She said YES!!!

They made their way to the door and stopped as they looked out, at the bottom of the stairs were the usual Marine close protection members, but the rest of the distance to the car was lined with French Foreign Legion troops in full dress uniform. Arthur descended the steps and took the salute from his Marines, and then the Legionnaires snapped to attention and an officer standing just in front of Arthur offered his salute.

"Good evening your Highness, I am Major Pierre La Chamblain, the President wished to ensure that, although you are not here," the man winked making Arthur smile. "He wished to make sure that there was an escort for you on the ground. We are aware of the excellent Marines you employ and only wish to offer any back up that may be needed."

"That is a most thoughtful gesture, Major. I do hope it is a very boring task for all of you, Marines included. Perhaps you can work on your card skills with my troops." He said with a laugh. The Major looked thoughtfully at the Prince for a moment.

"Yes I do recall that we lost quite a few francs the last time you were here. Perhaps that is a very good idea." The man smiled a little, it wasn't a pretty smile, this man was a killer of the highest order and had worked his way up to Major in a Service that prized discipline and toughness over all else.

"Excellent, now are my requirements in place?"

"Mai Oui, Sir, all is in readiness." The Major replied.

"Excellent, shall we go?"

The car was led by a parade of black trucks that held his own troops and the Legionnaires, it was quite a sight to see the motorcade speeding through the streets at such speed. People were pointing and talking, wondering who would deserve such an impressive procession. But they were forgotten moments after they passed and the Parisians went back to their usual Thursday evening activities. Once again, Arthur was buried in the files that he had brought with him, so Guinevere concentrated on the passing sights, it was the most beautiful of cities. She had once spent an entire week exploring the Louvre, she had been intoxicated by the amazing works that were on display in the massive museum. She was particularly taken by the masters of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, they seemed to capture the feelings of the times in their works.

The car came to a halt outside a beautiful little restaurant just up the street from the famed Moulin Rouge. It was small but she knew of the place and also that one needed to book months in advance to get a table, and that was no guarantee of getting in. The rich and famous, and in some cases, the notorious, were regular faces in the small restaurant, she supposed that being a Prince had its advantages. A doorman rushed over and opened the door for her and Arthur, for once she alighted first, a breach of protocol, but she was on that side and Arthur just waved her out, he wasn't big on unnecessary protocol. She waited for him and they entered the front door to a man that looked like he was about to explode with pride.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome, we are so very pleased to have you dine with us this lovely night, Your Highness." He gushed.

"Thank you, Robaire. I have missed your wonderful food, my friend." Arthur replied.

They were seated in the most exclusive table in the restaurant, near the wall but with a full view of the entire room and just the right amount of privacy. Guinevere had heard that only the most important of guests were offered the table, Kings, Queens, Presidents and the most famous stars of the stage and screen. It was the most amazing experience of her life, she was one of the important people tonight, and she was going to enjoy every second of it, it wasn't likely to happen very often. The head waiter arrived and placed the most gorgeous crystal glasses on the table and another waiter swooped in and filled the glasses half way, less chance of an embarrassing spillage. The menus were proffered and the next waiter stepped up as they ordered.

"I am thinking the Escargot for a starter, then the meat dish of the evening Alphonse." Arthur ordered.

"And for you, Mademoiselle?" He asked Guinevere.

"I would like the Chef's Choice please." The restaurant offered a Chef's Choice, where the Chef would decide what was best for the diner given his mood and available ingredients.

"Ah, a most wise decision, Mademoiselle. The Chef is a fine mood tonight and he will gladly cook you his best dishes." With that, the Head Waiter spun and left them alone.

"I have heard wonderful stories about the Chef's Choice, although I never dreamt I would be sitting here and ordering it myself." She gushed. Arthur just simply watched her as she raved about this and that, the places in Paris she loved, and the magnificence of the Louvre. He was quite simply enchanted by the by the flame haired beauty.

"Look at me, prattling on like a school girl, I am sorry Arthur."

"I see no reason for you to be sorry, you are quite the connoisseur."

"I spent a few weeks here last year and I was completely lost in the beauty and art of the city."

They chatted and ate as the food came out, Guinevere in heaven and loving every second of it. Arthur was completely entranced by her enthusiasm and love of everything in the city of Paris. She did admit that she was a city girl at heart and would not find the other regions of France to her liking, she wanted her comfort. Arthur had never met someone that had such clear and concise thoughts about what she liked and disliked, at such a young age, he himself was still trying to discover the things and places that he found the most appealing. It was just another example of her knowledge of herself. He knew that he had made the right decision and as the desert plates were taken away he excused himself as if to go to the bathroom.

He stood with Robaire and just watched her as she looked around at the pictures on the wall and watched the other diners and people that wandered past the front window. She was truly stunning, there was a tap on his shoulder and he turned to Robaire.

"Arthur," He pronounced it Arter. "If you do not marry this one, I will personally beg for her hand myself."

"Yes, I know." He took a deep breath and walked back to the table.

Guinevere had the slightest of smiles on her face as she watched a flower seller argue with one of the Legionnaires that were station along the street outside. Arthur could see the argument and her reaction to it, he beckoned over Robaire and whispered something to him. He was off like a shot out of a canon.

"So, how did you enjoy Robaire's little café?"

"Café? I am sure that he thinks of it in finer terms than that." She scolded. He just smiled as the little Frenchman returned with the Flower seller in tow.

"Would you like a few blooms?" He asked her. She blushed but was immediately in discussions with the pretty French Woman selling them. After a few minutes she had chosen a dozen beautiful blooms and Robaire escorted the woman to the kitchen so she could wrap them properly. A few moments later the seller was back with the bunch and she smiled and thanked them both profusely as she backed away. But the rest of the Diners seeing Arthur buying flowers from this seller immediately called her over and within minutes she was leaving with no flowers and a promise to return momentarily.

"Robaire, I hope I have not caused you any problems with that?"

"Oh no, Monsieur Arthur, she is a very hard working and nice girl. My little café is always open to her services."

Arthur looked at Guinevere with an, 'I told you' so look, but she simply poked out her tongue and went back to cooing over her flowers. Robaire bowed slightly then was gone, he knew when he was over staying his welcome. Arthur watched Guinevere for a moment and then cleared his throat. She looked up as he began to speak.

"I have to admit, I was a bit perplexed by the choice of advisor that Merlin made for me, but you have shown that you are a reliable highly intellectual and accurate Advisor." He cleared his throat again, Guinevere was looking slightly perplexed at the direction the conversation had taken. "As you are no doubt aware, the war is at a vital stage and I have little time for myself. I have been flying from one place to another for over eighteen months now. I have been pleasantly surprised at the endurance and commitment that you have shown toward me and the Royalist Agenda."

"Thank you, I am as committed as anyone to the removal of that fool from the Throne."

"I do know, and I applaud your commitment. I have never been very good at showing my appreciation and emotions, especially towards women, but I have been left looking into a mirror and the reflection is missing something." He went on. "You have been an unbelievably supportive part of my team and I know you were assigned to me, but I feel that you would happily stay regardless of the role you were assigned. Not only that, but you have chased away the loneliness of leadership and made sure that I have someone there when I need them." He drank some water, his mind racing at a million miles an hour, "I wanted to show you just how much I appreciate you and all you do for me. Hence this little dinner. But mostly I wanted to ask you a question?" She looked at him, her face beautiful and calm, her eyes sucking him in with every moment that passed.

"Of course, Arthur. What is it?" She replied. He took a very deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Guinevere, I have come to see you as more than just an advisor. You have become a vital and very important part of my life. I do not know how I would have made it through without your grace, style and ability to laugh at me when I am being stupid. You have no idea just how much pressure that takes from my shoulders." She was even more confused now. "Over the past year, I have watched you, and I can't even imagine where I would be now if it weren't for you. I know in my heart that you are the reason for my continued stamina and success." She was about to say something, but he held up his hand and she stopped. "With all the little dinners and lunches we have shared, I have come to realise that I am, what I mean is, um, I, ah damn it. I am in love with you. Would you do me the greatest honour and be my wife?" He finally sighed with relief as he got it all out. As he looked up into her eyes, he saw a look of complete and total shock. She looked down at his hand and saw the massive diamond ring he had produced. It was the most amazing piece she had ever seen, sparkling like a night sky full of stars. She looked up into his eyes again and was still silent.

Arthur started to feel a little foolish, she was so beautiful and probably had more offers than he could imagine. He was about to apologise for being so foolish when Guinevere stood up and moved around the table. In a flash she was in his lap and kissing him madly.

"Yes, oh yes. This is the best surprise I have ever had." Arthur found himself struck dumb now and he simply looked at her with a gormless smile on his face. He plucked the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger.

"This is the ring that my father gave my mother. It has been in the Pendragon family for thirteen centuries." He explained.

"Oh God, are you sure, I have a habit of losing rings and necklaces."

"I have never been surer about anything in my life." Arthur suddenly realised the entire room was looking at them. Guinevere waved the ring around and applause replaced the silence in a heartbeat.

She said YES!!!