Chapter 12: Always in my heart
Eylan and Gwen grab each other's hand as they stand before Ariella. Warm metal touches Elyan skin from Gwen's hand and he looks down at her left hand. A smile lights up his face as he is about say something to his sister.
"Don't start Elyan." She warns him.
Elyan laughs. "What I was going to say congratulations. When did he propose?"
"This morning." She says with a smile.
"I'm not worried at all he's good for you. I can tell you make each other happy. I'm happy for you sis."
"Thanks Elyan."
The siblings stand at the edge of the pool before the strange yet familiar woman.
"I know we've never met but I feel like I know you or maybe I've met you before?" Gwen asks.
"I am Ariella and no we have never met face to face but I sure your father told you all about me."
"Oh yes from father's stories." Revelation lights up Gwen's face. "So that means your Ariella the mermaid from father's tales."
"Wait I thought he made those up." Elyan states.
Ariella swished around in the water exposing her the part of her body cover beneath the water. Her shiny fin is covered with glorious green scales like a fish. She is a mermaid.
"Well I have waited for years for both of you to come here. Elyan you look so much like your father. But both of you have your mother's kind eyes." Ariella says.
"You knew our father and our mother?" Gwen and Elyan ask together.
"No I know your father and your mother."
"But both our parents are dead, how can you know them?" Elyan ask suspiciously.
"The ones we love never really leave us they can always be in your hearts." She smiles at the brother and sister. "Your parents love you and they will always be in your hearts as long as you keep their memory alive."
Eylan wraps his arms around Gwen as she begins to cry. He holds his sister as he can feel himself about to cry as well.
"Would you like to see them?"
"See who?" Elyan asks.
"Your parents of course." Ariella adds.
"But how?" Asks Gwen wipes tears from her eyes. "Could we really see them?"
"I can open a portal but only for a few moments that will allow you to gaze upon your parents in the Otherworld."
Ariella mutters and incantation and right before their eyes a whirling blue colored portal appears. Two misty blue colored shadows emerge from the portal becoming solid as they step through. Thomas and Elen Leodegrance smile as they look upon their children.
"Mom? Dad?" Elyan asks.
Gwen is too overwhelmed with emotion to speak she steps closer to her parents wanting to reach out and touch them but afraid they are just shades of smoke.
"It's okay Gwen we have a solid form here for a while." Their father says.
Gwen and Elyan run over and embrace their parents tears flow freely from their eyes as they can not contain their joy.
"We've missed you both so much." Says their mother.
"We've missed you. Both of you." Says Gwen.
"I only regret not being there to see you both become such fine adults." Their father says.
"I've failed you father. I got so hung up on revenge and hatred that I lost myself I've done some things I'm not proud of. I followed in your footsteps I just wanted to avenge you." Gwen admits wiping tears from her eyes.
"Listen to me." Her father says looking down at his daughter. "I only wanted what was best for you and Elyan. I always wanted both of you to find happiness. Just do what makes you happy. My beautiful children you could never fail me."
"But I became a pirate father, I did exactly what you told me not to do."
"I know you're a pirate. When I told you not to follow the path I took I meant I wanted you to do what made you happy. I was never happy being a pirate it was just something I felt I had to do to take care of you and your brother."
"Oh children we love you both so much all we want is for you to find happiness. There is a glow of bliss around both of you. It seems you have found the happiness that we always wanted for both of you." Their mother states.
"Yeah I guess we have." Says Gwen looking back at Arthur. "There's someone I want you to meet.
Gwen moves away from her family and walks over to Arthur. "Could you come here? I want you to meet my parents. You all can come over too." Mithian, Gwaine and Morgana all gather around to watch this otherworld interaction.
Guinevere and Arthur clasps hands as they return to her parents.
"This is Arthur he's asked me to marry him and I said yes."
"We are happy for you both." Her mother says smiling at her husband.
"See sweetie I told you that you didn't fail me. You banished you hatred and found love. With your sworn enemies' son of all people. Love will always be stronger than hate. I can tell you two will be good for each other." Thomas states his form flickering like a candle in the wind.
"Thomas, Elen your time here grows short it time for you to return to the Otherworld." Ariella advises.
Gwen and Elyan give their parents another hug goodbye as the walk slowly back towards the portal.
"Can we ever see you again?"
"I'm afraid not dear. But don't fret we will always be here." Their mother places her fading hands on her children's hearts. "Never forget our love for you both."
Her solid from evaporate like a mist being blow through the wind. And in an instant their parents are gone the portal closes with a pop. Arthur stands beside Guinevere bring a consoling hand on her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" He asks gently lifting her chin with his finger.
She wipes the last of her tears away and smiles up at him lovingly. "I'm fine. I know that everything is going to be just perfect. Plus my parents like you."
"Yes that all was pretty amazing." He says in awe.
Ariella interupts."There is one last gift I wish to give upon you. Access to Poseidon's Cache."
She presses the medallion firmly into the ground and the cavern begins to rumble and rocks begin to crumble on the left and right side of the cavern creating a doorway. When the rumbling has settled they make their way to the first open room to discover a room covered and piled high with glittering gold coins, jewels and precious stones of all kind. The other rooms are also filled to capacity with endless boundless amounts of treasure.
"Take what you wish, your companions are free to enter with you." Ariella informs them.
Everyone's mouths has dropped to the floor overwhelmed by so much riches.
"Well love I don't think we need to worry about money like ever." Arthur says picking Guinevere up and spinning her around with laughter. He gently sets her down to the ground kissing her passionately.
"I love you Arthur."
"And I love you my sweet, now I can give you everything you want, even have a real wedding."
"Oh I'd love that. I can't think of anything that would make me happier than to become your wife."
Elyan and Mithian walk over to look in the other rooms when he calls out. "Come on you two lovebirds lets get this back to the ship."
Gwen calls out for Gwaine. "We're going to need some help go back to the ship bring Leon and Percival. With more hands we can get this back to the ship quicker."
"You got it Captain." Gwaine replies.
"I'm coming too." Morgana adds.
"Finally coming around Princess?" Gwaine smirks.
"No I want to row the boat." Morgana states as she takes the lead walking out of the cavern.
They all work together piling and carrying as much treasure as they can. With the extra help of Leon and Percival the amount af treasure they pile up outside the cave on the sandy shore, is enormous. They emerge from the cavern with both Gwen, Mithain and Morgana carrying a small baskets spilling over gold. Elyan and Arthur work together and so do Leon and Gwaine to carry a massive trunk stuffed with as much treasure as they could fit. While Percival carries a massive trunk loaded with golden coins and precious jewels all by his self. They all grabbed as much as they could carry and were sure that they had gathered enough wealth to make sure everyone on the ship would have wealth to give to their grandchildren.
Gwanie, Morgana, Percival and Leon all load up the row boat as the group of four make their way back into the caverns. The make about eight more trips loading as much gold, silver, diamonds and other valuable items as they can carry.
Guinevere returns to Ariella and says thank you as she retrieves her father's medallion. "I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Seeing my parents meant the world to me and my brother."
"You're welcome." Ariella smiles.
"Hey Gwen ask if we can come back later." Elyan whispers in her ear.
"Elyan. We have plenty." She scolds him.
He looks at her pleading clasping his hands together in a prayer.
"Fine." She turns to the mermaid. "My brother wants to know if we could ever come back here?"
"Certainly I have lifted the curse off this place you and your brother and anyone that accompanies you can enter here freely."
Loud and violent rumbles are heard throughout the caverns. As the entire structure begins to shake and quake. Bits of the ceiling began to break and fall to the ground. The small pond where Areilla is resting begins to bubble and boil and the water suddenly changes colors from dark to light blue then to purple.
"ARIELLA!" A deep masculine voice booms.
"What was that?" Gwen ask suddenly.
"Um not a what but who. That I'll be my father Poseidon I think he's knows I've been giving away his treasures."
Sudden crack from behind Ariella splits the pool wide open as a bright light shines through.
"He's collapsing the cavern! If you don't leave soon you'll all be buried alive inside this place. RUN!" Ariella shouts as Gwen, Arthur, Elyan and Mithian run for their lives.
"ARIELLA WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" Poseidon voice booms echoing throughout the caves.
The four friends run with baskets of treasure in their hands trying to escapes the death trap that is Poseidon's Island. They duck and dodge avoiding the large boulders tumbling down the high cliff inside the cave. Large pieces of rock crumble and fall all around them as they struggle to reach the exit of the cave.
"There the exit's just ahead." Mithian yells from behind the group as they all turn the corner sharply heading for the beam of light that is outdoors.
They all make a dash for the exit of the cave when Mithian slips and falls dropping all the treasures she was carrying. A large rock is shifting slighty above her head tilting to crush her body when Elyan grabs her by the waist tightly pulling them both to safety. The rocks tumble into place sealing off the entrance to Poseidon Island forever. Mithian tumbles, rolls, and lands directly on top of Elyan with a breathless smile.
"You saved me." She states still trying to catch her breath after her near death experience.
"Yeah I guess I did." Elyan remarks smiling up at her.
"Thank you." She smiles down at him making no attempt to move.
"Your welcome." He says not wanting her to move.
Mithian remains on top of Elyan gazing into his soft almond colored eyes. As he gazes at her sweetly, their faces inch closer and closer and suddenly they are lost in the moment. When his lips meet her it's as if nothing else exist or matters in the world.
"Hey is everyone alright? We were worr.. Oh never mind." Arthur says.
Mithian breaks the kiss with Elyan but she doesn't try to move off of him. She just gives Arthur the death stare. Arthur retreats back to Guinevere giving the couple sometime together.
Turning back to Elyan she smiles sweetly. "Um now where were we?"
Elyan laughs grabbing her waist pulling her body closer to his as shifts his weight so that he his hovering over her now.
"I think we were here." He smiles seductively kissing her passionately.
Arthur returns to sit beside Guinevere. She watches him curiously.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Did Elyan and Mithian make it out okay?"
"Yeah I pretty sure they are okay. More than okay by the looks of it."
"What are you, oh. Couples all around it would seem."
"Indeed." Arthur smiles drawing Guinevere in for sensual kiss as his tongue swipes against hers. His arms snakes around her hips as he grips her ass.
"Hum um." Elyan coughs from behind them and they pull apart.
"Aww come on." Arthur pouts.
"Hey man you interrupted me. Plus that's my sister you're running your hands all over." Elyan teases.
"This woman is going to be my wife so get used to it." Arthur comments laughing.
Guinevere, Arthur, Elyan and Mitinan all wait on the small island while Gwaine ferries the treasure back towards the Vengeful Wench. Elyan and Mithian are chatting quietly about something that make Mithian blush and Arthur and Guinevere just sit quietly as he wraps her tightly in his arms.
He sits up quickly making Guinevere jump. "What's wrong what is it?" She asks concerned.
"After we get the treasure on board the Vengeful Wench let's go back to Pendragon Estates."
"What! Why?"
He laughs loudly. "I just remembered something. Upon the death of my father Pendragon Estates is mine. Since Uther is dead I guess we don't have to worry about a place to live."
"Oh but what about all those guards?"
"They work for me now and your face was covered the last time we were there what do you think? I could give you a proper tour of the place?" He says remembering her comments the last time they were at Pendragon Estates.
"Oh that sounds perfect."
Back aboard the Vengeful Wench Gwen orders the ship to return to Pendragon Estates. Suprising the crew mates. She tells them entire ship about their adventure on the island about Uther's gruesome death, the insane amounts of treasure and Poseidon trying to bury them inside the cave,and then she ask Gauis and Annis to divide up the treasure among the crew.
Morgana walks to stand next to her brother. "So we going back home then? Oh I can't wait just you, me and Gwen. We are going to have so much fun. Oh we can go horseback riding. And shopping oh Gwen is going to love the shops. You know I always wanted a sister. The three of us are going to have the best time ever!"
Horror and sheer terror cover Arthur's face. In his excitement to get Guinevere back to Pendragon Estates he completely forgot about Morgana.
"Um.. well I uh.."Arthur stammers unsure how to respond to Morgana.
She laughs at him sparking confusion in his face. "Heavens I'm only joking Arthur. There's no way I'm staying in the same house with you too lovebirds. I haven't been on this ship long but I've heard the rumors." She smiles at her brother knowingly.
Morgana continues. "I'm going to stay at my mother's country estate. We have actually been spending more time there anyway. Things have been troubled between mother and Uther for a while. I 'm certain that if he hadn't died she would have divorced him anyway."
"Really I didn't know that." Arthur states surprised.
"Well of course you wouldn't. You've been off having pirate adventures." She smiles at her little brother. "I am really happy for you by the way. Gwen is a wonderful person, I'd better be invited to the wedding. She threatens.
"Of course you're invited I couldn't get married without the most annoying person in the world could I?" He smiles at her.
She smacks him in the back of the head.
"Ouch!" He rubs his head pouting.
"Oh shut up, you big baby." She smiles at him teasing him further.
He grins at Morgana. "So you and Gwaine, what's up with you too?"
Morgana ties to hide the blush that flushes her face and fails miserably. "Nothing is going on between me and that scruffy pirate."
"Is that so? Well maybe I should call him over and see what he has to say about that." He says.
"You wouldn't." She stares with a glare in her eyes.
"Wouldn't I?" Arthur clear his throat looking over at Gwaine. "G-
Earning a sharp pinch on the shoulder from Morgana. "Stop it." She threatens.
"Okay okay I give. No need to get all abusive. I'm just saying he likes you, and you like him give the guy a chance." He suggests.
"Perhaps." She answers keeping her face unreadable as she walks below deck.
Arthur is watching Guinevere talking with some of her crew members. He has only been staring at her for a few moments when she turns feeling his gaze on her. He smiles at her and when she smiles back he feel his heart skips a beat. Merlin and Freya come and stand beside Arthur, and Merlin claps his cousin on the back.
"Isn't this great we've never lived so close to each other before. We can keep in touch all the time." Arthur says.
"Yeah everything really does have a way of working itself out. I guess you can go back home afterall." Merlin walks up to his cousin smiling.
"Yeah home." He says smiling over at Guinevere.
Pendragon Estates
Once the ship lands off the shore of the massive Estate all of the crew head into the town below to spend their treasure. Merlin and Freya head for their cottage a few miles away from Pendragon Estates promising to visit in a few days. Guinevere and Arthur walk up to the doors of the massive manor his hand holding hers tightly. He opens the front door calling out for one of maids or any of his father's servants but he doesn't get an answer. Upon walking into the foyer of the home he sees a small envelope address to Uther resting on a small table.
"Should I open it?" He asks.
"I don't know Arthur it might be important."
He opens the letter and suddenly recognizes the handwriting of his step mother Bianca.
To Uther Pendragon, by the time you read this letter I will be long gone. I am getting a divorce I want nothing further to do with you I will not deal with all your lies and secrets. You are a harsh and a cruel man do not seek me out you will never find me I will never return to the Estates. I do not know the full extent to all the your sins but after a brief discussion with your brother in law Aggravaine I am begging to see the truth. I only pray that someday you will be judges for all the hurt you have caused.
sincerely Bianca.
Arthur smiles suddenly after reading the letter.
"What happened?" Gwen asks.
"She left him, my step mother left Uther and she wont be coming back here. Just like Morgana said but this makes it official."
"And why are you so happy about that?"
"It means we get the place to ourselves all of this." He gestures around them. "It's all ours. Yours and mine."
"Oh so can we start with the grand tour of Pendragon Estates?"
"Sure I know just where to start." His eyes roam over her body seductively.
"Oh really." She asks smiling not missing him undressing her with his eyes.
"The bedroom."
"Arthur I want to see the whole property. You promised me the grand tour."
"But Guinevere..."
"Arthur you promised."
He huff out in frustration. He takes her by the hand and prepares to show her around the mansion. When a thought occurs to him. She didn't say how detailed I had to be. He thinks devising a devilish plan.
Walking hand in hand along the corridors he holds her hand tightly as he runs up the stairs.
"There's the bathroom." He shouts giving her a second to peek in before he's pulling along the hallway.
"Library."
"Arthur."
"Office."
"Arthur." She is laughing at him now. He thinks he's clever.
"Sunroom."
He pulls her hurriedly down the hall stopping at a final door.
"Bedroom." He whispers sexually in her ear.
"You think you're so clever don't you?"
He shrugs leaning in close to her planting a gentle kiss on her full lips. The kiss becomes hotter and more passionate as he prods her mouth open with his tongue and she obliges willingly. She moans into him when he pushes his hips into her letting her feel the hardness of his arousal. She grinds and pushes her body back into him, she's ready and he knows it.
He lifts her up into his arms and begins to open the door to his bedroom. He plants hot sensual kisses down her neck enticing her so she can't refuse him.
"I think we can break our record tonight. I want you so bad I can't wait to ravish you. I want to see you naked in my.. Uncle?"
Arthur's uncle Aggravine is in his room sitting behind his desk. When he sees his nephew a look of complete relief crosses over his face followed by a blush of embarrassment. Having heard his nephew words from the other side of the door. Arthur completely shocked at the turn of event still has Guinevere carefully resting in his arms.
"Arthur I think maybe you should put me down." Gwen states.
He pouts and plans to debate but she gives him a look that tells he shouldn't argue.
Arthur regrettably places Guinevere down on her feet. "What are you doing here Uncle?"
"Oh Arthur I was worried sick I have been sending you letter after letter. Where have you been? I was worried something dreadful had happened."
"No everything is fine."
"Oh and who is this lovely young lady?"
"Uncle this is Guinevere my fiancé."
Aggravine extends his hand and warmly shakes Gwen hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"Thank you it a pleasure to meet you too, Arthur has told me so much about you."
"Really?"
"Yes really Uncle could we perhaps talk later?" He questions shifting his attention to Guinevere.
"Ah yes but, you know I would be here if it wasn't important. There's someone I want you to meet."
Arthur gulps as nervousness overtakes him. "She's here?"
"Yes I had her wait in the garden. It was always her favorite place and I didn't want her to run into Uther."
"That wont be a problem any more Uther's dead."
"How? What happened? Wait I'm sorry we'll discuss it later I'll take you to your mother."
"Thank you Uncle." Arthur says taking Guinevere's hand bidding her to come along.
The three of them walk outside along the stony path that leads to the gardens. A woman standing in a pale blue dress is standing far off with her back to them. She seems caught up in her own thoughts as she doesn't seem to notice the visitors behind her.
Arthur stops frozen by the sight of his mother her blond hair the same color as his blowing on the wind. He holds on to Guinevere's hand refusing to let her go.
"Guinevere I.."
"Arthur go to her I'm right here. This is the moment you've wanted your entire life." She squeezes his hand once more and he finally lets her go walking towards his mother.
The gravel sidewalk crunches beneath his feet and the sound stirs movement his mother turns around smiling at her son. Tears pool in her eyes as she watches her boy her sweet baby boy all grown up.
"Mother."
"Arthur." She extends her hands out to him and they embrace each other warmly.
"Mother is this real I've dreamed of you often are you really here with me?"
"Yes my sweet boy I'm here though I can hardly believe it myself. All the years we've spent apart I have thought of you daily my son."Igranie says weeping openly.
"I thought all this time that I killed you. I needed you and Uther stole you from me." He says as tears pool in his eyes.
"It's okay my darling son we are together now and nothing can separate us now. I am here." She point to his chest as she pulls him away so she can take a look at him. "I was always here."
"How I have missed you."
"I've missed you too my son. Where is your father?" She looks around worried.
"Uther's dead." Igraine looks at her son shocked by his statement. "Don't worry I'll tell you everything but first there's someone I want you to meet."
"Mother this is Guinevere my future wife."
"Guinevere this is Igranie, my mother."
Gwen extends her hand to greet Igraine in a friendly handshake and she is surprised to be gathered into Igraine's arms in a warm hug.
"We're family you and I hugs are for strangers." Igraine says smiling at her daughter in law.
Aggravaine walks out of the house carrying a tray loaded with tea and sugar and a few snacks and sets the tray on a small table.
"Now I believe you promised me a story Arthur I want to he everything." Aggrivine smiles pouring tea for his sister, Gwen, Arthur and finally himself.
Arthur looks a Guinevere a little unsure do they really need to know everything. She shrugs her shoulders smiling back at him. So Arthur and Guinevere tells his mother and uncle everything from Gwen quest for revenge on Uther ,to their chance meeting when Arthur and Merlin snuck aboard the ship, to treasure they uncovered at Poseidon Cache and Uther's death. Leaving out of course their private encounters.
"Well you two have had quite and adventure it seems. And crippling Uther like that, I always wanted to thank the man who wounded the great Uther Pendragon. Though I never expected to be thanking a woman. You are a hero well done that bastard got everything that was coming to him. Well done." He chuckles lightly.
Gwen smiles at Aggravaine blushing slightly at his kind words.
"I knew I liked you Guinevere. There is just something about you and I knew from the moment I saw you that we'd get along swell." Igraine says smiling.
"Thank you and please call me Gwen. My family and friends call me Gwen. Well except Arthur." She nods over at him smiling. "He refuses to call me Gwen."
"Ah well Arthur has always been quite stubborn." Arggravine chips in smiling at his nephew.
"I am not." Arthur pouts jokingly.
"Oh there it is that cute little pout he done that since the day he was born." Igraine laughs. "It takes me back to when he was just born."
"I know it's the cutest thing I've ever seen." Gwen states.
"Now Gwen I wanted to know do you have anything special planned you wanted to do for the wedding?" Igranine asks.
"Um no not really. Honestly I don't know where to start. I love any advice or help from you."
"Oh I'd be honored dear." Igraine says squeezing Gwen hand lightly.
Arthur turns to face his mother. "This is going to be great I'm going to be living with the two women I love the most. Mother I kept your room just the way you left it and I..."
"Arthur sweetheart I'm not going to stay here." His mother tells him.
"But it's not a problem we've got plenty of rooms." Arthur tries to persuade her.
"It's not that Arthur but this place houses too many memories for me. I couldn't live here peacefully." She admits.
"But I just found you and know you're leaving again where will you go." Arthur questions.
"She'll stay with me Arthur." Aggraviane explains. "We've got it all sorted and you know I live close enough to visit you every week. We'll be here so much you and Gwen will probably get tired of us." He chuckles.
"Never." Arthur says hugging his mother.
Six Weeks Later
All of their friends and family gather at Pendragon Estates to witness Guinevere and Arthur recite their wedding vows. Elyan is there to walk Gwen down the aisle and give her away to Arthur. The ceremony is beautiful the wedding takes place in the gardens and lovely lavender flowers are strung together decorating the chairs and the pathways. When the priest pronounces them husband and wife the is not a dry eye among all gathered.
After the ceremony Elyan walks up to his sister. "Gwen you look lovely father and mother would be so proud."
"They'd be proud of you too Elyan." She pulls her brother into a hug carefully not to wrinkle his ceremonial naval suit. "When do you have to go back?"
"I've got only one more week of leave then I have to go back to the service. If I want to retire honorably I have to finish at least four more years. But I still get shore leave now and then." He states. "I told Mithian she wasn't very happy about it but when I proposed I told her we'd get married as soon as I came home."
"Wow you and Mithian I'm so happy for you. You better stay safe. You have a sister and a future wife to come back to. I love you Elyan."
"I'll be safe, I love you too Gwen,I gotta go." He pulls his sister into one more hug before walking off to find Mithian.
She never thought after what she suffered throughout her life that she would find happiness. As she watched her family and friends walking, talking, laughing together. She never imagined a person could have a life so perfect so amazing but this is the life that she now had. Tears begin to pool in her eyes as she gazed over at her husband Arthur talking animated with his cousin Merlin. Her life was perfect and it could only get better from this day forward.
During the last six weeks she had experienced so much the gruesome death of Uther, seeing her parents again, and barely escaping Poseidon's Island with her life. So much had happened during the past few weeks, she started feeling ill dizziness, lack of appetite, and occasional sickness in the mornings and sometimes in the afternoons could be caused by lack of sleep or stress. Once the wedding festivities were over she would ask to speak with Gaius, in private of course no need to worry everyone over nothing. At worse it was probably just some stomach bug. Right?
Thank you all for reading Chapter 12 Always in my heart. This was a pretty emotional chapter for me to write. All my feels *weeping loudly* I just love a happy ending honestly they are the best! The next update will be an epilogue some years in the future. Where we find out what has become of our favorite couple or favorite couples and their pirate friends.