Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except Anne and Faston, all the rest is owned by BBC, Merlin, and SyFy in the U.S.A.
I glided into the throne room, and walked steadily toward the throne, my father was in front his white hair cropped close to his skull, and his strength and confidence radiating from him. "Faston!" Uther rumbled as a smile spread across his face. Uther Pendragon rose from his throne, and walked to my father hand extended, "Welcome to Camelot."
My father clasped Uther's arm, "Thank you, Uther. You know my daughter, Lady Anne."
Uther turned toward me, and I curtsied. "Of course, as I recall you came with your father two years ago." He bowed over my hand and kissed it, then looked up at me.
"Yes sire." I smiled and was met with a boyish one of his. I swallowed, Uther may have been quite a bit older than I was but he still possessed a handsome face, gorgeous hair, eyes and smile, and a pleasant form as well as manner.
"I am pleased to once more have your presence in Camelot, as is my ward, the Lady Morgana." I looked over at Morgana and smiled the last time I had been there Morgana had been twenty and I nineteen. It had been my first time meeting Uther Pendragon, who had proven to be a gracious host, whose son was arrogant and whose ward was endearing. "I look forward to seeing both you and your father at the banquet tonight, but I believe at the moment you would like some rest before it. My son Arthur will escort you to your chambers if you will excuse me." Uther and my father once more clasped hands before Uther returned to his duties, and then Arthur motioned for my father to join him, which he did striding off side by side, as I followed behind accompanied by Morgana, as we chatted about the latest news on mutual acquaintances, and each other's lives.
As Arthur showed my father his room, Morgana showed me the room I was to have, it was the exact one they had put me in last time, and was right next door to hers. "You remember Guinevere, of course." She said as her maid came walking in, smiling.
"Of course, it is good to see you Gwen." I felt my face break into a smile at the sight of her, Gwen was a gentle woman who hid a lot of wisdom under the proper restraint expected of a servant, but I found that I trusted her completely.
"If you are any bit like me you are in need of a hot bath, so I'll leave you to it. It is good to see you Anne." Morgana gave me a parting hug.
"You as well." I released her from the hug, and she walked out.
I looked over at Gwen who smiled, "We knew you were coming so the bath is ready for you right now."
"Thank you Gwen. I think Morgana might need you, and I will be fine on my own. Thank you."
She smiled, "My lady." She curtsied and followed after Morgana. I slipped out of my riding clothes and into the tub of hot water sighing as it straightened out sore muscles from the ride in the carriage.
After a hour long soak, I got out and dried myself. I opened the wardrobe where I knew Gwen had unpacked my clothes and pulled out a forest green silk dress, slipped it over my head, and straightened out any wrinkles, I fastened the gold-braided cord belt around my waist, and made sure it was in proper position, finishing dressing when I slipped my feet into forest green slippers. I heard a knock at my door, "Come in."
Gwen appeared, "I was wondering if you needed any help my lady?"
If you would do my hair I would appreciate it." Gwen smiled, and walked up behind me where I was seated at the looking glass, and began brushing my hair. When it was done it hung freely with little seed pearls scattered throughout. As I was able to look at it I smiled, "Thank you Gwen it's beautiful."
Gwen smiled in response, "I believe your father will be coming to get you in a few minutes is there anything else I can get for you?"
"I am fine. Thank you." She curtsied and walked out of the room, curtsying to my father as he entered.
He smiled and greeted her, and then looked over at me. "You look lovely. But I am afraid if we do not head in the direction of the banquet hall we will be unfashionably late."
I smiled, and got up taking his offered hand and was led in the direction of the banquet hall. When we arrived we were announced by Uther, and my father went to sit at his left hand, and I sat at my father's left hand. Arthur took his seat next to his father's right hand and Morgana sat next to him.
Uther and my father both started the banquet off with a speech and then the servants began bringing in food. "This looks delicious." I looked over at the elderly gentleman next to me who had spoken, he had white hair flowing to his shoulders, blue eyes that seemed somber and mischievous all at once, and a face that showed he was quick to smile or laugh.
"Yes it does. I am Lady Anne." I smiled at him, and he proved my guess at replying with his smile.
"I am Gaius,the Court Physician."
"Oh! If you don't mind my asking I've read some of the medical journals in our kingdom and have found them to be a bit confusing. May I ask you some questions about what I have read?"
Gaius's eyes lit up, "Certainly, I would love to help you understand in any way I can."
I smiled and began bombarding him with questions. He looked slightly shocked as I asked him questions on cases I had read of, herbal medicines and potions, and some of the more technical aspects of the physician's field. Gaius laughed and began his instruction, while I listened, absorbing the new knowledge he was willing to share.
At one point, while Gaius was eating and pondering how to best answer my newest question, I heard Uther remark, "Your daughter must be very well informed in medicine. I don't think I have seen Gaius this animated in a long while."
"Anne has always known that any marriage she makes will be an alliance. As such she has learned as much as possible to be ready for any situation she might come in contact with. Personally, though I think she enjoyed learning anything new that she could learn," his voice carried the pride I knew he had in me.
I could feel Uther's eyes on me, and I turned my head slightly and looked at him, my mouth tipping up in a slight smile, just as I heard Gaius say, "I have the answer for you, I believe." I looked back, knowing my eyes were shining with an eagerness to learn what Gaius had to teach me.
As we talked though I could feel Uther's gaze on me every so often, after about thirty minutes of this I heard Gaius chuckle, and he read the puzzlement on my face, "I haven't seen the King like this in a while."
I looked back in Uther's direction to see he was watching me, I smiled uneasily at him afraid my questioning was offending him. He answered the uneasy look I gave him with a reassuringly boyish smile, and my mouth transformed into an easy smile.
I turned back to Gaius who was watching the exchange, and looking rather amused, "I do have another question." He focused on me and his face went back to its teacher mode, "Do you have any miracle cures for headaches? Just between you and I, some of these courtiers are a headache on legs." He laughed and began talking about all the experiments he had done on getting rid of people's headaches.
Uther found himself smiling at the animated conversation between Gaius and Anne, especially regarding her remarks on courtier "headaches". Anne was obviously comfortable around courtiers as well as commoners, and he had heard her quietly thanking servants as they served her. He had been surprised at first, and then remembered whose daughter she was. Though he disagreed with Faston on how a kingdom should be run, he would also be the first to admit that it worked for the man, and that he knew no more merciful or honorable soul than the one next to him, his included.
Faston's people were well known for being absolutely loyal to the royal family, and quite content with how things were working. Though Faston would be the first to admit he did not always get things right. Uther and Faston had discussed Faston's problems with parts of the kingdom who felt they should be left to deal with their own affairs without the king's interference. Faston for the most part left them alone, except to collect taxes and give aid when it was needed and in return they patrolled their boundaries, and obeyed his laws willingly.
Remembering that he and Faston were in the middle of a conversation Uther took a sip of wine and went back to discussing the topic he and Faston were on at the moment. But he noticed that his eyes kept trailing back to the young lady behind Faston and that his ears were intent on her laugh and her voice. He swallowed, as he realized he was finding the young woman very compelling, if he was not careful on how he proceeded, whether by ignoring her or not, one mistake could lead to war. He gave himself a mental glare and then returned to the conversation with Faston.
After the banquet I returned to my room and changed into my nightgown, then slipped into bed. I spent the next several hours tossing and turning. What had started out as my reviewing the talk I had with Gaius had dissolved into my listing the features of Uther I found attractive. I groaned, threw a pillow over my head, and tried to think of something, anything, just to get my mind off of him.
When the movement of the guards outside in the hall alerted me to the time, I sighed and sat up. Slipping into the first dress I grabbed, and putting on a shawl I slipped out of the room and in the direction of the palace outer walls, the cool of the stone flooring on my feet felt wonderful.
As I stood on the castle's outer walls resting my head against the cool stones, I slowly watched the lights in the village being blown out as the townspeople began to head for bed. While I was standing there I heard boots treading on the walkway behind me. As I looked back and up just as the other person glanced up from having their head down in a thoughtful position.
Uther had gone straight to bed after the banquet, drinking a glass of water to hopefully alleviate any hangover headache he would have the next morning, dispensed with the more ceremonial clothes he wore for banquets, and sat at his desk to work on official documents of the kingdom, only to find certain eyes blocking his view of the words. He shook his head, and shoved thoughts of her away and once again focused on the papers, only to find he was mentally tripping over that mouth with its beautiful smiles. He groaned under his breath, and shoved the paperwork aside, heading for the door.
All he could hope was that a walk in the open air would lift the fog surrounding his brain. He sauntered out and wandered the castle corridors for a few hours, and soon found himself climbing the castle battlements, head down pondering his predicament. A few steps later he felt a presence and looked up, just as she did.
His mentally groaned at the bad timing of her presence yet his heart hammered its response to that same presence. "Your majesty," she said bowing, looking embarrassed at being caught on the battlements this late at night.
He found himself smiling, and began to fight it, but realized she had already seen it, and responded in kind making him unable to stop the smile that had formed. He forced his face to go politely neutral and bowed, "My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it would be my fault for being out here so late." She shrugged self-consciously and then looked at him, concern on her face, "Are you feeling all right, sire?"
He felt his mouth quirk up on one side, "Yes, I am fine. Just having trouble concen…sleeping. I thought a walk might help."
"I was having trouble sleeping as well." She admitted sheepishly.
"Is there a problem with the room?" Inwardly he cringed at the worry that laced his voice, and he mentally berated himself.
"No. The room is perfect, I just found myself preoccupied with thoughts that wouldn't be still."
"I understand. Would you like to join me for a walk until both our minds are more settled?" Uther groaned inwardly, mentally slapping himself on the head for blurting that out. Anne seemed just as shocked as he felt by the sudden offer, and part of him was hoping she would say no while the other part was pleading for her to say yes. She seemed to puzzle it over and then nodded her consent. He offered his elbow, and she slipped her tiny hand under, around and then laid it to rest in the crook of his elbow. He pulled it close, as he looked down at her and smiled.
He was six feet and one inch, while she was five feet exactly if he was guessing correctly, which he probably was. Her head barely met where his shoulder and chest connected, a picture of her head on his chest floated into his mind and he found himself wanting to see if what he imagined was actually the way it would be. He shook the image out of his mind, and forced himself to move forward and begin, what he hoped would be, a safe conversation, "How are you enjoying your stay here?"
"Very well, thank you. I have missed spending time with Morgana, she is always a joy to be around." He nodded smiling, though he knew when needed, and even not needed, Morgana had a temper, he had been on the receiving end of it several times.
He noticed as they walked that she would off and on glance in the direction of the village as they passed notches in the wall, "Your father says you enjoy studying."
She blushed, "Yes. I hope that when I mar…should I ever find myself in a circumstance where my opinion is asked that I will be able to provide the person with as knowledgeable advice as I can give them."
Uther smiled, she would one day make some lord a good wife or king a good queen. Maybe Arthur. He felt a territorial growl building at the thought, and heard a quiet "possibly me" voiced in his mind. He felt his eyes shut in utter frustration at the thought, though the territorial growling had calmed to purring, and he calmly said, "Whoever that person is should count themselves lucky to have someone like you around. I find Gaius to be very wise and have yet to meet someone who can keep him talking as much as you did tonight." He leaned down slightly, and lowered his voice, "Let alone understand whatever it is he is talking about, however if you mention that to him I will deny it vehemently."
Anne's mouth quickly turned into a smile and then quaked as a laugh escaped. Uther chuckled, he did not get to joke around much, and he was glad Anne was making it so easy.
I looked at the man next to me, I had seen his look of frustration and found myself worried that I had said something to annoy him, it heightened even more when he calmly discussed his physician, but when he leaned down and lowered his voice, his eyes were blazing with mischief, and I leaned in ready to be in on whatever "forbidden" thought he was having. As he poked fun of his friend, I felt the knot of worry dissolve and I found myself laughing in both relief and good humor at his teasing of his friend.
As Uther joined in, I found myself relishing in his laughter, it was a pleasant deep laugh full of joy and good spirits. I had heard rumors that Uther was a hard and cruel man, and though I knew from talking about Camelot with my father that Uther could indeed be this way, I could see and had seen that he was also a fair man, who enjoyed the company of his family and friends.
He began talking about other things, and we spent several hours walking on the battlements talking about interests we had in common and even interests the other one had that we did not share. We both enjoyed horse riding, sword fighting, we both liked animals, and had a significant sense of loyalty to family and friends.
From talking with him I soon learned that he was a wise man, though stubborn. Arthur and Morgana were the two things that made up the core of his existence, with Camelot coming at a very close second if not tying with them.
He had briefly mentioned his late wife, and I had found myself squeezing his hand in sympathy, than looking down at our hands in shock, as I felt his gaze on mine. I quickly pulled my hand back up to his elbow and sternly told my arm not to move again.
As we watched the guards begin to switch rotations again, Uther led me back into the palace and to my room. When we reached my door, he took my hand and
kissed it, "Good night, Lady Anne."
"Good night, your majesty." I curtsied, and as I straightened up and turned to open my door, I felt his hand on my shoulder. I looked up hesitantly, searching his eyes for a hint of what he was thinking.
Uther had once more shocked himself by stopping Anne before she could go inside her room, but he had not wanted to part from her. When he had accidentally mentioned Ygraine, he had found himself shocked at her gesture, and had looked at her trying to judge what she had meant by it. When she had looked up shock on her own face, quickly dissolving into uncertainty and a rapid withdrawal of her hand, he had fought the urge to reach up with his right hand and bring her hand back down so that he could cradle it in his. He had never thought his hands were big, but her hands were dwarfed by his. He had however maintained some sense of decorum until this unplanned moment.
As he moved his hand slowly from her shoulder, seeming to pull it off straight down, and yet caressing her shoulder and upper arm as he did so, he asked, "Would you honor me with a ride before breakfast tommor…this morning?"
She nodded her agreement, smiling hesitantly. Uther met her smile with a reassuring one of his own, and the smile softened, she turned away and shut the door behind her. Uther stood looking at it for several minutes, then turned on his heel and went to his room. He crawled into bed, and was soon fast asleep, though a smile, a laugh, hazel eyes, and soft brown hair tinged in golden highlights teased him in his sleep.