With a burning hot sun hanging above me, I walked to meet Guinevere for lunch. I paused when an unexpected wind blew a few strands of curly hair into my path. Guinevere?
With great care, I brushed a hand across my brow to wipe away perspiration as my feet compelled me to walk. I didn't say anything for a moment. She intently watched events of daily life in the courtyard. Her hand rested on a window pane. Does she want more from life?

"Hello, Guinevere," I stated pleasantly.

She turned her head slightly to smile at me; she offered me her hands," Hello, Arthur. Are you ready for lunch? We must stop by the kitchens to gather a basket."

I wrapped my hands around her smaller ones; I steadied my grip to allow her to climb out of her hiding space. She wore a colorful sleeveless dress with a triangle cutout in her back. Pink, black, and green swirled around on her dress with a pair of tight dark pink pants.

I noticed everyone greeted Guinevere with smiles, bright hellos, and hugs. She knew little details about all of their lives. She introduced me as a potential suitor. I was Arthur, King of Camelot, not a potential suitor. I was her only suitor. Have other attempted to marry Guinevere? One elderly man patted my cheek with a withered hand; he thanked me for saving their princess. I lowered my eyes and mumbled," You're welcome." His words humbled my pride.

Somehow, we finally walked into a fragrant bright garden. Guinevere led me towards a shaded corner. I watched her spread a blanket on soft grass. I offered to help her organize dishes of food. She politely declined my invitation. She hummed a sweet tune as she arranged items on a rather wide blanket. After she completed her chore, a small hand reached for mine. Her smile melted my resistance to public affection. My thumb gently rubbed her slender fingers.

"We have roasted chicken, fruit, vegetables, and sweets for lunch. What can I serve you?"

"A little of everything, please," I requested. Her eyes were sweet and soulful as she placed a wide selection of food on a silver plate.

"I hope you enjoy our food. It's different than Camelot's."

"It's delicious and refreshing. Did you enjoy your time in Camelot?"

"Camelot is a beautiful kingdom with such lush grass. I enjoyed resting under trees. What are those white vegetables served with meat?"

"Potatoes."

She beamed," I enjoy eating roasted meat with potatoes."

"Could you be happy living as my wife and queen in Camelot?"

"You would like me to live a happy life as your queen?"

"Yes, I want you to be happy as my queen. I will work hard to ensure your happiness."

"What of your silly rules?"

My silly rules as she described them; those rules are designed to protect Camelot and surrounding kingdoms would harm. My father destroyed a number of kingdoms in his quest for revenge.

"We need my rules, Guinevere. We need order. I can't allow my emotions to destroy kingdoms. We must live in peace."

"You have rules for me because your father waged war against magic. Your sister has magic."

"His views on magic caused Morgana to lose her mind. She ran away. Alator found my sister. I cannot speak of the crimes against my sister."

"You saved her."

"No, she saved herself."

"How?"

"Not for your delicate ears."

"You are just my savior?"

"Do you want me to be your savior?"

Guinevere thought for a moment," No, I am too old for a savior. I need a husband. I need a righteous man to father my children. You are that man."

I swallowed a moment of pride. She wants to come to Camelot as my wife. She wants to bear my children. Yet, she refused our marriage contract.

"Enlighten me, why did you refuse our marriage contract?"

"It was rude of you. You were silly in your proposal as well as rude and inconsiderate. Yes, I was commanded to marry you for peace. A girl wants to be wooed. You should ask me."

I reached over to clasp her hand," Guinevere, Princess of Leogrance, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife. Will you rule with me as my queen? Will you bear my children?"

She jumped into my arms and hugged me tightly, "I will marry you. With all of my heart, I will make you happy."

She feels good in my arms, too good. I don't want to release her from my embrace. I merely closed my eyes to revel in a peace.

"I will always care for Guinevere. You will want for nothing as my wife."

"I shall want for your rules to be gone," she whispered in my ear.

She wiggled out of my arms; I watched her eat her lunch quietly.

"My father adored my Mother, Igraine. He was darkness; she was his light. She grew ill… I was young… 5. She died when nothing could heal her disease. My father blamed magic. He slaughtered so many people to avenge her death, innocent people. They died over love. I can't allow myself to kill anyone over love.

"My father adored my mother as well. He did not fall apart at her death. Edwin fell into a deep pit of sadness. Sometimes, I see sadness in his eyes. Father grew distant after Mother died. He loved only Helios. He worshiped his every suggestion. We were ignored except by Edwin. He became our parent."

What could possible cause a break in Thomas affection for his children? Father loved us as best he could.

"We could have a different type of love," I pressed.

"You want to love me," Guinevere retorted.

I placed a finger to her lips to silence Guinevere after I heard twigs breaking behind us. Carefully, I moved in front of her. Her hands rested on my shoulders. I resisted an urge to tell her to kneel behind me. I was about to leap when Edwin appeared wearing a concerned look upon his face.

"Gwen, you are late for your rest time," he scolded gently. "I allowed this meeting because you promised to return for your nap."

"I am sorry, Edwin. We ate. I lost track of time. "

"You need your rest, Gwen," Edwin protested.

"Arthur proposed properly. I accepted," Gwen whispered brightly.
"I am not surprised. Please go rest, my little dove," Edwin requested.

Arthur is still standing here; I cleared my throat. I hate to be ignored. I wanted to chat with Edwin about my future wife, and his overprotective nature towards her. Did he call her his little dove? No, she is not his dove.

"Guinevere, go rest. I will see you at the feast," I urged.

She looked unsure like a bear trapped in growing tension between the two of us.

"Tonight, Arthur," Guinevere said as she walked away.

I waited until I couldn't hear Guinevere's footsteps.

"She's a bit old for a nap, isn't she," I demanded harshly.

"No, Arthur, she requires a nap daily. She needs to rest her mind."

"Why?"

Edwin closed his eyes briefly," I am sharing this information because you will be her husband soon. Hengist frightened Gwen terribly. I used a spell to hide scary memories from her mind. It drains her energy."

I threw my hands into the air," You did what?"

"I protected her from harm. You saved her from Hengist, but I ended her suffering. I woke to nights and nights of her screaming. She cried for her mother. A mother long dead. She ached for a distant father. She was losing her mind. I saw you in a dream; you saved her. I sent word to Gaius. You acted… I took care of sorrowful children. Now, it is your job to take care of her as my mind is tortured with thoughts of Eylan married to Morgause!"

"I will take care of her. She will be my wife! What are your motives? Why do you care for them," I demanded.

"I knew their mother."

It was the way he said he knew their mother," You didn't father Eylan and Guinevere, did you?"

"No, we loved each other. I never broke my vows to King Thomas. She never broke her wedding vows. We were in love, forbidden love. I care for her children as my own. I think of them as my children. "

"You need to let Guinevere go, Edwin."

"Would you want to lose your daughter? I am doing my best to accept her pending departure."

"No, I will care for her. You need to end the spell on our wedding day."

"Will you love Gwen," Edwin asked intently.

"I don't know what love is, Edwin," I muttered harshly.

"You love your sister and friends. Yet, you can't find a part of your heart to give to Gwen."

"What if there is not a part to give to her?"

"I feel for both of you."

"Have you loved?"

"Twice, and I lost my loves."

I closed my eyes briefly," I can't destroy people over love. I will not live as my father."

"No, you create rules to keep Gwen and her sweet love from you."

I opened my mouth to reply, but Edwin turned and walked away from me. Am I wrong? Do I need to love my wife? I enjoy her company. She makes me laugh. She's beautiful and charming. We get along. What does he know? He lost all of his loves.

X`X

I actually missed my council. I wanted Geoffrey to bother me over nonsensical details regarding Camelot's laws. I viewed my sister with dismay. Morgana wore the traditional dress of Guinevere's homeland. It was a two piece dress thing with jewels and embroidery. I didn't have a desire to view my sister's stomach. That damn tutor's eyes lingered over my sister's exposed body.

"Where are you clothes, Morgana?"

Morgana grinned devilishly," I am wearing a traditional dress of these lands." Her green eyes challenged me to comment. I couldn't resist her bait.

"Your body is exposed. Guinevere does not reveal her body."

"Guinevere is a high princess. She's a virgin. I am not a virgin, Brother."

I rubbed my eyes; a loud yell formed in my chest, I was on the verge of erupting when a hand lightly touched me. I didn't have to look down at the hand…it was Guinverev. It did something to my soul. My anger drained away. I turned my eyes to gaze upon her face. I must never show Guinevere my rage.

"Arthur, are you upset?"

"No", I lied. "I grow impatient waiting for you."

"I am sorry. I have to wear engagement clothing now. It takes longer to dress. Are you ready?"

"You look beautiful in Camelot's colors, Guinevere."

A golden crown engraved with rubies and diamonds adorned her head. A red silk gown covered in diamonds and gold thread embroidery covered her slim body. I took her hands as we walked into our engagement feast. Courtiers rose to their feet as they clapped loudly to signal their pleasure at our arrival. I brushed a servant away as I removed Guinevere's chair from a table. I assisted my fiancée into her seat. Sitting beside her, I clasped her hand as I took a sip of a deep goblet of wine. We chatted endlessly with our friends and family. I noticed Guinevere picked at her food. It was concerning. Eylan sat on her other side; unexpectedly, Eylan took her plate of food, and he passed it to Edwin. Edwin used his knife and fork to slice Guinevere's food. Wordlessly, Edwin passed her food to Eylan. He placed in front of his sister. Guinevere removed her hand. She quietly ate her dinner. What just occurred here? Edwin cut a plate of food for Guinevere. Does she do anything for herself? Is she so sheltered and protected from harm? Morgana was left to the wolves; and Guinevere was coddled and babied by her brother and Edwin. I didn't say a word about her dinner. I decided to stew in anger. I waited for a moment to speak with Edwin. Gwen left my side to teach Morgana a dance of her land.

"Edwin," I called.

The tutor offered me a sardonic gaze," Yes, Arthur, she does know the dances of your land. She's teaching Morgana tamed childlike dances."

Once again, the tutor stared at my sister. I noticed she locked gazes with him. Morgana makes my frustration grow.

"Why did you cut her food into bite size pieces," I questioned.

Edwin waved his hand, "She's afraid of knives and swords. She won't touch one. I've cut her meat for years."

'She's going to be married in a few weeks."

"Then, teach her to cut her meat. Make her fears go away. Or cut her meat, Arthur."

"I will cut her meat until I leave," I gritted.

"It's your duty now."

X~X

Guinevere stood on stone steps with Eylan as we departed to return to Camelot. Her long dark hair hung over her shoulders. She appeared small in a silk pale pink dress. I brushed my lips across her palm.

"Until, you arrive in Camelot in a few weeks."

"I will miss you, Arthur."

I hated to admit it. I was going to miss her.

"I will miss you as well. Please journey safely. I leave Percy to guide you to Camelot."

"You have stolen my favorite attendant."

I laughed in return," She travels with my party to make arranges for your coronation gown, and wardrobe in Camelot. You will need heavier clothing."

"It has to be purple."

"No, purple," I chided. "I loathe purple."

"In my world, you wear your father's colors on the last day of your marriage feast, or when you become a queen or king of a new land. A final farewell to your previous life. My gown must be purple. You do want me to leave my life behind, Arthur?"

She smiled at me mischievously. She was excited that she out maneuvered me to change one of my rules.

"As a wedding present, you can wear purple."

"Farewell, Arthur."

"I will see you in a month, Guinevere."

X~X

I waited impatiently for Guinevere to appear at our wedding. According to her customs, I was not allowed to see my bride until our wedding ceremony. We had endless feast for days without her attendance; I took a deep breath when she appeared with Eylan and Edwin at her side. A white flowy dress with diamonds around her waist. A heavily decorated veil covered her head. It seemed like an eternity to before she reached me. I gazed into her eyes as I vowed my life to honor and cherish Guinevere.

X~X

Arthur, Arthur, Arthur," Merlin called over and over again. "Can you hear me?"

A hard pat on the back of my head broke my thoughts. She haunts my mind; even as she sleeps away our wedding feasts. Actually, in her culture, the bridal couple spends three days locked away; most of our guests believe that we are engaged in sexual bliss.

"Why did you slap me, Merlin?

"It was you or Edwin. You won."

Merlin placed a gobbet in front of me," The spell is gone. You didn't hurt her with your bite mark. The spell left her body. It made her thin skin for a moment. She's fine."

"She's been asleep for two days. She's not fine."

"At least, she didn't take a man to her bed, Arthur."

"Are you surprised?"

"No, but this sexual encounter hurt me."

"Are you jealous of Edwin, Merlin?"

"She listens to him. She's happy to see him..."

"Guinevere shares in Morgana's adoration of Edwin."

I sat with my best friend. I didn't know what quite to say to Merlin. He loved and adored Morgana. She hurts him endlessly. Yet, he remains by her side. How does he live with so many hurts?

"How do you forgive Morgana?"

"Love."

I was about to ask Merlin to define his love for Morgana when something cold touched my heart.

"Something is wrong with Guinevere, Merlin."

I didn't stop to listen to reason; I raced from my chamber until I reached Morgana's apartment.

I heard Guinevere calling my name, "Arthur, Arthur, Arthur!"

Without thinking, I opened Morgana's chamber; rushing over to her bed, Guinevere called for me in her sleep, beads of perspiration covered her face. I shook her gently.

"Guinevere, wake up, "I commanded softly. I shook her shoulder with great care until her eyes fluttered opened. She looked at me with scared eyes. Her arms reached for me as I hugged her trembling body.

"I am here. I am never leaving you in harm."

"Arthur..."

"It's okay," I soothed.

"I dreamt of Hengist."

"He's dead."

"How do you know?"

It wasn't the time to mention that I returned to his fort, and I killed him years ago. I need to calm her nerves.

"Trust in me."

"I do trust in you, Arthur."

"Tell me, what did you think of after our picnic as you walked away for your nap?"

I hard Guinevere take a deep breath," I thought of your blue eyes. They were finally soft during our lunch. I wondered about my coronation. I dreaded wearing an engagement dress; it's much too heavy until I was fitted for my coronation dress. I thought about you."

"What about me?"

"A long life as your wife. Would we have several children? Then, I thought of our wedding night. I became nervous. Did I please you?"

"Yes, you pleased me. Did I please you?"

"It was painful but it was enjoyable."

"You need to rest, Guinevere."

"Stay with me."

No couldn't form on my lips. I kicked my boots off as I removed my tunic. I climbed into bed with my wife. I drew her into my arms," Hengist won't dare haunt your dreams with me at your side."

"You need rest, Arthur. Your eyes are tired, Gwen responded.