2
The sun stained the mid-afternoon sky with cerise and bronze hues, it hung low and was barely visible above the horizon as it cast a beautiful golden light over the white blanket of snow; in the far distance beyond the city of Camelot were beautiful rolling mountain ranges that were capped with snow, the sun was beginning to set between the peaks and they dazzled with iridescence of thousands upon thousands of diamonds. Silhouetted against the golden orb was the darkened shapes of three figures; one very broad shouldered and muscular, one tall and willowy, and the final figure was smaller than the other two with a petite feminine form. Uther Pendragon recognised his son and his incompetent servant immediately; however the third figure he did not know. It was only as they stepped into the light of the torches that lit the gates he saw a young woman bathed in quaint amber light, her delicate features illuminated in an almost ethereal manner; copper pigments were highlighted in her long raven hair and her tanned skin radiated a warm glow.
This was no mere chamber maid that his son had found to bed; she was clearly a woman of nobility and Uther was taken aback, not only due to her features, but – as far as he knew – they were not expecting royal guests. The king watched as Arthur's manservant led the prince's horse away to the stables – one of the few useful tasks he has completed all day, the king mused – and his eyes followed Arthur and the anonymous stranger as the gates closed behind them.
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Adriana's eyes widened as she stepped inside the city walls; the castle loomed over the small houses and the menacing faces of the gargoyles bore down upon her as she wandered beside Arthur and Merlin. He had insisted she ride his horse, however she had insisted that she walk; she had refused to ride a horse that was lame, and in the end her perseverance won and Arthur walked beside her, leaving Merlin to lead the horse.
The young girl from the forest had never before been to a place that had so many inhabitants, each and everyone pausing for a fleeting moment to take in her appearance and some whispering to each other about why she was with the crown prince; she was oblivious to all of this as her attention was gripped by each sight, smell and sound.
Children ran from house to house, their innocence of youth shining in all of its glory as they played among the adults who were still busy running day-to-day errands for their masters and mistresses. The markets were set away from the main street and courtyard, they however looked far more appealing to explore than the walkways and arches of the royal abode; Adriana glanced to the prince and saw he was preoccupied talking to a knight, seizing her opportunity she slipped away down a narrow side street. Falling through a selection of brightly coloured sheets she entered the heart of the market, dragging her feet through the snow she quickly immersed herself in the heavy throng of people making their way up and down the street; her eyes danced with delight as she took in her surroundings. The ground here was blanketed with snow also; the market vendors clothed in numerous layers of fleece clothing to fend off the chill that blew through the houses, with their noses red and their breath fogging with each exhalation they carried about their day to day chores. Smoke rose from a water bucket as a blacksmith doused the freshly moulded hot sword before beating off any imperfections and holding it up to the light, it glinted innocently for a weapon designed to kill and Adriana tore her attention away to see a stall that had assortments of baskets, pots, and cutlery that had been crafted skilfully. It was only when the smell of freshly baked bread danced along the breeze did her nose perk up and led her in the direction of a baker.
A young woman was placing a tantalising selection of rolls and loaves into a basket before handing the older woman behind the stall the correct money, Adriana stepped forward and inhaled deeply.
"Can I get you anything milady?" The older woman smiled warmly as she saw Adriana gazing longingly at her dough's and pastries.
Adriana did not immediately recognise that the woman was addressing her and looked surprised for a moment. "Me?" She asked and the woman nodded. "Oh I'm not a lady...and I'm afraid I have no money, if I did I would love to buy your food."
The younger woman was inquisitive. "What is your name if you pardon me asking?"
"My name is Adriana." She smiled.
"I am Guinevere, however everyone calls me Gwen...if you need money then I'm sure you could find work at the castle." The younger woman replied.
Adriana smiled appreciatively. "Thank you for your offer, but I'm afraid my stay will be but a short one for I am merely visiting an old friend. He too works at the castle, do you know of him? Gaius... he is the court physician?"
Gwen smiled openly. "Of course, he is a close friend also. I am on my way back to the castle now if you would like me to take you to him?"
It was at this statement that Adriana was reminded of her royal escort. "Oh...thank you, however I think I am obliged to find my previous guide. I was travelling with Merlin and Prince Arthur."
"Oh, no problem at all, should you need any help in the future I will be in the castle. Goodbye Adriana." She smiled and waved as she left and Adriana turned to head back in the direction she had came when she found herself being abruptly stopped by a solid object.
She had wheeled herself round and walked headlong into the chest of the crown prince himself; stumbling backwards she tripped on the hem of her cloak and lost her footing on the icy ground. She had already braced herself for the wet landing in the snow, but before she hit the ground a pair of strong hands shot out and grabbed her forearms to stop her falling. Adriana saw Arthur had a smirk on his face as he pulled her upright with tremendous ease; however his boyish grin masked obvious annoyance and embarrassment at being left to walk alone.
"Now I don't know how you do things in your home village of...the forest. But here, when you are invited to accompany the crown prince, you do not generally tend to walk off leaving him talking to himself." He raised an eyebrow as he looked down upon her, realising he still had hold of her arms. He quickly released her looking sheepish.
"And why not exactly...I did not embarrass you did I?" She mimicked his actions and raised a delicate eyebrow in question.
Arthur scoffed. "Of course not...you just clearly have no knowledge of common courtesy."
Adriana's jaw fell. "Oh and I suppose you – a royal fool – does?"
The prince staggered slightly. "And clearly you have no respect for royalty either."
"When said royal has earned my respect, then he shall have it..." Adriana smirked. "...Sire."
Arthur made a motion as if he were about to speak but decided against it, he merely looked her up and down before shaking his head. "I will take you to Gaius myself. Come on."
"Thank you...Sire." Adriana smiled graciously.
"Seeing as you use that word with such disdain you might just as well call me Arthur." Arthur replied as they walked towards the main courtyard once more.
Adriana glanced sideways at him with a delicate smile which was more accepting and nodded in response to show her understanding. "Well come on then...take me on this scenic tour of Camelot." She burst into a vibrant smile as she indicated for him to lead the way.
Arthur looked at the woman stood before him...never had he met someone so beautiful, boisterous, and charming but stubborn...all rolled into one package.
