"Was Florence angry when you returned late yesterday?" Hand in hand, Arthur and Gwen walked along the very stream that stole her shoe.
Gwen sighed as she remembered the quarrel that had ensued after she failed to creep into the house unseen. "Nothing I couldn't handle," she said, not wanting to spoil the rare moments she had with Arthur with complaints about her family, although in the past week, she'd discovered, much to her surprise, that Arthur could be a very good listener.
"I wanted to ask you something," Arthur said just as they sat on their usual rock next to the stream. "I was thinking about your father and how ill he was."
Letting herself lean against him, Gwen nodded her head. Arthur's arm immediately went round her and held her close.
"It occurred to me that your father can't be the only person who is sick and unable to afford the services of the royal physicians."
That piqued Gwen's interest and she pulled away to look up at him. "Of course," she said cautiously, not wanting to get her hopes up.
"I had Merlin speak to Gaius - they seem close for some reason - and Gaius said that he would be willing to provide his services to the people at no charge. So I was thinking we could offer the services of the royal physician for free once a week." His eyes met hers. "What do you think?"
Gwen bit down on her smile and tried to temper the growing pride and affection that she was feeling. "I think it's a brilliant idea. What does your father think of it?"
"He thinks I'm a fool but he has no objections if Gaius is willing." His arm slipped from her shoulder and he stretched before lying down on the rock, letting out a sigh. "I know it's a good idea but it would be nice to have him agree once in a while."
"Well, I agree," Gwen said teasingly.
His hand reached out and he tugged her so she collapsed against him. "And you don't know how much that means to me."
For a while, they lay quietly on the rock, Gwen happy to be away from the stress of her family and Arthur glad to be away from his father.
"Will you be in the tournament?"
"Of course! I am the reigning champion."
Gwen laughed. "I know that. It's why the people love you so much. You put on a good show for them."
Under her head, Gwen could feel Arthur's answering chuckle. "I do, don't I?"
"You're too full of yourself."
"You would be too if you went through the whole tournament unbeaten, like I did last year. Did you watch?"
"Ah, I didn't have tickets and I didn't have time to go early to get the free seats. But I heard a lot about it."
"Did you hear about me?" Arthur shifted so that he was on one elbow, looking down at her. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"How could I not? They said your arrogance would be your downfall."
"Who?" Arthur frowned. "But they were wrong. And they will be wrong again this year. I'm going to be the champion again."
Laying a hand gently on his taut stomach, Gwen nodded. "I'm sure you will."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "You don't sound like you believe it."
"Oh, how could I doubt the greatest knight of all Camelot?"
Arthur felt his cheeks heat up as she reminded him of what he'd called himself at the previous year's victory celebrations. "It's true."
"You're so -" But her words were smothered by Arthur's mouth as he kissed her. Lifting her arms, she twined them around his neck, ignoring the word in her head telling her that nothing would come out of this. Her father's illness had taught her to grasp whatever happiness she could get now and being with the prince made her very happy.
Arthur was humming, having dropped Gwen off just outside the lower town. Spending time with her not only made him happy, it also made him feel free. Unlike everyone else, she seemed to see him as a person, not just the crown prince of Camelot. Life hadn't been this good for him in a long time.
"Your father is looking for you," one of the guards informed him as he entered the castle and immediately his mood plummeted.
"Where were you? You weren't at training. Your manservant was also nowhere to be found." Uther glared at him from behind the throne.
Arthur bowed his head, hoping to appear contrite. "I'm sorry father. I went to the towns to check on the repairs."
"That wasn't on your schedule! But never mind. King Godwyn will be here tomorrow with his daughter and I want you around all the time. You will get to know Princess Elena and by the tournament ball, your engagement and wedding will be announced."
All the remaining happiness drained from Arthur. "No. No. I am not marrying a complete stranger."
"Don't be foolish. You have a week to get to know her. She'd hardly be a complete stranger then."
"Father. Marriage to a complete stranger never made anyone here happy!"
"Your happiness is not the issue here."
"I will quit the throne. Exile myself. I will not marry someone not of my choice." For the first time, without even waiting for his father to dismiss him, Arthur stormed out of the throne room. A myriad of thoughts swirled in him mind but all he could focus on was Gwen.
Merlin watched him warily as he stomped back to his room.
"Quarrel with Gwen did you? She's usually right so I'd suggest you admit you're wrong and apologise."
"Shut up Merlin." Flinging himself onto his bed, he buried his face in his pillows. Then he sat up. "Princess Elena, the lady I have been arranged to marry, is arriving tomorrow."
"Oh."
"Oh indeed." Arthur sighed again. "I told my father I would rather give up the crown than marry her."
"And how did he take it?" Merlin stopped polishing the candlestick and looked at him.
"I don't know. I thought that was the best moment for a dramatic exit."
"It was a good moment. Delays his blow up at you though."
"I can just imagine that. Maybe I'll come down with an awful cold and have to stay in bed the whole of tomorrow."
"And the rest of the week?" Merlin asked.
"And the rest of the week."
"Your father will just barge in here and blow up at you."
"Shut up Merlin."
The main street was teeming with people from all around, all hoping to win the 500 gold coins up for grabs at the Royal Tournament. Usually Gwen's interest in the many tournaments held by the castle was limited to how much business this drummed up for her smithy. But this time, things were different. The tournament, and winning it, meant a lot to Arthur and Gwen had to admit, she really wanted to be there to support him. Still, he hadn't invited her to watch and Gwen wasn't about to make the first move.
"You were up late again and breakfast was late as well," snapped Rosalind. "And nowadays, you keep running off to goodness knows where. Do you perchance have a beau?"
"I don't think this is any business of yours."
"Not my business? This is my family too!"
"Then maybe you'd want to pull your weight in the family instead of just sitting around and ordering me about."
Rosalind stamped her feet. "I'll tell father of your impertinence! And he was just about to get up and take a walk."
"Is he feeling stronger now?"
"You would know if you stayed around. And he won't be feeling so good once he learns what a selfish brat his daughter is."
The urge to retort was great but Gwen held her tongue. "Please Rosalind. I'm sorry I said those things. Don't upset Dad."
"Fine. I won't. But you'd better make sure the dress you're sewing for me is the most beautiful one you've ever done. I want to be the most gorgeous one at the tournament celebrations."
"Yes Rosalind." Just as she was about to walk away from Rosalind, Gwen remembered something. "Rosalind, did Taylor give you tickets to the tournament again this year?"
"Of course. I can't wait till he becomes a knight and then, I can get better tickets."
"But you never go for the tournaments. You say they are crowded and hot."
"So?"
Gwen hated asking for favours from her step-sister but there was no way she could afford a ticket on her own and she really wanted to watch Arthur in the tournament. "So I thought you could let me have it."
"You? You aren't interested in the tournament either!"
"Maybe I am now."
"Ha! No. I think I should go this year and find out what or who has caught your eye." And with those words, Rosalind smirked at her, then left the room.
