Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Any constructive comments greatly accepted.
Sorry this chapter has taken a long time to get out but work has been hectic!
Anyway here it is chapter 10 hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter 10
Four weeks later and the crew of Excalibur had done a further twelve raids- averaging three a week, they were also making a reputation of being a crew that could handle anything that was thrown at them.
They were returning to base following a trip to Berlin, Arthur had just slid Excalibur into position in the landing pattern at about 4,500ft, he looked around to make sure there were no other aircraft too close to them. He looked down and saw the aircraft that was on final approach with the help of a few sparse lights on the runway he could see the undercarriage was down then something caught his eye- just off to starboard of the Lancaster that was landing.
"Gwaine, Lance, Merlin have a look to the starboard of the Lanc that's landing, do you see an aircraft there?" Arthur asked over the intercom.
Gwaine answered immediately "Sure do Skip, looks like a Me 110 cheeky bastard."
"Right we're breaking out of the pattern and going to drop in behind it." Arthur told them as he banked Excalibur over to starboard to descend coming down behind the twin engine night fighter.
Arthur could now see that they were closing in on it and its crew were concentrating on their target and forgetting to look to see if they were a target themselves.
When Excalibur was about 500ft up and 300ft from the Me 110 he gave Gwaine the order to fire.
There was a quick stutter as the front guns spat bullets at their target, then all of a sudden the twin engine aircraft veered to starboard, dropped its nose and plunged into the empty field next to the base and erupted in a ball of flame.
Arthur then climbed Excalibur back to 4,550ft and re-joined the landing circuit, from that height they could see the fire crews already on their way to the crash site.
After Arthur had landed Excalibur, taxied around to their hard standing and climbed out with the rest of his crew he got a huge shock, standing there waiting for them was W/C Tristan. Arthur and the crew came over and saluted.
After telling them "At ease," W/C Tristan said "Pendragon can I have a word please?"
Arthur said "Yes sir." Wondering what was going on.
W/C Tristan moved away from everyone and Arthur followed.
"Did you break out of the landing pattern tonight and shoot down an ME 110 that was about to shoot at a Lancaster that was landing?" he asked.
"Yes sir, I could see it when we joined the pattern, I'm sorry if I broke any rules and please take it out on me and not my crew." Arthur answered honestly.
"No-one is in trouble Pendragon, it was my aircraft that was the target, you saved my crews lives" he said, "I'm going to be writing you up for a DFC in the morning and I'll pay your mess bill for a week too." He told a stunned Arthur.
"But it was F/Lt O'Connor that shot it down sir." Arthur told him.
"Yes but you were the one who got him into position to shot," he told him, "Arthur I can't thankyou enough for what you did and neither can my family or my crew," he continued "It's one of the perks of the job that I can do things like this so please let me do it. He smiled at Arthur "It might go down well with a certain medical flight F/Lt!"
Shocked Arthur asked "You know about Guinevere sir?"
"Guinevere is it? From what I understand everyone calls her Gwen, don't worry Arthur as long as you behave yourself we'll leave your personal life just that personal, lovely girl from what I've been told by Gaius."
"Yes I think I have found the girl for me sir." Arthur told him.
"Well you better make sure you hang on to her then, ok that's it off you go for debriefing." W/C Tristan told him and turned around and went back to his car, got in and drove away.
Still stunned Arthur went back to his crew.
Gwaine asked "What is it Skip, you look shocked."
"The Lanc that was landing was the Wingco's, I'm being written up for a DFC- sorry Gwaine I told him you shot it down." Arthur said apologetically.
"Hang on Skip if you hadn't seen it and got us into position I could never have shot it down, you deserve it, anyway we're a team so I can shine in your reflected glory!" Gwaine informed him with a huge smile.
"The Wingco told me the same thing about me seeing it and getting you into the right spot," Arthur told him, "Ok Gwaine but let me pick up your mess bill for a month alright?" Arthur enquired.
"Fantastic! Boys." He turned to the rest of them "Sorry but I'm not going to The Rising Sun, I'll be trying to bankrupt the Skip!" he grinned.
They all laughed and headed over to Freya in the crew bus.
"So that was you boys that shot down the intruder was it?" she asked.
"Yes it was darling." Merlin told her as he took his usual seat behind her.
After they had deposited all their gear in the crew room and had been debriefed- with their steaming mugs of tea the boys split up and went towards their respective messes as the day was starting. Except Arthur who went over to the med flight as Gwen had worked the night shift.
"Hello darling." Gwen said as she spotted him waiting outside in his usual spot, she came over and leant up and kissed him.
"Hello sweetheart, how was your night." He asked while he still held her in his arms.
"We had a good night, thankyou Arthur nothing nasty happened, how about you? Everyone is ok? Where did you go?" she enquired.
"We had a good trip, we went to Berlin- it's the first time we've been there, everyone is fine, Elyan said "Hi" and he might see you later Ma'am!" Arthur smiled down at her.
"Stop it!" Gwen laughed and playfully hit his shoulder.
"No the strange thing happened when we got back, we were in the landing pattern, I looked down and saw the Lanc that was going land being stalked by a Me 110, I got the boys to verify it, pulled Excalibur out of the pattern dropped to 500ft got in behind it and Gwaine shot it down." Arthur told her.
"So that's what happened, we heard it all of course, and the bodies are in the morgue." She told him, "So my boyfriend shoots down night intruders does he?" she asked "I'm so proud of you darling." She kissed him again, she looked at him "What's the problem?" she enquired.
"W/C Tristan was there to meet us when we got out of Excalibur, he took me aside- it was his Lanc that was landing. He told me he is writing me up for a DFC in the morning." He told her looking embarrassed.
"Oh darling that is fantastic- congratulations!" Gwen kissed and hugged him tight. "Why is this a problem?" Gwen asked.
"It was Gwaine that shot it down- he doesn't get the recognition, it's not fair." Arthur started to feel like an eight year old saying that.
"How would Gwaine be able to shoot it down if you didn't get him into the right position, plus you were the one that saw it and acted on it, you deserve it Arthur." She took both of her hands and put them on his cheeks and looked him in the eyes, "You're the one who caused it all to happen, so you should be the one the gong." Gwen looked deep into his eyes "I know you think you're poaching but you're not."
"Thanks sweetheart- that's what Wingco and Gwaine both told me, ok I'll try not to feel like I'm poaching off Gwaine, come on let's get you back to the block." Arthur said and took her arm putting it in its usual position as they walked along.
Gwen looked at Arthur and asked "Darling do you think you might be available to come to lunch with me on Saturday?"
"Are you asking me out on a date my love?" Arthur asked with a grin.
"It's not what you think, my father is going to be up here talking to someone about bomb casings and Elyan and I are going to have lunch with him and I would like to introduce him to the man I love."
"So it's meet the parents time is it?" Arthur asked looking down at her.
"Do you mind- I thought that with Elyan there it would deflect dad a bit, plus Elyan could always back you up if you needed it." Gwen told him.
"No darling, you have it wrong, I'd love to meet your father just to thank him for having a good son and also his daughter who is the love of my life. Of course I'll come." Arthur led her over to the side of a nearby building, once there he took her in his arms and kissed deeply. "Try and keep me away sweetheart, let me where and when and I'll drive all three of us there."
"Oh thankyou Arthur, that would be great." Gwen said beaming up at him.
"Right love we'd better get you to the Block so you can have breakfast and then some sleep and I can do the same, can I see you this afternoon?" Arthur enquired.
"That would be lovely, how about 1500hrs?"
"It's a date Guinevere." Arthur bent down and kissed her fully on the lips again. They then walked back to the Block.
When Arthur reached the Officers mess he was greeted with cheers and pats on the back, it seemed like all the officers in the squadron came up and congratulated him. When W/C Tristan came up to him Arthur was feeling self-conscious. The Wing Commander said "If you want anonymity you should not do things like that over your home base Arthur. I've just got off the phone and they have approved it, so congratulations Arthur." so saying Tristan but a whiskey into Arthur's hand.
"I know why you did it Skip," Gwaine said coming over "It's the ultimate act of brown nosing!" the mess shook with laughter.
"Thankyou sir." Arthur said feeling himself blush at being the centre of attention.
The following Saturday lunchtime found Arthur driving Gwen and Elyan towards Lincoln. They were meeting Mr Madden at The White Hart Inn. Arthur found a car park close by. Gwen was in a RAF blue sandwich with Elyan on her left and Arthur to her right as she walked down the street clutching Arthur's arm as always in a pretty apricot dress.
When they reached the dining room of The White Hart Inn Gwen saw her father first and led the two boys over to him.
When they got to the table they found Mr Madden standing, Gwen and Elyan went up to him saying "Hi Dad" together, Arthur held back.
After Mr Madden had welcomed both of his children, commenting on how pretty Gwen looked and how handsome Elyan was in his uniform, he looked at Arthur questionably.
"Can I help you sir?" he asked Arthur.
Gwen introduced Arthur "Dad this is my boyfriend Arthur Pendragon- we've been going out for about two months."
Arthur said "How do you do sir."
"Pendragon? Are you any relation to Uther?" he asked Arthur.
"He's my father sir," Arthur informed him, "Do you know him?"
"No it's just that you see of his name in the papers for those cases and get curious." Mr Madden told him.
"So do you know Elyan?" he asked.
"Elyan is my tail gunner sir." Arthur told him.
"Ok, so you're Elyan's Skipper and you're going out with my daughter- son you'd better be careful!" He said with a smile, "Please call me Tom Mr makes me feel so old!"
"Tom it is then." Arthur said with a smile, from what he had seen and heard of Gwen's dad he liked him.
Over the next couple of hours plenty of stories were told including how Arthur had met Gwen and how he had asked her out.
Elyan had gone to the bar to get some drinks and Gwen had gone to the Ladies- leaving Arthur alone at the table with Tom.
'Tom I love Guinevere with all my heart, I know I have found the only girl for me. I would very much like your permission to ask her to marry me." Arthur asked looking Tom straight in the face and afraid to breathe.
"If she loves you as much as you love her and if she says yes then yes Arthur I'll give you my blessings!" Tom smiled remembering what it was like to be in love with that one special person.
"Thankyou Tom I promise if she says yes I will cherish her every minute of every day." Arthur said beaming.
"That is all a father could ask for Arthur," Tom shook his hand, "hurt her and I will kill you."
"Well that makes three people who will get me if I hurt her." Arthur told him with a smile.
"Who are the other two?" Tom enquired.
"Elyan- he told me if I hurt Guinevere officer or not he would hurt me, I told him if I hurt her I would let him hurt me."
"And the second one?" Tom asked.
"Squadron Leader Gaius Hughes- the doctor in the medical flight, he looks upon Guinevere as a surrogate daughter, he told me he would make my life a living hell if I hurt her." Arthur said remembering what was said outside the medical flight weeks ago.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one watching you Arthur, it's a bit hard being at Sheffield and you all up here, plus you are a bit younger and fitter than me." Tom smiled, "I could not be happier to hear that Gwennie is happy and in love with someone who thinks of her like you do Arthur."
"Thankyou again Tom, she is everything I have ever wanted." Arthur told him,
"Who's everything you've ever wanted?" Gwen asked reaching the table in time to hear it.
My MG darling." Arthur smiled at her, Gwen swatted his arm. "No seriously Guinevere you everything I've ever wanted." He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"You see what I have to put up with Dad when they are together?" Elyan asked as he reached the table with the drinks. They sat around for a while talking.
Tom said "Oh I almost forgot congratulation Arthur."
Arthur thought he was talking about the conversation they just had, "Congratulations for what Tom?" Arthur asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"The DFC Gwennie told me." Tom said looking at Gwen who was going bright red.
"Dad!" Gwen said.
"No it's alright Gwen," Tom looked at Arthur, "Sorry Arthur Gwen told me you were self-conscious about it."
"Yes I am, I didn't join up to get medals, I joined to help defend our country- I suppose being a lawyer makes you want to defend things you hold dear." Arthur said.
"So you're a lawyer, just like your dad?"
"Yes I graduated from Oxford and then enlisted, Father told me I had just wasted all that time and money by joining up," Arthur told them, "We argued and have not spoken since."
"Take some advice from an old man Arthur, mend that bridge before it's too late." Tom gave Arthur a knowing look.
"Yes Sir I will." Arthur nodded message received and understood- he was going to have to ring Uther and tell him about Guinevere.
Their lunch finished shortly afterwards, Arthur and Elyan didn't know if they were flying that night or not.
Tom said to Arthur as they parted, "Very nice to meet you Arthur, look after my Gwennie and bring Elyan back safely."
"I will Tom- I promise every time I come back he will be there as well right Elyan?" He turned to him.
"As long as you listen to your tail gunner like you have been we'll be fine!" Elyan grinned at Arthur and Tom.
"And as for Guinevere I will always look after her." Arthur wrapped his arm around Gwen's waist, pulled her close and kissed the side of her head.
"Okay off you go then, just all of you keep you heads down please." Tom said in parting.
"We will all three chorused and then left.
"What do you think of Dad?" Gwen asked as they walked towards his car.
"I liked him a lot- I wish father was more like him." He told her.
Once they got back to the base and Arthur and Gwen parted he and Elyan found the rest of the boys and were told they were not on Ops that night.
Arthur found a pay phone and rang a number he did not think he would ever ring again.
A curt "Yes." Met his ears.
"Father?" Arthur said seeing the study in his mind's eye, Uther surrounded by all his legal books.
"Arthur! What do you want, are you in trouble?" asked Uther, never the caring parent all his friends had.
"No Father I'm not in any trouble, in fact the opposite I thought I would ring you with some good news, I have been awarded the DFC- I don't know when or where the investiture will be." Arthur told him.
"Oh Arthur that is fantastic news." Uther said happy to bask in his son's achievements.
"Yes thankyou Father, but there is something more important than that- I have fallen in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, I have talked to her father and if she says yes I'm going to marry her." Arthur could just imagine the scowl on Uther's face.
"Who is this girl?- what does she do and who is her parents quizzed Uther as though he was in court and not talking to his son.
"Her name is Guinevere Madden she is a flight lieutenant, a nurse at the medical flight on the base. Her father is Tom Madden, he is a manager of one of the foundries in Sheffield, her mother died when she was a child. I have asked for and been given Tom's blessing to ask Guinevere to marry me." Arthur told him this at this stage not really caring if he accepted this or not.
"I hope I get to meet the apple of your eye before the wedding." Uther said shortly.
"I was thinking the investiture would be a good place Father." Arthur thought- they would be in public and so Uther would have to watch his tongue.
"That sounds like good idea," Uther said down the line, "we could have diner after it." He added.
"Right apparently I get two tickets for guests, so Guinevere will have one and you can have the other if you'd like." Arthur said "I let you know as soon as I know when it is alright?"
"That sounds like a good plan, thankyou Arthur." Uther said.
"I'd better go Father-people are lining up to use this phone." Arthur said.
"Congratulations again Arthur." Uther said.
"Bye Father." Arthur said.
"Bye son." Uther said and hung up.
Arthur was amazed his father had just called him son it didn't happen that often, Arthur turned away shaking his head.