Death Sentence (Uther and Gwen)

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther had not been expecting events to take the turn they had. He had not been terribly surprised to find Arthur dallying with a servant girl, most royals did it at one point or another. They were human and young men and given to normal male urges. Uther himself had done it in the past. Some would call him a ladies' man, and he'd had his share of indulgences, but he'd fortunately come to his senses quickly enough to stay out of trouble. Temptation still existed today-after all, he was king, and could do almost anything he wanted, but he refused to take needless risks that could shame him and the kingdom.

However, it was indisputable that this was more than a case of a prince's youth and virility, and the item found in Arthur's bed was the proof. It furthered Uther's belief that no one could be completely trusted, least of all those close to the royal family themselves. Morgana had thought this girl a loyal servant over the years, but it seemed that since her father's death,she had simply been waiting and biding her time for a chance to get her revenge on Uther through his son. Uther could not tolerate this and it would have to be severely punished.

He looked down at the girl who stood before him, hands tied, and began to speak.

"It makes a lot more sense now. Arthur is a sensible young man. He has made mistakes in the past, it is true, but he seems to have learned a lesson from those instances. He knows that his first duty is to Camelot, and that he cannot endanger the kingdom over a servant girl. I did not totally understand why he was doing these things, but an enchantment makes a great deal of sense. What was this, an attempt to take revenge for the death of your father?

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was in her home packing her belonging and trying to sort out the conversation with Arthur that she'd just had. He seemed to believe that he could just run away with her and they both could return when 'things calmed down'. She feared it was not that simple.

And things proved to be true, just not in ways she could have guessed.

The knights have brusted into her home, and taken her. It was like the first time all over again, but worse. She had been bound and dragged though the city. Then as they took her before the king she was once again tossed down at his feet. This time she was not feet away from him but close enough that she feared he could kick her.

She was very afraid, so very afraid for her life. However, she so tired of living in fear and he was insulting her father's memory. "My father was a good man! An innocent one! You had him executed!" She reminded him, knowing that while he might not have killed her father himself, he had given the order to have him killed upon sight. As for Arthur's feelings for her; "I did not enchant him!"

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[kinguthersqueen]

"He was consorting with a sorcerer. He knew the laws of Camelot, and he chose to break them. And then, he attempted to escape. That was proof enough of his guilt. He left me no option but to take his life." said Uther. He had the small sack in his hand, studying it and the symbols on it.

"When I first stumbled upon you and Arthur, I was convinced that it was simply the foolish dalliance of a young man, acting as most youths do at one point or another. I am quite familiar with such things. But then, I find this in the prince's bed. Do you recognize it?" He held up the item for her to see, his eyes fixed on her. "I was left with no choice but to believe Arthur had been enchanted. And you are the most likely culprit, given what I stumbled on earlier."

[Guinevère]

Gwen looked at the bag that was supposed to be the evidence damning her. She'd never seen it before in her life but her and the king had done this before! She knew begging and swearing would do no good! She had known this would happen one day; and she had warned Arthur and Merlin!

"I have never seen that before in my life!" She told him knowing by now it would made no difference, He was claiming Arthur only loved her because she tricked him! It was a lie! She knew Arthur loved her! "I don't expect someone like you to understand love!" She shot at him, fear in her voice but it was strong. This was the day she had known would come. She'd been braced for it for over two years now! Waiting for the wrong person to find out about her feelings; waiting for the wrath of the king to turn down on her!

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[kinguthersqueen]

Uther had expected her to deny everything. It was quite typical; a desperate attempt to avoid punishment. But Uther couldn't stop thinking of Arthur's actions, his rashness, his seeming inability to listen to reason. An enchantment was the only thing that made sense to the king. He knew he could easily get answers if he really wanted to, but he was hoping to avoid having to phsyically induce a confession. She was already frightened, and he didn't think it would take much to get a confession.

"I believe the evidence is quite visible even without the poultice. It is the only rational explanation for Arthur's actions in all of this. He is doing things that he would never consider doing were his mind not being controlled by magic of some kind."

She made a comment about him not knowing about love, and Uther felt a surge of rage. He drew his hand back and brought it down hard accross her face, eyes blazing with anger. He knew full well what it was like to love someone and then see that person ripped away from him, slowly dying while he could do nothing. Ygraine was everything to him, and this girl had the audacity to mock his love.

"You DARE speak to me in such a way??? I'll have you know Ygraine was everything to me! I think it is you who knows nothing, who decieves and enchants the prince because she knows she is only a lowly servant who will never have him. You are not content to seek among your own class; instead you attempt to force to yourself what you have no hope of getting any other way. And for that, you will pay! You have been found guilty of using sorcery, and in accordence with the laws of Camelot, you shall be sentenced to death by burning at the stake!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had been packing his things. He was determined to leave with Guinevère and the sooner they left, the sooner this would all come to an end. He had no intention of changing his mind but he certainly could not have predicted what was about to happen. Merlin had bolted in here, telling him that Guinevère was being dragged by some guards. This immediately worried Arthur -- more than he had already been -- and he wasted no time. He ran out of his chambers and to the throne room where he knew that was where she would be taken . . . to see the king. What now?

He barged inside, quickly surveying the room. Why was she at the king's feet? Why were her hands bound? Why had his father arrested her?! What the hell was happening here?! Seeing how she had already been banished what worse could happen now? He just wanted her to be released . . . if she had to be banished, then let her leave now! So that Arthur could just go with her and neither of them had to live in fear any more. But considering what he saw right now, that didn't seem like it was going to be happening any time soon. "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded in a stern voice, not caring that he was addressing the king. He was too worried, too scared, too angry to watch his tone when speaking to his father.

[kinguthersqueen]

Arthur came running in just as Uther finished speaking the words of the sentence. He looked up, signaling to his guards to restrain the prince and ensure that he didn't try anything he'd regret. They came forward, blocking and holding Arthur so that he couldn't reach the king without being killed by the two of them. Uther had anticipated this. THe boy was enchanted, and he wasn't thinking clearly. The spell would only be broken when the girl was consumed by the flames at dawn.

"You would do well to remember who it is you are speaking to. You may be the crown prince, but I can still have you punished for such disrespect. I am still your king, and you will show me the proper respect!" Uther growled, annoyed at his son's irreverence.

"The girl is a witch. I was right long ago, when I sentenced her to death previously. She may not have been guilty then, but she is now. This was found in your chambers by my men."Uther held up the poultice."It is marked with symbols of the Old Religion, and it is obvious that she is responsible. She has enchanted you, Arthur. And there can be only one punishment for sorcery. She shall die in the flames at dawn. And until the enchantment is broken, you will be confined to your chambers under guard. I will not have you doing anything rash while you cannot think clearly."

[Guinevère]

Gwen's cheek felt like it expolded for a short few seconds before the numbness set in. Her fear made the pain lessen almost emitately but she knew it would be sore for days! He'd hit her! That was when the fear truly set in. The king had ordered so many people dead but never had she seen nor heard of hit hitting one. He was angry and shre knew she did not stand a chance.

When the sounds of the doors being forced opened filled the room, Guinevère felt the bottom of her belly drop out. She did not want Arthur to see her like this, but even less did she want to die. While she knew he'd protect her, she also felt a fear that he would not be able to do anything, and his would become how he'd remember her.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

No. No no no! This couldn't be happening. What the hell was that?! Who would sneak that in his chambers?! Both Arthur and Guinevère knew that no enchantment had caused this! Who on earth would want Guinevère dead? Wanting the Prince or dead was one thing, but who would plant such evidence to incriminate a servant? "No," Arthur said, beginning to charge towards his father before two guards grabbed him, one grabbing each arm. "You can't do this!" He exclaimed, filled with rage at the thought of losing Guinevère. He didn't care if he was king! He couldn't sentence her to death! He wouldn't let her die!

Suddenly, the rage became more desperate. Arthur -- though not hit by his father -- felt numb. He felt his heart beat as fast as it ever had. Anger would not be the way to get to his father. He had to explain to him just how much she meant to him, and what lengths he was willing to go through to protect her. "Please, we'll leave Camelot . . . we'll go far from here, we'll never return," he said in the most desperate voice he had ever spoken in before. Arthur Pendragon had never begged for anything in his entire life . . . until now. "I relinquish my entitlement to the throne!"

He had to throw that in; he had to. He did not regret a word of it, or needed to give it a second thought. Before, the choice had been difficult: the woman he loved, or the kingdom he loved. Even when he decided to leave with her, the thought of returning had been in his mind. But right now, he would gladly drop all his rights to the throne, if only to be with her. "Just . . . please, please don't do this!" He was begging, pleading, urging his father to see reason, even when he never saw any in magic. Guinevère was not guilty of any sort of enchantment! This entire thing was ridiculous, but Arthur could not stay calm. He could not lose Guinevère. He would not.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther was hardly surprised at Arthur's reactions. He was enchanted, he could not be expected to think clearly. And the things he was saying were only adding to Uther's belief. He felt sorry for Arthur as he started yelling that he would leave Camelot and even give up his claim to the throne. Uther, of course, was not going to hear of that. He wasn't going to be able to get Arthur to see reason, though, until after the girl was dead,and he knew it. It frustrated him, but there was little he could do.

"I cannot expect you to understand what she is doing in your current situation. You cannot think clearly until the enchantment is broken. I am only sorry that this was allowed to occur; it pains me greatly to see you in such a state." He reached out, touching a hand to one of Arthur's cheeks for a moment, looking into his son's distraught eyes. He felt his anger grow hotter at how this girl was making him act."Tomorrow, she will be dead and the enchantment will be broken. I know that you cannot see it now, but everything will be fine. I will save you from this filthy sorceress's enchantment; I will make you better. You'll see that I am right when it's all over."

[Guinevère]

"I relinquish my entitlement to the throne!"'
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It took Guinevère's mind a few seconds to start working after Arthur's desperate plea for her life for the shock as to great. She knew he had planned to leave with her but she also knew he had planned to return one day. Either after his father's ire had cooled or after his father's death. This however was something different all together.

This was so much worse. He could not give up on his people all together! While her heart exploded with a broke sort of joy she knew that she could not let him. She knew Uther would not let him. This would only confirm things to the king's mind but Guinevère would take those words to her grave. He would choose her over everything. He loved her, over everything!

Guinevère sat there on the floor, not looking at anyone while she tried to absorb his words. While she tired to actually think about what they meant. She wanted to tell him she loved him, and she wanted to tell him so much more then that but she knew. . . . she knew this would be the last they saw of each other. It was when she started to break.

Uther had not broken her; she had stayed strong. But Arthur's pleas for her; his kindness would.

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[Arthur Pendragon]

He wasn't bloody enchanted! His father was going to execute an innocent woman! He was going to kill Guinevère! Arthur could not just let this happen! When his father reached out to touch his cheek, all the Prince wanted to do was pull away from any sort of contact with a man that -- at his moment -- he felt nothing but pure anger towards. Things would NOT be better after she was dead! They would be worse! Far more worse! And then his father would see that he condemned an innocent woman to her death. She had done nothing wrong! And Arthur could not wait for that time to occur so that his father would see he was wrong. He was not just going to let Guinevère die to prove he was not enchanted.

Arthur looked at his father with cold, wide eyes. He had never been so infuriated or afraid in all of his life. "I will never forgive you for this." It was a promise, a solemn vow. He would never be able to move past what his father was doing, and the thought of leaving Camelot entered his mind. Arthur had spent his entire life trying to make his father proud, and at this moment in time, he cared nothing for him.