FOR THE LOVE OF EALDOR

Chapter 3

Arriving at Hunith's humble cottage, Uther took note of how quaint it looked. The small cottage was surrounded by the most beautiful array of flowers and wild green ivy that grew around the door and windows' of the lovely quaint cottage. Uther was most impressed by Hunith's beautiful roses and thought them to be some of the finest he had ever seen. He himself attuned to be quite the expert on Roses as they were after all; his favourite flower" and of cause, grew his own at home in Camelot's rose Gardens.

Gently wrapping on the cottage door, he waited but to his surprise there was no answer, and had to wonder if he indeed had the right cottage. Sighing he turned to make his leave but notice a beautiful brown-beige colored mare, tied up to a tree at the side of the little cottage, but then was gently stirred by the most beautiful sound of someone singing, following the sound of the beautiful voice, around to the side and back of the cottage, Uther's breathe hitched as he watched the most gentle of woman sitting by her well washing and rinsing her long auburn hair in the warm sunlight as she softy continued humming and singing her song. Uther felt a sudden pang of butterflies to his stomach and overwhelming excitement wash over him, but at the same time couldn't help but feel that he was imposing on a private moment, and felt a little embarrassed at having stayed to watch her.

But he just couldn't help himself, He had tried to make his leave' but could not take his eyes off this gentle vision" she look so lovely and her gentle song was so soothing to his ears. In his indecisiveness Uther had made to leave, but made a noise of snapping twigs underfoot, that now stirred the gentle woman who' in her fright" Jumped!" as she now sprang to her feet clutching the sword that had rested against the well beside her." Franticly she gripped her Sword lifting it up high' as she asked with half Squinted eyes' saying…

WHO'S THERE? … Her view obscured by long wet soapy hair and stinging squinted eyes"….

She repeated the question again…

"Speak up!"… Who are you?

Uther now seeing her distress quickly answered saying…

Madam you must' forgive me I did not mean to startle you" Please forgive my rudeness'…I had only meant to deliver a Package?"…

Hunith, not having relaxed her stance quickly scrambled to find her bathing cloth which had been precariously flung over the back of her old wicker chair, grabbing the towel she quickly tried to dry her eyes, while maintaining her unrelaxed stance still holding her sword in a defense manner. Hunith now listened to the strangers stammering voice as he now made to apologize…

Please forgive my intrusion' Madam; I am only here to deliver a package on behalf of a dear friend,

"Gaius"…

At the mention of Gaius's name, Hunith now let her guard relax a little as she now stabbed her sword into the ground' beside her. Sensing that the stranger did not pose any threat. With both hands" she quickly wiped her soapy eyes and rigorously running the bath cloth through her long tresses dabbing at her hair quickly' as if to try hasten it's drying.

Blinking her eyes to try and refocus her vision' she flung her bathing cloth over her shoulder and quickly re-adjusted her somewhat blurry vision, not taking her steely gaze off the stranger that was now speaking to her.'

Hunith was quite intrigued by this man as she watched him franticly searching his saddlebags for something. She couldn't help but chuckled to herself as she re-adjusted her grip round the handle of her sword that was stayed in the ground' close beside her, using it much like a leaning tool. Still curious as to what this stranger was doing " she had to wonder

"What on earth was it' he was looking for".

As she continued watching the stranger from what she could make out from where she stood" he seemed a handsome figure of a man' he was average in height semi broad looking shoulders and with medium to dark blonde hair with a sprinkling of silver through the sides and for some strange reason she couldn't help feel she had met this stranger somewhere before" but where!", Well… he does know of Gaius, could it be possible that he is from Camelot. Hunith now deep in thought trying to rack her brain to place his face or even a name.

Hunith seemed almost certain that she had met him somewhere before, but couldn't quite put her finger on where' exactly.

"Noticing Hunith's unabashful stare Uther didn't quite know how to react" and found himself fidgeting with his saddle bag as he quickly tried to find and retrieved the parcel that Gaius had given him" he didn't know why, but he suddenly felt all nervous again.

Uther almost breathed a sigh of relief once having retrieved the package, as he turned and strode towards Hunith as he made to give her the Parcel" their hands brushed up against one another's slightly. It was in that instance that their Eyes met.' It was just as if time had magically stood still. Uther now gazing into Hunith's pretty eyes just from that one glance it was instant" She had the most inspiring stare' her eyes were endearing and honest, the color he had thought them to be were of a deep hazel green to darker shade of green" but on closer inspection they were very deep blue" almost dark sapphire blue and in them he felt such warmth and honesty, he just couldn't break his gaze It was as if" time had been instantly stalled and there was just himself and Hunith. That's when Uther knew" he just knew that he was meant to meet her…as if he'd dreamt it somewhere". For Uther, it had felt quite magical" it was like" for the first time since his beloved wife" that he had quite literally sensed the feeling, for it had surely been sometime he had sensed his soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another. Almost forgetting himself, Uther now realized that he had been staring into Hunith eyes' unashamedly". Breaking his gaze he now quickly passed Hunith her Parcel, as he quietly shied away and stepped back as he now saw her arching her brow at him…

It had been the same for Hunith the instant they had engage in the exchange of the parcel' he was holding...

She too had found herself gazing up at Uther as if trying to read his expression as she stared up into the handsome features of the blonde stranger, as he' too; looked at her with such an intense expression. Uther now made to lean forward a little more to pass Hunith her package, and without realizing, inhaled deeply; his nose and senses having caught the scented aroma of rose-oil soaps and jazzman of which she must have used to wash her hair, Uther now breathed in it's aroma and smiled as he now thought to quickly break his gaze, now noticing that she too shied away, a little embarrassed that he had caught her staring back at him so intently." With a knitted bemused frown, Hunith feigned a little wired smile and nodded slightly as she gently took the parcel from his hands".

Their gazes meeting yet again, at the exchange of the parcel this time, however, their stares locked with each, as they were now both overcome with the strangest feeling of overwhelming warmth, Hunith's realization, however was suddenly replaced with "SHOCK!" as she suddenly realized" of just "whom" exactly, the deliverer of her Parcel was!...

Almost scaring the living daylights out of Uther, the now gentle spoken woman flopped directly to the ground, now bowing lowly to Uther as she now felt so embarrassed and much humiliation at her own ignorance" and lack of decorum

Oh Milord" please forgive a foolish ignorant woman her manners" for I did not recognize who you were "Sire!"

Uther now realised that' Hunith had finally recognized just who exactly he was" as he tried to quickly stop her from bowing …

No please madam' "You mustn't, it is truly my fault. I should have made you known of my present" when first I arrived,' please forgive me Madam!... do not bow to me." Please let me apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused' I meant only to stop by and deliver, a Package on behalf of my dear friend Gaius"…so I humbly ask for your forgiveness madam?".

Still bowed low.' Hunith made to look up at Uther' and was shocked at his gentle declaration of a apology and now felt that she was able to speak in return"…

I thank you milord and Please sire there is nothing to forgive it is I that should apologies, for being so rude" and pointing my sword in your face sire! Oh my goodness please can you forgive me sire!

Uther smiling made to step forward offering his hand for Hunith to take so that he could now help her up off the ground…

My dear Lady, I shall only except your apology if you would kindly except mine?" …

Grabbing Uthers hand she made to stand and smiled at him as he now gently helped her off the ground and smiled broadly back at her.

They both stood gazing into one another's eyes, Hunith still holding Uther's hand a little nervously.

Uther had now only realized that he been staring shamelessly at Hunith and also holding her hand much longer then he had intended; but truthfully he had not wanted to let go of her hand at all"and though quite a small hand, she had a firm grip and felt like they had seen many years of hard work and toil, but Uther really admired that about her'.

Now releasing her hand, they both smiled a little awkwardly at each other as they parted. Hunith sensing the awkwardness quickly offered Uther, something to drink; he of cause thanked Hunith and declined the offer.

But of cause had wanted to stay in her gentle company just a little bit longer, just so he could hear her speak some more, for he surely did love the sound and tone of her voice, and of cause the manner in which she spoke, as he then found himself saying"…

"I have only since Yesterday arrived in Ealdor" I am glad to see that, you yourself and of cause your small village are thriving very well!

Hunith now looking at her feet somewhat nervous" then lifted her head to speak to the King, saying"…

"Yes despite the passed attacks from Bandits and raiders.' We have managed to recover quite well" milord"

But dare not elaborate further as she was certain that the King had not known of the real reason as to why they had faired so well.

Feeling a little relaxed, she then bid the King as to the health of her brother inlaw saying'…

And of Gaius milord! How is he and of cause his health!

The King now smiling, replied, saying"…

I had told Gaius that I would inform you of his Health and well being, and of cause' he is as one would expect" very well indeed" both in mind, body, and spirit. I dare say Gaius shall surely outlive you and I both!"…Uther now chuckling at the notion''

Hunith watched the King' she liked the way he spoke of Gaius" she noticed that he had a more relaxed likeness to him and a some what down to earthiness' in his manner of talking. Hunith had to actually wonder why the change in the King" For he seemed much changed from the king that she had first met" and seemed to be someone vastly different from what she had remembered.

Hunith also smiling at the thought continued watching the King smile to himself at the recollection of his old friend.

Feeling a little more confident to press the King for further News of her only Son, Hunith then asked…

And Merlin my lord? Your sons Manservant" Sire, he is my son,' how is he?

Uther now looked up at Hunith' and saw the gentleness in her eyes' as would any mother for her own child…Uther then responded saying…

Madam, your Son is very well, and works very hard to look after both Gaius and Arthur, he smiled.

Thankyou sire' I much appreciate good news, I am well pleased to hear that he is well" as she smiled back at Uther.

It pleased Uther very much to be around the warmth of this genteel woman's quiet gentle nature, It really gave him a sense of peace that he had not felt in a long time.

Sensing that he had stayed too long already he gently motioned to make his leave as he now looked at Hunith'…

She herself was surprised that she had not wanted him to leave so soon, and further bid to ask him"

"Surely milord you would not be leaving straight away?

Now realizing her impertinence, she now quickly apologized saying…

Forgive my impertinence Sire', what I had meant to say" was you would not be thinking of leaving for Camelot this very minute? …

Hunith didn't know what had come over her, and found herself blurting it out" quite by surprise!'

Uther smiling at Hunith, noticed a slight pinkness to her cheeks as she spoke, and smiled even more when he detected something in her tone of voice' and had wondered' whether he'd heard her correctly; was this gentle woman bidding him to "Stay!"...

Looking at Hunith he quickly responded saying"…

"Yes madam. I had actually planned on leaving late this afternoon; Home to" Camelot…

Hunith seizing the opportunity knew she was being quite bold' but still continued saying"…

"Surely not" Sire, you must stay for the Celebrations" for I beg you, you will not see a more lively time to be had then here at Ealdor Harvest Celebrations…

"I know this maybe a Little impertinent of me" but please may I be so bold as to ask you to delay your trip home till tomorrow milord?"

As I'm sure you to would agree that the Harvest Celebrations are more of a celebration of its People and Community as a whole"... Case being milord' these Celebration are as particularly special to us" for they are the very first of it's kind that we, as a people have yet to enjoy since the last attacks on Ealdor. But we hope for many more such celebrations in the future.

Uther' listened to Hunith's gentle lament and so admired her passion and of cause couldn't be more please for the humble village and it's people. He smiled clearly seeing it had taken Hunith all her courage to ask him to stay for the Celebrations. And so truthfully" Uther had so wanted to stay, just so he could be in her quiet presence just that little bit longer; not to mention he had been some what flattered and excited she had asked him. He smiled as he bowed saying…

"My dear gentle Lady' you flatter me; how could I even think to decline such an eloquent invitation, I would surely be most honored indeed. But I will only attend if you would allow me the honor of escorting you to the Celebration this evening?

A little shyly Hunith smiled at the King, and his gentle garnering of her, as she then quietly responded saying…

"Sire I am not a Lady," Please milord, you must call me Hunith"….

Uther looking at Hunith then gently took her small hand in his and placed a kiss on the top of her hand saying...

I'm sorry my dear Lady, but I must insist upon calling you Lady, for it would not be very gentlemanly of me to call you by any other name, for you are surely a Lady to me.

Hunith blushed pink at Uther having lifted her hand to his lips, and pressing a gentle kiss to it" and so' blushed twice as much at his spoken words at complementing her.

Uther liked that he had made Hunith blush," and now gently bowing then said…

Until this evening Milady," lf that is well suited with you?"

Smiling Hunith gently nodded a smile saying…

"That would be most welcome milord, thank you.

As Uther ready to make his leave he then asked Hunith…

"My dear lady" If I may ask of you one small favor? …

Hunith now looked at Uther somewhat puzzled but waited to hear what Uther had wanted to say to her"and listened, as he continued…

"It has by no doubt escaped your knowledge of my some what modest attire, and lack of royal guards. Of cause it is not what one would expect to see of a King, But however as you see I have been traveling these last few days in; incognito so to speak; and so wish to remain doing so," till my return home to Camelot...

Hunith now looking at Uther, she did not question his methods or his reasoning for doing so as she then gently said"…

"So with this evenings festivities "Sire; by what name' should you like me to address you by," milord?

Uther grinning at Hunith then said with a little chuckle…

Aah…Milady you are not only very beautiful but also impeccably insightful beyond your Years'.

Blushing Hunith smiled as she continued to listen to Uther…

"Sir William of Deirah" milady, he grinned, Sir William was my third cousin twice removed on my mother's side of the family" and continued to chuckled a little more at the thought' and idea of it being quite playful.

Hunith now looking at Uther shared in his laughter, and bowed to him as she then said;

Till this evening'…Sir William.'

Smiling a wide grin at Hunith, Uther gently took Hunith's hand once again, and placed another kiss to the top of it' saying…

Yes' gentle lady, till this evening"...

...Bowing' just before he mounted Sir Duke, Uther could not resist the slight peek over his shoulder as he turned to see Hunith watching him ride off into the sunset, grinning a smile to himself at the thought of this gentle woman watching him as he made to leave, heading off back into the direction of the small village of EALDOR.

AN: Okay so they finally met again I hope this wasn't too disappointing but I quite like the idea of Uther being kinda playful taking on a different character/persona lol" and a 3rd cousin twice removed" no less lol, don't even ask me how that WORKS LOL!" but I hope it did!*smiles*

AN: also did anyone recognize the "Wedding Crashers" one liner, be nice to know if ya'll did!"