Title: Meeting the Future King and Queen
Show: Merlin
Characters/Pairings: William/OC,Gwen/Arthur
Rating: G
Word Count: 491
Spoilers: For 2x02!
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own, because if I did… we might have gotten just a wee bit more out of William.
Summary: News of King Arthur's betrothal reaches the outlying villages.
A/N: Another quickie from me (Cuz I love quickie fics) & another 2x02 inspired fic (of which the A/G supporting fandom has exploded with… which is pretty awesome IMO)
You can't tell me I was the only one noticing William awkwardly hovering in the background during some of the A/G. (I was almost expecting him to ask Merlin "So what's their story?")
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William looked up from his plow when he saw his wife approaching.
Lila was smiling, like she often did. It was the first thing he'd noticed about her years ago – although it had taken two years and unconventional means for him to gain both the confidence and proper hygiene to approach her.
The experience would always be his secret. A brief time when he'd been a 'noble,' Sir William of Deira. Crowds cheered for him, knights respected him, and ladies high above his rank desired him.
But there was only the one woman he wanted.
"I just heard from the village," she greeted, with a kiss on his cheek as she handed him the water bucket. "We will get a queen come harvest."
William smiled his thanks while he drank and she continued.
"And the king has chosen a commoner as his wife. It's quite unconventional, but I heard poets are already reciting of their love. 'King Arthur and Queen Guinevere,'" she finished reverently.
"Guinevere?" William repeated.
"Yes, it's a beautiful name."
"It is," he agreed. He remembered that name, and the woman who it belonged to.
And he recalled how the former prince and she had acted, first when she begged him not to risk his life 'for her' and then when he announced his time for humility and how the girl's eyes had shown proud. William had faded into the background during these moments, sensing the personal significance to the two.
He had recognized how Arthur looked at Guinevere because it was similar to how he looked at Lila. He didn't know the exact definition of their relationship, but he had sensed that something was there, between the two. (He was staying at her house, so it was wholly possible that they were lovers.)
But whatever was between the two, it mattered to the prince. He gave up his glory for her, proved himself worthy by not putting such importance on his pride. And she was the one who taught him humility… and would continue to teach him to be a good king.
"She will make a fine queen," William said decidedly.
Lila laughed. "Oh now you're making opinions about the future queen? You already speak of the king like you have met him."
He smiled, his eyes falling to the small circle of gold threaded on a leather cord around Lila's neck. It was a piece of the trophy he'd been allowed to keep as payment – all the rest of it broken down into small enough pieces to be sold, half of which were still hidden under his floorboards if he ever was in need.
"And what makes you think I haven't?" he grinned.
Lila giggled. "You always make me laugh, William."
William winked at her. "I'll tell you and the young 'uns a story one day, Lila."
She kissed him again as took the back the water bucket to return to the house.
"I'm sure you will."
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A/N2: I suppose I'll add that I was getting total Lancelot déjà vu with William turning knight. I was just waiting for Arthur to ask Merlin & Gwen "Do you really think this is going to work?" and Merlin to say "Oh, yeah, we've done this before."