A/N: Thank you SnidgetHex, GuestM Live, PadrePedro, and Buckhunter for reviewing the previous fic! Ten chapters to finish off this AU verse. (I also posted a one shot yesterday in case anyone missed it.)

Chapter 1

Gwen stood in the new royal chambers that she would share with Arthur beginning tonight after their wedding. She had put on her gown for the ceremony and was entranced by the rich, velvety red with gold stitching. She had never worn something so exquisite. It was a dress fit for a queen.

And that was also what she would become tonight: queen. That part was surreal. She loved Arthur and of course wanted to marry him, but taking on the responsibility of ruling as well…it left her in awe and a little trepidatious.

People were coming and going through the chambers, getting it cleaned and ready for the newlyweds. Merlin shuffled in with an old, ornate vertical mirror.

"I found this in storage," he said as he leaned it against one wall. "Nice, isn't it?"

Gwen nodded, though her gaze had caught on her reflection, and she gingerly ran her fingers down the folds of her dress.

Merlin smiled. "You look beautiful."

She felt her cheeks blush and couldn't help the smile that lit her face. She felt beautiful.

But then the mirror began to rattle and the floor rumbled. Merlin grabbed the mirror so it wouldn't fall over and break. Gwen held her balance and her breath until the shaking settled. That was the fourth tremor in as many days, and it was nerve-wracking. But the reinforcements they'd installed after the major quake not too long ago were holding the castle and foundations steady. Still, it was putting everyone on edge, and Gwen really hoped an earthquake wasn't going to strike during the wedding.

She didn't like to think this could be some kind of omen, so she busied herself with helping to tidy the room as everything was put in its place. Arthur's wardrobe was brought up and put in the armoire. So was Gwen's, though she noticed some of her dresses were being swapped out for much nicer ones. She wanted to protest that she was still the same person and the clothes didn't mean anything, but she supposed her plainer dresses would be handed down. Despite their handful of years here in Camelot, there were still some craftsmanships the people were learning to reclaim, like spinning cotton and wool for sewing. All of their clothes were relics from another time.

It was early yet, but Gwen didn't like being idle, so she went downstairs to the great hall to see if there was anything she could do to help with preparations there. Her breath was taken away by what had already been done. Beads of light hung in criss-crossing strings from the eaves, with vertical strands dangling down every few spaces. She imagined that's what the stars of old used to look like in the night sky.

Freya and Lancelot were laying a carpet of light on the floor to make the aisle Gwen would walk down. Freya was weaving silver filigree along the edges, creating curly cues of stardust in the silky path.

Lancelot spotted her and stood up. "What do you think?"

She shook her head in amazement. "It's wondrous," she breathed. "Like a dream."

Lancelot shared a beaming smile with Freya.

"It feels too much," Gwen added self-consciously.

"Nonsense," Lancelot replied. "We all want to remember this joyous day as something special." He then walked over and took her by the shoulders to steer her out the door she'd come through. "And I know exactly why you're here, but no. We want the final result to be a surprise."

Gwen feigned a laborious sigh but didn't argue. Since she had been bodily removed from decorating the hall, she set out to find Arthur. He was in his old chambers, getting dressed for the ceremony. Leon was with him and immediately tried to shoo her away.

"Arthur shouldn't see you before the wedding," he protested.

"He's seen me every day so far," she countered cheekily.

"She has a point," Arthur said with a grin.

Gwen squeezed Leon's arm. "May I have a minute?"

He sagged in acquiescence and closed the door on his way out.

Arthur finished buttoning up his coat, then reached for his red cape hanging over the back of a chair, only to freeze when he caught a proper look at Gwen. "Wow," was all he seemed to be able to manage.

Gwen's lips twitched and she lifted the sides of the gown to give the skirt a little twirl. "I take it you approve."

"Oh yes." He moved toward her, eyes yearning, but she lifted a hand to press against his chest. He faltered. "Not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No, of course not," she hastily assured him. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life." She moved her hand down to take his, and they simply stood like that for a moment, savoring the close proximity. Her eyes went to the red cape with the gold Pendragon crest that matched the colors of her gown. "I understand now some of the pressure you've felt your whole life," she began. "Being responsible for an entire kingdom. It's…daunting," she admitted.

He squeezed her hand. "You've carried some of that same burden as one of the original Lightspinners," he pointed out. "And I've seen with my own eyes how you're more than capable."

Gwen worried at her bottom lip. She supposed that was true. Her pensive expression broke into a relieved smile. "You always know what to say, don't you?"

Arthur grinned. "Only because I've learned from your wisdom."

She shook her head with an amused smirk.

He stepped back, slowly withdrawing his hand from hers. "Go on. The next time I see you, it will be to make you my wife."

"And you my husband," she finished with a coy smile and finally left to go finish getting ready.

Dressed in kingly finery and wearing his crown, Arthur took his place on the throne dais in front of everyone gathered in the great hall. Everything sparkled with the magic of light, from the ceiling to the floor, filling the air with radiant brilliance. But none of it compared to Gwen when she appeared at the end of the hall. Her hair had been brushed and now lay in cascading waves over her shoulders. Gold pins in her curls pinned the very front back. And she walked with regal grace down the aisle with her brother Elyan, who then presented her to Arthur.

Arthur couldn't stop beaming as he took her hand and drew her up beside him. Elyan stepped to the side. Gaius stood behind them on the dais.

"We gather here today to witness the holy union of matrimony," he said, projecting his voice throughout the hall. "Arthur, have you prepared your vows?"

Arthur nodded and gazed into Gwen's eyes with earnest. "Guinevere, when I'm with you, I never have to be afraid of the dark. Not the one outside these walls, nor the kind inside myself, for your light always guides my path and keeps it straight. You are my compass, my best friend. And by these vows, I will honor and cherish you until the end of my days and beyond."

Her eyes glistened with tears.

"Guinevere, have you prepared your vows?" Gaius asked next.

She nodded and opened her mouth to speak but had to collect herself. "Arthur, your kindness and wisdom are pillars for everyone here today." Gwen paused abruptly, mouth pursing. Arthur tried not to frown in confusion. She went on, "I see you," she said, fervently clasping his hands. "Beyond the titles, beyond the responsibility, I see you. And I love you. By these vows, I will honor and serve you for all the days of my life. Our life. The compass and the pillar."

Arthur felt his own eyes prick hotly and his throat constrict with emotion.

Gaius's smile had a definite sheen to it as well. "I now pronounce you man and wife."

Arthur and Gwen leaned in at the same time, their lips meeting in the middle. The people cheered as they kissed. Then Gaius turned to pick up a cushion, upon which sat another crown, and he held it out to Arthur. Arthur picked up the circlet, and Guinevere knelt before him. The hall was reverently quiet as Arthur placed the crown upon her head.

"I present, Guinevere, Queen of Camelot," he declared, taking her hand and drawing her to her feet to stand beside him. Applause resounded once again through the hall.

The two of them took their seats upon the thrones, and the people lined up to give their congratulations. After that was feasting and dancing and merriment. Arthur had never felt so happy in all his life. It was as though this isolated paradise beneath the crystal's dome was all that existed, and the darkness outside would never, ever, invade their lives again.

Arthur lost count of the toasts his friends raised a glass to. The wine was flowing and they had never laid out such a feast as this. The abundance and security was something to be celebrated just as much, for it and this union signified something greater—a new course for them in this world.

Though Arthur's mirth was primarily focused on Gwen, he did notice the jubilation of his friends, and it warmed his heart as well. He sidled up to Merlin after watching him share a delighted dance with Freya.

"When are you going to give us occasion for a second wedding?" Arthur teased.

Merlin blushed, and Arthur grinned.

It was a wonderful night. Finally, at the end of it, Arthur and Gwen went up to their new chambers. There was a strange awkwardness now, weighted with expectation. Arthur was eager but also strangely hesitant. He had waited a long time for this, and he wanted it to be perfect.

They started slow, embracing in a tender kiss at first, then moving to tentatively explore each other. The electrifying touch spurred Arthur to hurriedly unbutton his coat and throw his cloak off. Gwen struggled with the laces of her dress, so Arthur moved around behind her to help. They slowed him down, and for a moment he felt the surge of impatience and desire to simply cut them free, but then he decided to lean into it, choosing to savor each drawn out moment of intimacy. They had all night, and he wanted to take his time with the woman he loved.

Arthur loosened the last lace and traced a finger down her exposed back. She shivered in anticipation. He slid one side off her shoulder and bent down to kiss the back of her neck. She arched against him. He trailed kisses down her shoulder and collar bone. She turned to face him, and nimble fingers picked at the hem of his shirt, working it up and over his head. It fell to the floor at their feet. He slid her gown down all the way, and she stepped out of it. Then, by some unspoken synergy, they threw themselves into each other's embrace as they moved toward the bed where they finally fell into the ardent throes of passion.

Later, when Arthur was sleeping with one arm around his bride, a voice tickled the edges of his consciousness.

"Arthur. Arthur."

He opened his eyelids sleepily and listened. The faint voice came again, calling his name. And there was something unnervingly familiar about it. Arthur lifted his head to look around the room. No one was there.

Gwen stirred in her sleep, and he snuggled down next to her again, ignoring whatever lingering dream had woken him in the first place.

But when morning came and Arthur rose from bed, he felt…off. Not as contentedly rested as he had expected to be. Gwen smiled at him, positively glowing in the pale hue of the shield suffusing past the curtain edges. They exchanged affectionate touches as they each dressed for the day.

Gwen put her hands on Arthur's shoulders from behind. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." He turned around to face her, cupping her hands in his. "I just had a strange dream last night is all."

She nodded and went to open the curtains, letting in the brilliant light of the dome. Arthur headed for the door and found someone had left a tray of breakfast for them just outside. Smiling with gratitude, he brought it in and set it on the table. They sat down to eat, but only a few bites in, Arthur heard that slithering susurration saying his name again.

"What's wrong?" Gwen asked in concern.

"Can you hear that?" he asked cautiously, worried he was imagining it and was going mad or something of that ilk.

Gwen slowly shook her head but looked around as though listening.

"Arthur."

He twisted around toward the sound. Something shimmered in the mirror, a reflection that wasn't a reflection… Arthur's jaw went slack as his father's visage appeared.

"Arthur," Uther said, making eye contact.

Gwen gasped.

"You see him too?" Arthur whispered.

"Yes."

Then he wasn't mad, thank god. But that meant his deceased father was here…

"Arthur," Uther said again, looking relieved. "I'm so glad I've finally been able to get through."

Arthur got to his feet, posture tightening. "What is this?" Uther was dead; how could he be here?

"There's not much time," Uther said, ignoring the question. "I came to warn you, Arthur. You are all in grave danger."