Love Woven Through Two Territories
Rating: T, may change
Author's Note: Thank you so much for all the gentle reminders to update this. While I was working on 'Chambers' it was hard to get to this, but now that I have again, it's so much fun to write. I hope you enjoy the update and will do my best to update again quickly. Thanks again!
Part Four: Sapid Heat of Life Kisses Goodbye Charade
TTT
The next morning when Gwen woke the bed was empty. However, there was a note upon the chair nearby. She stretched her arms upwards, a tad sore after her sleep upon the floor.
Her muscles then less taut, she unrolled the note and read it.
Guinevere,
I left early for a ride. I should be back by afternoon. If you require anything, Merlin stayed behind.
I wish you would have slept upon the bed. The floor really does have too much of a chill for the body. I don't want you to be ill.
Heed my words about Agravaine. He's not to be trusted.
Your Husband,
Arthur
Gwen laid the note back upon the chair, letting out a heavy sigh. Of course there was no 'loving husband', but then even 'your husband' sounded false. There was nothing loving about their relationship, except for maybe his gentle issues of 'thank you' when she stoked the fire for him. He received no such favor last night, as his behavior left him quite undeserving.
Sighing, Gwen stood. Her husband up first was rare, but then maybe he was meeting with his mistress. Well she had plenty to do with her day.
Gwen called for Mary so she could start it.
TTT
It was remarkably surprising to Arthur, how he was able to find the place without much issue. After all, it had been quite some time since his last visit. Not even his mother's insistent requests had worked.
The death five years in the past, it would seem ample enough for most people to have dealt with it and moved on. Perhaps it was how it all happened though that left Arthur with a vivid ugly picture that never fully retreated from his mind.
That day, four men, knights of Camelot, carried his father to the physician's table as cautiously as they could. His wounds were grave, one upon the head, the deepest one near his heart. They left him splattered with blood that Arthur still felt sick from when he thought too deeply of.
Survival lasted no more than a few moments, even with the physician and those attending to him working feverishly to keep his father breathing. It was too late. It was too grim. There was only enough time for a few last words, ones of sage advice that Arthur wished contained more.
"Be brave Arthur. Do what is right. I love y-
And that was it. His father often found little ease with words of affection. That was usually left to Arthur's mother, but when death knocked, Uther Pendragon attempted it at least, telling his son that he loved him.
His heart just stopped beating before the sentence could be completed.
It hurt then, the feel of that shaking, dying hand, and it hurt now, to have a grave to visit, a slab, no matter how fancy it may be, instead of the man.
"Be brave…do what is right…"
For all these years, Arthur had buried the words, giving into indulgence to not have to face his own horrid battle someday, to not have the memory of his father's bleeding, to not face what destiny expected and required of him.
It wasn't working anymore though. His conscience kept nagging him since marrying her. For some reason, his wife's questions about his father, her interest, and her disapproval of his ways made his father's memory so vital again.
He should have known his mother would be wise in her pickings. Guinevere was not the kind of woman you could just ignore or act cavalierly about making angry or upset. She had the upbringings of finest royalty and she was keen of mind. Even when silent, she had a way of putting him in his place. Although that bothered him quite a bit, it was also something he couldn't help but respect.
Guinevere never knew his father, but she was wise enough to surmise that his father hadn't had liaisons on the side while married to his mother. Arthur never saw sign of it and never heard complaint of it from his mother. They were in love and committed. The balance between them of strength, intellect, kindness, and courage, built Camelot into a kingdom of considerable power and prestige.
Much of that was under threat now though. Arthur noticed its wear upon his mother privately in the morning when she didn't realize she was being watched as she stepped out of the council chambers for a short moment of rest. He felt his first true concern about it when Guinevere feared for Tirmaiur. Usually a picture of calm, her upset struck him.
The latest kingdom on the list was Chenary. Bayard was likely at its weakened border now. Kingdom after kingdom, Bayard was stomping upon them, they like bugs underneath an Ogre's massive foot. Once powerful, once noteworthy, they succumbed to his forces as if they were nothing more than tiny ants.
Now some of them had not ever been the most stalwart, but those most recently taken were kingdoms whose demise seemed far premature.
Plus there was the fact of Bayard himself. Although a man of muscle and raging mouth, he wasn't the most sage of rulers. Thus, it was baffling, how he was achieving all this.
Arthur let out an extensive groan, kneeling at his father's tombstone. "Why do I care so much?"
He asked, a silly part of him hoping for an answer. No vocal one came, but his mind showed its reluctant astuteness. "Because you used to. Because Mother does. Because it is my duty to…"
His father told him to be brave, to do what was right. How he was acting now though, Uther Pendragon would view as laziness and cowardice.
"The same way Guinevere sees it." Arthur muttered, recalling his wife's words the previous night, that he was closing himself off, that he was afraid to live. That he was selfish, shameful.
Although he had never coveted marriage, it could be frightfully worse. She could be an unappealing and uncouth woman. She was nothing of this. Guinevere instead had distinct beauty and already was familiar with kingdom. She was a woman of integrity, the kind his father married.
"Now where's my integrity?" Arthur questioned with reluctant honesty. So much of him loathed it, being shown his conscience in all its nakedness again, but it was there now in front of his blue eyes, and what he saw he didn't like much. He had no intention of giving up all his perks he indulged in before Guinevere.
However, there was one activity he started believing fully just last night, when she refused to sleep upon the bed with him, he needed for more than one soul's sake, to end.
"Right Father? Time I do what is right."
He lifted back up to his feet, fingers grazing over the stone for a moment with lingering, before he walked away.
It was time to stop cowering away from it, time to honor his father's memory and meet his own fate.
TTT
Gwen knew what she was doing was wrong and that it could land her into a heap of trouble, but it was for the better good. That was her defense, not that sleuthing also kept her mind off her less than amorous husband.
Well, perhaps he was amorous, but not with her. And really that was fine.
Gwen did not consider herself some romantic fool. She entered this marriage for purpose of kingdom, for love for her father. It had nothing to do with imagining lasting happiness.
However, she did expect a husband who, if not faithful, at least would show veracity. Arthur instead was a man of secrets and cowardice. He regarded his duty in ways that she thought were insulting to kingdom.
It was awful because she knew that there was more to him; it annoyed her that it mattered.
Ah, perhaps she should get off her high horse. After all, she was intruding upon a man's private chambers.
Dressed now in a frock of off white with golden accent, another present from the queen, Gwen perused the furniture. The dressing table near the bed had a variety of objects. She stepped closer to inspect them in better detail.
There didn't seem to be any more vials like the one held in her pocket, just other daily necessities like a wide eyed comb and cloths for washing face and hands. It was all quite immaculate and orderly, unlike how Arthur kept his things. They would be forever disorganized if Merlin didn't help him.
Strangely enough though there was a blue tunic in the middle of a table, just lying there as if it might be covering something. At least that's what her sleuthing eyes told her.
Gwen scanned the room's entrance, seeing no one there, and made her way to the small round table with the tunic upon it. She started to lift it, glancing upon a spark of golden shine that-
"I know who tends to Lord Agravaine's room, and you're not him, so what do you think you're doing in here?"
Turning around quickly, jarred by the voice, she nearly lost her footing. It took a rapid grasp of the table for her to keep her balance as she simultaneously with her other hand dropped the tunic back to cover the barely glimpsed golden object.
"Oh. Lady Guinevere. Sorry. I didn't know it was-
Pressing her hand against her breast, getting her equilibrium back, Gwen shook her head with disapproval at Arthur's tall, lanky, dark haired servant, dressed in worn, but bright clothing. "Merlin…I thought we were friends."
With awkwardness he bit down upon his lip. "We are, but well…what ARE you doing?"
Gwen nodded, making her way over quickly. "You're right. This looks terrible. Really, I can explain. Just probably best we get out of here before-
"It had to be stolen from my chambers."
"Agravaine…"
Merlin and Gwen exchanged anxious looks. It was the voices of Agravaine and his sister, and they were nearing quickly.
There was a locked closet at the back of the room. Merlin scanned for the key, but with no time, made a decision to do things the faster way.
Merlin's eyes flashed with fire-gold before they returned to their natural blue, and the door popped open. Gwen gasped in astonishment. "Merlin, you have-
He grabbed her arm anxiously. "Gwen, come on."
Smartly shushing up, she nodded her head. They stepped into the closet to hide, keeping it open just a crack for the purpose of breathing. They made it just in time; Ygraine and Agravaine entered the room a few seconds after. Her look was tired. His was angry.
"Maybe you just dropped it somewhere. I'll have the physician make you up a new one. Things of my own have been disappearing sometimes too."
"See! There is a thief in this castle!"
Ygraine shook her head. "I'm as bad as Arthur when it comes to organization of small things. You and I are siblings. Must run in the family."
Agravaine gestured around to his immaculate room. "Look at this…does it appear as if I misplace things? No. There is a thief in this castle."
Ygraine let out a heavy sigh. She had no time for this really with all the kingdom drama. Word had been sent just yesterday that Bayard broke through Chenary's borders. With how messy Bayard was about things, she imagined there was much bloodshed, death and injury. The gravest concern was who was helping him because there was no way he could conquer so rapidly five kingdoms on his own.
It got worse.
Isgard had been giving Chenary aid, but when Bayard was just a few miles from the border they fled to protect their own vulnerable kingdom. They also opened their mouths, starting up a nasty rumor, blaming Camelot for Bayard's success, implying they had someone within that was helping him. It was of course completely false, but creating unneeded strife.
Ygraine was working feverishly into the late night hours, with discussion and negotiation, to get all the kingdoms to hold within the alliance, to cease the spread of rumors that would only benefit Bayard.
She reiterated tiredly, as sleep was something she hadn't been getting much of. "There is no thief."
"I'm telling you, there is."
Ygraine fisted her hands at her deep blue dress. "Alright Agravaine, and who are you accusing of thievery, one of the servants? I am telling you that there is no way that-
"Her. I'm accusing her."
"Who?"
"The girl you brought here to be with your son."
Within the closet Gwen let out a tiny shudder. Merlin stared at her for a second before gesturing for her to hold it in. They could still be found.
Ygraine simply laughed, regarding her brother as if he had gone insane. "Oh Agravaine, you can't be serious! Guinevere? She would not steal from you or anyone else!" Her small pale hands fisted at her waist. "Guinevere is part of this family now, not some stranger."
Agravaine was insistent though, a sneer of disdain forming at his lip. "She was wandering in the middle of the night in the halls just this past evening, acting quite suspicious-
Ygraine cut through rapidly. "And what were you doing in the halls big brother? Spying on a young woman?"
"I was doing no such thing Ygraine! You're twisting my words!"
"Then don't make blind accusations." Ygraine told him firmly, giving that shocking display of assertiveness when those who dared to go against her thought she was nothing more than like her skin's paleness. Weak. Without quarrel.
Oh she had plenty of tenacity when needed. It was something her late husband learned about her with intrigue when they first met. "I will make sure the physician has a new vial for you within a few hours, but you will not offend Arthur's wife again."
"How much do you even know of this girl?" Agravaine was not backing down.
Neither was Ygraine. "I know enough of her parents, friends to Uther and I for years. Her father still as he lives on. I was able to spend quite a bit of time with Guinevere too when visiting Tirmaiur earlier this year. I know more than enough. For you to accuse her of being a common thief is disgraceful and will not be tolerated. I don't want to hear another word of it Agravaine. Understood?"
He bit his tongue, but with a look of fury.
Sighing, Ygraine reached out to touch her elder brother's arm. "I probably don't say it enough. I am so thankful for you coming to live here. I know Arthur does not make it easy, but I am grateful for your presence and your counsel when I ask for it. Sometimes you and I do not see eye to eye Agravaine, but after the loss of Uther I needed more family around me. I needed to have my brother here."
His expression actually softened as he returned the favor, pressing his hand against hers, his words not all that supportive nevertheless. "I think you sometimes make mistakes with how you run this kingdom, as I have told you before, and you have not listened to me those times. I think Arthur should be better disciplined. I think you are too trusting."
Ygraine let out an exasperated sigh. She knew they'd never fully agree, but still it was just another irritation she didn't need. Arthur hated having Agravaine in Camelot. With how Agravaine viewed him quite unfavorably at times too, there was little question why.
Ygraine had a different belief though than her son. Agravaine could be of great benefit to Camelot in the future. She hoped someday when most essential, Arthur would see that, and use it to his and Camelot's advantage.
She teased her brother with a bit of veracity now. "Well you can be entirely greedy. You know of what I speak."
"Ygraine-
"I have to go back to the council. This problem is still not stumped enough. If you will see to the kingdom matters…"
"Of course." He gave a slight bow.
Ygraine smiled at him wryly. "Alright. Thank you."
She left the room. After she did Agravaine realized she had done little to solve his thieving problem. Just like Ygraine, getting his mind to something else. Well she should know he was as canny as a watchful raven, and that he wasn't letting Arthur's new little bride off the hook just yet. She may be an enticing little thing, quite curvaceous, but she also seemed a troublemaker, one he would squash if need be.
For now…he had some fellows to meet with. Important matters.
…
Both Merlin and Gwen let out sighs of relief as finally Agravaine left the room too. Then stepping out, they glanced at each other curiously.
Merlin asked, "Did he really just accuse you of stealing?"
Gwen's eyebrows furrowed. "He did. And yet…"
"Gwen?" Merlin questioned.
She brought it out of her pocket. "It's his vial."
Merlin's eyes widened. "What?"
She continued on in a rush. "Merlin, I saw him with it, departing the queen's chambers. I swear I did, last night."
"Have you told Arthur about this?"
Gwen shook her head with a grimace. "No. He knows I had a vial, but he doesn't know it's Agravaine's." Gwen went on rapidly. "Oh Merlin, Arthur is too busy with his own things to care. His awful indulgences. But there's more. He hates Agravaine with a passion. If I tell him about this and I'm wrong—
Merlin smiled uneasily. "Gwen, what do you think is going on here?"
She moved in closer to Merlin, wanting to make sure no one else heard. "Ygraine has been ill. Do you think it's possible…"
To that Merlin gasped. "Are you accusing Agravaine of poisoning his own sister?"
Gwen shook her head. "I don't know. He seems so underhanded. Arthur doesn't trust him. Ygraine even seems to have some qualms about him."
"Yeah, but at least she also has it under hand. Their conversation there, Ygraine didn't sound all that weak."
Gwen smiled with relief to that fact. "Agreed, but still…Agravaine was so keen to get back this vial. Why? If it was some simple sleeping draught, okay, but what if it's more?"
"And how do you plan to find that out?" Merlin asked. "Going to the physician?"
There was no way she could do that. Gwen knew. "Of course not. The physician would then just accuse me of stealing. After all, if he made up the vial, he knows its purpose and he knows who it's for. I need someone who would understand the chemistry of it, but it can't be the physician. I need…"
She stared at him now, recalling it. "Merlin, you have magic?"
He bounced from one foot to another awkwardly. "Been wondering when you would remember that."
"Arthur doesn't know?"
He shook his head firmly. "No. And he can't."
"Why? There is no ban here against it. Most see it as trivial. Magic has no real power, not like it used to."
It was an assumption Merlin didn't like, but had grown accustomed to hearing. "Well, yeah, if you don't have magic you might think that. It's actually more Gwen. But anyway, Arthur not knowing about me is not so sinister as it sounds. The queen simply wanted someone who would keep her son guessing, and yet impress him the same. He's rejected every servant for years now. I needed a job. She offered. She's known my father since childhood. He passed on two years ago, but he taught me all he knew and well…some of it…"
"Some of it…what?" Gwen asked.
"Doesn't matter. What does is now with me as Arthur's servant, I can secretly get things done faster than ever, and keep him baffled by it. Plus keep him in order. Arthur hasn't tried to fire me once. I'm too good at my job."
Gwen started to laugh now as it was all true. Recalling some of Arthur's wild bantering about Merlin, the whole thing was very amusing. Ygraine had a good sense of humor, while also looking at the practical. Arthur needed a servant who he could not take the mickey out of, who would do his job awfully well, and now he had one.
So if Merlin was good at that…was it also possible…
"What about you? Merlin, do you understand chemistry? I've read volumes on magic and it says that most mages in the past knew it quite well. Do you?"
The vial was in her hand. She was holding it out to him. Letting out a sigh, Merlin grasped onto Gwen's arm. "Come on."
"What-where?" She asked with surprise.
His blue eyes viewed her sharply. "Somewhere that we can do it in private. Somewhere that you can get your answers."
"Oh." A little uncertain what that meant, but trusting of him, and of her own ability to get out of a tight situation, Gwen nodded, and let him lead her out.
After descending the mountain and coming to the borderline between Camelot and Ascetir, Arthur spotted one of his friends that he had spent time at the tavern with, Aldous, the Duke of Ascetir's son. He looked quite disgruntled.
"Aldous!" Arthur called out to him. A flaxen haired head looked up. Seeing his friend, Aldous stopped his horse.
"Arthur."
The prince rode in closer, grimacing. "You look like a bear on the prowl. What's nagging you?"
Aldous shook his head. "You heard about Chenary, right?"
Arthur gave a nod of graveness. "My mother's been in council for days now, almost nonstop."
"My father too, meeting in Camelot for half of it. Look Arthur, you know I don't care about this stuff much. Neither do you. But my father is saying that Isgard is starting up some trouble because they fear Bayard will be after them next. There are mutterings that Camelot is aiding him."
"Shut up." Arthur stated rapidly.
"Look, I'm not saying it!" Aldous hotly defended. "But there is one thing I've been wondering. What do you know about her?"
"Who?" Arthur asked.
"You know, that new wife of yours. What do you truly know about her?"
Arthur's eyes widened with shock before he laughed off the question. "Oh come on Aldous! My mother brought her to Camelot. Do you think she would bring in someone who would cause trouble? This has been going on for a while, long before Guinevere set foot in Camelot."
Aldous sighed. "I know. But Arthur, it is really looking like an inside job."
To that Arthur smirked tightly. "And how do we know that's not coming from Ascetir?"
"Don't go there." Aldous warned darkly.
Arthur came back with just as much flame. "Then don't suggest it's Camelot."
The other man faced him hard. "I didn't suggest it. I told you. It was Isgard who started it all up."
"Then stop listening to Isgard. If they want Camelot's protection they best not spread any more rumors."
Aldous laughed. "Are you threatening them? You can barely hold your drink Arthur."
The prince sneered, angered with his friend's accusations about the kingdom he had been born to. "Same with you, swaying back and forth each time we leave the tavern."
He took a breath, backing off some. "Look, we've been friends for years Aldous. Looking to ruin that now?"
"Of course not Arthur. This has everyone edgy though. How is Bayard doing this, don't you wonder?"
Arthur gave a ragged nod of his head, his hand rustling through his hair messily. "Of course I do, now that he's going to get Chenary too. Five kingdoms in less than a year's time."
"It's absurd."
"Right."
"He can't be doing it alone. It's inconceivable."
Arthur fisted his hand at the waist of his brown trousers, a leather black vest over it along with a dark brown tunic. "I do think he's getting help, but it's not from Camelot."
"Okay then. But I still have to wonder about your wife." Arthur's face tightened so Aldous went on with a frenzy of haste. "You come with us to the tavern all the time and when not there you're with Elaine. You probably hardly see her. Do you honestly know her that well, this woman from Tirmaiur?"
Arthur hated being challenged, especially by his friends, and when it concerned personal matters like who he was married to. Without thinking much, he just pushed, forcing Aldous against a nearby tree's trunk.
"Arthur-
He clenched Aldous's tunic within his fingers. "I already said that my wife has nothing to do with this. So that will be it."
It was in all literality dangerous for Guinevere to be accused of such heinous crimes. It could send madmen after her. Arthur didn't want his wife to have lies spread about her, especially ones that could threaten her life.
Aldous stared at him quietly for a moment, their faces in such near proximity, before asking, "You're getting to feel for her, aren't you?"
It was enough to lessen Arthur's fire. He dropped his hands from Aldous's tunic. "Don't say anything more about Guinevere, about any of this."
"Is that a warning?"
Arthur smirked grimly. "It's a promise."
That was enough revelation for Aldous. "You do have feelings for her, so what about Elaine?"
This conversation just tangled from one direction into another, and Arthur was growing irritated by it. "Elaine is my business."
"She's our friend."
Arthur let out a sigh, before giving a shrug. "Alright. I'm thinking to end things with Elaine."
"So you're committed to this marriage?"
Arthur just gave another shrug.
"Elaine's not going to be happy."
"I know. But it's better it end sooner than later."
"Yeah. Probably for the best. Like us growing up."
Arthur smiled at that. Was this what all this was? Both of them were finally rising to their fate and destiny?
Arthur thought of the rumor…thought of Agravaine. That was preposterous though, right? He could barely tolerate the man, but that didn't make him a traitor. Agravaine wasn't canny enough to be behind something as well orchestrated as all this.
Aldous was wrong. No one from Camelot would ever do something so treacherous. It had to be another of the kingdoms.
The two young men eyed each other warily for a moment. Bayard's conquerings were achieving more than he even first intended.
Ally against ally.
Friend against friend.
The possible future?
Perhaps. But for the moment, both let their aggression and doubts go.
"Good luck with Elaine."
Arthur nodded. "Thanks."
Each rode off in opposite directions, to their respective kingdoms.
…
From beyond, a mysterious shrouded figure watched, giving a satisfactory smile.
Everything was working quite well now.
Finally it would be done.
It would be had.
TTT
"Merlin…where are we going?" Gwen asked with exacerbation. Already they had passed far beyond the castle, subsequently entering the darkest part of the wood. It had to be upon horseback, the journey not a short one, weaving through trees, bushes, and barely marked paths of thick banks of dirt and forest debris. Now finally a slight opening appeared that led to a queerly sunken cave.
"Merlin?"
He stopped his horse and jumped off, coming to where she still sat. "It's here Gwen. Come on, I'll help you down."
He reached up for her waist, feeling her allow the assist as she came down from her horse. "A cave?"
"Yeah." He took her hand and led her inside. It was rustic on the outer surface, with moss growing around its edges. Within, it wasn't exactly a palace, but it definitely felt grander than it should.
"Illusion?" Gwen asked with wide eyes.
Merlin shrugged. "No. Well not really. It just appears one way when you're out of it. It's when you're within you see all the potential. Come on, it's a few rooms down."
What is? Gwen thought as they passed from the entrance to the kitchen. The walls were rock and moss, the furniture rustic, and yet it had a distinctiveness of the marvelous too. It had little charming flairs to the edges that resembled pictures of furniture in the mage books she studied. "You are full of secrets, aren't you Merlin?"
He didn't respond, just finished leading her to the appropriate room. Inside were multitudes of shelves climbing to the strangely, suddenly, tall ceiling. Upon each were vials, jars, and other types of containers of colored liquids.
"Oh my…" Gwen spun around slowly, taking all the oddness in. Coming to a stop she noticed a beautiful statue at the far end of the room, sitting upon a work table. "Is that…"
He smiled curiously. "Yes."
"But I thought they were all extinct." She traced it with her fingers, feeling the intricate moldings, seeing the jeweled eyes.
"It's just a statue Gwen."
"Right." She let out, whispering. "Are you a maker of potions then, or what?"
"Not really." He took the vial now as she gave it to him. "Whatever I learned, I learned from my father. He was one of the great mages. He knew Arthur's mother."
Merlin gestured forward and so Gwen sat down upon a chair now, noticing its labyrinthine wood design. "They were friends?"
"Yes. All four of them really. My mother. His mother. All of that, but it was years ago. Arthur never really knew much about the friendship. Neither did I. My parents went to distant lands for a while and then when I was older, after my mother passed on, my father came back here. That was after Arthur and I both were much older in age. Just a few years ago actually."
He opened the vial and deposited the contents into a small jar, noticing how Gwen flinched.
"It's alright. I won't tamper with it in any way."
She nodded. "I trust you."
Merlin smiled at that and continued his story while setting his mind to understand the contents of the vial, using a tool here and there of magic and chemistry. "Anyway, my father didn't associate much with other people after my mother's death. He was a quiet man to begin with, Balinor his name. And so we came here to this remote cave. The queen would come to visit."
Gwen stated curiously as she watched Merlin examining the vial's contents with a trained eye. "I'm guessing she didn't bring Arthur."
Merlin shook his head, keeping his eyes on the vial's contents. "No, she didn't. I'm not sure why. It was just recently, right before you two were married, that she asked me to live within the castle, hide my magic. Although I wasn't always around when my father was still alive, I'm certain she never brought Arthur here."
"Why weren't you always around?" Gwen asked as Merlin's words had mysterious air to them.
"Oh…just…other things. Other places I needed to be."
She got ready to ask more, but he told her before she could. "Well that's it. I know what's in the vial now."
"You do?" Gwen asked excitedly, jumping off the chair.
"Yeah." He smiled fractionally. "But I don't think it's going to be that illuminating."
"What do you mean?"
Merlin shifted uncomfortably, before blurting it out. "It's to help him perform better."
She wrinkled her nose with confusion. "On stage? He's an actor?"
"Gwen." Merlin shook his head, his eyes focusing hard on her with meaning. "Perform…privately."
"Oh my." She clapped her hand over her mouth. "In the bedroom?"
"Yeah..or wherever he…well anyway, it's not for a woman. It's for a man."
"Oh…wow." Gwen let out a long sigh. "No wonder he was so keen to get it back. And that must have been why he was out of his room in the middle of the night. But…I saw him coming from the queen's chambers."
Merlin shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe you were mistaken or that was about something else. Ygraine doesn't even think anyone's stealing from her. It's Agravaine who wanted to accuse you because he probably wanted to stir up trouble and…"
Gwen finished for him. "And was angry at me for taking his performance enhancement. Oh dear. Now I have to get it back to him without him finding out."
Merlin shook his head. "Leave that to me. If Agravaine finds you that won't boast well. He would get angry and if Arthur discovered you both like that, he wouldn't be happy either."
Gwen shrugged off Merlin's concern. "I doubt Arthur would care much."
She started to walk away, but Merlin got hold of her arm, his eyes firm in belief. "Then you don't know him well enough Gwen."
She frowned as he went on.
"Arthur was really upset this morning about what happened with you and Agravaine last night."
"He told you?"
"Yes, sort of. He didn't mention the vial, just your inopportune meeting in the hall. Arthur has a habit of ranting when something upsets him. He kept talking about it more than he probably wanted to. And so I replied at all the right places and got him to talk more. Look I know that he's still with that…woman…and I've told him that it's wrong."
Gwen shook her head with indifference. "It doesn't matter Merlin. I don't care about Arthur."
"You don't?" He asked her pointedly as he let go of her arm now.
"No." She answered quickly. "well…I do care about him. But if he wants to be a coward and a lecherous fool then…let him. Be that."
Even though she tried to hide it her anger was solid. Oh Gwen was definitely a woman who did not rant and rave like so many others could, but she too wasn't made of iron. Her heart could be hurt.
"I was in love once." Merlin told her now candidly, a bit rashly, but he knew she'd listen with all the kindness she had.
Gwen smiled, touching his hand. "You were?"
"Yeah." He smiled too, recalling better times. "It was when I was away from here for long periods. She was beautiful, special and…we shared something together that not really anyone else would understand. Just… maybe a few."
"Did she have magic too?"
Merlin nodded. "Yes."
"I'm sure she had a name…" Gwen hinted.
Merlin smiled. "She did."
"And?"
"Freya."
"Oh!" Gwen let out excitedly. "My best friend is Freya. She has brown hair."
Merlin smiled. "Not the same. One I loved had red. But it's a special coincidence, them having the same name."
"Well of course she's not the same, as the one I know lives in Tirmaiur." Gwen sighed. "But yes it is…special. So what happened to her?"
Merlin looked away from the chemistry contents of the room, to the statue, to the hallway, and then to the floor before answering. "She died."
"Oh Merlin, I'm sorry." Gwen touched his hand, and Merlin grasped hers, surprising Gwen as he stated fervently. "Love like that Gwen, it comes maybe once. I know I sound old, but I've felt it and I doubt I will again. If you and Arthur…if there is a chance that you can grow to love each other, like I think is possible, although now it's hidden by denial, pride and fear, then keep being strong with him. But be there too. Don't let him get away with the cheating aspect. Don't let him go if you really do care."
He thought about a shrouded figure, and another, of flames, of wings, and of…love. It ended faster than it should have. Now he needed a new purpose. Hmmm…maybe Merlin was finding it.
Gwen stared at him, feeling Merlin's insistence rocking at her heart. She shook her head, admitting, "I told Arthur this. There was someone in Tirmaiur, Merlin."
"Oh."
She went on with a sigh. "He loved me and I never really…fully loved him back. Not the same anyway. I just never had that…special feeling with him that you must have had with Freya. I'm not even sure what it is…love of that nature. Here in Camelot, I'm frustrated and lonely sometimes. I do want to make something of this marriage, but I can't be the only participant. If Arthur won't even try, why should I? Why should I care to remain faithful to a man who shows none for me? He has no qualms about going to another in the middle of the night. It's…"
She let it out angrily, hurtfully. "Humiliating Merlin."
Gwen looked away from him, having given exposure to the truth of her feelings. It went beyond a relationship with Arthur, if that was to be a possibility. It went to her dignity.
Merlin grasped at her hand, seeing it, and getting it. "Gwen, he does have qualms. He knows his actions hurt and he doesn't want them to. He's troubled like you now. I don't think Arthur thought you were going to be that special. But now that he sees…well…"
Gwen shook her head. "I shouldn't even care."
Merlin countered. "But you do. Because you have great heart. And believe it or not he does too. No matter how much he wants to deny it, he also cares."
"Merlin-
Gwen started to say, but then heard an odd noise. A loud one. She turned down the hallway. "Is someone else here?"
Merlin's face blanched. He should have been more careful. "No…well…"
"Merlin?"
The noise came again.
"Uh…you know…it's a cave. Makes…weird noises." He grasped her hand. "We should go."
Another. Gwen pulled away and fisted her hands at her waist. "Merlin, please. I do have enough intellect to know that is no sound of some cave. What is it? Because it's getting louder."
As it was, filling the room.
Merlin sighed, taking her hand again. "Alright, come on. The queen knows. You might as well also. But you can't tell Arthur. Not yet anyway."
"Tell him what?" Gwen asked.
Merlin said nothing, just kept leading her down one hallway after another until Gwen started feeling dizzy. How could there be this many rooms? They were altering too, growing more rustic by nature except for so many vibrant jewels, as Merlin now came to a heavy wooden door.
"Don't panic."
"What? Why?"
She asked, but then the reason for the noise was right in front of her. The door was open and…
"Oh…my…how…what…" she asked in astonishment, holding on tightly to Merlin's hand, her eyes staring ahead at what was in front of her.
"Remember. You can't tell Arthur…yet."
TTT
Elaine whispered with teasing.
"In the daytime hours. Getting more adventurous my handsome Prince."
Arthur shied away her advances, grasping onto her wrist as he told her pointedly, "We need to talk." She nodded, letting him into the Camelot home she shared with her parents.
…
When he was done telling her the decision he had come to, Elaine was far from pleased.
"So that's it? Over? Just like that?"
"Elaine, I told you-
She cut him off, thrusting her finger in front of his face. "You told me that nothing would change. That you had no feelings for her!"
"I was wrong, wrong to keep coming to you whilst married."
"Oh, really?" Elaine asked with thick sarcasm. "I don't recall you thinking it was so wrong to be with me the nights previous. Your grunts of satisfaction indicated everything was quite right."
He should have known this wouldn't be without disarray. She was terribly upset now and he couldn't blame her. He also couldn't go back. Maybe if he tried to reason with her, he could make her see this was for the best.
"Elaine…" He tried explaining. "I realized nothing good can come from this. It's not right, not for you, not for me, not for Guinevere."
She laughed shrilly. "And when did you come to this great epiphany Arthur? Can you tell me that? It certainly wasn't when I had you in bed quite satiated. What did she do to make you change your mind?"
Finding the proper answer was a struggle for Arthur, because there was none. No matter what he said it would come off sounding appallingly uncouth. Nevertheless, it had to be this way. Isgard was causing trouble for Camelot, threatening the shaky alliance by insinuating that it had someone on the inside helping Bayard. Apart from that was the personal factor. His mother needed no more stress. He had others to think of too.
Elaine and Guinevere, both, did not deserve to be treated so inexcusably. His visit to his father's grave helped him see much of what was going on in a new light. Guinevere's spoken displeasure of his actions and interactions helped him look at things more objectively too. The truth was, for years now he had been hiding behind indulgence.
Now he wasn't ready to stop visiting the tavern completely, his belief firm that he should be able to have fun from time to time, but with Camelot in a bit of shaky state, rumor-wise, no reason to increase the fodder for the masses. His father left behind a destiny that he needed to honor in greater ways. The bond of marriage meant he could not be free with liaison.
"Don't blame this on Guinevere, Elaine. This is my decision, to do better, to be nobler." Partly those words felt foreign, and on the other side they also felt righter than ever. Tavern visits, hunting trips, they wouldn't all fade. A man had to be balanced. Nevertheless, his wife was expected to be faithful. She was a good honorable woman, if a bit mouthy at times. Now he would match her in that goodness.
Elaine, conversely, didn't consider Arthur's reasoning so righteous. Brought up with such privileged status, her family a richer one of Camelot, she saw no reason for those of nobility to have great amounts of duty. They should be allowed more time of pleasure and sloth.
"Oh yes, by leading over your fine Camelot knights, that's how you will be nobler." She stated mockingly. "You are their only valuable leader. It can't be Leon or-
Arthur interrupted harshly now. This had always been a bone of contention between them, but he let it go because for so long he avoided the obligation and expectation of leading the knights. It went beyond laziness though in truth. After seeing his father covered in blood, and watching him die, pieces of Arthur no longer wanted that kind of role that would require the utmost of bravery, valor that could lead to further bloodshed. He didn't want to look upon those red stains again, and recall the pain of losing his father.
Enough was enough though. He was no longer a child. Camelot depended upon him.
"Yes, knight training, Elaine. You've never supported me in that. Guinevere has a quite different view upon it. But you…you've always questioned it, haven't you?"
They were the wrongs words, if veracity. Elaine was unnerved and so it took seconds for her palm to connect with his cheek, the smack loud and echoing.
Arthur lowered his head, the sharp pain stinging his skin before it faded and he faced her again. "I probably deserved that."
"Oh you deserved that and more!" She yelled, before turning things counter clockwise. From anger to toying favor, she raised her hand to his chest, fingering at his tunic and revealed skin. "You had it so good. A woman of rich splendor like me to spend your days and…nights with. But you blew it Arthur Pendragon. Now you and your oh so noble wife can live a life of tedium. You lusting for what you can't have anymore. Because I know you will grow tired of her soon enough. She does not understand your rebelliousness against rule, nor your indulgences in life. She does not understand how to fill you with satisfaction like I and my fine constitution do."
She was fingering him further, intimately, her voice a hiss of seduction. Arthur resisted it all, pulling away from her wandering hands and shaking his head. "You're wrong. You do not understand her…nor maybe even me."
Elaine glared at him, pointing to the door firmly. "Get out."
He didn't want it to end this way, so furious. "Elaine…" He tried one last time to explain. Elaine wasn't having it though. She pointed more jarringly, stating in a louder voice. "GET out."
Arthur let out a long sigh. This was where it would have to end. Time to depart. He nodded a tad, before stepping out.
Elaine waited for a few moments after he was gone to slam the door shut. Screaming, she fisted her hands at the wood.
…
Then when her tantrum was done, she collected herself and walked to her room at the back of the house, facing Camelot's eastern end. Going inside the room, she walked to her bed, sat down at its head and reached for something hidden within the middle drawer of her dressing table.
It was a box, and inside the box was a ring of perfectly duplicated keys.
Multitudes of keys.
She fingered them with a cool smile, whispering with laces of vengeance in her tone.
"Should I?"
They jingled against her delicate fingers.
"Or shouldn't I?"
TTT
That night when Arthur departed their chambers again, like he had the previous nights, Gwen groaned from her position upon the floor. Then she pressed herself to her pillow. Merlin was wrong. It didn't really matter if Arthur cared for her in any way or not. He still was an uncouth pig who would not give up his affair. It was so frustrating because she could see something in him greater, had viewed so many glimpses of nobility, and yet he continued on like this.
A coward. A despicable man. Well no more. If he was entitled to-
"Off the floor. Now."
Gwen turned around, staring at the suddenly opened door, and the returned Arthur. His words were indulgently insulting. She hissed beyond her shock of him returning so fast. "Pig. Type that orders a woman."
Arthur had enough though. His argument with Elaine had been ugly, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. This was the right decision, but it certainly wasn't the easiest one. Especially not with his wife calling him names yet again.
"Guinevere, you do what I say and stop calling me that. I didn't go, alright? I didn't want to. Now come…"
His voice inexplicably grew softer at the end, the concern a nag he couldn't control. Veracity of it was he hated watching Guinevere curling up on the floor, her small body settled against the cool stone. There was no reason for her to be like that, greater reason for her to be apart from it.
"The floor is cold. You will catch your death like that. Come on before you force me to-
"To what?" She turned back to him now, asking strongly, "What, Arthur?"
His lips pouted with tension. "Force me to pick you up and throw you down upon our bed myself."
"Oh I'd like to see you try." She challenged.
That was it.
Oh she and her bravado, her force of words, her provocation of his manhood. It made him covet a display of strength. He wanted no more of her quarrel, for her instead to understand that he was the one leading things here. She drove him too far.
Arthur rounded the room before she could get a word in, swept Gwen up into his arms. With his strength and her lusciously curved, but small stature she fit perfectly into his hold. Angered at her insolence, he did drop her down upon the bed with her pillow too. Gwen squealed, but then he climbed atop, and pushed his palms on either side of her head as he looked down pointedly into her dark eyes. "Don't dare me."
"Someone needs to."
"Oh." He lifted his head. She never gave up, persistent to the hilt, a fighter, a woman of stalwart purpose. "You're the mouthiest princess I've ever known."
His hands still on either side of her head, Gwen felt her vulnerability suddenly eke out, his eyes so close to hers, his mouth there to stare at. Oh, it annoyed her, but she couldn't hold back on having some feeling for him, some attachment that she never felt with another honestly. She was always peaceful in her emotion, but Arthur had a way of sometimes threatening her calm. It came to her throat now sickeningly, how much it bothered her.
So maybe not tonight…but what about the next…what about…
"Will you go to her tomorrow night?"
Her voice was practically shaking, her eyes big and questioning. They tendered deep inside him, making him shake his head resolutely.
"No. It's over. That's why I came back so soon. I told her earlier. I was just checking on something else now. All of it is over. Now go to sleep."
Letting out an extensive sigh, at her slow nod, he lifted his hands away from his wife and lay down upon the other side of the bed, apart from her. However, the chill of night caught him soon, making him give a shiver.
Gwen caught it and lifted up off the bed. She poked at the fire and got it to flame.
When she lay down again however, she realized that the covers she had been using were still down upon the floor. Before she could make up her mind to get them, she felt Arthur's hands bringing his parts of the blankets over her and then his lips actually pressing against her cheek a soft kiss. "Thank you."
Gwen smiled slightly, head resting on her pillow as she whispered, "I'm sorry for calling you a Pig."
He smiled too. "Apology appreciated even if-
She stopped him there though, pressing her hand against his arm. "Arthur."
"Yes?" He looked back at her questioningly.
It was noble he had ended the affair, but disheartening to her that it had to take so long to bring it to completion. She did not want to strip away her dignity by just accepting that he was done with it now. The time he continued it was bothersome and his secret keeping was even worse. She couldn't let everything be at ease just because he finally came to good sense.
"I appreciate you ending your affair. But you still tried to keep it from me. You acted cowardly."
Alright, that affected him like how her mouthiness could irk . Of course it was the truth, but that didn't mean he had to like it. One moment she was soft and sweet, by stoking the fire for him, the next she was quietly passionate, yet firm. It teased, it tickled, and it brought on a low flame of anger.
"Did I?" He gritted out.
"Yes." She went on strongly. "You should have at least been forthcoming."
"What does that matter now?" He asked with a snap to his lips. "I ended it."
Gwen faced him questioningly. "Why? Why did you end it? So suddenly. Don't you see Arthur, I have to wonder why this marriage matters to you now when it didn't at first. I have to-
He put up his hand, silencing her. "Okay, enough. Too much is going on in Camelot now. Bayard has taken five kingdoms already and Isgard is stirring up a pot of trouble because they are reckless, and fearful."
"What do you mean?" She asked with a frown. "What has Isgard done?"
Hesitating with it for a moment, Arthur warned quietly, "This is between you and me, as the less people who know, the better. It goes no further, you understand?"
"Yes. What?"
"Isgard has started up a rumor that Camelot has someone within helping Bayard."
"What?" Gwen asked with astonishment, lifting her blankets up further over her breast. "Who?"
Arthur shook his head. "I don't know. No names were given. But-
She cut through urgently. "With the recent conquest of Chenary, do you think that means Bayard could be getting closer to attacking Tirmaiur?"
Reading the anxiety in her widened eyes, Arthur shushed her gently, his hand lifting to her shoulder for comfort. "No. I told you already Tirmaiur is guarded well, has Camelot's protection. Do not worry for your father, alright?"
Gwen nodded faintly, feeling his fingers give tender squeeze.
"Guinevere, it will be alright."
She hoped he was correct in that. His words and touch were reassuring, but still it was not so easy being days' ride away from her father when danger lurked.
She changed the subject, needing to talk about something else. There was no wise counsel in extents of worry.
"So this…you ending your affair, it's really about political reason?"
Arthur shrugged. "Well you said my father wouldn't approve and truth is Guinevere you are right. Far as I know he was always faithful to my mother. Now their marriage was by arrangement too, as is the custom so often for nobility. But it didn't take them long to enjoy their union. They balanced each other out well."
She asked with a weird sense of desire. "So maybe it's not just political? This marriage we have?"
Arthur wondered about her voice, the soft attraction in it that lured him. "Perhaps."
His fingers came out, getting her to still, as they delicately coiled into her curls of hair. They lifted and rolled as he smiled slowly. "After all…you're not at all painful to look upon."
"Neither are you." She whispered.
He chuckled quietly, and drew his hand away, but then she was grasping it.
"Guinevere?" He asked, seeing hard purpose in her eyes. "What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment, before getting it out. "You were right. The vial last night, it was Agravaine's. He dropped it and I picked it up."
Arthur groaned, squeezing Guinevere's hand tightly before he realized the force of his grip, and let go. "So you did lie to me."
"I had to."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because it seemed he was coming from your mother's chambers."
"My mother's chambers?" Arthur questioned.
"Yes." Gwen answered, noticing Arthur's tight frown and fisting of his hands. He needed to know all of it. "When I first came to Camelot I noticed your mother with a vial very much like the one Agravaine had. Then I saw him leave what appeared to be your mother's chambers last night. So when he dropped it, I took the vial. "
Arthur mused on all that for a few moments, coming to a troubling conclusion. "Because you thought Agravaine had tampered with it?"
Gwen nodded. "I thought it was possible."
Arthur's expression was tangled with disquiet. "Why didn't you tell me that last night?"
"I didn't want to cause you unnecessary torment…in case I was wrong."
Leaning forward across the bed, now quite agitated, Arthur asked Guinevere plaintively, "Were you…wrong? It wasn't my mother's?"
Guinevere's smile was slow, but filled with veracity and tender care as she reached out for his hand and held it for a moment. "It wasn't Arthur. It was Agravaine's."
He let out a relieved sigh at that. "Good."
"Is your mother ill?" Gwen asked cautiously.
Arthur shook his head. "Not seriously. I've known about the vial my mother takes for some time now as it was a few years ago the physician prescribed it. She has some health issues that affect her vigor and momentum at times. Higher levels of stress make it worse. And so all this now, with Bayard, Isgard, and everything, it's not good for her."
He hung his head in a rare display of candor's shame. "It's the other reason why, after your badgering…good for me I have to painfully admit…combined with the political situation, I realized I need to tend to my duty more. Earlier this morning, before leaving for my ride, I saw her. She didn't know I did; she looked quite tired. It's time for me to step up more, cause her no more stress."
"Agreed."
Arthur grunted at Gwen's firm response. She didn't have to say it so readily. And no matter what she was thinking about that vial she shouldn't have gone near Agravaine. "Fine. I've been wrong. But so were you last night. No matter what reason, no matter if your intentions were good Guinevere, what were you thinking? Agravaine is not to be trusted even if he didn't take my mother's vial. If I hadn't interfered what do you-
She frowned. "You think he's violent?"
Arthur shook his head fast. "I don't know. He hasn't shown anything like that since arriving here almost five years ago. He's been more cowardly and snidely than anything. But I still don't trust him and I don't like how he looked upon you in your nightdress."
"Right…he did leer a bit. But Arthur, your mother trusts him. Merlin and I heard it today."
"Care to explain?" Arthur asked tightly.
So Gwen did. Everything. Except the specifics of where Merlin took her and his magical secret of course.
…
When she was done, Arthur looked upon her with bewilderment. "You certainly had a busy day. Remind me to belt Merlin for joining you on your crazy venture. Hiding in Agravaine's room, Guinevere? What if you were caught?"
He couldn't help remember Aldous's words. Guinevere was already quite popular in Camelot, but just one little thing and she could be seen as someone to be suspicious of. He didn't want that, especially not now with all the political turmoil.
"Arthur?" Gwen asked. He looked so deep in thought.
Arthur shook his head. "It's nothing. So…what happened?"
She didn't tell him about Agravaine's accusations. It would just anger him further and they didn't matter since Ygraine didn't believe Agravaine. "Well I wasn't caught. I was with Merlin anyway. But don't you see what I'm saying? Your mother sees something in Agravaine that made her bring him here. The vial was nothing more than…" She cleared her throat a bit awkwardly. "Male…enhancement of…"
He smirked, giving a tight laugh. "Yeah, I gathered that part the first time you told me. Which still is even more reason for you to stay away from him. Where's the vial?"
Gwen gestured across the room. "In my pocket. I'll return it in the morning."
"No you will not." Arthur told Gwen firmly now, reaching out and grasping her shoulders. "I'll do it. Stay away from his chambers."
"Arthur." She responded heatedly, but there was no backing down in him.
"Guinevere, you're not going to quarrel against me on this."
Her eyes scrutinized with interest. She saw glimpses of it before, but this night especially his firmness was stalwart and it irked some, but she also kind of liked it. "I'm not?"
He knew she was toying with him, but his soberness was strong. "You're not."
Gwen nodded slightly, and asked. "The tavern?"
"What about it?" He asked stubbornly.
"Have you given up that too?"
Firmly Arthur shook his head. "Why should I? Look, I'm not going to frequent it as much. But I'm still going there."
She nodded, turning away before she stated, "Okay then, I'll just keep up to my doings also. After all, this marriage is mostly political of nature."
That made him grumble as he moved forward to grasp her shoulder from behind, giving whisper, "No more going away with Merlin."
"Why? He's my friend."
From his lips he let out a whoosh of air. She was exasperating him again. "Because that's not what a princess should be doing."
"And should a prince be going to the tavern…while other men take notice of said princess?"
"What?" He asked hotly. His hands grasped enough at her shoulder to get her on her back as she turned too, making the task easy enough for him. She didn't mind so much looking up into his blue eyes, especially when they flamed with intent. It made her feel a little less guilty for toying with him. Oh it was true. The dashing Sir Geralt was definitely taking notice of her, but she found it more amusing than intriguing. He was a funny sort who was quite handsome. Still, she found someone else quite more handsome.
"What are you talking about?"
"Sir Geralt."
"What did he do?"
His hands were tight on her shoulders, so Guinevere patted them with appeasement. "He didn't do anything Arthur. He's just a very charming man.
"Too charming. "Keep away from him."
She grimaced. "Oh you want me to keep away from everyone and yet you still-
"I ended the affair Guinevere."
"Yes, but-
"Guinevere." He stated with steely counter.
It made her sigh and reach up, touching his cheek with her small fingers. "He does not interest me, other than his service to Camelot. His charming causes no harm for I am not a woman who plays such games. If you will be faithful to this marriage, then I will continue to be so also."
"Well, with that done…" His smile was one of satisfaction. She had more to say though.
"However, if you will continue to frequent the tavern then I have every right to find my own amusements, as long as our marriage is kept intact. Whether that be spending time with my friend Merlin or finding a place within the wood, finding friends within the kingdom…I have as much right to enjoy myself as you do."
She was adamant, allowing no leeway, and temptingly alluring again, as she stuck firm to her belief. His hand came down, touched her waist, and traveled upward slowly.
Her breath hitched as its shivery warm pressure climbed up her side, touching at the side of her breast. "Fine. But maybe soon enough…"
She arched some involuntarily under his touch as his slow smile came back.
"We'll find amusement with each other."
It was a slow seduction of feeling from one to another, but she was glad when the odd pressure of tiny bits of cold and expanding warmth left and he turned away. For his affair had just ended. She couldn't help think if he changed his mind how much it would bother her, terribly. She couldn't help think that his hand there upon her side, caused sparks of pleasure.
"Good night Prince."
"Good night Princess."
…
Arthur held tight to his pillow. Political, his mother's purpose, that was all this marriage was supposed to be, right? But it was like a web of sapid reward. It kept enticing him. He wanted to touch her again. He wanted…
As she slept now, slumbered with soft breathing sounds. Slumbered less than a few feet away.
"Guinevere…" He whispered into the cool night, that felt just a little less chilled with her so close beside. He wished for a moment she was iright/i beside because when he was touching her, when his hand was venturing up her curved constitution, he amazingly didn't feel an inch of cold. He felt warmer than ever. A man more than ever.
"Why?", she asked him earlier. Why did he end it? There were so many righteous answers. Infidelity was wrong. Kingdom was in strife. His father would have disapproved. His mother suffered from illness.
But they were only one half.
The other was something he never admitted, never coveted to admit, until now, privately.
He denied that the first few times she stoked the fire for him, she made his heart quiver a bit. He denied that continuing his affair with Elaine, although physically stimulating, inch by inch started to feel sordid and was more an excuse to be stubborn, to hold to how his life was before. Perhaps it was even the same with the tavern. Let's see when she figured a way to make that fade away too. He denied that when he helped his wife remove her dress, he was filled with flares of desire for her sun blessed skin glowed in the night, alluring, distinctly beautiful. He denied it, because maybe one stupid little part of him wondered if she would give it up, feared she might stop caring. And when she didn't…it kind of rejoiced with indulgent happiness.
How did she creep in so gently, so sweetly? How did she find his greatest irks and poke at them with no mean favor, but urge to find life's beat again?
How did she lay right beside and take away all those horrid chills? Make his body drizzle with warmth again? How?
He wanted to move up against, feel her skin, touch her hair, get her to wake and smile back to his face. He wanted the queerest things. For it didn't come with any warning. It didn't just temperately become a part of him. Instead it softly, but irapidly/i rushed in. It made his every ill decision of before start to shake with disfavor.
He was a boy when his father died. Just a boy. Now he was a man. Now he was feeling himself truly a man for the first time.
Under her watch. Under her counsel. Under her…
Warmth.
"Guinevere you gentle temptress. I can't go back anymore.
I can't pretend.
Can't pretend that I don't care.
Can't pretend that you don't matter.
Can't pretend that you don't…
Flood me with heat.
Sapid tempts of heat…
That kiss away the cold."
TTT
Perhaps love was not so far, and yet its timing was precarious, for danger was not so far either. Perhaps even tragedy.
It was true. Bayard was not acting alone. Bayard was acting with another who had their own purpose and considered Bayard no more than their puppet. Like the other puppets this one controlled.
Dupes…
Their lives existed for just one purpose…
To put all to destruction. To achieve lush rewards. To bring back a way of life. To end another.
Vale Tirmaiur.
Vale Camelot.
Salve ad plus fortunas.
TTT
To continue…
TTT
Yes, the last part is Latin. Something from Irish and British legend/and or mythology is coming.
Yes I accidentally named Freya Gwen's friend too so that was my way of fixing that little blunder up. Coincidences do happen, right? Oh well, more important things now.
Yes Arthur is slowly growing. Yes Arthur and Gwen's relationship has found a new plateau of closeness, but also yes, things are about to get very complicated and painful. The past is going to rise. A new future will float to the surface before it desires it.
Thanks for reading…should be continuing this soon as it's so fun to write.
