To the reader: This story is largely based on Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'arthur," and Chretein De Troyes' Arthurian tales and not on the horribly inaccurate so-called "King Arthur" movie. This is a fiction that has been influenced by hundreds of years of legends, written by those who either lived during the period of Arthur Pendragon, or who were largely influenced by their events.

The characters that you will read about in this fiction are heavily based upon those you will find in Nancy McKenzie's brilliant renditions of Arthurian legends, the "Queen of Camelot" and the "Grail Prince." These are two lovely novels that have greatly influenced and touched my life. If any of you find the desire to ascertain a better understanding of Arthurian myth and legend, I highly recommend these as sources of excellence.
And now without further adieu, I give you my story.

Prologue

"Guinevere," came his soft voice in the darkness, "Gwen, wake up." His gentle hands shook her and she was roused out of her dream.

Upon seeing his face, Guinevere, Queen of Camelot, lunged into her husband's arms. "Oh, Arthur," she breathed, "it was dreadful! I have never been so aggrieved by a dream before." She began to shake uncontrollably, and Arthur pulled her closer to him.

"It was only a night-mare. You are safe now. Tell me, my love, what was the dream about?"

"God, it was horrible. You had…" here she broke down into sobs, and the King had to listen hard to decipher her words. "You had died. The kingdom was in turmoil. Everyone was in a panic, the Saxons were invading, and there was no one here to protect us. Mordred had led an army into Camelot and he was going to force me to marry him! And then, in Less Britain, Elaine, she…she killed Lancelot! Without him restraining her, and you gone, she came to Camelot and when I was sleeping she entered my chamber. She had a knife her hand, and she was laughing as she held it aloft. She said 'I have waited my whole life for this Guinevere: The day I kill the Great Whore of Britain.' She lunged at me and that is when I awoke."

"Ah, my little Gwen, dreams can be disturbing, but they are only our anxieties manifested into thoughts that haunt us in the night. It is over, and Britain is well and whole, and Lancelot is capable of taking care of himself. I shall not die any time soon, that you can be sure of. Merlyn believes my death to be many years from now."

"But still, I never remember being more frightened in all my life."

"Not even when you were kidnapped by Maelgon?"

"But you were alive, and I knew that there was hope."

"Guinevere, you amaze me. In harsh circumstances that life brings our way, you always stand tall with courage. But in something that is not real, such as a dream, you become terrified. In life you face things with bravery, but in the circumstances of the mind, you find your weakness. That is something that is coveted among men: to face life with courage, but to fear the things of the imagination."

"Arthur, I do not deserve your praise."

In the darkness, Arthur's kiss overpowered her, and they were swept away by their great love for one another.

Chapter I

The Bitter Queen

The next day, in Less Britain, Elaine, Queen of Lanascol and former princess of Gwynedd, sat brooding by a window. Outside the heat was sweltering, but indoors it was even more unbearable. Perspiration glistened on the queen's face and neck. Her beautiful honey hair that fell abundantly was damp with sweat, and the rose water did little to overpower it. She fanned herself lazily, but not only to cool herself, but to dry the tears that glistened in her eyes.

Down below, her beloved son, Galahad, was practicing with the sword. His already powerful body moved gracefully with the sword, appearing as though he were dancing and not defending himself. He was only five and he was the pride and joy of her life. But the sight of him stung her heart. He was too much like his father: Lancelot.

Lancelot she despised more than anyone on earth, save her cousin, Guinevere, who she damned to hell. She hated both of them with a passion that was uncontrollable and unpredictable. There was close to nothing that she wouldn't do to assure their eternal suffering and misery. Why did she hate them so? Because they had ruined her life, and took from her what rightfully belonged to her: happiness.

Elaine loved King Arthur. She had loved him since she could remember, whereas Guinevere, when she was a child and knew nothing of him, could care less about the King. But then, one day, Fate turned against Elaine, and King Arthur asked for Guinevere's hand in marriage, Guinevere, the girl who cared nothing for the King. It was not fair! Elaine was the one who had loved Arthur from childhood. It was she who had worshiped him beyond sense, and admired him without even knowing him. Hers was a blind love, one that could not be tamed or swayed, no matter what he did. But yet it was Guinevere who was chosen by the High King, and not herself.

Why, because Guinevere was beautiful and men admired her because of her beauty. People called her the soul of goodness, and tales were told about her inward and outward beauty and grace. Fate had taken a liking to her and it seemed to detest Elaine. Nothing ever happened in her favor. She was the one that loved the King. She should be the one that should have been chosen as the King's wife. Why had she been ignored? What had she done that the King did not choose her? Surely she was just as good as her cousin.

Then it happened. Guinevere and Lancelot fell in love. Some people said that it was written in the stars and therefore inevitable. Others said that there was nothing that could be done to prevent it or stop it, but Elaine thought otherwise. She did not understand that the love Guinevere and Lancelot bore one anther was also love for the King. Without Arthur, there would not have been that passionate love between them. Under different circumstances, they perhaps would have still loved one another, but it was because of Arthur there ardent love existed.

(One might ask why, then, did Elaine marry Lancelot if she hated him so? It was done out of spite towards Guinevere. Elaine took advantage of Lancelot's weakness: his love and passion for Guinevere; and she did so in such a way so that his honor was involved.Therefore he had no choice but to marry her. But all shall be revealed in due time.)

Guinevere had been chosen by the High King and how did she repay the favor? By falling in love with that broken nose Lancelot! The powerful love that Guinevere bore for Lancelot should have been born for the King. It was the same love that Elaine bore for Arthur. Elaine should have been the one chosen for Arthur. Guinevere was not worthy of the King, not if she loved another. King Arthur deserved more.

And now that Guinevere was married to Arthur, they found that she was barren and could bear him no heirs, and yet he still kept her. That was absurd! He should have done away with her for it was unfair for him. To deny the King heirs to the throne, just because Guinevere liked being High Queen was selfish and un-noble.

But she never stopped to think. If Arthur deserved more, wouldn't he put aside the Queen, even if she was selfish? If he truly thought he deserved more, Guinevere's selfishness would not stop him from doing what he thought was just and right. The fact of the matter was this: Arthur loved Guinevere with a love so deep that nothing could come between it. But he did not love her because she was beautiful; he loved her because she was wise, noble, and brave. She was a lady, if there ever was one. She put the needs of others before herself, and she always did what was in the best interest of Britain. She too loved Arthur more than words could ever express, and although she loved Lancelot, it was nothing like the love she bore for the King.

Sometimes one cannot help who one loves; such is the case of Lancelot and Guinevere. They did not choose to love one another, it happened without their consent for it was fated to be. But however strong their love for one another was, they never betrayed their King. They were loyal to Arthur for all of their days, never betraying or soiling his name. Lips would flap and stories would roam the country and beyond, but in truth, they never betrayed the King. They loved each other, this is true, but it was controlled and bound by honor for Arthur.

This Elaine could never understand. She could not comprehend the fact that someone could love another without betrayal. This, her narrow mind could not take in for it was too shallow and logical. To her it was not possible for someone to be married to the King and yet love another from a distance. And so, because she was ignorant, she condemned Lancelot and Guinevere, just as so many others did along with her.

But those closest to Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere knew that they were honorable. The companions knew that Guinevere loved Arthur more than she loved Lancelot or her own life. It was a known fact at the castle. Arthur and Guinevere openly loved and adored one another. One would have to be blind to not see it. Their love was more than just mindless attraction. They possessed for one another a deep respect, admiration, and understanding of each other. It is true that they were extremely attracted to one another, but their attraction went beyond appearance; they were attracted to each other's souls.

There have never been two people like Arthur and Guinevere. They were, perhaps, the embodiments of goodness, grace, nobility, honor, and mercy. They practiced justice as naturally as though they were breathing and their kindness was and is beyond compare. Gone are those that even begin to resemble such qualities for the world is an evil place where characteristics of goodness are rarely practiced.

But Elaine was blinded by jealousy and bitterness towards Guinevere, and therefore she could not see what was right before her. Because of her undying hatred for the Queen, she would be forever a festering wound to those she lived with. Those that saw the truth tried to bring it to her attention, but she would listen to none of it, saying it was all the lies of deceitful snakes.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by Jenna, her maid servant. "My lady Queen, Sir Lancelot has just arrived from Britain."

Lady Elaine turned to stare at her maid servant. The ferocity in the queen's eyes made the young girl take a step back, for her eyes were livid with open hatred. And yet, something else was buried deep within that hatred. There was also sorrow more heart wrenching than even the most passionate of hatreds. Lady Elaine was hurt more than she was angry. She felt the world and Fate had done injustice to her, and she would forever shake her fist at the wind. "Go, tell him I will send for him at my leisure. I am busy."

The eyes of the girl widened and her jaw dropped. Gripping the handle on the door for support she responded, "Oh, no my Lady Queen, I mean no disrespect, but I dare not say such things to the king! He would have my life!"

"I doubt that. He wouldn't dare kill a woman, for fear of being labeled a spineless coward." Her gaze was cold and relentless and her voice was just as chilling. "Well, I don't lack the courage. I tell you as sure as I stand here that I will kill you if you don't deliver my message and quickly!"

The poor girl's eyes filled with tears and her knees began to shake in spite of herself. "Yes, my Lady Queen, it shall be done immediately!" With that the girl fled the room, shutting the door behind her.

Elaine slumped into a chair, her breathing came in gasps. In despair she buried her head in her hands and wept.