Summary: After a tournament celebrating their marriage, Gwen treats her champion to a bath. Suggested by Guest

Champion

Gwen planned ahead for a bath to be ready by the time they made it back to their chambers after the tournament. George, and all his punctuality, had just finished filling the tub when they entered.

"May I be of any more assistance, your majesties?" the servant asked, eager and hopeful.

"That will be all, George," Gwen said and addressed Merlin who was helping Arthur with his armor. "And you, Merlin. We'll see you at the feast." She took his place removing Arthur's chainmail.

Merlin rocked back and forth on his feet. "So, uh, I'll just tell Gaius he can look at your shoulder later."

Arthur was already pulling Gwen to him, toying with the laces on the back of her gown. "Just go, Merlin."

Merlin blushed at the obvious intimacies of his best friends. "Enjoy your bath, my lord, my lady." He made a quick exit, dragging a lingering George with him.

Arthur winced when his shoulder came in contact with the hard wall of the tub. Gwen didn't miss it when she slipped in across from him. "Come here," she said softly. He moved forward, turned, and let out a pleased sigh when he leaned back against her. "Better?"

"Much," said a very contented Arthur.

Gwen leaned her head to the side and smiled down at him with his head pillowed on her breasts, eyes closed in bliss. Gwen quickly became accustomed to the intimacies of marriage. Arthur was so attentive and giving that she never felt more comfortable than when she was with him.

Clothed or unclothed.

Arthur's fingers stroked up and down her knee, and she nudged him with her other. "If you didn't joust in the first place, you wouldn't be in pain." Gwen squealed when his fingers moved to the ticklish spot under her knee. Her legged kicked, splashing water out of the tub.

"If I didn't joust, I wouldn't be in this tub with my lovely wife." Arthur looked up at her with a boyish grin and a charming twinkle in his eye.

She returned her own glorious smile. "We would've ended up here either way." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck, kissing his pulse. "I still wish you didn't joust though. I would've liked it more if you sat next to me in the booth."

"How can I be your champion if I don't participate?"

Gwen kissed his temple and whispered in his ear, "Arthur Pendragon, you will always be my champion."

They relaxed in comfortable silence until Arthur let out a chuckle when he remembered a conversation earlier with the knights.

"They laughed at your favor. 'Is that the Queen's way of punishing you for participating,' said one of the new knights." The simple linen cloth was all she could offer at the time those years ago. As a queen, she could give him a favor of the brightest, finest silk, but Arthur insisted he'd wear the old cloth whenever fought in tournaments, went on missions, and faced battle. "I told them the time you gave it to me. The day I knew I would never love another," Arthur said. "Not even Merlin knew."

"So does that mean Leon knows the truth behind Sir William?"

"You should've seen his face," Arthur laughed and then grimaced. "He definitely didn't hold back this time."

Gwen poked him lightly in the spot. "Hence the pain."

He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. "But worth it," he said. "No more hiding."

"No more hiding," she repeated.

Arthur turned out of Gwen's hold. He pulled her onto him so she straddled his lap. Gwen rubbed her hands up and down his chest before bracing his shoulders. She massaged them, giving extra attention to his injured shoulder. It was the same shoulder that bared the scar from the Questing Beast.

Her fingers lingered over it. "My husband, the warrior."

Arthur took her hand again, this time holding it over his heart. "My wife, the worrier." He grinned and then laughed when she slapped his uninjured shoulder with her free hand. He brought his other hand to caress her cheek. "My heart, you're my reason to fight, my reason to live."

Gwen leaned her forehead against his. "My husband, the flatterer."

Arthur gave her a chaste but deep kiss. When he pulled away it was only slightly. "I know, I know. 'Flattery will get you nowhere.'"

"I think we can make an exception this time." Gwen smiled wickedly as her hand disappeared under the water and Arthur let out an audible groan. "Time for your prize, my champion."


A/N: A bit short (but sweet?). I hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks always for reading and reviewing!