Arthur
I am the king of Camelot; people across five kingdoms have knowledge of my skills as a warrior. Yet, I have been brought to my knees by Guinevere after our wedding night. My own sister forbade me from speaking with my wife! I am not allowed to speak with my wife in my own castle. I am not allowed to see my wife; she's sleeping. She's been asleep for the last two days? I doubt Morgana's truthfulness regarding Guinevere's sleep, but Morgana does provide loving care to my wife. Morgana's loving care presents a new challenging problem. Morgana desperately desires a child. Merlin desires to make Morgana his wife; yet, she refuses to marry him, to be control by any man. Her words. Merlin denies Morgana's heart wish. I attempt to remain neutral in their spats. Morgana cannot substitute my young wife for her child. Guinevere cannot be a wife with Morgana's babying. How do I approach such a sensitive subject? Edwin leaves in a few days to be replaced by Morgana as Guinevere's caretaker, no. I will see Guinevere. Morgana doesn't know every entrance and hiding spot in our home.
A stray curls hangs across Guinevere's forehead; tenderly, I stroke her cheekbones. I watch her eyelids flutter slightly like she is attempting to wake from her deep slumber. She remains a sleeping beauty. My lips tenderly brush across her mouth. Carefully, I slipped back into a secret passage. Morgana is delusional more than usual, if she thinks she can keep me from my wife. What am I thinking? A goblet of wine will calm my mind.
X~X
A goblet of wine did not bring me any type of relief. She haunts my thoughts. I can her hear laughter, sweet voice, and delightful moans of pleasure. The feel of her skin lingered on my hands. Those wide brown trusting eyes containing so many emotions: desire, happiness, mischief, and joy. Like a fool, I am allowing her to break down my walls. How did this happen?
I went to her kingdom; alas, the destruction of the Pendragon Dynasty. She swam in a lake. I was on horseback; travelling to meet my child bride after she refused my marriage proposal. Wait, I knew her until I refused to meet with her two or three years ago. It started simply…
King Elyan's land is dreadfully hot; I cast my eyes in Morgana's direction as she viewed me with smug eyes. She suggested that we travel in lighter clothing. Her eyebrows arched in satisfaction.
"Arthur," Morgana called. "Could you imagine wearing a cape and chainmail?"
Of course, she delights in my discomfort. I don't argue back; Morgana needs to feel in control. I love my sister. I'll never forgive myself for her suffering.
"Look Morgana, I see a crow with a small smirk. You were right."
Morgana blew me a kiss," I love to hear those words from your lips."
Gwaine tossed his long brown hair," I could use a kiss. It's been days without entertainment and cider."
"Not everything is about pleasure, Gwaine," I scolded.
"Well, I can spend a few days finding the answer to my question," Gwaine laughed.
Pleasure is not one of my typical pursuits. I enjoy celebrating a victory with my men during a feast. A night in the tavern with my knights, occasionally. Sophia provided me with sexual pleasure; she fulfills a need in my life. It's not emotional, just physical. My father attempted to destroy a group of people over my mother's death. I will not allow any woman to drive me to the brink of madness, due to my heart.
I hear a strange sound. I raised a hand to indicate that everyone should stop and remain silent. I heard something resembling a giggle or bird song. Cautiously, I dismounted my horse; I don't look over my shoulder; my knights follow me. We pushed through a thicket of bushes. I saw red.
King Eylan sat on a grassy plain near a glistening blue lake. Edwin, the tutor, wore a white tunic with short black pants as he laughed at my future wife. I don't know what quite to say. Guinevere swung back and forth over the lake. Her long dark curly hair around her face. She dressed in some sort of yellow dress, but her soft belly is revealed. Her smile stuns me. She appears young and carefree.
"What is going on," I remarked loudly.
Eylan jumps at the sound of my voice; Guinevere stops in mid-swing to glare at me. How dare she? Edwin lifts his hand in greeting with a wide smile; he sent a direct look to Eylan. The young king rushed over to greet me with an outstretched hand.
"Welcome to my kingdom, Arthur Pendragon. You're early. We expected you tomorrow; we decided to have a swimming day to cool us off. Come, we need to change and you will require a rest before our feast on tomorrow night."
I clasped his hands; Eylan has honest and trusting eyes. His grip is strong for a scholar. "Eylan, I look forward to restoring ties with your kingdom. A marriage between our families will ensure years of peace."
"You might want to talk with me, Arthur Pendragon," Guinevere yelled sweetly.
Eylan turned to speak with his sister," Come out of the lake, Gwen."
The little imp grinned before she jumped from her swing into a deep lake of water. I resisted a strange urge to rescue her. I did that once, and firmly placed myself in this mess. Guinevere emerged with droplets of water racing down her firm small body. The water made her revealing clothing cling tighter. I didn't have a cloak. She walked towards us with a frown. I looked over my shoulders, "Close your eyes," I demanded. "She is your future queen. You will not view her for your entertainment. My nose scrunched and lips twisted in fury. I whipped my head around," Gwaine, close your eyes," I ordered.
"They follow you," Guinevere questioned. "You are still rude."
My mind relaxed," You're still immature. I would prefer to meet at your castle."
She rolled her eyes in disgust before she hurried off to her castle. My eyes roamed over her departing form. She had grown beautiful. Last traces of baby fat started to fade from her body. Something hot was in my blood. A new emotion that didn't I like or want in my mind. I heard twigs breaking behind me.
"Morgana," I inquired. "What do you want?"
"It's called jealousy, Brother."
"Quiet, why are you here?"
X~X
It seemed like an eternity later; we finally met to discuss terms of my marriage to Guinevere. I don't like Edwin. I don't like his age. I don't like his looks. I hate his height. I loathe his influence over Eylan and Guinevere.
"Guinevere will join us shortly," Edwin advised. Hopefully, we can come to an agreement regarding the marriage proposal.
I leaned back in my chair," Edwin, a marriage between our kingdoms is a treaty. King Thomas and Prince Helios declared war on his friends. He aligned himself with our mortal enemy. His war left fields soaked in blood, blood of good men. His war depleted families. The marriages are a condition of peace; our original thought was to have Elyan's head on a spear. A martial order imposed in the lands."
"Arthur, I don't mean to offend, Eylan is still learning his duties."
King Eylan allowed a hiss to escape his mouth when I mentioned his head on a spear. His eyes were as large as a full moon. Remorse filled my body; these people seemed to think this a game. I opened my mouth to apologize when a knight opened the Council room's door. Her mouth was a line as her eyes held a mischievous gleam.
She wore a traditional dress of her land. A garment with long black sleeves, dark rose mid-section with white flowers embroidered across her garment; she walked like a regal queen. She appeared to wear wicker shoes. Her dark curly hair was twisted into a long ponytail across her right shoulder. She was breathtaking. I rose from my chair to greet my future wife. I would do everything in my power to marry her. What am I thinking? Anything in my power? No, I am the king. It's lust, not it's not lust. I know lust. This is different. I want to take care of her.
"Princess Guinevere," I whispered as I brushed my lips across the back of her outstretched hand. She smelled of lavender. I did enjoy when she snatched her hand back; her eyes filled with confusion.
"King Arthur, it was lovely of you to make a journey to my home," Guinevere responded softly.
Her line was rehearsed; I saw her paused to think about her practice words. I offered her my bent arm. A tiny hand slip to rest on my forearm. I lead her to her seat between her brother and the tutor.
I think Edwin kicked Eylan to start the meeting, "We agree to marry our prospective mates. I attempted to send Princess Morgause a list of rules-she returned them shredded and covered in manure. We will have a rule less marriage. However, my sister, Princess Guinevere desire to live more peacefully in Camelot. She has written a set of rules for King Arthur.
I almost took a sip of wine; Eylan would have caused me to choke on his words. She has rules for me? My future darling wife grinned at me across the table.
"What rules," I inquired.
Guinevere placed a hand on her brother's arm," Lady Sophia needs to relocate to another kingdom. If you desire me in our marital bed nightly, you will not require a mistress. I refuse to live in Camelot with another woman influencing my husband and king."
Wait, she plans to influence me? I barely listened to my own mother. I do heed Morgana's advice-occasionally. I never listen to a word that is uttered from Sophia's lips. I don't go to her chamber for talking. I go for release. She can have this rule.
"Lady Sophia will leave Camelot before I return." I turned my head to stare at Merlin, "Please send a messenger bird to arrange for Lady Sophia's departure."
"Next rule," I asked curiously.
"I would like a seat on your council."
"You're too young; you have to wait until your twenty-five."
"You were on the Council as a child,' she protested.
"I was heir to the throne."
"I protest."
"You can't change Camelot's laws. A seat will be ready in 7 years."
She actually made little fists like she was going to pound on the table. "Camelot's previous rulers realized people were impassioned in youth."
"I will wait seven years," Gwen mumbled.
"Next rule," I asked.
"You aren't allowed to yell at me. You aren't allowed to beat me."
"I saved your life when you were a child. I defied my father to save you. I would never physically harm you. I would never yell at my wife," I said tightly. "Don't insult me."
She turned to stare at Edwin. I don't like her looking to him for guidance.
"Guinevere, "I whispered softly. " Darling, I need you to focus on me. Tell me what you need from me. Edwin cannot help you. Look at me."
Guinevere lowered her head; her fingers pressed into the table. "I am sorry. Don't be mad."
"I'm not mad. What's your next rule?"
"You can't force yourself on me."
"Please remember my last response. Next rule?"
"You will actively parent our children, you will play with them. You will hold them. We will not leave our children to be raised by nurses."
"Agreed. Next rule?"
"Arthur," Gwen probed. "Why did you just pale?"
I wiped my brow," Uther wasn't a good father to his children. We suffered from his neglect."
She nodded in understanding. "I am sorry."
"It formed my opinions of the world. Next rule?"
"My next questions is about your rule about sharing your bed? Am I to share your bed during my monthly flows?"
Arthur paled again, "We will share a bed; we will not have relations."
"I understand."
I flicked my eyes around the room; which had gone remarkably silent. Morgana wore her… I ate someone's bird look. Eylan looked nervous. The tutor's gaze rested on Morgana. Please do not try to test Merlin's patience. Merlin sat processing every word. Leon, Percy, Lancelot and Gwaine looked bored.
"Arthur?"
I did like she dropped king in front of my name. Arthur sounds lovely on her lips.
"Yes?"
"Am I not allowed to speak with you public due to my age?"
"Yes, Camelot believes youth is dangerous. I had a struggle to rule my kingdom until I took control. I showed them youth benefited Camelot… their ancient ways would not change my views on ruling my kingdom. I am unable to change everything at once. Over time, I revise laws. In time, the ancient rules will be eased."
"You could change them."
"With your private influence, I might. We can talk in our chambers."
"I am tired from the sun; Arthur," I require a rest before the feast tomorrow. Until then."
"Guinevere, can we meet for lunch?
"Alone?"
"A picnic in your beautiful gardens in public view?"
"As you wish, Arthur."
I watched her leave the Council Room.
King Arthur," Eylan. "She's fragile. She's funny, charming, smart, and I love her greatly. Her time with Henigist did horrible damage to my sister. We believe that he actual hit her; She refuses to speak of her time with him. Edwin healed scars on her arms. He was a monster to my sister. She can't live with yelling.
"I will never harm her."
What has she done to me in a few hours? I want to protect her. What is going on here?
"Merlin, you will continue her studies," Edwin inquired. "She needs a nap at a certain time of the day. She tires easily."
I will ensure the health and well-being of my wife," I spat in return. "Merlin knows that he is required to complete her studies. Any other questions?"
"I like your jealousy, Arthur. It means that you will take care of her," Edwin challenged me.
I do not like the Tutor. I am not jealous of him. I want him away from Guinevere.