"You are brought here today to be charged with trespassing in Camelot, with prior knowledge to your banishment from this land. You were aware of the terms of your banishment and chose to over look them," Uther's voice rang out through the council chambers. There were many people here, Merlin, who was looking at the floor eyes glazed over. Gaius, who was looking at Uther suspiciously, many of the nobles who were intrigued by a non magical suspect in the court.
Standing on the sidelines I could see everything, Arthur's expression was dark, like he gave Lancelot little or no innocence. I played with my blue dress nervously.
"My Lord, I came to assist in the rebuilding of Camelot. After your attack by the dragon and your great loss of life, I thought that you would appreciate the help, Sire," He grovelled. His hands were bound by chains and he still had a scar on his cheek, now that I noticed. He was knelt before the King and Prince, begging.
"Whilst indeed it was noble of you to come here, it was unnecessary. We are doing perfectly fine. Thus you are imprisoned for nothing," Uther mocked. Lancelot glanced in my direction slowly. "You are also brought forward on the charges of assault," My eyes narrowed.
"Assault My Lord?" Lancelot looked at the King again. I looked between the two of them.
"The assault of a woman in the upper town not three days ago. You left her nearly dead," Uther carried on. I gasped in horror. No, they wouldn't, would they?
"I do not know anything about this assault," He defended himself. "Who claims I was there?"
"The woman it happened too refuses to give a name, but it is known that the pair of you share a History," Uther shot a quick glance in Gaius' direction. I could not believe what I was hearing. I looked at Arthur pleadingly. He was not even looking in my direction.
"You base this accusation by my association to the lady in question, My Lord,"
"Indeed we do." Arthur spoke for the first time. I could take no more of this tirade against him.
"My Lord?" I asked, all eyes were upon me, shifting. Uther was a little surprised; Arthur was drumming his fingers along the arms to his throne. "May I'
"What is it you have to say child?" Uther inquired.
"It was not Lancelot. Please believe me. I don't want to release the identity of my attacker for my own reasons. And it is not because I am afraid; it is because I do not see how it is relevant." I walked slowly to the centre of the room.
"It is relevant because if you do not reveal the identity of the attacker, then he will just hurt other women, like he did to you," The King answered.
"It is unlikely that he will hurt anybody in Camelot. I happen to know he was after me specifically. Nobody else, My Lord," I looked at Lancelot; he looked at me, eyes widening. "I know that it was not this man who harmed me," I looked at Arthur. His eyes inquisitive.
"How can you be so sure? It was dark," Arthur asked, I narrowed my eyes.
"I know it was not him Sire," I said again, "I met this man briefly the last time he came to court, from what I know, I am positive that he could not harm anybody without a just cause. I believe that you know this too, My Lord," I looked at Arthur. He groaned, looking at Lancelot. "He is my friend,"
"So you are saying that he did not assault you," Uther asked. Looking between both Lancelot and Me.
"He did not," I nodded.
"Thank you Guinevere," Uther nodded, I curtseyed lowly and returned to my position next to Merlin, who looked bewildered. Uther continued.
"The matter still stands of your trespassing. As it goes, it is not in my power to grant you a pardon. My son banished you, therefore only he can grant you a pardon." I looked at Arthur with surprise; he had banished him all that time ago.
"I shall think about it, return him to the dungeons," Arthur gestured to the Knights, and they dragged him away. He looked at me silently as he turned the corner. I looked at the ground; I couldn't bear to look at the Prince, or the King.
"If there is no further business, then meeting dismissed," Uther bounded down the aisle, followed by Arthur who I refused to look at. We all bowed, but Merlin did not go to follow Arthur, which was unusual. As the nobles dispersed, I found myself talking to Gaius.
"How are your injuries Gwen? Giving you any trouble?" He asked.
"Actually no, surprisingly not. They seem to have completely healed, Only the black eye and the stab wound, but the eye is starting to fade," I smiled, crossing my arGaius shot Merlin a loOk, who just grinned? "It's as if it was cured by magic,"
"I am glad to hear it my dear," Gaius smiled at me. I looked at Merlin, who was looking at Gaius, meaningfully.
"I wonder what is going to happen to Lancelot," Merlin asked.
"Nothing, Arthur will let him go," I told him, but mostly to myself. Arthur would understand that Lancelot was my friend...wouldn't he?
"Of course he will," Merlin looked at me sympathetically. I nodded, slowly as he started talking to Gaius. And I could help but remember this morning.
I had woken up in Arthur's arms. I had only asked him to stay until I fell asleep, but he had ended up staying all night, which I was secretly pleased about. But I had fallen asleep in my grand silky dress and it had gotten all creased. Arthur's arms were positioned protectively around me, but he had woken embarrassed, bid his good mornings and left my room, I tried to change my bandage but it was not tight enough. I would have Gaius look at it later.
"Gwen? Are you with me?" I was snapped out of my thoughts.
"Hm?" I looked into his blue eyes curiously.
"I was saying that you were brave, standing up to Uther in the Hall. It took guts," he smiled.
"I do not feel brave," I lamented, looking out from the cloisters. We were walking at a steady pace.
"Gwen, what's wrong," He asked, pausing holding my good arm. I smiled at him apologetically.
"Lancelot may still be executed. There would have been no point to my bravery. I am scared for him," I leant on an open ledge, looking at the people in the courtyard, going about their business.
"Arthur will do the right thing. I am sure of it," He grinned.
"You are a good friend Merlin," I smiled, he grasped my hand, and we looked at each other, before staring off into the distance still hands grasped. We did not need to say anything. We stood there for a long time before Merlin broke the silence.
"He's my friend too," I looked at him. "Lancelot. I want him to be safe. Even if Arthur does not want to, he will do the thing that needs to be done. Not what he wants to be done,"
"I am frightened of everything. That Lancelot may not be returned safely. That Morgana is in danger and I cannot help her, that Arthur is getting complacent about his duties...that there is still somebody out there who is after me,"
"Gwen, you live in the Castle, there are guards on duty at all times. Uther has taken an unusual shine to you. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I promise you,"
"Thanks. But enough about me, what about you? Anything juicy to tell me?"
"Well, I need to learn to dance," he scoffed. I suppressed a laugh.
"Dancing? Why on earth do you need to learn to dance?"
"I need to...Kate asked me to Laura's wedding. Dancing will be involved,"
"I will teach you. Don't worry,"
"Gwen, I can't ask you to do that. Not with everything that is going on,"
"Don't be ridiculous Merlin. My father taught me when I was small. It has come in very handy over the years." Merlin smiled, and I led him to the middle of the deserted hallway, "Now you take my hand in yours, then put the other on my waist," I place my other hand on his shoulder. He was blushing.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Follow my lead," I replied. After a few minutes of stepping on my feet, he got the hang of it and we started swaying a little bit to an imaginary beat. Though Merlin kept looking at his feet for the entire time. It was sweet how nervous he was. But he managed to multi task.
"So, did it work?" He looked at me with confusion.
"Did what work?"
"My amazing powers of distraction?" I grinned.
"Yes, it did,"
"You sound surprised Guinevere?"
"We must practise as much as we can. Laura's wedding is in two weeks. You need to master the group dances, as well as the couples dance," he chose this moment to spin me slowly, "Which you seem to be getting better at," he laughed.
"I have a great teacher. Are you not coming?"
"I was invited, but I have to work that night. It's Leon's birthday and I am working nonstop,"
"No rest for the wicked,"
"Indeed not,"
"You do too much Gwen, you should really rest. I am in half a mind to knock you out for a few days. And I have influence with the physician, I can make it happen," Merlin threatened.
"But if you did then I would be upset,"
"If you were upset means that somebody else would give me hell," I frowned. "Speaking of which, I think there is someone who wants to see you," He spun me around and I could see him at the end of the corridor. I gasped. "Go on Gwen."
"Thank you." I squeezed his hand, before slowly walking away from Merlin and towards the man at the end of the hall. I could not believe that he was walking towards me. I could not believe it was him.
"Guinevere, you look stunning." He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles.
"Arthur let you go," I smiled. Looking into Lancelot's eyes.
"He is a good man," I smiled. I looked at him. "You are a Knight? Of Camelot, red suits you,"
"I had to find you to tell you. You are the reason I am here." He smiled, going to stroke my cheek.
"No Lancelot," I moved his hand from my face, so that is was by his side. "No,"
"Gwen, I thought that?" he looked confused.
"No, you made your choice when you left me in that forest all that time ago." I stepped away from him. "You can't just swan back into my life as if you never left," I rubbed my wrist, "I am sorry,"
"Guinevere," he pleaded. I walked backward towards the bend in the corridor, and turned around so that I was not facing him. I could not bear it, the look on his face. I looked at my wrist and saw a light scar on it. Still there from the days I was incarcerated in the dungeons. I covered it with a bracelet. I could now use that luxury.
"Men," I muttered under my breath. I leant on the wall, catching my breath. My heart was hammering in my chest. I needed to steady my heart rate, it was not good to be this pressurised. Especially since my injury. I just wanted to be well again.
"You'll always be my little girl," I thought of one of the last things my father said to me. A tear ran down my face, but I wiped it away swiftly. There was a sting that brought me back to reality, that of my arm. I pulled myself together and stared walking towards Gaius' chambers. It was strange, the looks I got from people, and servants who used to be my friends were now smiling at me, but then whispering as soon as I was out of earshot.
How things could change in the space of a few days, this gown that I would only previously washed let alone worn. I had thought about wearing fine clothes such as these, but that was far off in that future, and a faint possibility that may never happen. Yet here I was day's later in royal clothes, which I oddly fit into perfectly.
"Gwen?" A voice interrupted my thoughts. It was the King, accompanied by Leon and Lancelot. I did not dare look at Lancelot for fear of giving my emotions away.
"My Lord," I curtseyed, "Is there something I can help you with Sire?"
"Well Gwen, this is your guard," he said simply.
"My what?" I stifled a laugh, this could not be happening.
"Leon is the best Knight in Camelot, after Arthur of course. And Lancelot is your friend so I thought that there were no better two for your safety."Uther gestured.
"My Lord that will not be necessary." I could feel my cheeks slowly starting to burn.
"Nonsense Guinevere, it will put my mind at rest. So they're at your disposal. Have a good day Guinevere," he smiled at me, before turning on his heels. Leaving me Leon and Lancelot alone.
"My Lady," Leon and Lancelot said in unison, before bowing.
"Really there is no need, why did you just call me that?"
"The King told us too," Leon smiled.
"Right, so what are the odds of me getting rid of the two of you?"
"Slim to none," Lancelot answered. I nodded.
"Well I need to see Gaius. About my arm," I gestured in the vague direction of the physician's quarters.
"Then we must accompany you," Leon answered.
"My life is very boring gentleman. I fear you will get easily bored."
"Things are never boring with you around, I should know," Leon looked at Lancelot.
"Okay then. Let's go," We started walking down towards the steps in the sunny courtyard. It was a lovely day. Were it not for the fact I could feel the tension between Lancelot and I. We tried to keep up appearances by smiling at each other. "So what did Arthur think of you two skiving off practise to look after little old me?"
"Actually he was alright with it. Not that he had a choice The King had us under his orders." Lancelot grinned.
"And Arthur can be mad. You saw him yesterday. I don't know how Merlin copes,"
"I think it is a mystery to us all," I smiled. Knocking on the door, I peeped around to see Gaius propped over his table reading something.
"Gwen, what is wrong," He asked. I opened the door, Leon and Lancelot filed in after me.
"I don't know if I dressed my wound correctly. It is at an awkward position you see,"
"Come sit," I smiled, "Gentleman, can I get you anything?"
"No we are content," Lancelot answered, looking at Leon who nodded.
"Well have seats anyway," He gestured the benches by the table.
"Thank you Gaius," Leon sat down, and then stared talking to Lancelot.
"Right Gwen just slip off your cardigan for me," I smiled, undoing the baby blue netty fabric from my arms, leaving the dark blue gown on me. I looked at my loose bandage in embarrassment.
"Sorry Gaius. I wonder if I applied the fabric to the right pressure."
"Did nobody help you with this?" He frowned, irritated.
"No, but I was late so I couldn't do it with the best amount of skill," I defended myself.
Gaius started to unwrap the falling bandage and I could see the dark stitches against my skin. It looked horrible, I was never one for vanity but I couldn't help but feel a little strange. Seeing a foreign instrument in my arm. Gaius' hands were warm as he tenderly inspected my wound. I tried not to think of the way it had happened to me. Staring hard at rabbit that hung upside down from the ceiling. I had seen much worse in the castle kitchens.
"It looks a little swollen but that is only to be expected from an injury such as this." He rubbed some salve into the stitches and then began to wrap it up in a fresh bandage. "Have somebody change this for you before you go to bed tonight. And do not go lifting any heavy objects,"
"Thank you Gaius, you are too kind." I slipped my cardigan back on.
"Be careful, I shall have Merlin come and check on you later. Hopefully I will not see you soon for this purpose. But come back on Monday to get the stitches taken out,"
"I shall, but I must now go down and meet my friend Rebecca, she has two children and needs some respite today,"
"Goodbye Gwen," He laughed. And the three of us left. Leon, Lancelot and I.
"Rebecca? The Florist?" Leon asked. Rebecca was a woman who had lost most of her family to Uther's tirade. Her mother had been accused of witchcraft; her husband was killed by an illness a few weeks before her youngest child's birth. She was alone, but she had me to help her.
"Yes. She is a very dear friend of mine. Before all of this business, I had arranged to take the day off work, and I was going to give her rest. I hope she is okay," I mused, walking underneath the portcullis.
"What would Uther say about you helping her?" Lancelot asked.
"It is not any of his business, and anyway, I am not going to change my plans because I was attacked. I have responsibilities too you know. Though they may not affect Camelot as they do you, but they affect those who live in it." I sighed, looking at the distant figure of the tall brown haired woman who was my friend. She was arranging some roses in a bouquet, yellow, red and pink roses. They looked lovely.
"She is brave." Leon smiled.
"She had to be, she is the sole provider of her family. They barely get by to pay the rent," I whispered, as Rebecca spotted me. She broke out into a grin.
"Gwen?" She flashed her shiny white teeth in my direction. Her wavy hair framed around her face.
"Hello Rebecca." She hugged me, she smelt of roses, and sunflowers. "How are the children?"
"I don't expect you to take them today. Not after what you have been through." She smiled, "They are well, William is still sauntering along like he owns the place, but I suppose he is at that age isn't he?" She laughed. William was the elder of the two, being 10 years old; Rebecca had him when she was 14.
"And my God-daughter? How is she?" I asked.
"Jenny is fine; she is wise for her years. Helps around the house a lot. Likes helping me pick the flowers," she smiled. "I shall go and fetch them for you," With that Rebecca disappeared. Jenny was 5 years old, and the spitting image of her mother, even having her unusual eye colour.
"She seems nice," Lancelot mentioned, I remembered their presence.
"You two can go you know. It's just going to be me playing with children. Nothing too exciting," I pleaded, hoping they would go.
"Uther would have our heads. Where exactly do you plan on playing with the dear little ones?"
"Where I always do. The forest,"
"See now we definitely need to come with you," Lancelot looked serious.
"Gwennie!" Jenny and William came onto the picture. I bent down to give them both hugs.
"Wow, Gwennie, you look like a princess!" Jenny smiled.
"Who are these two clowns?" William pointed to the knights on my right.
"This is Sirs Leon and Lancelot. They are going to be spending some time with us today,"
"Okay," William gave them both a dirty look," Great...
"Who wants to play hide and seek?" Lancelot suggested.
"I do!" Jenny smiled.
"Then let us go," Lancelot took her by the hand, William on the other and all three ran through the town.
"Bye Gwen, I owe you one," I kissed Rebecca on the cheek and she smiled.
"Come Guinevere," Leon smiled, he offered me his hand and we ran through the town, trailing after them. We turned many heads, one too many.
"Guinevere I just saw," He started.
"My Lord," Leon stopped I stopped abruptly. I looked up to see Arthur look on disapprovingly.
"My Lord," I curtseyed.
"Gwennie!" I flinched and smiled. Jenny was running towards us, not caring that the prince stood directly in front of us. "William said I should come and make sure you were okay," She ran into my arms and I lifted her up.
"I am fine, sweetheart." I laughed.
"Guinevere?" Arthur asked, crossing his arms, fighting a smile.
"Yes?" The two of us answered. Arthur looked between us.
"Nobody calls me by my full name, but I like it!" Jenny smiled.
"Is your name Guinevere too?" Arthur looked at her. Jenny smiled.
"My name is Guinevere Picker of Camelot. But everybody calls me Jenny. I am named after Gwennie!" Arthur looked on interested.
"Jenny is my God-daughter. I delivered her as a baby. I was her mother's bridesmaid when she married her father," I explained. Holding the girl before me.
"Ah, I see. Well Guinevere's I shall leave you to your fun and games. But Gwennie?" Arthur asked. I went bright red, this was so embarrassing.
"Yes Arthur?"
"My father wishes to speak to you when you return. Nothing serious just about your role in Camelot. Until then," He bowed, and then walked on. I looked at Jenny who was smiling innocently.
Whatever Uther wanted to discuss, it was bound to end badly...