The Story of Gwenhwyfar, Lancelot and Arthur
in Five Drabbles
Torment
Lancelot loved to train. It kept him fast, strong and fit, regardless of the bruising on his body. Sparring with Gwaine or Arthur taught him how to deal with someone as good as himself. Fighting Elyan maintained his skills with someone smaller, lighter and faster than himself. Lancelot's proficiency was really put to the test against Leon or Percival with their longer reach and greater strength.
Still, Lancelot loved to train. Despite the aches and pains, and the contusions, he gladly accepted it all. However, the occasional glimpse of her put the most painful bruise of all on his heart.
Things to Come
Gwen had never been secretive, it wasn't in her nature, but she could do it.
Gwen was being secretive, but she was also very, very happy. She smiled a lot and always seemed to be in a good mood. Even Merlin wondered about her newfound cheerfulness.
Arthur and Gwen had met secretly in the lower citadel, and there they spoke words of devotion, love and future happiness. Arthur gave Gwen a pair of earrings, nothing expensive or noticeable. Simple earrings that were full of meaning and promises of a life together, because right now, he couldn't give her a ring.
Tempest
Lancelot stood alone on the highest tower of Camelot as the thunder boomed and the lightning zigzagged its way across the dark sky. He was soaked to the skin, but he didn't care. Perhaps he would catch a chill, sicken and die. Or maybe, just maybe lighting would arc itself down and strike him dead or hit the tower and he would perish in its collapse.
The rain on his drenched face mingled with his tears and hid the desolation of his heart. Tonight, newly married and crowned Queen Gwenhwyfar would be sharing Arthur's bed and Lancelot wanted to die.
Turmoil
The tumultuous storm raged outside Queen Gwenhwyfar's window with great crashes of thunder and dazzling streaks of lighting, like the tumult now in her heart. Lancelot was standing before her with words of goodbye.
"Gwen, I cannot stay here any longer. Being near you day after day, unable to say what I feel has become too hard for me…and far too dangerous for you."
"Please don't leave me like this…again," Gwen begged. They embraced and kissed for the very last time.
King Arthur walked in and saw the truth of their relationship.
And the storm that raged was only beginning.
Too Late
Acrid black smoke rose from the courtyard of the citadel where the punishments had been carried out. Two wood piles stood side by side, flames still issuing forth. Arthur hadn't wanted to kill them, but it was treason for the queen to be found in the bed of another man; it was the law.
The king had the courtyard cleared now that the screaming had ceased and the bodies were fully engulfed. Arthur was on his knees in front of one pyre, hands clutching his chest, swaying and weeping. "Forgive me, Gwen, forgive me," he sobbed repeatedly, but too late.