Bronwen stood staring from her windows at the milling village. Some of MacGregor's men made their way to and fro, but so far none seemed bent on troublemaking. She hoped it remained that way. She had slept fitfully all evening as dreams had moved through her ever tumbling mind. One moment it had been dreams of Arthur, the next dreams of a man slicing into her belly with a knife, and yet another in which she was forced to wed the MacGregor. The dreams had all left her shaken for their different reasons.
"It seems I always find you staring out those windows."
His voice brought her to herself and she turned to face him. Bronwen curtsied. "Your Highness."
Arthur moved to the stiff and formal woman and gently clasped her shoulders making her stand. "You and I have no need to stand on formality when it is just the two of us I think." he told her softly and watched as a blush stole its way across her cheeks. Instead of letting her go he kept her close and her hands came to rest on his chest. Her gaze met his own.
"You look tired." she whispered and the concern was immediately evident.
"I did not sleep well last night."
"I am sorry we've brought such trouble to yer doors."
"Nay, that is not why I didn't sleep. I've had to make some decisions Bronwen. Hard decisions and I do not think you will be pleased with them."
Fear tightened in her belly and for a moment she didn't think she could breathe. "I see." Bronwen dropped her gaze. "What have ye decided then?"
"I hope you'll forgive me." he muttered and then kissed her temple. He cleared his throat and spoke firmly. "You and I will be wed in two weeks time."
Bronwen felt as if someone had slammed a hammer into her chest. "What? That canna be…"
Arthur looked at her quite calmly. "It shall be. As my wife and queen, your sisters will stay in Camelot until matches are made. You and I together will make these matches. You and your sisters are not going anywhere."
"Arthur, you've lost yer mind!" Bronwen gasped. "I am no Queen. I am no wife. Ye do not love meh. I will na marry without love." She'd pulled away from him and backed up.
"We await the arrival of all of the clans. Once they have arrived we will be wed. Make no mistake Bronwen. You came to Camelot to bend your knee to the King. You swore your fealty. I am King Arthur, and this decision has been made. You and I will be married." His jaw had tightened.
"Why?" she cried out angrily. "Why? We'll go with one of the other clans…"
"No!" He shouted. "You will not. I will not leave it to chance that you are not somehow taken by the MacGregor. I will not leave it to chance that he will not somehow injure one of your sisters. You are here; you are mine; and you will stay mine!" Arthur moved to where Bronwen trembled with anger. "I am sorry you do not love me." his voice was almost a growl. "I am sorry that everything does not work out the way a fairytale should…but I cannot give you up now. I cannot."
Tears leaked from Bronwen's eyes but Arthur paid no heed and brought his lips down to hers savagely. It almost felt as if he would devour her, and though she tried to fight the desire, she couldn't and soon she too responded to the kiss. Perhaps she did not love him, but by God she did desire him.