"A nice balmy evening," Tristan offered as he observed Arthur with critical blue eyes. For some odd reason, Tristan wasn't going to enjoy this conversation. In his youth, he relished tormenting Isolde's husband… Marke. He ruined their lives based on his passionate… powerful... consuming love for Isolde. She was his addiction… his moon… his life… his obsession, and his soul mate. In the end, they just didn't work. Too much passion-emotion… not enough common sense. He feared the young Pendragon would follow in his footsteps. Isolde relished the drama… she lived for it. He didn't think his Lemon Drop could handle a triangle or intense drama. Tristan shook his head.
She's not my Lemon Drop. She could be…if it wasn't for Arthur.
"Summer is always lovely," Arthur responded." Nothing better than summer days with friends."
Tristan stepped into the door that Arthur opened causally. "Let's chat about our mutual friend."
"She isn't exactly your friend."
Tristan chuckled. "Our relationship is 95% friendship. I couldn't imagine not having her in my life. She's sweet, sensible, caring, and loyal. Like a rainbow in a storm."
"Do you write cards in your spare time?"
This isn't going to be an afternoon with Nanny munching on Sconces.
"Arthur, Gwen is fragile… vulnerable. Your friends ganging up on her was low."
Arthur shot Tristan a puzzled look. He didn't have a clue about "his friends ganging up on Gwen."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, captain of the football team, your mates attempted to guilt trip Gwen about the current sorry state of your affairs. She should be nice to you. Or at the very least, return to your flat and bed. Fall in line and resume her life as a doting mate."
"Honestly, I …didn't know. I'll speak to them," Arthur sputtered. "I'll apologize to Guinevere. Where is she?"
"I helped Gwen into bed. She was despondent."
That was your first mistake… you don't rub her back. You gather Gwen into your arms tightly… you have to snuggle her under your chin, and stroke her hair… Oh yes, the hair that you encouraged her to cut. Then, she falls to sleep.
Arthur curled his fingers into fists. This man was unbelievable. How dare he send Gwen to bed like her father? Gwen had a father named Tom.
"Why did you hide her away? Isolating… keeping her from her friends. Helping her run away from reality."
Tristan's face wrinkled in amazement. "I didn't shun her. I didn't make her homeless… I didn't break her heart. That's all you. She doesn't want to speak with you."
Arthur would not explain himself to Tristan.
"I had a momentary lapse of judgment."
"That's putting it mildly… I was you. I allowed my family to rule my life. My mates carved a path for me. Then, I became my own man. You need to do this. Just like Gwen."
"Just the puppet master –pulling the strings.
"I'm cutting her strings… offering freedom. She needs to explore life."
"What are you some sicko… molding her into the perfect woman. She's young enough to be your daughter. Is that your game… older man twisting the young girl into his perfect woman?"
"Gwen has imperfections-gives her character. She's a woman… not a child."
"What?" Arthur couldn't believe Tristan. Gwen had imperfections-not.
"She has a scar on her forehead… it makes her real. She doesn't cover it. That's one in a million things about Gwen-like when she loves… she loves. She spills her feelings so openly."
"Guinevere? Never spills her feelings to anyone. I have to pry them out of her."
"Well, since you're the cause of the tears; I doubt if she would spill her feelings to you. Every tear is because of you."
Arthur lowered his blonde head in shame. Soft beams of moonlight caressed his face. He knew that Gwen's pain was immense and laid entirely at his feet. He would way a way to make amends with her.
"I accept my culpability in her pain. I will spend my life loving her."
"From afar."
Arthur's face distorted as frustration dominated his mind. "Why? Haven't you ever been in love?"
Tristan shrugged. "Hopelessly, passionate, she was the moon… my obsession," Tristan's lips quivered slightly. "My reason for living, and we destroyed each other. Like you destroyed Gwen. Now, I want sweetness… light, and happiness. I want and have Gwen."
Damn… I'm a good liar. I hope.
"Gwen is your backup?"
"Better a backup than- not good enough. No, she's not my backup. I'm starting over. I would like children before I'm too old. Gwen will be an excellent mother."
He wants to have children with Gwen? No… this has gone too far. He's not fathering snaggly blonde children with Gwen. If Gwen wants a baby… it will be mine.
Arthur smiled tightly. "This is over."
Tristan watched the younger man stormed back into Gawain's house. Tristan hadn't enjoyed himself in such a long time. He played Arthur like violin. It would be interesting to see how Arthur would responded to his baby making plan.
"Tristan 1… Arthur 0."
Arthur sat alone watching his friends enjoying themselves. He noticed Elyan spent hours conversing on his mobile or texting furiously. Ever so often, he wiped his hands across his damp brow. His pupils wide and worried.
What's his problem? Mental note- ask Merlin about Elyan.
Arthur placed his head on the wall. He shuddered when he imagined Gwen bearing Tristan's child. A child with Tristan would seal their fate. He would lose her forever.
"Not happening," he muttered.
Arthur pulled his large frame from Gawain's old rocking chair. Pushing past laughing couples, Arthur darted up the stairs. Stopping at Gwen's door, he hesitated unsure of himself.
"What do I say? I'm sorry about my mates… I didn't know."
Arthur rapped softly on the door. "Gwen?"
Arthur frowned; he opened the door to her room. His blue eyes adjusted to the dark room. His heart cracked when he located Gwen in the center of the bed. Her head tossing violently on a pillow. Her legs kicked away a sheet exposing her small body. Arthur's hand drew the sheet transversely along her body. He brushed a few strands of hair from across her face. Sighing, Arthur swept his lips along her damp cheek.
"Arthur," Gwen whispered sleepily.
A blonde eyebrow arched. She's thinking of me… not him. In her dreams… it's me. Not Tristan. Deep inside... she wants me.
Arthur resisted the urge to stomp his feet in glee. Carefully, he removed his trainers. The bed dipped from his weight. He nestled Gwen into his arms, Placing her head under his chin. His eyes shut briefly. Gwen squirmed closer into his embrace. Her breathing became steady as she relaxed in his arms.
"I'll just stay for a minute... this is my job, not his. I soothe away your nightmares and monsters, especially when I'm one of them.
Arthur's soul acknowledged Gwen as it's mate. His eyelids dropped as he fell asleep.
Tristan bounced up the stairs to check on Gwen. His mouth dropped opened to find Gwen with Arthur's arms locked around her. Carefully, he shut the door.
"You do have potential to be a good husband… Arthur Pendragon."
Bright sunlight forced Gwen's eyes opened slightly… moaning she rolled over. Resting a hand on Arthur's shoulder, she placed a kiss on his bare chest. A small smile across her face as a tingly feeling enveloped her heart. Her toes touched a denim clad leg. Gwen shook her head violently.
"I'm dreaming again. Arthur is not here..."
"Yes, I am,' Arthur whispered tiredly.
Gwen's eyes opened wide.
Up Next: Elyan has a big dangerous secret… Arthur hires Isolde…. Morgana questions Arthur about his feelings… Arthur has dinner with Cenred.
Thanks for reading… Thanksgiving looms… had to cut paper Turkeys… I usually try to share Thank you with a personal message of Thanks… bear with me. If you are reading Shadows or Written in the stars. I'm deeply sorry… Lost and Found and Complications stole my muse.
