Arthur

A sea of black surrounded me; my mind consumed by doubt, loss, and pain. My ears listened to murmurs of condolences; gray hair ladies pressed kisses on my numb cheeks, and men clapped my arm while they shook my hand. Their touches didn't alleviate my pain. Nothing will ever heal a painful ache in my heart. Morgana stood like a statue accepting kisses and condolences. Does she experience regret when she thinks of our father? Their relationship was loud, painful; while their love endured over time. A coldness enveloped my heart. Something inside of me withered and died. My father is gone forever.

My thoughts drifted towards an endless party of pity and confusion until her fingers wrapped around my hand. Warmth pulled me out of the shadows of despair. Her presence made me believe that I can greet my father's family, friends, rivals, enemies, and colleagues. A light shined in my heart, a show of strength for naysayers. I am more than capable of moving Pendragon Industries into the future, with Guinevere at my side. She is the key to my happiness, serenity, and future. Guinevere is my hope, love, and soul. She turned me into a better person. Would I turn into my father without her?

xXx

Her long wet hair is twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck; she sat humming a sweet tune, a silk robe hung from her delicate shoulders. I watched her hands massage fragrant lotion along the gentle slope of her legs. She's unaware of my presence at our doorway; how I watch her while she sleeps next to me. Heavy footsteps caused Guinevere to turn in her chair. A luminous smile reaching her eyes assuaged my soul. Gently, I tilted her chin towards my lips. Her skin quivered and shook under my touch. She says nothing when I pushed thin silk down her arms to reveal silken skin. My hand reached into her robe to caress one of her breasts. Her whimpers are our special melody. Lifting her small body in my arms, I carried Gwen to our bed. Perhaps, words should be exchanged between us. Tonight is not made for words in our world. Unwrapping her robe like a child on Christmas morning, my eyes delighted in her natural beauty. Guinevere's hands reached for me as I slowly undress. My hand sunk in her hair; twisting it around my fingers. Kisses are rained upon her cheekbones, lips, collarbone, and neck. Soft lips opened slightly, enticing me to return for kisses. Long fingers traced circles on her tummy. She reached for me, seeking contact and offering pleasure to me.

"Not tonight," I murmured. "I need to treasure you. Ease my soul. Let me love you."

My fingers rubbed across her lips; she kissed my thumb in consent. My hands roamed possessively over her body. Memorized every slope of her knees; how her feet pressed deeply into our bed when she's caught in the throes of pleasure. Her skin is hot, tight, and wet when I caressed her center. She spread her legs wider, beckoning me to join our bodies. I can't ignore a hot urge to join with her. I slide home with one hard thrust, cupping her knees in my hands. Kissing her neck, losing myself in her depths to ease my pain. Her softness soothed me. Her body trembled under mine; I released myself deep in her womb, part of me wishes for a child to bind her to me. I shouldn't crush her with my heavy body; I can't bear to lose contact with her, my love, my life, my Guinevere.

xXx

Agravaine appeared in my doorway; I waited for him to announce his purpose. I pretended to read a report prepared by Merlin, futures in relatively stable Asian markets. I said nothing when my uncle slide into a red leather chair in front of my desk.

"Caerleon attempts to undercut our stock by attempting to purchase one of our smaller companies. How should we proceed to stop him, Arthur?"

I leaned back in my chair," He's testing my worth and ability to lead Pendragon Industries."

"How are you going to stop him?"

"Caerleon is planning to build a new complex in Brisbane, according to reports. I purchased prime locations, and ensured his needs won't be heard by local officials.

"That's rather underhanded, but passive."

"Attempting to steal what's mine is devious. I made a move; I redirected my attention to Pendragon Industries. I merely prolonged his search. I didn't steal his company."

"A different approach."

"I pondered it for a while."

"It seems like a Gwen approach."

"We discussed it, Uncle. Does it matter?"

"Arthur, Gwen is a wonderful, caring woman. She helped you during your time of need. Should you take business advice from an untrained mind?"

"I trust her advice and judgement."

"Arthur, I believe that we should have purchased one of his smaller companies in a hostile takeover."

"We shall see."

xXx

I walked past Morgana's offices; her dark head resting on Morgause's shoulder. Tightly embraced for the world to see their love after Father's death. He refused to even consider the idea. Nothing to fight against with Father gone. Hard to think of my father as absent. Father's wishes are clearly in the past. Ignoring the love birds, I continued along a surprisingly long corridor to Guinevere's office. Her desk is covered in various bottles of nail polish, like a rainbow.

"Arthur," she beamed, rising from her seat.

Our lips touched briefly, serenity filled my soul. She is the center of my world. Everything is for Guinevere.

"Guinevere, are you free for lunch?"

"I am always free for you. Let me get my bag!"

Her hand slipped into mine; we don't talk, our bond goes beyond words. Percy drove us to our favorite restaurant, Italian. My girl loves pasta, bread, and cheese. She worries about her weight. I encouraged her to eat; her soul captured my love, not her body. Guinevere is perfection. I pushed a basket of breadsticks in her direction. She hesitated for a moment until she grabbed one with her dainty fingers. She nibbled quietly. I took a sip of red wine. It gave me a bit of bravado. Just us in a private room. Still, I am nervous.

"Arthur," she inquired. "Is something troubling you?"

Her hand reached for mine. I linked our fingers together, staring into her rich brown eyes.

"I think about you constantly. 200 years ago, I would be placed into an asylum. I dream of love. I dream of our future."

"You're part of my life. The future is ours, Arthur."

"I see us holding hand just like this in fifty years. We might have a few great grandchildren. I can solve every problem with you at my side."

"I'll never leave you unless you don't need me in your life."

"I will never live to see that day. You're a basic need in my life."

"Arthur," she whispered. "I love you."

"I love you very much."

xXx

A nervous jeweler watched me intently; I can't secure something special for Guinevere. A ring to symbolize our love. Some women would be easy, just big and shiny. She required something unique, and selected with care. Agravaine stormed into my office; his face is flushed, beads of sweat on his brow,"

"Arthur, we need to discuss a situation within our company."

Merlin's eyebrows raised at the words" our company."

"Perhaps, we should adjourn to the boardroom. Merlin, please see Mr. Sterling out. Then, join us in the conference room."

"Of course, Arthur," Merlin murmured.

I shake Mr. Sterling's hands," Perhaps you can locate a ring from the Twenties, dainty, unique and timeless."

"Of course, Mr. Pendragon."

I walked in silence to the boardroom. A looming black leather chair waited for me. Agravaine paced in circles around the room, a few stars floated in front of my eyes.

"He's done it again, Arthur. He's buying stocks in our companies. Caerleon will not stop without a show of force."

"Uncle, buy something of his that he loves. Make it public."

Agravaine beamed at my decision. I didn't want to strike at Annis and Caerleon. I needed to assert my dominance with my foes. I sound like my father.

Agravaine lowered his length into a chair next to mine," Arthur, we need to discuss Guinevere."

"I love her. Nothing to have a discussion about unless you can locate a proper engagement ring."

"She's a nice beautiful young woman. She has too much influence over you and your business practices. You ignore good advice to listen to the counsel of someone, who selects nail polish for a living. What does she have to offer? Is she wife material?"

"Her goodness, wisdom, and virtue."

"Arthur, her advice was disastrous."

"I asked for her counsel. It wasn't volunteered."

"Why didn't she direct you to me?"

A soft click drew my attention to the door, Merlin stood in the shadows, wearing a disgusted look.

"It was private."

"Pillow talk sink ships."

"Don't be vulgar."

"She isn't right for you any longer. Wife to the heir is different than wife to a king. You're a titan of industries. You require a properly raised wife to maintain your home, not your business."

"Uncle, I love her. I want to marry her."

"What about your father's legacy? Why haven't you married her in so many years? Deep inside you know that Guinevere might be your soul mate. Soul mates don't ensure continued prosperity and fortune. Think of your investors and employees, you can't focus when she's around. Kingdoms thrived on arranged marriages. You build lasting connections, not love.

"Agravaine, leave me."

Merlin offered Agravaine a dirty look as he strolled by.

"Arthur, don't listen to him."

"Is he right?"

"Did you just say that, Arthur?"

"Do I love her too much? Is it wrong to trust her counsel?"

"Perhaps, Agravine has a valid argument. Why haven't you married her in the last five years?"

"My father was against our union."

"Now, your uncle doesn't approve. You like to play house, but you don't want to bestow titles upon Gwen like wife or mother. Just like you couldn't find a ring. I agree with Agravaine for the wrong reasons. Either marry her, or let her go."

"I thought she was your friend."

"She is, and she deserves to be with a man that's certain about his love for her. I fear that your love fluctuates with the times. If you aren't certain about Gwen, you're a fool Arthur Pendragon."

xXx

After Percy arranged for my quick passage out of the restaurant, if Gwen breaks down. Agravaine suggested dinner in a busy public restaurant to end our relationship. Percy will help Guinevere remove her belongings from the manor while I'm in Asia. I secured a lovely flat and car for her, a token of my affection. She needs to start over.

Gwen rose to kiss my cheek; I closed my eyes at her gentle touch. I briefly commented on my day. I inquired about hers. She babbled about eye cream. She looked over the menu. She asked if I have any favorites. She's never been here before. She looked exquisite with her hair in a bun. Are they call buns? A black dress clung to her figure; her back is bare. I committed her image to my mind.

"Guinevere, I love you. Things have changed for me."

"I know, Arthur, You'll find your way."

"I need different people in my life. I can't rely on my past to guide my future."

"Meaning?"

"I can't offer you a future as my wife any longer."

"Why?"

"I need a different type of wife, now."

"I'm not good enough."

"I never said that."

"Implied it."

"I don't want to hurt you."

A loving glow faded from her eyes; shock and hurt emerged. A profound sadness surrounded Guinevere.

"You should have sent a text. You have me dress up. You do this to prevent a scene. I'm not a petulant child, Arthur. I will not have a fit."

"Thank you, I've secured a flat and vehicle for you."

"To ease your guilt? "

"No, I want to ensure that you are provide for."

"I can take of myself. You have a good heart, Arthur. Be your own man. I said that I will stay as long as you need me. It's time for me to go."

"Guinevere…"

"Good bye, Arthur."

I watched her until a slight swing of her black dress faded away. Looking an uninvited voyeur, I watched Percy resting an arm on her shoulders, consoling her. She'll go to Merlin or Morgana. At the very least, she'll go to Elyan's house. I took a sip of an old expensive wine. Tasteless.