Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 18, 2010 22:23:48 GMT -5
Gwen was heart broken, homesick, and in a large need for a bath. In the past few days, her emotions at been at such a high for such a long period of time that she felt like crawling into bed and sleeping for a week. Or even better, getting back to work. Something to keep her hands busy and mind from thinking. Something to help her get though the next few days.
He'd left her.
Gwen sat upon Merlin's horse while he walked and she felt horrible for her but the more she had tired to walk with him the more he insistence that she ride. Finally she had just agreed so they could get going. Merlin was so kind. She knew he had to be getting tired. He had come all this way and braved evils to help her. Braved them with Arthur. Arthur.
Gwen sneaked a look over at him. Arthur, Prince of Camelot had come all this way to save a servant. She wondered what this meant for them. No! There was no them! He was a Prince! She was a blacksmith's daughter and his almost-sister's maid!
The only man she had felt strongly for that she could be with was Lancelot, and he'd left her. Where would be go? Would he be safe? Gwen knew she could not travel with him, especially unwed, but she wished he had at lest asked. Given her hope at lest for seeing him again. Her heart was breaking from being away from brave Lancelot, and her heart was hurting from being this close to Arthur. Things had just gotten to complicated.
[Arthur]
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 18, 2010 22:37:03 GMT -5
Arthur, as a Prince and sole heir to the throne, was used to getting what he wanted. He was used to people sacrificing things, even their lives, to their noble Prince -- even if he did not necessarily want them to do that. He was accustomed to living a certain way, and expecting certain things . . . but right now, he knew in the worst way possible, what it felt like to not necessarily get what you wanted. It was not that he was expected to get Gwen . . . he did not see her as an object in that way, it was that he had wanted to win over her heart, even though he knew it was selfish because of the complications. He wanted to make sure she was safe, but in doing so, he had seen her in the arms of another man, and that made matters all the worse.
He did not know what the situation was. But he knew from the way she looked at Lancelot, and then the way she looked at him, that there was something there. He also knew that his own feelings for her were growing more and more strong and there was nothing he could do about it . . . . especially now. Arthur, for once, felt at a loss of words and actions. The main thing right now, that he should be focusing on, was that she was safe . . . even though he hated seeing her so upset over the absence of another man.
As Merlin was walking ahead of them, Arthur could not stand the tense silence anymore. He had to break it, even if it made matters worse. Her well being was priority. "Would you like to rest?" he asked. Though there was genuine concern his voice, there was also a strange guarded tone, as if he was afraid to say anything on her . . . as if he was walking on glass because he did not want to look emotionally vulnerable in front of the woman he loved.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 18, 2010 22:59:41 GMT -5
"Yes, please." She said, mostly for Merlin's sake rather then her own. She didn't want him walking the whole way, after coming to save her. She was used to walking everywhere, as she did not own a horse. She should be walking too. "Thank you." Then she paused. One of them would have to help her dismount as there was no stepping blocks here and her skirts prevented her from moving her legs wide enough to do it.
She looked over at Merlin for a moment, before deciding to just let her self slide off. She had dismounted and mounted own her own whenever she escorted her Lady around, so she was used to it, even if she wasn't used the dress. She had never worn anything so fine in her life, even if it was now dirty and ragged.
Dismounting, (rather ungracefully) she stood there for a moment, very much unsure of what to do, or say. "Would you like me to go get us some water?" She offered, recalling they had passed a stream not long ago, they were almost following it so it shouldn't be more in a few moments walk though the trees.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 18, 2010 23:39:04 GMT -5
When she said yes, he immediately stopped his horse and called for Merlin to stop walking before the idiot wandered too far ahead. He steadied his horse and got off, contemplating whether it would be uncomfortable for if he helped her off the horse. He would not have to find out, for she managed on her own. Hmm. Arthur did not like feeling this awkward around . . . anyone. And yet, he could not just ignore what had happened. They would have to talk about it at some point . . . or would they. . . they still half a fairly long journey ahead of them.
"No, its fine; thats what Merlin is for," he said. Following those words, he chucked a container at Merlin and told him to go fetch some water. It was just now that he realized he would be alone with Guinevère. As if before was awkward, this would be all the more. "You need your rest Guinevère. You just went through a horrible ordeal." Oh dear. That could have been implying the wrong thing. He had no in fact meant the sudden absence of Lancelot . . . he had meant her imprisonment. "I can not imagine how terrifying it must have been, with what Hengist did to you." He had held her captive, tied her up, used her torturous death as entertainment . . . the thought of it all sickened him.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 18, 2010 23:52:22 GMT -5
Gwen watched Merlin as he (like always) smiled and walked on to get some water. Poor Merlin. She was going to MAKE him ride some on the way back. Even if she had to pretend to be a child and refuse to move. She wanted to be angry at Arthur for sending Merlin to do more walking while they rested, but his next words made it slightly harder to be mad at him.
"You should not worry about me, you should worry about Merlin's feet. Or your father's anger." She was no so stupid that she knew Uther would allow this. "I should be thanking you, however, for braving both your father's wrath and the dangers along the way for me." She looked over, and up at his face. "Thank you, Sire," Then she dropped her face again. She thought back again at Lancelot and wished he was here to let her be thankful to. She wished he had not left, things would be simpler with him here. He had claimed to lose hope, and that she gave it back to him. What if he lost it again?
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 19, 2010 0:10:11 GMT -5
Arthur had been too preoccupied to even think about what his father was going to do when he returned. The thought had not crossed his mind. What if he threw him in the dungeon again? Arthur did not care. It was a very small price to pay for Gwen's safety. He looked at her as she spoke, and noticed the very brief glance she gave him. His eyes rested upon her longer than hers on him. He despised seeing her so hurt over another man. And at the same time, the selfish part of him was glad . . . but what was there to be glad for? Nothing could ever happen. Yet for some reason, Arthur held on to a strange hope that one day, it would be possible.
He turned away, and took the reins of his horse, tying them to a tree trunk. "Well Morgana would never have forgiven me if I had not come to find you." While that was true, it was of course not his reason for coming . . . it was the reason he had said in front of Merlin, Guinevère and Lancelot . . . but it was not true. He could not look at her when he said it though. "Are you hungry?" Arthur did not like talking about his feelings and emotions, especially when they where this unpleasant.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 19, 2010 0:30:00 GMT -5
Morgana. Yes, of course. She would have bullied Arthur into coming. Gwen had hoped on some small level, he had come for her; and in truth on that same small level she knew he did. However hearing him say such, make her already ragged emotions a bit more hurt. Part of her wanted to beg Merlin to help her find Lancelot and let her left with him. With him, she could at lest be with, with Arthur this was all she would ever have. Heart break and what if's. So many moments of each. Gwen had hope that one day things would work out, but at this moment, it was hard to feel hopeful.
"I will have to thank her for sending you then, when we return." Her voice cracked on the last word and she took a deep breath in, before answering his question in a more steady voice. "No thank you, I am fine." She was hungry, but she wasn't in the mood to eat. Her belly felt as it it had stones in it, and they were grinding together. She wished she could make it stop, but knew only time would do that. Time, clean clothes, and a warm bowel of water for a nice washing. "How far are we from Camelot?" She asked trying to fill the silence with something so she did not think of Lancelot, alone out there somewhere. So she could not think of wanting Arthur to hold her, and remind her she was safe.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 19, 2010 10:52:07 GMT -5
Arthur did not look at her. Did she truly believe that was why he came?! Then again, he was saying it was . . . but she did honestly believe that he had not come for her? That he had come on Morgana's orders? He wanted to tell her that he did not. He wanted to reaffirm this by saying that he had already been packing by the time Morgana came to yell at him for not going. But he didn't. He remained silent on the matter. What good would it do anyway. Clearly, whatever she had for him had fizzled once Lancelot returned. And now that he was gone again . . . who knows.
Even though she said no, he was still planning on finding food. "I will wait for Merlin to return before I hunt." He did not want Gwen to be alone, especially in dangerous forests as last time, even with armed escorts, they had not been safe. Arthur did not want anything like that to happen ever again. "We are about half way there. We should arrive tonight some time." He hated being this withdrawn from her. It frustrated him, because he felt that he could say anything to Gwen; that he could open up to her, but . . . now, all of those things were put on hold because he feared doing so. He went up to her to take her reins, and found himself standing a little too close. He paused for a moment, looking at her, and had to force himself to break the gaze. Where was that idiot Merlin?! "Here," he said, taking her horse's reins from her and proceeded to tie them to another tree.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 19, 2010 19:30:07 GMT -5
When Arthur walked up to her, she looked up at him for a moment. She their first strings of hope bloom as she did. Was here to hold her as she had wanted? Was he going to make everything ok, even if it was for this stolen moment? 'Here,' He said and took the horse to be tired. Gwen felt oddly silly in the mist of all this. She was sad, heartbroken because one man left her with out a goodbye, and wanting to held by another man. She felt shamed by her thoughts. "You should worry for me, if you are hungry, you should go hunt. I will be fine. I can go join Merlin my the river."
Gwen hoped he took her up on her offer. She would not join Merlin but just sit here in silence for a while. Ever since Arthur had kissed her, everything had been backwards and sideways in her life. She used to be able to get though her day and think only of simple things. Now her mind was always running, be it with what if's or could never be's. Lancelot was another reason for both of these as well as Arthur. So many what if's and could never be's with him as well.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 19, 2010 20:47:59 GMT -5
Once the horse was tied, Arthur began collecting large pieces of sticks to start a fire, since he did not know how long they were going to be here for, and they would need it to cook the meet. He was just trying to distract himself really, so that he didn't stand there like a fool, staring at her, and speaking all the thoughts that were racing through his mind. "I will wait for Merlin to return. You should get some rest in the meantime." This disconnect he had with her, was awful. But Arthur often masked his emotions . . . unfortunately, Merlin wasn't here to help him so he had no one to bully around.
A thought suddenly occurred to him. "Did Hengist hurt you in any way?" She said she was fine, and physically she seemed alright but he just wanted to make sure that she was not hiding any injuries of any kind. "Are you injured at all from . . . what happened before?" Just because he was trying to conceal his deep feelings from her, did not mean he had to act heartless and show insensitivity towards her well being.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 19, 2010 21:14:44 GMT -5
Guinevère had wrapped her arms around her upper body, more from a need to put them somewhere rather then pain or being cold. She didn't understand why Arthur was being distant, and with everything else going though her mind she could not sort out her thoughts. When she spoke again she didn't look up, nor reply in any form; until he ask her if she had been hurt. It was the first crack in distance and it caused to to turn and look up into his face. Her eyes scherched his for a moment, looking for something before they fell back down.
"No, at first he thought I was Morgana, and did not want a mark put on me. When he discovered who I was, Lancelot had already gotten me out." Her face bunched and turned as she fought not to cry. "He told me to run and leave him, and he would draw them off but I couldn't leave him. Even when I ran away, I knew it was wrong. They caught me, and drug me back. They knew it would hurt him to see me hurt. You and Merlin came before they could finish it." She wiped a lone tear from her cheek and took a deep calming breath. "I am un-hurt." At lest in the way he meant. "I am un-touched by them."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 20, 2010 11:39:01 GMT -5
Arthur's hatred for Hengist grew significantly when he heard what he had done to her. Arthur could not help but wish that he had been the only one to save her . . . not Lancelot. Yes, it was a selfish thought, but he could not help it. He was jealous. The Prince of Camelot, who could have whatever he wanted . . . was jealous over another knight and the affections a woman had for him. It was a strange feeling for Arthur to have, but just because it was unfamiliar did not mean it would ever cease. He would always wish that he was the sole man to hold Gwen's love, but that would never be true . . . nor was it a practical thought to have. It was far too complicated to ever be a simple issue of boy loves girl.
"I'm relieved that you aren't hurt Guinevère. But I'm . . . sorry to hear that. You should have never been put in that position. Had we come sooner, found you sooner, perhaps you would not have had to go through everything that you did. And for that, I am sincerely sorry." He was looking at her again, while he spoke with sincerity. He really should stop looking, for it was getting harder and harder to break the gaze. The next subject was not one Arthur spoke too easily about, so he continued to compile a bunch of sticks, assembling them together. "It's a good thing Lancelot came when he did then." He had to use all his strength to say that sentence with composure, since it was still a touchy subject -- especially since the man left.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 20, 2010 20:14:42 GMT -5
"He was there--" She stopped talking, not going to correct Arthur, about Lancelot. He had been there before her, and they had just happened to see see each other at a feast. Gwen had been shocked and thought the trick was up. She had feared that they would kill her if he had outed her. But like the honorable man he was, he had only plotted to free her. She would have love to tell others about what he had done but she didn't want to talk about it right now.
She didn't want to explain why Lancelot had been there in the first place. Before she had gotten there. "You do not need to apologize, Sire, just the opposite. I should be thanking you. I know your father could not have allowed this. I should thank you. So Thank you. Thank you for coming to help me. I can never repay you for this." She had not called by this name, only his 'title', needed to have the reminder of the distance between them.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 20, 2010 21:55:03 GMT -5
He noticed the hesitancy to talk about him . . . it was just apparent as his own. He did not know how to console her over Lancelot's absence . . . nor did he think he was noble enough to try. It was far too difficult, for Arthur had never been in this situation before and had no idea how to react, or deal with such a thing. When she continuously thanked him -- and called him Sire -- he was not sure what to say. He knew that out of respect, she would say that, but it was a painful reminder of their status difference which did not make him love her any less.
"You do not owe me anything Guinevère." He did not need a second to consider whether he should have come after her to find her. It was possibly the easiest decision he had ever made in his entire life. Even if his father was going to be furious. . . Arthur cared little about that, and he hated Gwen constantly worrying about such a thing for she should not have to. "It was a very easy decision to make." He spoke aloud his previous thoughts, suddenly wondering if he should have said as much. But he did want her to know that his father's anger would never be enough to stop him from keeping her safe.
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 20, 2010 22:12:56 GMT -5
Guinevère's thoughts were flying but one thing caught her attention. She was not the brightest nor the quickest person in Camelot but nor was she the slowest. She turned slowly to look at him, in silence for a moment. Things had changed so much in the past few weeks and even more in the past few hours. Everything normal in her life was getting turned around and twisted. It had made it hard to sort out thoughts and feelings. Perhaps it even blinded her to a few things recently.
So when Arthur spoke she had to wonder if he was just using the words in general, or if he was being direct. He had said he came because Morgana asked it of him. Guinevère had wondered if that was the only reason, and now it seemed that she might have a clue to her answer. "You didn't just come because Morgana asked it of you, did you?" She watched him closely for his answer, as if more depended on it then just words.
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 20, 2010 22:22:41 GMT -5
"You didn't just come because Morgana asked it of you, did you?"
Arthur froze. His back was to her, his gaze lowered to the ground. How was he supposed to answer this question. He did not want to lie to her. Even if it was useless, he wanted her to know how he truly felt . . . but would that only make things worse? Never had he been this conflicted before . . . never in this way. He slowly looked at her. In a bit of a sad voice, yet absolutely sincere one, he answered the question truthfully. "No." It was at that moment that he wanted to pour everything out in his heart . . . but he just stayed quiet for a few moments, trying to organize his thoughts.
"I came because I wanted to . . . because I needed to." That was further than what he had revealed before. At least now he was not lying about his motives for coming.
[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote]
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 20, 2010 22:33:44 GMT -5
Guinevère's eyes watered again, as the relief and pleasure twisted with her emotions when she was already feeling fragile and over whelmed. She walked closer, closing the distance between them and did not stop until she was warping her arms around him. She knew, that this could go no where, and was not allowed to mean anything but for this moment she just wanted to be held and wanted to steal of of his strength when she felt she had none. She knew she would have to pull away before Merlin came back, so they were not caught.
Guinevère began to wonder why Merlin was taking so long, but she was beginning to think he was hiding from Arthur. Resting while he could, and she hoped he took a nice long rest so that she could stay here for a moment longer. "When I was there, before I knew Lancelot was there I was hoping you'd come but praying you wouldn't. It was to dangerous." She admitted. "I had been worried too, not knowing if Morgana had gotten safe or not."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 20, 2010 22:42:42 GMT -5
Arthur was surprised by the embrace . . . but very pleasantly so. While it was almost too painful to allow moments like these to occur, he longed for them desperately. He wrapped his own arms around her, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as the thought of possibly never seeing her again was in his mind, as it had been when he heard of her kidnapping. Hearing other names . . . Lancelot . . . Morgana . . . all he could think about in this moment was her, and just appreciate her being here, safe, alive, with him. He kept his arms around her up moved back so that he could see her face. He took his hand moving a lock of hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear. He wondered if that was going too far, but he did not care right now.
"I feared for you, every second you were gone. Even when Morgana was safe, I would never rest knowing that . . . " He paused for a moment, trying to gather the courage to speak his next words. A prince, who would charge into danger no matter the threat, was afraid to speak words of endearment to the woman he loved. "I may never see you again. And I could never live with that, if something had happened to you."
|
|
Offline
Jan 2, 2022 18:42:54 GMT -5
Tag me @gwen
|
|
Post by Guinevère on Jun 20, 2010 23:07:13 GMT -5
Her heart broke hearing the words, knowing that was all this could be. Words to live on. There would never been more to this. Could never be more to this. They had been over before they had begun, yet she felt such pleasure when she looked at her, or they shared a laugh or he told her something she knew he would not tell others. Uther had taken her father from her, and in a way he was taking Arthur too. She knew she should hate him but she also knew that would lessen who she was. Arthur loved his father, and it was hard to truly hate him when she had glimpses of him though Arthur's eyes.
"Thank you for being honest with me, and letting me know the truth. I know this can go no where, but at lest I am not alone in this." She admitted to him, before pulling just slightly away, still remaining close. "I admit to be worried about the welcoming when we return. What will your father do to you for this? I know how he is, and he will be in a furry over you doing this over a mere servant."
|
|
Royal
"For the love of Camelot!"
Personal Text
Complicated
Relationship Status
Knight | Prince | King
Occupation
|
euphoria
Offline
Mar 27, 2023 19:09:32 GMT -5
Tag me @arthur
|
|
Post by Arthur Pendragon on Jun 20, 2010 23:23:03 GMT -5
She should not have to thank her for his honesty. He should be apologizing for it. "You are never alone in anything Guinevère. Please remember that." He would always be there for her . . . even if it was strictly on a friend basis, though he would never regard her as just a friend. She was, and would forever remain, as someone more than that . . . as someone he loved. He respected her need for some space and so did not pursue her when she pulled away. He thought about her question. Still, worried about his father's actions.
"You should not concern yourself with that. You are . . . not a mere servant. He may be upset, but his temporary anger is a small price to pay. I will never regret my decision, even if my father may never understand it." He was not sure what he meant by that. Would he one day tell his father about her? Would he have to wait until he died? That would not be a good situation . . . surely such a morbid event was not the only way for them to have a future. "Do not worry about his reaction, for I certainly have not concerned myself with it."
|
|