Chapter 7
Christmas Tree Decoration
Rowan calmly waited for his aunt and sister to finish Christmas shopping. He was enjoying the peace and quiet. That was, until he felt something hard hit him square on the forearm. He saw a soccer ball just below the area where he was hit. Then, he looked up to see the boy walk up and grab it without saying sorry.
"Hey!" Rowan called. The boy continued walking as if he didn't hear him. "Say sorry!" Rowan shouted, hitting the boy's shoulder with his fist. The boy responded but not in the way that Rowan expected. He hit Rowan square in the eye, bruising it purple. Rowan responded by aiming a blow at the boy's head, causing the boy to duck and avoid the attack. The boy then placed a well-aimed kick in Rowan's shin. The fight continued, causing people to look around and see what the fuss was about.
"Rowan!" Gwen called, rushing into the scene with Aida in tow. She stomped toward her nephew, horrified at his violent display.
"Break it up, you two!" she shouted as she pried her nephew and the boy apart. It took a while for them to stop swinging their fists, trying to hit their adversary.
"He didn't apologize!" Rowan accused, jabbing his finger towards his opponent. Gwen told him to wait as she turned toward the other offender. The boy took out a pad of paper and a pencil and wrote his answer down.
"It's because I'm mute," Gwen read out loud for Rowan to hear. Rowan's face went white then pale as if all the blood had been drained from him.
"I'm sorry," Rowan apologized. The boy nodded before running off. Gwen turned to Rowan with a dark glare.
"Let's go," she muttered darkly to him.
"What's this?" Brady asked as Gwen stomped into the kitchen. Her nephew and niece followed her with sheepish and quiet expressions respectively. She ignored the question and told Rowan to sit on the counter. She examined his face, noting the black eye and the swollen lip.
"Could you get me an ice pack?" Gwen asked Brady. He handed it to her wrapped in a white towel. Gwen immediately placed it on Rowan's lip and eye.
"Aunt Gwen, stop fussing over me. The fight was nothing!" Rowan grabbed the ice pack from his aunt.
"Rowan, in the process, you knocked down a Christmas shopper, disrupted a Christmas choir, and knocked over several stalls."
"My word!" Brady and Fredrick, who had just arrived, exclaimed simultaneously. Gwen gave them a knowing look as if she was saying, 'Kids.'
"Well, at least it's something to tell the grandkids." Fredrick quipped, trying to lighten the tension.
Arthur wiped his boots as best as he can as he stepped into the castle. He had used the back door so as not to disturb his father. He turned around and found a most astonishing sight. He watched as a valet and Fredrick dragged a big pine tree into the castle. "Where did you get that from?" Arthur inquired. He was glad his father was not present because he would have surely thrown a fit at the tree. Plus, his father would have a heart attack when he saw the trail of snow the tree was creating in the hallway.
"Miss Leodegrance, sire," the valet confessed before helping Fredrick tug it toward the main living room on the first floor.
"Guinevere." Arthur couldn't help but smile. He liked the fact that there was someone new who could stand up to his father. He was rather tired of it always being between Morgana and Uther. He wondered if she would let him decorate it. He always loved that tradition. Ygraine, his mother, always liked to encourage the family to decorate the tree together when they were younger. She always carried Arthur and Liliana so they could reach the tall parts. "Arthur?" a voice called, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Guinevere." Arthur offered her his most charming smile. She looked rather casual in her lavender leggings and sky blue dress.
"How was the hunt?" she asked with distaste. He was surprised at her tone but was also glad.
"What's with the tone of voice?"
"I just think that killing an animal for pleasure is just cruel."
"Really? I thought he was the only one." He paused, studying her reaction. He could register shock and surprise. "To me, fox hunting is cruel and for barbarians. So, I avoid it at all costs."
"Then what do you hunt?" Gwen was rather curious now.
"We actually set up cardboard animals around the forest."
"That's not actually hunting," Gwen clarified.
"Oh, it's called spot shooting but I prefer to call it hunting," he explained. Gwen, on the other hand, was still surprised. A man who didn't like hunting? "That was rather sexist," Gwen told herself. "I guess it didn't make the cover of Sports Illustrated," Gwen joked. Arthur laughed at this comment. She really was one unique girl.
"How long will you be staying?" Arthur asked politely.
"Why? Do you want to get rid of me already?" she joked. He raised an eyebrow.
"I was joking," Gwen reassured him.
"I know," he replied. Gwen blushed, cursing herself for giving herself away so easily.
"Would you like to meet my friends?" Arthur invited. Gwen nodded.
"Arthur! We thought you were going to ditch us, mate!" Merlin called as his best friend entered with a lovely looking lady with him.
"Always the fool, aren't you Merlin," Arthur shouted, causing the room to erupt in laughter. "Oh, guys, this is Guinevere Leodegrance, my newly discovered sister-in-law."
"Hello. I see you've already met my clot pole of a friend," Merlin stated, shaking Gwen's hand. Arthur tried hard not to roll his eyes at his friends.
"This is Merlin Ambrosius, my best friend and personal idiot," Arthur stated, glaring at his friend, causing Merlin to smirk. A petite woman with dark hair and big, blue eyes walked toward Gwen. "Hi, I'm Freya Donnelly. I'm Merlin's girlfriend," she said, shaking Gwen's hand. Her smile was so genuine that Gwen hoped she would get along with this girl.
"Gwen?" Leon gaped at the sight of his childhood friend. He hadn't seen her since he moved from their small hometown to Wales. Gwen smiled as she saw Leon walk toward her. She and her brother missed him. "You two know each other?" Arthur asked, confused.
"Yes, my father and his father were in college together," Gwen stated after Leon hugged her. A dark haired girl with beautiful white skin and soft kind eyes approached Gwen. "Hello, I'm Mithian, Leon's girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you. I'm glad Leon has found someone as beautiful as you." Gwen was really happy for her friend.
"This is Percival," he said, pointing toward the muscular man on the sofa. He waved to where Gwen and Arthur were standing.
"Yo princess! You didn't forget about me, did you?" a suave young man called. "Of course, this is Gwaine," Arthur said, pointing toward him. Instead of shaking Gwen's hand, he kissed the back of it softly. "Nice, to make your acquaintance, Esmeralda." He waggled his eyebrows. Gwen rolled her eyes. Arthur, on the other hand, was feeling jealous.
"Guys, sorry I'm late but-Gwen?" a voice questioned at the doorway. She spun around to find a familiar figure standing in the doorway.
"Lancelot?" She was surprised. Very, very surprised.
"I didn't know you were coming here!" Lancelot exclaimed. He hadn't seen Gwen for a long time. Not since she had to take up the care of her nephew and niece and when he had to leave for his family home in Albion.
"Now, how do you two know each other?" Arthur asked.
"We used to…um…date. He was my boyfriend until I became the legal guardian of Rowan and Aida," Gwen faltered, smiling sheepishly. All of a sudden, Arthur had a sudden urge to deck Lancelot. He didn't get why he was acting this way. Lancelot was a really nice guy but the fact that he and Gwen were "romantically linked" made him boiling mad. Before he could act in any way, a shrill voice sounded through the doorway.
"Oh, Arthur!" Arthur turned around and saw his girlfriend, Vivian Moffett, standing there, batting her eyelashes and twirling her hair. She was really beautiful with blonde hair, blue eyes, and flawless white skin. She was dressed in a green blouse and blue jeans.
"Hello darling," he greeted her before she pulled him into a kiss. All the boys in the room tried not to gag at the ghastly sight before them. Arthur broke away and put an arm around her. Gwen saw the whole scene unfold, feeling strangely jealous. 'I should have known.'
"So, who's hungry?" Arthur asked as a manservant brought a small tray with a plate full of small sandwiches and cups of tea along with the whole teapot, milk, and sugar. The sandwich plate was blue with intricate designs around the plate.
Everyone settled down then started grabbing the sandwiches and tea. "So, Gwen, has Arthur been treating you well?" Merlin asked.
"Actually, yes. He has been rather polite," she told him.
"Good. All princes are supposed to act that way. Ouch!" Merlin exclaimed when he felt a pillow hit him.
"You're not really prince, are you?" Gwen asked.
"I…am," Arthur admitted sheepishly. "From my mother's side."
"Do they have proper tea where you are from?" Vivian asked.
"Unless you count fish and chip with some ice tea." Arthur laughed at Gwen's comment. He was glad to meet someone who liked something other than the usual herbal tea. Vivian could sense something was wrong. She could tell that this girl was going to be threat to her chance of becoming a princess.
"Did you know that the tray was hand painted by Louis Milton?" she asked, hoping to gain the upper hand.
"You mean by Christopher Landor," Gwen stated matter-of-factly.
"No, I mean Louis Milton," she stated firmly. Just then, Fredrick came in carrying a box of colorful decorations. "Excuse me, Miss Leodegrance, but we found the boxes."
"Oh. I have to go. Thanks for the sandwiches and tea. It was nice meeting you." She got off the sofa and headed for the door.
"Louis Milton, you say?" Gwaine questioned before proceeding to flip the plate to check. It said: Christopher Landor.
"One point, Gwen," Gwaine announced triumphantly, earning a glare from Vivian and round of applause for the others.
"Thanks for bringing it, Fredrick." Gwen marveled at the tree. It was really tall and she couldn't wait to get started. She was about to reach for a red bauble until…
"What's going on here?" a voice sounded from the doorway. Gwen turned to find Miss Anna standing there with her hands on her hips. For a meek and kind woman, she looked pretty scary. "We were just decorating the Christmas tree," Gwen said.
"We can't do it. My lord would never approve," Miss Anna said sternly. "Come on, Miss Anna. Don't deny kids a tree at Christmas. Have you ever had kids?" Gwen pleaded, seeing some sympathy flash before her eyes. Miss Anna started fidgeting with her apron, as if unsure what to say or not. The silence that followed was rather long and tantalizing.
"Yes." Miss Anna looked Gwen in the eye as if to tell her that she was not kidding. "Brady and I. We have three beautiful children. Cathy, Donald, and Elsa." Gwen didn't interrupt the story. She needed Miss Anna to be on their side for this.
"We loved them very much. The best days were at Christmas. We would make a small meal for all of us to share." Miss Anna's eyes misted at the memories. "We always gave each other gifts, not fancy ones though." She smiled so brightly that Gwen couldn't help but return it.
"But, now, they're gone. Donald passed away from flu, Cathy and Elsa are far away in college." She then broke down on the couch, sobbing so hard. She missed her children so much. Her heaving sobs were so heartbreaking that Gwen couldn't help tearing up a little too. She put a reassuring hand around the housekeeper. After a while, Miss Anna shot up with a dazzling smile on her face. "Let's do it!" Gwen nearly jumped for joy.
They immediately set to work. Gwen took a beautiful porcelain ballerina and set it on the highest branch she could reach. "First decoration, done!" she announced triumphantly. She was about to get a second one when a noise from the hall interrupted her.
"Milo, give me back Sandra!" Gwen turned around to see Aida chasing Rowan, with an angry expression on her face. Gwen was so surprised that she stumbled and fell on the floor.
"Now, remember Arthur. You and I have a date with my parents and I this weekend. Lunch at that fancy restaurant," Vivian reminded Arthur. He nodded, trying not to scream that it was the fifteenth time that she reminded him. All of a sudden, Rowan came dashing down the steps, trying to avoid his sister, who looked dangerously mad. They kept being chased for a while until Rowan grabbed Vivian's bag, sending it tumbling to the snow. A car sped toward them, prompting Arthur to carry Aida to avoid being run over while the rest immediately jumped out of the way.
"Rowan! Aida!" Gwen called, checking to see if they were alright. "Is everyone alright?" Brady called, hurrying after her with Rowan's and Aida's jacket. "It's alright Brady. We're all fine," Gwen stated. That was until Vivian let out a bemoaning wail. "MY NEW HANDBAG! HOW DARE YOU!" she shouted, seething with rage. "You know, Arthur, I'd keep a close eye on these kids if I were you." Vivian said coolly before getting into the car.
"Who started it this time?" Gwen asked in an accusing tone. "He did it!" Aida pointed an accusatory finger at her brother. Rowan nodded, confirming his guilt. He gave Aida her doll back with a quick "I'm sorry".
"Now, since you've stopped arguing, why don't you help Brady with his chores?" Arthur suggested with a stern face. "Chores?" Rowan and Aida chorused.
"Yes." Arthur crouched down to Aida's level. "Feeding Shetland ponies." A look of surprise and wonder crossed Aida's face. "Ponies?" she gasped. Arthur grinned, shooting a glance at Gwen. She returned his gesture with a smile. "Come along children. Let's look for carrots." Brady quietly led the children away.
"Thank you Arthur," Gwen said, smiling gratefully.
"Your welcome." As Arthur smiled at her, she felt her heart beat faster in her chest.
That night, Gwen stopped to admire the tree. It was going quite smoothly. She thought, no, she knew that they were going to love it. The tree was decorated beautifully with different baubles, porcelain figures, and other delightful ornaments. What really set off the tree was the different colored lights. They glowed beautifully along with the roaring fire in the fireplace.
"Now that is a Christmas tree," a voice said from the doorway. Gwen turned to see Arthur standing in the doorway, admiring the beautiful tree. "Isn't it pretty?" Gwen was proud of herself.
"It is." Arthur agreed, though he was not looking at the beautiful tree. He was looking at something far more beautiful in his mind. "May I help?" Arthur asked. Gwen nodded, appreciative of his offer. She immediately tossed him a beautiful golden one which he caught flawlessly in his hand. "I warn you though. I'm a little bit rusty in decorating." Gwen giggled. "There is no wrong way to decorate a Christmas tree," Gwen said. Arthur immediately proceeded to hang it on the nearest branch. "Not there." Arthur went a little higher but she kept saying no. Gwen resolved the matter by guiding Arthur's hand to the right spot. He hung the ornament but didn't let go of her hand. They found themselves staring into each other's eyes. They could have stayed that way forever until Morgana appeared in the doorway. When she saw the tree, her eyes widened in delight. "Gwen, it's beautiful," Morgana complimented, hugging her. Gwen smiled, happy that they appreciated it.
"Wow." Aida stood in the doorway with Rowan, their eyes equally wide at the magnificent sight before them. "This is the biggest tree we ever had," Rowan exclaimed.
"Yeah. I bet you had to use a credit card to get this, Aunt Gwen!" Aida exclaimed. Arthur shot her a curious glance while Gwen just mouthed "Don't ask". Morgana started rummaging in the ornament box and found something familiar. "Arthur, look!" Arthur immediately rushed to her side and saw what she was holding. A star.
It was beautiful, with diamonds shining from it's surface. The star sparkled beautifully, sending different light reflections around the room as it glittered in the firelight. Arthur smiled, reminiscing happy times."Father used to put this on all the time. Remember, Morgs?" He grinned, remembering the joy that always crossed his father's face.
"Pretty!" Aida ran over to admire it better.
"What is this?!" a stern voice sounded from the doorway. Everyone turned to see a furious Uther standing in the doorway. "It's a Christmas tree, Father," Morgana said defiantly.
"I can see that! Where did it come from?!" Uther exclaimed. He was boiling mad now.
"I bought it," Gwen answered, trying hard not to look scared.
"I told you that I do not want-" he started to shout but stopped when Aida approached him. "Here, grandpa. We saved the tree topper for you." Aida handed him the said ornament. Uther took it in his hands, his look softening as he remembered all those beautiful moments.
"Arthur said it's your favorite," she added.
"Did he, now?" Uther shot a look at his son. "Do you remember it?" Aida asked. Uther smiled. "Yes. At my first Christmas as a married man, we each gave each other an ornament. Ygraine gave me this." He turned the star over. "I gave her a nutcracker. She laughed and told me that she thought it was great." Uther felt tears prick his eyes, missing his wife more than ever.
"Well, there is always a place for it on the tree," Gwen said tentatively.
"Thank you, Gwen. It is a wonderful tree." Gwen smiled, glad that he was finally warming up. "Your welcome. But I had lots of help." She wasn't afraid to admit it.
"Why don't you join us? There is still much tree left to cover."
"Oh, the staff can take care of it," Uther suggested.
"Oh no," Gwen contradicted gently. "That's the best part. The whole family does it together."
"Join us," Morgana said. She was happy to see her father's smile.
Uther smiled. "Sure." They then got a ladder and held it steady as Uther placed the star on top, shining in all it's glory.
A/N: I hope this makes up for lack of updating. I hope you liked this.
