Quick note, this takes place about a week or so after last chapter.

Chapter 12

Gwen entered the room, expecting Rosita to come over to ask her about her day. Instead, she was met with a silent house. Frowning slightly, she hollered, to no reply.

She heard voices coming from the lounge, one belonging to her housekeeper and the other to a male whom she found dauntingly familiar, but she felt that she could not place it.

Dropping her kit bag on the floor, resolving to pick it up later, she kicked off her white trainers and placed them in the closet almost invisible on the wall. Wondering who the male visitor was, she strode straight into the living room. And low and behold, a truly wonderful sight...

"ELYAN!" Gwen screamed, a huge beam spreading across her face.

"Hey sis," the young man grinned, spreading his arms out wide. His sister sprinted into them, almost knocking him to the ground with a winded hug. Rosita watched from the corner, her smile lighting up the room. She'd had an accident when she was young which meant that she was infertile, so she'd always seen the Leodegrance youth as her children, especially since the death of their mother.

"What are you doing back from college?" Gwen pulled away, worried, "Is there something wrong?"

Elyan shook his head, "Didn't you hear about the fire?"

The brunette gave him a confused look.

"Yeah, there was a small blaze in the kitchens and then it spread round the school. The business and law sections were the worst damaged, but it wasn't too bad. Some of the dorms got burnt, but mine only got a little singed. They're sending students home for a week with quite a bit of work, I can tell you. Great start to my freshman year, I tell ya! Didn't dad call or text you to say I was home? Mind you, it was only this morning when it happened and it's only a two hour drive."

"My phone was in my locker all day, that's where I keep it," Gwen replied, "Maybe he wanted it to be a surprise or something." She missed out the fact she was barely speaking to Tom.

"Maybe," Elyan shrugged, "Shall we sit down? Catch up?"

The two dropped onto the sofa simultaneously.

"Would you like me to make you both a drink?" Rosita asked, not wanting to spoil the moment.

"Please," Elyan replied, "A lemonade for me. Would you like one too, Gwen?"

She nodded and the house-keeper turned in the direction of the kitchen.

The two looked at each other in a mute staring-battle, trying to find the right words to say to each other. It had seemed like forever since they'd last talked, when in fact it had only been a couple of weeks or so.

"How's college?" Gwen finally asked.

Elyan looked delighted.

"I love it!" he proclaimed, "It makes high school seem like you spent your whole life in the restrooms- seriously! My roommate, Gillan McKay is a top lad! So funny, so very funny- makes Gwaine seem like a new act at the bar. Some of my professors are funny and there are some very good-looking girls, I tell you! There's this one called Helen Singer, she's really cool..." He blushed like a little schoolboy seeing a pretty female for the first time.

"Is she?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.

Elyan nodded rapidly.

"What is she like?"

"She's really pretty- not like plastic pretty, warm and kind pretty. She's obviously very smart and so kind-hearted. Rightly-so, she tutors kids on the evenings and some weekends. Comes from money, a bit like us, but she doesn't flaunt it. In fact, she has few designer possessions. If she does, I am yet to see them."

"She sounds really cool," Gwen replied honestly- it was nice that her brother had found someone genuine, even though they weren't actually dating yet, "Do you have a picture?"

Elyan nodded and reached for the phone in his back pocket. She unlocked it before shifting through numerous pictures. He finally settled on one and turned his smartphone's screen in the direction of his baby sister.

Helen was quite a nice-looking young woman with a mature face. Her hair was dark brown, like Freya's, pulled up into a ponytail. Her eyes were very drawing and she had a lovely smile upon her face. She was seemingly sat at a table with two other girls talking in the background.

"Wow, she is pretty," Gwen replied, quite flummoxed at the truth that Elyan had picked someone out who was decent- he usually had such bad taste in girlfriends (well, in her opinion anyway).

He nodded as he slipped the cell away again.

"How are you and Prance...sorry, Lancelot?" He knew that his sister hated it when he used that nickname for her (now-ex) boyfriend.

"We broke up," Gwen spoke bluntly.

Elyan resisted the urge to dance around the room at those words. He'd inherited the family hatred of the football captain.

"That's so sad," he tried to sound sympathetic.

"Drop the act, I know you hated him."

"Of course I did, he was an asshole!" Elyan shot back, "When did you finally come to your senses and ditch him?"

"He was bullying Arthur; I defended him, broke up with him whilst he was being cocky then threw water all over his head so that he got the message."

"Put it here, Gwen!" he held out a hand for her to smack, which she did.

"Quick question," he spoke in afterthought, "Who the hell is Arthur? Someone I should know about?" He wiggled his eyebrows in what he thought was a suggestive manner, but it actually looked rather stupid.

"He's my English partner, sir picked our pairs," Gwen replied, "He's just my friend, I'd never met him beforehand, thought he was new at first. He's my date to homecoming."

Seeing the reaction on her brother's face, she clapped both hands to her mouth, absolutely cursing herself (well, not really, she never swore). Elyan was going to tease her rotten for this.

"Just a friend who happens to be your date, huh?" he raised an eyebrow, "Wow, so you've just broken up with Lancelot and now you're going to a dance with a guy you barely know. That's playing the field, isn't is Gwen?"

Rolling her eyes, she sighed.

"Something up?"

"You can't be happy for me, can you?!"

"Hey," Elyan put his hands up defensively, "I am happy for you, I'm just a bit surprised, that's all!"

"How so?"

"Well, I always thought you'd finally accepted that Lancelot was your only 'choice,' as the populars put it, when in fact there is always the option of other people. That guy is only horrible to unpopular and others below his station, so you're technically dating outside your social circle, aren't you? I am just really proud that you've actually stood up for yourself."

"Thanks," Gwen was slightly confused, "I guess."

Elyan nodded wearily, holding out his arms again for a hug. Gwen shifted forward and was hugged close by her older sibling. They'd always been close, but it seemed like the bond had been tightened in one way or another.

The door was heard slamming in the background.

"I guess dad's back."

-BOY NEXT DOOR-

Gwen peeked at the clock- nine o'clock. She wasn't particularly tired, but she wanted an early night. She didn't really want to start a new book, especially at this time or watch telly. Stifling a tiny yawn, she turned to her laptop. Supposing she could check her e-mails, she walked over to her locked laptop, sitting down onto her comfy seat.

Unlocking it, she clicked onto the internet and found the site.

Logging on, she hovered over the inbox as she saw a small one next to it. Clicking on it, she smiled slightly as the sender was revealed to be:

arthur_pendragon .uk.

Her smile, however, vanished when she saw what was written.

Dear Tom,

How's my favourite cousin? We haven't spoken in quite a while- still banned from Facebook, aren't you? Still can't believe you weren't arrested! ROFL!

Anyhow, you asked me last time how it's going with Guinevere. Well, you'll never guess what! I'm going to the Homecoming Ball with her! I know right, how cool is that?

Well, it's not like I actually care about it. Or her, in general. I'm only using her for her popularity- she's got a bland personality and a terrible bore, not even that pretty. I don't even know why somebody would date her. After the dance, I'll be king of the school and Guinevere in her place.

She's been so excited, she has no idea. Quite naive, puts trust in the wrong people. In fact, she puts her trust in everybody. Stupid girl, how she got on honour roll is beyond me!

Anyway, got to go. I'm planning on the first few things I'm going to do when I'm popular. It will be most likely making sure no one cares about Guinevere!

Wish me luck! Well, I'm not going to need it. I have the right ideas.

See ya,

Arthur.

Guinevere Rosa Leodegrance gasped, tears silently trickling down her face.

What had she just read?

Hey. I bet you all hate me now, don't you?

Merlin in just under 2 hours! So excited.

Teaser for next chapter: A bit of drama never hurt anyone, right?

99 reviews! 14 for this chapter- thank you all so much! Love you guys! I was so happy to see quite a few people getting the NCIS reference.

pwsm88: Aw thanks!

Julie Winchester: I love it too!

BrangelLover: We have a while to go before it! Yeah, it's a miracle isn't it!

gorgeousangel: There may have just been a change of circumstances.

larasmith: I love your questions! Hopefully they'll all be answered.

thesingingowl: Aw, thanks!

freckled98: I liked adding backstories to my stories, it makes it more interesting.

2Sam11: Well, I hoped the teaser explains a lot now!

mrae397: I think most people are obsessed with Uther's tux!

skw: Aw thanks! Only one short, but I'm still thankful.

KshMcKenzie08: That's tempting...

Guest: Such a top lad, he is.

Whitecrossgirl: A Merlin fan, Potterhead, Starkid AND an NCIS fan. Ziva is by far my fave character! You are such a cool person with amazing taste!

Lc4evs: There will be a moment between the friends next chapter. So pleased that you got the reference! Thanks BTW.

Okay, now I'm going to run and hide from all the Arwen fans (well, that would mean I'm running away from myself).

Semper Fi xxx