Author's Note: I've reworked this chapter so many times. I'm sorry for everything XD. Also, I went back and edited ch. 2. There were some continuity errors and other tiny things (and probably made new errors while doing so), specifically the torture scene, since (if you don't want go back and reread) Morgana was supposed to feel what she was doing to Gwen being that they're connected and all and it totally slipped my mind, so I added some of that.
Thanks for the lovely reviews! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.
Chapter 3: Avalon
Gwen hid behind Arthur as he pounded on the door.
The door swung open and the Lady Morgana glared at her brother. "What? Has Uther sent you up here to make sure I didn't run off? All I want to do is help and he—" She saw Gwen behind Arthur's leg. "Who's this?"
"This," he said as he moved Gwen in front of him. "is Guinevere."
Gwen gave a shaky curtsy and avoided looking up at Morgana.
Arthur continued. "I, uh, found her in the lower town."
"He ate Mr. Hopper," Gwen muttered.
Morgana knelt down to Gwen's height. "What was that?"
"She said I ate Mr. Hopper, her rabbit," Arthur huffed.
Morgana looked up at Arthur in disbelief. He looked back at her with a defensive look. "I didn't know!"
"So you brought her to me because…"
"You could use a friend. And she yelled at me, so you two have that in common."
Morgana looked at Gwen with pride. "Is that true? Did you yell at the Prince?"
Gwen looked at Morgana then back to the floor. "Maybe I scolded him, my lady," she mumbled.
Morgana laughed and took Gwen's hands. "Anyone that puts Arthur in his place is a friend of mine."
Gwen sat cross-legged on the bed. It was 8:00 a.m. and she could hear Arthur and Merlin in the kitchen. She debated on whether or not to interrupt their conversation about her. Arthur wanted to leave her here and have Merlin look after her. Merlin, as much as he found Gwen lovely, was understandably nervous. What if she gets hungry, he said. For human blood, the words were left unsaid.
She got up and made her way to the kitchen. "The sausage is burning."
Arthur stood up at her presence, and Merlin cursed and tended to the sausage.
"I thought you'd still be sleeping," Arthur said.
Gwen sat at the table. "Couldn't sleep and you couldn't, either. I didn't hear you snoring."
Merlin coughed in an attempt to hide his laugh.
Arthur bit the inside of his cheek. "I. Do. Not. Snore."
Gwen crossed her arms. "I don't know about the last eighty years, but for the first millen—"
"You should be resting," Arthur interrupted, trying to change the subject.
"I'm not staying holed up in here. I'm coming with you." Gwen said firmly.
Merlin set a plate in front of her first. Two burnt sausages and equally burnt toast. Gwen giggled at the pitiful display and Arthur grimaced.
"How about we go out for breakfast?"
Why not hide a vampire headquarters in the middle of London. It looked like an ordinary business building. The Authority was once in an older building, but with modernization, downtown London greatly changed. When they entered the lobby, George ran out from behind the desk to greet Arthur and Merlin, then he turned to Gwen and said, "Excuse me, Miss, but you're going to have to sign in."
"She's with me, George," Arthur said pushing Gwen in the direction of the elevator.
George followed after them. "But—but sir, guest must sign in. It's—"
"George," Arthur said with exasperation. The elevator opened and they walked in, George remained outside. "Relax." The doors closed.
Arthur opened a latch to reveal a retina scanner. It scanned his eye and the elevator went down.
It came to a stop and the doors open to reveal a long metallic hallway. Gwen was impressed. "What is this, a bomb shelter?"
"Post-war nuclear arms race did have some influence," Arthur said. The hallway branched into several other halls. Arthur promised to give a tour later. When they reached their destination, Arthur kicked the ground bashfully. "I really wanted you to stay home and get some rest, but I also wanted to bring Elyan to you as a surprise."
"Elyan's here?" Gwen's voice went up with hope.
"Yeah," he said. "Guess he'll be the one getting a surprise." He entered a code in the keypad and the metal door slid open. He blocked her from being seen.
"For someone who called this meeting so early, you sure are late," Gwen heard Elyan's say.
Arthur wanted to come back with a witty comeback, but he settled for stepping to the side to reveal Gwen. Elyan's jaw dropped along with everyone else in the room. "You're welcome," he said smugly.
"Gwen!" Elyan embraced her tightly, uttering numerous apologies in her ear. She heard Leon say "You found her?" and Merlin take the credit. When Elyan let her and held her at arm's length to get a good look at her, she noticed a very tall man behind him.
"Percival!" She moved to the man who enveloped her like a bear. Percival and her brother shared a maker. He was like another brother to her.
And so was Leon who came into view.
"Gwen," He said affectionately.
"Hello, Sir Leon." Gwen hugged him which he returned enthusiastically.
He pulled away. "Ah, we should introduce you to—"
Gwen saw him while Leon was talking. "Lancelot."
Lance stood away from the jolly group in silence. He gave her a small smile and nod.
Arthur looked between them. He didn't like the way they looked at each other. "You know each other?"
Before either could answer, a familiar Irish accent came from the doorway. "What did I miss?" When he saw Gwen, he spread is arms and beamed. "Esmeralda!"
The post-WWII bomb shelter conference room had a large round table in the center of it. Gwen ran her fingers along the hardwood as she sat next to Arthur who was yelling at Gwaine for sleeping with Morgana.
"I knew she was crazy, but I didn't know she was your sister." Gwaine tried to rationalize.
"In his defense," Lance spoke up. "Morgana didn't flaunt that she was a Pendragon."
"She flaunted something else though," Gwaine muttered to himself. They all heard, even Merlin.
The atmosphere was warm with camaraderie, the opposite of the formal business-like meetings Uther would hold. Both Gwaine and Lancelot came to England because they were intrigued by the positive changes Arthur was making in the vampire community. They both never intended to join his council, but they soon found themselves sitting at the round table discussing vampire politics.
Gwen was proud of Arthur. Every country hand an Authority and they all looked to the Authority of the United Kingdom as its founder and leader. They would all be looking at Arthur and the choices he makes, and his decisions would influence all of vampire-kind.
"Are you okay, Gwen?" Elyan asked. His hand touched her shoulder, shaking her out of her thoughts.
She leaned against her brother and smiled as Arthur continued to berate Gwaine. "I'm glad I'm back."
It was just the two of them at Arthur's penthouse. There was that awkward silence again, and Arthur was about to make it worse by talking.
"So…you know Lance…"
"It's a small world."
No matter how much Arthur tried, he couldn't form sentences properly. "They way he was looking at you…Did you and he…" He rubbed his face with his hands to try and pull himself together. "I don't want you to feel like you have to love me again. If you've found someone else…"
Gwen froze before shaking it off and walked onto the balcony and breathed in the fresh air. She caught a whiff of Arthur's cologne as he came to stand next to her. She closed her eyes and leaned against the ledge.
"You changed your cologne," she commented more to herself than to him. "I never stopped loving you," she whispered. "Even when my actions showed otherwise. Deep down inside I knew." She turned to him. "Nothing happened between me and Lance. I don't even think I could've wanted something to happen if I tried. It was only ever Morgana." She turned back to look at the skyline, her hands gripping the ledge. "How could she—how could she do this to us?"
Arthur placed his hand over hers to try and calm her; he feared her grip would crack the concrete. She took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Is Merlin coming with us to Avalon tomorrow?" she asked, her hand still under his.
He looked shocked that she asked. "Do you want him to?"
"Well I thought that you'd want him to. You seem quite fond of him."
Arthur grinned. "He has his uses."
"Do you think vampires and humans can co-exist peacefully?" Gwen asked carefully.
"Maybe one day. Right now, though, I'm not so sure. These new vampires made in the last century, the ones growing up with the lore, fancy themselves gods among men. There are makers abusing their power, and new vamps are made every day and abandoned just because they can. Others live out this foolish fantasy, and are disappointed when they can go out in the day or don't turn into a bat." He sighed. "Then there are the ones who think they can take what they want and rule over humans."
Gwen looked down at Arthur's hand covering hers. "You shouldn't put this on hold for me. The Authority needs its King."
Arthur's thumb caressed the back of her hand. "A King needs his Queen."
The drive from London to Glastonbury was just under three hours with Arthur and Merlin's bantering passing the time.
Merlin snickered at Arthur's latest insult, but smiled inwardly. He leaned back and looked out the window watching tree after tree. "Are we on a back road?"
"It's a driveway," Arthur said.
"What? We've been on this road for like ten minutes."
"And we'll be on it for ten more." Arthur glared at Merlin through the rearview mirror.
Merlin sat up straight. "Oi! Keep your eyes on the road!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Stop being such a backseat driver!"
In ten minutes, the trees thinned and revealed spacious landscape. Then there was a stone wall with an iron gate already open. Merlin leaned forward in the seat, mouth as wide open as the gate they passed through. A large, luxurious mansion stood at the end of the "driveway." Arthur circled around the fountain and parked the car in front of the steps. When they all got out. Gwen pulled her coat closer to her to fight off the cold. They waited for Merlin to stop gaping and looked at him amused.
"This is Avalon?" Merlin managed to say.
Gwen looked up at the mansion. More ivy has grown on the side since she last seen it. "Home sweet home."
London's sky was a perpetual grey thanks to its factories. Gwen was fiddling with a wilted plant in the window of their townhouse when she saw Arthur reach the steps. He caught her looking through the window and tipped his hat to her and smiled. She didn't bother turning around when he entered, and continued prodding at the plant. Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"You're home early," she said as she leaned back into him, abandoning the plant.
"It was settled that Jack the Ripper is not a vampire," He spoke through his kisses.
She turned around in his arms. "He's human? Has he been found?"
"No, but Gaius has done thorough examinations on the victims and he can't find any signs of a vampire kill, although he could be making it look like a human kill. We're letting it go as a human crime, unless something new comes up."
"Uh huh." She smoothed the lapels of his jacket. "I like it when you let me in on the tales of the Authority, but what is it you really want to tell me."
"You've been a bit down since our assignment in America, so I thought you'd like a bit of good news. But yes, I do have something to tell you. Show you, actually. Pack a bag, my love. We're heading to Glastonbury."
Gwen wasn't expecting this. "Now?"
"Why not? It's still early. We can get there by nightfall" The giddy boyish grin on his face convinced Gwen to start packing.
Arthur helped her out of the carriage. He watched her as she stared in awe at the mansion. "A castle of our very own," he whispered into her ear.
She turned to him, eyes in disbelief and admiration. "Arthur, you shouldn't have!"
"But I did," he said and kissed her hand. "So what do you want to name it?" he asked. "Every great estate needs a name."
Gwen thought for a minute and took in the fresh air and silence. It was a revitalizing after being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of London. "Remember that myth—the one about that lake that healed? Avalon they called it." Gwen said. "Let's call it Avalon."
"Mr. Pendragon!" a voice called out.
"Bill Deira?" Gwen said confused. The last time she saw him he was a gangly tween. Either he's aged gracefully or he's been turned.
"I'm William, ma'am. Bill's my dad." Of course. If you took away the scruffy facial hair, he would just like his father.
Arthur clarified. "The Deira's have continued to take care of the land. William is a father now himself, and if his children want, they'll continue with their father's work. They vow to keep our secret."
"Gardening is in our blood, ma'am. Gardening and loyalty."
Gwen smiled. "Please, William. Call me Gwen."
"Yes Miss. Gwen." William blushed.
Gwen ran a hand along the fireplace then bent down to light it. It ignited quickly. "Still got it," she said with proudly and fell back on the couch between Arthur and Merlin.
"So this was television in the 1800s," Merlin joked.
"This was the heater. Television was the theater." Gwen nudged him in the ribs then said to Arthur, "It's not dusty. You've been coming her a lot."
Merlin had an epiphany. "This is where you come on holiday!"
"I come here any chance I get," Arthur said. "I should get George to do the polishing."
"Wait a minute," Merlin started. "If there are no servants…You clean?"
"Shut up, Merlin."
Her white chiffon dress was drenched with blood, clinging to her body like a second skin.
The heart in her hand was still beating.
The man lay on his back, hole in his chest. His head was to the side, eyes open with no light behind them. She knew who he was just by his jaw line, and blonde hair.
Arthur.
Gwen woke with a jolt. She looked to her left to find it empty. She remembered that Arthur gave her the master bedroom and chose to sleep in one of the guest rooms. It was barely one o'clock in the morning. She got up and ran a hot bath.
Arthur heard the tinkering of the pipes and the running of water. It was late to be having a bath. Almost a half hour went by and he couldn't hear any movement. Anxious, he got up and went to check on Gwen. He knocked on the door and heard a faint, "Come in." He saw the bathroom door open and entered out of habit.
Gwen sat up and brought her knees to her chest in embarrassment. Arthur mentally kicked himself and turned around. "Oh, God. I'm sorry."
"No, no. I shouldn't even be acting this way. You've probably seen me naked more than I have." She nervously laughed. She felt a flutter in her chest.
"Are you okay?" Arthur fought every urge to turn around.
"I couldn't sleep."
Arthur scratched the back of his head. "I'll just…uh…"
"I ripped a man's heart out, once."
Arthur turned around automatically. Her chin rested on her knees and she looked ahead blankly.
"It was in Argentina. He was a dancer." She stopped to think. "Morgana signed us up for private tango lessons. Such a passionate dance. At the end of it, I could hear his heart pounding. I dug into his chest and felt it beating in my hand. It was still beating in my hand when his body hit the ground." She began to shake despite the water's warm temperature. "But you knew that, didn't you? His partner was working for you; you had people all over the world looking for us. Morgana let him live so he could report back to you."
Arthur sank next to the tub and placed his hand on her back.
His touched warmed her more than the water. Decades of cold melting away. "I had a dream—a nightmare. It was your heart that I tore out." She looked at him and wished she hadn't. He looked at her with unconditional love that she wasn't prepared to return.
"Remember the first time I drank from you and how afraid I was?"Arthur said softly.
She did.
"You told me I wouldn't hurt you. After that night, I would have dreams that I'd drain you dry. I told you every time, but you always came back to me." He stroked her cheek. "Even if Morgana made you rip out my heart, you wouldn't hurt me because it wouldn't be you. Everything's she's made you do, it wasn't you."
"She made me…enjoy it. It wasn't me…"
"No, it wasn't. But you know what you did enjoy?"
She finally looked at him.
"The times when we would share a bath." He gave her a playful smile.
The anguish etched on her face turned to disbelief. She splashed him and laughed.
"There," he said. "I've missed that laugh." He grabbed the towel and stood. "Water's getting cold, you should get out." He turned his head away as she stood. He wrapped the towel around her, and as his arms wrapped around her back, her arms wrapped around his torso.
Dawn was in its infancy when Gwen woke. She stood on the balcony and looked out and the landscape covered in a thick fog. She imagined one bright day when she and Arthur had a picnic in the backyard. Arthur's head rested on her lap, his eyes closed and a smile on his lips as she played with his hair. Gwen leaned down to give him a light kiss. She leaned back as Arthur slowly opened his eyes. His bright eyes darkened as a cloud passed over the sun.
"It's going to rain," he said.
Gwen looked to the sky. A blanket of grey clouds covered the blue. "We should head inside." A drop hit her forehead, quickly followed by more scattering drops.
"Too late." Arthur sat up, pulling Gwen with him and the clouds emptied onto them. Gwen squealed and she began to make her way back to the mansion. Arthur pulled her back to him. "And where do you think you're going?"
Gwen wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck. "Right here, I guess." Another squeal escaped her lips when Arthur pulled her closer. They clung together like the clothes sticking to their bodies, unfazed by the downpour.
Arthur grinned downed at her and lowered his face to hers.
Thunder rumbled and Arthur stopped a centimeter away from her lips. "Okay, maybe we should go inside."
Gwen settled in the steaming tub leaning back against Arthur's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. She gave sigh of pleasure.
"Better?" Arthur asked nipping at her earlobe.
She giggled. "Mmhmm." She turned her head to capture Arthur's lips.
A shiver ran down Gwen's spine and she stepped off the balcony, shutting the doors behind her. She changed into a sweater and leggings and made her way to the kitchen. As she walked down the stairs her lips curved in a smile when she reached the thirteenth step from the bottom and it creaked the same it did eighty years ago.
The kitchen was built on the ground floor. Unlike estates belonging to aristocratic families, they didn't have servants. Gwen happily did the cooking, and Bill and his family would join them on occasion.
The swinging door was propped open, and Gwen watched from the doorway as Arthur fiddled with his tablet at the table. Modern technology and casual clothes. She imagined him sitting in the sophisticated drawing room in his hoodie and jeans. Decades ago, it was gowns and white ties.
"Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to join me?" Arthur called to her without looking up.
She joined him on the table and looked at the screen. He was checking the weather. "This is supposed to be a place to get away from it all, and you install the Internet."
He smiled. "Modern necessity." He turned off the tablet and gave her his full attention. "How'd you sleep?"
"Better, thanks," she replied.
Arthur stood and motioned for her to follow him. Arthur tossed Gwen her jacket, and after she put in on he blindfolded her.
"What are you doing?"
"Trust me," he said as he led her through the kitchen's backdoor to the outside.
The icy air was sharp and the snow crunched under her shoes. Arthur led her from behind, directing her. The faint smell of pine invaded her senses and she knew they were in the forest. He guided her over fallen trees and she wondered why when there was a path that cut through the forest. When they settled into their estate, he had led her down a path lined with wild flowers. The path led straight to the lake, and on the dock was a picnic set up.
He told her to lift her leg over a log she laughed. "At least I'm not wearing a gown."
After a few yards free of obstacles, she slipped and Arthur caught her.
She slipped on ice.
"Are we on the lake?"
"Yep." Arthur continued to urge her forward away from shore. The zigged and zagged, and twirled until they came to a stop. He removed the blindfold and Gwen blinked to adjust her vision.
There wasn't much to adjust to since they were surrounded by a thick fog. Even with enhanced sight, the shore couldn't be seen. It was just them surrounded by negative space.
Gwen was confused. "What's this?"
Arthur looked at her with a straight face. "Lead us back to shore, Guinevere."
"What?"
"Is it this way?" He turned her in one direction. "Or this way?" He turned her in the opposite direction.
She turned back to him. "What if I choose the wrong way?" The lake was so vast that other side was barely visible.
"I'll follow you wherever you go," Arthur said firmly.
Gwen turned back to the direction Arthur turned her last. "This way." She grabbed Arthur's hand.
Arthur looked down at their entwined hands. "How do you know?"
Gwen smiled. "You'd never lead me in the wrong direction." She tugged him and they skated toward the shore. The silhouette of the dock came into view and then the shore and the tree line. The sun was coming out and the fog was clearing.
"No matter what happens, Guinevere, I'll stand by you." Arthur reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring; a band of woven silver she last saw the morning Uther called them into the office. She had banged her hand on the vanity causing the ring to bend out of shape, so she took it off with the intention of getting it fixed later.
Arthur had done it.
It was his mother's ring. He'd given it to her in the tenth year of their relationship, casually slipping it on her left index finger. When Uther saw it on her hand, he knew the relationship between his son and Gwen was truly serious and there was no separating them. It didn't stop him from secretly hoping they'd end it and Arthur could form an eternal alliance with another kingdom through marriage, but Arthur and Gwen continued to prove Uther wrong. They never married, and they didn't need to. They were husband and wife in every sense. Only an uncontrollable power could divorce them.
"You don't have to put it on," Arthur said and he pulled out a silver chain. He pulled it through the ring and held it up. "May I?"
Gwen nodded and turned around, pulling her hair out of the way. The ring rested against her skin and she held her hand to it. She turned around and lifted to her toes to kiss Arthur on the cheek. "Thank you."
Arthur's eyes seemed to shine brighter.
When they entered through the kitchen's back door, they were greeted by the smell of bacon. They found Merlin cooking breakfast (more successfully than last time).
"William brought fresh bacon!" Merlin beamed. "Oh, and fresh pig's blood."
As they were finishing, Arthur's cell phone rang and he excused himself.
"So," Merlin began casually. "I was looking around…"
"Yes?" Gwen urged him to continue as she washed the dishes.
"What'sinthatlockedroom?" Merlin blurted out.
Gwen looked at him, puzzled. They had no secret rooms or any rooms that needed to be locked. "What locked room?"
Merlin looked just as baffled. "The room that is locked?"
Gwen's brow furrowed. "Show me," she said as she grabbed a ring of keys from a drawer.
It was the library.
"Whoa," Merlin let out when he saw stack after stack filled with books. "Why would the library be locked?"
"I might have some idea." Gwen went to the windows, opening all the curtains. Sunlight beamed through and the dust glittered in the columns of light. "We have original scripts by Shakespeare. Elyan was in many of his plays. You should also check out our section on vampire lore." She heard Merlin let out another Whoa.
She turned to him and saw him staring at awe at the steel and gold sword shining in the sun on top of the fireplace mantle. She watched Merlin walk closer, transfixed and jaw dropped.
"That's Excalibur," she said. "It's Arthur's. My father made it."
Gwen sat bored in Morgana's chambers while the festivities went on in the hall downstairs. Morgana sent Gwen up as the hour grew late. It was Arthur's birthday, and the celebration was getting rowdy and inappropriate for a twelve year old girl. Morgana told her that Arthur hated his birthday because it was the anniversary of his mother's death. He tended to sulk and drown his sorrow in blood and wine and while the rest of the court indulged themselves in celebration.
Morgana stumbled in giggling. Once she hit the bed she was out like a light. Gwen tucked her in, wine stained her dress, and she whipped away blood on the side of her lips. Morgana snuggled deep into her pillow and let out a soft snore.
Gwen grabbed a long bundle, crept out of the room and down the halls to the prince's chambers. A buxom blonde passed her, her corset not fully laced and bite on the bend of her arm. She gave Gwen a drunken sneer and kept walking.
When she reached Arthur's door, she gave a light, nervous knock.
"What now?" she heard Arthur complain as the door opened. "Oh—" He was shirtless. As he backed away from the door, he let Gwen in and went to put on a tunic. Gwen blushed at the site of him, but was also surprised by the faint scars on his back and abdomen, and the curve of what almost resembled a bite mark on his shoulder. They were wounds he sustained in his mortal life.
He pulled the shirt down and turned back to her. "What is it?" he asked harsher than intended.
She glared at him. "You've got a little something…" Blood. She gestured to her chin with her finger.
Arthur wiped it away with his sleeve, staining the white linen. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to the bundle in her hand with the goblet he grabbed as he plopped in a chair.
"How'd you get that scar on your shoulder?" she asked instead of answering him. "It looks like something bit you."
He unconsciously raised his hand to his chest. "It came from a Questing Beast."
Gwen's eyes widened. She had heard of them and other extinct beasts that used to prowl the land of Albion. "How are you—how did you survive a bite from a Questing Beast? They say their bite was a death sentence!"
"It was. I spent my mortal life fighting battles, leading armies, and I was taken down during a hunting trip. It's when my father decided to turn me." Arthur leaned back in his chair. "I used to beg him to turn me, and he would always say I wasn't ready. Time and time again, I would try to prove to him that I would fight for this kingdom and he'd refuse. It took me lying on my death bed from a bloody hunting accident. I would've preferred it be a sword on the battlefield. The venom should've killed me a lot quicker, but I fought as hard as I could to prove that I was strong." Arthur paused, frowning. "He waited for the last minute. He wanted to see how long I would fight even though it's impossible be cured from a Questing Beast bite.
And then he turned Morgana after she pestered him saying it wasn't fair that she had to remain human if I got to be a vampire." He poured himself more wine and took a deep gulp. "I killed my mother," he said flatly. "She gave birth to me, and I killed her."
Gwen looked at him with large sympathetic eyes. "It's not your fault. Childbirth is…difficult." She didn't know how to comfort him. She was only twelve, but evens he knew the dangers of childbirth.
"It was before father and the other kings made the deal for immortality. What if they did it earlier? He could've saved her." He snapped out of his stupor. "I'm sorry."
Gwen shook her head. "Don't be." She set the parcel on the table. "I wanted to give you this."
He unwrapped it and gasped. He lifted the sword in his hands, taking in its immaculate structure and design. It was perfectly balanced. Everything about it was perfect. "Where did you get this from?"
Gwen bit her lip before answering. "My father was a blacksmith. He made that before he died, said it was the finest sword he's ever forged," she said proudly. "He made it for you, my lord."
Arthur looked up in shock. "For me?"
Gwen nodded. "He wanted to present it to you for your birthday three years ago, but when Kanen's men raided the lower town…"
Arthur understood. "Thank you, Guinevere." He gave her a true smile, but melancholy still radiated from him. When he set the sword down after admiring it a bit longer, Gwen launched herself in his arms. Arthur was stunned for a second, looking down the top of Gwen's curly head, debating on whether or not to hug her back.
Honey brown eyes stared up at him, pleading. He could hear Morgana's voice say how no one could resist Gwen.
"Don't be sad," she said.
"Are you giving me an order?"
She gave him a big smile. "Yes!"
Arthur pouted. "You can't order me, it's my birthday!"
"Not because you're a prince?"
"That too." He finally hugged her back. "Thank you, again." He let her go and walked her to the door. "Come on. Isn't it past your bedtime?"
She scowled at him. "I'm twelve! I don't have a bedtime!"
"Uh huh," he said unconvinced. "Morgana said you get pretty grumpy in the morning when you don't get enough sleep," he teased.
Gwen's scowl turned back into a smile. "Are you sure she wasn't talking about herself?"
They laughed.
Arthur directed her out the door. "Now go, I want to play with my sword."
He blushed realizing what he said and Gwen snorted. "Goodnight, sire."
"Oh, there you two are." Arthur appeared at the library door. Merlin barely acknowledged him, still mesmerized by Excalibur.
Gwen pulled Arthur aside. "Why did you lock the door?"
Arthur looked around the room then back to her. "This is your room. You practically lived in here and the garden. That would've died if it wasn't for the Deiras."
She remembered some of their most relaxed moments in the library. They would curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace while Gwen dramatically read Dracula, or the countless times Arthur would find her curled up asleep with one of Shakespeare's plays on the nights she was missing Elyan when he was off on one of his adventures. And then there were the nights they wouldn't make it to the bedroom and make love in front of the fireplace.
"Well," Her hands went on her hips. "I'm here now, and when we get the time, there's a lot of updating to be done, and I expect help when rearranging the stacks." Gwen gave Arthur a stern look.
"It'd be my pleasure," Arthur said genuinely. He'd build her another home just for books if she wanted. She was already planning their new future together, and at that moment, he couldn't be happier.
A/N: OooOooOo rekindling the romance. And Avalon is a mansion—bet none of you saw that coming kekeke but there was a lake so yeah. And what happened in America that got Gwen down? (that'll be revealed in ch. 5) The next chapter will have good times, sad times, Hunith(!), and a flashback in Henry VIII's court?
According to google maps, it takes 2hrs 44mins by car to get from London to Glastonbury. I have no idea how long it would take by horse drawn carriage. And once again, sorry for all the choppiness and blehness.
But THANK YOU FOR READING AND REVIEWING!