A/N: I don't the Merlin on tv just the one in my head
Thank you for the wonderful reviews. You guys are so-o the bomb.
I'm glad you liked the first chapter. I hope you like this one just as much.
I had to change Gwen's maid's name to Relena. My thanks to the guest reviewer who made me realise the meaning of melena. I'm sorry, I really didn't know.
Anyway enjoy!
Arthur finds it difficult to sleep. Every time he thinks of the night before, he groans, discomforted. How is it possible that a normally confident person like him could be reduced to a babbling idiot by a lady who has barely reached the age of womanhood? Given, he has never found it easy being around women, taking into account that most women that he has associated with have had their sight on the crown more than being interested in him as a person. After several such encounters with the members of the fairer sex, he made a vow that he would marry the person he wants to be with and none of the power mongers hoard. Unfortunately it seems like all his peers are pairing up except for him. Sir Percival got married just a winter ago and Sir Leon would be married by spring. Although he is not particularly worried, sometimes he despaired in ever finding what he is looking for. The good thing is he is still quite young, barely twenty winters. He always thought that he would have more time before he was encumbered by the weight of being a king, but his father's succumbing to a fever just the winters before last had ensured the end of that dream. He is still settling into his role and there is already mounting pressure from the council for him to choose a wife. So far he had diffused the exigencies, but he has a suspicion that it is just the calm before the storm. Hopefully by the time the storm comes, he would have met someone that he could give his heart to. Someone like Guinevere, he catches himself thinking. Woah! Not again! Why am I thinking about her again? You would think his brains would be tired of dwelling on the same subject by now, given the fact that that is all he has done throughout the night. He groans again, bounding off the bed. He might as well get up if he is not going to sleep. Dawn is fast approaching and as he walks towards his window that overlooks the courtyard and entrance to the castle, he wonders if the lady in question has been thinking of him as much as he is thinking about her. Part of him wishes she is but the nobler side thinks that she should not be.
Arthur remembers how last night it had seemed she was never far from his mind. He had tried to ignore what he is feeling, honestly he had. He had tried to keep away from her if only to save himself embarrassment. However he hastily grasped that somehow he could not stay away and he seems to act in a weird way around her, all clumsy and tongue tied. Maybe he was spending too much time with Merlin. He tried to avoid her but it seemed like he was deemed to fail in his quest. Everywhere he turned, it seemed she was there. Or maybe his eyes were unknowingly seeking her out. It was so peculiar, the way their eyes kept searching for the other. The feelings she is invoking in him are unusual. He does not understand exactly what is happening between them. All he knows is that he is extremely drawn to this woman. He is not sure what kind of woman she is. But he is sure of one thing; that she is a decent girl and he is not going to be the one to ruin her reputation. He sighs audibly feeling narked. Why can't things ever be simple with him? One would think a king could get things easily, just command and boom it is done.
Forbidden Forbidden Forbidden Forbidden Forbidden
Relena is surprised to find Gwen in bed the next morning, something that has rarely happened since their mutual childhood. Gwen has always been up before sunrise, an act that used to vex her parents especially when she was younger because they had needed no servant to wake them up when their daughter was around. She would badge into their chambers and jump around on their bed excited to greet the new day. Since her mother had not been a morning person, this was never greeted with enthusiasm. Her father would find himself commanded to take their daughter somewhere else so that the lady of the house could have a few more hours of sleep.
Relena hesitates briefly, wondering if she should leave her mistress to lie in for a little longer, but also knows that Gwen might not appreciate the gesture. He lady had indicated the previous night that she meant to visit the stables before most nobles were up, wanting to have a peek at the King's famed steeds. Relena had protested somewhat half-heartedly pointing out how the king might take offense if she does not seek his permission first. However, Gwen was of the opinion that she could sneak in and out before the king knew she had even been there. Relena, knowing that her mistress would do as she pleased anyway, granted her reluctant consent and suggested she accompany her. Gwen had refused stressing that it would be easy for one person to slip in than it would be for two people. Relena had been happy to not have to go with her mistress, never understanding Gwen's fascination with the creatures. She only got near horses when she really needed to.
Relena draws the heavy drapes aside allowing the first hints of the coming light to invade the room. Gwen reluctantly opens her eyes half- mast closing them again briefly as they protest against the harsh invasion of the light. She blinks several times then uses her knuckles to rub against her eyes before sitting up suddenly. She remembers suddenly that she has a mission and scrams out of her bed. Relena already has her bath ready for her, and a buttercup yellow dress that catches below her chest and accentuates her ample bosom has already been laid out for her. Against Gwen's avowals, Relena threads ribbons of the same colour as her dress into Gwen's curls citing how she has to look good even when the only company to appreciate it are horses. Gwen snorts in a very unladylike manner but decides not to waste her energy arguing with Relena who could be just as stubborn as she is. So she takes the path of least resistance. As she gets ready for her little adventure, she wonders briefly whether she would see the king today. She knows that there is training scheduled for the first part of the day as Ewan has to attend. He had begged her pardon for not being able to be with her during the day but they arranged to have dinner together in the evening.
Gwen manages to get out of the castle, barely noticed except by the guards that are on duty and a few servants that are already bustling to get ready for the new day. Her cloak billowing around her, she scarpers quietly in the direction of the stables, one of the two things she made it a point to know the location thereof the minute she arrived at court. Looking around, she dashes trying to make it to the stables before anyone stopped her. She gets there at no time at all. When she realises she is alone in the stables, she smiles and moves towards the stalls.
He is about to turn and walk back to his bed when a shadow catches his attention. Even from his elevated position, he can tell it is a woman. He squints his eyes, trying to get a clearer vision of who could be walking at that time of the morning. By the way she carries herself, she is definitely not a servant. Most nobles he knows are never up before the sun is high. So if that alone is not raising his suspicion, the way she looks around and then darts quickly away from the castle does. He springs towards his closet and grabs a cloak vaulting towards the steps which he takes two at a time so that he can quickly catch up with the mysterious lady before he loses sight of her.
Arthur passes several guards on duty and a few servants as he walks quickly out of the castle and notices the lady rounding the corner and up the path that leads to the draw bridge. His sense of curiosity spiked. Whatever this woman was up to could not be good. From such a distance, he cannot tell who she is. As she keeps walking, he realises that she is taking the path towards the stables where his precious mounts are. He wonders if she means to ride but promptly dispels that theory as he considers that she is not wearing any riding garments. Maybe she is a thief, and means to purloin his high breed stallions and mares. Well, today is not her lucky day. He would catch her in the act and there would be no denying.
Gwen giggles like a child let loose in a sweet shop. The king clearly believes in getting the best. Gwen feels like she is in paradise. She walks around the stalls, touching this horse and that. She would have loved to have brought them carrots but was not sure if anyone else besides the stable hands were allowed to feed them. She certainly would not like to be accused of anything sinister if any were to fall sick. She especially is attracted to a brown stallion that has a pale face. She rubs his muzzle and delights in the feeling of the horse nuzzling her hand. She has been away from home for a little below a week and yet she misses her horses like no other thing. This is the reason she knows she can never stay anywhere where she cannot be with them. She burrows into his long neck, whispering unintelligible words to him and he sniggers in response. She laughs in response wishing she could ride this delightful creature. She would bet her whole year's allowance he is fast and strong, imagining the strong taut muscles against her thighs. Not many things give her as much pleasure.
"His name is Excalibur and he looks just as in love with you as you are with him," a voice supplies seemingly coming from the stable walls.
Gwen jumps so much and tries to turn so fast at the same time that she loses her balance. She is almost glad when a set of muscular arms reach out and stop her from falling flat on her face. "Almost" because the minute she feels the arms on her body she is not sure what would have been better, embarrassment from falling before the man who happens to make everything in her dissolve into liquid; or the feeling that hits her the minute he touches her. It is the kind of feeling that makes one forget she is betrothed to someone else and just want to swoon into this most attractive man's arms. A moment or two passes while they stare mesmerised in each other's eyes, none wanting to be the first to break contact.
Arthur inhales her scent, making his head twirl in pleasure. The purpose of his walk here totally forgotten, his eyes shift sub consciously towards her luscious lips and his head starts descending towards the target. His lips are already tingling with anticipation and just as his lips are close to touching hers, the shuffling of feet cruelly jerk him back to reality. He quickly lifts up his head and lets go of her suddenly stepping backwards putting a more appropriate distance between them. It is bad enough to be found alone with her, but if they are to be caught in each other's arms, that would surely ruin both their reputations; hers more than his most likely. Some servants are terrible gossipers. It would not take more than a day for the whole castle to know. Caius, the head stable hand, enters moments later. Arthur is not sure if he is relieved or not that they were disrupted. It is probably for the best. He had been about to enter into the dangerous territory. He had never before had his sight let alone kissed a woman who was attached to another man. It will be hard but he is to resist these urges around her. That was way too close. What is it about this woman that makes him forget himself? He wonders briefly what would happen if he were throw caution to the wind just for moment and find out what it felt like to have her beautiful body in his arms, his lips connected to his. He shakes head in an attempt dispel these thought that creep on him. Such thinking could only result in trouble. He clears his throat.
"Good morn Sire; my lady, Caius says looking puzzled. "Did you wish to ride this morning?"
"Good morn, Caius. I was just coming to check on Excalibur when I met the Lady Guinevere going for a walk. She told me about her love for horses and I invited her to walk with me so I could show off our famed stable." Arthur fibs, casting a quick glance at Gwen who is clearly blushing and trying to disguise it by bending her head low. I'm going to burn in hell.
"If I may say so my lady, we have the finest horses in the five kingdoms. His majesty certainly knows good breeding when he sees it."
Gwen is thankful they are talking about horses; something she can talk about even in her sleep because her brains had turned to mash the minute Arthur touched her and had rendered her incapable of intelligible conversation. Oh Lord, what just happened? What is it about this man that makes her feel reckless? This is not good.
"You have such an impressive stable. I do know quite a bit about horses and I must say I have never seen finer ones," she says excitedly, her face radiant and animated.
Arthur feels something in him leap at her enthusiasm and cannot help but think how infectious her excitement is. So anyone could pardon him for what came out of his mouth next.
"Lady Guinevere, would you like to take a ride with me tomorrow?" Then he realises what he just asked," I mean of course not just me … because that would be terribly improper, but maybe we could invite… um-m I mean I could invite Morgana as well…. of course…" Arthur wills his mouth to shut up but it seems like it has a resolve of its own. Can people be muzzled? If Merlin could see me now! Thank heavens Caius has scuttled somewhere else. If he had heard him he would have had the council vote him out of power.Who would entrust a kingdom to a man who cannot even talk a lady into a outing without tying his tongue up into knots.
"I would love to, my lord, and of course Morgana… because yes it would be well… we can't just go riding on our own can, we?That would be… you know…" Gwen listens to her own voice and is disconcerted. Anyone listening to them would have thought there was a bumbling competition going on. Her eyes wide, she looks at Arthur and the moment their eyes connect, she bursts out in laughter. Arthur joins her and soon they are bowed over trying and failing to contain their mirth. Without realising it they have drift closer to each and Arthur has his hand on Gwen's shoulder. They sober up immediately and Arthur clears his throat and steps back once more.
"Pardon me, my lady. Um-m I will extend the invitation to Ewan as well. He can be excused from training for tomorrow." It occurs to Arthur a tad too late that the appropriate thing would have been to invite Ewan first.
"Thank you, Sire. I am looking forward to the ride. I quite enjoy horses."
"Yes I can tell you love them judging by the way you were hugging my horse earlier." Arthur teases earning himself a self-conscious laugh from her. He cannot help admitting to himself that he truly is enjoying speaking to this woman, no matter how unseemly he knows it is. Since the previous day, the conflict between right and wrong seems to be not so defined when it came to Guinevere. Too many times since he met her, he has found himself wishing for things he should not. A part of him begs him to tread with caution but unfortunately that part is not the winning any trophies at the moment.