QUEST FOR GUINEVERE
Rating: M (A Little Violence & Sexual Content may not be suitable for persons under 18yrs)
Disclaimer: DONOT OWN MERLIN BBC, Content or characters.
Chapter 4
Chateau de Pierrefonds- The Inn:
Gwen now rubbing the beautiful pendant in her hand, stared down at it's beauty aimlessly, & was suddenly roused from her thoughts to see Lancelot arms carrying a tray that was fully laidened with food, 2 fresh hot begats, two steaming hot bowls of Chicken Soup, a small selection of tasty cheeses, various fruits and nuts & also a selection of cold cuts of meat; honey ham, chicken & salami. Lancelot than laying the tray down on the table turned to Gwen saying…
"My Lady sustenance and a meal fit for a Princess?' he beamed.
Gwen quietly thought more like a small ARMY"... But was more then appreciative for Lancelot kind gesture to want to feed her. Gwen could not help but smile as she looked at her friend; saying...
I'm sorry' Lancelot I really haven't much of an appetite"...I've not been feeling very hungry of lately?" but Lancelot was not taking no for an answer as he then said with a warning tone…
I'm sorry Gwen" but I must insist that you eat something' you have barely had anything to eat since yesterday afternoon and then it was only a small piece of cheese"… I am sorry my Lady" But I really must Insist!" I do not want to have to force you Gwen' but I will if I have to?"
Staring a smile of disbelief" Gwen giggled at her friend saying"…
"Oh dear kind Sir I must admit "You have gained much confidence' & command' in your time away from Camelot?"
A smile now creased Lancelot's handsome features as he smiled at her'.
Please Gwen?" You must eat something?" or if you prefer there is something a little lighter?...there is warm chicken soup to warm the belly?
Gwen now smiled at her friend, and replied...
"Mmm sounds wonderful Lancelot thank you?
Both the Young Couple shared light conversation a few laughs, and a wonderful delicious meal together as they spoke of Camelot and their friends Merlin, Gaius, Sir Leon, Gwaine and the rest of the Knights. Lancelot of cause talked about Camiliard and how he became a knight In the court of Camiliard, working his way up through ranks to become, "Head Knight & personal Ambassador for the King but more so of the close bond and attachment he himself had forged with his King?" Both the young couple talked late into the afternoon as they both sat comfortably in each others Company...their discussions had covered a great many a topic's of friends,even Camelot's demise during the dragon attacks." Yes" both Gwen and Lancelot enjoyed their conversations. But it had not gone unnoticed by both the young couple, that although they had covered many a topics in their conversations,' they had still not touched on the one subject" that was now so precariously teetering on the very tip of Lancelot's tongue!" Yes the one subject that Lancelot felt" for some unknown reason" Guinevere was trying her hardest to avoid"…ARTHUR?"...
Gwen could tell that Lancelot had sensed feelings of despair" in her, as he had himself noticed her from time to time, deep in her thoughts. For it was clear that her glances had always betrayed her to reveal tears in the corners of her eyes." Most likely when Gwenuivere had thought" Lancelot wasn't looking.
Lancelot knew his young friend was much plagued with sadness and wished it were not so" For though he did not wish for his friend to relive painful memories" he did realize that It would be inevitable, that the question would eventually need to be asked, so sooner rather than later, he quickly put the question to Gwen, so as to quickly get through possibly a difficult awkward moment. so as Lancelot quickly brought a spoon of soup to his lips' he quickly asked...
So Gwen?…as Lancelot began… What of the Prince?'…. How is Arthur?...
As if avoiding the obvious, both the friends just carried on as if, trying too hard to keep it casual"…. Gwen waited a little while before answering" as she too lifted the spoon of soup to her mouth to gently slurp of it's content…
Arthur?"...ah' I believe he to be quite well" Lancelot' I have seen very little of him, as you might well know? since the attacks on Camelot, he has been much pre-occupied and busy with Uther' tending to Structural Planning for some of the outline villages within Camelot's Realm I believe?.
Most of what Gwen had told Lancelot was true" as Arthur had been helping his Father with the structural planning due some damage suffered during the dragon assaults on Camelot & also some of the outline villages but then that had been some months back, prior to Uther having had to leave to tend to further business in the North & would be away from Camelot for some time on this particular trip.
Arthur of cause had helped his Father with all the necessary documents and paper work that needed to be prepared to take with him. However Gwen had thought it best not to bother Lancelot with the details. As she now listened to Lancelot, continued to say...
"Oh?...So you have not seen Arthur for some time then?
Gwen feeling somewhat put upon" quickly answered saying...
Don't be ridiculous Lancelot" she smiled...of cause I've seen him?' it's just that I have been busy too" you know?'.
As I myself have been somewhat preoccupied with Gaius' learning a lot about different medicinal formulas and then Gaius has me reading all different kinds of books on herbal remedies and herbal Doctrine so when I'm not working I always have my head stuck in a Book?'.
And as for Arthur" well he seems to be spending a lot of his time In the Council Chambers with the King learning the ropes from his father, and of cause Uther demands alot more of Arthur's time these days. So yes I have seen him around Camelot but we both individually have been busy and it's not like I can just walk up to him and say hello!" and start a conversation because you know that it would be frowned upon?"
Gwen could now feel herself turning red" and a little embarrassed as she felt the anxiety & a little anger as she now found herself stammering at Lancelot's probing questions …
You" know I do"... I do have a Life outside of Arthur you know?
Lancelot could now see the anxiety that he had caused his friend by his questioning, as a frown had now settled over Gwen's beautiful face, as she struggled with her frustration. Lancelot placed his hand over Gwen's hand to ease her anxiety.
My apologies Gwen I did not mean to upset you?" please forgive me?" I shall not press further?.
Gwen had calmed her self quickly and just wanted to change the subject" thanking Lancelot for setting her mind at ease, sensing a an opportunity to offer Gwen his sympathetic shoulder, Lancelot then began to say...
Gwen please, if you ever need to talk" I am a good listener" I would like to be there for you Gwen?...
Gwen smiled at Lancelot thanking him for his kind words and was even more surprised but pleased as he began to confide in her, saying...
Gwen I know that I have hurt you greatly in the pass and I now need to make a amends for what I did to you back then? and I have long agonized over it since. I now know I should have trusted my love for you' our love" back then Gwen?. But as you see time has moved us both exactly to where we need to be' and I have now made peace with my heart. But I do know that I need to make amends with you and ask for your forgiveness" Gwen?...
Gwen looking like she was about to utter something to Lancelot" but Lancelot gestured to her to let him finish" saying...
Please' Gwen' let me finish" before I forget what it was" I wanted to say to You?"...taking a short breath Lancelot" continued to say...
When I left you that time in the Forest with Arthur and Merlin the last time?" Believe it or not" Gwen it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do," as I mentioned earlier I did not trust my own feelings and felt I was not good enough for you, when I should of at the time' have trusted you' and most importantly I should have trusted our love" & myself" as you had put your trust in me. But as I have mentioned Gwen' time has a way of revealing things to us' that allows us to be in the right place at the right time" and I now believe that you and I were never meant to be Gwen?' I believe that you and Arthur' are destined to be together no matter what has happened or has passed, you and he will have your happy beginning?"I truely believe that Gwen?"
Guinevere sat quietly listening to Lancelot and his beautfully spoken words' and appreciated that he had wanted to share with her his inner most heartfelt emotions and so admired Lancelot for having being brave enough to open up to her in such away" as she quietly sat and listened" as he continued to say...
As I knew of Arthur's deep Love and devotion for you " Gwen, I then realized that I could have never ever come, between Arthur and his love for you' and so decided to leave. Again as I mentioned, Gwen" I have made peace with my actions. I can now only hope that in time you will forgive me Gwen?"
Smiling stretching out her hand to Lancelot in friendship Guinevere smiled as she then said...
"Lancelot' Please?, You are a dear dear friend and there is absolutely nothing to forgive?' and I will always consider you a most trusted & sweet close friend Lancelot. Please, be rest assured that there is nothing to forgive my friend?"
Smiling Gwen gently continued to squeezed Lancelots hand. As they now sat quietly contemplating their close friendship now knowing that they were Both resided to the fact they would always be good friends and nothing more. Lancelot than notice that Gwen looked a little sleepy as she had started to yawn and advised she was a little tired.
Finishing their afternoon tea' Lancelot smiled at Gwen saying…
"Gwen I hope you don't mind but I've taken the liberty of reserving separate rooms for us here in the Inn, it might be a nice idea to take a quick nap before dinner later this evening, also a good nights sleep and baths before we continue our journey home tomorrow?" which of cause I might well add, could only make our trip home tomorrow a little more bearable, for it's at least another day and a half's ride to Camiliard.
Gwen Smiled at Lancelot and thanked him for his thoughtfulness as she wasn't really looking forward to sleeping on the ground again tonight and was much appreciative to Lancelot that he too was of the same mind". Gwen, could now feel the all too familiar feelings of HOME" her thoughts yet again lingering on" CAMELOT' she couldn't help but feel that Camelot was still her home, still apart of her' as it was all she had ever known" and now here she was faced with the realization that she had a New home now, A new beginning" and a new Life!" But more so" the reality of a new life without HIM!
Lancelot smiled a wide smile at Gwen, and knew that his friend was thinking of Camelot and missing her friends" Not to mention a certain SOMEBODY!" Lancelot squeezed Gwens hand and said...
Believe me Gwen you will come to love Camiliard just as much as I have,' for indeed it's Cities Splendid beauty, it's beautiful people are as loving, fare and Just of any I have ever witnessed and would more than equal that of Camelot I assure" you Gwen?
Lancelot still continued to squeeze Gwen's hand and smile at her, but she noticed something a little diffierent in his tone and at first she was a little concerned as she now heard him continue saying...
"But Gwen there was also another pressing matter I wanted to discuss with you?...something else' of great Importance?" I had wanted to speak to you earlier about it' but wanted to wait for the right time "& now seems to be a more opportune time" if any"…
Gwen smiled more then a little curious" as she stared a heart warming smile at Lancelot' whilst trying to read the smiley expression & sparkly twinkle in his eyes…
Yes' Lancelot?, well" tell me?" she giggled... "You had better tell me quick" cause you look like your going to burst with excitement?" she laughed'.
Smiling broadly Lancelot then looked at Guinevere saying...
"Gwen I am married"...My wife's name is Renee Dominique Duvall Du Lac and we are expecting our first child"she is in her 8-month…we met when I first joined the Knights Squad of Camiliard, Renee was Governess to the Royal household and courtier but currently she has had to fore go her duties to take leave of absence due to our soon appending arrival?…Lancelot waited with bated breathe at Gwen's reaction..
Gwen had been taken totally by surprise at the sudden news but could not be more pleased for her friend...beaming a wide smile from ear to ear at Lancelot" and was especially proud and happy at hearing the joyful emotional way in which he had spoken of his Wife" and his expectant pending arrival of his soon to be new born child".
Lancelot searched Gwen's face and hoped that he had not caused Gwen any hurt or harm' at the New found piece of information he had just shared with her. But now saw that his friend" could not be more happier for him! as he beamed a huge smile back at her'.
"Oh Lancelot Congratulations! Why did you not tell me earlier?" I am so" incredibly happy for you?, and oh my God" you are expecting your first child?" Oh my gosh Lancelot I cannot believe it?" This is such wonderful news?" truely?
Gwen could not contain her happiness any longer and lunged at Lancelot" Pulling him into a bear hug squeeze" as she kept repeating...
I am sooo happy Lancelot?"... So very happy?"...
No sooner had she said those very words" she could have just died of shock right then and there!" taken by complete surprise from a familiar voice that had spoken from behind her, a Voice that she herself had thought that she might never ever hear again!" Totally swept away and engulfed by the surprising and somewhat surreal moment" she had felt like someone had just walked over her grave!"
Slowly she turned to see him standing behind her" Gwen now still in a complete state' of surrealness, trying hard to swallow back a hard lump that had developed in her throat"...uttering now' the name of the person she herself had thought that she would never ever have believe to repeat again!"...
ARTHUR!"...
AN "So there we have it" Lancelot is not a schmuck! lol and he's not out" to try and get Gwen back! Yay!" Yes, he's a very happily married man"*smiles* not to mention he has beaten both Gwen and Arthur down the Isle and Fatherhood" too!" But right about now" I think ARTHUR" on the otherhand may have gotten the wrong end of the Stick! Again thanks to all those that have reviewed, Alerts:story/ favorite etc... much appreciated".*kohimoana*
