Just One Day
I woke up that morning with a feeling of dread settled on my shoulders. I dressed myself and walked to the stables to wait for Arthur. A knight with shoulder length brown hair saw me and walked over. "Hello little bird," he said. "What are you doing at the stables so early in the morning? Waiting for a kiss from one of the stable boys?"
I turned red with indignation, "I'm Princess Merlin of Ealdor, I am NOT getting a kiss from a stable boy!"
"Alright little bird, my name is Gwaine. You are waiting for Princess Arthur, aren't you?" he said chuckling.
"You are so insubordinate!" I said. "Does Arthur know that you talk about him like that?"
"Yeah, and he doesn't exactly like it either. But this can be our little secret," he said leaning closer, "The Princess is in his rooms, he drank a bit too much wine last night."
"I thought so."
"Good luck little bird," Sir Gwaine said waving, "And here." He handed me an apple and left. I held the sweet red apple, so much different from the sour yellow apples that grew in Ealdor. I decided to walk up and see if Arthur remembered that we were supposed to go on our picnic.
I knocked lightly on the door and there was no reply so I opened the door. The room was dark so I slowly walked toward the bed. I saw a lump that I assumed was Arthur hiding from the morning so I drew the curtains with a snap. "Rise and shine!"
I heard a groan and Arthur sat up sleepily and started when he saw me. "What are you doing in here?" he asked shocked. I looked him up and down. His mussed blonde hair shining in the light, blue eyes confused and sparkling the sheets revealed his chiseled chest. The sheets also let me see his hips. I realized why he was so confused why I was here, he wasn't wearing any clothes. I turned away and blushed.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize..." I said trailing off. "I was just coming to remind you about our picnic today. You said that we should meet at the stables a little before midday. Sir Gwaine said you'd had a bit too much to drink last night and that you were sleeping," I said. "I'll wait for you at the stables." I walked down there my face burning.
I put the apple Gwaine gave me in a saddlebag and waited. Arthur came in and saddled two horses. He handed me the reins of a white horse, Warrior. I fastened the straps of the saddlebag and mounted. We rode to the same lake as before and when I dismounted Arthur caught me up in his arms.
"Put me down!" I said giggling. He put me down and wrapped his arms around my waist. He set his forehead to mine. I stared into those deep blue eyes and instantly thought of the lake to my left. I pulled away and sat under a nearby tree. The tall grass tickled my nose and arms. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the breeze, a smile creeping onto my face.
"What are you doing?" Arthur asked.
"I'm enjoying the day."
"Oh," he said scuffing his boots.
"Come on," I said propping myself on my elbows and patting the grass beside me. He laid down and closed his eyes contently. I sighed and settled myself back where I had been before.
"This is relaxing. I don't get away often," Arthur said turning on his side to look at me. I smiled and he simply smiled back. "How about something to eat, hm?" he said sitting up. He unfastened his saddlebag and pulled out a blanket. We sat and talked while we ate until Arthur threw a grape at me.
I squeaked and threw one back. Then we started an all-out grape war. We finally ran out and that's how the rest of the day past, with little kisses and talking about everything we could think of.
"I don't want you to leave," Arthur said squeezing my hand.
"It's only for a few days."
"I know but I still don't want you to go." We rode back in silence and I started packing for my trip to the nearest Druid camp. I fell asleep knowing that tomorrow I would get answers.