Sorry about last week. I got caught up working on The Exile and writing Exile spoilers which you can read over on my blog. :D Enjoy and always please comment.
Proof of Life, Arthur/Gwen mentions of Lancelot, Tom and Morgana, angst/drama rating PG, 2 of 4 in the Tom Lived AU
"You're working at the bakery now?"
She twisted her sleeves, stared down at her hands without seeing them.
"Yes," she said it softly and took a deep breath. "There's more, my father wrote to Lancelot."
"Wrote to Lancelot?"
She nodded sucked her cheeks and finally met his eyes.
"I guess it's my turn to have a marriage arranged. He'll be here in a few days."
His blue eyes darted around looking for a place to settle, and he swallowed several times before speaking.
"Do you-" he looked down now, choosing his shoes to stare at. "Do you care about Lancelot?"
"Once," she replied relieved to finally be asked and answer that question.
"It would be smart of you to marry him." Arthur said meeting her eyes.
Gwen felt her heart start to pound.
"Why? Why…"
"There are no obstacles if you marry him Guinevere and he is a very noble, honorable man. I'd have him as a knight if my father would only allow it."
"Do you want me to marry him," she asked throat tight?
"I want what is best for you."
"Don't you think I get to decide that?"
"Of course," hesaid still staring as if waiting to hear the worst.
"Well ," Gwen said drawing in a long, deep breath and thrusting her chin forward. "I don't want to marry Lancelot. I don't love him." She held his eyes and he nodded slow smile creeping along his face.
"Alright then, don't give up. I'll convince your father somehow and I'll figure out a way to manage mine."
She nodded and turned to go.
"Guinevere wait," his hand closed round her arm and the heat that was always between them sizzled along her skin.
"What?" They didn't have much time.
His gaze was softer now, warm, raising a flush in her skin. Without thinking she took a step toward him.
"Remember, always remember," his other hand reached up to stroke her cheek and she leaned into the caress. "I love you. I need you."
She searched his eyes for the truth and her knees turned to water at what she saw there.
"Arthur," she gripped his arm taking advantage of his strength and stared up at him knowing she should probably turn away now.
"Remember," he repeated the words, and pulled her in close, tucking her body along his. When his lips, warm and soft finally touched hers, Guinevere sighed and for just a moment forgot the people and forces arrayed against them.
It wasn't until months later when Morgana was holding all the cards, when she had his father imprisoned and an army of immortal foreigners inside the city walls that he got the scroll from Morgana:
"Meet me in the palace courtyard or your wench and her father are dead", that Arthur got his chance to prove himself to Tom. The only question was how would he do it with paying with his life?