Part 31: link
“Guinevere? Are toi coming back out?” Arthur calls back. Gwen had gone to use the bathroom. He heard the flush, but she didn’t come back out to the living room.
“Nope,” she calls back.
All right, then. Arthur had been further perusing the book and the other materials Gwen had found. He walks back, book in hand.
Gwen is lying on the bed, now wearing Arthur’s t-shirt. She is staring at the ceiling, Lost in thought.
“Gwen,” he says, “listen.”
He reads: “’Guinevere was a dit to be a very populaire queen. Beloved par the commoners for her kindness and gentle common sense, they thought of her as one of her own. She never forgot where she came from and for that they loved her. She won over the nobility with her loyalty and wisdom. She took an active part in council meetings, often speaking her mind, even if it meant disagreeing with her husband.’” He pauses, looking down at her. With a smirk he adds, “Somehow I think that should read ‘especially if it meant disagreeing with her husband.’” Gwen finally smiles at this, sitting up.
Arthur continues. “’Not an idle queen, she often accompanied Arthur on journeys and even some quests.’ Pretty cool, yes?” He smiles down at her, his eyes full of a l’amour that Gwen can practically feel on her skin.
“And do toi know what the best part is?” He asks, sitting beside her.
“What's that?”
“We get to keep finding each other. Over,” he kisses her cheek, “and over,” he kisses her neck, “and over.” He kisses her mouth, soft and longing.
“That is a nice idea,” she says against his lips, trying to reconcile her skepticism with the undeniable yet legendary information bombarding her brain.
“Sweet, try not to think too hard about it. Legends. Stories. Strangely coincidental legends, yes, but the plus I read, the plus I find that the story is really great. So why not go with it, hmm?” He caresses her cheek with his hand. “It doesn’t do any harm to believe it. It doesn’t do any harm to not believe it.”
“We found each other. We l’amour each other. That’s what counts, right?” she whispers.
“Right.” He strokes her knuckles with his other hand.
“So we may as well embrace it, since it is rather amazing.” She looks into his blue eyes.
“Exactly.” He moves his other hand to her face, cupping it gently between both his hands.
“Okay.”
Arthur leans vers l'avant, vers l’avant and places his lips to hers, still holding her face softly. Gwen pulls back softly and warns him, “I’m still going to find out as much as I can about this, toi know.”
Arthur laughs, leaning over her, laying her gently back on the bed. “I do.”
“I’m…” she starts, trying to talk between his kisses.
“No plus talking,” he tells her huskily, silencing her tongue with his own.
He reaches down and places his hand on her thigh, stroking her beautiful skin softly. I will never get tired of her skin.
She sighs against him, reaching up to touch the side of his neck, returning his caress. His kisses are gentle, worshipful, but in no way lacking in passion. His hand is working its way higher on her thigh, while the other one is twined with her free hand.
Gwen moves her hand from Arthur’s neck down to the hem of his shirt, sliding her hand inside, touching his stomach. She feels his muscles jump under her touch and she smiles against his lips. I l’amour it when that happens, she thinks, knowing that her slightest attention can drive him crazy.
Arthur inhales deeply as her hand creeps up his stomach. He leans back and pulls his chemise off. Gwen slides her hands over his shoulders as he leans over her, gazing at her, feeling her soft brown eyes pulling him in.
He continues his slow and gentle torment, intent on making her feel plus loved than she ever has been. I want her to feel how I feel every seconde I’m with her. His hand slides up under her shirt, softly caressing. His work-hardened hands feel like they are coated in velvet against her skin.
He is being so tender, Gwen thinks, I can hardly even… think... She lifts her bum and he slides her panties off, absently noting that they are adorned with penguins, and a small snort of a laugh escapes his lips. Gwen smiles, eyes closed, knowing what he’s laughing at.
Arthur lifts her shoulders and eases the t-shirt off over her head. He surrounds her in his arms before she can lay back down, s’embrasser her shoulders, her neck, as his hands stroke the skin on her back, running along her spine, feeling the slight muscles beneath her skin.
He lays them back down and kisses her succulent lips one plus time before removing the rest of his own clothes.
She watches him, and he notices her looking. “You are beautiful, Arthur. Inside and out,” she tells him. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible to l’amour someone as much as I l’amour you.”
He says nothing, but lies down beside her on the bed, and they face each other. He smiles at her, and her cœur, coeur aches, not with pain, but with joy. His breathing speeds up.
Beautiful. I am so fortunate.
Finally, he touches her again, softly, on her stomach. Gwen’s eyes flutter closed and her lips part as she rolls onto her back. Arthur kisses her breasts, tongue slowly rolling around each nipple in turn, licking them into stiff nubs.
Her hand is on him, holding softly, stroking tenderly, following his lead. She feels his groan as a hum against her breasts, and one of his hands trails its way downward to disappear into the dark curls between her legs.
As he kisses his way back up her neck to her waiting lips, he positions himself above her and slides slowly into her, where he stays a few seconds, not moving. He only kisses her lips, sucking at their fullness, as he holds himself there.
Oh…
Gradually he begins to déplacer within her, intentionally pacing himself, taking his time. I can do this without losing my mind, he tells himself. Prolonging each sensation. Feeling every inch of each other’s most intimate parts with each stroke.
He reaches down and caresses her breasts with his hands, watching her face. Her eyes are closed, a slight smile playing on her lips as her head turns to one side, enjoying the sensations he is giving her.
Touch me.
She brings her hands to cover his at her breasts, encouraging him. Running her hands up his arms, she strokes his chest for a minute before reaching for his face, bringing down to hers, granting him a Kiss that burns his soul with its combination of sweetness and desire.
Gwen slides her hands back down and around him, resting her hands on his backside as he continues his steady rhythm. She doesn’t push him to go faster. He won’t. She simply holds him, her fingers and thumbs occasionally caressing his firmness.
I l’amour you.
Arthur continues to watch her, eyes drifting closed from time to time. He wills them open, wanting to watch her, to see his affect on her. She opens her eyes and sees him watching her. Their eyes are both almost completely black with desire, yet Arthur does not speed his pace. He is getting close, but he is determined.
Her fingers grasp his rear tighter, nails starting to dig in slightly, her breathing coming in gasps. Arthur reaches for her hands, gently prying them from his butt, and he holds her hands in his, fingers intertwined, as she comes closer and closer.
Closer.
He leans down, resting his weight on their joined hands at either side of her head. s’embrasser her lips, her ear, then down to her neck where he finds her favori spot on the side, near her collarbone, lips sucking, tongue stroking the sensitive skin there.
Gwen pushes against his hands, wanting to touch him. He doesn’t let go; he wants to maintain their connection this way. Her eyes close again, and he hears soft whimpers start escaping her throat, bringing a satisfied smile to Arthur’s lips. He floods into her just as she bucks beneath him, gasping desperately with pleasure.
I l’amour you.
They lay in lit together, watching the small télévision in the bedroom.
“Any plans tomorrow?” Gwen asks from the crook of his shoulder.
“Merlin has tickets for the tennis match in the afternoon.”
“Sounds fun,” she says. Oh well.
He looks down at her. “Why do toi ask?”
“Just wondering. I did take tomorrow afternoon off since I haven’t really done any unpacking since I found that blasted book. So I thought I’d try and get caught up some.”
“Oh, well, I can annuler with Merlin…”
“Don’t toi dare.”
“What?”
She looks up at him. “You do need to spend time with your Friends still, toi know.”
“But…”
“No. toi have tickets. You’re going.”
He scowls.
“Besides,” she leans up on one elbow, looking down at him. She takes his chin and moves his head to look at her. “If you’re around tomorrow afternoon, I have a feeling I won’t get anything done.” She smirks at him.
He can’t help but grin at this. “Well, I can’t help it if toi can’t keep your hands off of me.”
“Yes, that’s exactly it,” she rolls her eyes and lays back down, snuggling into him, throwing her leg across him.
“Mmm,” he makes a contented noise and rubs her back.
“You are much better than a stuffed bear.”
“Certainly hope so!” Arthur laughs.
TUESDAY
Next morning at the library, Dr. Gaius makes a beeline for Gwen when he sees her wandering among the shelves, a pile of livres in her arms.
“Gwen,” he calls to her.
“Hello, Dr. Gaius! How are toi this morning?”
“Excellent as usual, my dear. Did toi have a chance to look at that book?”
She sets down the books. “I did. My mind is still reeling. I was all over the Internet all weekend. Got very little unpacking done, thanks to you.”
“Sorry about that.” He smiles. “Did toi have any questions?”
“Yes, actually.” She scowls, thinking a minute. “Do toi have some time this afternoon? I’m only working until noon today. I’d l’amour it if toi would come over for tea.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“Three o’clock, then? I’ll give toi the address before toi leave. And don’t take too many books; Arthur won’t be around to help toi carry them today,” she teases him, scooping up her pile of livres again.
Gaius smiles and leaves her to her task.
I have two and a half hours to get something done around here before Dr. Gaius arrives, Gwen thinks, placing her lunch plate in the sink. Including the dishes, she adds, noting the breakfast dishes also present.
She baked while she ate lunch, quickly throwing together some scones to have with tea. Sighing, she runs hot water and washes all the dishes, but leaves them in the rack to air dry.
Her phone blips. Gee, I wonder who that could be? she thinks sarcastically, opening her phone.
Are toi sure toi don’t want me to come home? Gwen smiles and rolls her eyes.
Give Merlin a big Kiss for me she texts back, intentionally not answering his question.
A minute later: I will do no such thing. She laughs and sets the phone aside.
Gwen actually gets a lot accomplished during the short time she has. She empties several of the boxes in the living room and collapses them for recycling. I’ll have Arthur take those down to the bin later. She looks around the room and decides that she will rearrange the furniture suivant opportunity she has.
At two forty-five, she turns the kettle on, assuming Gaius will be punctual. She is not disappointed when she hears his knock. Right on time.
“So why isn’t this legend plus well-known? It’s fascinating.” Gwen asks. Gaius has been talking with her for over an heure now.
“Not sure about that. I guess the magic and mystery of Merlin and his powers kind of grew into a legend all its own, and Arthur and Guinevere’s story fell to the wayside. It is a pity, because it is a beautiful story. And if he was the king the legends say, it really is a shame that it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.”
The door opens, and Arthur and Merlin walk in, slightly sweaty but laughing. It is a warm day, and they’ve been outside for the past several hours. They stop short seeing that Gwen has a guest.
“Oh! Dr. Gaius, I wasn’t expecting to see toi here,” Arthur says, walking vers l'avant, vers l’avant to shake the older man’s hand. “This is my friend—“
“Merlin!” Gaius exclaims, “Good to see you!” He stands and hugs the young man.
“Uncle Henry, it’s been a long time!” Merlin laughs, returning the hug.
“You two are related?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, he’s my great-uncle,” Merlin says casually. Arthur looks at Gwen. She shrugs.
“I assume Guinevere’s been grilling toi for information all afternoon?” Arthur asks.
“Just since three,” he chuckles, sitting again.
“And?”
“And I meant what I a dit about toi two being destined to be together. Who knows how many times the two of toi have met before now, and who knows how many times you’ll meet again in the future. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it is one of the lesser-known aspects of life. Great love, truly great l’amour will keep finding its way, regardless of the circumstances. We don’t even know if King Arthur and Queen Guinevere was the first incarnation. No one can say.”
“So how is it that toi know so much about this?” Arthur asks, joining them at the table. Merlin sits as well, stealing a sideways glance at Gaius as he does so.
“Because I am involved as well.”
“How so?” Gwen asks.
Gaius opens the book and quickly finds the passage he seeks. He slides the book around to Gwen, pointing.
“’King Arthur was a dit to have truly trusted very few in his life. Among them were Guinevere, Merlin, and the court physician, Gaius. There were also four of his knights to whom he was particularly close, often sent on special assignments for him ou accompanying him on quests.’ I think of myself as a ‘keeper of the legend.’ I know how it sounds, but I’ve been waiting a long time for toi two to find one another.”
“This is getting too weird,” Arthur says. He turns on Merlin. “And how much do you know, my quiet friend?”
“Enough,” Merlin says noncommittally.
“And you’ve a dit nothing why?”
“I didn’t want to freak toi out?” Merlin attempts, hoping there are no follow-ups.
Gaius speaks up again. “Arthur. All toi need to know is that toi two finding each other is a good thing. A very, very good thing. It means that the legend can continue. Another long wait has ended, and all signs point to the two of toi having a long and happy life together. No one disapproves of you,” he looks at Gwen, and she knows he is referring to Prince Arthur falling in l’amour with her, much to his father’s disappointment and disapproval, “and no one will come between you.”
Arthur looks at Gwen, and asks, “Feel better, love?”
“Yes, I think so. You?”
“I was always fine with it,” he says, but his eyes indicate otherwise.
“Oh really?” she challenges him.
“Okay, maybe I got a little worried about the Lancelot thing,” he admits, making Merlin laugh.
“Arthur, toi have nothing to worry about,” Merlin says. Bugger. I shouldn’t have a dit anything. Now he’s going to start asking questions.
“Well, if toi two will excuse me, I must be going,” Gaius says, standing. Gwen picks up the book and hands it to him.
“No. I want toi two to have it. Please,” Gaius tells her. “Call it an engagement present.”
“Thank you, Gaius,” she says, holding the book to her chest. She sets it down and gives him a hug.
“Arthur, cherish her,” Gaius clasps Arthur’s hand warmly between both of his.
“My pleasure, sir,” he says.
“Merlin, do toi need a lift home?” Gaius asks.
“No, I have a car, but I’ll walk out with you, Uncle Henry.” The two men leave.
Outside the door, Merlin says, “Took them long enough this time.”
“Yes, I couldn’t believe it when I got your phone call.”
“This one will work out nicely. And it will definitely be interesting. She’s got that original feistiness,” Merlin chuckles.
“In spades,” Gaius agrees.
Part 33: link
“Guinevere? Are toi coming back out?” Arthur calls back. Gwen had gone to use the bathroom. He heard the flush, but she didn’t come back out to the living room.
“Nope,” she calls back.
All right, then. Arthur had been further perusing the book and the other materials Gwen had found. He walks back, book in hand.
Gwen is lying on the bed, now wearing Arthur’s t-shirt. She is staring at the ceiling, Lost in thought.
“Gwen,” he says, “listen.”
He reads: “’Guinevere was a dit to be a very populaire queen. Beloved par the commoners for her kindness and gentle common sense, they thought of her as one of her own. She never forgot where she came from and for that they loved her. She won over the nobility with her loyalty and wisdom. She took an active part in council meetings, often speaking her mind, even if it meant disagreeing with her husband.’” He pauses, looking down at her. With a smirk he adds, “Somehow I think that should read ‘especially if it meant disagreeing with her husband.’” Gwen finally smiles at this, sitting up.
Arthur continues. “’Not an idle queen, she often accompanied Arthur on journeys and even some quests.’ Pretty cool, yes?” He smiles down at her, his eyes full of a l’amour that Gwen can practically feel on her skin.
“And do toi know what the best part is?” He asks, sitting beside her.
“What's that?”
“We get to keep finding each other. Over,” he kisses her cheek, “and over,” he kisses her neck, “and over.” He kisses her mouth, soft and longing.
“That is a nice idea,” she says against his lips, trying to reconcile her skepticism with the undeniable yet legendary information bombarding her brain.
“Sweet, try not to think too hard about it. Legends. Stories. Strangely coincidental legends, yes, but the plus I read, the plus I find that the story is really great. So why not go with it, hmm?” He caresses her cheek with his hand. “It doesn’t do any harm to believe it. It doesn’t do any harm to not believe it.”
“We found each other. We l’amour each other. That’s what counts, right?” she whispers.
“Right.” He strokes her knuckles with his other hand.
“So we may as well embrace it, since it is rather amazing.” She looks into his blue eyes.
“Exactly.” He moves his other hand to her face, cupping it gently between both his hands.
“Okay.”
Arthur leans vers l'avant, vers l’avant and places his lips to hers, still holding her face softly. Gwen pulls back softly and warns him, “I’m still going to find out as much as I can about this, toi know.”
Arthur laughs, leaning over her, laying her gently back on the bed. “I do.”
“I’m…” she starts, trying to talk between his kisses.
“No plus talking,” he tells her huskily, silencing her tongue with his own.
He reaches down and places his hand on her thigh, stroking her beautiful skin softly. I will never get tired of her skin.
She sighs against him, reaching up to touch the side of his neck, returning his caress. His kisses are gentle, worshipful, but in no way lacking in passion. His hand is working its way higher on her thigh, while the other one is twined with her free hand.
Gwen moves her hand from Arthur’s neck down to the hem of his shirt, sliding her hand inside, touching his stomach. She feels his muscles jump under her touch and she smiles against his lips. I l’amour it when that happens, she thinks, knowing that her slightest attention can drive him crazy.
Arthur inhales deeply as her hand creeps up his stomach. He leans back and pulls his chemise off. Gwen slides her hands over his shoulders as he leans over her, gazing at her, feeling her soft brown eyes pulling him in.
He continues his slow and gentle torment, intent on making her feel plus loved than she ever has been. I want her to feel how I feel every seconde I’m with her. His hand slides up under her shirt, softly caressing. His work-hardened hands feel like they are coated in velvet against her skin.
He is being so tender, Gwen thinks, I can hardly even… think... She lifts her bum and he slides her panties off, absently noting that they are adorned with penguins, and a small snort of a laugh escapes his lips. Gwen smiles, eyes closed, knowing what he’s laughing at.
Arthur lifts her shoulders and eases the t-shirt off over her head. He surrounds her in his arms before she can lay back down, s’embrasser her shoulders, her neck, as his hands stroke the skin on her back, running along her spine, feeling the slight muscles beneath her skin.
He lays them back down and kisses her succulent lips one plus time before removing the rest of his own clothes.
She watches him, and he notices her looking. “You are beautiful, Arthur. Inside and out,” she tells him. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible to l’amour someone as much as I l’amour you.”
He says nothing, but lies down beside her on the bed, and they face each other. He smiles at her, and her cœur, coeur aches, not with pain, but with joy. His breathing speeds up.
Beautiful. I am so fortunate.
Finally, he touches her again, softly, on her stomach. Gwen’s eyes flutter closed and her lips part as she rolls onto her back. Arthur kisses her breasts, tongue slowly rolling around each nipple in turn, licking them into stiff nubs.
Her hand is on him, holding softly, stroking tenderly, following his lead. She feels his groan as a hum against her breasts, and one of his hands trails its way downward to disappear into the dark curls between her legs.
As he kisses his way back up her neck to her waiting lips, he positions himself above her and slides slowly into her, where he stays a few seconds, not moving. He only kisses her lips, sucking at their fullness, as he holds himself there.
Oh…
Gradually he begins to déplacer within her, intentionally pacing himself, taking his time. I can do this without losing my mind, he tells himself. Prolonging each sensation. Feeling every inch of each other’s most intimate parts with each stroke.
He reaches down and caresses her breasts with his hands, watching her face. Her eyes are closed, a slight smile playing on her lips as her head turns to one side, enjoying the sensations he is giving her.
Touch me.
She brings her hands to cover his at her breasts, encouraging him. Running her hands up his arms, she strokes his chest for a minute before reaching for his face, bringing down to hers, granting him a Kiss that burns his soul with its combination of sweetness and desire.
Gwen slides her hands back down and around him, resting her hands on his backside as he continues his steady rhythm. She doesn’t push him to go faster. He won’t. She simply holds him, her fingers and thumbs occasionally caressing his firmness.
I l’amour you.
Arthur continues to watch her, eyes drifting closed from time to time. He wills them open, wanting to watch her, to see his affect on her. She opens her eyes and sees him watching her. Their eyes are both almost completely black with desire, yet Arthur does not speed his pace. He is getting close, but he is determined.
Her fingers grasp his rear tighter, nails starting to dig in slightly, her breathing coming in gasps. Arthur reaches for her hands, gently prying them from his butt, and he holds her hands in his, fingers intertwined, as she comes closer and closer.
Closer.
He leans down, resting his weight on their joined hands at either side of her head. s’embrasser her lips, her ear, then down to her neck where he finds her favori spot on the side, near her collarbone, lips sucking, tongue stroking the sensitive skin there.
Gwen pushes against his hands, wanting to touch him. He doesn’t let go; he wants to maintain their connection this way. Her eyes close again, and he hears soft whimpers start escaping her throat, bringing a satisfied smile to Arthur’s lips. He floods into her just as she bucks beneath him, gasping desperately with pleasure.
I l’amour you.
They lay in lit together, watching the small télévision in the bedroom.
“Any plans tomorrow?” Gwen asks from the crook of his shoulder.
“Merlin has tickets for the tennis match in the afternoon.”
“Sounds fun,” she says. Oh well.
He looks down at her. “Why do toi ask?”
“Just wondering. I did take tomorrow afternoon off since I haven’t really done any unpacking since I found that blasted book. So I thought I’d try and get caught up some.”
“Oh, well, I can annuler with Merlin…”
“Don’t toi dare.”
“What?”
She looks up at him. “You do need to spend time with your Friends still, toi know.”
“But…”
“No. toi have tickets. You’re going.”
He scowls.
“Besides,” she leans up on one elbow, looking down at him. She takes his chin and moves his head to look at her. “If you’re around tomorrow afternoon, I have a feeling I won’t get anything done.” She smirks at him.
He can’t help but grin at this. “Well, I can’t help it if toi can’t keep your hands off of me.”
“Yes, that’s exactly it,” she rolls her eyes and lays back down, snuggling into him, throwing her leg across him.
“Mmm,” he makes a contented noise and rubs her back.
“You are much better than a stuffed bear.”
“Certainly hope so!” Arthur laughs.
TUESDAY
Next morning at the library, Dr. Gaius makes a beeline for Gwen when he sees her wandering among the shelves, a pile of livres in her arms.
“Gwen,” he calls to her.
“Hello, Dr. Gaius! How are toi this morning?”
“Excellent as usual, my dear. Did toi have a chance to look at that book?”
She sets down the books. “I did. My mind is still reeling. I was all over the Internet all weekend. Got very little unpacking done, thanks to you.”
“Sorry about that.” He smiles. “Did toi have any questions?”
“Yes, actually.” She scowls, thinking a minute. “Do toi have some time this afternoon? I’m only working until noon today. I’d l’amour it if toi would come over for tea.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“Three o’clock, then? I’ll give toi the address before toi leave. And don’t take too many books; Arthur won’t be around to help toi carry them today,” she teases him, scooping up her pile of livres again.
Gaius smiles and leaves her to her task.
I have two and a half hours to get something done around here before Dr. Gaius arrives, Gwen thinks, placing her lunch plate in the sink. Including the dishes, she adds, noting the breakfast dishes also present.
She baked while she ate lunch, quickly throwing together some scones to have with tea. Sighing, she runs hot water and washes all the dishes, but leaves them in the rack to air dry.
Her phone blips. Gee, I wonder who that could be? she thinks sarcastically, opening her phone.
Are toi sure toi don’t want me to come home? Gwen smiles and rolls her eyes.
Give Merlin a big Kiss for me she texts back, intentionally not answering his question.
A minute later: I will do no such thing. She laughs and sets the phone aside.
Gwen actually gets a lot accomplished during the short time she has. She empties several of the boxes in the living room and collapses them for recycling. I’ll have Arthur take those down to the bin later. She looks around the room and decides that she will rearrange the furniture suivant opportunity she has.
At two forty-five, she turns the kettle on, assuming Gaius will be punctual. She is not disappointed when she hears his knock. Right on time.
“So why isn’t this legend plus well-known? It’s fascinating.” Gwen asks. Gaius has been talking with her for over an heure now.
“Not sure about that. I guess the magic and mystery of Merlin and his powers kind of grew into a legend all its own, and Arthur and Guinevere’s story fell to the wayside. It is a pity, because it is a beautiful story. And if he was the king the legends say, it really is a shame that it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.”
The door opens, and Arthur and Merlin walk in, slightly sweaty but laughing. It is a warm day, and they’ve been outside for the past several hours. They stop short seeing that Gwen has a guest.
“Oh! Dr. Gaius, I wasn’t expecting to see toi here,” Arthur says, walking vers l'avant, vers l’avant to shake the older man’s hand. “This is my friend—“
“Merlin!” Gaius exclaims, “Good to see you!” He stands and hugs the young man.
“Uncle Henry, it’s been a long time!” Merlin laughs, returning the hug.
“You two are related?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, he’s my great-uncle,” Merlin says casually. Arthur looks at Gwen. She shrugs.
“I assume Guinevere’s been grilling toi for information all afternoon?” Arthur asks.
“Just since three,” he chuckles, sitting again.
“And?”
“And I meant what I a dit about toi two being destined to be together. Who knows how many times the two of toi have met before now, and who knows how many times you’ll meet again in the future. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but it is one of the lesser-known aspects of life. Great love, truly great l’amour will keep finding its way, regardless of the circumstances. We don’t even know if King Arthur and Queen Guinevere was the first incarnation. No one can say.”
“So how is it that toi know so much about this?” Arthur asks, joining them at the table. Merlin sits as well, stealing a sideways glance at Gaius as he does so.
“Because I am involved as well.”
“How so?” Gwen asks.
Gaius opens the book and quickly finds the passage he seeks. He slides the book around to Gwen, pointing.
“’King Arthur was a dit to have truly trusted very few in his life. Among them were Guinevere, Merlin, and the court physician, Gaius. There were also four of his knights to whom he was particularly close, often sent on special assignments for him ou accompanying him on quests.’ I think of myself as a ‘keeper of the legend.’ I know how it sounds, but I’ve been waiting a long time for toi two to find one another.”
“This is getting too weird,” Arthur says. He turns on Merlin. “And how much do you know, my quiet friend?”
“Enough,” Merlin says noncommittally.
“And you’ve a dit nothing why?”
“I didn’t want to freak toi out?” Merlin attempts, hoping there are no follow-ups.
Gaius speaks up again. “Arthur. All toi need to know is that toi two finding each other is a good thing. A very, very good thing. It means that the legend can continue. Another long wait has ended, and all signs point to the two of toi having a long and happy life together. No one disapproves of you,” he looks at Gwen, and she knows he is referring to Prince Arthur falling in l’amour with her, much to his father’s disappointment and disapproval, “and no one will come between you.”
Arthur looks at Gwen, and asks, “Feel better, love?”
“Yes, I think so. You?”
“I was always fine with it,” he says, but his eyes indicate otherwise.
“Oh really?” she challenges him.
“Okay, maybe I got a little worried about the Lancelot thing,” he admits, making Merlin laugh.
“Arthur, toi have nothing to worry about,” Merlin says. Bugger. I shouldn’t have a dit anything. Now he’s going to start asking questions.
“Well, if toi two will excuse me, I must be going,” Gaius says, standing. Gwen picks up the book and hands it to him.
“No. I want toi two to have it. Please,” Gaius tells her. “Call it an engagement present.”
“Thank you, Gaius,” she says, holding the book to her chest. She sets it down and gives him a hug.
“Arthur, cherish her,” Gaius clasps Arthur’s hand warmly between both of his.
“My pleasure, sir,” he says.
“Merlin, do toi need a lift home?” Gaius asks.
“No, I have a car, but I’ll walk out with you, Uncle Henry.” The two men leave.
Outside the door, Merlin says, “Took them long enough this time.”
“Yes, I couldn’t believe it when I got your phone call.”
“This one will work out nicely. And it will definitely be interesting. She’s got that original feistiness,” Merlin chuckles.
“In spades,” Gaius agrees.
Part 33: link
