Chapter nine
Speaking words
Brandan exhaled and rubbed his eyes. "I wish, there were someway I could make my father understand, but I can't."
Merlin nodded. "He's seen more darkness instead of light unfortunately."
"He's a fool." Merlin scowled at Brandan. "Forgive me, for saying that about your friend under your roof, but what else can you call a man who casts aside a friend like you?"
"A fool." Ariana said pointedly. "There is no other word for it."
Merlin grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her onto his lap. "And you're a blabber mouth. Can never keep your mouth shut."
"Nor my legs apparently." Brandan and Merlin flushed red slightly. Ariana giggled. "Sorry, I'm afraid the wine made me a little tipsy."
"Very." Merlin said sternly.
"Don't you dare release a sobering spell on me!" She said. "Don't you dare!"
Brandan laughed as he reached over and rubbed lily's hand. "I'll say it again, you're lucky."
Don't count your blessings short.
"I'll try not to."
It had been a wonderful day. He'd helped weed the garden, chop wood, hunt, talk with both the parents longer. It felt good to be away from Camelot, good to be among the earth and it's creatures. Merlin refused to teach him any magic, until he felt Brandan was ready. Brandan had to get his temper more under control before beginning. Lily, she was a ray of sunshine for him, she had an effect on him like no one else had. She was having a good effect on him, shaping him into becoming a better man without even trying.
Merlin exhaled tightly. "As much as I hate to break this up, but you two must go back. It's getting late and I've got to conjure up some fabric for us."
Ariana laughed. "All ready done! It's actually a dress that I wore when your father first kissed me. It's somewhat out of date, but still beautiful." She handed it to Merlin. "Now, do not hurt Brandan between now and the way home."
Merlin huffed. "I can't guarantee anything."
Ariana pouted, sticking her lower lip out. "Please?"
Merlin tried to remain stern, but he smiled inspite of himself. He kissed her on the mouth and pulled away with Nilrem face on. "I'll try."
"Good!" She kissed him away. "Now, go and hurry back to me!"
Brandan spoke. "I shall try to arrange it with my father to get him off earlier. So he can spend more time with you and your family."
That would be wonderful. Father works so hard.
Brandan brushed a strand of her hair back. "If I had my way, he'd be head sorcerer in the house of Camelot and he'd have the rest of his life free from work with pay." He stared Merlin, dead in the face. "Somehow, someday, I swear I will avenge the wrongs done to you."
Merlin paused, sobered for a moment. "When I think of a wrong I'd like avenged, I will let you know."
"How can you say that?" He asked. "My father-"
"Did what he thought was best." Merlin said sternly. "True, I may not enter Camelot, but I can do so under disguise. I still protect him, the only thing that has changed. Arthur is not good at displaying his emotions, he never has been. But he has a good heart, and when he banished me, he was going with what his heart was telling him to do."
"Then his heart was wrong."
"If you've never made a mistake, then speak so. Come, we must leave if we're to get you back to the palace in time."
Gwen smiled as she brushed her hair, enjoying the delicious ache between her legs. Her body was alive again, after so many years again! Her face flushed with pleasure as she thought of meeting Lancelot later this evening. He knew all of the dark and secret places to meet. And tonight, he'd satisfy her to the fullest. She'd wanted this for so long, she could scarcely believe that it was true.
The door opened and she spun around to see Arthur enter the room. She turned and resumed brushing her hair. It had gotten full of grass that afternoon. She had decided to wear one of her older dresses, the yellow and white dress she'd worn when she first met Lancelot. She wondered if he'd remember it, he probably would. Lancelot was a sentimental man, and sentimental men kept even the smallest things close to their hearts.
She could feel Arthur behind her, his hand on her head. She stiffened as he pulled a something out of her hair. "Did you fall off of your horse?"
"No." She said. "I was laying on the ground looking up at the clouds."
"Really?" she stood up and moved away from him. "You have a small, bruise on your neck."
She touched it, remember Lancelot's lips on that spot. "Must have been a rock."
"Guinevere," he sighed. "I said that we'd talk later and I meant it."
"And I said, I've heard 'later' too many times now." She shook her head. "I've head my fill of it."
Arthur stepped towards her, placing a hand on her shoulder. It had been so long since he touched her that she jumped, looking at the hand that had once caused her to tremble with a simple touch. Now, another man's hand did just what his had failed to do for so long.
He handed her a wrapped box, possibly another piece of jewelry. "Happy anniversary."
Gwen took it and set it on the dresser. "I don't want it."
She felt him stiffen. "You don't even know what it is yet."
"I'm your wife, I'm tired of being bought."
Arthur exhaled. "What's going on Gwen? Thing's haven't been right between us."
She laughed bitterly. "You're just noticing now?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm aware it's been going on for a time now."
"And you said nothing?"
"I was hoping it would blow over."
"Well, it isn't." she turned and faced him, crossing her arms. "I've been thinking." She inhaled, deciding to speak the truth to Arthur. She knew him too long to be anything less than honest. "It seems we're going nowhere. You don't share my feelings," Arthur looked shocked. "I don't share yours and it doesn't seem to be fair to either of us to be tied to each other."
"Now wait a minute! What are you saying?"
"I want a divorce."
"Never!" He snapped.
"Why?" She demanded. "Why not?"
"Because when I married you, I swore 'for better or for worse,' as did you!" He said. "We've gone through bad times, but that's no reason to go get a divorce."
"I'm not doing it because of that."
"I need you, don't you know that Gwen?"
"No Arthur." She stated honestly. "I didn't."
"I still love you. I love you Gwen." Those words she'd been waiting to hear came years to late. Tears filled her eyes and she turned her back to him. Shudders wracked her spine as he gripped her shoulders. "Don't do this to me. I can't make it, alone without you Arthur."
"I don't love you anymore!" the words burst out of her before she could stop them. "I don't! I haven't for a long time!"
Arthur froze, his fingers digging into her shoulders. "What?" She caught the notes of hurt in his voice. "You…you don't mean that Gwen."
"I do Arthur." She pulled away and spun around. "I don't know you anymore. You banished Merlin."
"He practiced magic and cost us the life of our son!"
"He gave me my life again! He saved you more times than I can count!"
"What does Merlin have to do with this?"
"It's an example of your change in your behavior. Merlin was your best friend! How could you? And afterwards, you changed towards me."
"No, I haven't."
"You don't kiss me anymore!" She demanded. "You haven't made love to me since Brandan was born!"
"I swore I'd never do it again," he shouted. "because I didn't want to risk getting you pregnant and loosing you! Don't tell me that's not love!"
She shrugged. "If you say so. Gaius said I was fine, when he examined me, there wouldn't be anymore issues."
"I didn't want to risk it, he's been wrong before. I value you more, than I value anyone."
"No Arthur. You never want to take risks, and that's why you loose."
His eyes narrowed. "I'm not letting you go Gwen, ever."
She tilted her chin up. "Am I your prisoner then?"
"You're my wife!"
"Then you should bow to my requests and make me happy. Because I am not happy with you." His grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. "Don't touch me."
"Who is he Gwen?" he demanded. "Who?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're a fool. She glanced up at the clock. "We must go for dinner, your father will be upset."
"Do not," he warned. "toy, with me Guinevere. If I find, that there is a man, and you haven't made him up." He grabbed her and spun her around to face him. "I will kill him."
She held his gaze "If I didn't know you well enough, I would have been worried for him."
"Beware Gwen," he said darkly. "I'm warning you and him. I will not be so patient forever." And this time, his threat did chill her…a little bit. But then, she remembered it was Lancelot. He was the best man with a sword and even Arthur knew that.
