Strategic and Beautiful

[Arthur Pendragon]

This entire thing had been awkward from the very beginning. Ever since his father had implied marriage, and tried to very obscurely explain it. Yes, he could understand it was awkward for the King to discuss such a thing without them really having had a detailed conversation about it in the past. But the past few days had been ten times more awkward for the Prince. Which was why, when he made his small speech, bidding farewell with Elena in front of the entire hall . . . Arthur felt liberated. He felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It was exhilarating, and Arthur had no idea he was capable of rejecting such a massive decision that his father had made for him. He was aware of the fact that he had disobeyed the king several times in the past, but this was different. This was something huge; something he knew his father was going to be furious about.

Which was precisely why Arthur did not waste any time. After he told Elena -- upon her agreement -- that they could not get married, of course more eloquently phrased, Arthur quickly left the grand hall. He knew that his father was on his tail though. He could hear his angry footsteps following him, but instead of slowing down, Arthur only hurried his pace. His father was going to lecture him, without a doubt he would have several things to say. But Arthur would be able to handle it. What he had done . . . made him feel as if he could do anything. And it gave him the strength to fight for the woman that he actually did love.

When he got to his bedroom, he entered, closing the door behind him. He was holding his crown in his hand, and took off his red cape, causally draping it over the chair. It was only a few seconds before he heard his father throw open the door and barge in. Arthur did not stop to turn and look at him. Instead, he just began to walk further into his chambers.

_{Setting: Arthur's chambers
Time of Day: Morning
Timeline: In The Changeling when Arthur walks away from his wedding
Tag: King Uther Pendragon}

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther was indeed trailing behind him, a number of thoughts racing through his mind at once. He had expected Arthur to fight him on marrying Elena. He knew that the prince wouldn't easily submit to marrying her. But it was not like this was uncommon. Nobles were usually betrothed as young children, and they went along with what was decided even if they didn't like it. This had been a much-anticipated chance for Camelot to form a powerful alliance that would benefit both kingdoms. And Arthur had just ruined it.

"Arthur! What are you thinking? How dare you disobey me in this way! You have ruined an alliance that would have benefited this kingdom greatly! I don't think you know what you've done. I understand the desire for love, but a man in a position such as yours must put the good of the kingdom first. Must do what is best, regardless of personal feelings.!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had not expected his father to have been very accepting of his decision. After all, he had blatantly, and publicly disobeyed him . . . which was something he tried avoiding doing in the past. But this time, he did not regret it. He was thankful that he had done this. It was necessary, despite what opposing opinion his father had. And he was not going to let his father discourage him from having done something he knew was right. As Uther was lecturing him, Arthur unfastened his sword from his belt and threw it on the bed before turning to his father, giving him the proper respect. He was not afraid to face him in this moment, even if the king's high enraged emotions. And why? Because he had confidence; because he felt that he could easily defend his actions. Because he knew he did the right thing.

"I did the right thing father," Arthur said in a confidence voice, vocalizing his justification. "I did not love her, and she did not love me. It would have been a completely unsuccessful union." He paused, knowing that Elena had agreed with his decision and that was why Arthur did not feel guilty over making it . . . well, one of the reasons. "I always put the good of the kingdom first. What kind of kingdom would it be under the leadership of a king and queen, who are both extremely unhappy." Elena deserved to find true love . . . just as he had. "When I am king, I will be a much better king for the support and strength . . . of a woman I love." That woman would not be revealed right now, and so Arthur just said these words with strength and sureness, not about to allow his views to be swayed.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther did listen, his thoughts still going a number of directions. He was not without a heart. He was not unable to understand the need for love and the desires of a young heart. He had once been like Arthur, had once wanted badly to be with the woman he loved. He was fortunate, though, that Ygraine was both his only love and an acceptable choice to be his queen. He naturally wanted happiness and love for Arthur, but he knew that sometimes, it could not happen. Sometimes, the good of the kingdom had to come first.

" I do understand your feelings. I was fortunate to love a woman who was also an excellent choice to become queen. And I do hope that you can be happy when you are king. But, both of you will be sorry if this action brings harm to both kingdoms. I can only hope that does not happen. But it is not only the potential alliance being damaged that angers me. It is your daring to publicly defy your king and father, in front of the entire court, as well as Godwin and his delegation.! It would have been bad enough if you had done this privately, but you chose to make it public. I am very disappointed and highly embarrased."

[Arthur Pendragon]

The way his father spoke of alliances and bringing harm to the kingdom . . . well, it worried Arthur. It concerned him that he would never even begin to consider accepting Guinevère as a future Queen. Yes, he could fight for her, but he did not want his father to take drastic actions against her . . . as he had once done so in Lady Sophia's case. "That is all I want too father, to be happy. To choose a Queen who loves me, and who does not feel obligated to be with me." Arthur felt he had experience enough to know that a union based on this sort of obligation, would not work. There would be no love, no affection, no passion. These were all things he craved; and all things that he had when he was with Guinevère.

On the matter of publicly humiliating his father . . . that was something Arthur did genuinely feel guilty for. He had not meant to cause the king such embarrassment, and he hated to hear him say how disappointed he was in him. For Arthur, he always tried to seek the approval of his father, so to hear things such as this, where he had done the exact opposite, did greatly effect the Prince. But he could not show this; it was weakness, to a certain extent. And he did not want to seem like he regretted his decision, despite the consequences of what his actions had caused. "For that, I do apologize. I meant no offense to you, or Lord Godwyn. I have nothing but the utmost respect for both of you, as is the case with Princess Elena." He paused, wanting his father to understand that before he continued on.

"I tried to object to it privately father, but you were intent on the notion of this marriage happening. Had you or Lord Godwyn taken a moment to ask Princess Elena even, if this was what she wanted, you would have found her opinions to be the same as mine." Arthur was just trying to show his father his justifications for what forced this to become so public, and only hoped it did not make him more angry. "I wish I did not have to break the marriage on the day of the actual wedding, during the very ceremony itself . . . but I felt I had no other choice. I could not bring myself to do it." He would never do that again; he would never be that close to marrying someone he did not love.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther knew it was a troubling thing for a young man to accept. It was normal for royalty and nobles to be betrothed, and Arthur should have been by all rights when he was still a lad. He knew that the whole thing wasn't ideal. He wasn't likely the only noble or the only king with illegitimate children in existance, even though that had been before he ever married Ygraine. He just wished Arthur wasn't so rebellious sometimes. Still, he wasn't going as far as he could have. He would have been within his right to disinherit Arthur again, but he couldn't stand a repeat of what had happened while he'd been enchanted.

"It is true that being king, or even future king,brings with it a great deal of responsibility. It is so easy for a leader's actions to help or harm the country he rules. As I said, I want more than anything for you to be happy. But I want what is good for the kingdom as well, and ensuring that good is not always an easy or a happy thing."

"The only thing that brings me happiness is that despite how angry and humiliated Lord Godwin could have gotten, he still chose to praise you, and that aspect of the situation did appear to work out favorably, if not ideally, and I do accept your words of respect. I only hope that his confidence, like the faith I have in you, is well-placed. I can only hope that Camelot's future will not be compromised by this...it would distress me greatly to know you were at fault. I hope that your decision will reveal itself to be a wise one."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur knew that sacrfices would have to be made when he was king. He knew that he would have to make difficult decisions that could impact or even cost the lives of others. Those were decisions, he was not prepared to make for he had trouble allowing a servant to die for him . . . something he had dramatically proved to his father when Merlin was poisoned by the goblet. It was one of the many reasons that he feared his father would not regard him ready to be king, and Arthur truly wondered if he would ever truly be ready. Probably not. But his decision today, gave him a strange sense of strength and empowerment.

"I understand as much as I can the sacrifices that will have to be made when I am in your position father." Meaning position of king of course. Perhaps he would never be able to fully comprehend it until he was literally in that spot, but for now, he had to rely on his ability to imagine. "My happiness in this regard, and the good of the kingdom, are dependent on one another." Arthur was not trying to be selfish, he was merely trying to explain that his acts weren't entirely made for the benefit of his own personal happiness. "I know for a fact, that marrying a woman I love, will make me a stronger king. It will make me a better one." He could not stress this fact enough.

Lord Godwin praised him? Well that was reassuring. While he did not display any emotions of anger or rage, it was still very flattering to hear he praised Arthur. It meant a great deal to the Prince, as he had been truly afraid of disgracing him and his daughter, even if it was something Elena wanted to. "If you trust me father, trust my judgment in this. I would not make such a big decision, and be so opposed to you, if I did not think it would truly negatively impact this kingdom." And yet, why could he not bring up Guinevère's name, even in this moment? "I must say though that I'm relieved Lord Godwyn felt this way too. I will give him a formal apology for any disgrace I brought upon him, but I know, that in the long run, he and hopefully you, will see just how beneficial this outcome is." It was good to see his father a bit calmer, and it led Arthur to believe that he was truly accepting of his decision, and not about to punish him for it. . . well, that was the way it seemed so far.