Mary brushed my curls until they settled into smooth shiny waves. She tapped my silk shrouded shoulders before she left me to continue organizing Arthur's seduction. She didn't say a word as she lit numerous candles around our chamber until it was bathed in soft flickering candlelight.
"Gwen, I'll knock three times when I spot King Arthur walking in the corridor. Have a good night. Don't burn Camelot into smoldering ashes," Mary ordered. "To be young again."
"Sleep well, Mary."
Rising I walked over to Arthur's wardrobe, pushing his tunics around until his favorite white tunic was found in a jumble mess of clothing. Merlin was an awful servant. Why am I thinking of Merlin? Something about his white tunic was decadent, and caused my mind to think of wicked things. Shrugging a red silk robe away, cool air encircled my bare body. Heavy silk warmed my feet as I summoned courage to follow Gwaine's instruction. Taking a deep breath, I dropped his tunic over my body.
Boldly, I stepped to our dining table where Arthur's crown waited for him; its jewels twinkled in a beam of moonlight.
My fingers traced hard dips and cool metal when I lifted it from our food covered table. Warily, I took tiny steps with it cradled in my hands stopping before my mirror. A different woman stared back at me, her eyes were wide and luminous, a few strands of wavy hair covered her cheeks; her brown skin contrasted with the whiteness of Arthur's tunic. I wasn't a maiden any longer; a new age of womanhood dawned before me. Arthur's crown tilted towards my forehead.
"Camelot is ruled by a crown. Tonight, I rule Arthur."
I jumped slightly when Mary knocked rapidly on our chamber door.
"Time to be a sovereign," I mused.
Arching my back, I marched to the large window overlooking Camelot's courtyard. Pausing for a moment, I sucked a large breath into my chest, and placed my hands on frosty windows as moonlight streamed over my face, waiting for Arthur to open our door.