Beginnings

She was now 15 years old.

She sat in her bedchamber a short while after she had awoken. The sunlight streamed in through her window, the panes causing dark patterns to cover her walls. Her nanny, Elizabeth, (She's cared for her since she was a child, even though she has no need for her she has always liked having her there), sat next to her on a chair sewing a rip in her dress, while the cooks daughter, Mercedes, sat with her playing with her dollies. It was a game for children, but in a way she loved the innocence it brought her, and Mercy happily played with her to get out of her chores.

'Guinevere.' A deep voice called from outside, she knew immediately it was her father, he was the only one who used her first name, most called her Gwen,although she much preferred to go by her second name, Brittany. Her father, King William Leodegrance, was one of the most powerful Kings in the country, he along with his wife, Terranda, ruled.

'Yes father' She replied standing as Elizabeth opened the door. He walked in, he was a tall man and he always wore fine robes, he carried his sword on his belt constantly always wary of danger, which wasn't needed in these times. For once the Kingdoms were at peace.

'We have an important guest tonight, a fellow King. You will wear your prettiest dress, and be on your best behaviour'

'Yes father.' She curtsied as he pulled Elizabeth aside to discuss tonight.

'Who do you think is the King, Brittany?' Mercy asked her as she returned to their game.

'I do not know. Perhaps it will be another Kingdom takeover. You know how much my father likes that.' She nodded as they continued their childish game. Mercy helped her do her hair for the dinner tat evening, her blonde hair was long and flowed down to just above her elbows, they sat around for a few hours plaiting and braiding it into different styles before settling on her favourite chignon.

That evening when she went down for the dinner she was presented formally as 'Princess Guinevere Brittany Pierce Leodegrance of Carmelide.' Which she hated, but she she had to suffer through, it was her full title after all. As she entered the dining hall she saw her mother and father and three people she did not recognise. They bowed and curtsied respectively as they were introduced as King Uther Pendragon, his wife and their son, Prince Arthur Pedragon of Camelot. Arthur was a short boy, he had light brown hair cut short and he seemed to squint occasionally, as though he had trouble seeing. The dinner was quiet, Uther and William discussed king related stuff. It turns out that Uther has entrusted William with The Round Table upon his death and both were eager to get their children to get along. They both encouraged Brittany and Arthur to speak, but neither wanted to.

After the dinner Brittany excused herself to her bedchamber in the hope of avoiding the drinking that was sure to follow. A short while later, while she was preparing for bed with the help of Elizabeth, her mother came in.

'Elizabeth, would you mind waiting outside? I wish to speak to my daughter alone.' She left and her mother took over aiding Brittany into her bed clothes. 'So, Gwen, what did you think of Arthur?'

'He was nice, I guess...'

'Just nice? He is a handsome young boy also, do you not agree?' She asked sitting down on her daughters bed taking her hair down.

'Yes Mother. Quite handsome.' She agreed, although she herself did not actually agree.

'I am glad that you think so, after all you are going to be betrothed to him.'

Brittany jumped away from her mother, she felt sick and dizzy. 'W-what?'

'Guinny, please, do not look so scared, you knew this would happen.' Her mother stood and followed her daughter as she paced around the room.

'I-I can't marry him! I do not care for him mother' She panicked. Marriage was about love, about a connection and deep emotion, not some business deal for your father in order for him to expand his kingdom.

'You fret too much, I was married to your father for the same reason, and over the years I have grown to care for him, and you will too soon.'

'You always told me it was about love, I do not want to grow to care for someone, I want to be with someone I love.'

'Guinevere, please. You cannot stop this, I suggest you get some rest, tomorrow you will be fitted for your wedding gown.' She turned and left. As soon as her mother was gone from the room Brittany threw herself on her bed crying. Elizabeth came in soon after and tried to console the poor girl, but to no avail.

/.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../

It was a hot day, and the sun was beating down upon the medieval market place. Men and women were shouting, calling out their wares as small children ran about in the mud. Donkeys pulled carts filled with boxes containing different foods or spices. The Prince was out for an afternoon stroll, he loved going to the market place and walking among the peasants. He was surrounded by guards but they kept their distance, enabling the young man to move freely about the place. All of a sudden he heard a comotion to the side, a man was wrestling with a small girl and everyone was shouting at them cheering the man on in his fight with her. He was an ugly man, large, disfigured face covered in scars. He held the young girls wrist roughly. She was a peasant, and held an apple in her hand. She had raven black hair and dark tanned skin, she was rather beautiful, Arthur thought. He was the stall keeper and she had obviously stolen the apple which she held.

He threw a punch which she ducked, delivering a sharp kick to his groin and quickly returning a punch to his face, he groaned in pain and fell to the floor, one hand on his groin, he still held the girls wrist and pulled her to the floor with him. He started cursing at her as she tried to pry her wrist from his vice like grip. 'Release the girl' Arthur called as he walked over to the man, the crowd surrounding them split, if only due to the guards shoving them roughly away.

'Make me. You cannot stop me punishing this harlot.' the man spat back as he rose to his feet using the girl to hold his weight as he stood, she was still trying to break free but couldn't.

'I am Prince Arthur Pendragon. I demand you unhand her.' He shouted at the man, whose eyes grew wide as he saw the royal family crest on the young princes cape. He immediately released the girl and the crowd dispersed quickly. 'You.' He pointed to the girl. 'Come here.' She shuffled over rubbing her wrist where the man had held it. The man was still staring. 'Well? Carry on.' He ushered the girl away.

'Thank you.' She mumbled when they stopped walking.

'What for?'

'For saving me, I was sure I was dead.'

'No need to thank me, I am sure you would have been able to handle yourself. I just do not like seeing young women being mistreated by trolls. I am Arthur Pendragon, you can call me Artie' The prince said as he offered his hand to the young peasant. She looked at it surprised before carefully taking it in her own.

'Santana, Santana Lancelot.' She shook his hand tentatively.

'Where is your family? A young girl like you shouldn't be out alone.'

'I-I am alone. My family are d-dead.' She yanked her hand away from his grasp and looked down fighting back tears, she was strong, she didn't need a family.

'I'm sorry to hear that, you show promise in your fighting. Would you consider coming back to the castle? You can train with me... Since you have no family, perhaps you can live up there, you'd never have to steal to eat again.' He offered.

She looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. It wasn't everyday that the Prince offered you a brand new start at his castle, to live and train as one of his own. When she saw none she nodded a smile gracing her soft features, and so it was done.

As they approached the castle, Santana was in shock. It was massive, the main tower was so tall it almost reached the clouds, she was amazed and immensly grateful, she could not believe it, not only had she met the Prince but he had brought her back to the castle and her father agreed that she could train with him, as his squire.

/.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../.../

A/N Ok. So I hope this was an okay second chapter? Please review and yeah. Much love, here is my tumblr for anyone that wants it .com. Don't worry there will be Brittana meeting soon. Or will there? hmmm...

Gx