Part 24: link
“Well, that could have gone better, but it also could have been much worse,” Arthur says to Gwen as he drives them back to his flat.
“Yes, at least we got them to come around. That was important to me.” She sighs. Arthur reaches over and strokes her cheek. She turns and smiles at him.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?” he asks her.
“Actually, no.”
“Well, you look beautiful today, Guinevere.”
“Thank you.” She closes her eyes for a minute. When she opens them, she sees a supermarket a few blocks away, ahead. “Arthur, stop at the market, please. I want to cook hapunan for us tonight.”
“And I have nothing for you to cook, is that it?” he asks, turning into the lot.
“Yes.”
Inside, she scurries around, finding the items she needs. Arthur follows, pushing the trolley. He is watching her, amused at how she seems to know exactly where she is going, but then will suddenly stop and change direction as she remembers another item she needs.
“Steak. My favorite,” he says, inspecting the wares.
“I thought as much,” she says, dropping a sack of flour into the cart.
“Flour?”
“Do you have flour?”
“No.”
“Then yes, flour.”
“What for?”
“Bread.”
“I have bread.”
“Not homemade bread.”
Finally satisfied that she has everything she needs, they proceed to the queues, and after a brief argument about who is paying for these things – which Gwen wins – they make their way outside.
Gwen pushes the trolley out into the bright sunshine. She turns to say something to Arthur, and finds she is alone. She looks back and sees him just inside the doors, bending to tie his shoe.
“Gwen?” a familiar voice calls to her. She turns, hoping her ears have deceived her.
“Gwen! How are you?” Lance approaches her, arms out to give her a hug.
Arthur walks out of the doors and sees a handsome man with dark hair and oliba skin approaching Gwen, arms outstretched. Who is that? He watches as she extends her right hand only, causing the man to stop short.
“Lance,” he hears Gwen say casually, coolly. Lance grasps her hand briefly as Arthur joins them, putting his arm around Guinevere’s shoulders possessively.
“Hello,” Lance says to Arthur. He nods.
“Um, Lance, this is my fiancé, Arthur Pendragon. Arthur, Lance du Lac,” Gwen introduces the two men. She tries not to put too much emphasis on the word fiancé, but finds she cannot help it.
“Nice to meet you,” Lance says, extending his hand. “You’re a very lucky man,” he adds.
“I know,” says Arthur, keeping his right arm around Gwen, not accepting the handshake.
“Ah,” Lance says, and drops his hand.
“What are you doing here?” Gwen asks.
“My sister was married yesterday. I came over for the wedding.”
“Jacqueline?”
“Angelique.”
“Give her my congratulations,” Gwen says. She is being civil, polite, but Arthur can feel that she is very uncomfortable. Arthur says nothing; he simply watches Lance, his face like stone.
“I’ll do that,” Lance says, glancing at Arthur. The man is making him uncomfortable. “Um, I’m leaving for Los Angeles in the morning, so, best of luck to you both. I... hope you’ll have a happy life together,” he manages. Arthur’s stare is very unnerving and he is suddenly very eager to go inside and leave them.
“Thank you,” Gwen says. “Goodbye, Lance.”
Arthur speaks first as they drive back into the city and his apartment.
“The man has two sisters and still he treated you the way he did? I’d hate to see how he’d act if someone did that to one of his sisters.”
“I know. I’m glad you were there, Arthur,” she tells him. He looks over at her. She looks very tired. Well, the last few days have been quite the emotional roller coaster for her, he realizes.
“That was the first time you’ve seen him since he left, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You were very cool. It was brilliant,” he smiles at her.
“Thank you. I can’t believe that he thought I’d be happy to see him,” she gives him a small smile. Suddenly it grows into an impish grin. “He was very unnerved sa pamamagitan ng you. What were you doing?”
“Nothing. Just... staring. I had to stop myself from saying ‘good’ when he told you he was going back to LA tomorrow,” he laughs.
“I know, I did, too,” she joins his laughter. He takes her hand and holds it as they drive. “I liked being able to introduce you as my fiancé. Especially to him.”
“Best thing I’d heard all day,” Arthur tells her. She closes her eyes.
Gwen is asleep sa pamamagitan ng the time they reach Arthur’s flat. He looks at her, unsure of what to do. If my shoulder wasn’t buggered, I’d just carry her in. I probably could do anyway, but she’d yell at me. Frowning, he touches her cheek. “Guinevere,” he says softly. She stirs.
“Sorry,” she says, her voice sluggish.
“It’s all right, love. You’ve had a hard few days, I think.” He exits the car and goes around to her side, opening the door and offering his hand.
Once inside, he tells her, “Why don’t you get comfortable and rest a bit. I’ll bring in the food. I promise I won’t carry anything heavy with my left arm.” He kisses her and heads out the door.
Gwen shuffles back to Arthur’s room to change clothes. sa pamamagitan ng the time Arthur has everything in and put away, Gwen has changed into what Arthur has started thinking of as her “cozy wear,” the black Capris and rugby t-shirt, and is lying on the sopa with her head on a unan she has brought out from Arthur’s bed.
“You could have laid down on the bed,” he tells her.
“I want to be out here with you.”
He kneels down sa pamamagitan ng her head and kisses her softly. “Have a sleep. You don’t have to cook hapunan if you don’t want to.”
“I want to. Besides, it’s early yet. I’m not going to sleep the rest of the araw away,” she smiles, halik him.
“Keep that up and you won’t get that nap,” he grins, kisses her one last time, and stands.
“Do you have a blanket?” she asks, eyes now closed again.
“Are you cold?”
“No, I just like having a blanket.”
“Weird. Hang on.” He goes to a closet and comes back with one, which he places over her, tucking her in.
He stands a minute, not sure what he’s going to do now. He looks at a side mesa and sees the book he got from the library. He sits in a chair and picks it up, opening it at his bookmark.
This tray is heavy. The king must be hungry tonight; better get him his dinner. These candles don’t lend much light to these hallways. Ah, here we are.
“Come.”
“Sire, your dinner.”
“Ah, thank you, Guinevere.”
He looks too happy to see me. And the way he says my name just seems… improper. It’s not the way a king should address a servant. Pour the wine.
“Thank you.”
And he’s far too polite. His father never sinabi ‘thank you.’ He’s looking at me. Why is he looking at me? Why is he looking at me like that?
“Guinevere, will you sumali me?”
What? “My lord?”
“I certainly have enough pagkain here for two. Dine with me.”
Should I? Can I refuse him? He’s the king. He’s so… handsome. And he’s looking at me in a way that is making my knees weak. But he’s the king.
“Please. Sit.”
Okay, I guess I’ll have hapunan with the king.
Where did he get that plate? Under the other? Did he plan this? He shouldn’t be serving me. But he has all the pagkain in front of him.
Surely he can’t still have feelings for me. True, he’s kissed me a few times, but that was long ago. I know that my feelings for him must be denied; nothing can come of them. But he makes that awfully difficult sometimes…
“Here you are. Enjoy.”
Stop looking at me like that. I’m turning into a puddle over here. How can I possibly eat with you being so sweet and charming and… I’m a servant.
“Sire, I…”
“No, I won’t hear it. I wish to dine with you, Guinevere. Didn’t you think it odd that you were to bring my hapunan instead of Merlin?”
“Well…”
“And surely you noticed the tray was unusually heavy.”
“I just thought you were hungry.” Don’t look at him. You do not want to lose your mind. Look at the plate.
“Guinevere,”
Eyes, listen to me, not him! God, he’s beautiful. “My lord?”
“Arthur,” he gently corrects her.
What? “Arthur.” Mouth, now you betray me?
“Arthur.”
Arthur looks up from his book. Gwen is still asleep. He smiles. She’s dreaming about me, he thinks smugly, and goes back to reading.
Arthur’s phone rings, and he practically jumps out of his skin trying to get to it, as it isn’t silenced.
“Merlin,” he sagot quietly, walking back to his room.
“Why are you whispering?” Merlin asks.
“Gwen’s asleep on the couch. It’s okay; I’m back in my room now. What’s up?”
“How was brunch?”
Arthur sighs and says, “Well, let me tell you…”
I should try to eat. It would be rude not to. But my stomach is all knotted. He is eating. Don’t think I don’t notice you sneaking glances at me, Arthur. I see you.
Chicken. I like chicken. Pick up a piece. Pick. It. Up. Hmm. Pretty good. Oh God, now he’s pouring me a goblet.
“I should be doing that.”
“It’s all right. I’m sure I can manage pouring a little wine.”
His fingers are warm. Did he touch my hand on purpose? “Thank you, my lord.”
“Arthur,” he corrects her again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should be apologizing to you, actually. I know my behavior tonight is quite… unusual.”
“Yes.” Don’t agree so quickly! Eat something. Take a drink. Wait, he’s laughing…
“Please eat. Don’t be shy. We won’t be disturbed.”
That’s what’s beginning to worry me. Okay. So: eat.
“Guinevere?”
“My lo— Arthur?”
“You sighed just now. What’s troubling you?”
I sighed? I guess I did.
“Nothing is troubling me.”
“You’re sure?”
“Why are you having me stay here with you?” Now you’ve done it. Stop now while you still may be able to. “I don’t understand what your intentions are in having me have hapunan with you.” Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him.
“I’m surprised at you, Guinevere. You can usually read my thoughts, often before I even think them. Can you not read them now?”
His fingers are surprisingly soft. He shouldn’t be touching my face like this. Is it warm in here?
“Arthur, it’s not…”
“Proper? Correct? Appropriate?”
“Yes.” Please ilipat your hand away from my face. Wait, no, don’t.
“I don’t care.”
“Surely you don’t expect me to be your…” I can’t say it. I can’t. But I must. “…mistress?”
“No!”
At least he has the decency to look shocked that I would think that. Even a little insulted?
“Guinevere, do you not know? Do you not remember?”
“But it cannot be, Sire.”
“Who is to say that it cannot? I am king now. I can make my own rules.”
How on earth did I end up in his lap? Why is there no air in this room? He is far too close; his hands too warm. His lips, too soft…
Arthur hangs up with Merlin and returns to the living room. He picks up the book where he left off.
“Mmm.” A small whimper comes from Gwen. It is not a whimper of fear or pain, but one of contentment. No; desire. Arthur looks over the tuktok of his book, raising an eyebrow. She sighs and his puso speeds up.
What am I doing? I can’t… I… Oh, Arthur… I… Oh, not my neck, you have no idea…
“Arthur…”
“Arthur…” Another moan escapes from the sleeping Gwen. Arthur has abandoned his book. It is very difficult to concentrate on a young Indian boy trapped in a lifeboat with a tiger when there is a much madami interesting story unfolding on his sofa.
”Guinevere.”
His hair is so soft, his lips feel so good on my skin. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t. I cannot get away. I do not want to get away. Touch me. Please, touch me. I need you so much, I want you so much, Arthur. Oh, heavens, yes, I am yours, just don’t stop. halik me there, please… this corset is too tight…
Gwen squirms on the couch, lips parting, breathing faster. Arthur is very intrigued and is getting very turned on. That must be some dream she’s having. He shifts in his chair, trying to adjust for the sudden discomfort he is feeling in his trousers.
Why did he stop?
“Guinevere, I…”
“Yes?” Do I look as dazed as he does?
“I don’t want to do anything… improper. I… it’s important to me that we… wait… until…”
What is he saying? Does he intend to marry me? Can he do that? Of course he can, he’s the king. But still. Can he?
“Arthur?”
“I pag-ibig you, Guinevere. I have for many years now. I want to do this right.”
“Kiss me again.” Did I just say that? Did he just obey? Wow. He did. He is.
Gwen seems to have settled down some, but Arthur still watches.
“Arthur…” she whispers again, barely audible. He can’t take it any more, and goes to her, halik her awake.
“Arthur?” she looks at him, her dream blending with reality in a very confusing way.
“You were having the most interesting dream,” he says, lips brushing her neck, his warm breath caressing her skin.
“I was. And you interrupted it.”
“Did I, now?”
“Yes. But you were in it anyway.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“You sinabi my name a few times. In a very… enticing way, I might add.”
“It was rather an interesting dream.”
“Tell me about it later,” he says, lips claiming hers, tongue plunging inside, halik her senseless as he pulls her to the floor, over him, and starts pulling at her clothes.
Part 26: link
“Well, that could have gone better, but it also could have been much worse,” Arthur says to Gwen as he drives them back to his flat.
“Yes, at least we got them to come around. That was important to me.” She sighs. Arthur reaches over and strokes her cheek. She turns and smiles at him.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?” he asks her.
“Actually, no.”
“Well, you look beautiful today, Guinevere.”
“Thank you.” She closes her eyes for a minute. When she opens them, she sees a supermarket a few blocks away, ahead. “Arthur, stop at the market, please. I want to cook hapunan for us tonight.”
“And I have nothing for you to cook, is that it?” he asks, turning into the lot.
“Yes.”
Inside, she scurries around, finding the items she needs. Arthur follows, pushing the trolley. He is watching her, amused at how she seems to know exactly where she is going, but then will suddenly stop and change direction as she remembers another item she needs.
“Steak. My favorite,” he says, inspecting the wares.
“I thought as much,” she says, dropping a sack of flour into the cart.
“Flour?”
“Do you have flour?”
“No.”
“Then yes, flour.”
“What for?”
“Bread.”
“I have bread.”
“Not homemade bread.”
Finally satisfied that she has everything she needs, they proceed to the queues, and after a brief argument about who is paying for these things – which Gwen wins – they make their way outside.
Gwen pushes the trolley out into the bright sunshine. She turns to say something to Arthur, and finds she is alone. She looks back and sees him just inside the doors, bending to tie his shoe.
“Gwen?” a familiar voice calls to her. She turns, hoping her ears have deceived her.
“Gwen! How are you?” Lance approaches her, arms out to give her a hug.
Arthur walks out of the doors and sees a handsome man with dark hair and oliba skin approaching Gwen, arms outstretched. Who is that? He watches as she extends her right hand only, causing the man to stop short.
“Lance,” he hears Gwen say casually, coolly. Lance grasps her hand briefly as Arthur joins them, putting his arm around Guinevere’s shoulders possessively.
“Hello,” Lance says to Arthur. He nods.
“Um, Lance, this is my fiancé, Arthur Pendragon. Arthur, Lance du Lac,” Gwen introduces the two men. She tries not to put too much emphasis on the word fiancé, but finds she cannot help it.
“Nice to meet you,” Lance says, extending his hand. “You’re a very lucky man,” he adds.
“I know,” says Arthur, keeping his right arm around Gwen, not accepting the handshake.
“Ah,” Lance says, and drops his hand.
“What are you doing here?” Gwen asks.
“My sister was married yesterday. I came over for the wedding.”
“Jacqueline?”
“Angelique.”
“Give her my congratulations,” Gwen says. She is being civil, polite, but Arthur can feel that she is very uncomfortable. Arthur says nothing; he simply watches Lance, his face like stone.
“I’ll do that,” Lance says, glancing at Arthur. The man is making him uncomfortable. “Um, I’m leaving for Los Angeles in the morning, so, best of luck to you both. I... hope you’ll have a happy life together,” he manages. Arthur’s stare is very unnerving and he is suddenly very eager to go inside and leave them.
“Thank you,” Gwen says. “Goodbye, Lance.”
Arthur speaks first as they drive back into the city and his apartment.
“The man has two sisters and still he treated you the way he did? I’d hate to see how he’d act if someone did that to one of his sisters.”
“I know. I’m glad you were there, Arthur,” she tells him. He looks over at her. She looks very tired. Well, the last few days have been quite the emotional roller coaster for her, he realizes.
“That was the first time you’ve seen him since he left, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You were very cool. It was brilliant,” he smiles at her.
“Thank you. I can’t believe that he thought I’d be happy to see him,” she gives him a small smile. Suddenly it grows into an impish grin. “He was very unnerved sa pamamagitan ng you. What were you doing?”
“Nothing. Just... staring. I had to stop myself from saying ‘good’ when he told you he was going back to LA tomorrow,” he laughs.
“I know, I did, too,” she joins his laughter. He takes her hand and holds it as they drive. “I liked being able to introduce you as my fiancé. Especially to him.”
“Best thing I’d heard all day,” Arthur tells her. She closes her eyes.
Gwen is asleep sa pamamagitan ng the time they reach Arthur’s flat. He looks at her, unsure of what to do. If my shoulder wasn’t buggered, I’d just carry her in. I probably could do anyway, but she’d yell at me. Frowning, he touches her cheek. “Guinevere,” he says softly. She stirs.
“Sorry,” she says, her voice sluggish.
“It’s all right, love. You’ve had a hard few days, I think.” He exits the car and goes around to her side, opening the door and offering his hand.
Once inside, he tells her, “Why don’t you get comfortable and rest a bit. I’ll bring in the food. I promise I won’t carry anything heavy with my left arm.” He kisses her and heads out the door.
Gwen shuffles back to Arthur’s room to change clothes. sa pamamagitan ng the time Arthur has everything in and put away, Gwen has changed into what Arthur has started thinking of as her “cozy wear,” the black Capris and rugby t-shirt, and is lying on the sopa with her head on a unan she has brought out from Arthur’s bed.
“You could have laid down on the bed,” he tells her.
“I want to be out here with you.”
He kneels down sa pamamagitan ng her head and kisses her softly. “Have a sleep. You don’t have to cook hapunan if you don’t want to.”
“I want to. Besides, it’s early yet. I’m not going to sleep the rest of the araw away,” she smiles, halik him.
“Keep that up and you won’t get that nap,” he grins, kisses her one last time, and stands.
“Do you have a blanket?” she asks, eyes now closed again.
“Are you cold?”
“No, I just like having a blanket.”
“Weird. Hang on.” He goes to a closet and comes back with one, which he places over her, tucking her in.
He stands a minute, not sure what he’s going to do now. He looks at a side mesa and sees the book he got from the library. He sits in a chair and picks it up, opening it at his bookmark.
This tray is heavy. The king must be hungry tonight; better get him his dinner. These candles don’t lend much light to these hallways. Ah, here we are.
“Come.”
“Sire, your dinner.”
“Ah, thank you, Guinevere.”
He looks too happy to see me. And the way he says my name just seems… improper. It’s not the way a king should address a servant. Pour the wine.
“Thank you.”
And he’s far too polite. His father never sinabi ‘thank you.’ He’s looking at me. Why is he looking at me? Why is he looking at me like that?
“Guinevere, will you sumali me?”
What? “My lord?”
“I certainly have enough pagkain here for two. Dine with me.”
Should I? Can I refuse him? He’s the king. He’s so… handsome. And he’s looking at me in a way that is making my knees weak. But he’s the king.
“Please. Sit.”
Okay, I guess I’ll have hapunan with the king.
Where did he get that plate? Under the other? Did he plan this? He shouldn’t be serving me. But he has all the pagkain in front of him.
Surely he can’t still have feelings for me. True, he’s kissed me a few times, but that was long ago. I know that my feelings for him must be denied; nothing can come of them. But he makes that awfully difficult sometimes…
“Here you are. Enjoy.”
Stop looking at me like that. I’m turning into a puddle over here. How can I possibly eat with you being so sweet and charming and… I’m a servant.
“Sire, I…”
“No, I won’t hear it. I wish to dine with you, Guinevere. Didn’t you think it odd that you were to bring my hapunan instead of Merlin?”
“Well…”
“And surely you noticed the tray was unusually heavy.”
“I just thought you were hungry.” Don’t look at him. You do not want to lose your mind. Look at the plate.
“Guinevere,”
Eyes, listen to me, not him! God, he’s beautiful. “My lord?”
“Arthur,” he gently corrects her.
What? “Arthur.” Mouth, now you betray me?
“Arthur.”
Arthur looks up from his book. Gwen is still asleep. He smiles. She’s dreaming about me, he thinks smugly, and goes back to reading.
Arthur’s phone rings, and he practically jumps out of his skin trying to get to it, as it isn’t silenced.
“Merlin,” he sagot quietly, walking back to his room.
“Why are you whispering?” Merlin asks.
“Gwen’s asleep on the couch. It’s okay; I’m back in my room now. What’s up?”
“How was brunch?”
Arthur sighs and says, “Well, let me tell you…”
I should try to eat. It would be rude not to. But my stomach is all knotted. He is eating. Don’t think I don’t notice you sneaking glances at me, Arthur. I see you.
Chicken. I like chicken. Pick up a piece. Pick. It. Up. Hmm. Pretty good. Oh God, now he’s pouring me a goblet.
“I should be doing that.”
“It’s all right. I’m sure I can manage pouring a little wine.”
His fingers are warm. Did he touch my hand on purpose? “Thank you, my lord.”
“Arthur,” he corrects her again.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should be apologizing to you, actually. I know my behavior tonight is quite… unusual.”
“Yes.” Don’t agree so quickly! Eat something. Take a drink. Wait, he’s laughing…
“Please eat. Don’t be shy. We won’t be disturbed.”
That’s what’s beginning to worry me. Okay. So: eat.
“Guinevere?”
“My lo— Arthur?”
“You sighed just now. What’s troubling you?”
I sighed? I guess I did.
“Nothing is troubling me.”
“You’re sure?”
“Why are you having me stay here with you?” Now you’ve done it. Stop now while you still may be able to. “I don’t understand what your intentions are in having me have hapunan with you.” Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him.
“I’m surprised at you, Guinevere. You can usually read my thoughts, often before I even think them. Can you not read them now?”
His fingers are surprisingly soft. He shouldn’t be touching my face like this. Is it warm in here?
“Arthur, it’s not…”
“Proper? Correct? Appropriate?”
“Yes.” Please ilipat your hand away from my face. Wait, no, don’t.
“I don’t care.”
“Surely you don’t expect me to be your…” I can’t say it. I can’t. But I must. “…mistress?”
“No!”
At least he has the decency to look shocked that I would think that. Even a little insulted?
“Guinevere, do you not know? Do you not remember?”
“But it cannot be, Sire.”
“Who is to say that it cannot? I am king now. I can make my own rules.”
How on earth did I end up in his lap? Why is there no air in this room? He is far too close; his hands too warm. His lips, too soft…
Arthur hangs up with Merlin and returns to the living room. He picks up the book where he left off.
“Mmm.” A small whimper comes from Gwen. It is not a whimper of fear or pain, but one of contentment. No; desire. Arthur looks over the tuktok of his book, raising an eyebrow. She sighs and his puso speeds up.
What am I doing? I can’t… I… Oh, Arthur… I… Oh, not my neck, you have no idea…
“Arthur…”
“Arthur…” Another moan escapes from the sleeping Gwen. Arthur has abandoned his book. It is very difficult to concentrate on a young Indian boy trapped in a lifeboat with a tiger when there is a much madami interesting story unfolding on his sofa.
”Guinevere.”
His hair is so soft, his lips feel so good on my skin. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t. I cannot get away. I do not want to get away. Touch me. Please, touch me. I need you so much, I want you so much, Arthur. Oh, heavens, yes, I am yours, just don’t stop. halik me there, please… this corset is too tight…
Gwen squirms on the couch, lips parting, breathing faster. Arthur is very intrigued and is getting very turned on. That must be some dream she’s having. He shifts in his chair, trying to adjust for the sudden discomfort he is feeling in his trousers.
Why did he stop?
“Guinevere, I…”
“Yes?” Do I look as dazed as he does?
“I don’t want to do anything… improper. I… it’s important to me that we… wait… until…”
What is he saying? Does he intend to marry me? Can he do that? Of course he can, he’s the king. But still. Can he?
“Arthur?”
“I pag-ibig you, Guinevere. I have for many years now. I want to do this right.”
“Kiss me again.” Did I just say that? Did he just obey? Wow. He did. He is.
Gwen seems to have settled down some, but Arthur still watches.
“Arthur…” she whispers again, barely audible. He can’t take it any more, and goes to her, halik her awake.
“Arthur?” she looks at him, her dream blending with reality in a very confusing way.
“You were having the most interesting dream,” he says, lips brushing her neck, his warm breath caressing her skin.
“I was. And you interrupted it.”
“Did I, now?”
“Yes. But you were in it anyway.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“You sinabi my name a few times. In a very… enticing way, I might add.”
“It was rather an interesting dream.”
“Tell me about it later,” he says, lips claiming hers, tongue plunging inside, halik her senseless as he pulls her to the floor, over him, and starts pulling at her clothes.
Part 26: link