A/N: ok this is an idea that came to me. But I don't know if I'm going to finish it like at all.
"To return is on pain of death." Guinevere remembered Arthur's words as she ate. The once prince now crowned king of Camelot banished her. Gwen had nowhere to turn. No other family besides Elyan, who looked at her with utter disappointment once he found out. No other friends besides Merlin and Clarine. Clarine tried to help, but Gwen refused. Merlin didn't do anything to stop her from leaving, nothing as far as she was concerned. Gwen remembered her travels, staying with pig farmers. Helping them in exchange for a place to lay her head. Then without notice, Gwen left on her own. She knew she couldn't stay with them forever. She left in the middle of the night. No one to save her if any harm came to her, no one to talk to if she got lonely. Then they found her. The ancient warriors. To speak their name is a curse upon you and your blood line for many centuries. Gwen was all alone, they showed her kindness, let her stay with them with the exception she learned their techniques: the sword, mace, arrow and a bow. Gwen knew how to use to it all. Once she was done they released her on her own. Giving her the name "Femme Mortelle".
At first Guinevere wasn't sure if she could make it, but after she killed her first man who tried to have his way with her, she was reborn. No longer was she a serving girl for Camelot, for damsel in distress. She was a woman warrior. Seeking revenge.
Helios was in sitting juxtaposed from Gwen, staring at her. He wondered what she was thinking about. "My ladies..." are you alright?
He asked. He was worried about her. Gwen looked into the night sky. "Yes I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I think shall retire."
"You cannot. We have much to discuss." Helios put his hand on her arm and held it there. Trying to reaffirm who was in charge. Gwen snatched it away from him.
"I am not some ordinary serving wench. You put your hand on me like that again I'll take this sword and chop yours off. Understood?"
"Relax Guinevere. Morgana has told me all about you, and where you've been since Arthur Pendragon banned you from Camelot."
"Morgana knows where I've been?" Helios shook his head yes.
Gwen hovered forward and looks straight into Helios' eyes. "Morgana knows nothing of my travels. How hard I had to fight every day, what I had to do to get by!" Gwen was steaming with rage. She pushed her chair out of the way and made way for the door.
"Femme Mortelle..." Helios yelled to her.
Gwen turned around. "Where did you hear that name?" she asked.
"I asked around, I heard you're quite dangerous around these parts."
Gwen sat back down. "So, you have heard of me then?" Helios shook his head yes.
"Good, then you can tell me what that means. Right?"
"Unfortunately my lady cannot. Why don't you tell me yourself?"
Gwen's smiled were wider, and devious. She wished she could take Helios' head off right now."
"It means that I could kill you right now if I wanted to." Gwen got up and started to leave once again.
"I have a wager, I would like to offer you." he said.
Gwen stopped suddenly. "A wager? Like what exactly?"
"If you would sit down my lady, we could discuss the matter... Appropriately." Gwen sat back down.
"Ok. Speak."
"It has been weeks since I've found you wondering the local taverns. I have shown you nothing but kindness and respect. I only wish you do the same."
"Kindness?" Gwen laughed. "Your men brought me here against my will. I killed four of them before they all attacked me. Do not play me for a fool Helios. What do you want?"
"That's easy. Camelot." Gwen's smirk left her face. It had been a long time since she saw the place she grew up in, and loved. Her only thoughts about Camelot or Arthur now were dark. She didn't care what happened to Camelot. Not after what Arthur did to her. After Gwen left, the pieces of what happened between her, the king and Lancelot started to come back to her. After she slipped on that stupid bracelet Lancelot gave her, she felt drawn to him, like something was overpowering her mind. Gwen finally figured it was magic. She only knew of one person, who would do something so cruel. Morgana. Gwen stopped trusting her after she saw her smirk while Gwen was being carried out to be burnt at the stake. Only morgana had anything to gain from Gwen and Arthur not getting married. Even though Gwen blamed the witch, she now hated Arthur more. Yes he did not know of the enchantment, but to banish her? Without a second thought? Just thinking about it made Gwen want to hurt someone.
"I do not care about what happens to Camelot. So whatever you are planning I want no part of it."
"Even your precious Arthur? Do you not care about what happens to him?"
"Arthur means little to me. Now I want to go."
"Stay Gwen. I already know Arthur has turned what used to be a sweet, kind loyal woman into a cold hearted warrior made of stone. This is why you can help me. I want you to be my wife."
This time you could hear Gwen's laugh across Helios' kingdom. "You can't be serious. You will never have me Helios. Never."
Helios gritted his teeth at her words. "This is not a physical marriage, just a union of sorts."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I want you to marry me, and together we will take down Camelot. With Morgana and Arrgravaine as our allies, we can't be stopped."
Gwen had an indifferent look on her face. But really she was very worried once Helios mentioned Arthur's uncle.
"Arrgravaine... He is in cohorts with you?"
"Yes. He is, that's the best part. With you as my wife, Arrgravaine feeding us information and the witch on our side, Arthur has no chance."
Gwen didn't know why but her heart felt like it was getting heavy. It felt like she was holding the weight of the world on her shoulders, she didn't care about Arthur any longer. So why did she feel like she needed to help him out of this? What would happen to Camelot or worse Arthur if morgana succeeded? It would fall, Arthur would perish, and all her friends would die. Thinking about it made Gwen's head hurt and heart sulk. Gwen decided she needed to help Arthur. No matter what.
"Alright. I'll do it. But there will be rules."
Helios was smiling from ear to ear. This was just what he needed. Arthur would lose his head if he saw Gwen as his queen.
"I am listening..." he said.
"First, understand that you will never have me. I do not plan on any man ever touching me that way again."
"Ok. I agree." Helios said that with reluctance.
"I want my own army. One who answers to me and me only. That consist if at least 1500 men."
"That's half my men!"
"Well then, I guess the deal is off?"
"Fine wench! I agree. Anything else?"
"I want better clothes. These make me itch all over. I will design them myself. For me and my ladies. And I want all of this in writing!"
"Alright is that all?"
"Yes it is." Helios got up and started to leave. "Oh Helios! One more thing..."
"Yes my lady?"
"If you try anything... Fishy, I will cut your throat out and feed it to your dogs."
Gwen got up and left. Helios readjusted his manhood. Morgana came from the shadows. "This is very good news Helios. I alone have turned her against her precious Arthur."
"Yes. It seems you have. The look in her eyes is so cold. Not like any maids I've seen before."
"That's because she is no longer Guinevere the servant. She is angrier and viler. We must use this to our advantage."
"Agreed. I'll move the ceremony up to tomorrow. It is proof beyond doubt that she is not the same person anymore." Helios and Morgana grabbed two glasses and drank and laughed. Gwen was watching them. She needed to keep up her facade if she was to save Camelot. She didn't know why she was doing it. But she wouldn't let morgana win.
"Arthur! Where is that servant of yours? He is never here when you need him!" Mithian cried to Arthur as they were eating lunch.
"He just went to the kitchen to get you another plate; you said it was too cold remember?" Arthur sighed. He and Mithian were supposed to get married but Arthur was holding it off for as long as he could. Truth was he missed Guinevere. But he couldn't have her cause she is an adulteress who betrayed him. Last night he had a dream they were married and happy. It was a great dream. Arthur lost himself thinking about it.
"Arthur? Are you even listening to me?" Mithian whined.
"What?" Arthur snapped out of it and looked at Mithian. "You weren't listening to me! Ugh! How can we get married if you can't even listen to what I say?"
"I was listening. It's just. I was thinking about my meeting later on today, forgive me." Arthur tried to save face.
"Of course you are!" Mithian complained.
Merlin came in the room with a new plate of food for Mithian. "Here you go my lady. It's right out the pot hot."
"Mithian pushed the plate. "I think I will eat in my room today! Because at least there people respect me!" Mithian got up, turned her nose towards the sky and left. Arthur looked at Merlin and sighed.
"Wow. She's a handful. Good luck with her." Merlin said to Arthur.
"I know, at first she was a delight. Now all I want to do is find ways to stick my hands in hot oil before she utters a sentence."
Merlin laughed.
"There are other princesses, far sweeter and beautiful then Mithian."
"I don't want others. I want..." Arthur stopped himself.
"You can't bring yourself to say can you? You want Gwen."
Arthur got up abruptly and pulled Merlin by his collar. "I told you not to utter her name around me!"
He pushed him back towards the wall.
"It's doesn't matter if I say her name or not. Doesn't stop you from thinking about her, I know you do."
"I do not. I just..."
"Just what?"
"I just hope she's alright. She had nowhere to go, and I didn't care. I was too angry or jealous, both. I just didn't want to see her again."
"Arthur it's understandable. Gwen betrayed you."
"Do you think I should've banished her?"
Arthur asked him. His look was so sad. Like he had just lost his favorite pet.
"It's not my place to say."
"I am asking you as a friend Merlin. Please."
"If I must answer honestly, no. I don't. But then again, I'm not the king of Camelot sire, you are."
Arthur was shocked. Merlin usually agrees when Arthur makes serious judgments. He grew angry.
"Who asked for your opinion anyway?" Arthur pushed past him and exited. Merlin shook his head. The royalty in Camelot have issues.
"The union is sealed! You too are now married. You may kiss the bride."
Before Gwen had a chance to get away Helios kissed her with all his might. She pushed him off of her.
"Come my bride! Let's dine." Helios took Gwen's hand. "No. I don't want to dine with you! You oath. I'm going to my chambers. Do not bother me." Gwen left to her chambers. Morgana followed her.
"So how does it feel...? Being married to a king?"
"It feels just fine. Now would you please, leave." morgana sat down next to her on the bed.
"Gwen, don't be like that, we were friends once. And now were allies... And I'm hoping we could be friends again." morgana took her hands. Now that Gwen's chances of becoming queen of Camelot were slim and none, morgana could accept Gwen as her loyal friend again.
Gwen knew what morgana was doing. She was trying to use Gwen as her pond. Little did morgana know Gwen was planning the same thing.
"You are right morgana. We've come a long way, haven't we? Both have done some things we regret. I think its best we put it all in the past and start anew."
Morganas face lit up with joy. She reached over and hugged her lost friend.
"Gwen you don't know how happy that makes me!"
"I am happy too." Gwen gave a fake smile.
For the first time in almost two years morgana's smile wasn't devious or deceptive. She was guinely smiling. Honestly she had missed having Gwen to talk too. She was a great friend.
"I cannot believe I agreed to marry Helios! What was I thinking?"
"You were thinking smart; if I were you I would wish death upon Arthur, for what he did to you."
"Yes but he doesn't know I was enchanted." Gwen said.
"That doesn't matter. He still banished you like yesterday's garbage. Gwen you must see, this is all for the best."
"Trust in me my lady. I do see. If I had my way Arthur Pendragon would die by my hand."
Morganas face was shimmering with delight. Gwen finally saw the right side of things.
"I'm so glad you see things differently now Gwen. When I am queen of Camelot you will be right by my side, along with Helios and Arrgravaine."
Gwen figured this was her chance to mess with morgana's head.
"Really? You would share your throne with that many people?" Gwen gave her a look of befuddlement
"what? What are you saying Gwen?"
"All I am saying is that if I were you... The Lady Morgana rightful heir to the throne of Camelot I would have one person at my side. The rest would perish. The more people there are, the more conspirators you have against you!"
Morgana looked down. Gwen was right that many people near her could cause them to conspire to kill her.
"Gwen! Your right. I remember morgause telling me something like that long ago. Who do you think is disposable?"
Gwen motioned morgana to come closer morgana and her were in whispering range.
"Arrgravaine could be useful right now. But Helios isn't. I have control of half his army. If he dies I control it all. We can use them to take down Camelot together."
"Us? Me and you... Running Camelot?"
Gwen nodded.
"You would be the queen of course, and I your weapon. We can rule it; kill Arthur and everyone who gets in our way! What say you?"
"Well I do here your rather handy with a sword now... Deal!" morgana and Gwen smiled and shook hands.
"So... What the plan?" morgana asked.
In the morning Gwen, Morgana and Helios were eating breakfast. Gwen and morgana smiled to each other. It was time for their plan to set motion.
"Helios, I want to talk to you about something." Gwen said. Helios was stuffing his face with fruit and ham.
"Speak freely my beautiful wife."
"I think we should go to Camelot." Gwen looked at morgana who was smiling to her.
"Attack Camelot? Already? They will be waiting for us; half my men will die before we even reach the Walls."
"You are not listening to me my dear husband; I said we should go to Camelot. Not attack it."
"Why do you want to go there? What's your plan?"
"Get in touch with Arthur. Tell him you want to sign a peace treaty, to align your two kingdoms." Helios spit out his ham and started to yell.
"Never will I align myself with an arrogant prat like King Arthur."
Gwen stroked her hand up and down Helios' arm to calm him.
"Relax; the treaty will be signed under false intentions. Arthur will do this, to make peace. He's all about making peace. But instead of you actually making peace, we and Arrgravaine will tear their defenses down without them knowing it. Arthur will never see the attack coming!"
Helios looked at Gwen with amazement and lust in his eyes. Never has he been more attracted to her.
"This is a wonderful idea!" morgana said
"I must say Guinevere you surprise me. You must really hate Camelot."
"I'm glad you enjoy my plan. Camelot will pay."
Morgana raised her glass as praise to Gwen. Helios followed.
"And once Arthur agrees to the treaty we will go to Camelot. With me as your queen."
"Yes! Arthur will be mad with jealous!" morgana said.
"Alright. I'll have my messenger deliver this message. Gwen, I knew I did the right thing by marrying you, after all you were Arthur's brains." Helios kissed Gwen's cheek and left off to find the messenger. Gwen wiped his kiss off with her hand. She wished he wouldn't touch her. It didn't matter anyway. Helios was going to die.
"So morgana... Is everything set?"
"Yes it is. Helios won't know what hit him."
"Arthur are you ready? You promised to go riding with me today!" Mithian whined to him.
"Almost princess I promise!" Arthur hid in his room. He didn't want to go riding with Mithian. He didn't want to walk down the hall with Mithian. She was becoming increasingly annoying with each day. Arthur wondered if he should just pretend he had a beast to kill, around the northern Borders just to get away from her. Merlin walked past Mithian in the hallway and opened Arthur's door.
"Arthur? It's me!"
"You don't have to shout Merlin I know it's you. I told Mithian to wait outside."
"Well I've got some news here for you. Very interesting news."
"ok spit it out, what is it?"
"Helios and his queen want to make peace with Camelot."
"What?" Arthur took the letter and read it. "My father tried for years to make peace with Helios' kingdom. He hated him and Camelot."
"Well it seems now he does really want peace. He is even willing to sign a treaty!"
"Merlin! This is great news! I must go tell the consul!"
"Alright. What about Mithian?"
Arthur stopped in his tracks. "Oh. I forgot about her! Merlin you take her in my place."
"You can't be serious?"
"Yes I am. And have fun." Arthur started for the door then stopped
"wait... When did Helios get married?"
"I do not know."
"Oh well! Have fun got to go!" Arthur left and buzzed past Mithian. Merlin came out of Arthur's room. "Ready to go?"
Arthur and Mithian sat on the thrones awaiting Helios and his queen. Arthur was a very happy king. Adding Helios' kingdom to his list of allies was the greatest thing for Camelot. "How long will this take?" Mithian whined.
"Not long. I'm just going to meet Helios and his new Queen, we will sign the treaty tomorrow and they will leave."
"Good. Because I want us to go for a walk around the castle. Just you and I. What do you say?" Mithian asked.
"Uhhh I..,"
"my lord! Helios has arrived!" Merlin said.
"Oh thank god. Send them in."
Gwen hid under a cloak so no one could see her. Helios took her hand. "Are you ready my lady?"
"Very much so my king!" Gwen and Helios walked into the room.
"Helios! Welcome to Camelot!" Arthur got up and took Helios' hand.
"And may I introduce my wife? Queen Guinevere." Gwen took off her cloak revealing her face. Arthur moved back at least five paces with a shocked look on his face. Michiana got up and greeted Helios. She noticed Arthur's expression and wondered what was going on with him.
"My lord? You look as pale as death. Is there something wrong?" Gwen asked Arthur with a wicked half smile.
"Arthur? Where are your manners? Say hello to queen Guinevere." Mithian said.
Arthur's eyes never left Gwen's. He couldn't believe she was standing there in his throne room. Gwen looked over to Mithian who was watching Arthur watch Gwen.
"And your Arthur's wife?" Gwen asked.
"Not yet. I'm princess Mithian. Future queen of Camelot."
"It's so nice to meet you." Gwen smiled.
Merlin came in and noticed Arthur staring at Gwen. He couldn't believe that Gwen was there. And that she was ok. And alive.
"Well. I'm glad all the pleasantries are out of the way. Shall we?" Helios said to Gwen. Gwen took his arm and left out with him.
Mithian stood in front of Arthur. He was acting like Gwen was the only person in the world.
"Arthur? My lord?" Mithian said. He didn't answer so she slapped him.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"Hmm let's see looking at another woman while I'm in the same room!"
"You don't get it... please I need to be alone." Arthur hurried out of the room.
"Merlin! What is wrong with Arthur?" mithan asked.
"I'll go and find out!"
Merlin couldn't find Arthur anywhere. He went to Gaius to see if he saw him.
"Have you seen Arthur?"
"No. I haven't. Last time I saw him he was running out of the castle."
"I've got to find him before he does something rash."
Merlin exited. He knew Arthur must be devastated. He had to find him.
At nighttime Arthur waited for Gwen to go into her chambers. Then he crept in. The lights were still off. Arthur looked around, next thing he knew he had a knife to his throat.
"What are you doing here?" Gwen pushed him away from her knife.
"Did you really just have a knife to the throat of king of Camelot?"
Gwen turned on the lights." I don't care about your title. Arthur Pendragon."
"Guinevere, what are you doing here? With Helios?"
"He is my husband. I thought that was obvious."
"That's where you've been all this time? What has he done to you Gwen?"
"Nothing! Helios treats me with respect. He loves me."
"Do you love him?"
"That does not matter. What matters now is that I want you out of my chambers, before I run you through."
Arthur laughed at her. "Gwen don't be silly. I'm a knight of Camelot. You're not. No matter how many tricks Helios taught you."
Gwen laughed back at him.
"Helios has taught me nothing. He's just like you, an idiot."
Arthur was shocked by Gwen's words. She seemed different, cold, and angry.
"At least I don't cheat on the ones I claim to love!" Arthur spat back hoping it would hurt Gwen. Gwen seemed not to care about what he said.
"Anything else you want to say King Arthur?" she asked slyly.
Arthur took her hands. "Gwen what has happened to you?"
Gwen snatched them away from him.
"I am only here to support my king. Not here to discuss anything with you. Now go. Now."
"You do not love me anymore?" he asked. His blue eyes were trying to make contact with brown ones. But all he saw in her eyes as she stared back at him was hatred.
"No. I do not. Just like you do not love me... Princess Mithian? Is that her name? She's pretty. Have fun with her."
Everything that came out of Gwen's mouth stung Arthur more. It was like she was doing it deliberately.
"I told you to never return or pain of death is what you shall face."
"You want to kill me?" Gwen laughed. She moved closer to him and Arthur kept moving back until his back was to the door. He was a blob of jelly, having Gwen that close to him again made Arthur quiver. Her hands spanned his chest; her fingers ran under his shirt to touch his abs. She brought them down to his belt. Gwen pulled the sword out. Arthur was relieved that she wasn't doing something else with her hands.
"here." she put the sword in his hands.
"Kill me." She said.
"What are you mad? I would never kill you." Arthur dropped his sword to the floor.
"Ok then set it up for my head to get chopped off tomorrow."
"Guinevere what happened to you?" Arthur was worried about her. This isn't the Gwen he knew and fell in love with.
"Are you going to kill me or not?" she asked.
"No! I'm not."
She moved back towards him. This time they were so close they could taste each other's breath. Gwen reached up and put her lips as close to his as she could get without touching.
"You couldn't kill me, even if you were obligated too. Because it is you who still loves me, Arthur. Isn't it?"
"All the love I ever had for you is gone. You belong to Helios now."
Gwen put her hands back on his belt. Arthur started to perspire. Gwen laughed. Arthur always was so nervous whenever she touched him. That's how she knew he still loved her.
"You can't kill me Arthur. My husband's army would be here so fast your pretty blond head would spin."
Gwen grazed her lips to his, and then moved away. Arthur was taken aback.
"Now get out Arthur." she said.
Arthur opened the door. "Gwen this isn't you.
"That just proves that you don't know me at all... You never did."
Gwen pushed him out the door and closed it. This was going to be funnier then she thought.