Love Woven Through Two Territories

[elsewhere87]

*Made by hope27*



Title: Love Woven Through Two Territories
Rating: PG13, may border on R later
Art: beautiful inspiration artwork: hope27 // beautiful award banner: ella_rose88

Author's Note Story liner notes with first part// Note that the story is moving slower than it originally did because I'm filling in the gaps that I felt were left open too much when I first posted this. As much as I enjoyed writing the original, I felt there were holes in my rush to get it up {I'm almost always rushing when I do challenge fic, lol}. Here I get to patch them up. Thank you so much for all your reviews. A kindly detailed one in particular helped me to see where this story needed more bolster. Thank you. It's getting it and new characters along the way also, that will be quite familiar from the show.

***

Love Woven Through Two Territories



*Made by ella_rose88*

Part Two: This Precarious Charade

One week later the wedding day had arrived. It amazed Gwen how rapidly the time had passed since the banquet. Much of it was spent with the queen, attending council meetings, accompanying her on making the rounds of Camelot, and meeting those she hadn’t yet. After a week of this, Gwen found herself fully in admiration of the elder woman. It would seem that with her porcelain complexion and delicately boned body that she would be easy to trifle with. Gwen saw a few foolish nobles from other kingdoms the past week actually try to take the advantage, with sweeping loss. Although soft spoken, Ygraine was strong and regally aware of matters of kingdom. It impressed Gwen very much.

Gwen was still not sure what to make of Ygraine’s elder brother, Agravaine, the man whose hair was thick as black oil and whose slight disapproving smile seemed to always be there, plastered to his lips. He attended every council meeting and had his own chair in the throne room where he shared counsel with the queen. Sometimes Gwen had to wonder how much the queen truly needed it. She knew she was sort of haggard for various reasons, but Agravaine’s advice didn’t always seem the best for Camelot. Of course she never mentioned this to anyone, not wanting to make her new home situation a prickly one.

Then there was Arthur Pendragon, the young handsome man she would be marrying in just a few short hours. There was no doubt of his striking looks, and the night of the banquet he had truly touched her with his kindness when he quietly, but firmly let his friends know that their rudeness to her would not be tolerated. After that short interaction Arthur did talk to her at the banquet, stayed by her side most the time, but she could feel his interest drift too and the conversation was so trivial that she learned little of importance about her future husband.

Actually, what vital bits she did know, she gathered after the banquet, like how he had a penchant for drinking and spent quite a bit of time away from the castle. He would come back from wherever it was he went to, breath smelling of alcohol, only then his mood light.

As soon to be crown prince it made him in charge of the knights, but often it was Sir Leon who took over that role as Arthur was hard to be found. And when he did actually assume his role, there was quite a bit of tension between him and some of the knights. Oh yes, from the first time she viewed knight practice with the queen, when Arthur was in charge, there was no doubt he was a superior swordsman, but his manner was something else entirely. His mind rarely seemed focused on the task, and so the knights responded to him with a wall of distrust that they cleverly hid from the queen.

Her own home was in danger of deterioration and had a military force so beleaguered it was barely strong enough to deal with outside threats. But Camelot it seemed was threatened by its own interior, tiny little cracks in what was supposed to be the grandest kingdom of all. And much of it seemed to center around her future husband’s belligerence and maybe even that odd man, Agravaine, having too much influence over the queen and Camelot’s rule.

“Guinevere, do you mind?”

It was the queen, dressed as elegantly as ever in a sculpted dress of blue sparkle and her hair coiled ever so intricately atop her head. Right away Gwen curtsied, before remembering. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

Ygraine just smiled, glancing down at the pale rose dress Gwen intended to wear. “That’s lovely.”

Gwen shrugged. “It’s alright I suppose. Barely enough for a wedding. Plenty for their snickers.” She added under her breath, sorry after she actually stated it.

Ygraine nodded with a wrench of her brows. “As I saw at the banquet. Also saw Arthur defending you quite rightly. One of the moments I was most proud of my son, because that is the boy he was before his father’s death.”

“I’m sorry.” Gwen whispered, not sure what much more to say.

Ygraine sighed, holding her hands out and clasping Gwen’s. “No. I’m sorry. If anyone treats you like that again I implore you to seek my assistance. Arthur’s friends have not been invited to the wedding. He’s not terribly happy about it, but so be it. I will not have that kind of rudeness being thrown at you.”

Ygraine continued in Gwen’s silence. “Your father should be here any moment. I’m so glad he could attend. Oh Guinevere, I am sorry if this has felt like you never had a choice. You see I didn’t have one either. The Lady Elaine, no matter what Arthur may think now, would never be a suitable ruler of Camelot. You, on the other hand, I have already seen bonding with the people. Just like you do in Tirmaiur. And I know Arthur will see that too and his feelings will change. He is good, gentle, loving. But he is troubled. Has been for some time. All that I ask is you give him a chance.”

Gwen understood now that the queen wanted to give her son someone who would be good at his side…someone she hoped he would share caring feelings and political beliefs with. The problem was Gwen entered this union for a very different reason and on top of that, she wasn’t as convinced that Arthur would change his feelings about her.

“Queen Ygraine. Please know I respect you so much. But this…marrying and living in Camelot, I do for Tirmaiur more than anything, my Dad.”

Ygraine nodded her head sadly. “I know that Guinevere. I know too that much of this may seem unfair, but I give you my word. Your father and Tirmaiur will continue to be safely guarded even if this union in the end should be fraught with problems. Just I want you both to try. I saw it that night. Arthur cares.”

“Barely.” Gwen let out dryly, before remembering who she was with. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“No. I want you to say what you think. And maybe you’re right, but a trickle of caring is better than none.”

Gwen laughed softly, before feeling the queen’s thin arms come out to wrap her in them kindly.

“I’m so happy you’re going to be with my son now. I know you two will make this work.”

Gwen simply nodded.

Letting go of her, Ygraine went out into the hall and reentered the room with it under her arm. “I want you to know I have no issue with the dress you intend to wear. It’s as lovely as you. But you seem not that happy with it and so I thought that maybe…”

Gwen walked over to Ygraine, fingers grazing delicately over the pearly gathers of material, lips parting with surprise. “It’s so…beautiful.”

“It’s well made, certainly. As for its beauty that could only come from its wearer. It’s your choice Guinevere. It was made especially for you. I was able to get your measurements when I was in Tirmaiur. I’m sure if you’d rather marry Arthur in the dress you’re wearing now, this one could serve purpose at some function.”

It must have taken hours to make and the thick layers of fabric were the finest, imported Gwen surmised. It would be rude to not accept it as the gracious gift it was. But honestly too she loved its eloquence. She couldn’t picture a better dress to be married in. “Thank you. Of course I’ll wear it.”

***

“She had no right.” Arthur complained robustly as Merlin fit him with his attire for the ceremony, dark pants, red tunic, chainmail, cape and crown.

To that Merlin gave a shrug as he adjusted the prince’s armor with speed not usually akin to someone new to the task. “She is your mother, the queen.”

Arthur fixed his eyes on Merlin angrily. “You’re supposed to be on my side. You know. My servant.”

Merlin chuckled at that, shaking his head. “You really are a prat sometimes.”

“EXCUSE me?” Arthur asked with vigor.

Merlin amended a touch nervously, his mouth unable to contain itself completely though. “Well a royal…prat.”

Arthur shocked again before letting out a round of laughter. “Merlin, you’re like no other servant I’ve ever had.”

“Good, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Ugliest too.”

“Hey!”

Arthur chuckled again, before returning to his point of objection. “She’s already making me marry this princess. Shouldn’t I at least be able to have some mates around for the event?”

Merlin gave him a sharp look. “That would mean the Lady Elaine would be in attendance.”

“So.”

He started tying the cape, getting Arthur to rant as he knotted it tightly at his neck.

“Merlin!”

“Sorry.” Merlin remarked dryly, fixing the ties and then telling Arthur soberly, “Don’t you think it would be awkward for Gwen, er, the Princess Guinevere, to have her attend also? She’s going to be your wife. Her feelings should come first. Freya and I came so close to it, marriage. I couldn’t even think of another.”

“You’ve talked about her enough times. How did she die?”

Merlin shook his head. “No.”

Arthur let out a breath of air, used to Merlin’s secrecy now. “Okay. Well Merlin, I know you two have already gotten close. But it’s my mother forcing me into this marriage. I don’t want it.”

“She probably doesn’t either.”

Arthur smiled. “Well then there you go. Why pretend?”

It was the last thing. Merlin fixed the crown upon Arthur’s head, saying sternly, “She’s going to honor it. Question is…will you?”

Arthur stared, opening his mouth to yell at his servant that he was the one who was supposed to have the last word, to give the orders, to make the other feel uncomfortable. But with that one question…Merlin perfectly put him in a troublesome place.

“Will you my Son?”

Merlin turned around, seeing the queen enter the room. She smiled at him cordially, quite pleased with his work so far, and not so surprised by that. Merlin took his labors seriously, but added his own unique spin also, keeping Arthur on his toes no doubt. She could even tell that begrudgingly Arthur rather liked Merlin and respected him.

Merlin quietly excused himself, receiving another smile from the well-dressed queen as Arthur sighed, moving to the window.

Looking down upon the kingdom, the prince could see far in the distance the noble house where Elaine lived. He supposed now that this marriage would be happening within moments, he’d have to see her in private.

Was that dishonoring his marriage if his wife never found out?

Hands touched his shoulders. Seeing the white porcelain of them he closed his eyes momentarily. “I’m marrying her, am I not? What more do you want Mother?”

Ygraine reached for his arm, turning him around, noticing how he was fussing with the ties and medallion of his cape. She smiled, reaching for them and pushing his hand away. “You’re just like your father when wearing one of these. Acting like it’s the biggest irritant ever.”

He grimaced tightly. “Well it is.”

She nodded quietly, fixing it into place so that he shouldn’t need to wriggle it around anymore with distaste, at least not for a few hours. When she was done, she fixed a stern motherly gaze upon him.

Arthur shifted from one foot to another under her stare, guessing that this was not going to be the most trivial conversation. “You don’t like what I said to Merlin.”

She shook her head. “No I don’t. Merlin is right. This is not easy for Guinevere. The night of the banquet Arthur I was so proud of you, taking her under your wing as you should. You were a man of chivalry, so much like your father. But am I to believe that the vows that you make today, you have no intention of honoring? Did your father and I not teach you well about the value of marriage?”

Arthur sighed, moving around the room restlessly, and then standing stiffly against his black adder bedpost. He glanced at the bed for a moment, giving a small shiver. He was sure it was because of the draft in the room, not any nervousness about what was to come. “You’ve never given Elaine a chance. You’re not even allowing her to attend tonight.”

Ygraine laughed dryly. “And you’re surprised? After the way she and the rest of your friends acted? I saw how it troubled you that night, Arthur. You didn’t like it either. You are doing this because of Camelot, and yes, because I pushed you to it. But do you understand why Guinevere is doing this? Her kingdom is in peril. Or would be without our help. Bayard has been relentless in his conquests of weakened kingdoms. And brutal in how he deals with each one in the aftermath. She was afraid that her father would be captured and killed.”

Arthur frowned more strongly. He had nothing against her really. And it had felt good honestly to lead her away from his friends’ jibes, but his mother’s argument had a weak spot.

“Fine. You say that you care so much about her kingdom. Then Mother, why didn’t we just give them aid? Why the bargain? Pushing me to marry a woman I only met days ago and still know pretty much nothing about. I don’t want this marriage; you seem to think it can make everything better, but it’s not going to. I don’t love this woman. It’s Elaine who I want to be with.”

“And who you love?” Ygraine asked pointedly, thinking that her son made a seemingly valid point. She could have offered aid to Tirmaiur freely, but it wouldn’t have been as bolstered as it needed to be. No kingdom ever gave that kind of help so liberally without fretting for its own future. Bayard’s power was growing in increments that were ominously frightening. She and Camelot’s allies believed with almost certainty that he had help coming from the inside. And there was a personal aspect to this too that someday her son would understand.

Arthur admittedly had no easy answer to that question. Elaine was fun. Love, well, he didn’t totally comprehend. “I don’t know, but since you never gave it a chance, how am I supposed to?”

Ygraine sighed, bringing her hands around her son’s shoulders. “Oh Arthur, she is not the kind of woman who would be right for you.”

He started to rail, but she put her hand up. Arthur pouted while she continued.

“I don’t just mean about kingdom. You pretend you’re not, but always you have been very sensitive. Get that from me. I don’t think Elaine shares that kind of sensitivity.”

He gritted his teeth. “And you think Guinevere does?”

To that Ygraine quickly nodded her head. “I know she does. She is caring of the people in Tirmaiur and she is already becoming familiar to those in Camelot.”

He had seen it, in little bits, when sneaking back from the tavern or attending to his knight duty because he couldn’t miss it all the time, especially when his mother was in the audience. Children reacted to the princess with smiles. The elderly clasped her hands and she clasped theirs. No doubt to it, Guinevere seemed to have a good heart. But what it all came down to was this marriage was his mother’s idea. He saw no reason why he should be punished because he preferred to be with someone she didn’t like.

So with that thought, he moved away from her, steeling himself from the sad face his mother made when her hands had no place but to fall to her sides.

“Well you seem fonder of her Mother than you feel about me right now. Perhaps you should have had a daughter.”

“Arthur-

He shook his head, before speaking with grits of anger, “I’ll marry her. But don’t expect it to be more than a marriage on a roll of parchment. And I will be sure not to disgrace the family name. But I’m also not going to relinquish my happiness. Take from that what you will.”

Ygraine rubbed her forehead, feeling wearied for more than one reason. Holding Arthur’s bedpost, she stumbled for a second.

He rushed forward, forgetting any inkling of anger, grasping her arm. “Mother?”

She smiled a fraction, pressing her hand against his. “I’m fine. Just disappointed.”

He let go at that, feeling his anger surge again, combined with a degree of really annoying guilt.

“No good can come from a marriage without trust and care. I hope you remember that Arthur. I will see you when the ceremony begins.”

Ygraine walked out of his chambers with that and Arthur sagged down to his bed, thrusting the irritating crown away and rustling his hair with his hands.

This was going to be a long bothersome day. And he didn’t even want to think of the night.

***

“Ready?”

Gwen smiled bravely, pressing into her father’s arms one last time before everything could begin. “Oh Dad, I’m so glad you’re here.”

Tomas moved his hands into his daughter’s hair comfortingly, careful not to muss up its curling arrangement. “Of course I am. And Gwen, you need to know, I feel so blessed to have a daughter like you. I’ve pushed you to this and-

She shook her head, dressed eloquently now in the pearly material, her shoulders bared just slightly, the heart shaped neckline revealing her womanly form tastefully. “No. I wanted to do this. I’m not going to lie. It wasn’t the first choice, but Queen Ygraine has been wonderful. It’s fine, really.”

“And the prince?” Tomas asked with a wrinkle forming at his brow.

Gwen hesitated, her thoughts going to her future husband with doubt and misgivings. Of course she didn’t see Arthur often, the recall lowlight catching him swaying down the hallways late at night.

Thankfully there was Merlin. From that night of the banquet she felt a special kinship with him.

It alleviated too some of the troubled feelings she had about Lancelot. That was such a complicated issue. Gwen prided herself on living in the moment and being honorable to the present situation. When she agreed to marry Arthur, in her heart, she also let Lancelot go after that horrible argument they had. But if she searched deep she knew that her relationship with Lancelot, the brave dashing knight of Tirmaiur, had been bolstered entirely by friendship. She knew him since she was a child and he a few years older, had always been looking out for her welfare. Lancelot was so dear at protecting her always.

Sometimes she enjoyed that. Sometimes it stifled her. Especially when he grew to the age where romance factored in he started looking at her that way. She was still a bit young for it all, but enjoyed being paid attention to so specially. And then when she reached an age where she could fully appreciate his feelings, as he stated them with heart in hand just months ago, she realized as much as she liked being thought of romantically, she didn’t entirely feel that way for him. And so she told Lancelot this and he was alright with it, happy with the challenge to get her to change her feelings.

They shared kisses, holding of hands, sweet things, and she did consider him someone very special in her life, but it wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t exactly equally shared.

And so getting away from Tirmaiur wasn’t entirely something she was upset about. She cemented herself to starting a new life with new members of family. Brought up to honor all kinds of vows, that of the crown, and that of marriage, Gwen came into this to save her father, but she wanted everything to be complete. She didn’t want a marriage with troubles from the past, which was why she ended things entirely with Lancelot. The greatest sadness for her before coming to Camelot was seeing his angered and pained face when they had their last words with each other.

And maybe the greatest sadness now would be to never share a bond with her future husband.

“I’m sure I’ll get to know him better.” She finally told her father, pushing away all thoughts, but to this day, marrying Arthur Pendragon.

Her father didn’t look exactly pleased by that, but Gwen knew they didn’t have much time before the wedding was set to begin so she simply reassured him that everything would be okay, so in the end he relented. Holding his arm out to her, his hand going over hers tenderly, he escorted her out into the hallway so it could begin, a marriage of mutual benefit.

***

Arthur dully listened to one bit of protocol after another as Sir Geoffrey kept rambling. He had spoken his vows with no trouble at all. The princess actually stumbled some on his name, middle parts confusing her for a moment. He latched his fingers around hers and squeezed her hand then, which seemed to fix her stutter.

“You are now married.”

That was the last bit from Geoffrey and Arthur knew what was expected. Time to put on the grand show he supposed. Camelot was a kingdom of such prestige and notice that no noble occasion went without deep scrutiny and attention.

So he turned to his wife, as strange as that sounded, recalling for a moment his stir of feeling as she entered the throne room earlier. To put it bluntly, she had fixed herself up. Merlin was right. She was lovely, not your typical beauty, something he noticed from their first meeting actually. Only now it was more starkly evident.

Her skin was much darker than Elaine’s, like if solar power had dribbled in some of its gold into it. He was getting deeper glimpses of it this day since the dress let the top of her shoulders go bare and the neckline plunged some. Accenting that were the dark curls that just touched her skin, and framed her small angled face.

Giving a sigh, that only she caught and looked disappointed at, he pulled her hands in against his waist, catching her tiny little gasp of surprise. Time to get to the spectacle’s highlight; she had to know it was coming. Lowering his head and slanting his shoulders, her stature not one of great height, Arthur pressed his lips against hers. He could feel her retreat some and he cursed the erratic flurries of cold that regularly invaded his body.

After a moment though of his lips still rounding hers with mostly utter politeness, and maybe an inkling of desire, {he wasn’t a dummy knight, and she wasn’t made out of wood either}, he felt her advance more. When her pearly material clad breasts made contact with his chest, he inadvertently shook a bit, affected, once again summing it up to the general feelings of man and woman. Physical contact, of course he’d react.

A few breathless moments more and Arthur ended the kiss, pulling away to see her eyes watching him heavily. She looked entirely uncertain. It wasn’t easy marrying a virtual stranger, kissing them in front of everyone, knowing they were expecting much. It was something that whether planned or not, they now shared in. Smiling as reassuringly he could, Arthur brought his arm though hers and to everyone’s applause they walked down the aisle together.

United in the awkwardness of it all.

***

It was one dance after another, the minstrels playing loudly and with vigor for it was a night of celebration, the bonding of two kingdoms and two of their very own. The dances were lively and there were so many people, raising glasses, moving their bodies to the music, dancing in the traditional circling styles.

The room holding the celebration was large, surrounded with decorations. The feeling in the room was heavy from the flames of the hanging chandeliers and torches, plus the circumstance of so many people being together.

Feeling claustrophobic after hours of dancing so much and talking to people she barely knew the names of, Gwen escaped to the balcony. There she gripped the railing with her hands, raising her head to feel the evening’s gentle drifts against her flushed face.

“Alright?”

She turned around, seeing Arthur, his eyes questioning and ever so blue under the moon’s glow. As she attempted to smile he came closer. “This is kind of overwhelming, isn’t it?”

She let out a long contained sigh, giving a laugh. “Yes. So overwhelming”

He ran his hand over hers for a minute before pulling away. “So what is Tirmaiur like?”

Gwen mused with fondness. “It’s not as close to the ocean as Camelot, but it has winding rivers and little sparkling ponds. It’s much older, much smaller, and even the farmer’s houses don’t compare to Camelot’s, but they are lovely in their own unique way. We have no balconies like this one.” She ran her fingers over the garnished stone. “But our smaller castle is precious enough, each crack filled with stories of old.”

He slowly nodded his head. “You miss it?”

“Yes…of course.” Gwen let out with fervor. “I miss the people. My Dad. Just glad he could be here today. I haven’t seen him in what seems so long.”

“Anyone else?”

Gwen’s brow wrinkled for a moment, but when his eyebrows lifted some she got his meaning and once again, like earlier that day her mind thought of Lancelot, reflections tangled with conflict. “Oh. There was someone special, yes. But it changed when I came here. Honestly, I…don’t know if I shared the total of his feelings exactly.”

She was a bit surprised by his question since he hadn’t asked her anything personal before, but thankful for it and Arthur’s friendliness now. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad.

“So he loved you?”

“Yes.” Gwen let out softly.

Arthur nodded, touching her hand. “Reason I ask is…there’s someone else for me too. Don’t get me wrong. You’re lovely, Princess Guinevere.” He lifted her hand, pressed his lips against the back of it. Then brusquely he got to the gist of what he wanted to say.

“But like you didn’t want this marriage, I didn’t either.”

Her brow wrinkled, her expression unhappy and her hand stiff in his. He’d been drinking quite a bit this night and though he wasn’t anywhere near drunk, she could see that he was warmed by the liquor, lazed by it. Maybe that was because he didn’t want to think of his new reality. Her. That was not a nice thought.

“So we’ll do what we have to for the people, right? Please my mother and your father and all that. But we’ll both know it’s just a charade.”

His eyes were fixedly on hers. She had felt something earlier from the wedding kiss. Now she just felt cold, his skin chilling hers so that she pulled away from his hand’s icy grasp.

“Right. A charade. For you have no feelings for me whatsoever.”

Gwen turned away from him, and saying nothing else, so bothered by his actions and lack of respect for even marriage itself, she reentered the banquet hall, no longer caring that its air was so stifling. At least it wasn’t frigid like him.

Arthur watched her go, hand going out for a second to stop her, but then he lowered it slowly and turned away, gripping the balcony just like she had. Going after her would only make things worse. Better for her to understand that he never wanted this in the first place. He had someone else. So did she. So this union was basically for show, something they’d do no more than endure.

***

The evening passed by. She avoided engaging in dance with him most the rest of the night. It was at a certain point where she felt herself yawning, that the knights and some of the attending ladies covertly made it known that they would not mind if they felt like escaping for their first evening together. Gwen felt herself blushing at that, but instead of with excitement, dread soaked into her. Arthur said nothing, just doing his best to avoid any innuendo.

They arrived at his chambers, together, alone. As he opened the door, politely gesturing for her to go in first, she couldn’t help notice how decorated the adjoining rooms were with white flowers and creamy ivory glowing candles. Arthur grimaced. “Merlin’s doing. Not mine.”

“Of course not.”

After the balcony she wished she could just flee.

Arthur watched as she walked over to some of the flowers, taking a whiff and closing her eyes with emotion.

“Do you like flowers?” He asked curiously.

She slowly reopened her eyes. “Wild ones, yes. Like these.”

He walked over and took her hand, clasping it within his. “Guinevere, nothing needs to happen tonight. I know it’s all still so awkward.”

She flippantly added, “And nothing of it matters anyway. I’m of no concern to you. I’m just…part of the charade.”

She stepped away, obviously affected and so Arthur pulled, feeling her come in against him as he stated strongly, “I didn’t mean it that way, alright? I’m not an uncouth oaf. The manners my parents taught me didn’t all fade when my father died.”

As soon as he said that, a trickle of trembling entered his voice. Spontaneously she touched his cheek, feeling a connection for still it was not easy to be without her mother, even though she lost her when she was so young.

He caught her hand, bringing it down, feeling some tightness in his chest, before he cleared his throat. “I don’t intend to hurt you. Your feelings do matter.”

She glanced down at the bed, feeling a tremble of excitement, of dread, and of disappointment. For that bed would not really have any meaning if they never intended to use it for intimate relations. “I’m tired.” She lied.

He slowly nodded his head. “Yeah. Me too. I’ll just blow out all these candles.”

She caught his hand. “No. They’re nice. Leave a few.”

Her voice came out softly sweet. He couldn’t help but smile. “Alright.” He thought about it. “I didn’t know your preference of flowers. Obviously Merlin did. Queer fellow.”

She turned around, commenting, “Actually I find him quite nice. A friend. And he knew because he asked.”

With that she went behind the changing screen to put on her nightwear. Arthur just sighed, before he readied his own.

***

The bed, adorned in scarlet and golden linens, was big, Gwen noticed, each side their very own, as he was completely on one end and she on the other. She laughed at the absurdity, getting him to turn her way.

“What?”

The candle’s light shined upon his hair, giving it an effulgent glow. “This never happened in the novels I’ve read. The ones that Percival teases me about.”

He pressed his elbow against his pillow, cocking his head to the side and resting his cheek upon his hand. “That’s the man you were talking about earlier, the knight. Percival. I remember-

She put up her hand. “No. The man I meant was Lancelot. He has never come here.”

“Oh.” Arthur fiddled with the blankets. “And so what happens in them, the novels?”

“The woman has to fight the man off practically, because he is so passionate about her. But really she’s having all these feelings too and doesn’t want to admit…she wants him to be passionate. It’s odd. But they’re good for a laugh. And they’re just…I enjoy them.”

He smiled with an amused look. “Addicting.”

Gwen shrugged. “Sort of.” Her curls bounced around her neck as she moved more onto her side.

Arthur stared for a moment, and then, “One night, when the heavy rains of winter come, you can read me one.” His eyes gave a look of playfulness, his mouth turning upward a bit.

“Okay.” She simply replied and noticed him shiver. “You do that a lot.”

Arthur groaned, before nodding his head. “Yeah. Have had cold fits since I was a child. Always needs to be a strongly burning fire in the hearth.”

Gwen peered at him curiously. “What brings them on?”

He averted his eyes before giving an abrupt response. “Just I get cold fast I suppose.”

“Hmmm.” She moved away from the bed, feeling his wondering look. Advancing toward the fire she found the poker. Then directing it into the loss of flame she stoked up the cinders of wood, getting it all to spark to life once more. The fire flaming again, she returned to the bed, laying down, closing her eyes and whispering, “Good night…Prince Arthur.”

“We’re married. My name’s Arthur. Good night Guinevere. And…” He felt warmer. It was something personal she just did, something that did matter to him. “Thank you.”

She smiled softly, feeling sleep drifting in as she answered in kind to how he did when he helped that night. “No need to thank me. After all, we’re now married.”

***

Morning came after their wedding with no great occasion. In the days ahead, Mary worked for Gwen, and Merlin tended to Arthur. Gwen continued making the rounds of the kingdom with the queen and sometimes on her own, enjoying meeting with the people, many of them humble hard working individuals. They made her feel more settled into her role as princess wife.

She also looked forward to observing knight practice when she could. Seeing that the men were able fighters assured her Tirmaiur was gaining great assistance. It was a comfort to know that her father and friends should be safe now. Camelot’s knights in combination with Tirmaiur’s would be a formidable force. That wasn’t the only reason she enjoyed watching knight practice. It had excited her in Tirmaiur to see how the men wielded their swords and practiced with their arsenal of fighting tools. Here too it was much the same, which brought familiarity to a new experience.

That didn’t mean Arthur was there any more than he had been before. Quite often still he was absent which she found troubling and shameful. He was not the only person to endure a tragedy. He had a calling he was supposed to be rising up to and instead he was at the tavern she assumed. Of course when the queen was there he almost always was. But the other times rarely. When she asked other knights of his absence, like the soft spoken, but powerful one who lead in Arthur’s absence, Sir Leon, a slew of answers would come out. Honestly, it really didn’t matter where he went. He wasn’t engaging in the strongest duties of prince, instead reaping the benefits of his noble born status.

It was like the troubling mystery of Agravaine. Although the queen seemed to get along with him well, it was becoming obvious, even though they hid it behind tight smiles in the queen’s presence; Arthur did not like his uncle at all, and Agravaine seemed to not be terribly fond of him. Oh, Agravaine was sneakier about it, but the tension was there even when they did something as mundane as pass each other in the hallway. Gwen surmised that Arthur only tolerated his uncle to keep the peace with his mother.

She scanned her hands now, seeing them gathered within, a bushel of pretty little wildflowers given to her by a lovely girl who lived at the kingdom’s edge. She said how she had picked them just for her and Gwen now wanted to make sure they were placed in adequate water. Entering the chambers she shared with Arthur, she saw no sign of him or her attending lady, Mary. Well she’d just get the water from the well herself then. Mary was probably busy with the launderings. No need to trouble her.

A humming voice of happiness rang through. She turned around to see Merlin, carrying an arsenal of armor. She really had no idea had he did it. Merlin was tall, but so skinny. All that armor had to be so heavy. She ran forward to help him and somehow they got sort of tangled into it and both fell to the floor.

She laughed. “Oh Merlin, I’m sorry! I was trying to assist you and seems I’ve done worse.”

He chuckled too, putting up his hand in polite friendly dismissal. “No. I’m always falling over my feet. Ask Arthur!”

Gwen’s expression grew pensive. “Well I would like to ask him but during the daylight hours I hardly know where he is.”

Merlin frowned at that, looking uncomfortable and saying nothing.

Gwen pressed her hand against his. “Which is no burden of yours. I’m sorry Merlin.”

She got up from the floor, picking up some of the gleaming armor Merlin had been carrying and placing it down upon the long rectangular table that was adorned with gorgeous intricate carved wood finish upon its legs. She gazed down upon the beautiful armor, seeing how solidly woven into it were designs of such majesty. Too bad its wearer rarely took up his task.

“Flowers.” Merlin picked them up, smiling at her.

She broke away from her reverie. “Yes, a little girl named Lisel gave them to me. I was going to ask Mary to get water for them, but she’s already busy. Would you mind Merlin?”

“Not at all.” He started to leave the room, but then maybe seeing something in her face, “Gwen…”

She looked up questioningly. “Yes?”

He touched her hand gently. “I know that Arthur’s away a lot, and this is probably not my concern. I am a servant. But I can tell he likes you. He’s talked about you a few times.”

Gwen shook her head. “He has? I gather mostly that he’d like to continue this for only one thing, show.”

“Maybe now. But I don’t think he’s always going to be that way. Gwen, you are having an effect on him. You’re having an effect on all of Camelot I think.”

She smiled at that, squeezing his hand. “You’re such a good friend Merlin. I don’t feel so apart with you and the queen, as I do with him. Thank you.”

He rushed out of the room with one last smile and Gwen gazed down at Arthur’s mostly unused armor, sighing.

***

“Finally! The only way I can see you now is hiding in the shadows! Arthur…”

He kissed her luscious lips, before pulling away, too many mutterings going on in his head. Merlin kept giving him disapproving looks. The only time his sometimes brash servant seemed happy was when Arthur talked about Guinevere, which was totally spontaneous. It made sense. After all, she was his wife now. He couldn’t help it.

However, that didn’t mean he wanted to let go of how things were before.

He pressed his finger against Elaine’s bottom lip to cement that now.

“Patience. The first week is past finally. I couldn’t come to you then. It was wrong. But now, things are settling.”

“So we can meet in private, in the night?” She asked, kissing her way down his neck, making Arthur shiver some. It tickled.

Ah, night. He couldn’t help think of Guinevere, taking out her book and making him wonder. He didn’t know why. Just whenever she took that leather embellished volume out, he felt himself filled with curiosity, and would ask her questions until sometimes she started to giggle. And the reaction would make him smile. Then there was the next thing that happened every night. It didn’t matter how long she’d been reading. Sometimes he was already even falling asleep. And yet each night she did the same, tiptoed to the fireplace, stoked it until it was flaming again, and then blew out the candlelight on her side, while he blew out the one on his side. He’d always whisper to her then his good night and thank you.

So now what would night mean? Scurrying out of their chambers to meet with his mistress?

It’s what his rebellious soul wanted, but also what he couldn’t help feel a smidgen of shame for. Every night she stoked the fire for him…every single one.

Feeling more of Elaine’s kisses, he shook himself out of his abstraction. This was ridiculous. He finally answered her.

“Yes. We can be together. Meet in private. I’ll just always wait until she’s asleep.”

Elaine grinned at that, pressing upon his tunic’s hem. “I was afraid that suddenly things would alter that now you’re married. It makes me feel reassured to know that nothing’s changed at all.

Well that wasn’t totally true. “I should go. I have knighting practice duty today.”

“Oh, just let Leon do it, he’s so good.”

Arthur rounded Elaine’s shoulders and neckline with a grimace, noticing how she moved away slightly from the feel of his fingers. Once again his skin was probably cold. He loosened the grip some. “Elaine, I’ve let Leon do it plenty. He has guard patrol today. And I’m pretty good myself.” He couldn’t help boasting.

She acted with indifference mostly. “I know you are. Good at so many things.” She cooed, trailing her finger up and down his tunic. “But mostly at pleasing me.”

He smiled at that, forgetting his knighting duties for a few more moments as they kissed within a dark hidden area of Camelot’s exterior.

***

It was a few days later that the queen was working in her chambers when Sir Leon rushed in, looking tired and like he had been riding furiously to get back to the kingdom.

“My apologies your majesty, but-

She stood up from her paperwork, shocked, knowing that Leon would never interrupt her unless it was dire. And the way his face was sweating, his skin blotched red, made it plain something of great importance had happened. “No need Sir Leon. What is it?”

“Well you know how I was out on patrol…and…”

She lifted her hand, gesturing for him to get on with it. “Yes…and?”

“There’s word. Bayard has his fifth kingdom, Chenary. He’s already at their borders. It’ll take maybe a few days for him to be in control.”

Ygraine sighed, pressing her hand down upon the table she’d been working at, her heart giving agitated beats. “How? I thought they were receiving aid from Isgard.”

“They were. But it didn’t work. In fact, Isgard fled as soon as they got the warning too. And now they’re…”

His expression looked so cautious that Ygraine pressed for more. “Go on Sir Leon!”

He grimaced tightly. “They’re saying that Camelot is to blame. That we have someone within conducting all this.”

Ygraine’s eyes widened, her expression horrified. “What? Our alliance has always felt it’s been someone from within, but now they suggest it is Camelot?”

“It is not the alliance, Queen Ygraine. Remember, Isgard is sort of on the outskirts, has been threatened by Bayard from the start. Paranoid really. They have suggested it is someone close to the throne.”

Those words made her even more upset. To accuse of such thing meant that either the queen wasn’t doing her job very well, or that she was conspiring against the fragile little alliance they had formed months ago. Both were detrimental and horribly insulting.

Ygraine let out sharply, “My God, Leon, do you think I would not know of that?”

“Your highness-

She put up her hand. “No. I don’t mean you. But this is terrible. Of course another kingdom falling is horrid to hear about. But in addition to that, to think that they believe we are responsible for this? Leon, word like that cannot get out further. It could ruin Camelot. We must silence these rumors.”

“And if there is truth to them?”

Ygraine shook her head furiously. Leon was Camelot’s best and most noble knight, but to entertain such idea, she would not allow. “Bite your tongue Leon. And never say that again.”

He lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I just-

She dismissed his apology as politely as possible, her mind forming with a queen’s order of thought. The council needed to meet, deep into the hours of the night if necessary. This rumor had to be halted. The alliance wasn’t a strong one, full of bickering sorts and others who were antsy about Bayard’s continuing dominance, but it kept Camelot and the other larger kingdoms from having to fight the ruthless ruler.

Oh. It all made Ygraine shake with frustration. Bayard was a man of great strength, but also little brain to put it bluntly. And now suddenly he was able to conquer five kingdoms? It made no sense, not unless there was someone working with him. But to suggest it was Camelot? No. There was no way. She would have known.

“Your highness…”

Ygraine focused on Leon again, nodding. “Right. Okay. I will be meeting with the council and I want you to take care of your end. We’ll need to reinforce the military in Tirmaiur, just in case.”

Leon’s look was a haggard and concerned one. “Our forces are strong your majesty, but it is hard. With Prince Arthur-

He cut himself off as she focused on him pointedly, “With Prince Arthur, what?”

“Nothing my Queen.”

She asked him directly, “I know that Arthur is not always tending to his rounds, but he is still training with the knights, is he not?”

Leon had taken it upon himself to make sure the knights were well trained. The queen didn’t need this added bit of trouble. He smiled fractionally. “Of course.”

Ygraine nodded at that. “Good. You may go now. Thank you Leon for all you do for Camelot.”

He gave a slight bow and departed from the queen’s chambers. When he was gone, Ygraine felt a rush of weakness and braced her hand tightly against the table. “Oh. I cannot falter now. I must meet with the council. So many things to do.”

She pushed away from the table, and walked forward, finding it on her dresser. She lifted the vial to her lips, whispering.

“And yet so little time.”

She drank.

***

Gwen returned from doing her rounds to find Arthur there, Merlin assisting him with getting his armor off. She smiled at both of them, gazing upon Arthur longer.

Feeling her eyes so heavily, Arthur asked, “What is it?”

Gwen shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just surprised to see you as you are.”

Merlin grinned at that, exchanging knowing looks with her before turning innocently to the prince, done with pretty much everything. “Alright. You said you wanted to take a bath. I’ll just heat the water.”

Gwen sighed as Merlin moved away from them, going behind the curtain at the south end of their quarters where the wooden tub was. Wiping his sweating hair away from his eyes, Arthur pulled off his tunic, not realizing just how intently Gwen was watching. But when he felt her eyes and knew, automatically he teased. “Want to help?”

Gwen shook her head, blushing furiously. “No. I just-

He laughed. “You are my wife after all.”

She blushed more and he caught her hand, seeming conflicted for a moment, before he whispered with a smile, “You’re quite pretty when you do that.”

“What?”

“Get embarrassed.” He squeezed her hand.

Gwen grimaced slightly, biting her lip at the way his robust chest was gleaming from his exertions. “No. I just-

He finished for her. “You’re surprised to see me in all my gear, right?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Arthur gave a shrug before stating importantly, “Well I only took over half the time; Leon had some other business to attend to requiring him to leave early. My mother too. She’s been in council for hours.”

Gwen frowned at that, asking with concern, “Is everything alright? Is it Tirmaiur?”

One more time he squeezed her hand with that question. “I’m sure it’s not. She would have let you know if it was. My mother’s quite fond of you.”

Merlin came back around, announcing with a quiet voice, seeming to not want to interrupt them, “Er, the bath water’s ready.”

The turmoil was still in Gwen’s face. Arthur turned back to him, “Give us a minute Merlin.”

That made the servant smile quietly with understanding. “Sure.” He walked out of the shared chambers.

Gwen moved to the window, hands climbing up to her heart, and clasping together there, fingers pressing against her dress’s neckline. “I’ve heard that when Bayard attacks he likes to take his time in killing the rulers. Parading the king or queen’s head as the full climax.”

The words so gruesome, Arthur let out a tight sigh, coming from behind, and reaching out to touch her shoulder. “Guinevere, my mother won’t let that happen, alright?”

She turned to him, stark fear in her eyes. “What if she can’t prevent it? What if Bayard has taken hold of another kingdom, and Tirmaiur is next on his list?”

He frowned, grasping her shoulder tighter, and getting her to flinch.

Arthur lowered his hand. “Sorry. I told you, get these shocks of cold. That’s why I like taking a hot bath.” He smiled. “Ask Merlin. He has to heat the water to near boiling before I’m satisfied.”

Guinevere didn’t smile in return, looking towards the southern end of the room, and telling him, “That’s right. You were going to take a bath. I’ll just go.”

Arthur grimaced with confusion. “Where? Why?”

She gestured forward. “Because you’re going to need your privacy. I’m your wife, but we know that’s just a charade so I might as well leave.”

She turned to go. Seeing that she was still clearly upset, Arthur grasped her arm. “Guinevere-

She shook her head, cutting him off. “No. I like to walk down by the river in the daylight hours. There are still a few. It calms me to be there. Reminds me of home. Lots of wildflowers.”

He looked even unhappier. “Alone?”

Giving a tight smile, Gwen nodded. “Yes. I’ve gotten used to it since I’ve come here.”

“You shouldn’t. There are bandits sometimes.”

She shook her head. “I’ll be fine. And what does it matter to you anyway if I’m only your wife for show?” She asked pointedly, upset, and wishing she was with someone familiar so she could feel just a touch of comfort. It wasn’t going to come from Arthur though. And right now she didn’t even want it from him. When she got to the door she heard it.

“Remember what I said. Be careful. I could send Merlin with you.”

She didn’t turn back to him. He could have also suggested himself. But didn’t. And that’s why now he made her feel cold. That’s why his words offered her no comfort. “No. Have a good bath Arthur.”

He heard the door shut behind her, and he grasped at the top of his hair. She looked so scared when she thought it had been Tirmaiur. So terrified.

It shocked his heart to see that.

Shocked it hard.

***

To continue…

***

Hey friends, one last note. I'm on Tumblr now. I'll be posting story information there for now on along with reblogging all the pretty art I see! Feel free to follow me, love participating there! :)

Merlinmagicwords: Writings of Elsewhere & Mara's Rambles