Chapter 1

3 Months Later

I awoke early as I had done for so long now, being careful not to wake Arthur as he slept.Ihad always woken early because I enjoyed watching the sunrise. I had done this each morning for as long as I could remember. I dressed quickly, careful not make much noise. I had been Arthur's wife for almost three months. I was still not quite used to always having to ask permission to do or go anywhere outside the walls of the castle; before, in her home in the forest, I could go anywhere and do anything anytime. Now all that had changed.

As I dressed, I was careful not to touch the scar, which was still fresh and sore. I headed outside and took in the air and quiet. I walked through the grounds of the Wall, passing the stables - home to over 200 gallant warhorses. Then I walked upwards to the front of the Wall and to the stairs that lead up the side of the wall where the flag barriers stood. The platform was empty now. There was not a sound. I walked up the stairs and stood there over looking the grounds where the battle had taken place not a moment ago. As I looked out at the land, I did not notice a dark figure standing behind me.

"What are you thinking my queen?"

I jumped and spun around. I had not heard him coming; he always seemed to just appear as if in smoke. I was always nervous of him - of his dark gaze.

I turned to face him. "Good morning to you too Lancelot."

He smiled that smug smile at me, but I did not smile back. "You stand out here much to often my queen. Why?"

He let the question hang in the air while he waited for my answer. I thought about his question and decided to change the subject.

"How is your wound Lancelot?" I asked, hoping he would not ask me the other question again. For I myself did not know the answer.

He smiled again, "I am fine, but now answer my question won't you?" His tone told me he knew I was trying change the subject.

"I like to watch the sun rise. Is that a problem Lancelot? I was not aware I needed your permission". My smug remark stopped him for only a second.

"Then why do you look at me and not the sun?"

That remark stopped me. I had no answer for that and I knew I never would. I turned away from him once more hoping that he would just walk away. But I could forever feel his burning gaze on my back. Then he walked up behind me and came to stand beside me, looking out at the battlefield.

"I don't think it's over." He said and I turned to him.

"What do you mean? The Saxons are gone aren't they?"

He turned to look at me. "Guinevere, I always promised myself that when my fifteen years of service was done, I would return to my home."

He stopped speaking and looked out toward the rising sun again, then he continued. "But I have an odd feeling that our service to this… place is not over."

He described the castle as a place, as if the people and the walls were keeping him from something. I studied him a few more seconds saying nothing. He said nothing for the next few seconds, then turned away from me and headed for the stable, leaving me to stare after him and wonder if there was something else keeping him from leaving. There was something about him - whether it was his dark gaze, the way he fought or rode his horse. Whenever I was around him I felt nervous and I knew that he knew it. And that was what scared me the most.

After I had watched the sunrise, I went to the stables to ride my horse. As a wedding present from Arthur and his knights, I had been given a beautiful Andalusian mare that I named Aquila. She was not a big gallant warhorse like the rest of the horses in the barn, but she was perfect for me. I saddled her myself not wishing to bother the stable boys so early in the morning. I was just about to head out, when Arthur came into the barn.

"Good morning my queen, I see you rise early again this morning." He said, placing a kiss on my forehead.

"Indeed my lord, I enjoy the sunrise."

Arthur smiled, then went to his horse's stall to begin caring for him.

"Where do you wish to ride this fine morning?" Arthur asked.

"I am going to ride to the forest and practice a little with my bow," I answered.

"When do you think you will return?"

I was still not used to having to clarify my whereabouts. "By high if that is alright?"

Arthur guessed he had angered me only slightly. "If that is what you wish to do, then you may."

He began brushing his horse and said no more. I mounted my horse and signaled for the gates to be opened, then I galloped off toward my old home and some peace and quiet. Not realizing I was being followed by a dark figure on a black horse, with an always watchful gaze.