Disclaimer: Don't own it
Ellie and Jen sat together in a higher part of the castle, overlooking the entire town. The day after the accident, Ellie declared she would not be treated like a dying patient if she wasn't one anymore. So, she got to have time outside until she completely recovered. Jen also needed recovering, as she'd run her magic thin by putting everything she had into her two spells.
This led to them resting and simply enjoying the weather. It was the perfect week for a festival, which would begin that afternoon. Hopefully, the sun would continue to burn brightly for the rest of the week, enough so that cold wouldn't become too harsh until the festival was over.
"What does Arthur do about the outer villages in the winter?" Jen asked.
"His father sent out a small amount of supplies to try and make sure they would last, but Arthur wants to personally do it," Ellie answered. "Actually, after the festival, where we will publicly announce our engagement with permission from Father, he wants us both to. I'll be introduce to the people, and we can be sure all the villages have what they need."
"Won't a lot of them be traveling here for the Harvest festival?" Jen nibbled at her food.
"Most cannot come themselves," she answered. "There are representatives that bring the harvest to the city and take the money back to the people. They have their own small celebrations in the villages themselves, much like at home."
Jen nodded in understanding before resting back in her chair, eyes closed and basking in the sun. "Even if Gwaine does not propose, I'm to stay with you. Camelot is home to me now."
"Gwaine will propose," Ellie said confidently. "After you meet his mother and sister, he will."
"Has he said something to you?" Jen smiled hopefully.
"Yes," Ellie replied. "But that is all you get to know."
"That's all I need to know." the blonde sighed happily. She thought to that morning, when Arthur had burst into the council hall and demanded that the law to allow magic was completed that morning. After witnessing the pure beauty of dragons and the magic that had healed the woman he loved, he wanted it done before lunch.
That was possibly motivated by his desire to not behead his fiancé's cousin. He had to follow the law, so he needed to pass these laws before he was required to take action.
Jen smiled to herself. The coming evening would allow her to practice her magic whenever and however she pleased, as long as it was not used as a weapon of destruction. She and Merlin were already planning their lessons with Gaius. While the Druids could instruct her on learned magic and how to control it, Merlin would be able to instruct her much better on the magic she was born with.
Jen looked to the horizon. Another reason they were on the roof was anticipation for the king and queen of Luxtera, as well as Queen Annis. Odin had politely refused the invitation to join them at the festival, and Cenred's fallen kingdom was in no position to enjoy festivals.
"What will happen when I become queen of Luxtera?" Ellie wondered aloud. "Will Arthur and I go back and forth, will we have an ambassador, or..."
"Can you ever just appreciate life as is?" Jen laughed. "Look as far as the wedding! You'll get married, I will be staying here, and you'll be happy. Don't stress yourself with looking too far into the future. You're meant to do this, and I have faith that you will do it perfectly."
Ellie breathed deeply, shaking her head at herself. "You're right."
"Of course I am."
"Oh hush," Ellie laughed, kicking at her friend's leg. Jen winked, but her gaze suddenly lit up. She shot from her chair with a wide smile. Coming over the hill was a small group of horses, a familiar blue and gold flag flowing from the front. Jen helped Ellie up and took her back to the castle, where Arthur was conveniently heading to speak with her. He smiled at the sight of her, struggling to walk.
"You won't let me walk, will you?" Ellie said to him.
"Not a chance, my love," he chuckled. "You're still weak."
"You're infuriating," she mumbled, but let him sweep her into his arms. Jen watched the two, falling into step with Gwaine. The knight offered his arm with a wink, which she happily took.
"Hello," she said.
"How are you this afternoon, sweetheart?" he asked, tugging her into a small space. She giggled and let him pull her close to him.
"Lovely," she answered, standing on her toes to kiss him firmly. He leaned down into her, but decided it would be more comfortable to simply lift her up to his height. She giggled against his lips. "What about you?"
"In love," he told her. She smiled as he simply hugged her closely. Gwaine breathed in her scent, his hand running through her hair. Jen thought it was amusing, his recently developed interest in running his fingers through her hair. Whatever the reason, he loved to just feel it for a moment as he looked her in the eyes with enough emotion to make Jen's heart burst. She found it quite intimate.
"I love you," he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple. "Are you alright after last night?"
"Yes," she said, letting herself be tucked into him. His embrace was one of the most comforting things she'd ever experienced. "Staying by Ellie's side all night and Merlin healing her helped a lot. I'm much calmer."
"Good." Gwaine tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "You scared me last night."
"I'll make it up to you tonight," she shrugged.
His eyebrows rose. "You shouldn't say such things, as now I won't be able to think of anything except you in my bed."
A deep blush heated Jen's cheeks. Gwaine kissed her softly and slowly, making her head spin. She was sure that if it weren't for her uncle arriving in Camelot, she would've dragged Gwaine behind a tapestry and hidden from the world for a good hour. She controlled herself, however, pulling away from the heated kiss.
"Then that will have to satisfy you for the time being," she said breathlessly.
"Yet another reason I love you," Gwaine chuckled.
"Say it again?"
Gwaine smirked, his lips brushing teasingly against her collar bone. "I..." he made his way to her jaw line. "love..." he pressed his lips to her's softly. "...you."
"I love you too," she sighed in reply. "Now we have to hurry to greet my aunt and uncle."
The two rushed as quickly as they could while staying proper. It was rather difficult because Gwaine's armor clanged with almost every step. They made it to the courtyard though, standing like a proper lady and gentleman. Mariana was close by with the other servants and hiding a laugh at her mistress' late entrance. Jen could admit that she lost what propriety she had when around Gwaine, and found it amusing that many of the nobles were oblivious, but most of the servants noticed.
When the king and queen rode in on horseback, Ellie grabbed Jen's hand. The young women both waited impatiently for them to get off their horses before rushing forward. Jen fell into her aunt's arms while Ellie embraced her father. Jen was overwhelmed by how much she'd missed her family. Luxtera had been easier to part with because of how right it felt to be at Camelot. Nobody could replace her aunt and uncle however, and the realization of that hit her.
"My dear," Rosalinda said affectionately, wiping her tears. "How I've missed you."
"I missed you too," Jen smiled softly. They then switched, Jen going to her uncle. Cedric held her tightly, the only fatherly embrace she'd ever known making her smile. "How have you been, uncle?"
"Missing the light you girls bring to my castle," he answered honestly. "But fairly well, otherwise."
"King Cedric!" Arthur appeared behind him. "It is an honor to meet you again."
"You as well, my boy," Cedric smiled. "May I present my wife, Queen Rosalinda."
"An honor, my lady," Arthur said, bowing as he kissed the queen's hand. "May I present to you, Sir Gwaine, one of my most honored knights. He was charged with the protection of your ward and niece after the assassination attempt upon their arrival."
"Then we are most grateful," Cedric shook the man's hand. "She means a great deal to us."
The queen raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, Sir Gwaine, did you protect my ward to the extent of her bedroom?"
Cedric coughed, Arthur turned red, Ellie held back a gasp, and Jen bit her lip, focusing intently on the stone beneath her feet to avoid the embarrassment. She hadn't thought her letters were that obvious!
Gwaine only laughed, his smile clearly showing that he was impressed at the queen's brassness. "I left Lady Jensen at her door every night to be guarded by some of Camelot's best knights."
"I don't believe you, but you say her name rather fondly, so I suppose I won't have you beheaded."
Ellie rolled her eyes at her mother's truthful observation and empty words, while Jen cleared her throat.
Arthur seemed extremely pleased that the queen was so much like Ellie, whose arm he now took. "Would you all like to rest after your journey until the banquet?"
"I am tired," Rosalinda sighed. "You boy, Sir Gwaine, escort me to wherever I'm going like a gentleman."
"Yes, Your Grace," Gwaine smirked to Jen in passing.
Arthur escorted Ellie, due to her injury, heading towards the council room. King Cedric followed suit with Jen on his arm. He patted his niece's arm comfortingly. "It's alright my dear, she'll begin to like him well enough and leave him alone."
"Why does she not tease Arthur?" Jen asked with red cheeks.
"Your aunt wishes for this royal match to be made," Cedric said. "She believes that if Sir Gwaine runs off because of her teasing, she will merely find you another handsome noble to wed. That risk cannot be taken with King Arthur."
"I see," Jen nodded. She knew Gwaine would stand his ground well enough, and that he sort of liked the queen's boldness. Where her traits of independence showed clearly in Ellie, the vulgarity showed subtly in Jen; Gwaine would see that.
"Now come," Cedric said lightly. "I feel that I am about to discover what happened to my daughter since I have evidently missed something."
)-(
Jen returned to her chambers after speaking to her uncle about all that had happened. When the discussion had ended, it was decided that both Ellie and Jen still looked a bit weary and needed to rest for a few hours before the banquet. Ellie agreed that a long nap was just what she would need. Jen decided that it would he good as well, and the women went their separate ways.
After a much needed nap, she awoke to have a relaxing bath. Mariana laid out a brown dress, which they put her in after the chemise and corset.
The dress was rather simple. It had a square shaped neckline with golden embroidery. From the shoulders, the sleeves began to fall in a draping fashion, some of the material reaching the knees. Around the waist was a band of material the same earthy brown color as the whole dress, framed by golden embroidery. It laced in the front, making Jen's waist appear smaller and more defined. The rest of the dress was plain brown until theh hem it the floor, where the same golden embroidery at the necklace and waist band lined the hemming.
They used the hot iron to curl Jen's hair, then twisted back pieces of it to pin against each side of her head. Mariana used the hair she'd pinned pack to make an intricate braid, weaving in a piece of golden ribbon. By the time they'd painted her lips a soft pink and put powder on her face, Ellie nervously entered the room.
"How do I look?" the princess asked softly.
Jen grinned. She looked wonderful. The under layer of the dress was a dark brown, like the color of earth. The surcoat over it was emerald green velvet that covered most of the brown, save a section in the front that went from the top of the dress to the floor. The surcoat was laced together over the bodice of the brown material, seeming almost like a corset in itself. The sleeves were long and flowing, with a small strip of brown cloth around the upper arms that puffed out a bit.
"Your earth tones honor the Druids," Jen stood. Her cousin's hair was down, her natural curls seeming a bit more tamed for the event. Drea had pinned a few pieces back, but mainly used a braid to give a crown like appearance on the princess' head. In the circle made by the braid, Ellie's gold circlet to represent her tiara was placed perfectly. "And you like the queen you were meant to be."
"Good," Ellie smiled, easing into her emerald colored slippers. "Even when we dressed for the banquet in honor of us, it was not quite as large and formal."
"The important topic should be how you feel," Jen rolled her eyes and stood. "I've prepared a tonic that Gaius taught me to make."
"I feel fine after a nap."
"Your body is still recovering," Jen argued. "Take the tonic please, and you'll be fine until bed tonight, however late that might be."
Even though she appeared slightly irritated, Ellie took the tonic. She'd barely begun to feel better before the knocks came at Jen's door and Ellie smiled. "Let's put on a show, hmm?"
"I couldn't agree more," Jen grinned. They stepped into the door way, revealing themselves to the men they loved. Both looked shocked, but Jen focused on the fact that they weren't dressed in armor.
"I thought formal wear was your armor?" Ellie asked, obviously thinking the same thing.
"During the harvest festivals, no," Arthur said. "Knights are given a set of clothes to mark them as knights, but they are required to be off duty and enjoy the festivals unless taking part in a competition where armor is necessary."
"I quite like it," Jen glanced appreciatively at her lover. He wore black pants, black boots, a deep red shirt for Camelot, and a black jacket. He was able to wear his favorite necklace that held his sister's ring and a charm given to his mother by his father before death. Gwaine looked incredibly handsome.
"Not as much as I like you," Gwaine countered. "You are quite a sight. As are you, Princess. I may steal you away from my king here."
"Haven't you heard the news?" Arthur smirked, taking Ellie's hand and using his best prat voice. "She's my soul mate."
"Damn, guess I'm stuck with the lady."
"Not for long, I'm leaving you for Merlin."
Gwaine laughed out loud, drawing her near. "Have I ever told you that I love you?"
"Not nearly enough." Jen pecked his cheek. "Anyways, shall we continue? Dancing awaits!"