Chapter One
Genevieve and Arthur were racing to the woods, each urging the other on. It was their twelfth birthday and their father had released them from their duties to spend the day however they wished before the banquet in their honor. Genevieve was excited for the day because it meant no beatings from her father. She had been doing better on not using her magic. She still used it, unintentionally, but she had gotten better at repressing it. But today, she got to focus on her brother, and celebrating their birthday.
They spent the day in the woods, romping around and enjoying the time together. Uther often kept them separated, claiming that they had different duties, but Genevieve knew it was because of her magic. They were laughing as Arthur recounted stories to her of the most recent training session, when suddenly bandits surrounded them. Arthur had his sword with him, but it wasn't a full size sword and was intended for training only. Instead of letting that hamper him, he decided to charge headfirst into the fray, his only thought being to protect his sister. Genevieve thought he was distracted enough to attempt to use her magic. She saw a branch lying nearby and used her magic to bring it over to her before she began to pummel the bandit in front of her.
Unexpectedly, Genevieve heard the thundering of hooves from behind her. Dread began to fill her as she thought reinforcements had arrived for the bandits when an arrow abruptly slammed into the callous man in front of her. She whipped her head around and saw the proud colors of Camelot. Her spirits soared as the knights of Camelot came to their rescue, at the front, her father. She felt her heart sink into her stomach as the dread that had dissipated long ago returned in full force. One of the knights scooped her up onto his horse, in order to better protect the Princess and began to move swiftly back to Camelot.
When they had returned to Camelot, she was immediately escorted back to her chamber, where an armed guard was immediately placed, not allowing her to escape to ever so familiar confines of her room and sneak to Morgana's rooms, where both Morgana and Gwen would be preparing for the banquet tonight. So, she sat, angrily, knowing that she would be "escorted for her own protection" to the banquet tonight and would not be allowed to leave her father's side.
A servant entered the chambers and quickly helped her get ready for the banquet before retreating from the room, leaving Genevieve to stew in her room again.
Uther came storming in, rage swirling around him as it tended to do. "Did you use magic?" He demanded. Genevieve shook her head, knowing that to fully convince her father she had to look fearful. It was a well practiced look that fooled her father. The rage died a little as he regarded his daughter, who looked more like him then his beloved Ygraine. He turned away from the girl before he could become lost in the past that haunted him every day.
Four years passed from that day without incident. Uther summoned his court, along with his children. Everyone was wary, unsure as to why Uther would bother to call for the full court. It was then that Uther announced that Genevieve would be leaving Camelot, acting as his emissary to the other kingdoms, helping keep relations where they were. Genevieve knew that this was Uther's way of distancing himself from her and what he had done to her. His way of dealing with the guilt that covered him and everything he did. A banquet was also announced for that evening, to give the a Princess a proper send off.
Genevieve returned to her chambers, the reality that she would be leaving setting in. Tears filled her eyes. She would be leaving Arthur, her twin, her other half! How could her father do this to her? She raged, she screamed, she threw things all around her room. But she did not use her magic. She resisted using her magic.
When she had thrown everything she could, she sat in her chair, crying. This was how Arthur found her when he cautiously entered her room, having been waiting for her to finish her rampage. What he saw made him even madder at their father. Her room was utterly destroyed, items strewn everywhere. Even worse, sobs wracked his sister's body. He had never seen her cry, not even after the beatings she received from their father (which Uther had tried to hide from the young prince, unsuccessfully). He immediately crossed the room and gathered his sister in his arms, allowing her to cry into his tunic.
The twins sat there, mourning the loss that was upon them. A small knock came from the door before Morgana poked her head in. Arthur gently motioned her inside and saw that Guinevere was not far behind. The two made their way over to where the twins were sitting, Genevieve's sobs quieter then they had been, almost as if she was aware that there were others in the room with them. Everyone say in semi-silence, allowing the princess to release the flood of emotions that had overtaken her. When she finally finished crying, she looked up and saw that she was surrounded by her friends. She managed a small smile, seeing the support surrounding her. She would miss these people, her friends, no, her family.
Shortly thereafter, everyone left to get ready for the banquet. Genevieve's maidservant entered into the room but was quickly dismissed by Genevieve, who was already dressed for the banquet. With her head held high, she left her room and walked through the corridors, heading to the great hall. The guards opened the door for her, and she entered into the room, radiantly. Her father sending her away, while heartbreaking, would finally allow her to be free. With this thought, she was able to get through the banquet.
Morning came. The carriage was packed, and the royal household was waiting outside for the princess to come out so they could say goodbye to her. Morgana was doing her best not to cry while Arthur stood, stone faced. If Genevieve saw him cry, she would refuse to leave, and thereby anger their father. It would be safer for her to leave, he knew this, but he didn't want her to leave. So he stood there, silent, as his twin climbed into the carriage, to leave Camelot for who knows how long.
Once Genevieve was secure in the carriage, and away from the eyes of her family, she allowed herself to cry. The rustling of the carriage covered her sobs, giving her the privacy she had longed for her entire life, but had never realized what the cost of such privacy would be. And the cost was too high.
Three years passed without incident. Genevieve traveled from kingdom to kingdom, helping keep a reliable peace between Camelot and it's neighboring kingdoms. But, every chance she got, she snuck out of whatever castle she was visiting at the time and would find the Druids, where she would sit with them and learn all she could. Her control of her magic grew with practice. She didn't have her father to be afraid of anymore, which helped her progress in her magical studies. It was during one of these times when she snuck out that she met a charming knight.
She had decided to walk to the Druid camp, dressed in her plainest dress that would allow her to blend into the community. It was on her return that she was attacked by bandits. She couldn't use her magic, because that would mean that she would have to kill them all, and she refused to kill using her magic. She had left her sword behind in the castle, because the Druids didn't like weapons. It was then that a plainly dressed man came galloping in, sword swinging. He quickly dispatched the bandits, injuring many and allowing those who fled to flee. When he turned to face Genevieve, both were awestruck. The mutual attraction between the two could not be denied.
"I'm Gwaine, and you are?" He introduced himself.
Genevieve dropped into a curtsy. "I'm Genevieve, sir," she said, still in awe of the man standing in front of her. His skill with a sword could rival her brother's, and quite possibly her father's. And the fact that he had come to her rescue showed his character in her mind. Plus, the man was gorgeous.
"Well, Genevieve, a beautiful woman like yourself shouldn't be walking around the forest by herself. We live in dangerous times. Where are you headed?"
"Back to the castle."
"And why would a beautiful lady like yourself want to be there?" He asked.
"I would much rather be home, but my father sent me here."
"And who is your father?"
"Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot." She couldn't help but feel angry at her father for sending her away, and that anger showed in her answer. She didn't miss the look Gwaine gave her when she mentioned her father, but just as quickly as the look appeared, it disappeared.
"Why would he send you away?" He muttered to himself, but it was just loud enough for Genevieve to hear.
"Why else would a father send their child away? Because he feels guilty."
"And what would he have to feel guilty about? Did he kill the love of your life?" He was angered himself. A father should protect his children, not send them away because of guilt.
"No. He did something much worse." And she left it at that, not wanting to divulge her deepest secret to someone who could potentially betray her. She wouldn't be betrayed again, and she would pay any cost that would ensure that.
Gwaine escorted her back to the castle, and joined her entourage, becoming her personal bodyguard at her own request.
Three years after she met Gwaine, they were back in the same kingdom where they had first met. They had grown close, very close. In fact, they were in love. Madly and ridiculously in love. It was a love so pure that it was written in the stars. There were no secrets between them. Gwaine had learned about her magic just a few months after meeting her, quite by accident. He had been scared at first, but he had allowed her to explain, and he listened. After she had explain, through tears, everything that had led to her where she was that day. He held her, comforted her, and began to fall in love with her, this strong woman who was crying in front of him, showing more strength than any man he had ever met.
When her official duties for the day had been completed, Gwaine stole her away, leading her back into the forest with a picnic in hand. They enjoyed their time eating and joking around with each other, with Genevieve performing small bits of magic.
"Gen, my love," Gwaine began. "We have known each other for three years now. To the day, in fact."
Genevieve gave a small laugh before responding, "I remember quite well, Gwaine. You swooped in and saved this damsel in distress."
"Ha, as if you could ever be a damsel in distress. But, that day was the start of the happiest years of my life, short as it is. And, as you might have noticed, we are back where we first met, where you first told me that your father sent you away and I wondered what kind of man could have possibly sent you away. And I vowed that day that I would never leave you of my own free will, or send you away. You deserve so much better then that.
"Then, I saw you use magic, and I was so scared at first. I had been taught growing up that magic was evil, and all that used it were evil. And I believed that, until I saw you use it, until you told me how you had been born with the ability to use magic. And then you showed me the beauty and the good in magic. You trusted me enough to keep your secret, and I have and I always will, because I love you.
"So, Genevieve Pendragon, do me the greatest honor and marry me?" He held out a simple band, tears already forming in his eyes as he looked at the woman he had fallen in love with, hoping that she would give him the answer he never thought he would seek. When she tearfully, and joyfully, began to nod, saying yes, he too began to cry, overcome with the joy that this woman who had stolen his heart wanted to be in his life for the rest of their lives.
They celebrated that night, with the rest of the Camelot entourage by their side. They had watched their princess fall in love with this man, and had finally seen their princess happy again. They respected this man, and were happy for the couple.
All was well, until an official letter from Camelot arrived for Genevieve. The letter stated that her brother was on death's door, and she was being recalled to Camelot, immediately.