SC6 Entry 10: Only love, only love can leave such a mark
Title: Only love, only love can leave such a mark
Themes and/or Prompt/s Loophole
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 1270
Characters/Pairings: Arthur, Guinevere, Gavin, Mervin, Gaius
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Summary: I do not own the show “Merlin”.
Author’s notes: Modern!AU; I tried something new, Arthur and Gwen from an outside perspective. I wrote in 4 hours so if it seems unbeated/unpolished, it’s cause it is. I decided to use modern names for everyone except Arthur and Guinevere…go figure!
“So, shall we begin?” Gaius adjusted his bifocals before bending his head slightly to read the file. “We are here to discuss the intent of Mrs Guinevere Pendragon to file a motion for the legal dissolution of her marriage to Mr Arthur Pendragon. Mr and Mrs Pendragon have been married for two years. Mrs Pendragon is represented by Gavin Green and Mr Pendragon by Mervin Emrys. From what I understand, Mr Pendragon, you do not agree with the proceeding engaged by your wife.”
“No, Your Honor, I do not.” Gaius looked between him and the young woman sitting across from him; while they both looked the perfect picture of composed, she seemed to be bursting at the seams with nervous energy.
“Mrs Pendragon, I see that the reason given for the petition was ‘Irreconcilable differences’. Would you care to elaborate?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” She turned to him, crossing her hands over her lap. “Mr Pendragon and I met five years ago through his sister, with whom I have started a catering business. She is the only one of his family members who actually treats me like a person. His father has never approved of our relationship, due to my working class background.” She took a pause, the words she was speaking clearly having an effect on her. “I have understood that his family would never deem me appropriate for him and I was prepared to brave it all in the name of love. I signed the prenuptial agreement without making any fuss, weathering the disdain thrown my way with a smile. I have had to put up with his father deliberately excluding me from social events, not acknowledging me in public as his daughter-in-law and throwing women at his son in front of me.” She took another pause, discreetly wiping the corner of her eye and in his peripheral vision, he saw the young Pendragon sit up in his chair, his hands clenching at his sides, a sign of his need to console her.
He knew of Luther Pendragon’s reputation as a real estate tycoon and had met him socially a few times; nothing Mrs Pendragon had said was surprising behavior, but the young man sitting at this table still loved his wife.
“I took it all in stride, telling myself that Luther would come around eventually, that Arthur and I were strong enough…I draw the line at his father sending his ex-fiancée to our home wearing nothing but a trench-coat when he knew I was out of town. After two years, I am done fighting it.”
“Your Honor, I do not believe anybody can fault my client for her decision. In light of all that she has had to put up with, it is a wonder she waited this long.” Gavin Green spoke up, leaning forward on the table.
“My client is aware of the difficult behavior his father has displayed towards his wife and he is working on taking the necessary steps to prevent it in the future. It does not change the fact that they love each other very much.” Mervin Emrys replied, leaning back in his chair. “Can your client admit that she still loves her husband, Mr Green?” His eyes flitted from the other lawyer to the petitioner.
“Love has nothing to do with it any more, as you are well aware Mervin.” Mrs Pendragon replied.
“Guinevere please, we can fix this, you know it and I know it. I can set the rules with Luther, I know I can.” Mr Pendragon spoke, his hand reaching across the table for hers in a plea, which was denied.
“If you could, you would have done it from the beginning, Arthur. I am tired of waiting around for you to stand up for your father.”
Gaius cleared his throat and all eyes turned to him again. “While this is all very fascinating, these issues and more will be discussed in court at a later time. The matter bringing us together today is a request for the waiver of the six-month waiting period before the motion can be filed, as is mandatory for the District of Columbia, where you both reside. Let’s hear your arguments, Mr Green.”
“Your Honor, my client would like to start anew and waiving the waiting period would allow her to get her life back that much sooner. She has changed addresses and has abandoned the family residence; she has not used any of the funds in the joint bank account and her request for her access to be revoked was recently granted. She is ready to move on.”
“Mr Emrys, do you have a rebuttal?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Mervin withdrew a sheet from his folder and handed it to Gaius. “I have received some recent information that changes the context in which Mrs Pendragon intends to file her motion. She is pregnant and as such, was intent on being granted a divorce before the birth of the child. One could presume that it would be in order to become the only person legally responsible for the child.”
Mrs Pendragon had the grace to look shamed, while her attorney stood his ground. “Given the way my client has been treated by her husband’s family, I believe she has every right to protect her child from being born in such a toxic environment.”
Gaius read the laboratory results quickly and they were unequivocal. “Mrs Pendragon, could you please confirm that you are expecting?”
“Yes, Your Honor, that is correct.”
“Then I believe you are aware that no divorce can be granted until after the birth of the child.”
“Yes, Your Honor. Please believe me when I say I was not trying to deceive the Court in any way. I was just trying to protect us.” She wrapped her hand protectively around her middle, her eyes misting over and he knew she was telling the truth.
“In that case, I am afraid that I will have to dismiss your motion.” Gaius banged the gavel. “Based on what I have witnessed here today, I think that you and your husband have a real chance at making your marriage work. You have love, and that is the most important base. I think the two of you should talk. Counselors, shall we?” Both lawyers stood up and filed out of the room, and he closed it behind them.
“Could I interest you gentlemen in a cup of tea?” He asked when they were a few feet away from the room.
“Yes, thank you Your Honor.” Mervin replied, his eyes straying back to the clear glass panel of the conference room. “God, I hope they make it right.”
Gavin snorted. “If Arthur wasn’t such a nimrod, we wouldn’t even be here in the first place.”
“Am I correct in assuming that they can get past this?” Both lawyers nodded in response, almost in unison.
“So long as Arthur tells his father to take a long walk off a short pier.”
“Maybe the baby is the added impetus he needs.”
“Let’s hope I do not get to see any of you again.” Gaius looked back at the conference room just in time to see the young couple embrace tightly. The love they shared was so very obvious that he doubted he would.
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