A Tale of Two Ages

by Personaddict07

The King of Knights fights once more for the Holy Grail... only in a form that she never expected. It was supposed to be over, so what is she doing, fighting for something she no longer wants? Will the past she has evaded in Avalon finally catch up with her? Will she finally receive the closure she was denied in life? Takes place in both the past and the present as the fic goes on.

17. Beauty

5th century Britain
Camelot

Gwen watches the figure on the other side of the bed and mutters, "Why are you so annoyingly beautiful?"

Arturia looks away from the report she's reading to raise an eyebrow at the queen, "*I* am beautiful?" She chuckles. "That's not what the bards were saying yesterday, Gwen."

Gwen blushes, not realizing she said it out loud. "Half the court thinks you are, you know." She blurts before her husband's attention returns to the report. "They're just too scared to say it to your face."

"Hm, if you say so."

A burst of anger and frustration makes Gwen grip Arturia's arm. It irritates her how little the king thinks of things outside matters of state or warfare. "These are not empty platitudes, my king. I am not saying these to flatter you."

Arturia's confused eyes follow the queen's hand as she slowly pulls the report from her hand. "You're more than a weapon or that crown on your head."

The king frowns. "I don't know what you-"

Gwen grips her husband's hand before it can retrieve the piece of parchment. "You are."

And it sounds like such a foreign concept to the king that Gwen has to wonder if this is the first time she's been complimented for something, anything, that had no relevance to kingship. Confused green eyes search her own. Arturia remains so silent, Gwen wonders if she will demand she return the report so she can get back to work.

Eventually, Arturia's frown smoothens and her shoulders relax. She leans against the headboard and sighs. "I confess I don't understand what you mean, Gwen." The king raises their clasped hands and kisses the queen's knuckles. "But if this 'beauty' of mine provides you with some pleasure, then I am all the happier for it."

Gwen has to grit her teeth to prevent a gasp as her husband's lips ghost over her hand. Cheeks burning, she fights against the instinct to pull her hand back in embarrassment. It is just like Arturia to turn the tables by transforming the battlefield.

But she hasn't been queen for 5 years only to learn nothing.

Turning her hand to stroke the king's cheek, she whispers, "Only if the pleasure's all mine."

She will concede today's battle, but the war has begun. One day, Arturia will realize that there's more to life than being king.