Love Woven Through Two Territories
*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 inspiring reviews.
***
Love Woven Through Two Territories
*Made by ella_rose88*
Part Five: Secrets of Honorable Hearts & Malicious Minds
Winter’s first urging prevented much light to crack through the curtains. All the same, Gwen barely felt a chill.
Sometime during the night her husband had shifted in closer, his pale tunic-covered chest inching against her shoulders. Pulling away some now, she studied his slumbering face.
When her father had requested she marry the future king of Camelot, Gwen obeyed in mind and body, but resisted in heart. Meeting Arthur only made things worse. Handsome, and gentle of touch, he also had such lazy arrogance.
In recent days Gwen had come to the conclusion that it was primarily an act. Arthur was a bold man, but rather than being lazy it seemed he was purposefully neglecting his duty to avoid links to the past that would bring up the bittersweet feelings of losing his father. Cloaking himself from his royal role too kept him from having to prove his worth.
Until most recently.
Gwen peered closer at her husband within the darkened bedroom, that bit of dawning light trying to fight its way through the frosty clouds outside. It lit a fragile glow over Arthur’s cheeks. Gwen lifted her hand, reaching out slowly until her fingers made lightest contact with his skin, causing a sleep contented murmur to blow out from his lips, which half startled her, before she mused on their conversation last night.
It had irritated her when he said he wanted to keep visiting the tavern. Men were akin to spend time out with their mates, like her father did in his younger days especially, but after making these little breakthroughs in communicating, she felt it was a big step backward.
Would it be crazy too that she wished to spend increased time with him?
Gwen gazed upon his face a little more longingly, before giving a shake of her head.
Yes…it would.
She pushed up on the mattress with her hand, getting into a sitting position now, studying the southern side of their chambers and deciding something.
It would do no good to leave the task up to Arthur. Her husband already had such ill feelings for his uncle.
“I have to do this myself. Now.” Gwen whispered softly, feeling just a tiny bit more light entering the room. “Before everyone’s awake.”
Quietly she moved away from the bed and tiptoed across the floor to where her discarded clothing laid, the vial contained within pocket.
…
The hallways were prominently dark and quiet. Gwen was glad for having spent enough time within the capacious castle to be able to find Agravaine’s chambers with little difficulty. All she had to do was slip in there before he awoke, return the vial, and return to bed before Arthur became aware of her absence. Think of it as a sleuthing trip with Freya. Of course Freya was not anywhere near, but that was a small technicality of sorts.
Gwen entered Agravaine’s chambers cautiously, hunched, making her small body even tinier. Although it soon became obvious that not only was Agravaine’s bed empty, but that he was also absent from the room entirely.
All she had to do was put the vial back exactly where she found it. Gwen perused the perfectly kept premises, seeing that small table she had the day before. This time it was bare, no golden object atop it.
Her curiosity nagged. Why would he move it somewhere else, and where to?
***
Something was missing.
That was the first thing Arthur became aware of as a waking sigh drifted from his mouth and his eyes slowly opened, spotting the empty pillow beside him. “Guinevere?” He called out questioningly, getting no answer. “Guinevere?” He inquired more sharply.
Still nothing.
Maybe she just had to tend to nature’s business or such, he mused.
…
Long moments later, his sleepiness now gone, his wife still hadn’t returned. Arthur got up from the bed with an impatient huff and looked for a clue of her whereabouts, kneeling down to the floor to seek out an answer.
“On a treasure hunt?”
Arthur jumped up, the sprightly inquisitive voice startling him.
“Merlin!” He clapped his hand over his heart. The young man with those crazy bright scarves, the one his mother set up as his manservant, had a dreadful habit of sneaking up on him. “What are you doing?”
Merlin gave frank answer, focusing upon Arthur with continued curiosity. “I was going to make your breakfast when I walked by your chambers and noticed you moving about. You look like you lost something.”
“I did.” Arthur stated busily.
“What?”
“My wife.” Arthur grumbled.
Merlin’s anger surfaced like the crack of a whip. “What did you do?” He advanced rapidly until he had the loose neckline of Arthur’s tunic within fisted hands’ grasp.
Arthur gritted his teeth. “What do you think YOU’RE doing Merlin? Kindly take your hands away from my shirt or you will see how much I detest being cornered.”
Merlin’s eyes were wild with emotion. “Gwen is special! She doesn’t deserve your adul-
Finally Arthur understood as he brought his hands over Merlin’s threatening ones. “You’re a fool Merlin, evident in how you have yet to let go of my tunic, but you do also have rare moments of wisdom. I ended it with Elaine, yesterday. My commitment henceforward is to Guinevere and Camelot, in all respectable fashions.”
Merlin smiled at the concession, but then seeing Arthur’s eyebrows give a little authoritative hitch, the servant slowly moved his fingers down, fussily straightening out the wrinkled fabric of his master’s tunic before he let go entirely. “Ooops.”
Arthur gave a roll of his eyes. “Yeah. Ooops indeed. Feel fortunate that I respect courageousness Merlin, even the lunatic kind.”
“You can’t blame me Arthur.” Merlin answered back. “Gwen is my friend. I don’t want to see her hurt.” Merlin grinned keenly now, his mood flipping like an acrobat. “I knew you had feelings for her, strong ones. Everything’s going to be just the way it should now.”
Arthur moved around the room, grasping a pitcher from the table. He poured its water into a nearby cup and took a small drink, his mouth dry, and Merlin’s comment not one he wanted to battle off or affirm at the moment. “So that woman, the one you spoke about a few times, you must have loved her a lot, right? To come after me like you just did?”
Merlin’s eyes fixed upon the floor for a long moment. “Yeah.”
“Don’t repeat it.” Arthur stated sharply now, giving Merlin a fixed look.
The servant didn’t back off. “Don’t make me have to.”
Arthur shook his head wryly at first, but then whipped it back around the other way with stunned amazement. The fireplace’s force had dwindled down to near nothing by the time he woke. Now it suddenly blazed with life, the flames licking the walls of the hearth hungrily.
“How-
Giving a private smile, Merlin was quick to bring the prince back to his earlier concern. “So you woke up and Gwen wasn’t around?”
Arthur turned away from the suddenly active fireplace, nodding. “Yeah. And it’s been too long now. Maybe she’s with Mary?”
“No. Saw her this morning already. She was heading to the kitchens too; I told her to go without me.”
Arthur noticed how Merlin was staring so fixedly upon Guinevere’s discarded clothing of the previous day. “What’s that about?”
Merlin pressed his top lip over his bottom one. “Huh?”
“Your look, Merlin.”
When his servant didn’t say anything, Arthur put down the cup and moved over to them. “The pocket.”
“Arthur.” Merlin stated loudly, but Arthur was already reaching inside.
“It’s not here.”
Merlin blinked feigned confusion. “What’s not?”
“The vial, Merlin!”
Oh no. Merlin had feared it. He told Gwen to wait for him. Now Arthur explained he had done the same after he learned the truth about it and what Merlin and his wife had been up to the previous day. “She took it back to Agravaine, didn’t she?”
Merlin slowly nodded. “I’m thinking she did.”
“Well then-
Arthur was swiftly making his way to the door, but Merlin intervened before he could touch the wood.
“Merlin, now is not the time for you to make me cross.”
“It’s also not the time for you to act crazy.” Merlin told him fiercely.
“Well no time is right for YOU to be telling me what to do Merlin. Remember who the master is here and then how about you shut up, eh?” Arthur removed Merlin’s hand from the door easily and stalked out of the room.
Merlin gave a roll of his eyes. “Prat.” Before following. With Arthur in such an ill mood, and Gwen in a possibly volatile predicament, his daily toils could wait.
***
Gwen thought how she should put the vial down and return to her chambers, but then something peculiar caught her eye. It was shining through the door of the cupboard, a possible answer to her question. She carefully opened the door, gaping at all she saw. “What-how-
Seconds and the door was shut fiercely, a long fingered hand clasping over her mouth. “Snooping, Princess? Dangerous habit.”
His taller and broader body was hard against hers, his arm locking in her shoulders.
“I knew it.” He sneered against her cheek. “You did take my vial.” He snatched it from her hand and proceeded to yell for the guard, but Gwen anxiously stopped him, grasping onto Agravaine’s arms. “Wait. Listen to me.”
His eyes were cold, that raven hitch of his eyebrows threatening, but he took a step away, fixing his hands upon his waist expectantly. “Well.”
Gwen sighed, taking in his full dress, before she felt that uncomfortable leer, like she had the other night. She fixed her robe more firmly over the top of her partially exposed breasts and gave explanation.
“You’re right. I took it. But I meant no ill will. That night you looked like you were coming from your sister’s chambers.”
“And so you thought what?” Agravaine asked sharply.
Only the truth would work. “That maybe the vial was hers and you had-
Agravaine advanced upon Gwen swiftly, grasping her arms so tightly she flinched. “You thought what, Thief? What did you think I would do to my own sister?”
Gwen swallowed against his unyielding grip. “Lord Agra-
“WHAT?”
Breathing fast, Gwen told him. “Her vial is almost identical. And she’s been ill. I thought you had tampered with it.”
Gwen attempted then to push apart from Agravaine’s chest, but his fierce hold wouldn’t let her go yet. She turned her head away, feeling the rabid heat of his words against her cheek.
“You DARE to accuse me of such a heinous act when-
“Let me go!” She fought against his clenching fingers more vigorously now, feeling a shiver go down her spine. “I was wrong. I didn’t realize-
He brutally cut through, spitting out the words. “Oh you now realize your mistake, is that it THIEF? You think that-
Ice and flame slashed through, a tall shadow appearing in the doorway. “Take your hands off her-NOW.”
It caught Agravaine off guard enough to allow Gwen to break free finally. She moved to the tall shadow that stepped equally as fast toward her. Arthur’s hand reached out to his wife’s arm gently, torrents of concern in his blue eyes. “Are you alright?”
Her arms were sore a bit still, but with no visible marks she was sure, it was best to keep her husband at level emotion. Gwen assured him that everything was okay and yet she couldn’t help notice Merlin standing behind, his disdain for Agravaine vivid. Perhaps she had made a grave mistake, coming here without Arthur’s knowing.
Agravaine confirmed that troubling thought, as he refused to let things go. She supposed she couldn’t blame him. She had accused him of something horrid, but he was a man of the grayest shadows, and what she found in his closet he most certainly hadn’t wanted her to see. Even if he hadn’t taken his sister’s vial, it seemed there was much he hid.
“Do you know what that FIBBER did? What she thought I did?”
Seconds and Arthur was like a horse jumping at the bit. Gwen moved forward anxiously, feeling Merlin’s watching eyes on both of them. “Calm, my husband.” She whispered softly, stroking his arm to soften his mood. Both she and Merlin sighed with relief as it seemed to work.
Arthur took a step back from his infuriated uncle, stating steadily, “Don’t call her that. She made a mistake. I’m sure she’s sorry about it.”
Merlin smiled. Perfectly handled. Defend your wife, but let Agravaine do all the raging.
Arthur hated it, but what his wife did was not right. She had to make amends. And looking to her face now, catching her eye, he knew she was not such a woman of stubborn weak pride who couldn’t handle it. She was the opposite really, much like his mother.
Arthur’s hand out in reluctant invitation, for she knew he’d rather she didn’t have to apologize, Gwen placed hers in his, more than happy to make proper amends to end this once and for all. “My husband is right. I am so sorry Lord Agravaine. I made a horrible blunder and I ask for your forgiveness.”
Arthur smiled at Guinevere with wonder, thinking how good she was at it, balancing her humility and truth without making herself look pitiful.
Agravaine wasn’t having it though. Threatening seemed the best way to keep Gwen’s mouth shut about what she spotted in his room. “Nephew, your wife is a woman of falsehoods. Best to think about that carefully.” Agravaine held Arthur’s attention with calculating malevolence now. “In fact, it’s quite possible she was the one who instigated all that treacherous trouble regarding Isgard. A liar. Easily a traitor in kind.”
Gwen countered emotionally, heart beating fast, “You think I would put my own land of birth in danger?”
“Ah! See!” Agravaine pointed with emphasis. “She does not regard Camelot as her home even though she is now its future queen. No telling what traitorous doings she’s been up-
“You twist my words! That’s not what I meant! I would never hurt the queen, my husband, or Camelot!” Gwen insisted, but soon she was nudged strongly out of the way.
Agravaine’s words had shocked Arthur at first, but now they kindled his body with disgust that once Gwen was out of harm’s way he leapt forward like an attacking bear. Fingers thrust within his uncle’s loose collar, he snarled. “SHUT up. Silence your tongue. As royal prince of Camelot I order you to.”
A tension filled face-off began. Gwen felt Merlin’s hand come out to her waist; she backed up to him with dread in her heart. This had all gone so terribly wrong. “Merlin-
“Wait-
He put up his hand quietly, holding still. Arthur wouldn’t like his interference now.
Gwen whispered her husband’s name. “Arthur…”
He turned back to her for a fast moment before lessening his hold some on his uncle’s tunic. The bed held something interesting, getting him to let out a keen smile. “Seems you haven’t been around all night. So where are you going off to each evening, Uncle?”
Agravaine answered sharply. “I’m brother to the queen. I don’t have to explain my doings.” Glad to have the upper hand now that it wasn’t a tugging match, physical fight not Agravaine’s strong suit, he continued his earlier rant. “I’m not the one entering someone’s chambers without permission. This woman you married, what do we even know about her? That she loves her land? Who knows what she would do to keep it safe? Maybe even marry the prince of the land with the most formidable army and then as a favor to her father conspire with Camelot’s greatest enemies to bring the kingdom down while her precious little Tirmaiur remains intact. This liar-
Agravaine perhaps should have kept his mouth shut if he wanted to stay away from the physical. Arthur had been trained, since of walking age, how to fight by his father and the knights. Although he wasn’t at his best these days because of neglecting his role for so long, he still had incredible speed and agility.
Seconds was all it took for Agravaine to be thrust forcefully into the wall.
“No, Arthur-
Gwen started to yell out, before giving Merlin an anxious look. Please. She mouthed.
He nodded as Agravaine started to retaliate, maybe not a physical man, but he was wily, and so a threatening object was soon in his hand, a razor of sharp edge. If his nephew went too far he’d use it.
Merlin noticed the rug underneath Agravaine’s right foot. It was sneaky and clumsy magic, but oh well. Eyes glowing gold for just a second, Merlin got the rug to tangle against Agravaine’s feet, causing the man to fall in a tumble. Shocked by it, Arthur stepped away.
Gwen smiled at Merlin her thanks and with the distraction grasped Arthur’s arm. “Husband, please.” She kept her voice as low and respectful as possible. “Let’s get away from here. This argument serves no good.”
Arthur turned on her, his eyes wild. Gwen pressed against his arm, massaging it a bit with her fingers. “Please.”
The prince turned back to the fallen Agravaine who now started to stand, his finger barreling at Gwen.
“Liar. Your wife is a liar. And soon everyone in Camelot will know.”
That one Gwen couldn’t let go without her own counter. She stood firm. “I took your vial and I have made amends for it Lord Agravaine, but I am not a common fibber. Nor a traitor. The queen has been nothing but good to me and my father and I am ever so thankful for it. I would never try to hurt her-
Gwen looked to Arthur now, realizing something as she took in the disarray of his hair and the redness in his face. “Nor my husband.” Her heart was beating fervently as she massaged his arm a little more, feeling his tension start to alleviate just a fraction. “My loving husband.”
Arthur turned to her at that and Gwen smiled, but he didn’t return it. Too much had happened here. Agravaine’s words troubled him deeply. “Don’t you say another word of what you accused my wife of Uncle, or you will regret it. Mark my words. You will rue the day you made such false accusations.”
“Soon the truth will be known.” Agravaine simply added with a dark smile, directing it coldly to Gwen as he noticed her glance to the cupboard. If the woman was smart she’d stop nosing into his business.
Gwen looked back to Merlin whose expression was as disturbed as hers as she felt Arthur’s pull of hand, and heard his quiet command. “Come, Guinevere.”
She let him lead her away without argument.
***
Moments later, within chambers, Arthur made it clear that he wanted Merlin to tend to business in the kitchens to allow them privacy. A quick glance to each was all Merlin gave before he departed silently.
Apprehension nudging, Gwen watched her husband move from one side of the room to another, his hands lifting over his face, ruffling his already messed up hair even more. She would be inclined to fix it if his mood was lighter. “I know what you’re thinking.” She voiced steadily, cutting through the thick tension.
Arthur rounded on her angrily. “Oh you do, do you?”
Gwen nodded calmly. “I shouldn’t have gone to Agravaine’s chambers after I said I would leave the task to you. But I couldn’t do that Arthur.”
“Why?” He asked, jaw rigid.
“Because.” Gwen gestured to his unkempt appearance from his near tussle with his uncle. “I knew that was how you would react. Angrily.”
Arthur railed at his wife, advancing upon her quickly. “What did you expect me to act like Guinevere? The man accused you of TREASON!”
Gwen stepped back. She’d never seen Arthur so furious before. Certainly she wanted her husband to be more passionate about things, but not like this. “Well it’s not true. Surely you don’t think-it’s true?” She questioned, eyes wide, because he was suddenly so quiet. Did he doubt her? Did he believe what Agravaine had said?
Letting out a long sigh, Arthur shook his head and took a step back. Seemed he could be as threatening as his father when angry. Never realized he had it in him-until now.
Somehow this woman made him feel ways he never felt before. Damn her for that. Especially now with everything so complicated.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, Guinevere. If Agravaine starts spreading these rumors-
“Lies. They’re lies.” Gwen insisted, before turning away. “How can you believe that I would do such a thing? How can you lay next to me at night and think-
Arthur’s eyes turned to the ceiling, his hands whipping messily through his hair before he took the few steps needed. Gently he brought his hand over his wife’s arm. He didn’t know her completely, but there were some things Arthur was certain about. “I don’t think that Guinevere. I know you would never betray Camelot, or me. I know how much my mother means to you. I’ve seen it and I’m grateful for that affection. Truly Guinevere.”
She looked up to him now, feeling the gentle caress of his hand over her cheek as his other stayed on her arm. “That pleases me Husband.”
He smiled for a quick moment, before frowning again. “That doesn’t make this any better though.”
“It does for me.” She whispered.
Arthur shook his head. “You’re not getting the point Guinevere.
“I’m not that dense Arthur.” Gwen affirmed.
“No?” Arthur asked, before ruefully adding, “I know you’re not, but I warned you to stay away from my uncle, and yet did you listen to me? No.”
Gwen insisted. “Even as my husband you don’t have the right to tell me everything to do Arthur. I was worried about you facing Agravaine, that you would let your temper take over your sense.”
Laughing dryly at that, Arthur raised his hands to his hair, messing it up even more. “Oh, sometimes I don’t get you Guinevere. You tell me to be a strong man, to be noble and brave.”
Gwen’s hands fisted at her robe. “That doesn’t mean for you to attack your uncle, Arthur.”
“He attacked you!” Arthur yelled back furiously. “Not only that, he accused you of traitorous thoughts and acts!”
Keeping her peace as much as she could, Gwen let out a rueful sigh. “He is an awful man sometimes.”
Arthur laughed again, advancing forward and grasping his wife’s arms. “He is also the elder brother of the queen, Guinevere. He has a lot more leeway than I wish he did. I’ve urged my mother to get rid of him, but she’s refused. With her illness at hand I do my best to not upset her. I tolerate him. That being said, don’t expect me to hold back if he starts bringing out these ugly false accusations about you within council. And don’t expect it to be a small matter. Even with my mother as queen, if he starts those kinds of rumors, it won’t just be Tirmaiur in possible danger, but also Camelot.”
The mention of Tirmaiur brought thoughts of her father to Gwen’s heart, anxious ones. “You said that Tirmaiur was safe. Both you and the queen have stated that with certainty. Is it now fading?”
Arthur looked into his wife’s concerned eyes, his hand moving forward spontaneously to touch her cheek. “No. But that is only if Camelot remains strong, Guinevere. Anything shakes that up…and…”
“Do you think Agravaine could convince the council of something so heinous?”
With Arthur not answering that threatening question right away, Gwen pressed against his arm. “Arthur?”
Did he?
Aldous’s earlier words distressed him. Yet his wife’s anxiety was too strong. It couldn’t be easy, even if it was custom, for a woman to leave her home of so many miles away, not certain for the fate of her loved ones.
Arthur moved forward, slowly taking his wife into his arms, stroking a bit at her nebulous curls of hair as she didn’t reject him. “No. Not with my mother there.” That much was true. “She wouldn’t condone such lies within council. “Tirmaiur is safe. So are you.”
At those last words, Gwen pulled away, but with Arthur’s fingers still locked within coils of her hair it kept them close for a few precious seconds. She studied the purse of his lips, inching up on her toes to finally smooth out the mess within his hair. It was a gentle moment between them, soon interrupted however.
Hearing Merlin’s sing-songy voice accompanied by Mary’s shyer one, Arthur moved apart from his wife, feeling the drop of her hands as he created the distance. Unaware of what had been going on, Merlin and Mary busily labored away to lay out clothing for the day, present breakfast, and start the tidying of the bed.
Within it all Gwen talked about her plans for the morning hours, making the rounds and other such important tasks. Arthur frowned when Merlin filled in that he, the prince, would be happy to join her. It wasn’t so much that it was a terrible idea. It was Merlin’s audacious interference, the hopeful challenge in Gwen’s eyes, and the feel of his once normal life fluttering away underneath all these new emotions that he had yet to understand. So he forcefully stated how wrong Merlin was.
…
After breakfast was eaten and they were dressed for their day, Gwen asked Arthur a question while Merlin and Mary were on the other side of their chambers, gathering up the laundry, “So you won’t be doing the rounds, again?”
His wife’s disapproval was obvious, irking Arthur. In the dark of night within their bed it was easier to admit things. At present day, it was like being corralled, and Arthur hated being fenced in.
His response was dry. “You seem to deal with the rounds well enough on your own.”
The flippant answer puzzled Gwen. Arthur’s moods were so back and forth sometimes; he hardly held steady. Giving into the feelings she was starting to experience for him would be easy if only he would give her a reason to delve so far. Now that sullen tone in his voice produced her rant. “It is your duty too.”
“You’re always telling me that Guinevere.”
“And she’s right.” Merlin brashly filled in.
“Shut up!” Arthur sneered back at Merlin.
Gwen’s hands fisted upon her dress. “You needn’t shout at him. He is only reminding you of your obligations. You don’t see me talking to Mary that way, do you? Servants should be treated with respect. They can be valuable friends.”
Stepping forward so they were face to face, Arthur fumed. “If he wants respect he shouldn’t be so cheeky. Half the time Merlin doesn’t know his place.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Gwen countered with feisty flavor. “Since often you don’t know yours.” Seeing that her husband was getting ready to respond, Gwen brazenly pushed her finger against his lips. “I’m sure now that you’re sulking you’ll be going to the tavern? Isn’t that right Husband of Mine?”
Actually he had been thinking of going off on a ride or something, cool down his bad mood. But she was challenging him and so Arthur now nodded his head vigorously, bringing down her finger. “So right Wife. Because I’m the Prince of Camelot and I can do what I want. Spend time with my mates even.”
“Then go.” Gwen stated firmly, not flinching away from her husband’s defiance.
It took but a moment for him to stomp angrily out of their chambers. When he was gone Gwen closed her eyes, pressing her hand against her heart, chastising herself. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m not usually like this. So temperamental.”
“You call that temperamental?” Merlin asked, coming alongside Gwen. “Most women would be throwing things and yelling.”
Gwen’s eyes opened to see Merlin’s proximity, his expression friendly. She shook her head. “Well that solves nothing. And neither does my acting like this. It’s Arthur though. Oh the man is so infuriating at times! Did you hear him Merlin, how he acted about the tavern? It’s like it’s his den to cavort with his friends in. Drink tankards while his kingdom is in possible peril. He can be so selfish! It’s my fault though too. I’m the one who suggested it. He hadn’t even said anything about the tavern and then I opened my mouth and-
Oh, what is it? Why do we do this? Bark at each other like dogs?” She pressed her hand against her chest, taking it away with a surprised look. “My heart is raised, beating so fast, and I just don’t understand. What is this? Why does he affect me so?”
She sank down to the corner of the half unmade bed, pressing her face into her hands.
The spot next to her sank down a little too as Merlin came to sit beside the young princess, reaching out gently. “Because you’re falling in love with him. If you haven’t already.”
Slowly Gwen lifted her face, eyes widened to Merlin with shock, which just made the hidden mage laugh. “Come on Gwen. You know it too.”
Her mouth formed into an o that made Merlin wonder if he had overstepped his place. He moved away from her. “Um, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said-
Gwen’s hands closed over his though. “No. It’s not that. We’re friends. I just-how can that be? Only days ago he was with another woman. I wanted him nowhere near me.”
Merlin nodded his head. “Of course. It hurt you. But you can be hurt and feeling love already too Gwen. You blocked him out then. You still can. But I don’t think you want to anymore. And so now all the feeling comes with it.”
Gwen gazed at Merlin heavily. “You speak with so much experience.”
Merlin shrugged, fiddling some with his scarf, his expression incrementally saddening. “Yeah, maybe too much. Freya.”
“I’m sorry Merlin. You must miss her still so much.”
The servant looked away, in distant thought. “I do. But it is what it is.” He turned back to Gwen, giving a squeeze of her hand. “I need to get back to my work or Arthur will really be shouting it up. I know it’s hard. With the fact that Arthur didn’t really commit himself enough to the marriage from the start. But that thing with him and Elaine is over now Gwen. You two have a chance.”
After Merlin left to help Mary with their daily toils, Gwen pondered on her relationship with Arthur for a bit before letting out a determined sigh and rising up from the bed. Rounds still had to be made and if her husband wasn’t going to tend to them, well then as princess she’d make sure they were done right.
***
Hours later, alarming events caused Gwen to seek Arthur out at the tavern.
She pushed open the doors, entering the mostly male franchise with diligent purpose, making her way to the bar where her husband sat with his friends.
A few drinks in, Arthur had earlier noticed that Aldous wasn’t there this day. It made him feel a little guilty at first for being there himself. Now that tension was lifted away. He was laughing up a storm about some crazy squalid joke Rand just told when he spotted his wife coming toward them, at first a bit sheepish, soon turning quite cross.
Seeing Arthur loafing it up with his lazy male friends, while sharing tasteless jokes, bolstered Gwen’s objective. Hands fisted at her hips, pressing into the tailored rose material of her dress, she cut through the frivolity.
“I need to speak to my husband. Alone.”
Arthur, for his part, disgruntled by the interruption, especially in such a public place, faced his wife squarely. “We will speak tonight.”
Unable to contain herself, Gwen grasped her husband’s arm. His precious manhood could take a holiday. Kingdom residents were entitled to proper treatment and at the moment they weren’t getting it. “No. We will speak now<. This cannot wait.”
Stubbornly Arthur rolled his eyes, getting Gwen to tell him loudly, “You never make the rounds! You always leave them to me alone, but trouble is arising that needs assistance.”
For a moment’s pause Arthur wondered with concern what those last words were supposed to mean. He let it drop quickly though. She was likely being more melodramatic than necessary. Some drivel no doubt such as one farmer arguing with another over who had the biggest newborn calf, or maybe the marketplace not agreeing about the purchase cost of eggs. He’d heard it all before and it never was such a dire crisis that he had to rush in to mediate.
Gwen, however, wouldn’t let the matter go.
“Instead of fulfilling your noble deeds you come here and fill yourself of drink! Enough. You are shaming the crown you wear upon your head.”
Arthur grimaced. Thought they had gotten past such nonsense. Seemed he was wrong. But so was she, coming here in such prickly fashion. He pointed lazily to the top of his head. “Not wearing it now.”
Gwen lifted her hands in exasperation. “You know what I mean!”
Indeed. Arthur scrutinized with deeper intent. Guinevere’s chest was heaving and her breath seemed short. She could often confound him, but one thing of matter he was certain. She wouldn’t continue ranting so madly like this unless it was something more important than the size of calves.
Everyone at the tavern was staring at her so hard now, including his friends. Breathing out, giving an abashed look around, Gwen whispered, “Husband. My love. You will listen to me?”
Arthur laughed dryly at that, feeling for a second a trickle of warmth run around his heart. Oh Guinevere. 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 then and pulled him with her toward the tavern door.
Once exiting it she remarked, “Good idea. I’ll have to remember that if you start acting like the Pig again.”
Outside Arthur gave complaint to the insult, but it fell apart as Gwen importantly interrupted, “Do you know what Agravaine has been doing?”
Okay. After the way Agravaine grabbed her earlier in the morning, Arthur wiped away his lazed half-drunk feeling rapidly, moving toward Guinevere with care. “He touched you again?”
Gwen shook her head. “No. It’s not about me. It’s about how he’s been making the rounds, what he’s been doing during such time.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. Was that all? He’d seen Agravaine do the rounds before. He was annoying no doubt, but harmless really. Most of the kingdoms’ toilers knew how to deal with his sometimes upper-handed attitude. “Oh just lauding himself around again, right? Seen it.”
Gwen grasped his shoulders strongly. “Arthur, I’m serious.”
Her cheeks were flushed, her brown eyes were wide and that hard beat to her breast was there again. So Arthur pulled her into a shaded area of trees where no one could 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 witnessed a child with a stomach so malnourished. Arthur there is no call for that. Families-
“WHAT?” Arthur halted Gwen’s sentence with shock.
“I knew you wouldn’t agree with this.” Gwen whispered, her breathing normalizing now that she finally got his undivided attention.
“Of course not.” Arthur insisted.
“So your mother must not know either, right?”
Arthur shook his head adamantly, all left over buzzes of drunkenness depleted. “No. Never would she allow that. Where is this child? The malnourished one.”
“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 silver pieces so they will be able to go to market. Crops don’t grow as well in the winter.”
Arthur gave a reassuring squeeze of her shoulders to tell his wife he agreed with her decisions. “I’m glad you did all that.” He lifted his head angrily. “Should have known he would do something like this. Now you see why I’ve never trusted Agravaine. Why I want you to stay away from him. He squanders and squalors where he can. Shady and greedy to the end. Wish my mother never brought him here, but sadly he’s her kin.”
“She needs to know, Arthur.”
“Right. Come on.” Arthur grasped onto Guinevere’s hand, getting her to look up at him with surprise.
Arthur’s response was rapid and plain. “Oh now come. You’re the one who found this all out. You should be there.”
He lowered his head in pensive thought.
“What, Arthur?” Gwen asked, placing her hand over his.
Finally he looked up to her again. “I would have known all this if I had been doing the rounds. Like you told me I should. If Agravaine had found you learning about this I don’t like to think what could have happened. He’s a vile man; my mother needs to know once and for all. I get why she wasn’t aware of this in the first place. She’s had a lot on her plate with all the turmoil Bayard and now Isgard has caused. But this is my birth kingdom, people I care about, and you’re my wife. An honorable one Guinevere.”
He caressed her hand with emotion. “Brave too. I won’t let Agravaine upset that by spreading vicious rumors that my mother is too busy to stop. She’s going to hear from me now what he falsely accused you of this morning. I want you there to hear it too. I owe you that much.”
Gwen shook her head, tempering any gratefulness for her husband’s caring response. “Arthur you don’t have to. It could cause tension between you and your mother. I don’t want to be the instigator of that.”
He grasped her hand. “You couldn’t be. Now come with me.”
It was a command, but stated so gently it touched Gwen’s ears like a tender song.
***
Ygraine was shocked and livid about what Arthur had to tell her. Agravaine taking advantage of the poorest people of the kingdom was a travesty, and his accusations about Guinevere were deplorable. Howbeit, Arthur’s strong urgings for her to kick him out of kingdom fell on deaf ears.
“I can’t do that Arthur.” Ygraine insisted, wearing a deep blue dress that made her coils of gold white hair shine.
“Why not?” Arthur asked, looking to Gwen for assistance, however she carefully kept quiet.
“Arthur, please remember that he is your uncle. And my brother. He has done much for the kingdom.”
“Such as?” Arthur asked dryly.
Ygraine pursed her lips. “Such as matters you would know more about if you tended to your duty regularly. I’m grateful that you’re so diligent about knight training, like your father was, but it would help too if you didn’t leave Guinevere to tend to the rounds alone. I’m sure she’d prefer your accompaniment also.”
They both looked back to Gwen who cleared her throat. “I think this is a conversation for the two of you alone. Please excuse me.”
She curtsied to the queen and made her way out, getting Arthur to sigh. “Come on Mother. You don’t think the accusations Agravaine made are potentially dangerous? He made them about Guinevere. I thought she mattered to you.”
Ygraine smiled slightly. “As I can see she is mattering to you much more now.” She added firmly, “Of course what he said concerns me Arthur.”
“And what about the leering?”
“Oh Arthur.”
“Mother.”
Ygraine reached for her son’s hands, asking an interesting question. “Doesn’t Gwen wear something around her neck?”
Arthur’s forehead wrinkled as he answered absentmindedly. Sometimes he even forgot it was there for it was quite simple, but for the finishing touch. “She wears a necklace sometimes, yes. She told me once that it came from Tirmaiur, has a rare stone from a cave at the outskirts of the kingdom. What does that have to do with this?”
Holding still, Ygraine didn’t answer.
“Mother.”
Directing her attention back to Arthur, she shook her head. “Nothing. Just rest assured, Agravaine’s leer has not been tied to improper advances. I will speak to him about this matter as well as the other. You needn’t fear any rumors made to the council.”
“So you know how to stop them?”
Ygraine straightened her back. “I am Queen, Arthur. Please don’t dismiss that fact as trivial. I have the final say of what happens within council, not your uncle, nor you. Gwen is a princess, a member of this family, and someone I care about as much as I hope you do. She will have nothing to fear.”
With that the queen departed the room and Arthur had to resign himself to her judgment, muttering under his breath once she was gone. “I hope you’re right Mother.”
***
The tension between Ygraine and Agravaine was as ripe as ready to eat fruit while she chastised him harshly for his unfair and unjust monetary demands upon the people. “Just be thankful I don’t put you in the cells for this. Uther most certainly would have. I am appalled, Agravaine. Taking money from the people…are you that desperate now?”
The man showed little reaction, but then it started stewing in his head. “It’s her, isn’t it? That little thief can’t keep her flippant lips closed!”
The incriminating response infuriated Ygraine. “Enough, Brother! I never told you how I learnt the truth and I don’t need to. It doesn’t matter. Just that I know now. I’ve always been aware of your compulsions and I’ve never said anything about them, about the collection you have in that locked closet.”
He gaped, getting Ygraine to respond. “Oh yes, I do know about that. About why certain things have disappeared around the castle, including precious objects of mine. Now most recently it’s Guinevere you’ve been leering at, an object no doubt of hers gaining your attention. Well you can forget it.”
Her finger pointed with meaning. “I promise you that if one thing out of Arthur and Guinevere’s chambers goes missing, I WILL put you in the cells.”
“After everything I’ve done for you-
“As I’ve done much for you in kind. Kept a blind eye. No more. You end this sick compulsion or you will pay the same price any other criminal of Camelot does.”
Looking away, Agravaine tensely wrung his hands, getting Ygraine’s expression to soften a bit. “I love you Brother. I do Ag. I always have. And I’m grateful for the things you’ve done that Arthur has not seen, has not cared to see. But I cannot tolerate lawlessness.
Now as for the other matter, the FALLACIOUS accusations you made about Guinevere, trust me that if you dare to attempt opening your mouth about any such ugly lies to the council, I will have you banished…”
Ygraine fumbled on the next words. Tears welling in her eyes, she told him with the firmest voice she could eke out, “Forever. From Camelot. From me. I promise you that.”
“You don’t even know that woman!” Agravaine yelled. “I’m your brother.”
Ygraine stood tall. “I know her well enough that she does not keep secrets from me, lie to me, like you sometimes do.” She adjusted the collar of her dress. “Now I have royal business to attend to. So you’re dismissed.”
Steaming, Agravaine stalked out of the queen’s chambers, dark mutterings escaping his breath once he was outside. “You’ll be sorry for this Ygraine. For taking that thief’s side over mine. For making such awful decisions about Camelot. One day you’ll see how right I was…
And how wrong you are.”
***
Progressing down the long hallway of the castle’s second floor, Arthur stopped at one of the many windows, studying the movement outside. Feeling gentle pressure against his shoulder he turned around. “Guinevere. Why did you leave?”
Lowering her hand, Gwen told him that she thought it a private moment between son and mother. When Arthur told her that his mother still refused to exit Agravaine out of kingdom she responded with, “Did you really expect her to? Arthur, it’s her brother. Every family has someone who is problematic. That doesn’t mean you banish them from your life.”
Arthur sighed. “Well at least you’re held in my mother’s favor. It will keep Agravaine’s mouth shut for longer.”
“Something good.” Gwen smiled mildly as Arthur turned away again to witness the beginnings of knight training for the afternoon. “You should join them.”
“I felt a little guilty actually when my mother mentioned how well I have been taking over the training. If she knew it was Leon-
Gwen’s hand reached for Arthur’s shoulder meaningfully. “Then make sure she doesn’t find out. Change the fact. Your mother has enough to deal with now. Do your duty Arthur. I know you want to.”
He sighed once more, but with it was a wry smile. “Yeah, I suppose I do. Just need to go find Mer-
“Ready when you are!” A jaunty voice exclaimed from behind them, getting Arthur to jump against Gwen’s touch. She had to contain her laughter. Merlin was indeed uncanny with his timing, presently balancing the heavy armor in his lanky arms.
“How does he do that?” Arthur mouthed at her with awe as Merlin busily skipped ahead.
*
part 2 is here