Fic: A New Era, Chapter 2
Title: A New Era, Chapter 2.
Author:ella_rose88
Rating: PG-13 (for now). May go higher in later chapters.
Word count: 1, 163 (for this chapter)…
Characters/Pairings: Gwen, Arthur, Merlin, OC, Arthur/Gwen.
Spoilers/Warnings: This story is based on spoilers that series 5 is to be set three years in the future. The rest is purely from my imagination.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Merlin. It belongs to Shine! If I did A/G would have three kids by now!
Summary: It’s been over three years and yet Arthur and Gwen remain childless, putting a lot of pressure on the queen to produce an heir and one soon.
Author’s notes: Thanks once again must go to mara93 for her support and editing work with this fic!
As always, comments and feedback are welcomed and encouraged! I would really love to know what you think!
***
Chapter 1 |
Chapter Two
Arthur and Gwen’s journey back to their chambers are quiet. While the conversation she had earlier in the night between the two ladies troubles Gwen, Arthur is not sure how to broach what he accidently overheard between his wife and servant friend.
His wife a topic of such nasty and malicious gossip, Arthur has half a mind to approach the ladies besmirching her. He knows though that it would do nothing to quell their gossip, and also he understands his wife well. She would not welcome any attempts of defence.
Finally arriving at their shared chambers, Arthur opens the door to which Gwen nods her head in thanks.
Her continued silence is driving Arthur mad. Usually, he calmly offers his soothing embrace and comforting words after Gwen comes to him with her problems, this time Arthur feels frustrated. It is not so much with his wife, but the pressures that being a ruler entails -- the vile gossip and endless tittle tattle of certain sectors of his people taking its toll on his wife, making her unable to open up to him. That is what gets to him, Gwen not feeling like she can share her worries and doubts with him. Her feeling like she has to handle it all on her own.
They proceeded to undress, in silence; Gwen is behind the screen while Arthur carelessly strips off his cape and under-jacket before removing his shirt. Finished with his clothing, he hears a frustrated sigh from behind the screen.
“Need some assistance?” He offers softly - hoping that it conveys his willingness to be there for her when she needs it. A few more seconds of silence and Arthur decides to hang it. He walks over to his wife behind the screen.
Gwen can feel his warm soothing radiance and knows that he is behind her, even before he helps her untie the dress’s laces.
“Thank you,” Gwen says quietly, breaking her silence.
“Of course.”
The dress begins to loosen under her husband’s expert hands.
“You know I would do anything for you, Guinevere.” Arthur begins to tell her and Gwen’s eyes swell with emotion.
Oh how much she wishes she could talk to him! But she can’t.
So she simply nods.
“You can tell me anything, you know,” He ventures to say delicately.
She knows now that he must have heard her conversation with Merlin. Her eyes downcast, head down in shame, Gwen feels Arthur’s hand drop from undoing her laces to place it gently upon her shoulder.
“You heard then.” She simply states, knowing full well that there is no need to ask.
He gently tugs at her waist to get her to turn, so he can look her deep in the eyes. “Yes,” he nods his head in apology, “I didn’t plan on eaves-dropping, Guinevere,” He starts to explain, but stops when she interrupts him by turning away again. A sign for him to stop talking and finish un-lacing her dress
He complies, finishing removing the last lace from its eyelet. Then he tells her it’s all done, before gently caressing her shoulder and walking away. Though, he is saddened that his wife won’t open up to him, he needs to be patient. It’s a delicate situation.
He hears her shuffling around, no doubt getting dressed in his favourite nightgown. Usually, after a feast such like the one tonight he would enjoy the pleasure of removing his wife’s luxurious gown before continuing to more satisfying activities, but not tonight nor the next week would they engage in such activities.
During the first year or two of their marriage, producing heirs was not at the fore front of their minds, though they understood its importance and dreamed of one day having a family of their own. They were young and excited, after so much time of having to hide their feelings. So instead, they reveled in being able to express their infinite love without the fear of being caught or being pulled apart anymore.
Those first few months were precious as they learnt and discovered each other intimately. So when her monthly came it was no big disappointment. With the amount of times they enjoyed being intimate, surely children would follow.
Oh how Arthur wishes he could go back to those times where his wife was not so hard on herself and happier. But he can’t and a part of him doesn’t want to because while they may not be succeeding in securing the future of the Pendragon line, he is so happy with his life, so content with his marriage. Sure, ruling a whole kingdom was not an easy task, but with Guinevere, his round table of knights and friends by his side -- including Merlin -- he believed that he truly could bring about a peaceful and golden age to his people.
It’s seeing the disappointment and the blame in his wife’s eyes month after month with still no babe in her womb that breaks his heart. It’s the feeling of not knowing what to say anymore in reassurance that torments him. Three years in and Arthur has never felt so at a loss of what to say or do. So he just makes his way over to their bed now, the bed-sheets having already been turned down, and gently gets in and waits.
Eventually, she finishes dressing and gets into their bed. Arthur’s arms are out ready for her to snuggle into his embrace, and so she relents and lays her body close to his, her head on his chest, his arms around her like a cocoon. Moments pass, and she hears an almost silent sigh, before his voice breaks it, “What are you thinking?” She can hear his concern.
“Nothing. I’m fine,” She tells him quickly.
“Really?” He asks, and while Gwen is not looking up at him she can feel intensity of his gaze focused on her.
Gwen feels his hand under her chin, before he lifts it up towards him so her eyes are facing his. “Guinevere, truly, I know you are not alright. There’s no point in pretending that you are.” He tells her. But all she does is turn away, breaking away from his hold, before turning to sleep facing the opposite side.
Arthur rises up half way, “Guinevere,” He calls to her, but she firmly hisses, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Leaving nothing for Arthur to do but to leave her alone, feeling like another part of his heart is being ripped apart.
Sleep, however, does not come easily to him -- nor does it for her. They love each other so very much, but both of them wonder whether it will always be enough. The thought of that too much, they try to bury it away, knowing that tomorrow is a busy day - Arthur training his new recruits and Gwen has her hands occupied with planning her brother’s up-coming wedding to his future wife Lady Amelia.
***
To be continued...
Author:ella_rose88
Rating: PG-13 (for now). May go higher in later chapters.
Word count: 1, 163 (for this chapter)…
Characters/Pairings: Gwen, Arthur, Merlin, OC, Arthur/Gwen.
Spoilers/Warnings: This story is based on spoilers that series 5 is to be set three years in the future. The rest is purely from my imagination.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Merlin. It belongs to Shine! If I did A/G would have three kids by now!
Summary: It’s been over three years and yet Arthur and Gwen remain childless, putting a lot of pressure on the queen to produce an heir and one soon.
Author’s notes: Thanks once again must go to mara93 for her support and editing work with this fic!
As always, comments and feedback are welcomed and encouraged! I would really love to know what you think!
***
Chapter 1 |
Chapter Two
Arthur and Gwen’s journey back to their chambers are quiet. While the conversation she had earlier in the night between the two ladies troubles Gwen, Arthur is not sure how to broach what he accidently overheard between his wife and servant friend.
His wife a topic of such nasty and malicious gossip, Arthur has half a mind to approach the ladies besmirching her. He knows though that it would do nothing to quell their gossip, and also he understands his wife well. She would not welcome any attempts of defence.
Finally arriving at their shared chambers, Arthur opens the door to which Gwen nods her head in thanks.
Her continued silence is driving Arthur mad. Usually, he calmly offers his soothing embrace and comforting words after Gwen comes to him with her problems, this time Arthur feels frustrated. It is not so much with his wife, but the pressures that being a ruler entails -- the vile gossip and endless tittle tattle of certain sectors of his people taking its toll on his wife, making her unable to open up to him. That is what gets to him, Gwen not feeling like she can share her worries and doubts with him. Her feeling like she has to handle it all on her own.
They proceeded to undress, in silence; Gwen is behind the screen while Arthur carelessly strips off his cape and under-jacket before removing his shirt. Finished with his clothing, he hears a frustrated sigh from behind the screen.
“Need some assistance?” He offers softly - hoping that it conveys his willingness to be there for her when she needs it. A few more seconds of silence and Arthur decides to hang it. He walks over to his wife behind the screen.
Gwen can feel his warm soothing radiance and knows that he is behind her, even before he helps her untie the dress’s laces.
“Thank you,” Gwen says quietly, breaking her silence.
“Of course.”
The dress begins to loosen under her husband’s expert hands.
“You know I would do anything for you, Guinevere.” Arthur begins to tell her and Gwen’s eyes swell with emotion.
Oh how much she wishes she could talk to him! But she can’t.
So she simply nods.
“You can tell me anything, you know,” He ventures to say delicately.
She knows now that he must have heard her conversation with Merlin. Her eyes downcast, head down in shame, Gwen feels Arthur’s hand drop from undoing her laces to place it gently upon her shoulder.
“You heard then.” She simply states, knowing full well that there is no need to ask.
He gently tugs at her waist to get her to turn, so he can look her deep in the eyes. “Yes,” he nods his head in apology, “I didn’t plan on eaves-dropping, Guinevere,” He starts to explain, but stops when she interrupts him by turning away again. A sign for him to stop talking and finish un-lacing her dress
He complies, finishing removing the last lace from its eyelet. Then he tells her it’s all done, before gently caressing her shoulder and walking away. Though, he is saddened that his wife won’t open up to him, he needs to be patient. It’s a delicate situation.
He hears her shuffling around, no doubt getting dressed in his favourite nightgown. Usually, after a feast such like the one tonight he would enjoy the pleasure of removing his wife’s luxurious gown before continuing to more satisfying activities, but not tonight nor the next week would they engage in such activities.
During the first year or two of their marriage, producing heirs was not at the fore front of their minds, though they understood its importance and dreamed of one day having a family of their own. They were young and excited, after so much time of having to hide their feelings. So instead, they reveled in being able to express their infinite love without the fear of being caught or being pulled apart anymore.
Those first few months were precious as they learnt and discovered each other intimately. So when her monthly came it was no big disappointment. With the amount of times they enjoyed being intimate, surely children would follow.
Oh how Arthur wishes he could go back to those times where his wife was not so hard on herself and happier. But he can’t and a part of him doesn’t want to because while they may not be succeeding in securing the future of the Pendragon line, he is so happy with his life, so content with his marriage. Sure, ruling a whole kingdom was not an easy task, but with Guinevere, his round table of knights and friends by his side -- including Merlin -- he believed that he truly could bring about a peaceful and golden age to his people.
It’s seeing the disappointment and the blame in his wife’s eyes month after month with still no babe in her womb that breaks his heart. It’s the feeling of not knowing what to say anymore in reassurance that torments him. Three years in and Arthur has never felt so at a loss of what to say or do. So he just makes his way over to their bed now, the bed-sheets having already been turned down, and gently gets in and waits.
Eventually, she finishes dressing and gets into their bed. Arthur’s arms are out ready for her to snuggle into his embrace, and so she relents and lays her body close to his, her head on his chest, his arms around her like a cocoon. Moments pass, and she hears an almost silent sigh, before his voice breaks it, “What are you thinking?” She can hear his concern.
“Nothing. I’m fine,” She tells him quickly.
“Really?” He asks, and while Gwen is not looking up at him she can feel intensity of his gaze focused on her.
Gwen feels his hand under her chin, before he lifts it up towards him so her eyes are facing his. “Guinevere, truly, I know you are not alright. There’s no point in pretending that you are.” He tells her. But all she does is turn away, breaking away from his hold, before turning to sleep facing the opposite side.
Arthur rises up half way, “Guinevere,” He calls to her, but she firmly hisses, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Leaving nothing for Arthur to do but to leave her alone, feeling like another part of his heart is being ripped apart.
Sleep, however, does not come easily to him -- nor does it for her. They love each other so very much, but both of them wonder whether it will always be enough. The thought of that too much, they try to bury it away, knowing that tomorrow is a busy day - Arthur training his new recruits and Gwen has her hands occupied with planning her brother’s up-coming wedding to his future wife Lady Amelia.
***
To be continued...