Mithian
Arthur is classically handsome, and his sadness tore at my heart, but darkness was embedded in his soul. He seemed lost to everyone, devoted to her memory. My eyes were focused on his First knight, Sir Leon after our initial meeting. He was handsome, loyal, smart, and kind, and my heart thumped when he moved close to me during feasts and meetings. His laughter coated my skin in a sun kissed warmth when our fingers touched accidentally. Blushing he offered to give me a tour of the great portraits of Camelot, nothing caught my attention until he showed me her portrait… Arthur's wife. Titling my head, I searched my memories at the sight of Queen Guinevere, a hand resting on her swollen middle.
"Leon," I whispered urgently. "I've seen her. Her name is Eleanor. She has a child…. Llacheu. "Blinking, I pieced images of Arthur and Llacheu. "Leon, Arthur's wife and son live."
Gwaine
I didn't believe Mithian's statements- at first. Gwen loved Arthur dearly, passionate, and unconditionally. She would never cause him such pain. What could have turned her against him so deeply? He did mention that he treated her harshly after she was enchanted by Morgana. They were happy until she disappeared, and her absence was felt in Camelot.
Gwen's young knight stood calmly in her chamber as sunlight streamed through an open window; her chamber was untouched since her disappearance.
"Now, Edward explain what happened again in the room, what were your movements? How did someone get into her chamber? I'm confused about the events of that day," Arthur asked calmly.
I noticed Edward stared defiantly at Arthur, almost distastefully. "Gwen needed to walk according to Gaius to aid the birthing process. We went for a walk ;afterward we returned to her chamber. Someone hit me in the head with something."
"Where did you walk?"
"The corridors," Edward replied.
"Where?"
"The hallways of the castle, Sire."
"Nothing usually happened?"
Edward's expression shifted curiously, and rapidly he set his features in a tight mask. Moving towards the young knight, I waved a hand at him in friendship to calm his nerves.
"We all- King Arthur, your brother Knights, Merlin, and Gaius- admire your dedication and care of Gwen. We just want her home. Did anything upset her?"
Edward wiped his damp brow," Gwen was in a good mood, and she wanted to walk before King Arthur returned for dinner. She had completed her final sitting… she was bored of it. The baby kicked her harshly, and she dropped to her side in discomfort, struggling to catch her breath. I helped her up… she touched a stone on the wall… it opened a secret corridor… she wanted to explore. I said no to her but... she was bored, and rushed in," Edward replied sadly.
I touched Arthur's shoulder to halt his comments and questions. "Go on Edward, you're protecting her and helping to return her to us."
"I followed her into the darkness with a torch. She's so very sweet and easy to please- genuine. Happy to become a mother in a few days. She reached your Council Room, and it was like a great triumphant for her. She joked that you would be furious with her because you would think that she behaved carelessly. We turned away…"
"Finish," Arthur ordered, blinking away tears.
"She heard your uncle suggest that she wasn't fit to be the mother of her child. She was incapable of rearing a Royal child," Edward rambled. "All of the Knights except her brother defended her and warned you to ignore the suggestion. Merlin pleaded with you! The Council agreed with your uncle. How could you not see that they didn't respect your wife? Your queen…. they viewed her with contempt. You didn't notice because you didn't want to acknowledge her pain. Your actions enabled them to disregard her. You gave permission for a Noble woman to steal her child away because she wasn't good enough to mother her baby. She burst into tears as I led her away from the ugliness of your actions! She mumbled that you hated her, and would never forgive her. You just wanted her for sex, and you enjoyed tormenting her soul for one mistakes. She whimpered that she forgave you for every hurt. She should have run away months ago like she planned. She wept like her heart was shattered into so many tiny pieces, and she looked so lost and hurt. She stayed because she discovered that she was with child. I was surprised that she planned to abandon Camelot and her marriage. Then, we returned to her chamber. I don't remember anything else."
Arthur paled at Edward's words, gripping a chair for support; he gazed at the young knight. "I rescinded my ruling after the meeting."
"It was too late the damage was done, King Arthur," Edward replied sadly. "She was afraid, lonely, and scared. She was scared of you, Sire."
"Go to your post, Edward," Arthur ordered. "Gwaine, I wish to be alone."
Merlin
Arthur was in foul mood after his meeting with Edward and the realization that Gwen ran from him. It was so difficult to sneak away from the castle. He was numb and bitter from the dawning that Gwen lived somewhere with his young son. It would be challenging to locate her, her trail was cold. She ran away from him because she feared him. It was so very hard to understand her actions towards Arthur… it wasn't very Gwen like. I understand some of his actions, but he was horrible to her. Yet, he created this mess. He drove her away. I stood a top of a hill waiting for Kilgharrah. Raising my arm to protect my face from flying twigs that signaled his landing, I eyed my old friend with kindness.
"Arthur's soul is in great danger… he will seek revenge for the loss of his wife and child. His actions will lead to war. This cannot be."
"How can I stop it?"
Rubbing his eyes, "You must convince the Queen to return to Camelot with their child. She is the balm that keeps Arthur from turning into Uther."
"I don't know where she is."
"I do, and I will take you there."
"Now?"
"Now."
"I thought you weren't a horse."
"Better a horse than a corpse."
8*8
A loud shriek caught my attention, and sent a chill down my spine. A young child with blonde hair and red lips stomped his feet in a large muddy puddle. His little legs kicked as he yelled and pouted… just like Arthur.
'"He doesn't have Gwen's disposition. Oh… know, he's just like Arthur."
"Puddy… See. Puddy!"
A young girl scooped the muddy twisting mess of a child into her arms and started to stomp out of town. The child screamed until his face turned beet red, the girl arrived at a small cottage deep into the woods. Shaking my head, Mary rushed out of the home to gather the child into her arms. Sticking his lip out, he pointed at the girl in anger. She merely shrugged and began to fetch water from a well.
Do I have the right to ruin Gwen's happy life? I should have said something about Lancelot, and we could have been saved from this mess.
My mouth dropped in horror when Kilgharrah landed in front of Gwen's house. Screaming, Mary and the girl rushed back into their home. His actions didn't help, but he forced my hand in this situation. Walking past my dragon-he didn't seem to get that part- I didn't stop until I reached her door. Banging loudly, "Gwen, open the door. It's Merlin."
"I don't know any with the name of Merlin," a sweet voice replied. "Go away."
My eyes glowed amber as I melted away the lock, pushing the door opened, three shocked faces stared at me, and Arthur's son waved joyfully.
"Death looks good on you, Gwen."
