fic: healing hearts, merlin, pg
I loved the reunion scene for Arthur and Gwen. I know there are still things that need to be discussed, but the simplicity of the scene we got was just beautiful. Angel and Bradley really used their faces to convey every emotion those characters were feeling in that moment.
So this is my take on Guinevere's thoughts during that scene.
Title: Healing Hearts
Author: hope27
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Through 4x12.
Summary: He was there. In front of her. Strong and real.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the BBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Time had escaped her as she stood in the doorway of the small house, staring at the man she loved sleeping quietly on the humble bed. It was a sight she’d never thought she’d see again. She’d given up the hope that she’d ever look upon his strong features, his angled jaw, and dip in his chin. Any moment she was sure she’d wake, the cruel hope of a dream snatched away from her, leaving her shivering in the dark alone.
But she did not wake. For she was not sleeping. He was there. In front of her. Strong and real.
Her hands yearned to reach out to him, remind herself of the warmth of his skin, the familiar planes and dips of his arms, his back. But she could not. Not yet.
Her emotions were too raw. Even after all these weeks, her mind flashed back to that fateful day. The harshness in his eyes, the cool tone of his voice. She’d hurt him. She’d hurt herself. He’d banished her. Perhaps he never wanted to see her again. Perhaps...
Her mind ran with a thousand thoughts, each one stripping away her confidence, pushing down the truths her heart spoke. Closing her eyes, she listened.
You’re always surprising me...
I’ve never loved another.
My place is with you.
Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
It’s what you do when you love someone.
She drew in a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Wiping at her cheeks, she pressed her hands together in front of her and moved forward.
The thin cot barely shifted with her weight. She held her breath as she gazed upon him. He looked tired, but he was still her Arthur.
Willing her hands to be steady, she gently pulled at the bandage around his abdomen. He was healing, but the skin was still blue and brown. Carefully, she applied a cool cloth against the swollen ribs before rewrapping his bandage.
Her heartbeat jumped as he groaned softly, stirring beneath her fingers. Her eyes flew to his face just in time to see his eyes open and he stilled.
She held her breath, the fluttering of her heart like hope rising from the ashes.
“Guinevere?”
His voice was rough from sleep, but it was a balm to her heart. She was sure she would never her her name on his lips again. The gentle wonder in his voice beckoned to her, and she smiled slightly. She greeted him simply, savoring his name as it formed in her mouth.
“Hello, Arthur.”
He leaned up slightly, eyes still trying to focus. She could see him fighting to determine if this was real or not, much like she had minutes ago.
“What are you doing here?”
There were a thousand answers to that question. So many that she needed to say, wanted to say, but in that moment, they all seemed unimportant. Instead, she shrugged, “It’s as good a place as any.”
They would have time for the details later. Not now, in these precious moments where the pain of the past and hope for the future met on an uncertain ground.
The way he was looking at her took her breath away. She’d longed for that gaze, his eyes lingering over her face in a warm caress.
The words came tumbling out her mouth, spoken from her heart, “I’ve missed you.”
The silence that followed her declaration was loud to her ears as she waited.
But it was only momentary as he replied, and her heart soared even with it’s bruised wings. “And I, you.”
She could feel the tears in her eyes, her vision slightly blurry. She watched silently and half in wonder as he moved closer to her, straining to sit up despite his wound. His eyes searched hers, and somehow they spoke without words. He opened himself to her, and she moved willingly into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly.
She felt the rise and fall of his chest as he let out a deep breath, burying his head against her shoulder. His heartbeat was strong and fast under her fingers, and the warmth of his embrace was familiar and solid. Tilting her head up, she sent up a silent prayer of thanks, treasuring this moment.
All of the sadness and hurt, the anger and betrayal had fallen away and all that remain was their love for one another. It was stronger than either of them knew. She could feel that now. There would be time for explanations and talking later.
Right now, was a time for healing.
So this is my take on Guinevere's thoughts during that scene.
Title: Healing Hearts
Author: hope27
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Through 4x12.
Summary: He was there. In front of her. Strong and real.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the BBC. No copyright infringement is intended.
Time had escaped her as she stood in the doorway of the small house, staring at the man she loved sleeping quietly on the humble bed. It was a sight she’d never thought she’d see again. She’d given up the hope that she’d ever look upon his strong features, his angled jaw, and dip in his chin. Any moment she was sure she’d wake, the cruel hope of a dream snatched away from her, leaving her shivering in the dark alone.
But she did not wake. For she was not sleeping. He was there. In front of her. Strong and real.
Her hands yearned to reach out to him, remind herself of the warmth of his skin, the familiar planes and dips of his arms, his back. But she could not. Not yet.
Her emotions were too raw. Even after all these weeks, her mind flashed back to that fateful day. The harshness in his eyes, the cool tone of his voice. She’d hurt him. She’d hurt herself. He’d banished her. Perhaps he never wanted to see her again. Perhaps...
Her mind ran with a thousand thoughts, each one stripping away her confidence, pushing down the truths her heart spoke. Closing her eyes, she listened.
You’re always surprising me...
I’ve never loved another.
My place is with you.
Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
It’s what you do when you love someone.
She drew in a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Wiping at her cheeks, she pressed her hands together in front of her and moved forward.
The thin cot barely shifted with her weight. She held her breath as she gazed upon him. He looked tired, but he was still her Arthur.
Willing her hands to be steady, she gently pulled at the bandage around his abdomen. He was healing, but the skin was still blue and brown. Carefully, she applied a cool cloth against the swollen ribs before rewrapping his bandage.
Her heartbeat jumped as he groaned softly, stirring beneath her fingers. Her eyes flew to his face just in time to see his eyes open and he stilled.
She held her breath, the fluttering of her heart like hope rising from the ashes.
“Guinevere?”
His voice was rough from sleep, but it was a balm to her heart. She was sure she would never her her name on his lips again. The gentle wonder in his voice beckoned to her, and she smiled slightly. She greeted him simply, savoring his name as it formed in her mouth.
“Hello, Arthur.”
He leaned up slightly, eyes still trying to focus. She could see him fighting to determine if this was real or not, much like she had minutes ago.
“What are you doing here?”
There were a thousand answers to that question. So many that she needed to say, wanted to say, but in that moment, they all seemed unimportant. Instead, she shrugged, “It’s as good a place as any.”
They would have time for the details later. Not now, in these precious moments where the pain of the past and hope for the future met on an uncertain ground.
The way he was looking at her took her breath away. She’d longed for that gaze, his eyes lingering over her face in a warm caress.
The words came tumbling out her mouth, spoken from her heart, “I’ve missed you.”
The silence that followed her declaration was loud to her ears as she waited.
But it was only momentary as he replied, and her heart soared even with it’s bruised wings. “And I, you.”
She could feel the tears in her eyes, her vision slightly blurry. She watched silently and half in wonder as he moved closer to her, straining to sit up despite his wound. His eyes searched hers, and somehow they spoke without words. He opened himself to her, and she moved willingly into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly.
She felt the rise and fall of his chest as he let out a deep breath, burying his head against her shoulder. His heartbeat was strong and fast under her fingers, and the warmth of his embrace was familiar and solid. Tilting her head up, she sent up a silent prayer of thanks, treasuring this moment.
All of the sadness and hurt, the anger and betrayal had fallen away and all that remain was their love for one another. It was stronger than either of them knew. She could feel that now. There would be time for explanations and talking later.
Right now, was a time for healing.