The plot gremlins are sorry they haven't been focusing.
"Do you Arthur Pendragon take Gwenevere LeBlanc to be your wife, to share your life in good times and not, in health and sickness for swearing all others till the end of your days?"
"I do," Arthur said gazing into the eyes of the woman he loved.
Geoffery turned to signal Merlin who was standing behind Arthur. The King's friend and newly announced adviser held up a small box opening in to reveal a golden wedding band.
Arthur turned slightly away from Gwen only to take the ring from the box before turning back to her. He placed the ring on the ring finger of her left hand.
"with this ring I freely and with an open heart promise my life my heart my future to you" Arthurs spoke softly his words only for her " I love and will love you for the rest of my life and your."
"I accept you with an open heart and open mind" Gwen spoke smiling lovingly to him.
Geoffery smiled giving them a moment before he continued.
"do you Gwenevere LeBlanc take Arthur Pendragon to be your Husband, to share your life in good times and not, in health and sickness for swearing all others till the end of your days?"
"I do, " Gwen said smiling up at the man she loved.
Morgana stepped forward with the small box with the golden wedding band for Gwen to give to Arthur. The princess gave her former servant an encouraging smile as she turned to take the ring from the box.
Gwen slowly placed the ring on Arthur's finger as she spoke not taking her eyes from his.
"with this ring I freely and with an open heart promise my life my heart my future to you, I love and will love you for the rest of my life and yours"
"I accept you with an open heart and an open mind" Arthur spoke.
"with the authority given to me I claim Arthur Pendragon and Gwenevere LeBlanc now Gwenevere Pendragon to be husband and wife what has been bonded let no one break apart" Geoffery addressed the people in the room before turning his attention back to the bride and groom.
"you may now"
Arthur with his right hand still holding Gwen's left stepped forward moving his other hand around her back to pull her forward and up a little as his lips descended on hers, kissing her passionately. Gwen after a second of shock moved her free arm up around the back of Arthur's neck and returned the kiss.
"uh, kiss the bride" Geoffery finished unnecessarily.
The was cheering and a loud whistle (probably Gwaine) as Arthur kissed his new wife.
Arthur reluctantly pulled away when Merlin cleared his throat and spoke under his breath for only them to hear, reminding him about the other part of the day's ceremony. After signing the marriage certificate and having Elyan and Merlin and Morgana sign their names to the witness box, He held Gwen's hand guiding her to the throne as Geoffery stepped out of the way. Merlin and Morgana stepped down from the diasis and joined Hunith, Balinor, and Mordred who stood near the front of the other witnesses to the wedding.
Where there had only been one throne before now sat two, one for a king and one for a queen. Gwen stood in front on the throne her head held high as a crown was brought by the same squire that had carried Arthurs crown during his crowning ceremony. It was a simple yet elegant crown, gold based with small jewels set every two inches around the top most part.
Arthur stood beside Gwen still holding her hand, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement as the squire with the crown stood on her other side. Arthur released her hand and stepped forward and turned to pick up the crown from the pillow. The squire bowed and stepped back and turn to step off the dais.
"I King Arthur Pendragon crown you Gwenievere Pendragon Queen of Camelot"
Arthur placed the crown on her head on the last word and then stepped back standing once again by her side.
"Long live the queen" Morgana was the first to shout followed by Merlin and everyone else in the room.
The Wedding and Coronation took place early in the afternoon attended only by Arthur and Gwen's closest friends and family, (which yes included Agravaine he is Arthur's uncle) and a few noble lords and ladies. However, the entire city enjoyed the festival to celebrate the marriage of their king and their new queen.
Arthur had taken Merlin and his knight on a hunting trip and with Merin helping rather than hindering they had returned with enough meat for the wedding feast to be able to share with the entire city.
The cooks had spent all morning and half of the early afternoon preparing the three Venison and the four large Boars. The rabbits that had been brought back from the hunting trip were made into several pots of stew with potatoes, carrots, and onions. There was just enough to feed the entire city.
Merlin walked with his parents through the town taking in the festivities, Mordred was visiting with Morgana and the knights he had met the last time he was in Camelot. Tables of food were set up sporadically around the market square and there were performers putting on entertainment for the people. The city was decorated with garlands of flowers that matched the ones that were decorating the great hall in the castle. Merlin was almost certain that it looked like every flower in Camelot had been picked to make the decorations.
Merlin, Hunith, and Balinor joined a small group that stopped to watch a juggler perform. He was very skilled starting out with three pins then gradually adding one more till he had five pins going at once. Then another man in a similar outfit stepped forward and started juggling, but instead of juggling pins he started out with three balls and gradually added one at a time till he had five balls going at once.
The two jugglers started performing different tricks as they juggled each seeming to be trying to out perform the other. Tossing the pins higher letting the balls bounce off the ground one at a time while keeping the juggling going. More people joined the small group that was watching them, some of the people watching applauded when the man juggling the pins put a bit of a spin on the pins as toss them in the air.
The crowd gasped as the man juggling the balls suddenly bounced one of his balls on the ground sending it toward the other juggler, at the same time the other juggler sent one of his pins through the air toward the juggler with the balls. Each juggler caught what was thrown them and added it to what they were juggling. The two juggler continued to pass the pins and balls back and forth between each other. The crowd applauded and cheered happily as it became clear that the two jugglers were actually partners and what had looked like the jugglers trying to compete with each other was actually part of their act.
Gradually the two jugglers slowed down the pass juggling until each of them was once again solo juggling, only the man who had started with the pins was now juggling the balls and the man who had started with the balls was juggling the pins. The jugglers performed tricks tossing the pins higher then turning and catching a pin behind his back before turning and tossing it back up only to turn and catch the next pin behind his back.
The man who now had the balls would bounce the balls on the ground from one hand to the other then toss the ball back to his other hand creating a kind of circle effect. Then he gradually switched from each ball bouncing to only every other bouncing then only every third, the balls gradually stopped bouncing as he juggled all five once again in a basic fashion.
While the crowd was watching the two jugglers as a third person brought out a chest setting it on the ground between the two jugglers. He opened the chest then quickly stepped away.
The two jugglers each turned toward the chest as they continued to juggle, then each of them took turns tossing the pins and balls into the chest till each of them was only juggling two items each. Then they started pass juggling the two pins and the two ball, then it was down to one pin and two balls then one pin and one ball. They each toss the last pin and the last ball into the chest as the same time,
then the man who had placed the chest out and opened the lid closed the lid by pulling on a thin barely noticeable rope that was tied to the lid.
The crowd applauded as the two jugglers bowed to their audience.
"there pretty good" Gwaine commented from behind Merlin.
Merlin turned to his friend a little startled.
"Gwaine, how long have you been standing there?" Merlin asked
"He's been standing there since the two jugglers started passing the pins and balls between each other the first time," Balinor said.
Merlin found himself feeling a little guilty for not noticing his friend had been standing behind him for at least ten minutes.
"It's alright Merlin," Gwaine said clasping him on the shoulder, recognizing the look Merlin get when he's about to apologize for something.
"heck I was distracted by the jugglers too."
"they are very talented" Hunith commented.
"are you enjoying yourself today Gwaine"
"I always do Ma'am" Gwaine gave Hunith a charming smile. He turned back to Merlin.
"but I was looking for you with a purpose. Gwen sent me to get you, there going to be cutting the pie soon"
Mordred sat and listened as the Knights bantered among themselves. It was hard to believe that just over a year before he would have been afraid for his life being in Camelot let alone surrounded by Camelot's knights and in the same room as it's king.
He had sat talking with Morgana and Gwen for a little while until Percival and Elyan had come to quote-unquote rescue him from the ladies.
"so Mordred, how Ealdor treating you," Sir Leon asked
"everyone's been great," Mordred said
"I usually never spend more than a few months in one place growing up, it's taken some getting used to living in a house and not having to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice"
Leon and Arthur who sat near by and was listening to the nights bantering as well gave each other a look over the boy's head. It had been because of Arthur and his knights that Mordred had lived the way he had, the reason all the druids had lived if fear of the knights of Camelot or anyone who would betray them to Camelot. Arthur was resigned that no druid or anyone with magic who didn't use it to harm anyone would fear Camelot ever again.
Arthur felt a hand on his, he turned and smiled at his wife. She smiled that smile that always calmed him and kissed his cheek. Gwen gave him a look that told him she understood, she had heard what Mordred said too.
The King and Queen sat at the high table watching their guests talking and laughing and generally having a good time. The Lords and Ladies sporadically made their way over to bow to the king and queen and to wish the bride and groom well.
Gwen smiled and thanked the servant that refilled her wine goblet. She didn't recognize him but there were a few newer servants and she hadn't had the chance to meet all of them. The Queen turned her attention to the musicians that had set up at the other end the great hall. She placed her hand in Arthur's as the musicians started to play.
It was a soft yet upbeat tune, the four musicians each played a different instrument that complimented the others. Gwen sipped her wine as everyone's attention was caught by the music that filled the room. The queen smiled as some of the guests stood up and started to dance, she took another sip of her wine and glanced at Arthur who was relaxed as he watched the musicians playing. One of the young knights came over and asked Morgana if she wanted to dance. The Lady who had been on friendly terms with the young knight since he was just a squire happily agreed.
Gwen took another sip, as she watched the dancing and listen to the music she felt an itch in her throat. She coughed lightly to clear it, she sipped a little more wine. The itch in her throat got worse and she felt her throat start to tense up. Something was wrong, she stood up reaching for Arthurs' shoulder to get his attention.
Before she could get his attention Gwen felt as if a great weight was pulling her down. Her eye rolled back in her head and the last thing she heard before passing out was her name being shouted and the music stopping.
Morgana smiled and allowed the knight that had just asked her to dance lead her out onto the impromptu dance floor. She adored dancing but it was rare for someone to get up the courage to ask her.
They took three turns around the floor before she found herself glancing over at Arthur and Gwen. Time seemed to slow as Morgana saw Gwen stand up and reach for Arthur before her knees gave out from under her and her eyes rolled back in her head.
The knight Morgana was dancing with was surprised when she stopped abruptly and pulled her hand from his as she turned to run toward the high table shouting the new queen's name. Morgana moved as quickly as she could to get to her friend. She barely noticed the musicians stopped playing.
At hearing his sister shouting his wife's name in distress he turned to Gwen just in time to see her about to hit the floor, he saw the second she lost consciousness. Arthur was out of his seat and catching her before his brain had a chance to catch up.
Morgana was at their side in seconds. Arthur looked at her pleadingly.
"can you help her?" He asked.
"not when I don't know what is wrong I can't," Morgana told him.
Morgana quickly scanned the room as Sir Leon and Sir Percival and Sir Elyan moved to create a guarded perimeter.
"Mordred" The young druid turned his eyes from Arthur and Gwen, at least what he could see of them the table blocking his view. She could see the worry and panic in his eyes.
"Hurry, go find Gaius. Tell him to meet us in the queen's chambers"
Mordred gave her a brief nod as he quickly stood up and ran out of the room to search for the physician. Morgana turned her attention back to her unconscious friend, She picked up the goblet Gwen had been drinking from as Arthur adjusted his hold on her and lifted her up. The King followed Morgana out of the great hall carrying his queen, he quietly prayed for her to be alright.
"what happen?" Elyan asked as he followed them into Gwen's chambers. The bed was still made but most of her things had been moved the suit she would be sharing with Arthur after that day.
"It's got to be some sort of poison," Morgana said as Arthur placed her on the bed.
"but why? Arthurs asked not taking his eyes from Gwen. This would be the second time Gwen had been poisoned. The first time had been meant for him but this time someone had deliberately targeted her.
"Gwen has given to one cause to want her dead"
"no, she hasn't" Morgana agreed, she pushed down her feeling of anger someone had harmed her best friend her family by law and they would regret it, but now she need to focus on helping Gwen.
Gwen's skin was starting to turn a bluish color as her body struggled to take in air, Morgana tilted her head back a little to open up the airways in her throat.
Arthur passed anxiously behind her, while he wanted to sit on the bed and hold Gwen he knew it could impede the people trying to help her. The king stopped and his eyes went to the door as is swung open and Merlin hurried in. He went straight to Morgana and Gwen not bothering to acknowledge Arthur. He was followed by Hunith and Gaius and Mordred. Mordred walked over and stood beside Arthur while Gaius and Hunith joined Merlin and Morgana. Balinor and Gwaine had hurried to the banquet room to help Leon and the other knight as soon as Mordred they had run into just as he found Gaius explained what happen.
The four people exchanged a few words before Morgana handed Merlin the goblet Gwen had been drinking from. Merlin turned and hurried out of the room.
"She'll be alright," Mordred said partly to himself and partly to Arthur.
It was over five minutes before Merlin returned with a couple vials of medicine.
"well?" Morgana asked
"the liquid that was left in the goblet reacted to the potion that reacts to plant based poison," Merlin told them as he grabbed an empty goblet from the bedside table and mixed the potions he brought with him.
"does that mean you can us a spell to heal her," Arthur asked closer.
"we don't need to," Merlin told him sitting just on the edge of the bed beside Gwen.
" Merlin is right, I didn't sense any magic boosting the effect of the poison," Morgana told Arthur as she placed a hand on his arm to stop him from getting in the way.
"you know the poison?" Gaius asked as he and Hunith moved to help sit Gwen up.
"Yeah, I thought I smell something familiar but I couldn't place it because I was focused on identifying the poison " Merlin cupped Gwen's chin with one hand " once I confirmed it was a plant based poison I realized why the smell was so familiar" Merlin lifted Gwen's chin up and with the help of a little magic opened her mouth" it the scent that a berry called the Ivy Berry has."
"and Ivy Berry doesn't have a strong flavor so they would be covered by the other fruit in the wine," Morgana said an understanding tone in her voice. Ivy berries didn't grow anywhere near where the wine had come from so there was no way they could have been mixed with the wine accidentally.
Merlin tipped the goblet up and slowly poured it into Gwen's mouth. He gently massaged her throat to encourage her to swallow. Once she had swallowed all of the potion Gaius and Hunith lay her back down. Gwen started breathing easier and her color returned to normal within a few minutes of having been given the potion.
Hunith and Gaius moved out of the way so Arthur could sit with his wife. Arthur gently moved a strand of hair from her face. He took her hand in his afraid to let go.
"We'll need to keep an eye on her until she wakes," Gaius said
"I imagine you won't be going anywhere, Sire?"
"only if whoever did this is identified and I need to hunt them down" Arthur spoke with a deadly tone.
"we will find who did this" Morgana said placing a hand on her brother's shoulder.
She and Merlin and Elyan who had not been able to bring himself to speak as his sister was being treated for the poison shared a look of understanding, Gwen was important to all of them and an attack on her like this would not stand.
Ok, this is the end of the chapter, as you can probably guess by the cliffhanger this is the first part of a continuing shot. My plot gremlins are not sure how they will proceed. The next one shot might not necessarily deal with who tried to poison Gwen but justice shall be served.
