Author's Note: Sooooooo I guess in my last note when I said not so soon I kinda lied? I did say less than 5 months though XD This chapter just magically appeared in my head and was easy to write. (you'll probably feel short changed in the end though so sorry in advance if you do)

Chapter 9: The Garden Party, Part 3

Usually the garden party was a weekend affair, but sometimes it would overlap with Arthur and Ygraine's shared birthday. Falling on a Monday, Mithian convinced the guest to stay an extra day. Arthur wished she didn't. After his mother's death, he had no desire to celebrate his birthday.

The morning had greeted him with rain. He had gone into the office to get some work done and to avoid the not so surprise set up for his party. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and listened to the rain patter against the window. He was on the brink of relaxation when his uncle's voice burst his peaceful bubble.

"I'm sorry, but I won't be over for your party tonight," Agravaine said.

Arthur could hear the insincerity in his voice. "That's fine, uncle."

"I'm off to lunch with Alined now. Do you…want to join us?"

"I'll take a rain check."

Agravaine remained in the door, but didn't say anything else for nearly a minute. Arthur was about to ask if he was alright, but then his uncle opened his mouth then closed it again. When he gathered his wits he said, "You were the greatest gift my sister ever received." This time he was sincere.

Those were the nicest words he's ever said to Arthur. "Thank you, uncle." Agravaine grunted and left. Unfortunately, Arthur was still filled with doubts about him. What are you hiding, Agravaine?

It had stopped raining after Agravaine left, and by the time his work was done, the sun was peeking through the grey clouds. The air was clear and the cobblestone glistened from the fresh wash of rain. Gwaine opened the car door for him. "My lord," the driver greeted.

"If you start humming Happy Birthday the whole way again, I will fire you," Arthur threatened.

"So only half way, then?" Gwaine joked.

Five minutes into the drive, Arthur was already lost in thought, not really focusing as he looked out the window until a sudden splash of rain against it brought him back. He watched as people ran into shops at the shock of the sudden downpour and someone caught his eye. "Pull over," he told Gwaine. Before the car came to a full stop, Arthur opened the door. "Guinevere!"

Gwen stopped. In her arms was a large bouquet of flowers. She looked left and right before she spotted him. "Come on," he waved her over. When she got in, he closed the car door behind her, pulled off his jacket, and draped it over her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said, brushing a wet strand away from her cheek. "Some weather we're having, huh?"

Arthur looked down at the flowers she still held close to her. Between the rain and the flowers, the car was beginning to smell like spring.

"They're for your mother," Gwen said before Arthur could ask. "I was hoping to get to you before you left the office, but you were already gone. I guess that doesn't matter now. I…thought we could go to the cemetery together…"

So they did. They stood side by side at Ygraines grave at the private Pendragon family plot in Avalon Cemetery. They rain had stopped again, and the grass was slick, and their shoes pressed into the ground. Arthur had thought Gwen was holding one bouquet, but it was actually two. She handed the other one to him, and they placed them at the base of Ygraine's headstone.

"Happy birthday, mother," Arthur said softly, resting his hand on the marble headstone.

"Happy birthday, your ladyship," Gwen said. "And happy birthday to you, Arthur."

Arthur gripped Gwen's hand with his free one and rubbed the back of hers with his thumb. "Thank you, Guinevere."

They stood a little longer in a comfortable silence. When the clouds passed over the sun again, they decided to leave, and halfway down the path the rain clouds broke. Still hand in hand, they raced to the car. Before Gwaine could get out and open the door for them, Arthur had it open, ushering Gwen in. Soaked through, they laughed at the site of each other. Gwaine stared at them in the rearview mirror, and he angled it down to see that their hands were still clasped together. He smirked and angled it back up. "Where to next, birthday boy?"

"Home, Gwaine," Arthur said, his voice still light from the laughter. He felt Gwen's hand grip his before loosening in an attempt to let go, but he didn't let her—wouldn't let her go. Their fingers remained laced together all the way back to the estate.

When Mithian heard Arthur's voice in the foyer she hurried to him. "There you are! I was beginning to think you were hiding from your own par…ty…" she trailed off when she saw the drenched appearance of her fiancé and Gwen. Merlin was also there, taking Arthur's jacket from Gwen.

"I should get cleaned up," Gwen said quickly and made her exit. Mithian's eyes followed her until she was out of sight.

Merlin's face scrunched in disapproval. "And you, my lord." He held the dripping jacket away from him.

Arthur loosened his cuffs, and took note of Mithian's disapproving look. "Sorry. There was a detour." Feeling obligated to do so, he kissed her on the cheek.

Mithian warmed up immediately. "It's fine. Leon and Tristan have yet to return. You men and your work." She looked him up and down. "Now go on. You're dripping all over the floor."

In his room, Arthur buttoned his new waistcoat lethargically, and Merlin fussed around the room, grumbling incoherently. But Arthur was certain he caught a, "Go any slower, why don'tcha."

"What has gotten into you?"

Merlin stiffened. Despite their unusual friendship, Merlin secretly feared that his mouth would one day get him fired.

Getting impatient, Arthur pushed. "Out with it, man!"

"I'm tired! I've never been so bloody tired!" Merlin was waving his hands around. "There's too much work and not enough hands, and she is making us do all this bloody work for a party you don't even want. I'm glad you never want to celebrate. If I had to do as much work as I had to today every year, I would ask Lady Helen to howl in my ear until my brain hemorrhages and I die!"

Arthur was a little taken aback by Merlin's outburst. "Mithian's just trying to do something nice," he said, throwing on his dinner jacket.

Merlin sighed. "I know. I'm sorry." He grabbed the lint brush and ran it across Arthur's shoulders. "And I shouldn't be grateful you don't like to celebrate your birthday because—"

"Merlin, it's fine," Arthur said. Changing the subject, Arthur asked, "Do you know if Lady Helen is singing tonight?"

"No," Merlin said and he put on an overly posh accent. "I'm afraid I cannot gift the young lord with song tonight, for I feel a little tingle in the back of my throat. I fear I may be coming down with something."

"Oh thank God," Arthur breathed in relief.

There was a knock on the door and Merlin answered. It was George, looking much healthier than he did the day before. "Dinner's ready, my lord." The butler's eyes flickered to the buttons on Arthur's waistcoat then to Merlin. "You were going to let him go down in that!" he accused.

Arthur looked down at his attire. "What's wrong with it?"

"Those buttons are not fit for such an occasion," George declared. "They're not fit for any occasion!" He hurried to Arthur, quickly ridding him of his jacket. "I shall sort you out immediately, my lord!"

"Wha-George it's quite all—" Arthur tried to stop George who was unbuttoning his waistcoat. "There's no need—Merlin!" Arthur whipped his head to Merlin, pleading for help.

His valet gave a toothy, apologetic-yet-amused smile. "It's good to see you up and about George," he said and bolted out of the room.

"MERLIN!"

After having time to digest a spectacular dinner, the dancing was in full swing. Arthur was passed around to all the ladies, a few maids, and Cook. He was dancing with Mithian now, but his mind was elsewhere. He hadn't seen Gwen since they returned.

Mithian noticed his wandering attention and asked him if he was okay. He just caught her question and saw Gwen come into the hall. Instead of her usual governess attire, she wore a pale lavender Armistice blouse and grey skirt. Behind her came Freya in a simple dark purple dress and Sefa in a light green one. Both girls fidgeted with their skirts, missing their aprons. Gwen shooed them away like a mother does when pushing her children to interact with others.

"Yes," Arthur answered Mithian. "Everything is fine."

Freya walked passed them and was greeted by Merlin. "Dance with me?" he asked with a goofy grin. Freya blushed and tried to make an excuse about needing to remove a tray from the table. "We'll dance to it, then!" He twirled Freya, who giggled as they made their way across the room.

"Was it me, or did Merlin make a move?" Mithian asked.

"Liquid courage," Arthur snorted.

Another set of giggles came from the other side of them. Morgana and Gwen were dancing together, but it was more of an inebriated Morgana stepping on Gwen's feet.

"Drinking more won't improve your technique, dear sister," Arthur teased.

Morgana stuck her tongue out at him. "Why don't you show me how it's done then, dear brother?."

Arthur kissed the back of Mithian's hand. "Excuse me, my lady, but I must embarrass my sister further."

The festivities had started early since the guest would be leaving the next day. By midnight everyone was tired and too drunk to dance. The servants, though off duty, were smart to pick up empty plates, platters, and glasses here and there during the night to minimize tomorrow's duties.

While the lords and ladies were in bed, some not in their own, and servants helping themselves to leftover food and wine, Arthur and Gwen were outside in Ygraine's garden. The rain had long since stopped, so it was finally cool and dry. They sat on the bench under the stars shining clearly in the black. The moon was bright, and with help from the raindrops on the leaves and petals, the garden shined with a blue glow.

Gwen's head was on Arthur's shoulder and his arm was around her waist. "What was that about things we shouldn't be doing?" Gwen muttered. Despite the cool breeze, her body was still warm and relaxed from the wine.

"I'm not ready to let you go," Arthur said and kissed the top of her head. "I can't do it."

Gwen slipped out of his hold and stood. She held out her hand. "Dance with me?" she asked. "You've danced with everyone but me."

Arthur had longed to all night, but knew that if they did, they'd end up too close together, holding each other intimately just as they were doing now, swaying back and forth to the crickets chirping and the rustling tree leaves. One day they'd be able to dance like this in public, Arthur vowed.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Gwen said in good humor and purposely stepped on Arthur's foot.

"Ow!" Arthur exclaimed in mock pain and pressed Gwen closer to him. Their swaying stopped and Arthur leaned down, touching his forehead to hers. Their eyes were closed and time stood still, suspended in their embrace. "Would it be wrong to ask a kiss for my birthday?"he whispered.

Gwen had already been imagining closing the small gap between them. She opened her eyes to see that Arthur's were still closed. Her mouth curled into a smile. "It's not your birthday anymore," she said, tilting her head up and pressing her lips to his.

A/N: These two just can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Hahaha. I wanted to have some fluffiness because I'm in a good mood and filled with holiday cheer. So I stopped writing there to end on a high note? I hope you're not bothered by that.

Thanks always for reading and reviewing! And happy holidays! (or happy whatever day it is if your reading this when it's not December)