Her eyes watched slivery stars. Gwen sat on her front steps. She hoped Arthur lived. Gwen didn't want Arthur to lose his life in battle. Her heart wished for a message from Arthur. Just a simple word, for his mother.
'Gwen," Merlin called. "I can't find my other boot."
"I'm coming. Sleep well, Arthur."
Gwen smiled at Igraine. She sat for days; her eyes searching for Pendragon red. A handsome man with gleaming blonde hair. Arthur and his knights left six weeks ago. May came to Camelot. Nothing from Arthur. Everyone was anxious. Sadness crept into Camelot's walls. They lived on despair.
"Milady, you have a visitor."
"Send them away, Gwen."
"He said he won't accept no."
Igraine shook her blonde hair. "Really, Gwen."
"Yes, milady."
Gwen's heart ached. Igraine's eyes were so like Arthur's. Gwen struggled to stop loving Arthur. Every day, she wished it would turn to hate.
"Gwen, I'll receive him in a few minutes."
'Yes, milady."
Igraine pushed heavy wooden doors as she entered Camelot's council room. Her blue eyes flicked over crimson drapery and golden dragons. How my life changed during one visit to Camelot? Uther was quite persuasive with my father; our marriage occurred suddenly. My marriage gave me little time to say goodbye to my previous life. I married a monster. Years of discontent, as he pushed Arthur to fight and conquer. Years of unhappiness, I spent beaming at Uther. Years of watching innocent people suffer in the name of Uther Pendragon's legacy.
Why does everyone stand near windows? Do we long for an unknown world? Wondering, what waits for us? Or do we just feel trapped? Caged within our lives? When did I last have freedom to laugh and live?
Igraine's heels clicked on polished white marble. Her visitor didn't move. His palms rested on a wooden pane. A brilliant sunshine highlighted his deep brown hair. Igraine hands went numb. Her feet moved away from his imposing figure.
"I'm not a ghost."
"What depths of hell, did you leave?"
"My own personal one."
"Your presence will cause hurt."
"Igraine."
"William Glorios, why are you in Camelot?"
"I came to see my daughter."
"Will, it's been thirteen years. You died!"
"Uther wished. Almost caused my death."
"Look at me!"
Will turned from his perch. His handsome face expressionless. Empty brown eyes met Igraine's sapphire eyes. "Do you remember your first visit to Camelot, Igraine? This room holds so many bittersweet memories. Your hand was clasped in mine. Your hand was soft, delicate. Your beautiful head rested on my shoulder. My heart full of love for you. Then, he saw you."
A small puddle of tears formed near Igraine's feet. "Will, I said no…"
"Nothing, could have stop Uther. My best friend sent me away. He sent me to battle. He married you as I lead his knights. Then, I met Matilda. I did love her. I came home. Morgana was born. Happiness lived within me. Darkness returned with Matilda's death."
"It was a tragedy."
"Yes, a fever stole my wife. Once, again, I was away. Camelot stole from me, again."
"Flowers draped her body."
"I remember that night, Uther drunk from wine and power, sleeping in his royal bed."
"Will…"
"A glowing moon, your hair loosely around your pale shoulders, a moment of weakness."
"He never knew."
"He knew, Igraine. He chose to ignore it. Until, he sent me to battle. Uther sent me to my death."
"Did you think of Morgana?"
"For 13 years."
Igraine smiled. Her pale hands smoothed her red gown. Her back arched. "Well, Morgana is with Arthur. She's quite a knight. Hopefully, she will return soon. A maid will show you to a chamber. You're welcome in Camelot."
Igraine's body froze to Gorlois. Her heart would not view her only love. Igraine fled. I need to get away. To leave my past. Awful memories of our tragic past. Finally, we have hope for our future.
Igraine returned to her chamber. She spoke a few words to Gwen. Gwen sensed her lady was in distress. Gwen watched as Igraine sat in a painful daze. Gwen arranged her dinner. Igraine surveyed Gwen with critical eyes. A sad smile on Igraine's beautiful face.
"Do you love him, Gwen?"
"Milady?' Gwen pressed a napkin to her chest.
"Arthur. Do you love him?"
"Milady, I can't-"
Trembling hands brushed curls from Gwen's face. Brown eyes full of confusion stared at Igraine. "Dear one, you're good for Arthur's soul. He's a better man. At times, he's so cold like his father. Emotionless. I feared for you. His eyes followed you. Then, you stayed away from him. You were able to resist temptation."
Gwen lowered her eyes in shame. She bit her lip. "Milady, I don't deserve your admiration. Arthur's temptation was too great. My heart was foolish."
"We all make foolish mistakes, Gwen."
Arthur's hair gleamed in the moonlight. His shoulder knocked away Alined's knights. Cries of pain surrounded him. Blood coated his skin. His ears rang with sounds of death. Knights coughed as they lost their souls. His shoulder ached. His mouth was dry. His sword cut down men as he raced though Alined's knights. His fingers gripped his sword. His chest heaved in pain. Arthur's boots dampen from blood and sweat. He heard Morgana's battle scream. Leon raced on his right side. Lancelot dashed ahead.
Alined's crown glinted. Alined's clutched his sword. Fear lurked in his eyes. His male servant laid dead at his feet. Alined's mouth twisted in hate. Defeat surrounded him.
"Arthur Pendragon, you will not slay me. I will not die at your hands", Alined screamed. He turned his sword quickly. His demented eyes met Arthur's. "You will become us. You aren't better than me, your father, or Bayard." Alined gasped as he shoved his sword into his stomach. Blood spurted from his mouth. Alined gurgled as he crumpled to the ground.
Alined's remaining knights dropped their swords in defeat. Arthur's bloody hand wiped sweat from his face. Morgana threw her helmet away. Her brown matted hair stuck to her flushed face. Leon counted slowly to refocus his attention. Lancelot kicked Alined's body.
"He's dead, Arthur."
Arthur nodded.
Arthur spent a week traveling to Alined's kingdom. Disbelief filled his eyes. Common folk were clothed in rages. Their cheeks gaunt with hunger. Hopeless eyes. Burnt crops. Barren farmlands. Alined's castle was a magnificent stone building. His colors flew in the sky. Arthur dismounted his horse. He smiled at a crowd of crying women. Children clung to their mothers' dirty dresses.
Alined's courtyard was desolate. Broken wagons sat unattended. A few horses galloped slowly. Arthur climbed the stairs in horror. Morgana, Leon, and Lancelot trailed behind him.
A skinny man with large spectacles stood waiting on Camelot's king, his new sovereign. His lips trembled as Arthur approached.
"King Arthur, I'm Charles, your royal treasurer. Welcome to your kingdom." Charles tried to smile. He didn't except Arthur to be so large. His presence disturbed their castle.
"What happened to the kingdom?"
"Sire, King Alined took everyone's wealth, even from the Nobles. Food was sparse. "
Guilt rose in Arthur. His eyes visualized the damage from his quest to unite Albion. His desires destroyed so many lives.
"Is there any money left?"
"Sire, our coffers are full."
"My knights will rebuild your land. Do you have food?"
"Yes, sire. We weren't allowed to eat except once a week."
"Charles, organize the remaining knights. Distribute food to everyone. I will speak in the morning."
Charles nodded. Perhaps, Arthur's rule would be just.
Arthur sat in his council room. He gulped a goblet of rich wine. His body cleaned from blood and grime. His soul felt empty. Arthur wanted to bury his face in Gwen's curls. Arthur felt disconnected from his friends. Did they feel nothing?
Leon stroked the cover of a book. Morgana and Lancelot conversed in a dark corner.
"Leon and Lancelot, remain here. Help these people. Rebuild the town. "
"Yes, sire."
"Morgana, we ride for Camelot at first light. "
Disappointment flared in her eyes. Lancelot rubbed her shoulders.
"Yes, Arthur."
"Hopefully, we will arrive by early June."
Author's note: It's summer! Finally!
