Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Note: have raised rating to 'T' simply because it covers all the bases just now and saves me having to remember to do it later if necessary.
It's really just some gratuitous Arthur descriptions to lighten the mood from tonight's more sombre penultimate episode and to be fair, can we really complain about Bradley James's body??!
The son of King Uther of Camelot eased his aching body into the steaming bathtub which his manservant had just prepared for him. He had spent the best part of the morning practising forms with the castle's swordsmaster before moving onto the 'lists' for jousting practise with some other knights, both Camelot's own and visiting ones. He closed his eyes and sank lower into the water, enjoying the sensation of his sore muscles relaxing under the influence of the hot water scented with citrus peel.
When the water finally cooled to a temperature slightly below his idea of comfortable, Arthur Pendragon reluctantly roused himself and reached over for the towel that he had hung carelessly on a nearby chair. It quickly became apparent that one towel would not suffice for drying himself and mopping up the volume of water he had inadvertently sloshed over the floor.
With his customary lack of patience, Arthur decided that it would be quicker and simpler to bellow down the hallway for his servant rather than waiting for him to return to tidy away the bathing things. He carelessly rubbed at his hair then wrapped the towel about his toned hips, quickly pulled open his door and stuck his head out, ready to summon Merlin.
Arthur had only just voiced the first syllable when he spotted Gwen approaching, only the topmost curls of her head visible as she concentrated on keeping tall pile of linens balanced in her basket as she walked briskly and straight towards him!
Whump!! The topmost linens fell to the ground as she collided heavily into her kingdom's Crown Prince. The poor girl was rushing out apologies as she tried to gather the scattered material back into her basket. It was only when she lifted her eyes to see who she had quite literally bumped into that she felt the blood drain from her face and she was left speechless.
While it was a sight the maid never expected to see in all her life, it was nevertheless not unwelcome. Arthur's blond hair was damp with stray bits sticking out from his head and Gwen could see drops of water clinging here and there to his muscular shoulders. As if under a strong enchantment, the young woman let her eyes follow a droplet that was trickling its slow way down his well-sculpted chest and onto his stomach.
Oh my, in all that was good and holy! Dark brown eyes widened to saucers as they continued to follow the path to his waist and then lower to smooth skin of his hips and the sharp 'V' of his pelvis which led to….
EEEEP!!! Gwen felt the blood rush back to her face as she dragged her gaze to Arthur's face. If there was any justice, Gwen would have welcomed the floor opening up and swallowing her right then and there. She could have died of embarrassment – she had not only been clumsy enough to knock into the Prince but then to blatantly ogle at him, well, that was just unheard of!
Arthur had been as surprised as Gwen when she crashed into him and he was also embarrassed that she had caught him in such an un-regal state of undress. However, that soon changed and he couldn't help but feel a bit proud and smug with himself as he realised the manner in which she was so carefully studying his body.
"A-Arthur, uh, my, um, lord. My lord." Gwen gave herself a shake, trying to force her brain to function at least a little bit. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me." She bobbed a curtsey and made to move past him but he put out a hand to halt her progress.
"Guinevere, your timing is actually impeccable," his tanned arm reached out to pluck a large drying sheet from the now-untidy bundle of material spilling over the top of her basket. "I was just about to call Merlin to get one of these. Thank you." With an easy and sincere smile, he drew the newly-acquired item towards him, stepped back and closed the door of his chamber, leaving a very stunned ladies' maid standing alone in the hallway.
Leaning on the other side of the heavy oak door, Arthur let out a long, slow breath. He thought he had managed to extricate both of them out of a particularly awkward situation with minimal fuss. Arthur had seen clearly the swell of Gwen's bosom as she had drawn deep breaths in an attempt to compose herself and he had valiantly fought the almost overwhelming urge to pull her, linens and all, into his chamber.
He gave himself a stern talking-to as he quickly got dressed. He was going to have to try much harder if he was going to get over his feelings for her!
Note: yup, that was all about style and no substance! Am also trying to update quicky to make the most of time available before going back to work