first real smile he's cracked in a long time.
A/N: I am trying to give Arthur the chance to redeem himself folks so please, no torches and pitchforks yet, there's a plan in place (re: Aggy and much hand rubbing and cunning smirking here for effect) :) But like in real life, you don't just get the good stuff handed to you on a plate...unless you're Donald Trump I suppose..Oh and FYI, the song I used is Landon Pigg's 'Love in a coffee shop' and its sort of sweet and fluffy - something I thought would be appropriate for M&M's big day :) Thank you for reading and please drop us a line if you have time. Cheers!