QUEST FOR GUINEVERE
Rating: M (A Little Violence & Sexual Content may not be suitable for persons under 18yrs)
Disclaimer: DONOT OWN MERLIN BBC, Content or characters.
"Just a quick apology and thankyou to all those who have waited patiently for the continuation of this story thanks so much. also again please excuse any typo's grammatical errors and mistakes' fingers crossed "I have managed to catch them. taa...
"Home to Camiliard"
Chapter 9
Admiring the generous splendor of the sprawling lush fields and slightly snowy covered mountain peaks, Gwen sighed quietly to herself. Their journey had been for the most part' quite pleasant and the weather; well apart from a few speckled dark grey clouds that had now started to disperse in the distance, it actually looked like it was going to clear up, which was always a good sign." The sun being high in the semi blue sky, it definitely looked promising. Guinevere had very much enjoyed the scenic beauty of the lush green fields and lands now set before her, the beautiful deep greens of shrubbery and foliage" contrasted beautifully with the many different fragrant wild blooms of flowers that grew in abundance" all around them, which of cause' quite literally, took one's breath away". With a slight cool breeze now fanning off the heat from the sun' high above them, it had seemed, nothing less then an absolutely "perfect day." Present company however had otherwise been, if not anything; quite entertaining, as Guinevere now found herself giggling as she watched with amusement her friend and faithful riding companion. Merlin of cause had been deep in his conversations with Guinevere, or rather he had been "whining" about how "sore his butt was!" Gwen of cause had found his mindless chatter if anything quite' humorous and couldn't contain her giggling, knowing full well that his constant chatter and complaining had done very little to lighten his demeanour," Merlin continued to groan about how hungry he was, and wondered how long it would be before they could take a rest of they're saddles" or to just stop" and maybe rest; for he much felt he needed to just stretch his legs a little."
As if reading his mind, Arthur had now ridden up along side his two young companions as he then began to say…
"Guinevere", Merlin?"…"Look, we are fast approaching' King Cenred's territory' so please, I'm going to need you both to be on your guard". We will be stopping shortly" just up over the next ridge very soon, to water our horses, and when we do," Guinevere," I will need you to relinquish your horse to Sir Leon and have you' ride with' me.
Gwen was about to protest' and say that she would be fine" but Arthur gave her one of his Guinevere " looks and she thought better of it.
Taking Gwen's hand and pressing it to his lips "Arthur then gently spoke to her saying"...
"Look, I know that you think that you'll be fine' to ride on your own steed' But I must have you ride with me my love" for this part of the country is infested with bandits & tyrants, and I cannot take the risk" of you being hurt'.
They all made it safely over the last ridge and down into the beautiful valley below, as they lead their horses to the waterhole's edge,' after a quick stretch and allowing their horses to have their fill they then all refilled their water tankards and re-mounted their horses.
Gwen reluctantly relinquished her horse to Sir Leon, who of cause tied Gwen's horse to his steed." Guinevere of cause, then climbed up onto Arthur's horse "Janah". Arthur soon joined her and once they were both comfortably mounted, Arthur, wrapping his arms around Guinevere then tugged on Janah's reigns, signaling him to move on." Arthur then gently leant down to whisper into Guinevere's ear saying"…
Guinevere, I am sorry" if you were wanting to ride your own horse," and I know you think you'll be fine" but I just can not take the chance my love' that you may possibly get hurt".
Turning her head to kiss his cheek, she then whispered to him…
It's okay' Arthur, I understand' but I just wished you did not worry for me so"…
Arthur than grinned saying…
My love that is never gonna happen, you are my world and I'll be damn before I let anything happen to you or anybody take you from me!"
Quietly they rode on' as they were now approaching Tattoween Forest, which of cause still laid in Cenred's Lands. Gwen could feel herself lulling a little as sleep slowly started to claim her' Arthur sensing this pulled Guinevere back flush against him so she could rest a spell, Gwen could now hear the steady staccato beating of Arthur's heart" as she laid against his chest. She couldn't help but feel a little soothed by it's hypnotic rhythm as she slowly closed her eyes" Arthur now kissing the top of Gwen's head whispered"…
"Rest now my love?"…
They had been riding now" for what seemed like an eternity.' Arthur gently roused Gwen as they were slowly approaching the thickest part of the forest, which was also known to be quite notorious for thieves and bandits" Gwen now sensing a shift in Arthur's mood & movements as she now felt him wrap his arm more tightly around her pulling her ever more closely to him as he than tugged a lot more aggressively on Janah's reigns, whilst his other hand ready it's grasp over the handle of his sword, Arthur, not wanting to alarm Guinevere for fear of frightening her" But Gwen was now totally wide awake and vigilant to the cause.
Deeper and deeper they rode on into the thick of the forest, the further they rode,' the darker and thicker and the more dense the forest became. The Darkness of the Woods' had such an Ominus feeling about it" as the whole riding party were now alerted to the rising ground fog cover & the very thick blanket of Mist that now completely surrounded them, making visibility now near impossible for all six friends as they would now have to totally rely on raw natural instinct, and intuition to fend off any would be attackers. As the Party continued a slow and arduous ride through dense thick bush and fog" all six riding companions were now so acutely aware of the heavy feeling & eminent danger that loomed in the air' Lancelot, Leon, Gwaine and Merlin, quickly closed ranks around Arthur and Guinevere as they sensed the inevitability of an attack, and so were not surprised at all when they were suddenly impeached upon by would be attackers" though visibility was pretty much near impossible all four knights had acted with such sudden speed' agility & precision as Lancelot Arthur Sir Leon & Gwaine had already dismounted their horses, Arthur quickly turning to Gwen and Merlin" Signaled to them both to quickly take cover behind a large boulder and to stay out of sight and harms way" whilst he; Lancelot Gwaine and Leon made short work of what looked like about 9- 11 robbers although visibility was still very much impaired by the thick white mist, they were still able to just see all 4 men fighting with such fantastic skill, Arthur Leon both, had no problems making fast and short work of their attackers" but not quite fast enough as Merlin could now see" two of the robbers coming up from behind Arthur and Leon who had intended on attacking both his friends from behind, totally blind siding them both!'.
Quickly alerting Guinevere to the impending attack, Merlin clutching his sword and Guinevere quickly unsheathing her sword from the side of her horse, now both charged into the mist to help Arthur and Leon, as they both now let their swords sing through the air to intercept the roguish robbers. Through the thick fog Guinevere could just barely see Merlin from the corner of her eye' as he had done so well at intercepting his opponant and finishing him off, then quickly started on his next victim. Guinevere too had let her blade do it's work as she quickly intercepted one of the attackers from running his blade through Sir Leon. Lifting her sword, she swung it" in the direction of the roguish bandit" as their blades now connected and the sound of clashing metal on metal could now be heard." Guinevere and her sword of cause' had instantly made light work of the would be Bandit, as she now ran her sword through the man, and watched as he instantly fell dead to the ground.' Instinctively she then quickly turned and noticed from the corner of her eye, to see one of the biggest brute of a man she had ever seen' fast approaching her' to launch' an attack" as he now swung his sword in her direction just missing her face and head by inches!" Quickly, Gwen flipped backward somersaulted her attacker, bringing her legs and feet up to connect and kick" her would be opponent in the face as he then stubble backwards but was soon able to regain his footing & again re- launch another attack on her, this time however Guinevere lifted her sword" easily deflected the huge beasts assault on her as their sword's clashed together as a ringing sound could now be heard as it sliced through the air. Again the big brute lunged at her lifting his sword' as Guinevere now planted her feet in a defensive stance" as she again deflected his strike upon her" quickly side stepping she was able to launch her attack" as she now quickly lunged forward striking her opponent with all the strength she could muster across his blade just above the grip of his handle; instantly snapping his blade like a tooth pick" into two pieces! A smirk now creasing the corners of Guinevere's mouth, as she grinned a glare & arched her eyebrow, into the eyes of the most ugliest mug of a man she had ever clapped eyes on." Now realizing his predicament he tried to use his broken sword' to quickly launch another assault at her, But of cause Guinevere was able to quickly dodge his advances, now using this opportunity to launch yet again another attack" as she now crouched low and pivoting herself in a half circle sweeping motion, using her right leg in a roundhouse type sweeping maneuver, instantly knocking her opponent off his feet, laying him flat on his back, quickly Guinevere sprang to her feet, plunging her sword deeply & Swiftly into his chest', her sword of cause" now making short work of the Ugly brute! as it sliced through him like a hot knife slicing through butter".
Arthur, Gwaine, Lancelot, Merlin and Sir Leon had finally defeated all 10 of the robbers, Sir Leon did a quick head count of those that had been slain" and said to Lancelot and Arthur, there's one missing' it was then that Gwaine said" I"…that would be the Leader Rutger!, may be he escaped Lancelot said'.
Arthur now realizing he hadn't seen Guinevere" he quickly turned to Merlin and Yelled...
Merlin! Where's Guinevere?..Merlin now a little paniced stammered saying.. "I..I..Left her standing over by...
All 5 friends scrambled now fearing the worst. Suddenly in the distance they could all hear what sounded like clashing steel on steel, with their swords drawn & gripped in their hands, the Lads slowly made their way towards the sound" as they drew closer to where the sound was coming from they could just vaguely make out two figures dueling obviously one' alot smaller than the other" as the thick mist cleared enough to reveal a sight that the lads had never ever expected to see" for it was such an awesome sight to behold", for there dueling more fiercely than any Warrior or knight, was "Guinevere!" who was now delivering a severe punishing to her would be attacker, whom was none other than the Leader himself Rutger!
The brute had to be at least 6.5 foot tall" but compared to Gwen's quick speed & agility the duel was unmatched for he was too slow to catch Guinevere "…upon first seeing Guinevere dueling. Arthur & the Lads had wanted to rush in and finish the brute off' but could now clearly see their attentions were not warranted" as they all still looked on in awe" the quick speed and Agility of Guinevere's Swordsmanship & footwork was definitely something to behold" her stance and the way she held her sword was something definitely different from what any of the knights had ever seen" she swung her sword with such precision & speed which was definitely something to Marvel at" as all five men still stood staring mouths agape, scarcely believing what their eyes were witnessing. "Guinevere set her final attack on her opponent, Rutger lifting his sword to lay another blow in Gwen's direction, as she easily met his assault her friends looked on and gasped" at the sight of Rutgers sword snapping in two pieces like a tooth pick as Guinevere's sword met' her opponents.
Rutgers quickly seeing his predicament quickly tried to lunge forward to try and attack Gwen with his broken sword" Gwen than easily deflected his advances & quickly squatted low pivoting and bringing her right leg round in a sweeping motion knocking her attacker flat on his back as Guinevere than quickly sprang to her feet and plunged her sword deeply into Rutger's Chest, ending his Life with the sheath of her sword.
Gwen now seeing her opponent's body lying Lifeless on the ground, moved to retrieve her sword from the dead man's chest. Guinevere couldn't help but feel a sudden sadness sweep over her as she stepped forward to reclaim her sword from Rutger's chest, she quickly with drew the blade tears now streamed down Gwen's face, Arthur moved in to hold Guinevere in his Arms and made to calm and comfort her as he gently spoke soft gentle words to sooth her,
"Sssshhh my love, it's alright your safe now"…
Gwen held on tightly to Arthur as he gently took the sword from her hand and passed it to Merlin to return it to it's holster Arthur was instantly surprised and noticed straight away the feel and liteness of Guinevere's sword and could scarcely believe how remarkably weightless it felt and had never before encounter such a sword or even believe that such a blade of it's likeness and weight was able to snap the huge blade of Rutger's sword. Arthur soothed to console Guinevere as they all now re-mounted their horses to continues on their journey, a peace and calmness settled over the riding party and no words were exchanged or uttered as the team quietly continued on.
Arthur had been more then thankful" that Guinevere had been unharmed" and neither one of them had been mortally wounded" but was even more grateful' that they were now leaving King Cendreds lands' and would soon be breaching the borders of Camilard. The journey had continued on with little fuss" as a somewhat calmness now settled over the riding party." High above them, all that could be heard now was the rustling sound of the tree's the birds' and the warmth of the sunbeams now felt streaming through the burley branches of the tall trees above them.
Guinevere had slept quietly against Arthur's chest, his thoughts of cause were now occupied by the events of what had happened 'earlier today. How had he not been aware that Guinevere was such a skilful fighter and swords woman.' Arthur grinned to himself at the revelation having been so surprised, but then' that had always been the case with Guinevere, she had always been able to surprise him! Arthur was always learning something new about his love," for how had she learnt to fight so masterfully, for he had never in all his Years of combat training ever seen any warrior or any knight; for that matter" perform half the maneuvers or combative skills that he had witnessed' Guinevere use. Her one on one fight with that ugly brute Rutger' was not if anything truly impressive and of cause Arthur was very curious as to where she might have acquire such skillfull combative techniques" for he knew now that there was so much more to Guinevere' then what he had known and was very much intrigued as to what she was yet to reveal to him. Arthur smiled remembering how valiantly she fought her opposing foe, and how very proud he felt of her', now bending his head slightly, he kissed her lightly on the side of her temple, than gently pulled her closer to him as his arms now closed tighter around her as she continued to quietly sleep. He had been absolutely scared senseless' at the thought of her been possibly injured but was more then relieved that she had held her ground better then any other knight he had fought along side" smiling to himself at the proud thought of his love' being so courageous and non-fearing, Yes he now knew he would have to talk to his love about the incident' but now was most likely not the time or moment, as he gently leant down and snuggled against the side of Guinevere's cheek and temple, pulling her closer to him as they quietly rode along.
AN: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing,your thoughts and comments are always appreciated. Well' I hope this wasn't too bad a chapter!" I myself have always liked the fact that, Guinevere is able to hold her own, hense her battle with Rutger, which of cause, sets the tone for more surprising tidbitz we are yet to findout about Gwen" so that being said, up and onwards to the next Chapter...
