The Other Princess
Chapter 1: Guinevere Le Fay
I was seven when my father passed away, leaving me alone, and an orphan in King Gorlois' kingdom. Morgana was my best friend and my sole comfort during these times. I honestly do not know what I would have done without her there with me. Morgana was the only daughter of the King and queen, and the sole heir to the throne. She was a lady with the highest etiquette, even at 8 years old, and had people waiting on her hands and feet. She was very picky with whom she trusted, and fortunately I had proven to be worthy. She was a very caring person, and the people loved her for that, her father, however was not so kind.
King Gorlois was not always the friendliest person. In his earlier years he strived for power, and his people suffered. One day while I was out playing with the neighborhood children, a handful of the royal guards came marching down the streets. Parents came running from their homes to grab their children and lead them inside. A few other orphans and I were left alone on the now empty streets.
"You there," a royal guard singled me out. He walked up to me and took hold of my arm. "How old are you?"
"I am 9 Sir," I told him nervously. I was scared and on the verge of tears.
"Where are your parents?" He questioned suspiciously.
"Dead Sir, I am alone."
"You are an orphan?" I nodded and he squeezed my hand a little tighter. "What about those children." He used his free hand to point at the other children, who were trying to hide behind poles and barrels.
"They are orphans as well Sir."
He signaled the other royal guards and they went and gathered up the other orphans. They started leading us farther and farther away from the compound. I was terrified and had no clue where they were taking us. I looked around trying to spot any of the other children, and a flash of blue caught my eyes.
"What are you doing?"
The guard holding on to me turned to face a reeling Morgana.
"My lady," he addressed her with a small bow, the rest of the guards did the same as well.
"I asked a question. What are you doing?" She repeated.
"Orders from the king my lady; all people that are not contributing to the kingdom's taxes are to be banished from the kings land and that includes the orphans."
Morgana looked from the guard to me with a terrified look on her face. I was sure mine was equally as terrifying.
"I want them all taken to the castle this instant," she demanded.
The guards did as was requested. They knew better than to mess with their lady.
We were taken to the throne room within the castle, where we went to face the king and queen. Morgana stormed up to her parents.
"Father, what is the meaning of this?"
"Morgana, you would not understand," King Gorlois told her.
"Father, you must reconsider. This is madness!" I could hear her voice break as she tried to keep it steady.
"Morgana –"
"Father, I will never forgive you if you make Gwen leave." Tears were falling from her eyes.
The king looked at his daughter with sympathy. He turned to look at the queen, who smiled warmly at him.
"Everyone leave the room," he ordered.
The guard began leading me out of the room, but Morgana stopped him by taking hold of my hand. The guard released me and followed the others out of the door. Morgana and I stood in the middle of the room holding tightly onto each other's hands. The king stared at the two of us, thinking of what to do next.
"Your highness, can we not make an exception," Queen Vivienne asked the king.
"I cannot look weak to my people. That would lead to anarchy."
"Then what about a ward."
"I have no need for the use of that, I might as well just make her our child," he proclaimed sarcastically.
"Then shall we make her our child?"
"That is not what I meant."
"Why not; we had always talked about having another child"
"Yes, a boy."
"Come now my king, I have always dreamed of another child. We were lucky with Morgana. She needs a companion, and Guinevere is her dearest friend," The queen placed a hand on the kings shoulder and looked at him with pleading eyes.
He looked agitated, but eventually gave in to her.
"Young lady, come forward and state your name," he said to me. I did as was told.
"My name is Guinevere Leodegrance, Sire." I knelt down on one knee before him and looked upon the floor. I was too frightened to make eye contact. The King stood up from his throne and came to stand in front of me.
"Guinevere Leodegrance," He took the sword from his hip and placed the tip upon my left shoulder and then my right, "I now pronounce you Princess Guinevere Le Fay."
Morgana squealed as she ran up to her father to embrace him.
"Thank you my Lord, you will not regret this decision," she told the king as she let go of him and went to my side.
"I better not Morgana. Now take your sister to the seamstress, she is in need of a new wardrobe."
Morgana hooked her arm with mine and we both began leaving the throne room. She was giddy with excitement, whereas I, on the other hand, was baffled and confused. As we walked out the doors, two things hit me like a force of nature.
One, I was no longer Guinevere Leodegrance, daughter of the Blacksmith Thomas and Maire Leodegrance.
Two, I was a princess in the kingdom of Carmelide.
