A/N: Thank you, fancyrebel, for your favorite and follow! If you could give me review, too, that would make me very happy. :) That goes to anyone reading this. Please enjoy!

CHAPTER TWO

'Okay, I'm not going to complain about or insult Arthur today,' I tell myself once Lancelot leaves. 'Well… unless he really deserves it.'

I knock on Arthur's door, his breakfast in my hand.

"Yes?" the prince's voice calls.

I clear my throat. "I have your breakfast, Your Highness," I say without my usual sassy tone.

I hear footsteps toward the door, and then a pause. His aura is right by the door, but he's hesitating.

"Sire?" I query.

The door opens. "It's about time. Do you know what time it is?"

"I had a late start this morning, Sire. My apologies."

Blond eyebrows furrow and Arthur leans forward, studying me. "You are Guinevere, aren't you?"

I sigh, my resolve already dissolving. "I decide to be nice to you and this is how you treat me?"

With that, he grins and chuckles. "Oh, so perhaps you aren't always arrogant."

I scowl. "Excuse me, but you're the arrogant one, Sire."

"Ah, but I have every reason to be arrogant. I'm the prince of Camelot. And you, miss, are a peasant from the diminutive village of Ealdor."

I scoff, forcing the prince's breakfast tray into his hands and walk away from his room.

"Oh, come on, don't runaway. You're much prettier when you stay and put up a fight."

I don't reply, continuing to move in the opposite direction of his room.

"I command you to stay," Arthur calls after me in a more serious voice.

I stop in my tracks and look back at him. He's stepped just out of his room.

"You need to do my laundry, polish my armor, and muck out the stables. And the day's only just begun."

I take a deep breath. "Yes, Sire," I respond with a sarcastic smile.

xXx

It's dinner time, and it's my duty to keep everyone at the the table's cup full with wine or water at all times. Arthur usually asks for water, but tonight he goes for the wine. However, as always, Morgana wants water and Uther wants wine.

Morgana, Arthur's half sister and Uther's daughter, is exactly what you'd expect a lady of her standing to be like. She has perfectly groomed, wavy black hair that I'm sure she brushes in her free time. Her eyes are as blue as the rest of her family, only they more resemble Uther's than Arthur's. Both Uther and Morgana have icy blue eyes, while Arthur's eyes are ocean blue.

The main thing I've observed about Morgana is that she's a gossip. On my first night here, she thought Arthur wanted me as a… Ugh, I don't even want to think about it. And she was extremely blunt about it.

xxx

"Your new servant is very beautiful, Arthur," she commented in a suggestive tone.

Arthur choked on his drink, and somehow I managed to stay silent. Arthur was much more respectable around his father, and in turn I feared Uther even more than I had to begin with.

"I was shocked when I discovered you'd invited a woman you just met to be your personal servant. I'm curious, do you intend to make her your mistress?"

That was when I choked - and I didn't have a drink.

"Guinevere had the nerve to stand up to me when I was overworking my knights. She is very talented with the sword, and she fights honorably. I figured she could come in handy, someday."

I blinked at Arthur in surprise but I didn't say anything.

Morgana nodded with a sly smile on her face, before winking at Arthur.

xxx

Let me tell you: Morgana is crazy.

King Uther excuses himself from the table, ripping me out of my daze. Just as I'm about to clear his plates, another maid does. I sigh in relief, check Arthur's and Morgana's glasses to find them full, and am absorbed back into my mind.

Uther. I've heard so many terrible stories about him, and I know they're all true, but when I first met him I realized just how thick some people's masks are. If I didn't know who he was, I'd think he was civil. It disgusts me to think about it. It disgusts me to be around him, knowing how much innocent blood is on his hands.

Uther has balding grey hair. He always has a guiltless expression on his face; but he also has a dark fire in his icy blue eyes, when magic is mentioned, that tells me he would kill me without hesitation if he knew I was a sorceress. It takes all I have, when around him, to ignore my fight or flight response.

Sadly enough, out of the Pendragon family, I'm glad that I'm stuck with Arthur.

I glance at Arthur to glare at him, just because I can (with Uther out of the room), but
I find him looking at his sister. Morgana and Arthur are having a nonverbal conversation.

Morgana's eyes flicker to me, then back at Arthur. Arthur turns his gaze away. Morgana clears her throat, and Arthur turns his gaze back to her. Morgana raises an eyebrow and gives him an "Are you kidding?" look before Arthur throws his head back and sighs.

I don't want to want to know what they're talking about, but I have a feeling that their "conversation" has something to do with me, so I can't can't help but be curious. I try to think up an explanation. 'Could it be about this morning?'

"Excuse me, but it's time for me to retire to my chambers," Morgana declares politely. "Good night, Arthur."

"Good night, Morgana," Arthur replies dully.

Morgana raises from her chair, curtseys, and exits the room.

As the other female servant in the room clears Morgana's dishes, Arthur stands and nods at her. Then, he looks at me. "Guinevere. Please escort me to my chambers."

I bow and mumble, "Yes, Sire." Maybe I'll find out what Morgana was trying to get him to do.

I open keep the door open for him as I go through and, to my confusion, he thanks me. Something weird is going on.

As we make our way down the hallway, towards his chambers, Arthur begins, "I… appreciate that you've been showing more respect towards me than you did to begin with." I blink curiously. "I, in turn, have decided to do the same towards you. I think that it's in both of our best interests to… try to get along with one another - or, at the very least, act civil towards each other."

That was not what I expected, not that I knew what to expect. I nod slowly. "I agree… If you respect me, then I will do the same to you."

Arthur heaves a sigh. "I fear that I may have forced you into becoming my servant, when really it should be your decision. I have been treating you more like a slave. You are no longer bound by our wager. If you wish to leave, then you may. Just remember that, if you stay - and behave - you will be treated with respect. Of course you'll still have your duties, but you'll also be paid for your services with room and board. The choice is yours."

I can't help but grin in pleasant surprise. I turn my whole body towards Arthur and stop in my tracks to look at him. "You are Arthur, aren't you?"

Arthur chortles, pausing in his steps. "I am. Maybe first impressions can be deceiving."

I chuckle and look away, continuing to walk forward. "Maybe."

When we turn a corner and I spot a familiar face standing just in front of my room.

"Lancelot!" I run forward and embrace him. "What are you doing here?"

Tan cheeks smile softly. "I figured you'd be off work right about now, and I thought we could go for a walk."

I smile at him fondly before exclaiming, "Oh, right!" 'I forgot about Arthur!' I turn to the prince and gesture at Lancelot. "This is Lancelot, my lover." I look at Lancelot and gesture to Arthur. "Lancelot, this is Prince Arthur."

Lancelot bows. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

Prince Arthur nods (a casual bow) with a strangely serious expression on his face. Then, he turns to me. "You have the rest of the night and tomorrow off to consider your options. I'd like a decision the next morning."

I blink in confusion, before curtsying. "Yes, Sire. Thank you, Sire."

Once Arthur leaves, I look at Lancelot, expecting his usual smile. Instead, I see grim expression.

I cup his cheek. "Lance?"

His hand rests over mine. "Let us leave."

Lancelot's hand falls to his side, while my hand follows it and takes hold of it. When he doesn't grip my hand, I squeeze his. He returns the gesture, and I'm satisfied enough not to pry while in ears reach of others.

He leads me out of the castle, into the forest nearby. In about five minutes, we reach the lake. No one's around, likely due to the hour.

Lancelot releases my hand and looks up at the clear sky. "It's a nice night," he mumbles. His tone of voice is solemn, nothing like his words.

I step in front of him and put a hand on each of his shoulders. "Lancelot, tell me, what's wrong?" I ask him worriedly.

Lancelot sighs. "Listen carefully." He hesitates. "I have been in this form for the last four years, constantly using my magic to hold it. My kind were the first to use magic, and our magic is the most powerful. However, as you experienced last night, transformation magic is tiring. Imagine holding the form of a different species for four years straight. Even for me, a dragon, it is tiring. I have endured it for this long only to be with you. And now, I'm afraid, I must return to my natural form."

My hands drop to my sides. "Why haven't I heard of this before now?"

"I warned you, when you convinced me to take this form, that it could not last forever."

I shudder. "Yes, four years ago. I was but fourteen. You've given me no sign since then!"

"I have been strong for you, Guinevere, but now we can no longer be together romantically." I gasp, my heart shattering into pieces. How could he say that? "Your destiny is to be with someone else… Your family has helped hide me from Uther, and I hope that by serving you have have paid some of that debt. And I will-"

"Debt?!" I scream, enraged and heartbroken. "That's what this is to you, a way to repay your debt?!"

"Nothing I've ever told you has been a lie. I love you dearly, but we are of different species. Nothing can come out of a romance between us."

My eyebrows furrow and tears stream down my cheeks. My voice loud but broken, I ask, "So why did you ever let our relationship blossom?!" My heart is beating hard and fast. I'm shaking, and I feel like I'm going to explode. I've never felt such a headache. "Why did you allow every kiss we've shared, every… Gah!"

Everything goes black.

When I come to, I'm on the ground, straddling Lancelot and holding him in a constricting embrace. I'm sobbing.

I can't bring myself to let go of him until I force my breaths to slow down, and mentally cast 'Mitescere,' a soothing spell, on myself. When I'm calm enough to move my stiff arms away from him and pull back, I notice a large black and purple splotch on his face. Oh Gaia, I must have punched him. I don't think I've ever managed to land a punch on him - I guess it's true that he's weakening…

I shudder. "I'm sorry…" I mumble. "I'm not going to force you to stay."

As I start to get up, Lancelot's hand takes hold of my sleeve. I look at him with a sorrowful expression.

"It's my fault. I'm sorry, too," he tells me in a sincere, apologetic tone. "If you ever need me… You're still my summoner. You're still The Last Dragon Lord. I'll do what I can to help you fulfill your destiny."

I scoff halfheartedly. "I don't care about my stupid destiny," I drone. "The whole world can burn for all I care."

"Ever since your parents died," Lancelot begins in a soft, even tone. I release a growl from deep in my throat and rise to a standing position as he continues, "You've tried to shut the world out. You've lied to everyone, including yourself, saying that you don't think anything matters. I have mattered to you and Elyan has mattered to you, but no one else has - not even yourself." I start to leave, but I feel a tug on my soul from Gaia telling me to listen, and I'm forced to stay."But, Guinevere, when I first met you, you had such a great heart. And I know it's still in there, hidden beneath that front you put up. It's been four years since they died, and you're still grieving. And you may never stop. But you'll feel so much better if you learn to let people in again, if you let yourself feel your emotions instead of shoving them inside of you or let them out as anger."

I whimper. "Are you trying to destroy me with your words?"

"I don't want to hurt you. But I do want to break down that wall of yours, so you can rediscover yourself."

I scoff. "You obviously don't know me as well as you think you do," I retort, my voice coarse. "If you think that I could ever trust anyone again, especially after this, then you are gravely mistaken."

When I step away from Lancelot and the lake, Lancelot calls after me, his voice solemn, "One last thing."

I don't know if I want to run away or break down and sob, so I do neither. I turn towards my former lover to see him holding out a necklace. The Necklace of Revelation.

"I want you to have this. With this, you'll see visions of the past, present, and future. Don't worry, no one will know it's enchanted."

I could tell him that I already knew all of what he just said, but instead I take the necklace wordlessly and mutter "Ianuae Magicae" as I picture my room in the castle.

This is going to be a long night.

xXx

I spend hours replaying tonight's events in my head over and over, unable to sleep. The only progress I've made is that I've stopped crying.

I study the necklace between my fingers. Why would Lancelot give me this? Does he think that visions will inspire me? Or did he have a vision that made him decide to do this that he wants me to see? So many questions, and only one way to answer them.

'Man up, Gwen,' I tell myself.

Taking a deep breath, I put the necklace around my neck.

xxx

I'm in a room; I think it's Morgana's chambers. It smells like lavender. I sense that this vision is from earlier today.

Morgana is sitting on the stool by her vanity, brushing her hair. Arthur is pacing the length of the vanity behind her.

"I can't get her out of my head. Everything she does drives me crazy!" he exclaims.

'Why on Earth am I seeing a vision of a lovesick Arthur?'

Morgana smiles. "It looks like true love is in the works."

Arthur breathes in deeply, before letting out a groaning sigh. "She's just a servant." 'Arthur? Lovesick over a servant?' "An incompetent one at that. But when I'm around her, I feel… alive. I call her all these insults, right to her face, and she throws them right back at me." 'Oh Gaia. He's talking about me!' "I've never met such a strong, confident woman. Um… not that you aren't both, it's just…"

"I've taken no offense," Morgana assures. "This has been going on for over a week; what's new that has you complaining now?"

Arthur exhales audibly. "This morning, she tried to be polite to me. But, foolishly, I talked down on her and she started mouthing me again. This verbal war has been going on since I met her. I just wish… I wish I hadn't been such an arse, this morning. Maybe that could have been the beginning of a civil relationship. Maybe even a friendship."

Morgana chuckles. "Why not set your wishes higher?"

Arthur stops pacing to give Morgana a judging expression. "I'm pretty sure she hates me! I've been branded a fool for not punishing her, or even letting other people punish her, for her insolence towards me."

"That makes sense; if my servant treated me like that I'd have her executed. But the question is: if she hates you, why does she put up with you?"

Arthur groans and continues pacing. "She lost a wager, she has to do everything I say."

"But she could always run away, with all the freedom you've been giving her. There must be something keeping her here. So, why not treat her as an equal, as she's been demanding to be treated? Why not tell her she's no longer bound by the wager and see if she stays? Which I know she will."

Arthur stops in his tracks, holding up his finger and opening his mouth to say something. Then, he drops and relaxes his hand before agreeing, "You know, that isn't such a bad idea."

Morgana grins and looks back at the mirror. "You're welcome."

Arthur chuckles, touching his half-sister's shoulder. "Thank you, Morgana."

xxx

I'm pulled back into my small, near empty room on my straw bed. I take a deep breath.

So, according to this vision, Arthur is… infatuated with me. Well isn't that a strange, unneeded, kind of gross surprise.

Did Lancelot have this vision while it was happening? "Your destiny is to be with someone else," he said. He must have meant Arthur.

I seethe. So I'm destined to have the most selfish, spoiled lover anyone could possibly have. Isn't that lovely? Not that I'm not going to let that happen. I'm just starting to tolerate Arthur, there's no way I'm going to ever become his lover.