Uther and Arthur were in his chambers discussing things. Uther was busy he forgot to mention Olaf and his daughter have come to Camelot to review the treaty.
"Arthur you may not know, but Olaf is here to review our treaty. He wants to make sure were not undermining him. Can you believe it?"
Arthur heard Olaf's name and became worried. "Olaf? Does that mean that the lady Vivian is with them?"
"Yes. And his cousin. Prince Alexander."
Arthur looked down. Vivian was in love with him the last time she left Camelot. Hopefully this was not still the case.
"So... Vivian. Does she still feel something for me?" he asked his father cautiously.
"Yes. I believe the first thing she asked was "where is my beloved Arthur?" Uther laughed. Arthur shook his head.
"Oh come now, Arthur. Lady Vivian is beautiful, and royal. It would do you some good to get to know her. She could be your wife one day."
Out of nowhere Arthur laughed.
"What is funny?" Uther asked
"Vivian couldn't possibly be my wife..." Arthur had to stop himself before he spilled the beans.
"We're not here to talk marriage right now Arthur. But... I would urge you to at least be nice?"
" I can be cordial father. I'm not an animal."
Uther laughed. "I'm sure you can be. Now, I want you to make Olaf feel comfortable here. Understood?"
"Yes father."
"Good."
"I also want you to show Prince Alexander around the castle. They will be staying for a while and he is close to your age Arthur. He could you a companion like you."
"Whatever you ask of me father, I will do."
"My son… you will be a great king one day." Arthur smiled. Words like that didn't come out of Uther's mouth often. Uther gave him a half smile to show his gratitude. Then quickly left, Arthur decided he should go and give the prince a good welcome to the castle.
Prince Alexander wandered around the castle. It was a new day and new opportunities were to be enjoyed in. by that he meant the beautiful serving girl he saw yesterday. Even though he still did not know her name he was up all night thinking about her beauty, her smile, what their children would look like… it was truly a wondrous feeling coming over him. He didn't know if it was love yet but it sure did feel like it. Arthur finally found alexander in the lower town, he was wondering just what he thought he was doing. No royal came down there unless to go to the market or see the commoners. But Prince Alex was smiling at them, talking to the men smelling the herbs and hugging little children. Not how a prince should act at all. Arthur went over to him so they could be introduced and he could talk some royal sense into him.
"Excuse me, are you Prince Alexander?" Arthur asked.
"Why yes I am. And who might you be?"
"I'm Arthur pendragon. Prince of Camelot."
Alexander chuckled lightly. Arthur became immediately annoyed.
"May I ask what is so funny?" Arthur said.
"Oh... I do not mean to laugh, Arthur. It's just my cousin… the lady Vivian; she talks about you all the time. She says you're her one true love." Alex laughed louder.
"I assure you, I am not. She is very beautiful but, we will never work." Arthur treaded lightly. He couldn't have Alex thinking that love was the reason he didn't want anything to do with Lady Vivian. Even though it wasn't the only reason.
"I get what you mean, sire. Princesses they are very gorgeous and of royal blood, but what happens when that is not what you desire?"
"I do not understand..."
As Alex began explaining Gwen was walking past. Alexander saw her and stopped his words mid-sentence. He turned Arthur around towards Gwen. Arthur smiled at her sight.
"Look prince… that is what I mean..." alexander stated.
"Who Guinevere?" Arthur turned back towards Alex. Alexander's eyes followed Gwen as she made her way through the castle. Arthur was growing suspicious
"Arthur I know we must marry royalty, but when women are that beautiful... how you cannot just… fall in love." Alexander sighed dreamingly.
" Love? Oh I get it. You mean you want to marry for love that it should not matter about rank or royal blood lines, but about how a person makes you feel inside."
"Yes, exactly. I'm glad you understand Arthur. You are a wonderful person."
"Well I do my best." Arthur inflated his own ego.
"It's settled. I will court Gwen and make her my queen." Alexander said.
"WHAT?" Arthur shouted.
"Is there a quarrel sire?" alexander asked.
"Prince Alexander, I agree that you should marry for love and nothing else, trust me I am a strong believer in that. But I believe Guinevere is spoken for."
"Ah! You mean Lancelot? I asked around about her and I found out she is free as a bird. Nothing is going to keep me away from that woman. I feel it Arthur, I feel a love connection in the air!"
Arthur needed a way to talk him out of this. He thought about it. No one knew that he and Gwen were married except for a few souls who wouldn't tell anyone. If Arthur was too stern about Alex staying away from Gwen, he would surely catch on to something. But if he were too loose about his feelings it could get back to Gwen and Arthur would be in Gwen's dog house he many summers. Arthur decided to use a different tactic.
"You know alexander Guinevere may be beautiful, but I hear she likes much older men then you."
"I will just tell her I do not feel young while I am with her I will have the strength of men your father's age."
"I heard she has moles and warts."
"I care not about her flaws. Her beauty shines through all wrong doings."
"I heard she isn't interested in royalty." Arthur said. That stumped Alexander. He stopped and paced around. "That could be a problem; she will not look at me if she sees I am of royal blood."
"Exactly. Trust in me prince. I have tried myself and failed. Guinevere is the one servant neither you nor I will ever have."
Alexander patted him on the shoulder. "I do trust you prince. Maybe I should just give in." Arthur smiled he finally won. Alex wasn't going after Gwen. There was nothing to worry about.
As Arthur left alexander mumbled to himself: "I know you mean well Arthur, but I wish for her to be mine, and nothing is going to stop me from making her my queen."
Arthur was walking through the corridor when Lady Vivian spotted him. Before he could get away she ran towards him and jumped into his arms.
"My love!" she said.
"Lady Vivian. It is good to see you as well." Arthur tried to push her away but failed. She hugged her arms around his neck tightly.
"I have told you my heart would remain and it has. I still love thee more than anything in the entire world!" Arthur once again failed to get her off of him. "Vivian please… I" he started. She pressed a finger to his lips to shush him. "There are no words needed when love is present." Without notice Vivian kisses him.
Guinevere walks past and sees her husband kissing Lady Vivian. Shocked, Gwen throws Morgana's clothes to the floor, the hit a bucket splashing water all over the clothes Gwen just washed. Arthur finally pulls Vivian off of him when the bucket falls. He sees Gwen and has a distraught look on his face. He mouths "it's not what it looks like" silently to her.
"Are you as clumsy as you are stupid?" Vivian says.
Gwen doesn't reply. She just stands there with a look of utter disbelief on her face.
"What you never seen people who are in love kiss before? Better go back and clean those clothes before you get replaced!" Vivian laughs to Arthur.
"ENOUGH." Arthur shouts to Vivian. Gwen finally bends down to pick up Morgana's clothes. Arthur bends down to help her.
"Guinevere believe me, I promise you it is not what it looks like." He whispered
"Thank you for helping me sire!" Gwen ignores his excuses. She knew it was all too good to be true. She practically runs away. Vivian grabs Arthur the other way. Even though he wanted to talk to Gwen.
Alexander was walking back to his chambers when he saw Gwen sobbing behind a pillar. Thinking this could be his chance; He immediately goes to her and asks "is there something wrong, beautiful?"