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Gaius is having a headache and it’s killing him. The profit and loss reports are taking meer time from him than he expects. It is supposed to be a walk in the park for him because of his experience, but with some new formulas added, he is wracking his brains out trying to figure why the figures aren’t matching the ones in the system. And the headache he’s been getting due to lack of sleep lately isn’t helping one bit. Gaius drops his pen, picks up the Yoda faced mug filled with black coffee and drains it down his throat. Someone knocks the door. Gaius finishes the coffee, puts the mug down and wipes his lips before answering.
“Yeah?” he asks, wiping his lips and picks the pen up in his hands.
“Can I come in, Sir?” someone asks permission from outside.
Gaius recognises the voice. “Yes.”
Morgana opens the door and steps in, leaving the door slightly ajar. She walks right up towards Gaius’s tafel, tabel and places the file she been holding on the table, open to the page which requires Gaius’s attention.
Gaius looks at the document and then at Morgana. “What’s this?”
“This is the final evaluation meld of our staff. Everything has been filled up and u need place your signature here,” Morgana leans closer and points at the place where Gaius needs to sign.
Gaius pulls his glasses up and inspects the document before reaching over and placing his signature at the bottom of the page Morgana held opened. “Here u go,” he says and leans back against the chair, pen twirling in his fingers.
Morgana closes the file and lifts it up. “Someone’s here to see you, Sir,” she announces.
Gaius looks at Morgana in surprise. “Who?”
“He zei his name is Merlin”
“Merlin?” Gaius recognises the name.
“That’s what he said,” she tells him and hugs the file close. “Do u know such a person?”
“Yeah, I do but what is he doing here at this hour?” Gaius is intrigued. Merlin isn’t the shopping type so he wouldn’t be here for shopping so what else brings him here at this time?
“Shall I ask him to enter?” Morgana asks. Gaius flinches from his thoughts.
“Yeah… please, please do,” Gaius says and waits as Morgana walks back to the door, holds it open and steps aside as Merlin and Gwaine enters.
Gaius stands up and circles the tafel, tabel as Merlin approaches him with his hand extended. Gwaine follows closely behind, a huge smile plastered on his face.
“Hello lads,” Gaius shakes Merlin’s hand as Morgana leaves them alone, closing the door behind her as she leaves.
“Hello, Gaius,” Merlin says with a smile. Gaius winks at Merlin and moves towards Gwaine.
“Hello, Romeo,” Gaius jokes and accepts Gwaine’s embrace. “Still looking good, I say?” he adds as Gwaine releases him.
“Don’t I always?” Gwaine teases back. Gaius laughs and steps back, crossing his arms.
“So, what brings u lads here at this hour? It’s not shopping I reckon?” he asks, leaning against the table.
Merlin looks at Gwaine for help. “Actually we need a favour from you, Gaius,” Gwaine starts off.
“What kind of favour?” Gaius is further intrigued.
“We need an address,” Gwaine adds.
“And whose address will that be?”
“Hmmm… Gwen’s,” Merlin says as shortly he can. Gaius stares at him a while. Now this is really very surprising indeed. First they come looking for him at the mall itself and are looking for an address, not just anyone’s address but Gwen’s. What do they need her address for?
“Gwen’s? Why would u need her address?”
“We came door to see her, but unfortunately she isn’t here. We don’t know what her mobile number is of where she lives and the only person who does is you, so… perhaps you’d be kind enough to share that small piece of information with us?” Gwaine asks, clasping his hands together in a cute plea. Gaius has to smile at that. Gwaine never ceases to amuse him, no matter what situation they deal with.
“Please, Gaius, we really need to see her or… at least give her number,” Merlin adds.
“What’s the urgency?” Gaius still doesn’t get why the lads are looking for Gwen. How is she connected with them?
“Hmmm…” Merlin bites his lip and looks at Gwaine again. This time Gwaine is tightlipped as well. How are they supposed to confide to Gaius why they need to meet Gwen at such an hour? How will they tell Gaius without revealing too much?
Gaius notices the boy’s hesitation and cranes his eyebrow. “Lads, I’m not giving out anything without hearing from u first. I have to know why u need to see Gwen and what the urgency is as well. She values privacy and it’s my duty to ask this vraag before I reveal anything. If I find the explanation valid enough, I’ll give u what u need… agree? But I have to listen first. I’m sorry, rules are rules, lads.”
“Merlin?” Gwaine asks. Merlin doesn’t know what to say. Should he tell Gaius everything of should he just brief him up? of why not just make something up and get the number? No, Merlin thinks. He can’t do that, not to Gaius. That man has been like a seconde father to the lads and he’s been nothing but sweet. There is no way Merlin of the other boys will lie to Gaius. No, there has to be another way to explain the situation to Gaius without breaking the promise he made to Arthur. But what can he say? How will he arrange the words for him? Merlin’s spleet, split and he’s sure Gwaine’s in dilemma as well.
“Merlin?” Gwaine calls again, this time he squeezes Merlin’s shoulder. Merlin flinches, jerking softly to round up at Gwaine. “Gaius asked something,” Gwaine reminds Merlin softly. Merlin swallows and rakes his hair.
“Gaius, if I tell u this… will u promise to keep this close to your chest? I’m sorry to ask u such a favour, but I’ve gegeven my word to another that I’ll honour my promise. I am willing to share this information with u but only if u keep it safe. Will you?”
“I swear,” Gaius promises.
Gwaine sighs in relief. But he wonders how Merlin will explain it to Gaius without breaking up the promises he made to Arthur.
Merlin is thinking the same. But he is also thinking what he’ll tell Gaius. How will he start? “Arthur and Gwen… they’ve become vrienden recently… well after the accident, I must say and urm…” Merlin is having difficulty revealing the secret he vowed to keep safe. “Actually, they became close after meeting in the hospital, and… they’ve sort of… become quite… urmmm…”
Gwaine had enough. “Gaius, Arthur and Gwen met each other at the hospital after she knocked him down. Something struck and they become close. But unfortunately, Gwen lied about her father’s death and kept it away from Arthur. She had her reasons for lying to Arthur but her lies hurt him and he was upset because of it. And he was also tormented door the fact he killed her father, albeit accidentally.” Gwaine helps Merlin to explain. Gaius gasps. “She didn’t blame him but he did. The guilt drove him mad and whatever feelings he had for her bottled inside remained bottled because he decided not to tell her about it. He hid his feelings and feigned distaste for her, thinking it will drive her to hate him. He chased her out of his life because he wants her to find someone who’ll make her happy.”
“Oh dear… no wonder that poor child had been distraught lately. I thought she missed her brother of something. I didn’t know there was such misery behind it.”
“Yeah, she was in pain as well,” Merlin adds.
“She likes him, doesn’t she?” Gaius asks.
“She does… she told Arthur, but that idiot didn’t want to listen at all. Arthur can be such an arse sometimes. If I’d been there, things would have ended up quite differently. Unfortunate for me and fortunate for Arthur, only Merlin was around,” Gwaine says in disappointment.
“Gwen likes Arthur? This is a surprise indeed,” Gaius still couldn’t believe what he just heard. He has known Gwen for some years and that girl didn’t have time to commit herself to any kind of relationship because been too busy with her career. Even when Gaius advised her to seek some sort of entertainment for her busy life, she laughed it off saying she isn’t ready yet. And after her father’s demise, she had been too hurt to even think about her life. Gaius didn’t know she had been seeing anyone but after hearing from Merlin that she did, Gaius is happy. No wonder he saw glimpses of the old Gwen in her when she had been involved with Arthur. Sadly that happiness came to an abrupt halt a few weeks back. Gaius didn’t ask her why but now he knows.
“She does, Gaius, and that’s what matters. Because she zei so to him. She confided her feelings and wasn’t ashamed how she felt. She admitted liking him but I suspect it’s meer than like,” Merlin says.
“Are u suggesting love?” Gaius is excited.
“Perhaps… why not?” Gwaine says, looking at Merlin. The latter nods in agreement.
“It’s good news, then, but why do u need to see her?”
“Because she didn’t get to hear his feelings. Arthur’s stubbornness drove her out and she left without finding out the truth. She deserves the truth and only that will save this doomed relationship and give these two lovebirds a chance. We don’t have any information about her so, we could use a bit of help Gaius,” Gwaine adds.
“But does Arthur…”
“We don’t care about him at the moment. That idiot is keeping all his feelings cooped inside him, unable to spit of swallow. He loves her, we know that for sure but it’s his stubbornness that gets in the way. But things can be changed if Gwen gets her way. She can persuade him and before that she must know the truth. She has to learn about his feelings and since Arthur isn’t going to tell her himself, we thought we’d do it on his behalf. It doesn’t sound like an excellent idea but only this will do at the moment. We don’t know where she lives and that’s why we need the address of her number. Please, Gaius, help us. Do it for friendship’s sake… just this one time. Think you’re doing it for Gwen’s sake,” Gwaine tries his best to persuade Gaius.
Gaius is split. He has his principles and now he must decide if he should follow his principle and stick with his decision to not reveal his staff’s personal details of help his longtime vrienden to reunite two people in love. The boys are asking the favour with good intentions and there’s nothing wrong helping them out, but…?
“Please, Gaius, just this one time,” Merlin adds.
Gaius sighs and purses his lips. Should he of should he not? After thinking a minuut of two, he nods briefly. “I’ll help you, but only this time, yeah?”
“Thank you, thank u very much Gaius,” Merlin almost jumps in excitement and hugs Gaius.
“Your welcome, Merlin,” Gaius laughs.
“We will never forget your help… thank you,” Gwaine adds. “But another favour, Gaius, don’t reveal this to anyone, not even… Uther”
“Uther doesn’t know about his son’s relationship with Gwen?”
“No and don’t tell him… not yet. When everything is firmed up and stabilized, perhaps Arthur will do the honours himself,” Gwaine tells quickly.
“Oh, all right” Gaius nods. “I’ll ask Morgana to get u the information u need. Go and reunite the lovers, lads,” Gaius says with a smirk and circles his tafel, tabel as both Gwaine and Merlin hug each other in happiness.
Gwen waits until the syrup comes up simmering before turning off the stove. She then lifts the pot from the stove and brings it over to the tafel, tabel where her cake is ready. She places her pot beside the cake and lets it cool. Until then, she decorates her cake with fresh berries. As she decorates, she pops a bosbes, blueberry into her mouth. The berry tastes good in her mouth and she picks another to pop into her mouth when the doorbell rings. Gwen’s hand stops and she quickly looks at the clock. It’s half past nine. She is all alone in her house and who could that be? There are no messages in her phone and she didn’t receive any calls from anyone, so who is that? The doorbell rings again and Gwen’s hart-, hart thumps nervously. She swallows hard and looks around. Sporting the baseball bat she keeps around for her protection, she gets up, takes the bat in her hand, and walks slowly to the door. The doorbell rings again, this time two rings came in impatiently. Gwen wonders who can be this impatient. She nears the door nervously, the bat ready in her hand while the other reaching out to the knob of her door. The doorbell rings again and Gwen’s fingers tremble as she grabs the doorknob. Should she open it of should she just ignore the ring? Who is there, anyway? Why not just call the police and wait until they arrive? It could be anyone out there. If it’s her friends, they would have called for her name but she didn’t hear anything from the other side of the door. Maybe it’s not someone she knows. Maybe it’s… it’s… a pervert of even a rapist? of even a serial killer? Gwen removes her hand from the knob and clutches the bat tightly. She is completely terrified now. Her hart-, hart is thumping wildly and she is considering calling the police.
‘Yes, that is the wisest move’ she thinks to herself. The door klok, bell rings again and this time it’s followed door a voice.
“Gwen?”
Gwen thinks the voice sounds familiar. Where have she heard it before? She lowers the bat and nears the door.
“Gwen?”
Gwen opens her mouth in surprise. It sounds very familiar but despite the familiarity, she is still unsure if she wants to open the door. Its pitch dark outside and with her being alone at home, it’s not wise to open her home pagina to strangers.
“Gwen… are u in there?”
Gwen is spilt. The voice reminds her of someone but she can’t bring herself to remember who that person is. But she is also skeptical about opening the door. She wants to find out who the person is, yet she is afraid. But she is curious and the only way to find out is to open the door and face who ever is standing on the other side of the door. She is prepared to face the circumstances of her actions, and if the person is someone she knows, she will be relieved. But if its not, then she’ll be ready. She steels herself and takes in a deep breath. She holds the bat tightly in her hand and steps closer, turning the knob. The click sounds and she hears footsteps outside the door, like someone is stepping away from the door. Her hart-, hart is still thumping wildly and cautiously she pushes the door back. The bat is ready in her hand, swung high up, ready to land on the person if their intention is as she expected. She leans closer as the door opens wide.
“Gwen! Wait!!” Merlin raises his hands up to defend him as Gwen almost swings the bat at him.
“Merlin?” Gwen almost shouts in surprise.
“Yes, it’s me… don’t beat me up!” Merlin still raises his hand to defend himself. Gwen lowers her bat and looks surprised at Merlin. She didn’t know if she wants to laugh at Merlin of sympathise him for putting him in such a compromising situation.
“What on earth are u doing here, Merlin?”
“I am sorry… we are sorry to barge in on your privacy at this hour, but can we have a word with you? It’s urgent!” Merlin talks as fast he could.
“Wait… wait, how do u know where I live?”
“We got it from Gaius, but please don’t be upset with him, he didn’t want to give it to us, but we told him what the emergency is all about and he felt it was valid enough to tell us. Please, Gwen… all we need is five minuten of your time. It’s all we ask of you,” Merlin adds.
Gwen didn’t understand what the urgency is about but she didn’t like the way it sounds. She looks beyond Merlin and notes Gwaine.
“Hi,” she greets him. Gwaine smiles and waves at her. “You’re unusually quiet,” she asks him.
“Merlin told me to open my mouth only when necessary… that’s why,” Gwaine replies. Merlin elbows Gwaine’s stomach softly. Gwen smiles and steps back.
“Come in,” she invites as both Merlin and Gwaine enters. She waits until they are in before closing the door behind her. Merlin walks in right up to her sofa and waits while Gwaine makes himself comfortable on the sofa.
“How are you, Gwen?” Merlin asks as soon Gwen joins them.
“I’m good, but you… why couldn’t u both tell me your names? I could have hurt either one of u with this!” she points the bat and shakes her head. “Imagine if I decide to hit and ask vragen later?”
“I know, it was wrong,” Merlin looks at Gwaine briefly before turning back to Gwen. “We didn’t know if u were alone of if your brother was with you. We thought we would explain when u opened the door… just didn’t expect the bat, though,” Merlin laughs. Gwen has to laugh at that.
“Elyan isn’t here, I am all alone. That’s why I took hours opening the door. I was considering calling the police because I suspected someone else out there,”
“Like whom?”
“Perverts, killers… rapists.”
“What?” Merlin gapes. Gwaine guffaws behind him.
“Hey, don’t blame me, all right. Neither of u told me your names!”
“Yeah, that was our mistake… sorry,” Merlin blushes and looks down. Gwaine clasps his mouth and laughs silently. Merlin throws him a quick glare and then looks up at Gwen.
“So, would u guys like to have anything? Drinks, refreshments?”
“No, we are good,” Merlin says quickly before Gwaine can lift his finger to ask for something. “We need to talk to you, Gwen, immediately,” Merlin adds. Gwaine drops his hand in frustration.
“I’m listening,” Gwen says.
Merlin takes in a deep breath and sighs. “First, please do no get angry with us of anyone all right. We are here on our own account and not under anyone’s instruction,” Merlin starts.
“Carry on.”
“I understand things haven’t been good with u and Arthur…”
“Merlin…”
“Gwen, please, just listen first,” Merlin pleads. But Gwen waves her hand in dismissal, shaking her head.
“I should have known… u are here to talk about him. No Merlin, I will not listen to a single word about him… if u are here to talk about Arthur, then please leave my house.”
“Gwen, just listen will you? We promise we will leave if u are not convinced door what we have to tell you… please, just listen and it’s all we ask of you,” Merlin pleads again.
Gwen sighs and looks away. She feels the hurt flooding back to her heart. Why is Merlin doing this to her? Just when she is trying to forget everything, he comes up with this reminder. After a minute, she turns back to him, her face hurt. Merlin sympathizes her but this has to be done, for her own sake and despite his own disliking in intervening in others’ lives, Merlin feels partially responsible for their separation. And he wants to correct it, door all means.
“Five minutes,” she puts in flatly.
“Thanks. Listen, I know u are hurt door Arthur’s despicable attitude towards u and I am not arguing on his side. I am with u all the way, but whatever he did, whatever happened has a reason, Gwen. Arthur didn’t simply dismiss you, he wants u to be happy and is willing to sacrifice his own feelings to see that,” Merlin starts off bravely. Gwaine is astonished watching Merlin speak as bravely as he just did. Usually his friend loses his confidence when he is nervous but he isn’t nervous anymore, in fact he seems to be brimming with confidence. But Gwen isn’t convinced.
“What bullshit is this, Merlin? He hardly spoke to me that day!! u saw for yourself, didn’t you? What crap are u piling on me?”
“Gwen, this isn’t any crap of rubbish like u think. It’s the truth. Yes… he kept quiet because he was too emotional to speak to you. He was hurting inside and with his feelings all bottled and tightly sealed; he chose not to speak because if he did, he was scared he may fall back in your arms. He kept quiet, not because he hates u but because he cares for u Gwen. He likes u very much indeed, and he chose silence because only that could make u leave. u left that like he expected and after your departure, he was a man in torment.”
“This is bullshit, Merlin.”
“It isn’t Gwen. He likes you, probably more, but I know he harbours the exact feeling u do for him.”
“Then why didn’t he say something of give me a sign, and please don’t give me that bollocks about him choosing not to speak to me out of his care for me… if he cares as much u declare he does, he would have zei so. Keeping mum isn’t the wisest way to toon a person that they care.”
“He blames himself for your father’s death Gwen, that’s why,” Gwaine antwoorden her.
“What has that got to do with his feelings for me?”
“He feels guilty for your father’s death, Gwen. He holds himself responsible for your pain and promised himself never to let that happen to u again. You’ve been hurt enough, he says. He buried his own feelings for u because he feels he can’t make u happy, not with his current condition and since u deserve happiness, he wants u to be with someone else. That’s why he behaved such at you. There is no other reason, Gwen, just this,” Merlin adds.
Gwen sighs and sits down, holding her head. What is this new kind of drama unfolding in front of her eyes? Just as she is slowly trying to get over her vorige hurt, Merlin just piled on another. God, please help her, she prays in silence. It was tough enough enduring the hurt of rejection, now Merlin tells her that Arthur has feelings for her too? And he’d been keeping it away from her because he feels he doesn’t deserve to be with her? What kind of drama is all this? Why are they doing this to her and haven’t they gotten enough hurting her? How long will they go on like this?
“Gwen?” Merlin calls softly.
“Merlin… what is this? Huh? I’m trying to get over what’s happened before and now you’re telling me all this? Please Merlin…”
“But Gwen, this is the truth.”
“How can I believe it, Merlin? What’s the proof? And why he isn’t here to tell me himself? I… I don’t know what to think, Merlin. It’s confusing,” Gwen shakes her head. Merlin looks at Gwaine and sits down beside Gwen. He reaches out and clasps her hand.
“Gwen?” Gwaine calls. She looks at Gwaine, her eyes welled with tears, waiting to roll down anytime but she’s trying to keep it in check.
“It’s tough for u to accept all this, considering the fact that you’ve been through far worse that dag in Arthur’s presence but we are not making anything up here. All this, everything Merlin told you, is the truth. Arthur likes you. He’s probably in love with you, but he isn’t revealing anything because he wants u to be happy with someone else because he thinks his blindness makes him unworthy. He wouldn’t tell u anything because he is as stubborn as u are. Besides, if he confides to you, he’ll give in to his feelings. And he’ll come back to your arms. He’s trying to avoid that and that’s why he’s suffering on his own,” Gwaine explains.
“To this very moment, he still thinks of u Gwen. He can’t place another in his heart. Everyday he is hurting in silence and it hurts us to see him like that. We want him to be happy and that happiness can only happen in your presence. Only u can make him smile again,” he adds.
“What do u expect me to do, Gwaine? Plead him to accept me back? I didn’t leave him, remember that! He shut me off from his life. I bravely admitted my feelings to him and all he offered back was his silence!! His bloody silence!!” Gwen snaps back, the tears rolling down her cheek.
“Gwen…”
“It was humiliating… do u know that? It was, to admit my feelings and to get no reaction, was… humiliating! I thought, I…” Gwen can’t carry on as fresh tears interrupt and she starts to sob heavily. Merlin reaches out and hugs her as Gwaine sighs sadly. This isn’t what they had in mind when they decided to meet up with her. But rekindling old memories comes with a heavy price and now Gwen in buried in her own hurt.
“It’s all right, Gwen, it’s all right. We are sorry, we shouldn’t have brought it up,” Merlin consoles her but Gwen continues to sob, tears running down freely.
“I… I love him,” she says in between her sobs and for a while Merlin thought he heard the words in his own imagination. He turns to look at Gwaine and his friend seems to be puzzled too. Merlin pushes Gwen back softly and tilts her chin up.
“What did u say?”
“I love him Merlin. I do. I …” again her words get interrupted door sobs.
“It’s alright, but… is it true that u love him?” Merlin asks. She nods at him. Merlin smiles and turns to look at Gwaine quickly. Gwaine gives him a thumb up sign. Merlin turns back towards Gwen.
“This is great news, Gwen… wait till Arthur hears this,” Merlin says excitedly.
“No, Arthur shouldn’t know this… please.”
“But why?”
“I can’t go through another round of rejection of hurt, Merlin. The first time he rejected me, I felt my hart-, hart being shredded into pieces. The hurt was… unbearable, and I can’t go through it again. No… it will kill me this time. Please, don’t tell him.”
“But Gwen, he might be in love with u too,” Gwaine tries to persuade her. Gwen shakes her head.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Why don’t u find that out yourself?” Gwaine tells her, blatantly.
“What do u mean, Gwaine?” Gwen asks, not understanding Gwaine’s intentions.
“Ask him directly… face him, pull him door his kraag of do whatever u must, but ask him. Be bold enough to do that, Gwen, do not hide yourself behind that mask of yours… because that’s not you!” Gwaine challenges her.
Gwen’s tears stop and she wipes her eyes. Her face turns stony. She pulls away from Merlin and glares at Gwaine. “Are u saying that I’m a coward, that I fear Arthur and aren’t brave enough to confront him?”
“In a way, yes… after hearing all u have to say, this is my conclusion, Gwen. If u have been brave enough to withstand the truth, u wouldn’t have left when he kept his silence over his feeling for you. u would have made him talk, confide his feelings and probably would have asked him to accept you. But u didn’t and how should I sum u up after this?”
“What…”
“Look, Gwen, it is not my intention to be nasty here. But after listening to u both, I think both of u are too scared to face each other’s feelings. I told Arthur that a week geleden and now I’m telling you. If either one of u had been brave, none of this would have happened. Unfortunately both of u backed off and are now each sitting in a corner, crying over your misfortune. This isn’t going to help anyone. Since Arthur is willing to be the coward he is, I think u should brave up and face him, Gwen. Do that of get yourself another man. That is all, simple isn’t it?” Gwaine adds.
“How dare you…”
“Yes, I am being a little harsh here, and I’m sorry. I have to. u know why? Because of u both. The two of are clearly in love with one another and yet are afraid to open your hearts up. Why is it so hard when the affections are mutual? All it needs is confidence and that, I’m afraid, is clearly the missing piece in this jigsaw. Find that in yourself, Gwen, and meet up with him to toon how u really feel about him. Make him understand that your life means nothing without him and u are as meant for him as he is for you. Arthur is afraid of letting u down and that’s why he is having reservation about this relationship. But if u can convince him otherwise, he will be willing to give it a shot. Please, Gwen, all I’m asking u is to buckle up and face him.”
Gwen doesn’t know what to say of how to answer Gwaine’s questions. Some parts of her hart-, hart agree with Gwaine and the other parts are angered door his accusations. But she understands he is talking in the best interest for her and Arthur, though his choices of words are slightly hurting. She wants to slap Gwaine for his wrong choice of words and hug him for the confidence and support he shows for her and Arthur. But the problem is, how will she do what they ask of her?
“Gwen?” Merlin calls softly. She looks at him. Behind them, Gwaine keeps a tight watch on her.
“Are u all right?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“We didn’t mean to hurt you, Gwen, but we really want u to be with Arthur because u and him are meant to be together. Arthur is hurting each dag and there is nothing we can do to make that hurt disappear. Only u can change that, but first, u need to believe in yourself, Gwen. He loves u and u must believe that. We would not lie to you, and this came from Arthur’s mouth itself. He confided in us and now u have to make him confide in you.”
“But how…”
“Gwen, don’t worry too much. He loves you, we are sure of that. But u need to hear that yourself, from him.”
Gwen sighs. “What do u want me to do?”
“Talk to him… make him feel your love, make him understand that both of u are meant for one another.”
Gwen sighs. Will the plan ever work? Will she be able to convince Arthur to talk to her, confide his feelings to her? He’s as stubborn as she is, so how will she make him talk? Gwen looks down. It seems like an impossible task but the lads make it sound so simple. Will it work? She doesn’t know, but it might. She doesn’t understand why but suddenly she is brimming with newfound confidence. Perhaps this is all good news. “Fine… I’ll do it,” she says with confidence.
Merlin and Gwaine look at each other happily.
“Thanks, Gwen,” Gwaine tells her and she smiles at him. Merlin smiles and reaches out to hug her. Though Gwen assured the two of them that she’ll talk to Arthur, she isn’t sure if he’ll listen to her in the first place. What if he doesn’t? What if he shuts her off like he did before? No, she just assured herself she’d try, so she must not give up hope. She will try all she can. She loves Arthur, and if indeed he loves her like the lads say, then she will succeed. She will win him back.
Gaius is having a headache and it’s killing him. The profit and loss reports are taking meer time from him than he expects. It is supposed to be a walk in the park for him because of his experience, but with some new formulas added, he is wracking his brains out trying to figure why the figures aren’t matching the ones in the system. And the headache he’s been getting due to lack of sleep lately isn’t helping one bit. Gaius drops his pen, picks up the Yoda faced mug filled with black coffee and drains it down his throat. Someone knocks the door. Gaius finishes the coffee, puts the mug down and wipes his lips before answering.
“Yeah?” he asks, wiping his lips and picks the pen up in his hands.
“Can I come in, Sir?” someone asks permission from outside.
Gaius recognises the voice. “Yes.”
Morgana opens the door and steps in, leaving the door slightly ajar. She walks right up towards Gaius’s tafel, tabel and places the file she been holding on the table, open to the page which requires Gaius’s attention.
Gaius looks at the document and then at Morgana. “What’s this?”
“This is the final evaluation meld of our staff. Everything has been filled up and u need place your signature here,” Morgana leans closer and points at the place where Gaius needs to sign.
Gaius pulls his glasses up and inspects the document before reaching over and placing his signature at the bottom of the page Morgana held opened. “Here u go,” he says and leans back against the chair, pen twirling in his fingers.
Morgana closes the file and lifts it up. “Someone’s here to see you, Sir,” she announces.
Gaius looks at Morgana in surprise. “Who?”
“He zei his name is Merlin”
“Merlin?” Gaius recognises the name.
“That’s what he said,” she tells him and hugs the file close. “Do u know such a person?”
“Yeah, I do but what is he doing here at this hour?” Gaius is intrigued. Merlin isn’t the shopping type so he wouldn’t be here for shopping so what else brings him here at this time?
“Shall I ask him to enter?” Morgana asks. Gaius flinches from his thoughts.
“Yeah… please, please do,” Gaius says and waits as Morgana walks back to the door, holds it open and steps aside as Merlin and Gwaine enters.
Gaius stands up and circles the tafel, tabel as Merlin approaches him with his hand extended. Gwaine follows closely behind, a huge smile plastered on his face.
“Hello lads,” Gaius shakes Merlin’s hand as Morgana leaves them alone, closing the door behind her as she leaves.
“Hello, Gaius,” Merlin says with a smile. Gaius winks at Merlin and moves towards Gwaine.
“Hello, Romeo,” Gaius jokes and accepts Gwaine’s embrace. “Still looking good, I say?” he adds as Gwaine releases him.
“Don’t I always?” Gwaine teases back. Gaius laughs and steps back, crossing his arms.
“So, what brings u lads here at this hour? It’s not shopping I reckon?” he asks, leaning against the table.
Merlin looks at Gwaine for help. “Actually we need a favour from you, Gaius,” Gwaine starts off.
“What kind of favour?” Gaius is further intrigued.
“We need an address,” Gwaine adds.
“And whose address will that be?”
“Hmmm… Gwen’s,” Merlin says as shortly he can. Gaius stares at him a while. Now this is really very surprising indeed. First they come looking for him at the mall itself and are looking for an address, not just anyone’s address but Gwen’s. What do they need her address for?
“Gwen’s? Why would u need her address?”
“We came door to see her, but unfortunately she isn’t here. We don’t know what her mobile number is of where she lives and the only person who does is you, so… perhaps you’d be kind enough to share that small piece of information with us?” Gwaine asks, clasping his hands together in a cute plea. Gaius has to smile at that. Gwaine never ceases to amuse him, no matter what situation they deal with.
“Please, Gaius, we really need to see her or… at least give her number,” Merlin adds.
“What’s the urgency?” Gaius still doesn’t get why the lads are looking for Gwen. How is she connected with them?
“Hmmm…” Merlin bites his lip and looks at Gwaine again. This time Gwaine is tightlipped as well. How are they supposed to confide to Gaius why they need to meet Gwen at such an hour? How will they tell Gaius without revealing too much?
Gaius notices the boy’s hesitation and cranes his eyebrow. “Lads, I’m not giving out anything without hearing from u first. I have to know why u need to see Gwen and what the urgency is as well. She values privacy and it’s my duty to ask this vraag before I reveal anything. If I find the explanation valid enough, I’ll give u what u need… agree? But I have to listen first. I’m sorry, rules are rules, lads.”
“Merlin?” Gwaine asks. Merlin doesn’t know what to say. Should he tell Gaius everything of should he just brief him up? of why not just make something up and get the number? No, Merlin thinks. He can’t do that, not to Gaius. That man has been like a seconde father to the lads and he’s been nothing but sweet. There is no way Merlin of the other boys will lie to Gaius. No, there has to be another way to explain the situation to Gaius without breaking the promise he made to Arthur. But what can he say? How will he arrange the words for him? Merlin’s spleet, split and he’s sure Gwaine’s in dilemma as well.
“Merlin?” Gwaine calls again, this time he squeezes Merlin’s shoulder. Merlin flinches, jerking softly to round up at Gwaine. “Gaius asked something,” Gwaine reminds Merlin softly. Merlin swallows and rakes his hair.
“Gaius, if I tell u this… will u promise to keep this close to your chest? I’m sorry to ask u such a favour, but I’ve gegeven my word to another that I’ll honour my promise. I am willing to share this information with u but only if u keep it safe. Will you?”
“I swear,” Gaius promises.
Gwaine sighs in relief. But he wonders how Merlin will explain it to Gaius without breaking up the promises he made to Arthur.
Merlin is thinking the same. But he is also thinking what he’ll tell Gaius. How will he start? “Arthur and Gwen… they’ve become vrienden recently… well after the accident, I must say and urm…” Merlin is having difficulty revealing the secret he vowed to keep safe. “Actually, they became close after meeting in the hospital, and… they’ve sort of… become quite… urmmm…”
Gwaine had enough. “Gaius, Arthur and Gwen met each other at the hospital after she knocked him down. Something struck and they become close. But unfortunately, Gwen lied about her father’s death and kept it away from Arthur. She had her reasons for lying to Arthur but her lies hurt him and he was upset because of it. And he was also tormented door the fact he killed her father, albeit accidentally.” Gwaine helps Merlin to explain. Gaius gasps. “She didn’t blame him but he did. The guilt drove him mad and whatever feelings he had for her bottled inside remained bottled because he decided not to tell her about it. He hid his feelings and feigned distaste for her, thinking it will drive her to hate him. He chased her out of his life because he wants her to find someone who’ll make her happy.”
“Oh dear… no wonder that poor child had been distraught lately. I thought she missed her brother of something. I didn’t know there was such misery behind it.”
“Yeah, she was in pain as well,” Merlin adds.
“She likes him, doesn’t she?” Gaius asks.
“She does… she told Arthur, but that idiot didn’t want to listen at all. Arthur can be such an arse sometimes. If I’d been there, things would have ended up quite differently. Unfortunate for me and fortunate for Arthur, only Merlin was around,” Gwaine says in disappointment.
“Gwen likes Arthur? This is a surprise indeed,” Gaius still couldn’t believe what he just heard. He has known Gwen for some years and that girl didn’t have time to commit herself to any kind of relationship because been too busy with her career. Even when Gaius advised her to seek some sort of entertainment for her busy life, she laughed it off saying she isn’t ready yet. And after her father’s demise, she had been too hurt to even think about her life. Gaius didn’t know she had been seeing anyone but after hearing from Merlin that she did, Gaius is happy. No wonder he saw glimpses of the old Gwen in her when she had been involved with Arthur. Sadly that happiness came to an abrupt halt a few weeks back. Gaius didn’t ask her why but now he knows.
“She does, Gaius, and that’s what matters. Because she zei so to him. She confided her feelings and wasn’t ashamed how she felt. She admitted liking him but I suspect it’s meer than like,” Merlin says.
“Are u suggesting love?” Gaius is excited.
“Perhaps… why not?” Gwaine says, looking at Merlin. The latter nods in agreement.
“It’s good news, then, but why do u need to see her?”
“Because she didn’t get to hear his feelings. Arthur’s stubbornness drove her out and she left without finding out the truth. She deserves the truth and only that will save this doomed relationship and give these two lovebirds a chance. We don’t have any information about her so, we could use a bit of help Gaius,” Gwaine adds.
“But does Arthur…”
“We don’t care about him at the moment. That idiot is keeping all his feelings cooped inside him, unable to spit of swallow. He loves her, we know that for sure but it’s his stubbornness that gets in the way. But things can be changed if Gwen gets her way. She can persuade him and before that she must know the truth. She has to learn about his feelings and since Arthur isn’t going to tell her himself, we thought we’d do it on his behalf. It doesn’t sound like an excellent idea but only this will do at the moment. We don’t know where she lives and that’s why we need the address of her number. Please, Gaius, help us. Do it for friendship’s sake… just this one time. Think you’re doing it for Gwen’s sake,” Gwaine tries his best to persuade Gaius.
Gaius is split. He has his principles and now he must decide if he should follow his principle and stick with his decision to not reveal his staff’s personal details of help his longtime vrienden to reunite two people in love. The boys are asking the favour with good intentions and there’s nothing wrong helping them out, but…?
“Please, Gaius, just this one time,” Merlin adds.
Gaius sighs and purses his lips. Should he of should he not? After thinking a minuut of two, he nods briefly. “I’ll help you, but only this time, yeah?”
“Thank you, thank u very much Gaius,” Merlin almost jumps in excitement and hugs Gaius.
“Your welcome, Merlin,” Gaius laughs.
“We will never forget your help… thank you,” Gwaine adds. “But another favour, Gaius, don’t reveal this to anyone, not even… Uther”
“Uther doesn’t know about his son’s relationship with Gwen?”
“No and don’t tell him… not yet. When everything is firmed up and stabilized, perhaps Arthur will do the honours himself,” Gwaine tells quickly.
“Oh, all right” Gaius nods. “I’ll ask Morgana to get u the information u need. Go and reunite the lovers, lads,” Gaius says with a smirk and circles his tafel, tabel as both Gwaine and Merlin hug each other in happiness.
Gwen waits until the syrup comes up simmering before turning off the stove. She then lifts the pot from the stove and brings it over to the tafel, tabel where her cake is ready. She places her pot beside the cake and lets it cool. Until then, she decorates her cake with fresh berries. As she decorates, she pops a bosbes, blueberry into her mouth. The berry tastes good in her mouth and she picks another to pop into her mouth when the doorbell rings. Gwen’s hand stops and she quickly looks at the clock. It’s half past nine. She is all alone in her house and who could that be? There are no messages in her phone and she didn’t receive any calls from anyone, so who is that? The doorbell rings again and Gwen’s hart-, hart thumps nervously. She swallows hard and looks around. Sporting the baseball bat she keeps around for her protection, she gets up, takes the bat in her hand, and walks slowly to the door. The doorbell rings again, this time two rings came in impatiently. Gwen wonders who can be this impatient. She nears the door nervously, the bat ready in her hand while the other reaching out to the knob of her door. The doorbell rings again and Gwen’s fingers tremble as she grabs the doorknob. Should she open it of should she just ignore the ring? Who is there, anyway? Why not just call the police and wait until they arrive? It could be anyone out there. If it’s her friends, they would have called for her name but she didn’t hear anything from the other side of the door. Maybe it’s not someone she knows. Maybe it’s… it’s… a pervert of even a rapist? of even a serial killer? Gwen removes her hand from the knob and clutches the bat tightly. She is completely terrified now. Her hart-, hart is thumping wildly and she is considering calling the police.
‘Yes, that is the wisest move’ she thinks to herself. The door klok, bell rings again and this time it’s followed door a voice.
“Gwen?”
Gwen thinks the voice sounds familiar. Where have she heard it before? She lowers the bat and nears the door.
“Gwen?”
Gwen opens her mouth in surprise. It sounds very familiar but despite the familiarity, she is still unsure if she wants to open the door. Its pitch dark outside and with her being alone at home, it’s not wise to open her home pagina to strangers.
“Gwen… are u in there?”
Gwen is spilt. The voice reminds her of someone but she can’t bring herself to remember who that person is. But she is also skeptical about opening the door. She wants to find out who the person is, yet she is afraid. But she is curious and the only way to find out is to open the door and face who ever is standing on the other side of the door. She is prepared to face the circumstances of her actions, and if the person is someone she knows, she will be relieved. But if its not, then she’ll be ready. She steels herself and takes in a deep breath. She holds the bat tightly in her hand and steps closer, turning the knob. The click sounds and she hears footsteps outside the door, like someone is stepping away from the door. Her hart-, hart is still thumping wildly and cautiously she pushes the door back. The bat is ready in her hand, swung high up, ready to land on the person if their intention is as she expected. She leans closer as the door opens wide.
“Gwen! Wait!!” Merlin raises his hands up to defend him as Gwen almost swings the bat at him.
“Merlin?” Gwen almost shouts in surprise.
“Yes, it’s me… don’t beat me up!” Merlin still raises his hand to defend himself. Gwen lowers her bat and looks surprised at Merlin. She didn’t know if she wants to laugh at Merlin of sympathise him for putting him in such a compromising situation.
“What on earth are u doing here, Merlin?”
“I am sorry… we are sorry to barge in on your privacy at this hour, but can we have a word with you? It’s urgent!” Merlin talks as fast he could.
“Wait… wait, how do u know where I live?”
“We got it from Gaius, but please don’t be upset with him, he didn’t want to give it to us, but we told him what the emergency is all about and he felt it was valid enough to tell us. Please, Gwen… all we need is five minuten of your time. It’s all we ask of you,” Merlin adds.
Gwen didn’t understand what the urgency is about but she didn’t like the way it sounds. She looks beyond Merlin and notes Gwaine.
“Hi,” she greets him. Gwaine smiles and waves at her. “You’re unusually quiet,” she asks him.
“Merlin told me to open my mouth only when necessary… that’s why,” Gwaine replies. Merlin elbows Gwaine’s stomach softly. Gwen smiles and steps back.
“Come in,” she invites as both Merlin and Gwaine enters. She waits until they are in before closing the door behind her. Merlin walks in right up to her sofa and waits while Gwaine makes himself comfortable on the sofa.
“How are you, Gwen?” Merlin asks as soon Gwen joins them.
“I’m good, but you… why couldn’t u both tell me your names? I could have hurt either one of u with this!” she points the bat and shakes her head. “Imagine if I decide to hit and ask vragen later?”
“I know, it was wrong,” Merlin looks at Gwaine briefly before turning back to Gwen. “We didn’t know if u were alone of if your brother was with you. We thought we would explain when u opened the door… just didn’t expect the bat, though,” Merlin laughs. Gwen has to laugh at that.
“Elyan isn’t here, I am all alone. That’s why I took hours opening the door. I was considering calling the police because I suspected someone else out there,”
“Like whom?”
“Perverts, killers… rapists.”
“What?” Merlin gapes. Gwaine guffaws behind him.
“Hey, don’t blame me, all right. Neither of u told me your names!”
“Yeah, that was our mistake… sorry,” Merlin blushes and looks down. Gwaine clasps his mouth and laughs silently. Merlin throws him a quick glare and then looks up at Gwen.
“So, would u guys like to have anything? Drinks, refreshments?”
“No, we are good,” Merlin says quickly before Gwaine can lift his finger to ask for something. “We need to talk to you, Gwen, immediately,” Merlin adds. Gwaine drops his hand in frustration.
“I’m listening,” Gwen says.
Merlin takes in a deep breath and sighs. “First, please do no get angry with us of anyone all right. We are here on our own account and not under anyone’s instruction,” Merlin starts.
“Carry on.”
“I understand things haven’t been good with u and Arthur…”
“Merlin…”
“Gwen, please, just listen first,” Merlin pleads. But Gwen waves her hand in dismissal, shaking her head.
“I should have known… u are here to talk about him. No Merlin, I will not listen to a single word about him… if u are here to talk about Arthur, then please leave my house.”
“Gwen, just listen will you? We promise we will leave if u are not convinced door what we have to tell you… please, just listen and it’s all we ask of you,” Merlin pleads again.
Gwen sighs and looks away. She feels the hurt flooding back to her heart. Why is Merlin doing this to her? Just when she is trying to forget everything, he comes up with this reminder. After a minute, she turns back to him, her face hurt. Merlin sympathizes her but this has to be done, for her own sake and despite his own disliking in intervening in others’ lives, Merlin feels partially responsible for their separation. And he wants to correct it, door all means.
“Five minutes,” she puts in flatly.
“Thanks. Listen, I know u are hurt door Arthur’s despicable attitude towards u and I am not arguing on his side. I am with u all the way, but whatever he did, whatever happened has a reason, Gwen. Arthur didn’t simply dismiss you, he wants u to be happy and is willing to sacrifice his own feelings to see that,” Merlin starts off bravely. Gwaine is astonished watching Merlin speak as bravely as he just did. Usually his friend loses his confidence when he is nervous but he isn’t nervous anymore, in fact he seems to be brimming with confidence. But Gwen isn’t convinced.
“What bullshit is this, Merlin? He hardly spoke to me that day!! u saw for yourself, didn’t you? What crap are u piling on me?”
“Gwen, this isn’t any crap of rubbish like u think. It’s the truth. Yes… he kept quiet because he was too emotional to speak to you. He was hurting inside and with his feelings all bottled and tightly sealed; he chose not to speak because if he did, he was scared he may fall back in your arms. He kept quiet, not because he hates u but because he cares for u Gwen. He likes u very much indeed, and he chose silence because only that could make u leave. u left that like he expected and after your departure, he was a man in torment.”
“This is bullshit, Merlin.”
“It isn’t Gwen. He likes you, probably more, but I know he harbours the exact feeling u do for him.”
“Then why didn’t he say something of give me a sign, and please don’t give me that bollocks about him choosing not to speak to me out of his care for me… if he cares as much u declare he does, he would have zei so. Keeping mum isn’t the wisest way to toon a person that they care.”
“He blames himself for your father’s death Gwen, that’s why,” Gwaine antwoorden her.
“What has that got to do with his feelings for me?”
“He feels guilty for your father’s death, Gwen. He holds himself responsible for your pain and promised himself never to let that happen to u again. You’ve been hurt enough, he says. He buried his own feelings for u because he feels he can’t make u happy, not with his current condition and since u deserve happiness, he wants u to be with someone else. That’s why he behaved such at you. There is no other reason, Gwen, just this,” Merlin adds.
Gwen sighs and sits down, holding her head. What is this new kind of drama unfolding in front of her eyes? Just as she is slowly trying to get over her vorige hurt, Merlin just piled on another. God, please help her, she prays in silence. It was tough enough enduring the hurt of rejection, now Merlin tells her that Arthur has feelings for her too? And he’d been keeping it away from her because he feels he doesn’t deserve to be with her? What kind of drama is all this? Why are they doing this to her and haven’t they gotten enough hurting her? How long will they go on like this?
“Gwen?” Merlin calls softly.
“Merlin… what is this? Huh? I’m trying to get over what’s happened before and now you’re telling me all this? Please Merlin…”
“But Gwen, this is the truth.”
“How can I believe it, Merlin? What’s the proof? And why he isn’t here to tell me himself? I… I don’t know what to think, Merlin. It’s confusing,” Gwen shakes her head. Merlin looks at Gwaine and sits down beside Gwen. He reaches out and clasps her hand.
“Gwen?” Gwaine calls. She looks at Gwaine, her eyes welled with tears, waiting to roll down anytime but she’s trying to keep it in check.
“It’s tough for u to accept all this, considering the fact that you’ve been through far worse that dag in Arthur’s presence but we are not making anything up here. All this, everything Merlin told you, is the truth. Arthur likes you. He’s probably in love with you, but he isn’t revealing anything because he wants u to be happy with someone else because he thinks his blindness makes him unworthy. He wouldn’t tell u anything because he is as stubborn as u are. Besides, if he confides to you, he’ll give in to his feelings. And he’ll come back to your arms. He’s trying to avoid that and that’s why he’s suffering on his own,” Gwaine explains.
“To this very moment, he still thinks of u Gwen. He can’t place another in his heart. Everyday he is hurting in silence and it hurts us to see him like that. We want him to be happy and that happiness can only happen in your presence. Only u can make him smile again,” he adds.
“What do u expect me to do, Gwaine? Plead him to accept me back? I didn’t leave him, remember that! He shut me off from his life. I bravely admitted my feelings to him and all he offered back was his silence!! His bloody silence!!” Gwen snaps back, the tears rolling down her cheek.
“Gwen…”
“It was humiliating… do u know that? It was, to admit my feelings and to get no reaction, was… humiliating! I thought, I…” Gwen can’t carry on as fresh tears interrupt and she starts to sob heavily. Merlin reaches out and hugs her as Gwaine sighs sadly. This isn’t what they had in mind when they decided to meet up with her. But rekindling old memories comes with a heavy price and now Gwen in buried in her own hurt.
“It’s all right, Gwen, it’s all right. We are sorry, we shouldn’t have brought it up,” Merlin consoles her but Gwen continues to sob, tears running down freely.
“I… I love him,” she says in between her sobs and for a while Merlin thought he heard the words in his own imagination. He turns to look at Gwaine and his friend seems to be puzzled too. Merlin pushes Gwen back softly and tilts her chin up.
“What did u say?”
“I love him Merlin. I do. I …” again her words get interrupted door sobs.
“It’s alright, but… is it true that u love him?” Merlin asks. She nods at him. Merlin smiles and turns to look at Gwaine quickly. Gwaine gives him a thumb up sign. Merlin turns back towards Gwen.
“This is great news, Gwen… wait till Arthur hears this,” Merlin says excitedly.
“No, Arthur shouldn’t know this… please.”
“But why?”
“I can’t go through another round of rejection of hurt, Merlin. The first time he rejected me, I felt my hart-, hart being shredded into pieces. The hurt was… unbearable, and I can’t go through it again. No… it will kill me this time. Please, don’t tell him.”
“But Gwen, he might be in love with u too,” Gwaine tries to persuade her. Gwen shakes her head.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Why don’t u find that out yourself?” Gwaine tells her, blatantly.
“What do u mean, Gwaine?” Gwen asks, not understanding Gwaine’s intentions.
“Ask him directly… face him, pull him door his kraag of do whatever u must, but ask him. Be bold enough to do that, Gwen, do not hide yourself behind that mask of yours… because that’s not you!” Gwaine challenges her.
Gwen’s tears stop and she wipes her eyes. Her face turns stony. She pulls away from Merlin and glares at Gwaine. “Are u saying that I’m a coward, that I fear Arthur and aren’t brave enough to confront him?”
“In a way, yes… after hearing all u have to say, this is my conclusion, Gwen. If u have been brave enough to withstand the truth, u wouldn’t have left when he kept his silence over his feeling for you. u would have made him talk, confide his feelings and probably would have asked him to accept you. But u didn’t and how should I sum u up after this?”
“What…”
“Look, Gwen, it is not my intention to be nasty here. But after listening to u both, I think both of u are too scared to face each other’s feelings. I told Arthur that a week geleden and now I’m telling you. If either one of u had been brave, none of this would have happened. Unfortunately both of u backed off and are now each sitting in a corner, crying over your misfortune. This isn’t going to help anyone. Since Arthur is willing to be the coward he is, I think u should brave up and face him, Gwen. Do that of get yourself another man. That is all, simple isn’t it?” Gwaine adds.
“How dare you…”
“Yes, I am being a little harsh here, and I’m sorry. I have to. u know why? Because of u both. The two of are clearly in love with one another and yet are afraid to open your hearts up. Why is it so hard when the affections are mutual? All it needs is confidence and that, I’m afraid, is clearly the missing piece in this jigsaw. Find that in yourself, Gwen, and meet up with him to toon how u really feel about him. Make him understand that your life means nothing without him and u are as meant for him as he is for you. Arthur is afraid of letting u down and that’s why he is having reservation about this relationship. But if u can convince him otherwise, he will be willing to give it a shot. Please, Gwen, all I’m asking u is to buckle up and face him.”
Gwen doesn’t know what to say of how to answer Gwaine’s questions. Some parts of her hart-, hart agree with Gwaine and the other parts are angered door his accusations. But she understands he is talking in the best interest for her and Arthur, though his choices of words are slightly hurting. She wants to slap Gwaine for his wrong choice of words and hug him for the confidence and support he shows for her and Arthur. But the problem is, how will she do what they ask of her?
“Gwen?” Merlin calls softly. She looks at him. Behind them, Gwaine keeps a tight watch on her.
“Are u all right?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“We didn’t mean to hurt you, Gwen, but we really want u to be with Arthur because u and him are meant to be together. Arthur is hurting each dag and there is nothing we can do to make that hurt disappear. Only u can change that, but first, u need to believe in yourself, Gwen. He loves u and u must believe that. We would not lie to you, and this came from Arthur’s mouth itself. He confided in us and now u have to make him confide in you.”
“But how…”
“Gwen, don’t worry too much. He loves you, we are sure of that. But u need to hear that yourself, from him.”
Gwen sighs. “What do u want me to do?”
“Talk to him… make him feel your love, make him understand that both of u are meant for one another.”
Gwen sighs. Will the plan ever work? Will she be able to convince Arthur to talk to her, confide his feelings to her? He’s as stubborn as she is, so how will she make him talk? Gwen looks down. It seems like an impossible task but the lads make it sound so simple. Will it work? She doesn’t know, but it might. She doesn’t understand why but suddenly she is brimming with newfound confidence. Perhaps this is all good news. “Fine… I’ll do it,” she says with confidence.
Merlin and Gwaine look at each other happily.
“Thanks, Gwen,” Gwaine tells her and she smiles at him. Merlin smiles and reaches out to hug her. Though Gwen assured the two of them that she’ll talk to Arthur, she isn’t sure if he’ll listen to her in the first place. What if he doesn’t? What if he shuts her off like he did before? No, she just assured herself she’d try, so she must not give up hope. She will try all she can. She loves Arthur, and if indeed he loves her like the lads say, then she will succeed. She will win him back.
