LC4 Entry 5: Love Woven Through Two Territories (Part Two)
Part One
Morning came after their wedding with no great occasion. In the days ahead, Mary worked for Gwen and Merlin tended to Arthur. Gwen started making the rounds of the kingdom with the queen and sometimes on her own, seeing that even though it was so grand it also was filled with humbly hard working people, the sort she grew up with in Tirmaiur, making her just a little less homesick.
Watching a few rounds of knighting practice she saw that the men were able fighters and it assured her Tirmaiur would be well protected now with Camelot’s help. Those two times were without Arthur leading though. In fact most of the rounds she made, except for a few times with the queen in attendance, Arthur also didn’t participate. When asked where he was, there were a slew of answers. But basically it came down to that he wasn’t really engaging in the strongest duties it seemed to her a prince should. He was instead reaping the benefits of his status.
During this time too she learned more of Agravaine, a man she wasn’t so sure of. He seemed on the outside to be dedicated to kingdom and queen, but she saw from their passing in the hallway Arthur held no deep regard for him and Agravaine seemed to just basically tolerate him to appease Ygraine.
That night as Arthur and Gwen were getting ready for bed, Gwen realized she had already excused her maid before she could assist her with her dress. She stood behind the screen, grunting and groaning, to which Arthur couldn’t help but make a shady remark to. “Well, I guess you don’t require your husband for er…marriage business.”
Peering out the side of the changing screen, Gwen dryly remarked. “Haven’t yet anyway since I’m just a charade.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “We’ve been through that.” She was frowning almost as in pain. He was able to catch part of her arm straining backward. “What’s the matter?”
“Oh I already excused Mary and I’m struggling with these clasps and hooks. They reach far too low.”
Arthur gave a teasing look. “Merlin’s handy with clothes. I’ll get him.”
Gwen’s eyes widened and he laughed. “Come on here. What’s a husband for if he can’t help you with your attire? ”
Her face scrunched up with doubt. “It reaches very low, I tell you. It’s one of the gowns your mother had sent for me.”
Arthur flashed the thick silver band on his finger. “See. Gives me the right.”
Her look grew even more skeptical so he became commanding. “Guinevere you come out from that screen or I’ll just walk behind it too.”
That shocked her. He rarely asserted himself that strongly. “Don’t order me.”
“Then come…out.” He emphasized the last word potently.
Holding to the back of the dark red dress, Gwen finally presented him with her back.
Arthur noticed that about half the hooks were already undone. He just needed to settle on the last half. Bringing his fingers to the clasps, he started to unfasten each one, hearing her let out fierce complaint.
“Arthur, your fingers! Like ice!”
He gave a sheepish look. “Sorry.
Gwen turned around to face him, gathering his hands to hers, blowing with her mouth.
Warm air brushed over him. Arthur let out a surprised breath. She wasn’t done though. She kept it up until he was no longer so cold. Then she presented her back to him again without a word. He undid another hook, whispering over her shoulder, “Better?”
Gwen caught their images in the mirror. He was so close. “Yes.”
“Good. Wouldn’t want to turn you as frigid as I am sometimes.” He kept releasing the hooks, revealing more of sun polished skin. He licked his lips reflexively. She was right. The hooks did reach very low.
Gwen lifted her head, watching him in the mirror, his shoulders barely flexing with the movement of his hands. Just enough to make her look away, gaze at the brightly burning fire instead. “Why don’t you make the rounds? See to the people?”
He had reached the place where her back curved inward to the beginning of her hips. Just two more to go. And she was asking him political questions. He shook his head wryly as he came to the last one. “I do. You just never see me. Done.” He added. And the dress suddenly gave way.
Gwen yelped, but Arthur caught at the sleeves, pressing them tighter against her arms. “I got it. Although nothing for you to be embarrassed about. You’re lovely.”
Gwen turned back to him, holding the dress against her breasts. “Really?”
He looked her up and down, before settling on her eyes that reminded him of the dark of night, mysterious, alluring. “Yeah.”
She watched his face and then heard him cough, stating, “Let’s go to bed.”
Gwen shivered at that, but finished changing. He did the same on his own.
It was maybe hours later that she felt a shift upon the bed. She watched as he sat up, pulled on another tunic over the white frail one he slept in. “Are you going somewhere?”
Arthur tensed at the sound of her voice, not looking back as he stated, “I thought you were sleeping.”
“I was until I felt movement.”
He turned now, suddenly remembering all the stupid things Merlin said, feeling terribly unsure, but this was already planned. Marriage to a stranger was something he was forced into. “I’m just going out for a bit. Get some air. Feel stifled in here sometimes.”
“Because of me?” Gwen asked, the blanket lifted up against her breast. He stared at her for a moment before briskly shaking his head. “No. Not you. I’ve always felt this way inside the castle. Especially after my father died.
“How did he die?” She suddenly asked, her fingers coming over his arm.
Warm. So warm were her fingers. Arthur pulled back a little still the same, feeling her hand fall away. “Battle. He died honorably.”
Gwen nodded, telling him. “Same as my mother.”
“Huh?”
She filled in. “I know she was a woman, but when Tirmaiur was attacked and I was just a girl at the time, my mother fought right alongside my father. Refused to back down. And so she was…struck.”
“She must have been brave.”
Gwen smiled with remembrance. “Very. Your father, don’t you think he would want you to have still, even after his demise, continue tending to your knightly duties?”
“What do you mean?”
Gwen sat up some on the bed, letting the blanket fall away, feeling concealed enough in her nightdress, in the darkness, and comfortable enough with him. Not once had Arthur touched her in an indecent way, although he did a few times tease in ways that could bring on a blush. He never made advances.
“I’ve been out there more than a few times. I like to watch the men train. I did too when I lived in Tirmaiur. And Arthur you’re rarely there. It’s mostly Leon taking over as head knight. But it’s your duty. By not rising to it you’re shaming your father, don’t you think?”
Now his look was cold. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business Guinevere.”
She rose up even more, her breasts heaving against her nightgown as she strongly dissented. “Of course it is! I am princess of this land. You will be king one day. My brother was prince too, but he chose to leave Tirmaiur. And I am so ashamed of him.”
“So you’re ashamed of me too?”
Gwen shook her head. “You’ve stayed. You haven’t left. But somewhere it seems your heart has strayed or your mind, whatever you used to be honorable, to be strong, to be noble before. A prince should do his duty. Make the rounds. See to his people. Not just…go wherever you go off to.”
His eyes heavily scrutinized hers, his face hot with anger. “Well I’m going off now. Don’t wait up.”
Gwen heard the door shut tight. She rolled over on the bed, fisting the mattress with frustration. Arthur Pendragon was worse than a riddling dragon. So infuriating at times.
***
It was two nights later she realized what he was doing and confronted him upon it as he once again got ready to leave. “You’re going to see her, aren’t you? The Lady Elaine?”
He froze at that question. It was enough answer. She laughed bitterly. “Oh my God. You share this bed with me every night and yet you go the same night to be with your mistress? You care that little for me Arthur? For your title?” Tears leaked out of her eyes without permission. She roughly wiped them away before he could turn and see.
“Didn’t want you to know.”
Gwen sat huddled on the other side of the bed, body’s movement separate from him. “You’d rather just make a fool out of me in private.”
He let out a long sigh at that, shaking his head. “I don’t want that at all. I told you from the start. I only agreed to this to make my mother happy. Because she forced me to it.”
Gwen turned back to him now, not caring if he saw the tears. “Oh. How lovely to be that hideous to you.”
He groaned. “No. I didn’t mean that. What I-
“JUST GO.” She told him sharply now. “Go be with your…lady…who’s been tittering every time I see her in town. Letting me know that she hasn’t lost her hold on you. I cared for someone deeply too in Tirmaiur, but I left him and I have been faithful to this marriage. This farce. GO.”
He almost felt inclined to stay, enflamed now with guilt, but it had already been planned. As Guinevere wouldn’t even look at him, he left with a heavy sigh.
***
The next night though Gwen made something clear to him when he came back, obviously having drunken quite a bit. As soon as he tiptoed into the room she stood up, wrapped the blankets around her body.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
She shook her head fervently. “I won’t be with you in the bed. Not after you go to her. I won’t be in it with you and her…scent upon you. With you drunk like an old sinful man! I’d rather sleep upon the floor!”
Taking all the blankets she had gathered around herself she curled up then on the floor, grimacing. She forgot it. Arthur watched with surprise as she jumped up and got her pillow.
Enough was enough.
“You can’t sleep on the floor Guinevere. It’s freezing!”
She lifted her head. “Oh don’t worry my dear husband. I’m not prone to cold fits like you!” She couldn’t help muttering under her breath. “Pig.”
“What was that?” He asked her with shock.
“I called you a PIG.” She told him without fear. “Only a PIG goes to the woman he was with before, whilst married. Only a PIG treats his wife like you treat me. Only a PIG would get back in the bed of one woman after being with another. And only a PIG neglects his duties every day. PIG PIG PIG.”
“Guinevere!”
She stood up now as he too was standing, glaring at her angrily. Well she was infuriated.
“Did you THINK I was so feeble a woman, so fragile, so needing of a man’s touch that I could stay in the same bed with you after you…do…what…you…do? And you can stoke the fire yourself this night! Maybe it will burn some sense into you!”
He watched as she curled upon the floor again away from him, hearing her breath hot and bothered. Even though he tried to fight it, shame crept into his skin and heart, lashing out there uncomfortably.
***
The next night when he left again, as soon as he was gone, Gwen pressed herself into the floor. It was maybe just a few moments after he left that she heard the door open again. She opened her eyes, holding tight to her pillow. Arthur grimaced, stating rigidly. “Off the floor. Now.”
She turned back, seeing him standing there demandingly. She hissed it out. “Pig. Type that orders a woman.”
That was it. Arthur had it. Something stopped him from going to see Elaine again this evening and it wasn’t the guard who he never had an issue with getting past. It was the echoes of her name-calling. No one ever deigned to call him anything like that. It just kept prickling at his neck. That and the awfulness of seeing her sleeping upon the icy cold wooden floor.
“Guinevere you do what I say and you stop calling me that. I didn’t go, alright? I didn’t want to. Now come…” His voice was a bit softer, concern edging it. “The floor is cold. Winter is not fully gone. You will catch your death like that. Come on before you force me to-
“To what?” She turned back to him now, asking strongly, “What, Arthur?”
His lips pouted with tension. “Force me to pick you up and throw you down upon our bed myself.”
“Oh I’d like to see you try.” She challenged.
That was it. Arthur rounded the bed and before she could get a word in, swept Gwen up into his arms. With his strength and her lusciously curved, but small stature she fit perfectly into his hold. Still angered at her insolence, he did drop her down upon the bed. Gwen squealed, but then he climbed atop too, pushed his palms on either side of her head as he looked down pointedly into her dark eyes. “Don’t dare me.”
“Someone needs to.”
“Oh.” He lifted his head. “You’re the mouthiest princess I’ve ever known.”
His hands still on either side of her head, Gwen felt her vulnerability suddenly eke out. She had to ask it, “Will you go to her tomorrow night?”
He’d been told not to do it, but nothing bothered him more than when Gwen saw it happening, and called him a pig, and slept by herself on that cold lonely floor. That became too much. “No. It’s over. That’s why I came back so soon. I told her tonight. Now go to sleep.”
He moved away from her, curling up on the other side. Gwen caught him shivering and lifted up off the bed. She poked at the fire, got it to flame. Then she lay down again, but her covers were still down on the floor. Before she could make up her mind to get them, she felt Arthur’s hands bringing his part of the blankets over her and then his lips actually pressing against her cheek a soft kiss. “Thank you.”
Gwen smiled, lying across from him, head resting on her pillow as she whispered, “I’m sorry for calling you a Pig.”
He smiled too. “Apology appreciated even if I don’t entirely deserve it. Goodnight Princess.”
“Goodnight Prince.”
***
Things were better between them after that, but still some tension lurked and still Gwen wanted him to do more. It was one of those days that he was doing his own thing, drinking in midday with some of his friends at the tavern that she boldly walked into the place, fisting her hands at her hips as she interrupted all their frivolity, “I need to speak to my husband. Alone.”
Arthur groaned at the looks his friends gave him. Then he faced her squarely. “We will speak tonight.”
Her hand grasped his arm, trying to get him to come with her. “No. We will speak now. This cannot wait.”
He rolled his eyes. So she told him louder, “You never make the rounds! Instead you come here and fill yourself of drink! Enough. You are shaming the crown you wear upon your head.”
He pointed lazily. “Not wearing it now.”
Gwen lifted her hands in exasperation. “You know what I mean!”
He stared at her. Everyone in the tavern was now. So sheepishly giving a look around, she whispered. “Husband. My love. You will listen to me?”
He laughed dryly at that. She was trying to save face, but enough had already been done. He couldn’t help muttering under his breath. “Fear if I don’t you’ll shut me into a locker of ice and let me freeze.”
Gwen grasped his hand, feeling him allow her to pull him out of the tavern as she remarked, “Good idea. I’ll have to remember it if you start acting like the PIG again.”
Outside he started to complain, but hers was louder, more fervent. “Do you know what Agravaine has been doing?”
He rolled his eyes so Gwen grasped his shoulders strongly. “Arthur, I’m serious!”
Seeing that she indeed was, he pulled her into a shaded area of trees so no one would spy upon them. “Tell me.”
“He’s been taxing families for their amount of children, requiring they pay a penance each time one is born. And then who knows what he does with the money. On my rounds I noticed quite a few families, larger ones especially, starting to become impoverished. All because of what he’s requiring of them. I saw a child with a stomach so malnourished. Arthur there is no call for that. There is-
“WHAT?” He asked with shock now, getting Gwen to smile with simple relief.
“I knew you wouldn’t agree with this.”
“Of course NOT.”
“So your mother must not know either, right?”
Arthur shook his head adamantly, whatever buzz of drunkenness he was starting to feel leaving him now starkly. “No. Never would she allow that. Where is this child?”
“I brought him food from the kitchens. And I sent the physician to check upon him. I even dug into my funds…combined with yours now of course. Gave the family some so they will be able to go to market. Crops don’t grow as well in the winter of course. They need to go to market too.”
Arthur reassured her with a squeeze of his hands upon Gwen’s shoulders now. “That makes sense. I’m glad you did all that.” He lifted his head angrily. “I should have known. Never trusted Agravaine. He squanders and squalors where he can. Shady and greedy to the end. I wish my mother never brought him here. But amazingly he’s her kin.”
“She needs to know Arthur.”
He nodded his head. “You’re right. Come on.” He grasped her hand, causing Gwen to look at him with surprise, making Arthur respond rapidly.
“Oh now come. You’re the one who told me. You definitely should accompany me now to tell her.”
***
The queen was most definitely furious and Agravaine was brought in to face punishment for what he had done. Later that afternoon, Arthur went to knight training, telling Leon firmly he would take his place that day. And yet thanking him for his fine service while he couldn’t be there. He felt rusty at it and some of the knights resisted him at first, but in the end he was training like he had back when his father was still alive and the knights were gradually trusting him again.
That night Arthur felt the soreness of his work pull at his muscles. The room was once again not terribly warm. Gwen went to stoke the fire and then sat down on the bed behind him. “Sore?” She asked with a hint of a smile. He just nodded his head, feeling his muscles so tense. “Yeah.” He lifted his arm, grunting. “Oh.”
She moved in front, untying his tunic. Arthur stared at her. “Guine-
She cut him off, pressing her fingers against his chest. “Wifely duties.” Then she lifted the tunic away, pulling it over his head of golden blonde hair, watching the strands going askew. With a smile she pushed them back down and then sat behind him, grasping his shoulders with her small hands.
It took merely moments for Arthur to be leaning against her, sighing heavily. “Oh.”
“Feels good?”
“Yes.” He whispered.
Sometimes he slept without his shirt on, but this was the first time she really touched him. His skin felt tight, muscles of tendon and sinew under her fingers. “It probably was a bit taxing today after not engaging regularly, but I’m so proud of you Arthur. Taking your lead today. Twice. With your mother and with your men. I saw how you spoke to both.”
He whispered back to her, surprised, as her fingers kneaded his back, his shoulders. “You saw me during training? You watched?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “I’ve always loved watching my father and Lance-
“Hmmm?”
He turned back to her now, his eyes so close, his breath upon her face. Gwen let out a sigh. “Lancelot. The man I was…sort of with in Tirmaiur. I used to watch him too.”
Arthur grunted at that, having an odd feeling. But then she was bringing him back to the present. “Oh when I saw you today, talking to that knight who was trying to resist you, how you showed him your sword and quietly, yet efficiently, without being boastful, without being hurtful, you proved you were the leader. You showed it to your men like a commander of his army does.”
Arthur chuckled softly. “That was Gwaine. He’s actually been a friend for many years, but I kind of stopped training as much. It really felt good today. I just didn’t know it would interest you.”
Gwen couldn’t help it. Her hands slid away from his back, rounded over his arms and then found a way to lay upon his naked chest.
Arthur caught his breath at the contact. She was so warm around him. He confessed, “Elaine never cared to watch. She used to always get me away from it.” He looked down at one of Gwen’s small hands, where it lay over his heart. He brought it against his lips, pressed down wetly. “I’m glad you see it differently.”
“Mmmm.” Her eyes were closed. Arthur shifted his head to feel her curls against him. “I want to go with you tomorrow to do the rounds. Make sure none of what was going on today is happening anymore.”
“Mmm…” Gwen murmured again, his contact alluring. “I would enjoy that very much my husband.”
He smiled, still holding to her hand, both of them in some land of contentment, quiet and warm. “Good, my wife.”
***
The next morning as Gwen and Arthur were getting ready to leave the palace Ygraine stopped them in the hallway. She asked Gwen if she would mind if she talked to her son for a moment which Gwen responded graciously to. A few moments later, seeing Merlin, the young princess called him over with enthusiasm.
Merlin moved over to his friend, noticing her happiness right away and commenting on it. “You look very pleased this morning.”
Gwen’s eyes were playful and bright as she responded. “Do I?”
“Yes.” Merlin responded and then pointed up to the stairs. “I better get going. Arthur wants to resume training with the knights later in the day. And you know how he is about his armor being properly placed on time and such.”
Gwen giggled at Merlin’s droll voice and then grasped his arm. “Merlin. Let me do it.”
He frowned at that. “What?”
She beamed. “Sure. Take the afternoon off. If Arthur says anything I’ll tell him it was my idea. I’m sure he’ll understand then.”
Merlin smiled now, happy for the day off, but even happier at what he assumed was the beginning of a good change in their relationship. He hadn’t let Arthur off for days when that first week he still insisted upon seeing that woman Elaine.
But then suddenly things changed and Merlin liked what seemed to be the reason why. He just wasn’t sure of one thing. “His armor can be kind of tricky, and Arthur’s pretty set about how it’s done. Still calls me idiot when I flub something, which I rarely do of course.”
Gwen nodded her head with seriousness. “Oh yes of course. But really Merlin, it shouldn’t be any trouble. I’ve done it for my Dad many times. So if you could just set it out for me on the table I will do the rest. Enjoy some time off.”
He grinned. “Okay.” He left and Gwen stepped a little further outside to the courtyard, spying someone she didn’t really want to interact with, but the woman spied her too before she could retreat. “Oh, if it isn’t the Princess.”
***
Arthur sighed as his mother shut the door to her chambers, giving him a look of questioning.
“What is it?” He pointedly asked.
She shook her head, reaching out for his cheek and grazing her fingers with it. “I’m proud of you.”
Arthur did a double take at that, making Ygraine go on. “You took a chance yesterday going up against Agravaine. And I will tell you again Arthur I had no idea that was what he was up to. We had a long talk and he assured me nothing like that would happen again. He just didn’t think carefully enough of our citizens, how many of them survive on the crops they grow and little more.”
Arthur tensed, not wanting to get into an argument, but feeling strong disagreement with his mother. He just couldn’t see how she kept him on as an advisor, but decided to treat it as diplomatically as possible.
“Well I’m just glad that no more Camelot citizens will have to pay for what should be a celebration for them, not a penance. I never would have known about it if Guinevere hadn’t told me.”
“You like her.”
Arthur shrugged with a gathering smile. “I may have misjudged her some at first. Or reacted too strongly to the arrangement you set up. But other than that, Mother…”
She could see him asking for time and so she responded with patience. “Okay. Point taken.” Then Ygraine reached out, hugging her son.
Arthur surprised at the strong element of emotion coming from her suddenly, especially when he felt part of her skin chill, the rest quite hot. He pulled back, touching at her shoulder. “Are you all right Mother?”
Ygraine laughed softly. “Yes. Just a touch of left over winter cold. I have a vial to help with it. Nothing to concern yourself about.”
“Maybe you should be resting.” Arthur advised, looking down at the bed, giving a gesture.
“No. I wanted to check on the people who had to pay the tax and make sure that-
Gently he cut her off. “Guinevere and I were going to do that. The palace has no visitors today. Get the rest you need.”
Ygraine’s pride doubled. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thank you.”
“Well it’s our duty. That’s what Guinevere reminds me of anyway.” He murmured the last part with a begrudging smile.
Ygraine nodded her head. “She’s right, but…to see you like this. It’s been a long time.”
Arthur lowered his head for a moment, taking in the floor of stone, where a few hairline cracks lay. “I know. I’ve made things kind of…hard on you. And now, I want to change that. I have to be honest. I don’t trust Agravaine. But you do and so, I’ll tolerate him for now.”
Ygraine gently reached out for her son’s hand, taking in the silver band encircling his finger with quietly regal sophistication. “Well maybe with you and Guinevere helping his services won’t be needed as much. Especially if he makes any more poor choices.”
That was a little more satisfying to Arthur. He nodded his head. “Sounds good. Now get into bed. Get some sleep.”
“Hmmm…” Ygraine couldn’t help but tease. “Is that an order?”
He cheekily grinned. “Yes. Or I’ll do this.” His pout. It worked when he was about three.
And it worked now. “You’re incorrigible Arthur.”
He laughed and lifted some at the covers, not liking how her skin looked pale in patches too, much paler than it’s normal whiteness. “Mother…”
She took the covers from him. “Alright. Close the doors on your way out.”
He did, missing her hacking coughs.
And the blood that seeped into her handkerchief, held by shivering fingers.
***
It was Elaine, outfitted in a bright blue dress, sneering at her underneath her twists of white blonde hair. Gwen glanced down at her dress, simple attire that she had brought from Tirmaiur, a lavender dress of soft shades of accent. She had picked it purposely, not wanting to overstate herself with the farmers who cared more about their crops than having the perfect clothing. “Lady Elaine, I believe.”
The sneer continued, masked for a quick moment by a sweet fake smile. “Oh yes. I’m not sure we were ever properly introduced.” She did an overblown curtsy. “Your Majesty.”
Gwen looked away with irritation and a touch of embarrassment. “That’s not necessary. I’m no more than a princess.”
Elaine stood fully again, giving Gwen a cursory look-over. “Such an appealing outfit. I’m sure Arthur just covets it fully. When he’s not taking night strolls. He does that so often in the middle of the night, during the time he should be sleeping. He just leaves the bed and-
Gwen frowned, unhappiness lining her features.
Elaine pressed her palm against her mouth. “Oh my. I’ve said too much, haven’t I? Forgive me Princess Guinevere. I’m sure he doesn’t do that anymore. He made plain to me actually that he’s not going to be visiting anymore. He’s married now and…I’m sure he’s just…MADLY in love with you. I’m sure he is. That’s why even after you exchanged vows he still came to me for a while.”
Gwen turned away. “Lady Elaine-
The blonde tittered with amusement before her mouth flat lined and she hissed out, “If you think he’s done coming to me, oh Princess, you will be rudely awakened by the truth. He only agreed to marry you because of his mother. He probably despises you.”
She stopped speaking. Gwen turned back, seeing Arthur coming out of the palace’s rear doors. A hand grasped her arm. She gasped as Elaine whispered, “Don’t tell him I said anything. Oh why do I bother? You won’t. You know that you’re not going to last very long. He’s always wanted me, just TOLERATES you.”
Elaine slid away with that, before Arthur came to Gwen.
Seeing that she looked preoccupied he asked her what was the matter. But Gwen just shook her head, turning the conversation to about his mother, which Arthur filled her in on, forgetting his earlier concern.
***
“Oh Prince Arthur! If I had known-
Gwen watched as her husband shook his head, gently clasping the woman’s thin wrists. “It’s alright. My wife, the honorable Princess Guinevere has told me what has happened here. I just wanted to check to make sure your son was feeling better. Your name is Susan, right?”
That he remembered the name she had mentioned to her husband last night impressed Gwen. It showed truly that he did care for the people and knew how important it was to associate on a personal level. It was how she always tried to conduct herself in Tirmaiur.
And it didn’t hurt that when he so regally said her name, she felt his hand clasp her waist in a suitable way for public view. Reacting to it, Gwen moved a fraction closer to Arthur, feeling his hand naturally respond by increasing contact another fraction.
“Yes. Oh, Princess Guinevere, thank you so much for speaking to your husband. You didn’t have to do that.”
Gwen shook her head, marking the importance of their visit while maintaining the dignity of her husband’s and the queen’s position. “Oh but I did. And you see they had become aware of the problem, but the matter was delicate and so they wanted to handle it in the proper way, making sure this will never happen again.”
Giving Gwen’s waist a gentle squeeze of gratitude for not making an issue of that he and his mother actually had not previously been aware of the problem, Arthur concurred. “Princess Guinevere is right. What happened was wrong. Now Susan, my wife and I wanted to come by to make sure that your son is feeling better.”
Susan nodded at that, saying he indeed was, rushing to get her boy.
“Thank you.” Arthur turned to Guinevere. “You could have taken all the accolades for this if you wanted.”
Gwen grimaced, touching at his hand. “I had no such desire Arthur. As princess I’ve always cared about the kingdom first. It would be improper to diminish the throne in any way as a misunderstanding about this might have done. It’s a complicated matter. I’m just glad it’s fixed now.”
Arthur stared for a moment. His wife’s intellect and understanding of nobility impressed him greatly. She had such regard for kingdom which was how he was taught as a child to feel too. He just sort of forgot that for a while. “Me too.”
The boy came running out now. Gwen smiled with happiness, clapping her hands at that he looked much better nourished already. “Oh Theo, look at you now! Doing so well.”
The little boy ran to the prince, waving a wooden little sword with a child’s enthusiasm. “Look Prince Arthur, I have my own!”
Arthur laughed at that, squatting down to be at the little boy’s level; the four year old lifted his hands without question to be picked up.
“Oh Theo stop!” His mother reprimanded, face flushing with redness.
Arthur just gestured that it was fine as he brought the boy up into his arms. “Well yes you do. A fine sword I’d say. Did your Father craft it?”
“Yes.” The little boy grinned. He farms and makes wood things.”
Gwen stepped in closer, getting Arthur to put his hand on her waist again. “Have you ever seen a finer sword, Guinevere?”
She shook her head strongly. “Never.”
They both beamed as the little boy told them seriously, “Papa can make you one too!”
***
When they returned to the castle from their rounds, both were satisfied. The tax that had so unfairly been imposed upon Camelot families of lesser stature was now taken away and all the monies were returned to each dwelling. As they entered their chambers though, Arthur complained robustly.
“Now where is that Merlin? I haven’t seen him all day! He needs to be here. Get me ready for knight training. I have an afternoon of it. Leon took over first shift. This one’s mine.”
Gwen smiled secretively. “So you intend to head it again this day?”
“Well of course I do! Like you mentioned, it’s my duty. And I noticed yesterday how much my presence was needed. There are many things my father taught me that I can teach them. And as Crown Prince, it is my obligation to Camelot and Merlin’s obligation is to ready me.”
Gwen couldn’t help it. The way he acted at Susan’s home, how he was so adamant about training now, what did it matter the ridiculous awfulness that Elaine said? Arthur was doing all the things that he was meant to. So strong now, he was so handsome to her eyes. She rushed over, barely catching his bewildered look as she hugged him, caressed his cheek with her fingers.
“I told Merlin to take the afternoon off.”
“What, why?”
Arthur asked, but then she was holding the first piece. “I’ve often helped my father. I could do the same for you.”
To that she got his wondering smile, so Gwen started moving around the room, helping him off with his coat and then laying the chainmail and armor over his red tunic. Fastening it all into place as he sat, Arthur reacted to the tickle of her fingers.
“Are you cold?”
He licked his lip, not sure why he was reacting, just something about her touch right now. “No. Not cold at all.”
“Good.” She smiled and finished with it all, helping him get his sword into the belt and everything. Arthur reached for her hand when she was done.
“You’ll watch again today?” His blue eyes pleaded just a bit.
She responded quickly. “Yes. But maybe not the entire training. Have some things to do.”
“Alright.” They departed, Arthur keeping hold of her hand until they reached the stairs.
***
When Arthur returned from training they were set to have dinner with his mother. It was something they did most days of the week, except for the times they’d rather just have dinner in private for whatever reason. Gwen didn’t mind it at all. Dining with the queen was always an enjoyable experience, Ygraine warm in manner and a great conversationalist.
To be ready for the event, Gwen asked Mary to prepare her a bath. Her maiden had insisted that she stay to tend to Gwen after she was done, but Gwen made an even stronger argument for her independence, thanking Mary, but making clear she’d be fine on her own. Now stepping out of the water, the beads of wet falling from her hair and skin, she was wrapping the towel around her nakedness as the door suddenly opened. “Oh, Mary-
“Guinevere, I was thinking-OH.”
Struggling to cover herself entirely, Gwen stumbled on the bathtub’s rim.
Forgetting that she was wet and wearing nothing for the moment, but that hanging towel, Arthur rushed over, catching his wife’s waist. “Easy there.”
She pressed up against him, fingers grasping his shoulders tightly for equilibrium, her towel half on, half dangling.
She was right in the line of his vision, her dampness pushed against him, so Arthur averted his eyes, fixing them rigidly on the ceiling. “Uh, sorry. Didn’t know you were bathing.”
Gwen fumbled, finding the towel’s dangling part, wrapping it around more tightly. She pressed her fingers into his shoulder, not yet aware just how much her wrapped breasts were pressing against his chest, until she felt the force of his armor scrape some at her skin. “Oh.”
Arthur shook his head, angered with himself. “Ah, I’m still in all this. I’m so sorry. Just saw you falling and thought to catch you.”
He stood back, which just exposed her more. Gritting his teeth, Arthur caught at Gwen’s waist, bringing her out of the water and back to her feet. “There. Now I’ll just-
“Oh.” Gwen let out again.
Arthur turned around, grimacing. “Darn armor.” Her damp hair was caught on some of his chainmail. He encircled her waist with his fingers. “Don’t move apart from me. It’ll make it pull only more. Hurt you. Here, let me try…”
Their faces came in such close contact. Arthur stopped for a moment, letting out a rush of breath, feeling the heave of her breasts. “Guinevere.” He whispered.
He always saw her ready for the day, or hair fixed into place for the night. But now her curls were all askew and those dripping of gold the sun had given her body were shining without constraint. His fingers went to their task, but his mouth. It couldn’t hold it back. “You are so lovely right now. You don’t even realize, you just…”
She nodded, touching his lengths of sweating hair. “You’re so handsome.”
He shook his head a bit sheepishly. “No. I’m dusty and dirty from training.”
Her fingers wrapped through his hair, caressed his neck with ardor. “Which makes you even more-so. Nothing handsomer than a man who rises to his duty.”
“Nothing lovelier than a lady who appreciates those things. Who has a sharp mind and sharp wit too. Pig…recall.”
She laughed. So did he. A bit of a nervous titter from each. Hands still sort of wandering over their new territory to touch.
He knew it was wrong, but seeing her in that towel, he couldn’t help wondering how she’d look underneath it, couldn’t stop reviewing through his mind how she looked when he first entered the room. Wanting a glimpse. Inwardly he had to scold his fingers to behave themselves, because their deepest dirty urge was to untie that towel and thrust it away, pressing into and…
“Oh my.”
And yet she too was wondering things she’d never wondered before, glimpsing his eyes with heat increasing speculation. She was fighting the instinct to drop the towel and let him…explore.
“Arthur…”
“My Lady, I know you said that you would be fine, but I just wanted to make sure that-OH.”
They jumped away from each other, the intrusion startling them.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I will leave now.”
Gwen grasped Mary’s arm, shaking her head, eyeing Arthur for a minute who had turned his back, was facing the window as he pulled away his armor. “No. It’s alright. I was just about to get dressed and my husband was-
Oh why even bother, Gwen thought. She said it right there. He was her husband. Mary probably expected them to…be like how she found them.
“Never mind. Can you send for Merlin, or would you be so kind as to prepare the bath again, this time for the prince? He’s had a long afternoon of training.”
“Oh yes of course my Lady!” Mary stated excitedly, emptying the tub and then once she was done with that, going to the well to get the fresh water to be heated up. When she was done, she confessed she caught no sight of Merlin.
Arthur grumbled, but Gwen just politely dismissed Mary, thanking her again. Then going to the other side of their chambers, fixing the lock into place she uttered. “There, you can have privacy,”
Most of her was already dried, except for her curls of hair so she was wearing her cloaked robe of antique white. Gesturing to the bath, the water gently steaming, Gwen went to the other side of their chambers, sitting with one of her novels. Halfway through his bath, Arthur realized he had nothing to wash his hair with. Gwen brought to him the soap for that, getting a little bolder again and suggesting, “I could wash it for you. If you want.”
Arthur smiled softly, ‘I’d like that.”
Bending down to her knees, she gestured for him to sit against the tub’s rim. Arthur did and relaxed, pliant to her care. She used a small container to wet his hair, getting it damp enough to rub through it with the special soap.
Her fingers massaging his head, he closed his eyes, lay back against the rim. Something about her tending. It stirred emotions in him, made him succumb to the gentle rotating pressure of her hands. His breath slowed, his mind alleviating of any sorts of troubles.
She fell into her own sort of trance, simply caring for him, watching with fascination as his eyes closed, as he lay against the tub, trusting her, enjoying her care. Finishing with the soap, she reached for the container, gradually poured small amounts of water over his head.
Arthur’s eyes opened at the contact. It was warm, soothing, and…
He moved against the tub, getting Gwen to exclaim. “Arthur, I’m not done.”
He took in her attire, how her kneeling had made her robe open some, revealing the beginning of one of her thighs. Surrounding her face were the still partly wet curls, brushing right over the slight opening of her robe, giving just a hint of her full breasts. He licked his lips, needing wanting. Such deep yearns.
Gwen started to slide back, questioning, but he found her waist, pulled her tighter against the tub, tighter against him. “All these curls…” He whispered, playing with them, like they were his new favorite object to tinker with. “They go every which way.”
“Drive me mad sometimes.” She complained.
He slowly nodded his head. “Yeah. Tempters they are.” But he was far from complaint.
Gwen turned her head. “I should get you a towel so-
But he brought it back to face him, curling his hand around, splashing more water out of the tub. “No. Not yet.”
His eyes didn’t leave hers. Stayed.
Gwen blinked, a bit offset by his intensity of expression, but then he was splashing even more water out of the tub, pressing hard against the rim, gathering her against him with both hands so her knees bumped the tub’s bottom. “I want you here.”
His hand moved over her face, drifted down her neck, squared over her concealed breasts, an awed little bit of laughter escaping his parting lips. He didn’t stop until she was right up there with him, knees higher so they could be evenly matched finally. And then he just watched, took her in, like he was studying the detail, the contour of who she was. Learning. His lips licking once more.
She looked away at first and then feeling the gentle lure of his fingers, focused in on him again, gazing down at his wet chest with such admiration that it made his lips curve. She desired what she saw. He affected her.
It was like imaginary minstrels playing around them, setting a mood neither could, or wanted to back away from. It was like seeing her for the first time after a hundred other firsts. Each time, she surprised him. She excited him. Even if it was in anger, even if he got so infuriated when she called him a pig and wouldn’t leave the floor, stubbornly insisting on sleeping there, even if it was when she massaged his back, and made him drift into some state of bliss, he knew he was going somewhere so far, so deep that the regulars of life would laugh at. Silliness. Like spells and enchantments.
But right now one was grasping him. Keeping her against him, one hand still too boldly upon her breast, making her breath hitch, he lowered his head, got ready to tinker some more. Find the deepest wonder. Feel the soft wet heat of her lips. He just wanted to be where he could-
“OKAY, I know you’re probably mad right now-
Blasted lock. He’d have to teach his wife how to fix it into place fully.
Before Merlin could get all the way in Gwen gave a low screech and ran to hide behind the screen. Arthur just groaned, hitting the back of his head against the tub’s rim with a loud bang. Gwen peered out for a second to make sure he was alright. When she saw his eyes focus on hers with knotted tension, she knew and kept up her hiding place, just not wanting Merlin to know anything of yet.
“You’re an idiot Merlin.” The servant came to him, grimacing at that and letting out his own insult while he also of course apologized, twisting poor Arthur’s already taxed mind. He held out the towel to him and Arthur decided enough was enough. Grabbing it, when Merlin turned he stood up. As soon as he started to, Gwen faced the other way, keeping her hands over her eyes.
“Where’s Gwen?” Merlin asked then. Arthur looked at the screen for a moment before shaking his head. She went to visit with my mother before we have dinner with her.
Merlin laughed at that. “No she didn’t. I was just with her.”
Arthur rolled his eyes, fixing the towel strongly over his lower body. “Oh, right. She went to get Mary, needed her help with something.”
“Nope. Saw Mary too in the hallway.”
“Well she’s not HERE Merlin, ALRIGHT?” Arthur yelled with exasperation. Now why don’t you do my launderings. Wash the bed sheets.”
“Did it earlier.” Merlin stated flippantly, a goofy grin on his face.
Arthur was so inclined to pick up that container of water and fling it at him, but Gwen would probably call him a pig. “Well do it AGAIN.”
Merlin lifted his hands with a frown. “Why would I want to do that? They’re already clean and-
Arthur stepped out of the bath, getting large puddles of water all over the floor.
“Oh I can clean that.” Merlin stated.
“NO.” Arthur told him a little too loudly. “I’ll get it. Just…get out of here Merlin. Take the rest of the night off.”
To that Merlin looked at him like he was crazy, before letting out chortles of laughter. “Alright. Best day ever…thanks Arthur!”
He left then, Arthur echoing dryly after he was gone. “No thanks Merlin for your lousy timing.”
***
That night when they dined with his mother the queen couldn’t help noticing the tension between the two. It wasn’t so bitter like it had been before. Instead now it was laced with the urge to conceal feelings. She felt a touch of satisfaction from that.
That night when they went to bed, like every night before, they kept physical distance between them. But each looked over their shoulder, caught a withering glimpse of the other, knotted and wanting something. But still unable to act fully upon it. Maybe reluctant to for a hundred times having the same feeling and then suddenly this new one, was kind of scary.
Kind of exciting.
***
The cloaked figure was slightly dismayed by what they were seeing of late, knowing that the greedy king would be very unhappy. But the cloaked figure had another possible angle to make sure that the fifth piece could be added to the rest.
Capture.
***
To be continued…
*I wanted to finish this, but the deadline caught up with me. It will continue to be written until it’s completed, the end in sight now.
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