The King of Football

So...a lot has happened in the last fortnight.

And by a lot I mean... A LOT.

Just two days after the whole...screw up with Guinevere and the text message - and the apology that didn't go over well, things went completely to shit.

My Father...is Morgana's father.

MY Father...cheated on his best friend, at least I thought Lord Gorlois was his best friend. But apparently not good enough. And to do this to Mother! And Lainey!

Not to mention he was telling me off for possibly causing a scandal with Guinevere.

Speaking of which...well...she texted me when the tabloid came out. She really is the most wonderful, kindest, even after everything I did.... And of course I managed to almost ruin it again. We, well - suffice to say when she ran out the next morning I was sure I'd never see her again!

To be honest, I thought I wouldn't even have a chance to do that - Morgana would kill me first! As soon as she sobered up.

At least that's what I worried about for a while, but then Mother called. She'd been at the summer house in Glasgow, but she'd come back to make sure Lainey, Morgana and I would be OK. Even knowing the press - or rather the tabloid hacks would eat her alive. So I sort of forgot my problems in the face of hers.

And with Merlin coming over with pizza...it's hard to be too depressed with pizza, I suppose.

But of course no day is complete without the bloody tabloids putting some crap out. I swear I REALLY thought it was all over between Guinevere and I, how much can one woman stand? And they hadn't even who she was.

But of course the hacks took care of that about two damn seconds later! But she let me see her, despite it all...I think she must be the most forgiving woman in the world.

And let's not discuss the the Press Conference Mother gave, or at least that's how it started, then Father walked in and...God, it was painful to watch.

But apparently life likes to drag me all the way to Hell...because on Monday I woke up to this.

I can't even...

But let me tell you something, Miss. Vivian Bloody Olaf is eating her words, because I think that as vile as was brought Guinevere and I to an understanding.

A...dating understanding.

After the sleeping together.

Which is sort of...backwards...

But I don't really care. Guinevere and I are dating!

And Lainey's back!

Which would be good, if not for the fact it's because everything's gone to shit because of Father.

Who hasn't even deigned to phone me, which I'm not all that upset about, because God knows what I could even say to him.

The bulk of texting and recrimination didn’t come about until the day after the tabloid appeared.

Aside from Morgana’s, of course, she made sure to get in contact immediately and now that Guinevere had left his apartment (the back way), what Morgana had said was weighing heavily on Arthur’s mind.

It could only have been ten minutes before his mobile rang, and the number displayed, it was Father…King Uther of Britain.

Taking a deep breath Arthur pressed the green answer button.

“Arthur spea-“

“What on Earth is this about a mystery girl? How many times do I have to tell you we can’t afford any scandal? And I must say Arthur, she doesn’t look the least bit familiar. Is she a commoner?”

“Father, no-one cares about –“

“Commoners do not understand our world,” Father is in fine form this morning. “They never can. It was bad enough when you insisted on seeing that Trimor girl –“

Arthur curses (not for the first time, or the last) stupid Vivian Olaf for bringing that old story up again.

“That was years ago, Father –“

“It’s obviously still in the public’s mind, Arthur.”

“That was just typical Sun crap, who out there with a brain reads The SUN?”

“I don’t care if it’s printed in some ridiculous…left-wing student newspaper, it’s press, it will be read and it will have an effect on how we are seen by the public.”

Arthur can’t suppress a groan.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, Father.”

“I don’t want hear another thing about this ‘mystery girl’,” Father had that iron tone in his voice that usually brooked no opposition. “I don’t care who she is, I don’t want to know her name.”

“Father, I can’t just –“

“Arthur, this is for her good as much as yours, she’ll never understand you and you’ll never understand her.”

Arthur shook his head, even if though Father couldn’t see him, it was useless to say anything more anyway…. “Can I speak to Mother?”

“Your mother is currently…elsewhere.”

Arthur stared at his phone…Father and Mother had both been acting very strangely as of late – Father in particular.

“Elsewhere?”

“I have a meeting to attend, Arthur, I don’t have time to answer your questions.”

“What questions, I just wanted to –“

“Goodbye, Arthur and I want to hear no more of this ‘mystery’ girl’.”

And with that the King of Britain hangs up.

“Damnit.”

No sooner had he put the phone down however then it beeped and buzzed, indicating a message had come in.

Arthur hesitates, but he’s no coward, he grabs up his mobile, it’s a message…

From Elyan.

“Shit.”

He can’t imagine what Guinevere’s brother has to say, but he’s sure it’s nothing good. But…still not a coward, he takes a deep breath and opens the message.

Pendragon, when the HELL did you meet my sister?!

Well, that was a lot less threatening then Arthur thought it might be…all the same…it wasn’t exactly brotherly approval…

And before Arthur can even think about answering, his phone beeps and buzzes again.

This time it’s from Gwaine, Arthur hesitates slightly, but decides to risk it.

Whoo! Gwen’s is GORGEOUS! You better treat her right, Princess, or I’ll kick your balls. And I DON’T mean the ones on the field.

That gets a slight chuckle out of Arthur, but there’s another buzz and beep and another message this time from Leon.

Those hacks never let up…it looks like you and Gwen had a good time though.

Arthur flops down on his couch…remembering how just yesterday, he and Guinevere…

And then the flurry of messages had come…from Morgana…followed by a phone call where she had further given him the facts…about what could and probably would happen…to Guinevere, from the glaring press, the innuendo…

He shuts his eyes tightly. He knows what he has to do…for Guinevere’s sake.

Guinevere, I don’t think we can see each other anymore.