001 [Many Miles from Camelot]

[onperfectlips]

[The vase of flowers fell to the ground with a crash, sending daisies and shards of broken pottery scattering across the starry floor of the Plane. Guinevere was not a clumsy servant - clumsy servants didn’t last long in royal households, after all - but the shock of being pulled from one world to another was something that no one could prepare for

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[destinedking]

[he's torn between gloating at compliments and reassuring Guinevere. Reassuring wins, for now]

Guinevere, calm down. You're not trapped in this place and can return home whenever you wish.

[onperfectlips]

[Arthur himself was the last person that Gwen had expected to see and she ducked her head in momentary embarrassment.]

Your majesty!

[She'd meant every word of what she had said, but she hadn't been speaking for the king's ears.]

How can we return to Camelot? I do not even know where we are.

[It was a prison without walls or bars, which made escape even more difficult. Though she did trust him. She had to believe him.]

[destinedking]

It's, well, it's a place between worlds. And I know how ridiculous that all sounds, believe me.

Returning home is as simple as a thought. Just think about returning and you will be there.

[onperfectlips]

If you say it is so, then I believe you.

[Of course she does.]

And what about you? Will you remain here? [She is wondering how she can possibly summon help to such a place. Merlin will listen to her, certainly, as will Gaius and Leon, but that will be no use if they cannot reach their king.] Or can you escape just as easily?

[destinedking]

[and out comes king prat, as he can't help but smirk a little, teasing]

I had no idea you were so concerned for my well-being, Guinevere.

[onperfectlips]

[Thank you for spoiling the moment, Arthur.]

You are my king, sire. Any loyal citizen of Camelot would be concerned for your safety. And you haven't answered my question.

[destinedking]

[it's what he does]

A good king and a good man, I have heard some people say.

[he's going to have fun being a prat for just another minutes. Sorry Gwen]

[onperfectlips]

[Although she blushed, Gwen managed to avoid turning away in embarrassment. Somehow.]

I didn't know you were here when I spoke.

[destinedking]

[the blushing just eggs him on, because...well, he's Arthur, and being married and all makes it kind of hard to flirt or prat it up with girls]

So you compliment me, even when you don't think I will hear?

[onperfectlips]

I don't make a habitat of complimenting you at all.

[And then Gwen realised what she had said and, in trying to make things better, succeeded only in giving Arthur more ammunition.]

Not that you don't deserve compliments! Of course you do. But there are better people to give you them than me.

[destinedking]

[he can't help but laugh now]

Are you sure you want to say anymore? I feel I should stop you now, before it's too late. After all, I have a sworn duty to protect my people, even if it's from something as simple as inserting their foot in their mouth.

[onperfectlips]

[That laugh - a perfectly ordinary laugh, putting them on equal footing - was enough to make Gwen relax at last. She laughed herself, then gave Arthur an apologetic smile.]

I have just been abducted. I think that's enough to unsettle anyone.