Hello, and thank you for giving this STORY a chance. It's my first attempt at an angsty story. Please enjoy and review!
PROLOGUE
He's leading me somewhere…but where? This place is familiar, I am sure of it. I squeeze his hand gently unconsciously as I try to remember where. His head turns to the side and I can see his cheeks lifting as he squeezes my hand back. The sun is suddenly in my eyes and I am blinded momentarily. As my eyes adjust, I recognize the stream, the trees, the scent of lilacs and tulips.
"Arthur…" I smile at my husband, who looks pleased with himself. I look past him at Merlin, who is standing quietly by the organized picnic blanket. I smile at him and he smiles back. Arthur looks to Merlin.
"That is all, Merlin. You may go." Merlin carefully walks over the stream to where Arthur and I are standing.
"My lord, my lady." Merlin dips his head and ducks my hand as I go to swat him. My attention is diverted as Arthur carefully navigates me over the stream and seats me gently on the blanket.
"What bought this on, Arthur?" Arthur opens the basket and brings out the cured ham and fruit.
"Can't I spend time with the most beautiful woman outside of Camelot?" Arthur questions me, handing me a full plate.
"I suppose you could. It's not like I had anything better to do." I answer, deadpanned, and am rewarded with Arthur's glorious laugh, his hair catching the sun as he tilts his head back.
"Of course, you are just the Queen. You don't help around. You just sit there and look pretty." Arthur winks, taking a bite of a strawberry.
"Although, as we are talking about duties, I wanted to talk to you about –" Arthur's finger presses against my lips.
"Talk about anything but Camelot, Guinevere." My breath hitches as he says my name. One look at him, and I knew he knew the effect he had on me. As he leans forward, I smile against his lips and faintly taste strawberries.
"My lady." I barely hear someone calling me. I'm in Arthur's lap, his hands secured around my waist, and his lips are travelling down my neck. I'm concentrating on the feeling of his lips against my skin, and the sensation is breathtaking.
"My lady." The voice is louder now, yet I ignore it and let my hands loose from Arthur's hair. As his tongue comes into play and he tastes the skin around my collarbone, I let my hands go underneath his shirt, around to his broad back, hitching his shirt up in the process. The picnic is forgotten.
"My lady."
Guinevere's eyes pop open, and she sits up immediately. Helsa and Vera are standing at the foot of her bed, both looking slightly apologetic.
"I'm sorry my lady, for waking you." Guinevere smiles slightly, not seeing Helsa's eyes watch as Guinevere's fingers linger on her collarbone. Guinevere looks at the empty space behind her. Helsa remains quiet as Guinevere is preoccupied with the empty space. With a deep breath, Guinevere throws off the covers.
"I have been sleeping rather late." Guinevere muses, her steps touching the cold floor. Vera accompanies her as she walks over to the vanity.
"My lady, your breakfast is waiting for you. Also, the court advisor would like to speak to you about the arrangements of your trip next week."
"Merlin, always looking after me." Guinevere smiles as Vera untangles her hair. "Very well. Helsa, please let him know that I will be seeing him shortly. Vera, I'll dress myself today." Vera, used to the Queen dressing herself, steps back quietly. Helsa quietly excuses herself. Guinevere smiles ruefully as she steps back behind the partition and begins to take off her nightdress. Halfway through putting on the shift, she stops.
"Next week will be the one year death anniversary of my husband."
