"No." Uther said in his cold voice, "We don't have enough knights to fuel a foreign war we have nothing to do with us."
"They haven't asked for us to get involved, Father. All they are asking for is a place to rest, food to eat and medical attention."
"And soon they'll be asking for our help against their enemies"
"Father," Arthur started trying to control the tone and base in his voice, "They are a Queen and Princess, who were being hunted by animals that were conjured into being by magic, aren't we honor bound to help them?" Arthur used what he hoped was the clincher. His father hated anything to do with magic or suspected magic. A Hate that seemed to consume him at times and allowed it to blind him. Arthur just hoped that his hatred of magical beasts would blind him now. Uther sighed to himself and closed his eyes before asking, "Where is this foreign Queen and Princess?" "Gailynn is outside but the Princess Gwenivere, is with Guis."
"What is wrong with her?"
"We don't know." He shook his head and shrugged, "She's been unconscious since we found her."
Uther motioned for a knight and Sir Leon to approach the throne. Arthur could only watch and hope as their voices were too low to discern any words. "Yes, Sire'." They nodded and walked back to the door and opened it to two knights who escorted Gailynn into the throne room.
When Uther saw her he couldn't believe his eyes she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her long, red, curls bounced around her waist as she made her way down beside Arthur.
"Your Majesty." She said as she knelt and bowed her head, "You don't have to bow to me."
"Yes I do. I am in your kingdom." Her voice was like the tinkling of bells. It was hard for him to think of her as a queen.
"What has brought you so far from your land?" It was an innocent question enough but he really just wanted to hear her speak.
"My daughter, Gwenivere, and I are the last of the royal family. The wolves chasing us are called Lycanthropes."
Uther starred at her with a confused look on his face.
"They are men who can shapeshift into wolves." She explained, "Lycanthropes are wickedly strong and fast, they seem to read each other's minds, and they use different howls to organize their attacks." "If I hadn't have ran into your son, She lightly grazed Arthur's shoulder, "when I did,Gwenivere and I would be dead and my kingdom would be in the hands of the alpha-lycan, a fiercesome man named Lucian, Please Sire'," She began to plead with him, "all that I ask is bed; a little food; and help for my daughter."
"What ever you need."
With a small smile and nod Gailynn bowed her head once more, "Thank you, Sire'. If-If it's okay with you I would like to be by Gwenivere's side."
"Of course, Arthur, escort the Queen back to her daughter."
"Guis has there been any change?"
"Sadly no, I have tried everything to bring her around but still she sleeps."
"Keep trying."
"It may be a simple case of waiting it out."
"It's possible." Gailynn said, "We've been running for two days now with very little rest." She reached down and brushed hair from Gwenivere's face, "She may just need to rest." She turned her eyes to Arthur, "Thank you for what you have done." She smiled. "You don't have to thank us. I couldn't just leave you two out there."
"Either way. Thank you from both of us."
Arthur smiled as he looked down at the sleeping princess, it was easy to see the close resemblance to her mother, her long, red, curls were wildly stune across the pillow and her lashes sat blackened against her opaque cheeks. He wanted those eyes to open or to give some sign of life but she remained still.
"If you need anything."
Gailynn smiled and said, "You've never told me you name."
He smiled, "It's Arthur."
"Arthur. I now have a name when I tell her about the Prince who saved us." She said and turned back to Gwenivere's cot.
Later that night, Arthur couldn't sleep and when he tried he dremt about the Princesse, "Arthur...Arthur Her voice echoed through the wind as her long, red, curls snaked around her bright, green, eyes which were open and smiling at him.
