Notes of Beethoven greeted Arthur, Merlin, Catrina and the knights as they stepped out of the portal. Their eyes widened at the destruction around the house. Catrina covered her mouth with a shaky hand. Where were her girls? She couldn't believe the blood, broken chairs, torn drapes, and broken glass around the house.
He couldn't feel her? He didn't like this new feeling of nothing. Arthur's lips tightened as he motioned Percy to move forward. Leon screamed when a gnome jumped on his shoulder and bit his neck. Lancelot grabbed it and tossed it into the air. Merlin sent a fireball to engulf the creature. Leon placed a hand to his bleeding neck.
"What the hell was that?"
Arthur desperately wanted to call out for Gwen, Vivian, and Will. His children and Gauis, but knew it was too dangerous to alert Nimueh and the beasty things to their presence.
"Gaiwane, Percy, go to my den search for Vivian, Gauis, and my family," Arthur ordered, "Find Gwen."
"Lancelot, check the upstairs. Leon watch over Catrina." Arthur command. Arthur knew he had to set worrying thoughts of Gwen and the children, this had to be just another job, no emotions. Thinking of them would cause him to make a mistake. "Watch out for those things."
Merlin waved a hand. A loud popping sound rang through the house. A terrible smell floated around the walls. "I hate pestilence.
"Merlin, follow the music." Merlin gave Arthur a bright smile of encouragement while trailing after him.
Gaiwane yelped when something hit his legs, causing him to fall the final few steps in front of him.
"Oops," Vivian gushed, dropping to the ground, effectively joining Gaiwane, who at this point, could be found rolling on the floor in pain.
"I'm terribly sorry." She brushed the hair out of his eyes. She smiled apologetically.
"I don't need a new knee cap," he muttered.
Duran threw himself at Percy's legs," Up," he ordered. Percy settled the boy on his shoulders. Feeling safer, Duran threw his arms around Percy's head, "Is daddy here?"
Lancelot touched the red fluid dripping from the banister, realizing from its feel that it was blood. It was the sweetest smelling blood that he had ever encountered. Instantly, he knew that the blood belonged to Gwen. He didn't understand the pain in his heart. He pulled his sword from his sheath, his dark eyes darting around. Stealthy and determined he continued up the stairs, spotting another droplet of blood. His eyes narrowed as he followed the trail that lead him to the attic. He placed a hand on the doorknob. He jumped back when Llacheu bounced out waving his sword.
Lancelot's eyes widened as Llacheu faced him. He was impressed with Llacheu stance, especially for an 11 year old. Llacheu withdrew but kept a firm grip on his sword. A harsh look carved on his face. Lancelot knew that Llacheu was ready for a kill be it someone or something.
"Llacheu, it's Lancelot," he soothing called out the boy's name getting him into a relaxed state of mind.
Llacheu mouth opened, licking his dry lips, he dropped his arms as if they held the weight of the world. Soon his sword clattered against the floor, relief flooding through him, "Dad is back. He's downstairs with Merlin?"
Lancelot nodded in confirmation, having a chance to look around he asked the youngster, "where are the others?'
"Vivian took Gauis and Duran. One of those things bit mum." Llacheu frowned when he remembered his mum
Lancelot face grew concerned. "Where is she?" he asked breathless.
Llacheu flung open the attic door. Lancelot spotted a trail of blood and found Gwen at the end of its trail, her head resting on a step, her eyes closed, and soft moans escaped her lips.
"How long has she been like this?" Lancelot inquired as he lifted Gwen into his arms. His fingers brushed her damp hair when her brow. She moaned in pain.
Arthur and Merlin found Nimueh sitting on the sofa drinking a glass of red wine. She raised her glass in acknowledgment to Merlin and Arthur.
"Gawain's sure brews up decadent batches, just perfect for reunions," she gushed, "You found your magic, Merlin. Cheers to you, and back with him, where you belong. It was always about him."
She gazed loving at Merlin as he viewed her with contempt. "You loved me once, Merlin… well just as much as you can. Only one person mattered in your life. Nimueh took a sip of wine. She swirled it around in her mouth, knowing she tasted the end of her life.
Merlin stared deeply into her wide blue eyes, as he asked himself, "How could I have missed the darkness in your soul? You blinded me with your beauty. You caused so much pain. Hell, I caused so much pain?"
"Where is my wife?" Arthur demanded.
Nimueh arched one of her brows, "Oh, Arthur, returning to your roots, all that passion of Guinevere. But you know this one, she's not really your wife."
"She's my wife," Arthur responded decisively, "Where is she?" he commanded.
Nimueh shook her head, "There we thought that you wouldn't want her. She's so very different… not beautiful, sexy… soft, breakable. It was so much fun toying with her. She came to me… all of those years ago. She wanted forgiveness from you… she wanted your love again." Nimueh chillingly continued, "She would have agreed to anything for you." Nimueh cruelly concluded, "And she sure did. I took everything from her."
Arthur tighten his grip on his sword, "Where is my family?" he sneered.
"Around, Arthur, around. Worried? Tsk…tsk, milord. There is no rush, otherwise she will not have time to give Lancelot a touch, kisses or two.'
"Get out, Arthur." Merlin commanded, with a wave of his wrist, Arthur flew from the room. Arthur found himself in front of a shut and locked door. Merlin knew had Arthur stayed, the situation would have escalated. Merlin needed to deal with her on his own for the very last time.
"This is about us, Nimueh."
"Was the tree that horrible, darling?'
"Devastating! I was trapped in a tree!"
Nimueh shrugged, "Will you accept a sorry?"
"Why?" Merlin couldn't understand why she did it.
Nimueh scratched her head, "I wanted it all, the power, it is I who should have reunited Camelot. I, Nimueh should have been its savior."
Merlin stared at Nimueh, he looked straight into her soul and saw nothing but darkness, blackness, evil in its purest form.
Merlin rubbed his head, "I'm tired of this, and I want the full truth."
The corners of Nimueh's mouth turned up, "I made a pact with Hecate and Morgause. Magical pacts have payments. The dark powers want … Arthur." Nimueh waived her hands pointing in the air, "Connect the dots, Merlin," she derided him, "He was born of magic. It was quite simple. His greatest people that he loved trusted were the two of you, the great Merlin and Guinevere. What better way to get to Arthur by using the two of you! So we came up with a plan and gave you two emotionally, distant parents, and Guinevere, I don't need to tell you her story, for the record, she agreed to her torment. It had all worked out perfectly, had it not been for Catrina, such a meddlesome witch. So, I snuck into her domain and I planted the idea about the boxes in her mind and we had Guinevere or Gwen, back in our clutches"
"Why?" Merlin repeated, what of the concept of why did Nimueh not understand? He had spent years in the damn tree because she made a pact with a wicked witch.
"So far you have not told me anything in particular new, let's cut to the chase and spill the beans."
"Hecate needed payment of blood, purity, virginal blood, who better than Arthur's reborn wife?" Her eyes shone with glee. "We planned to offer her as a gift to the darkness. That pretty little blood all over the altar." Nimueh closed her eyes as she thought of the image.
"Where do I fit into this?"
Nimueh grinned, "It's so easy to manipulate children. The boxes, whenever she got out of line tried to escape our mental torment, our clutches, we forced her back into being a child. Lovely plan. Naturally we counted on you, you always the protector and defender of Gwen. You fell for those sad brown eyes. We had all three of you, Guinevere, Vivian and yourself. We effectively weakened Arthur, without any of you knowing. We knew that you would do anything to save her. Plus, I have- excuse me, "I had your magic. Finally, we were going to win." Gleefully she continued, "Everyone knew that she was alive except him. It would have torn apart Sekhmet's merry little men. In his anger, Arthur would have joined us. But now we must go back to the drawing boards." Nimueh wiped her damp palms on her skirt, "He is magic after all."
Merlin shook his head, "You came up with all of this?" Merlin's shoulders sank. His mind was assaulted by thousands of images: kissing Nimueh; practicing magic with her; and that fateful day when she tapped him in a TREE. He felt a burning love and consuming hate for this beautiful deranged creature.
"Yes, with Morgause help."
He folded his arms, "Capturing me was brilliant. Hiding Gwen was brilliant. This however was just foolish."
"It would have worked."
"Let me guess, those meddling kids ruined everything."
"You did."
Merlin was tired of Nimueh. He had no patience to deal with the outfall and reunion with his former lover. She was a danger to everyone in this house especially Gwen. Merlin closed his eyes. He had to make a choice. He was a different person. They glowed amber when he slowly opened them, "Goodbye, Nimueh." She smiled slightly, "I did it for love."
Merlin waved his hand. Nimueh's hand traveled to her throat. Her hand shook as she grasped for air. Her eyes bulged as water began to rush from her mouth. Merlin watched her struggle to escape her watery death. Despite it all, his heart felt something for her.
"Daddy," Duran cried in relief as he spotted his father. His small arms reaching for him, "I was scared." Arthur brushed his hand over his son's hair and lifted him into his arms, "I'm here, Duran. Always."
Looking over Percy's shoulder he only saw Gaiwane with his arms wrapped around Vivian's shoulders. Gaiwane smiled in embarrassed, "She hit me with a golf club." Arthur swallowed a smirk. His blue eyes searched over everyone's face. He noticed Gwen and Llacheu were absent.
"Where are Gwen, Will, and Llacheu?"
"Arthur," Vivian started to explain, "We separated when Nimueh went all alien during breakfast."
Arthur swallowed; he quickly gave Percy his youngest and issued a stern order, "Keep him here. Regardless of what he says."
Percy wrapped his massive arms around Duran's squirming body, "Daddy?" Duran asked questioning Arthur waved a hand when he heard whimpering in another room. Percy passed Duran to Catrina. Duran smiled when honeysuckles surrounded his worn body. Arthur's large hand pulled Excalibur from its holder. The afternoon sun gleamed on his sword. Carefully, he rounded the corner. He exhaled when he spotted Will lying in a pool of blood.
"Will."
Will shook his head, "Those damn garden gnomes things attacked me."
Arthur swallowed a laugh. Will was never much of a fighter.
"It's safe, Arthur called, "Will, where's Gwen and Llacheu?"
"I don't know."
Arthur hid his feelings, and his eyes scanned his home. Fear trickled along his spine when he smelled her blood. A burning pain erupted in his leg. He could see her blood, and feel her agonizing pain. It was like someone lit her blood on fire as it coursed through her blood. Arthur struggled to focus. Her scent beckoned Arthur's feet towards the stairs.
His heart stopped when he spotted Lancelot holding Gwen in his arms. Llacheu stroking her hand.
"Dad, it bit her." he cried.
Llacheu ran into Arthur's arms, his blonde hair sticking to his forehead, "Daddy, save her," he begged.
Arthur ignored the jealous feelings that had crept up when he saw Gwen cradled in Lancelot's arms. Her eyes shut tightly. She seemed so little in his arms. Lancelot gave him a glum look, "One of those things bit her."
Lancelot transferred Gwen into Arthur's waiting arms, "Gaius," he hollered as he hurried up the steps.
Arthur watched Gwen sleeping; a fine sheen of sheet covered her small bod. Her skin felt so hot. She twisted against the cool sheets on his bed. He couldn't believe Nimueh's gnome thing poisoned her. Merlin, Gauis, and Catrina removed the venom from her blood stream. Yet, she had to ward off the effects. He couldn't believe this happened in his home.
He made plans to return to London. London was more condensed. He could eliminate her enemies. Besides, Duran enjoyed the woods. It wasn't safe. Besides, they had homes in London. They wouldn't stay in his home.
Arthur pressed a cool cloth to her damp forehead. Gwen flinched in her sleep; her fingers clutched the sheet. He wondered about what dominated her mind.
Gwen walked slowly into a cold drafty castle. Her nightgown floated around her feet. Her body ached from exhaustion. She walked to a beautiful ornate mirror. Instinctively, she placed a palm on the cool glass. Her eyes widened in shock.
Vivian's finger impatiently tapped the shiny wood table in her father's banquet room. She hated waiting and she didn't like surprises. She always told people what she wanted. Surprises lead to mistakes, and she wanted perfection. Gawain was different; he ignored her commands and squeals of frustration. He did as he pleased with her requests. He had the power to silence her with a tender finger of her lips. On the other hand, the feel of his fingers brushing her heavy blonde hair brought her ecstasy.
"Gawain," Vivian whined.
"Be patient."
Vivian scowled in displeasure. "Now…"
The worst part of the whole thing was the silk blindfold covering her sky blue eyes. She was completely at his mercy. Vivian liked to be in control. She hated when people were able to ignore her demands. Yes, her father was in charge of the kingdom. He wrote treaties and waged wars. Vivian ruled the castle with an iron fist. Her whims were always catered to… Until now, Gawain made her heart beat rapidly. Her palms grew sweaty when he stepped into the room. She felt exposed when his eyes roamed over her face. He made her feel fragile, vulnerable, and open to her desires. Vivian hated her love for Gawain. Yet, she longed for his touch His presence conjured passionate thoughts that her nurse warned her about. Deep in her heart, she knew that she would never be happy without him in her life.
Vivian jumped when she felt cool felt pressing gently upon her lips.
"Drink," Gawain urged. His breath felt hot on her ear.
She parted her soft lips. A sweet wine entered her mouth. She closed her eyes to savor the wine.
"What do you think," Gawain whispered.
"It's a sweet red wine for late nights or with desserts.
"Maybe," Gawain admitted cheery. "Try this one."
A deep robust wine filled Vivian's mouth. It felt smooth on her tongue. "Well aged."
Gawain's laughter slipped into her heart.
Vivian bounced up and down in her chair during the banquet as she watched Arthur caressing Guinevere's' face. His blues simmering with love for her. A deep pain ached in her chest. Her father stared at her in dismay over her action. She knew he would lock her in her chamber for a very long time. Vivian slumped from her chair. She ignored her father's calls. She raced from the chamber. Her silken covered feet carried high higher and higher into the corridors of the great caste of Camelot. Her tears dampened her bodice as his chest heaved. She ached for love for Arthur. Her life would be nothing without him. She stumbled towards the edge of the ramparts. Her blues eyes looked at the hard ground. He would forever remember her death. She climbed upon a large grey stone.
"Princess, it's going to hurt."
Vivian turned her head to see Gawain leaning against a stone wall smoking a pipe.
"Stay out of this."
"A beautiful young girl wasting her life on a man that doesn't love her."
Vivian frowned at Gawain. "What do you know about love?'
"Lots."
Gawain moved to stand behind Vivian. His hands covering hers on the hard cold stone. His breath hot on her nape. "Passion and true love is beautiful and real."
"No, it's painful. Lonely," Vivian whimpered softly.
"Turn your head," Gawain commanded.
Vivian moved her head slightly. Gawain caught her lips in a kiss.
"Vivian and Gawain," she whispered. "Vivian was in love with Arthur. That explains so much."
When Gwen came to herself again, she felt her leg throbbing with pain. She pressed her curly head against the fluffy pillows. It was Arthur's room; it was dominated by masculine blues and browns. Gwen turned her head to see Duran sleeping next to her and Llacheu calmly playing a video game in a chair next to the bed.
"Llacheu?" Gwen whispered.
The boy placed his game on the table with a plop, "You're awake. Gauis, Catr- Granny fixed your leg." With pride in his face, he continued, "Duran told me about the fork. Brilliant, mum. Just brilliant. You have to teach me how to do that." Llacheu gave her Arthur's smile without the cockiness.
"Thanks." Gwen felt motherly pride swell in her as Llacheu looked at her with admiration.
"Dad's downstairs. Everyone cleaned last two nights, the house was a wreck, and blood was everywhere. We had to get rid of the body. So, everyone had a lie in today. So they are pa… finishing cleaning"
"Body?"
"Nimueh, Merlin said to cut her up and toss in the river."
Gwen nodded in understanding and horror. A loud grumbling sound came from her empty stomach. Llacheu grinned at her embarrassment.
"Are you hungry? You never ate yesterday. I'll get you something." Llacheu smiled at her at the door,
"Things are good, mummy."
"Thanks." Gwen kissed Duran's cheek. He smelt like biscuits, warm and familiar. "My boys," Gwen whispered...
Gwen closed her eyes for a moment, and she tried to organize her thoughts. Her eyes opened when a soft knock caught her attention.
"Come in."
Gwen smiled when Viv's blonde head appeared around the door. "Hello."
Gwen reached for her sister; Viv climbed on the bed, and nestled between Duran and Gwen. Gwen swore Duran kicked Vivian in his sleep. Gingerly, Gwen scooted over to make space for her sister.
"Feeling better."
Gwen nodded. "A little pain."
"I'll find Mum."
"Please don't."
Vivian laid back and smiled at Gwen. "It was fun in a Michael Meyers sort of way."
"I didn't fancy it."
The women laughed softly.
"Vivian, I had another dream."
"Let me guess, Arthur and you, Lancelot and you, Guinevere and Arthur or Lancelot and Guinevere," Vivian replied sarcastically.
Gwen smiled sweetly. "No, you were in love with Arthur until Gawain kissed you."
Vivian's mouth dropped open. "I need a pub night.
"This was your own fault, Arthur!" Sekhmet began.
Arthur stared at her in astonishment, " My fault? You allowed that creature into my home."
Sekhmet shrugged. She had her doubts about Catrina being the real McCoy, but she hadn't been sure, "Arthur, I'm on team Good. I didn't receive an email about Nimueh and your demented sister's plans."
Merlin chuckled. "Everything in the end was okay."
"No,' Arthur bellowed, "Gwen could have been killed along with Vivian. They aren't immortal." Merlin so calm about Nimueh's attack on Gwen. She could have been killed, and Arthur wasn't there to protect her. Sekhmet was like I thought something was wrong. He was furious with them.
Sekhmet and Merlin exchanged a glance. Sekhmet smiled at her agitated friend, "Arthur, I advised you to make love to her, but you had to be so moral and noble about it."
"You said impregnate her."
Sekhmet blinked, "Yes, the baby would give her immorality for nine months." Rubbing her nose she noted, "Did I leave that out? Besides, you want to."
Arthur managed to contain his desire for Gwen. He wasn't going to discuss it with Merlin and Sekhmet.
"How would a baby protect her?" Arthur watched them with hooded eyes. "I don't like them. Too much trouble."
"The baby carries your DNA. You are immortal, thus your child will be by default and I would hope in nine month from now, this mess we found ourselves in is over with."
Arthur rubbed his eyes, "I don't like babies. Our children gave us so much grief. I can't risk having an unprotected infant in our lives. No, babies for us. Why do you want one so bad?"
"Babies are wonderful. She was promised a baby. I owe her that. Plus, I need new recruits. Babies are wonderful, can I say that again?"
Arthur protective instincts kicked in, starring at her, he advised Sekhmet, and "The kids are off limits. I'm not having a child with Gwen, ever." Arthur knew that Guinevere began slipping away from him with Gwyrde's death. Babies weren't worth the trouble.
"A topic for another day. You're right, Arthur about the baby. You won't have a baby with Gwen."
Arthur smiled in relief.
"You're going to have BABIES with Gwen. You can't change fate."
Arthur gave Sekhmet a hard glance," Fine, you take Gwen's baby, and return it when the child is five. I don't want anything to do with a baby!"
Sekhmet rolled her eyes. "I need my knitting needles."
Merlin smiled suggestively, "Arthur, Gwen has a figure, and she has soft lips- I know. Nothing like twisting your fingers around those curls."
Arthur's nostrils flared in anger, "Merlin-"
"Don't you love making him mad?" Sekhmet chuckled
"It's good fun." Merlin laughed
Arthur, who had enough walked away, "I need to see the children off."
Catrina held Duran's hand as Arthur gave him and Llacheu instructions on how to behave during the stay in London.
"Boys, I will join you with your mother in a few days. Listen to your grandmother and Leon." He had a hard time to believe that Leon and Catrina had a thing going and was not terrible sure how he had miss that? His mother –in-law was cougar. Or was Leon a dirty old man?
"Duran, don't eat a lot of sweets." Arthur noticed Duran's little belly was quite round.
Duran smiled happily, "Of course, daddy,' he lied." He had a few biscuits in his pockets.
Arthur hugged his children, "Llacheu, I'm so proud of you... taking charge."
Llacheu patted Arthur's arm, "I'm ready to go to London."
Arthur shook his head. Llacheu hugged his father tightly, "I took care of mum. We took care of mum." Arthur's heart melted with love for his children.
Gwen rubbed lotion on her legs. She couldn't believe that Merlin was able to heal her leg. She didn't even have a scratch on her, but it did feel a bit sore as if she had twisted her ankle. She kept the pain to herself; she couldn't deal with the constant hover. Gwen looked up when Arthur entered the room. His brows knitted together.
"Why are you up?"
Gwen wrapped the slash of her robe tighter together, "I want to go down stairs and see everyone."
Arthur shut the door, while kicking his boots off in the progress. Blue eyes met deep brown eyes, "Everyone is on the way to London."
The bottle of lotion fell from Gwen's hand, "What?" She breathed hard, would the boys, Merlin, Viv… leave her alone in the woods. Just walked away from her. Because Arthur gave a command!
"I made a decision. This manor is wide and open. It is too dangerous here. London isn't as wide open," Arthur informed her.
"The boys are gone." Her children were gone. They didn't say goodbye to her.
Arthur nodded.
Gwen's chest heaved. "I didn't get a chance to say goodbye."
"You'll see them in a few days," Arthur responded causally.
"Really? I don't get a say?" Gwen pressed her lips together.
Arthur wasn't in a mood for an argument with Gwen. It had been a tiring few days. First, she hurt her leg. Second, she was in Lancelot's arms. Third, he found her with Merlin rubbing her leg. Fourth, there was that debacle of something trying to eat his kids and wife. Those things could have munched on Vivian. He was out of patience and was not in the mood to discuss his choices.
"I made a choice. It's over. End of discussion," Arthur drawled with a note of finality, wondering what was wrong with her? This is how their relationship works. I say, and she respects and obeys my choices. It was all rather straight forward if anyone asked Arthur.
"I don't get a say?" Gwen repeated her question
"No." Arthur did not understand why she would question him.
Gwen's fingers curled into a fist, "You don't control me, Arthur. So, I'll go home with Vivian, and reorganize my life on my very own, thank you very much."
Arthur looked over his shoulder, informing her, "You live with us in our home."
"You didn't ask." She was perplexed how he could simply assume that she would follow along his plans. She had a life in London. She had a life to return to. Why the heavens would she go along with this.
"I don't have to." Arthur gnawed on his cheek. He didn't want to argue with her.
"I'm not one of our children, I am an adult." Gwen glared at him, her fingers itched to hit him.
"Then I suggest you do not act like one of them?" Did Nimueh leave one of the boxes? She certainly acted like a spoiled child.
Gwen hopped off the bed and stomped towards the door, "I think I'm going to go get dressed." She opened the door but jumped out of the way, never getting a chance to leave the room, as Arthur's slammed it shut in front of her, "Don't walk away from me like this."
She gasped in surprised, when she felt his breath hot on her neck. "Open the door."
"Where were you going?" He asked softly.
"My room, I need to pack."
"This is your room. Your room is with me." Arthur placed his head onto Gwen's head, his arms snaked around her waist, and "It's been a bad week, Gwen. We fought Nimueh and with my cosmic luck, Lancelot arrived… saved the day. He is so fabulous nice-"
"This is true, Lancelot is nice."
"That's the problem. I'm not a nice guy. I'm hard and demanding."
"The cave man is getting old, Arthur. I don't want Lancelot. Why…."
"Do you want me?'
Gwen stroked his thumb.
"Yes, very much so in particular, these last couple of days, Arthur. "
"I was terribly jealous."
"You don't have a reason to be."
"I don't like seeing you laugh with Merlin or sample wine with Gaiwane or cook with Percy or go on nature walks with Leon. I'm a man, I can't stand the thought or sight of you anywhere near Lancelot."
"I don't know to say." Gwen responded tightly.
"You're angry with me…again?"
Gwen rested her hands on his large hands.
"It's easy to be angry with you."
Arthur chuckled, "I would say I'm sorry. But, I'm not. I set the rules here."
"Yes, lord and commander of the house, you forget one minor detail you do not control me."
Arthur tightened his lip, which was exactly his problem. He, Arthur Pendragon, was not in control of her. She wasn't bonded truly with him. Arthur shut his eyes and hardened when he reopened them.
"I don't want to control you," Arthur tried to wiggle himself out of the argument, "You belong with me, you are my wife."
"Really, not according to Nimueh, according to her just poor substitute."
"No, I want you, more than you know."
Gwen sucked her bottom lip, her eyes lowered, "I need to get dressed."
"You're fine." Arthur's blue eyes darkened, " You are beautiful."
His hands felt hot through her robe. She hadn't realized how thin her robe was.
Arthur brushed his lips along her neck.
"Arthur…?"
"Shh"
Arthur bent down and lifted Gwen into his arms. He carried her back into his bed. He smiled when she pressed his mouth against hers. Gwen hands rose to his shoulders, while his hands undid the sash to her robe. His hands ran down her soft legs.
Gawain's dark head looked around Viv's living area. He admired the soft greens and blues in her house. He imagined that kitchen was a sunny yellow. The house screamed warmth and cozy.
Vivian gave Gaiwane a cold look, "What do you mean? You're staying with me?"
"Are you going to offer me a glass of wine?"
Vivian scrunched her nose and shook her head in annoyance, she informed him, "Wine is offered to guests and you do not fit into the guest category."
"I also like sweets."
"I like freedom, it would appear you can't always get what you want. Why exactly are you here?"
Gaiwane wasn't in the mood to argue with her. This was a bad idea. He didn't want to be alone with her, ever, curtly he informed her, "Arthur's orders. You can leave the house, but not without the company of your family."
Vivian shrugged in defeat. She tossed her handbag onto a pale green chair and walked towards the kitchen. Gaiwane heard her open a cabinet and a few drawers. He grinned when she returned with a glass of white wine.
"I have white only. Or would you like a taste of my cooking wine?"
Gawain's fingers brushed Vivian. Their eyes locked, he wondered by one of Viviane's earlier remarks that he would not fall into her bed anytime.
What's with the look, Fabio?"
Gawain stared at the love of his life. He didn't know how to answer her question. He longed to trace her lips; to feel her soft hair wrapped around his fingers, ; and sit on a couch.
Vivian had to know; she couldn't wait another moment. "Were we lovers?"
The heavy breath of two people permeated the room; her hands caressed his damp back as she closed her eyes tightly. Arthur buried his face in Gwen's long tresses . His hand gripped her soft thigh as his mouth left kisses along her collarbone. His lips trailed to the curve of her neck leaving tender kisses on her hot flesh.
"Do you submit to me," Arthur whispered softly against her skin. Gwen's hand pushed her heavy hair away from her slender neck, baring it to Arthur for the taking. She grasped in ecstasy when his teeth sank into her neck. Her nails sunk into his shoulders as her body shook with pleasure. Arthur never felt so alive when he connected with her soul, making her his true mate.
Morgause's dark eyes clouded over when she viewed Arthur and Gwen's entangled limbs in his bed. Her body shook in rage.
"No!" she muttered full of scorn, exhaling deeply, she placed her hands on the cool marble to steady her quivering body. Her lips turned in a smile.
"Well, Arthur, my darling little brother, another nine months won't hurt me. Your daughter will serve Hecate nicely with her sweet pure blood. Morded will be revenged."
Morgana stared at Morgause with disgust. She planned to murder Arthur's unborn baby. That was just cruel and mean. A baby? Really, a baby. Morgana hide her censure, and smiled at her sister. She had done a lot of horrible things. She wasn't a baby killer.
Arthur rested his head on his hands, "What I have I done?" he wondered as he listened to Gwen sleeping soundly. No, he knew what he did, he deliberately sent everyone to London to be alone with her.
"I had every intention of seducing her!" Arthur wiped his face, "Why do I feel like a complete and utter bastard?" Arthur thought it best to ignore his feelings of guilt and to ignore the sense of triumph, when he discovered that Gwen's virtue was intact, exactly as she had professed to him. It was such a powerful experience for them. She was finally his; Lancelot would never come between them again..
Arthur leaned back and slipped under the covers. He pulled Gwen into his arms, " You are mine," he whispered as she snuggled into his arms. He brushed his lips across her eyelids; Gwen rested her hand on his bare chest.
He just wondered for how long. Happiness was not a common theme in his life.
A/N: This was the second half of chapter 10. It was much too long. I'm going to make you guys really mad at me in a few chapters. Please bear with me; it's purely plotline purposes. Nimueh's plan was pretty foolish because I think the women of Camelot have silly plans. Nothing really to make you think what!