I'll Watch You Grow Into The King Camelot Deserves

Series 3, Episode 6 (The Changeling) when Arthur is about to marry Princess Elena

Gwen POV

I knew I acted irrationally going to see Arthur earlier. What was I thinking, walking in there with no plan or excuse in my head? Nothing good could have come of it. I know we can't always have what we want, more than anyone. Even if I told him not to marry Elena it's not like I could have stopped him. He's a Prince with a duty to uphold; and I'm just a serving girl. By the laws of Camelot we are not meant to be together. So why do I stand here wishing he would quit this facade? I know he doesn't love Elena. Well asides from her somewhat spirituous personality traits what's not to love? Even if Arthur did love me, and if that is, he would not be miserable marrying a princess like Elena. And besides, Uther needs him to do this for the sake of Camelot. He cannot refuse. Even if he prefers being insane.

I wish I did not have to attend this wedding. It hurt enough watching him propose to her, even though there is nothing I can do about it. It was worse watching him struggle to propose to her. I could tell he didn't want to do this. He told me he didn't want to do this. Why couldn't this be some unrequited crush? His contradictions did not help my cause. It hurt watching him lie and bind himself to a future I did not share. I have to let go of him now.

She was a princess, an ethereal goddess compared to me. She walks gracefully in uncomfortable shoes I've never had the chance to wear; she has beautiful creamy skin and silken soft hair even lighter than his. Her satin gown lies flush with her skin, enlightening her with its ivory shine. I will never be as perfect as her, and I am certainly not good enough for Arthur. His golden hair glinted in the sunlight that streamed though the slits in the walls. The smooth plains of his broad cheekbones reflected back the honey light casting shadows on to his strong jaw. That same face that told me earlier he wanted to be with me.

But he took the lead in grasping her hands, he belonged with her; I never played a part in his destiny. I wish he wouldn't look at me with eyes so regretful, it made it so much harder to move on. I couldn't watch him get married to a beauty while his eyes were on me, not if I didn't want him to see me cry. Then I felt her look, and she caught my eyes in understanding. At first she looked mystified at why Arthur would have a need to look at me in such a way but comprehension settled pretty quickly as my expression mirrored his.

In the second he didn't reply my heart burst with the possibilities of what he would say. Calm down Gwen, he's probably just nervous. In a low defeated voice he finally replied, "It is." Those two words determined my future. My now nonexistent future with him.

"Do any say nay?" intoned the Priest. The words I wished to speak could not be spoken. I straightened my head and cast my gaze around the room, trying to look anywhere but him. I couldn't let him influence my every thought.

No; my eyes snapped up. He did not just say what I thought he did. Oh Arthur why do you do this to yourself when you know it cannot be. At least I know you love me. Just please don't do something you will regret. How he talks of love. I will love him more than he will ever know. And now he is engaged no longer, I can continue to enjoy his love a little longer. Maybe it's time things changed. I know he will be a great king. I'm proud of him.

AN: The bit at the end when they talk is so cute, and then he does a little jig as he walks away. ^^ 3 Never really done sappy before so please review and tell me what you thought! Thank you!