A/N: I think this chapter is still OK for the T rating, I hope...
Chapter 4- June 1502- Ludlow, Wales
Almost all of Ludlow came out for the joust held by Arthur and Katherine. Many of the Welsh lords, members of Arthur's council, and some of his close friends participated in the joust activities. Brandon, James Cole, Anthony Knivert, Stephen Browne, George Hall, Jack Lucas, William Reed, Richard Milcoat, Thomas Baker, John Westmore and Edward Lange all competed. In addition to the joust, there were also contests in sword fighting and archery. Arthur did not compete with the sword, knowing well that his skills were not yet refined enough to make a good showing in that field. James Cole took the trophy for sword fighting while Arthur handily took the prize for archery.
It was known far and wide that Arthur excelled with the bow. From an early age Arthur was prohibited from hunting and very strenuous activities. Archery, Lady Beaufort argued, posed little threat to his health. Arthur found the sport enjoyable, even more so because he was good at it. The more his skill increased, the more he was motivated to hone it and increase it until no one could touch him. It filled Katherine with great happiness to be able to present Arthur with a golden arrow, just like the fair maid gave to the roguish hero Robin Hood in the tales her husband had shared with her.
The princess felt more uneasy about Arthur's participation in the joust. Although she, unlike the King's mother, knew that sport was good for her husband, Katherine greatly worried that Arthur would be injured. Every time his horse galloped through the tiltyard toward his opponent, she gripped Lady Pole's hand ever so tightly. She had enjoyed the ceremony beforehand. She delighted in tying her colors and favors onto Arthur's lance and even enjoyed watching other men in the lists, but when Arthur's turn came, her heart leapt up into her throat.
Arthur easily defeated his first opponent, Stephen Browne, by knocking him from his horse. His second and third opponents, James Cole and Richard Milcoat, were defeated, but not as easily. It took three lances to beat both of them and Arthur took his fair share of hits as well, all of them he endured. One of competitor stood between Arthur and the great honor of being tournament champion, Sir George Hall, Duke of Pembroke. The Duke was known throughout England for his prowess in the tiltyard. He had soundly defeated every competitor without showing effort at all.
It was late in the afternoon and the sun was finally beginning its descent in the sky, but the temperature was still seasonably warm to the spectators and unbearably hot to the competitors, clad in heavy armor. The smell of sweat and horse filled the air as both men took their places at opposite ends of the tiltyard. Lord Hall was set and ready with a calm anticipation, like a patient hunter waiting for the kill. Arthur's horse moved about restlessly as he shifted, nervous in his saddle like a brash young warrior ready to go into his first battle.
The large crowd roared with excitement as the signal was given and the two horses thundered towards one another. The lances broke, shards of wood exploding into the air from the impact of wood to metal, but both riders remained on their beasts. Each man was awarded one point as they trotted back to their starting points. The second tilt went much the same as the first one, making the score a tie of two lances a piece. Charles Brandon was on hand as Arthur took up his last lance.
"You need to knock him in the head or unhorse him to win."
"I know," Arthur said lifting his visor for a moment. "The only problem is that he must do the same to me."
"Godspeed, Arthur."
"Amen," he replied lowering his visor and setting himself ready for the signal."
The herald let the flag fall and Arthur lurched forward. For the first time in his life he craved victory, wanted to make his opponent suffer, and wanted to hear people cheer his name. He had come so far, had already defeated three opponents, surely, he could conquer this last one. For the first time in his life, he thirsted for glory.
The competitors drew near and Arthur braced himself and thrust his lance forward, ready to deliver a victorious blow. Suddenly, his visor was struck and pain engulfed him, hot liquid pain that flowed down his face. It took every ounce of energy he had to remain on his horse because it seemed like everything was swaying around him. The cheers of the crowd sounded muffled, like he was underwater, all the while, the pain increased.
"A physician!" he heard someone, from what seemed like far away, cry. "The prince has been hit! Someone call for Dr. Butts."
He doubled over, grasped his helmet and pulled it off, grateful for the fresh air. Dismounting his horse, he staggered before he felt himself being supported.
"My lord," he heard Brandon say. "Are you alright?"
"I think…I don't know," Arthur replied still clutching his left eye. "My head hurts. What happened?"
"Sir George struck you in the visor. It seems the metal cut you. Can you see?"
"I think so," he said as he wiped his eye with a gloved hand, smearing it with blood. "Yes, I can see." Blinking, he saw Katherine running towards him. Before he knew what was happening, she was wrapping her arms around him.
"Arthur, are you alright?" she asked touching his eye.
"Yes," he winced. "I am fine, aside from my wounded pride."
"My lord," Sir George said kneeling before Arthur. "I bed your forgiveness and forfeit my victory."
"Nonsense Sir George," Arthur replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You won fairly. It was my honor to tilt with a champion of such renown."
"My lord, I think you should see the physician now," Brandon said as he led Arthur from the tiltyard into the keep.
***
It was later in the evening when Katherine arrived at Arthur's chambers, alone and unescorted. It had taken her a long time to get away from Dona Elvira, who insisted that the physician needed time to examine Arthur and she should wait until later to visit him. After a long argument, Katherine dared the duenna to stop her from visiting her husband. When the older woman did not make a move, the princess left. Dr. Butts had just finished stitching up the wound next to Arthur's left eye.
"Your highness," he said bowing to acknowledge her presence. "Luckily, the prince's eye was not injured and his vision is fine."
"Thank the Lord for that," she replied.
"Dr. Butts said that if my head had been turned just a hair more, I may have lost my eye," Arthur interjected.
"I was just about to clean up the wound."
I can do that doctor," Katherine said. "You may leave us." Dr. Butts smiled, packed up his bag of instruments and left the room.
"You don't have to do that," Arthur said, looking up at Katherine as she pushed up her sleeves and rung out the cloth that she had dipped into the bowl of water.
"I know," she replied placing a hand on his shoulder. "I want to, so just smile and say thank you."
"Thank you," he conceded, but grimaced when the cool cloth touched the tender skin.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be, the cool water feels good, the skin is just bruised."
Arthur watched Katherine as she worked, he smooth brow furrowed in concentration, her skin glowed in the firelight and her eyes shown like sapphires. He could not stop himself from reaching up to cup her face, his thumb tracing over her cheek. She froze in mid motion, her eyes meeting his.
"Well," she said clearing her throat. "It is all cleaned up." Arthur smiled as he took the cloth from her hand, placed it back in the bowl, took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. Arthur said nothing but smiled warmly before he placed a chaste kiss upon Katherine's lips. She had come to see him. She wanted to be with him tonight. He wanted to be everything for her that he hadn't been so far. Arthur stood, pulled her to him and deepened their kiss.
He didn't know what he was doing but it all felt right, a bit awkward, but right. When Katherine sighed deeply he broke the kiss.
"I'm sorry," he said instinctively.
"Why?" Katherine asked just a breath away from his lips.
"I don't know what came over me. It was-"
"It was perfect," Katherine said as she snaked an arm around his neck and pulled him down gently into another kiss. She didn't want him to stop. It was the first time he had properly kissed her and it was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Arthur responded by moving his hand from her cheek to the back of her head and then his other hand around her waist. Her body was flush against his and her hand found his head and she entwined her fingers in his blonde hair. The innocent kiss that Arthur had placed on Katherine's lips was quickly turning into something more.
Arthur had kissed Katherine before but never like this. Never had he actually felt a desire like this inside him. It was always a matter of duty, doing what had to be done and then being done with it. This was quite different. He couldn't think. He enjoyed the way her skin felt, the taste of her lips and the feel of her body pressed against his. She broke away from him and hesitantly brought her face up to look him in the eyes as he stood up straight. For the first time he noticed something different lurking in her blue orbs. Was it desire for him? He felt a lump forming in his throat and he had to swallow hard before he spoke.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said barely above a whisper. A sly smile spread across Katherine's face and she had to stand on the tips of her toes in order to place a light kiss upon his lips.
Katherine felt as if the room around her had disappeared and that time had stopped. There was only her and Arthur now. He wanted to be with her and she wanted to be with him. He hadn't said as much but she wondered if she saw a hint of love as his gaze fell upon her. It was more than just a look kindness; it was something that sank into her and reached into her very soul. In a way, it almost made her feel uncomfortable and made a blush run up her slender neck and into her cheeks. Arthur took notice and cupped one cheek ever so gently and placed a feather light kiss upon the other before placing an equally soft kiss upon her forehead. A sense of comfort washed over her and Katherine found herself almost melting into him.
Arthur placed a finger under her chin and kissed her passionately. She felt him begin to walk backwards and she followed, all the while not breaking the kiss. He boldly inched towards his bed and she made no move to stop him. Still, he felt unsure.
"Tell me you want this," he said, needing to know.
"I want you," Katherine said seriously as she swept a stray hair across his forehead.
Arthur felt like he had been waiting a lifetime for her to say those words to him. She wanted him. Despite all the faults and shortcomings that his father couldn't seem to overlook, someone wanted him for who he was. Arthur took her hand and kissed it lightly before leading her across the room to the bed. He gently lifted her up and placed her on the soft mattress as he kissed her lips. Before he could climb onto the bed next to her, Katherine placed a hand on his chest to stop him.
"Is something wrong?" Arthur asked, bewildered and a little hurt.
"You need to take off your boots," Katherine replied pointing down to his mud stained boots. She then laughed as Arthur hopped around in an attempt to remove the boots from his feet. He took advantage of the moment to remove his belt and doublet as well before returning to the side of the bed.
"Is that better?" Arthur asked with a smile.
Katherine just smiled and nodded her head as he approached the bed once again.
"Your toes will be cold," she stated simply.
"Then I supposed I'd better join you," he replied boldly.
Katherine held out her hand to him as he climbed onto his bed and knelt beside her. His hand felt warm and comforting to her as he laced his long fingers between hers and brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes, now I do."
"I'm glad because I only want to make you happy and I know I haven't done that."
"But…"
"It's true," he said before she could finish. "I haven't treated you the way a husband should."
He kissed her softly and gently laid her back against the bed as she attempted to push the covers away. Katherine would have been lying to herself if she said that everything went smoothly. Truthfully, they both still fumbled awkwardly with pieces of clothing and sheets, but Katherine noted a great difference from all of the times he had come to share her bed. There was no sense of duty as he positioned himself over her and gently joined their bodies together. For the first time, it was not about producing an heir for the kingdom but about Katherine wanting to be with Arthur and him with her. He was more tender and attentive as he kissed her lips, her nose, her chin, her cheeks, her eyes and as he moved down her jaw line to her neck.
She whispered his name like it was a forbidden word as she felt a foreign warmth start to build in her belly. Arthur was only more encouraged at hearing the sound of his name coming from her lips and slightly quickened his pace. Katherine allowed herself to open her eyes and she moved one hand from Arthur's back to his face as she guided his lips to hers once more. She noticed a light layer of sweat forming on his furrowed brow and sought to wipe it away but Arthur caught up her hand it pinned it over her head. She gasped his name as the warmth grew and overtook her body and senses. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before; a falling sensation mixed with pure, liquid heat. It wasn't long after that Arthur found his own release and moaned Katherine's name in a frenzied, hushed voice into her hair. He was breathing heavily as he rested his head in the space between her neck and shoulder and she kissed his forehead. He was finding it difficult to continue supporting himself on his arms and elbows and reluctantly pulled away from Katherine and rolled onto his back. Acknowledging the lack of contact he reached for her and pulled her close to him so that her head rested upon his chest as he drew the covers over their bodies.
Neither of them said a word; they didn't have to. Sleep slowly began to pull upon Katherine's eyelids and as much as she wished to stay awake and revel in her time with Arthur, she quietly began to doze off. Arthur sensed that her breathing became deeper and more even.
"Katherine?" he whispered tenderly. When he did not receive and answer he placed a soft kiss atop her head. "I think I love you," he murmured as he pulled the chord that closed the curtains on the bed and allowed sleep to wash over him.
