Hello everyone :) So, first, I'm not the kind of person who write many stories at the same time but this time, it's different, I'll write this story with my sister of heart, an amazing person I can't thank enough ff for making me meet :) So, Arthurlover7, my dear sister of heart, here our first chapter ! :)
Our Love Will Conquer All
"For both their sakes, Arthur and Guinevere decided to end their relationship, even if they were deeply in love. One year later, Guinevere comes back to Camelot, married. What will happen then? Are the feelings gone? How will Arthur react, seeing the woman he loves married to another? And what will he do, when he discovers that his Guinevere is not the person he used to know anymore? What secret is she hiding from him?"
One year.
One year since she left.
He had had no news from her.
Nothing.
Until now.
"Arthur?"
The King of Camelot sighed and ran a hand through his blond hair, turning toward his friend and manservant.
"Did you call me?"
"Yes." and Arthur blamed himself for his voice sounded weak, even to himself.
"What for?"
"You have to find me someone to bring to the feast, tomorrow night."
His friend's eyes widened.
"You heard me Merlin."
"But..." the young man frowned and then suddenly, Arthur saw them filled by compassion. "Arthur-"
"There is nothing to say to it."
Merlin seemed to think a few seconds, then walked toward a little before say in a careful voice.
"Arthur, if this is because Gwen-"
"Stop it." cut him off the young King.
"Arthur."
"Out."
"At least let me-"
"I said get out!" resumed Arthur, a little louder that what he would have wanted.
The young man left and Arthur sighed before turning toward his window again. Guinevere. The mere mention of the name of the woman he had loved (and still loved, though he would not admit it), his heart sank a little more, at the point he was afraid he could not breath anymore.
Without him noticing, a certain period of time must have elapsed since Merlin finally returned with great care not to make much noise.
"It's done, Sire."
"Good." answered Arthur in a distant voice, staring at the horizon.
After a few seconds of silence, Merlin resumed.
"Don't you want to know who she is?"
"I do. Of course I do. Tell me, who's the lucky one?"
His voice was so tainted with bitterness that even he noticed it. However, Merlin had the tact to pretend he did not notice.
"Caerleon's Princess. Louise."
"Perfect."
Again a silence. Since she has left, it seemed to Arthur that this was all his life was summarized by; silences. However, he was to blame for that, he had let her go.
"Arthur."
"Not now Merlin."
The young man took a deep breath and then said, in a gentle voice.
"There is no point in trying to hide the fact that you have missed Gwen, Arthur."
The King's breath caught in his throat and none of them talked for what seemed like ages. Finally, Arthur's shoulders sank.
"I let her go."
"Both of you took a decision that, at the time seemed like the wiser one."
A bitter laugh escaped the blond man.
"It seems so easy, told like that."
Again, a silence.
"Can't you cancel?"
Arthur stared at his feet and tried to control the tears he felt rising in his chest. He didn't shed one since he heard the news, some three weeks before.
"No. Her husband and herself will be arriving tomorrow."
"I am so sorry Arthur."
He nodded, absentmindedly, then resumed, looking by the window again;
"You can go now Merlin. I won't need your help for tonight any further."
"Arthur-"
"Please."
His tone was so begging that Merlin understood that his friend was on the edge, slowly losing his composure, and needed to be left alone some time.
Once alone, the young King walked heavily to his bedside table and opened the drawer before grabbing a white handkerchief, gave what seemed like centuries ago, her favor. Arthur brought the handkerchief against his face and tried to breathe Guinevere's scent, replaced by his own now, before lay it against his heart. Memories rushing back.
"Arthur." breathed a young woman, drawing shapes on her lover's chest.
"Hmm." answered this one, tightening his hold around her.
"Do you think we are right?"
"Right about?"
"To keep doing this."
He looked at her then and she looked up, staring at him.
"What are you talking about, Guinevere?"
She looked down again and cuddled against him a few seconds, before resuming in a trembling voice.
"You know that I love you. And I know that you love me."
"But?"
"But we both know it can't be Arthur!"
This time, he got up and brought her with him, raising her chin in order to get her to look at him.
"We've been through this before, love." he breathed before kissing her tenderly.
She weakly smiled and let him kiss her again, laying her on this bed, this bed witness of the greatest proof of love they ever did to each other...
Arthur let himself fall on the floor, against his bed. He should have stopped her. Why did he not do it? Why did he not do like that night, when, in order for her to stop thinking this way, he had kiss her senseless and made love to her all night. He squeezed the favor tighter against his heart and felt his throat squeeze before feeling a first tear rolling down his cheek, then another. And soon, the mighty king Arthur of Camelot was sobbing like a child.
The next day, when Merlin came in the Royal chamber, Arthur was already dressed for the occasion and was up in front of his window. The young servant noticed right away the pallor of his friend, and his red and tired eyes, and he sighed.
"Haven't you slept at all?"
"Of course I did."
"Arthur."
The King sighed, then turned toward his friend.
"It's none of your business, anyway."
He sighed again.
"Are you sure you can do it?"
"Have I got the choice?"
"We always have the choice, Arthur."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
"I never get to have the choice."
"Arthur-"
"I inherited this Kingdom, I didn't have the choice. I lost my mother and then my father, I didn't have the choice. I fell in love with a servant girl, I didn't have the choice. It seems like all my life has been planned, and I get no say in it! Note, this is perhaps better this way ..."
"What do you mean?"
"The only time I got a choice, I made the wrong one."
Merlin frowned, then understood.
"She would have left anyway, Arthur."
"Not if I had done something."
"What?"
"I don't know! Anything."
"There was always your father."
Arthur sighed and opened the mouth but at the same time, a knock at the door could be heard.
"Come." said the monarch in a weary voice.
A young servant girl came and bowed, before say in a small voice.
"The Royal guests are here, my Lord."
Merlin saw the King's jaw widened, before he said to her.
"Thank you."
The young servant left and Merlin threw a worried look toward his best friend.
"Are you alright?"
"If you're asking me if I intend to crumble at her feet, begging her to take me back ; be reassured, I won't."
"Arthur ..."
"It's going to be fine, Merlin. It must."
And on this words, he straightened his features and walk out of the room.
The entire delegation was there, Arthur in front of everybody, waiting for the King and Queen of Sahan. When the procession arrived, Arthur thought his heart was beating so loud, everyone in Camelot could hear it. He tried to calm down, to take over control of his emotions, but the carriage stopped in front of them. A man got out, then turned around and helped a young woman get out of it at her turn. Guinevere. Arthur felt his heart stopped this time, and he was sure that the color has drained from his face for good. He however had to recompose himself when both of them headed toward him; the young woman's stared down all along. Finally, the man walked closer first and held a hand toward Arthur.
"Arthur Pendragon."
"Anthony Sahan." answered the young King, shaking his hand.
"It is a pleasure to meet you in person. Can I introduce you my wife, Gwen of Sahan?"
Again, Arthur's heart stopped when the young Queen finally decided to look up toward him, for the first time in one year. Their eyes locked. Blue in brown. He studied her at best he could from his distance; she seemed sad, and thin, terribly so. He took her hand, this hand as soft as he remember it to be, and laid it a small kiss, forcing himself to release her.
"Enchanted to meet you, my lady." he breathed in a broken voice, making her shiver.
He looked up and the people who knew him could have said, without one hesitation, that the moisture of their King's eyes had nothing to do with the glowing sun of midday.
So ? :) I hope you liked it :) The chapter two will be on Arthurlover7 ! :)
I wanted to thank my amazing beta : LunaSolTierra :)
Keep Safe:)