IX.
They arrived in Camelot, and people gasped at seeing who was with the King.
The servant girl.
And they seemed happy.
What was going on?
Most of them were smiling widely and waving at them, perfectly knowing the love that bounded the two young adults.
Paul, on his side, didn't leave the castle from the eyes and Merlin noticed it,
"Did you already come here ? he asked him,
"Only once."
"Were you alone ?"
"No."
"With her ?"
"Yes."
"Won't you tell me more ?"
"It was a long time ago ... "
Paul looked down and Merlin didn't dare ask more.
Arthur and Gwen continued to hold each other tight, just enjoying being together.
"You'll have to let go of me eventually, you know..." she teased him.
"I guess so ..." he kissed her cheek gently,"But what if I don't want to ?"
"I'm your willing prisoner." she answered and he burst out of laughter.
God, she loved to hear him laugh and she loved even more to be the reason why he did it.
They all reached the castle and Arthur and Merlin dismounted off their horses first, the first helping Gwen, then Paul dismounted off his horse too, hesitating.
At this moment, a knight, tall, noble look, went down toward them, smiling.
Arthur walked forward and shook his hand,
"Leon."
"Arthur, I'm so glad to see you !"
"So am I. You remember Guinevere, right ? " he smiled shifting so that Leon could see who was behind him.
Leon's face showed the complete astonishment in which he was, before smiling and walking closer to Gwen to hold her slightly in his arms, she laughed and he said again,
"Gwen ! I'm so happy to see you!"
"So am I Leon," she receded a little and took Arthur's hand, and they all saw the happy smile on the knight's lips.
He then greeted Merlin and turned toward the new one, Arthur walked forward and made presentations,
"Paul, Leon- he is one of my best knight, my right arm. He is on charge of Camelot when I leave. Leon, Paul- a doctor, who saved Gwen's life, I'll tell you." he added, seeing the knight's face.
"Enchanted." said both men.
During this time, Morgaine was sat before a fire in her big castle.
She had to find a way to discover who was Emrys ...
Morgana was still trying a lot of spells.
None of them were working.
And in these kind moments, she regretted being alone.
No one was worried about her, no one would come to rescue her, no one even noticed she was gone.
No one.
Once, Arthur would have come without an hesitation, probably with Gwen and Merlin.
But now, she was alone.
So alone ...
She felt a tear rolled down her face and tried to pick herself, she was Morgana Pendragon,
And love was weakness.
She was stronger than this.
So much stronger ...
She didn't need them.
Any of them.
(But God, she could have used some help right now.
Not theirs, of course.)
Arthur was walking in the corridors, glad to be back, glad to be with her.
They hadn't talked since their discussion in the forest but Arthur was tired of talking, tired of suffering.
He wanted to be happy, to make her happy.
He knew he could do it, he was sure of it.
He wasn't thinking about where he was going, anda few seconds later he crushed into someone.
"Oh I'm so sorry I didn't see you and- "
"It's me Arthur, I'm sorry."
He receded then and noticed the person he had just crushed was no one else but Mithian.
She looked at him with such sweetness, he understood why he couldn't took his eyes off og her the night of his birthday.
Her eyes hold the same sweetness Guinevere's did.
"I'm glad to see you back."
"Thanks."
"Will I have the honor of seeing you tonight at the feast ?"
"With pleasure, I have a lot of people to show you. One person in particular." he answered and she bowed slightly before leaving.
Arthur left too and ran a hand in his hair, he had to convince Gwen to come with him as a guest of honnor.
And that would already ask for all of his abilities.
"No way Arthur."
"Guinevere, please, I want to introduce you to the Court and the people."
"Introduce me ?" she laughed humourlessly. "Here is Guinevere, a blacksmith's daughter, she's my ... my what Arthur ? My personal servant ? The woman who broke our marriage the night before the wedding day ? I can't wait to be there." she chuckled nervously.
He frowned seeing her this upset and trying another approach, he got closer and took her hand in his,
"What are you so nervous about?"
Gwen looked down,
"I... I don't know. Just, being here in Camelot, I feel as if ... I don't belong here anymore."
"What do you mean ?"
"You can't ask me to go with you at the feast. I'm a servant, not a Lady."
"You're the Lady of my heart, this does count, doesn't it ?"
She smiled lovingly and snuggled against his chest.
He could be so adorable when he wanted to be.
And she was glad he always seemed to want to be around her...
"I suppose so..." she finally admitted defeat and a smile lit up the King's face,
"So, that means that you are coming ?"
"I don't know Arthur."
"I will die of boredom if you don't."
She chuckled and then raised an eyebrow,
"Yet, I heard that Princess Mithian would be here."
"Ah... that." he cleared his throat and she had to hold back a chuckle.
Gwen receded a little,
"You were going to tell me, weren't you ?"
"Tell you about ?"
He seemed so uncomfortable that Gwen took a naughty pleasure teasing him mercilessly.
"About that splendid woman, who was in Camelot and who, maybe, had caught your interest..."
"Don't say that !" he cut her off, "You know very well I only have eyes for you and-" he stopped, seeing the spark in her eyes, "You are messing with me !"
Then Gwen burst out of laughter and Arthur, to stop her teasing, kissed her.
She let out a small whimper and her hands hung on on his shoulders before the King receded a little,
"Come with me ..." he whispered,
"Arthur..."
"Please."
She buried her eyes in his blue ones and immediatly knew she had lost.
She sighed and buried her face in his shoulder, already regretting her choice.
"Fine."
Paul wandered in the corridors without any goal, when he met Merlin.
The man is everywhere.
"Paul !"
"Merlin,"
"Arthur sent me to search for you,"
"Does he need me ?"
"You said you would tell us your story ..."
The young man looked down, he didn't really want to live all of this all over again.
"Very well," he whispered. "Lead the way."
Once in the King's Chambers, Paul caught a glimpse of Arthur sat in a big table, Guinevere at his right, her hand in his.
He greeted them both and Merlin took seat at Arthur's other side.
And he had only time to realize this was such a funny picture, a King with two servants by his sides, as equals.
Then he shook his head.
"Come Paul," said the King,
The young men came and settled.
Gwen then spoke with a gentle voice.
"You tried to warn me and I will never forget it. Thank you."
Paul looked at her and smiled, and Guinevere smiled at him in return.
Arthur hold her hand a little tighter, she was perfect.
So regal.
She would be an amazing Queen.
"I bet you all want to know what a man like me was doing on this village ..."
All nodded and Paul sighed,
"My name is Paul Hoffman, I was born in a small village near Nemeth's borders and nothing prepared me for what would be my life... I was quite good at healing people and soon, the village's physician took me as his apprentice, which had not pleased my dad who wanted me to take the farm after him. One day, I was doing my job with Tom, the doctor. They came- Morgaine's men, and they burnt everything on their way, they killed men, women, children..." he stopped a little, the wound too fresh yet in his memory. "Tom died this day, as did many of us. Some of us managed to escape. Twelve. We were twelve survivors." he sniffled and Gwen laid a hand on her mouth, horrified,"We went searching for help to the castle. And it's where I met her."
"Who ?" asked Arthur,
"I can't tell, I swore I would keep the secret. She talked to us, me mainly. We were spending time together and quickly, I fell in love with her. But our love was impossible, I knew it. So before things got more complicated than they were for the both of us, I left. I ran away. As a coward ..." he looked down a few seconds, " A few days later, I found that little village in which you were Gwen, I found something strange in 'Sophia' and when I realised who she really was , the one who destroyed my village and killed so many of the people I cared about, I tried to warn you, I tried to warn everyone ! But she discovered me. And she came telling me that if I didn't leave right now, she would kill her. I knew she would, and I couldn't loose her ... So I ran away. And I'm so sorry ..."
He sniffed and Gwen patted his arm two seconds,
"I would have done the same thing Paul..."
He smiled sadly at her and Arthur said.
"I'm sorry for all you had to go through Paul,"
"Thanks..."
"But ... How did you know it wasn't Sophia ?"
They all turned around toward Merlin, who had just spoken,
"I... I couldn't explain it," answered gently Paul, "It's strange ...Something in her was familiar to me and ... I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you what."
"It's nothing," said Arthur, "You're here at home as long as you wish so."
"Thank you Sire,"
Arthur then laughed and Paul saw the look full of love Gwen threw him then, full of admiration, devotion.
"I think you can call me Arthur."
"Fine, Arthur."
Paul then smiled, he liked Arthur. The man had good values, he was brave, he had a good heart and a true love toward Guinevere ; without forgetting the fact that, for what he had saw and understood, Merlin would die willingly for him.
He was a good man, he was sure of that.
And maybe ...
Maybe he would decide to stay here a little more, and serve him in the best way that he could.
Guinevere looked at herself in the mirror, and she had to admit that the image she sent back was not totally unpleasant.
She was dressed with a long lavender dress, her favourite color, with gildings but not too much.
Arthur had found her the perfect dress and she smiled trying to imagine the face he would have, seeing her.
She wore makeup, with just a touch of red lipstick who brought out her chocolate eyes.
At this moment, she heard knocks at the door and her heart fastened...
"Come in !"
She slowly turned around and Arthur's face was beyond all of her hopes.
He opened wide eyes, his lips were slightly opened and he was just there, for a few seconds, without speaking, nor moving.
She walked toward him a little and noticed he drank her with his eyes.
Gwen felt suddenly shy in front of him.
"Do you ... Do you like it ?" she asked finally.
"Please Guinevere," he muttered, "Do not ask questions you already know the answer of ..."
She laughed and he took her by the waist, bringing her close to him.
He leant his face toward hers and kissed her. She laid a hand on his cheek, while his digged in her waist a little more.
Gwen pulled away a little and he grunted, making her laugh slightly.
And with a slight hand, she wiped the traces of her lipstick which remained on his lips and when she ooked in his eyes, she noticed they were dark blue again.
Gwen blushed when she understood she loved that she was able to make this look on him alive...
"You are-" he breathed, kissing her cheek, "simply-" he lowered his mouth on her jaw and Gwen closed her eyes, surrendering to him, " breathtaking." he then kissed her neck and when she felt the tip of his tongue on this sensitive part of her body, a small moan escaped her lips and she dug her nails in his broad shoulders.
Arthur grunted gently and she felt him shiver against her before he laid a slight kiss on her shoulder and let his face there, soaking in the scent of her, the scent he loved so much...
"God Guinevere, you are driving me crazy ..."
She slightly laughed and brought one of her hand back, to stroke his hair tenderly.
"I'm glad you like it."
He got up and took her hand, kissing her knuckles lovingly, it was like he always needed to be in contact with her.
"It's you that I love."
They smiled at each other and stayed this way for a few minutes, before he laid her arm on his and they left toward the Feast Room.
Paul was pacing in his room, he had heard she would be there...
Could he really do that ?
Could he really go there and look at her as if nothing happened ?
He left.
He had ran away because their love was impossible, at least it was what he had believed...
But he had seen the way Gwen looked at Arthur, the way he looked at her, the way their love was so clear...
If they had succeeded, then why on earth couldn't it be possible ?
He shook his head.
She probably hated him by now.
He had left.
He had sworn to never give up on her ...
"You're like the others Paul, one day, you'll leave me."
"Never Princess."
He took her hand and squeezed it while she plunged her brown eyes in his,
"Can you swear it to me ?"
"I swear it."
The young woman then got closer and kissed him tenderly before whispering,
"I think I might be in love with you, Paul."
He had not answered and had gone the next day.
Why ?
Because he loved her more than life itself and he couldn't allow himself to believe that something could ever happen between them ...
And then, the news came.
The King of Camelot was marrying Guinevere, a blacksmith's daughter, servant of his castle, out of love.
He had took hope again then, hope in them.
But it was already too late ...
Reaching the door, Arthur felt Gwen tensed at his arm, he then laid his other hand on top of hers and she gave him a grateful smile.
"Everything's gonna be okay my love,"
The young woman looked straight in front of her, before she laid a hand on her neck searching for Arthur's ring before freezing, reminding herself she had lost it.
She felt tears pricked at her eyes,
"Arthur ..."
Hearing the shaking voice of the woman he deeply loved, Arthur turned around and she saw his eyes widened a little,
"Oh no my love." he then face her and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. "Listen, you are gorgeous. I love you more than anything, but if you don't feel ready for that, I would understand. And I won't be mad at you."
She let a tear roll down and he wiped it,
"Arthur, I have to tell you something... I think I lost your .."
He cut her words by kissing her tenderly, stroking her cheeks by doing so.
Then, he pulled away a little and saw her look at him tenderly, wiping his lips full of lipstick again.
He laughed slightly and kissed her nose,
"Better ?"
She buried her face in his neck and felt his arms closed around her.
"I love you." she breathed.
Arthur closed his eyes and laid his chin on the top of her head.
"You know I love you too."
With one hand, he checked the object that was still in his pocket.
The ring.
By kissing her neck earlier, he had succeeded in taking it and at this moment, with her in his arms, he reminded himself the conversation with Merlin he had had.
"So ?"
"I got it."
"And when will you propose to her ?"
The King didn't answer and Merlin sighed,
"You are going to propose to her, aren't you ?"
"Yes. But not now ..."
"Arthur..."
Arthur looked down, he didn't want to say it out loud but he was afraid.
Afraid she would leave him again.
Afraid that if he did propose to her, she would leave again.
"Arthur... Gwen loves you."
"I know." he sighed,
"And you love her."
"More than anything."
"Then, dollop head, can you really picture a life without her ?"
Arthur closed his eyes, remembering what he had felt holding her against him earlier, kissing her, when she had looked at him with this look ...
"Tonight." he finally said in a decided voice,
"What ?"
"I'll ask her tonight."
"During the feast ?"
"During the feast."
He walked toward the door, trying not to notice the smile on Merlin's face and hurried to the woman he hoped to marry.
The party had begun for a little while now.
Arthur never quit Gwen from the eyes and he realised, with pride ( and perhaps a little jealousy) that she encountered a frank succes with knights and men of all kind.
Right now, she had agreed to the invitation to dance of a little boy, no more of 8 years old, proud of dancing with the most beautiful woman of the evening...
He looked at her with such love, he didn't even notice the smile that lit up his handsome face, nor the woman getting closer ...
"So, it is her..."
Arthur jumped and faced Mithian,
"It's her who have won the heart of the mighty King Arthur ..."
He smiled and put his attention back on Guinevere,
"Good evening Mithian,"
"Tell me about her, who is she ?"
"No one, and everyone." he smiled again,
"Is she really a blacksmith's daughter ?"
"Yes."
"And for her ... you would risk you kingship, your kingdom ?"
At this moment, Gwen looked up at him and their eyes met, Mithian couldn't miss the spark between them, before Gwen put her attention back on the boy and Arthur answered in a tender voice,
"Without her, they're worth nothing to me."
Too focused in his observation of Guinevere, he didn't see Mithian's eyes become full with tears.
And he didn't hear her whisper,
"I know exactly the feeling..."
By the moment the music stopped, Gwen bowed in front of the boy and kissed his cheek,
"Thank you my Lady,"
"I'm not a Lady," she answered gently,
"The King is in love with you, isn't he ?"
She smiled, and was about to answer when a low voice did it, and she felt herself shiver at the bottom of herself,
"That's right kid."
She smiled again and the child left, before she turned around toward Arthur.
His bright blue eyes laid on her and she laughed, he held her a hand and she took it gently.
Arthur then laid his other hand on her waist while hers was on the crook of his shoulder.
They started to move together, lost in each other...
"Everything's perfect..." she breathed, getting closer to him, burying her face against his shoulder.
He closed his arms around her and suddenly she felt she had to tell him.
She pulled away a little and looked into blue eyes,
"Arthur..."
He stroked her back tenderly, refusing to let her go.
Instead, he felt her breath on his neck and couldn't resist the envy of laying his lips on hers.
She answered his kiss, stroking the hair at the nape of his neck and when they pulled apart, the same smile lit up their faces and none of the two noticed that everyone's eyes in the room were on them.
"Arthur," she breathed and he saw her face darken, "I have to tell you something ..."
"You have lost my ring."
She stared at him, surprised,
"How do you know that ?"
She saw a smile lit up his face and she didn't understand the reason until he picked something from his pocket and put it in front of her eyes, a cry of shock escaping Gwen's mouth when she recognized the ring,
"Arthur... What ..."
But she didn't have time to say more.
He smiled tenderly at her, before he put one knee on the ground, Gwen laid a hand on her mouth and her eyes became full with tears,
"Oh my God ... Arthur ... What are you doing ?"
"Guinevere," she noticed there was no doubt in his eyes, only love, tenderness, love again... "I know we've been through a lot you and I, but I want you to know, I love you. I never loved another and I never will. I know that you and I, we are meant to be together,you are meant to be with me and you're clearly meant to wear those dresses ..." a teary laugh escaped the two of them, while she tightened the grip on his hand, "And you are mainly meant for me to love you, to make you happy, to cherish you, to protect you until my last day ... So, here I am, in front of you, on my knee, will you marry me ? "
Their eyes met, chocolate into sky blue.
And when Gwen opened the mouth to answer to him, a glass exploded on the ground, in the quiet of the room, and everyone turned around toward Mithian, pale as death, who stared at the door where someone had just come on in.
"Paul..." she only whispered, a hand on her heart.