The King Has Returned . . . [Arwen]

[Guinevère]

It had been five years, four months, two days and six hour since the news of the battle that had taken the beloved king's life returned to the city. There had been a long morning period, and an even longer for the family he'd left behind. The battle had been one against Odin, who had after many years joined with the lady witch Morgana, to attack the kingdom.

While Camelot it's self held it's victory, the king did not live to see it. The new king, a boy of now six, was named heir, and crowned 'Crowned Prince' the following day. The kingdom to be held by his mother until the day he reached his majority, and he could rule as king from that day forward. Less be known to the people at the time, the fallen king had left behind, there was another child growing int he queen. A daughter, born just short of nine months after her father's death.

While none know how the king had fallen that day, they did know that the fire the witch had set with her magic had prevented both sides from claiming any of their dead. The king included. Morgana had still yet to find her throne, and that one fact rested on the handful of men the king left behind. Sir Leon, Sir Gwaine, Sir Elyan, Sir Percival, Sir Tristan, and Merlin. They were the council to the queen, and the young prince. Merlin more so then most thanks to a secret that he'd hide from the world until the right moment for him to show the witch that Camelot was protected . . . . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur emerged from the water, and that would be the first memory he held since five years ago. Though he was not aware of any time that had passed. All he was aware of was that he had surfaced from the water, able to breathe again . . . not even sure that he had stopped. He made his way to the shore, trying to catch his breath. His head spun but with confusion and uncertainty of so many things. He looked around, trying to orientate himself? He recognized the land instantly though, for it was his land. It was Camelot. His memory was in tact it seemed, for even arising from . . . wherever he had come from, he recalled the land. He knew who he was. He . . . knew he had a family. A family. One that he needed to get back to as soon as possible. His wife. His son. And his unc-- . . . Agravaine. The traitor. A man who had betrayed him; one who had been working alongside an enemy that even betrayed him more. Morgana. Instead of leaving bitter anger, he felt that bitter hurt toward them.

Why had they done it. He would never understand their motives. But now was not the time to think back on it. Now was the time to return to his home, and make sure Agravaine had not returned to Camelot, under the same charade he had been played for over a year. He needed to make sure that his family was safe. That the kingdom was safe. So he began to walk. Almost instantly, he felt such an ache in his body, that he didn't know how he was going to manage to walk back on foot the entire way. It felt like he had been resting for years, and the movement was causing his bones and joints to ache and remain sore. Never the less, Arthur hoped that with more walking, they would eventually stretch. So he pressed forward. He walked all day long, and did not arrive back in the city until nightfall. The streets were vacant, as was to be expected. It did not seem that anything was out of the ordinary. The castle still looked as it it was in tact . . . but Arthur could not be too certain. What if Morgana or Agravaine were inside? He would be walking straight into a trap. He couldn't take the risk. Not until he was absolutely certain.

One benefit that he had was that he knew the castle better than anyone else. That he could get inside undetected. He moved along the wall, hiding in the shadow of the towers, staying completely still when he heard the movement of guards. He kept walking until he reached one of the windows. One that he had been trying to get into: the window of his chambers. The window of his and his wife's chambers. Arthur suppressed a groan, his body hurting so much that he did not feel like climbing up all the way. But he had to. What other choice did he have? It was better to be safe than sorry, and if in fact Morgana and Agravaine were in the castle, they would not have taken his chambers. If they were not there, then he could at least see Guinevère. Make sure she and his son were alright. All he remembered was a battle; he did not remember who the victor was. So taking a deep breath, he climbed. And climbed. And climbed some more! Until finally, he reached the window. He paused for a moment, having to catch his breath from the intense workout.

But not wanting to be caught hanging on the castle walls. That wouldn't look suspicious at all . . . He slowly pushed the window, breathing a sigh of relief that it was not locked. Quietly, he stepped inside, closing it behind him. He looked at the bed and saw her. He felt that in this one moment, everything would be alright. Because, she was alright. He found himself smiling as he neared the bed, watching his wife, his love just laying there in a peaceful slumber. He would feel bad waking her up but needed to be sure that everything was in order. He moved over on the bed -- his side of the bed that was vacant -- and lay there, but sat upright, his feet out in front of him but somewhat leaning over her. He put his hand on her shoulder, gently kissing her cheek before whispering in her ear. Low enough to waken her peacefully, loud enough so that it could be heard. "Guinevère," he said his hand just slowly moving up and down her shoulder in a gentle caress.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère knew that voice, and she smiled in her sleep. Wearing nothing but one of his shirts, as she always did to bed, this dream was starting to feel real. Turning so she could roll to her back, toward the voice. Arthur! She let out a sleeping, soft moan, about to turn and curl up into her husband chest . . . .

Only her husband was dead. Letting out a gasp she pushed on him, rolling until she was off the bed and standing. Her hair was shorter, and there was no need to braid it any longer at night. It fell around her shoulders, just touching her shoulder blades. Guinevère looked down at the bed for a moment before her voice rang out, "GUARDS!"

She turned and ran toward the wall, and grabbed her husband's sword, the one with the gold on it, that he had pulled from the stone himself. "Stand back!" She demand, as the sounds of footsteps filled the hall and then pushing on the . . . locked door. That was something she was regretting doing. Guinevère, her frame smaller then before as she had lost weight, but no longer in a completely unhealthy way; started side stepping toward the door. "Do. Not. Move."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Well, that was not the reaction he had been anticipating. It started off being promising, as she had turned to nestle herself into him . . . only to leap out of bed frantically. Arthur did the same, though it had taken him a moment out of shock at her reaction. He just lay on the bed for a few seconds before quickly going to his feet and trying to approach her, hearing her call for the guards. Guards?! Why?! Did he not look like himself? He didn't have time to look for a mirror to check. So he just glanced at the window, seeing enough of his reflection to know that he looked like himself. Then what was it. He turned back to look at his wife, taking a step towards her. Before she pulled his sword. Why was his sword mounted on the wall like that?! He knew the power of it though and even in the hands of the most inexperienced person . . . it could be lethal. He was not going to take any chances. He stopped moving closer to her and just held his hands out in front of him, having no idea what was going on.

"Guinevère," he said in a calm voice. "It's me. Arthur. Your husband." As if she had forgotten. Though it seemed she had! What if . . . Morgana had gotten to her? Somehow wiped her memory? What if the castle was plagued with dark magic? That would explain her reaction now, because he had no other explanation. He had never seen her look at him the way she was now. There was something definitely wrong! As if she would actually swing at him if he came closer. "It's alright!" He called to the guards on the other side of the door when he heard them trying to get in. He didn't want them to see her like this. He didn't want them them to see her so . . . out of character. "Just, put the sword down Guinevère. Tell me what's wrong," he said, as he very slowly and very cautiously took a single step towards her. And then another. Then a third.

[Guinevère]

"Guinevère," She hated the sounds of her name from the imposter's lips. It sounded just like Arthur. LOOKED just like Arthur. "It's me. Arthur. Your husband." But it wasn't. Arthur was dead. Everyone had seen the body before Morgana had burned it in glee. If this was her newest attempt to weaken the kingdom then Guinevère would make sure that it failed.

"It's alright!" He called tot he guards, and there was a paused before you could hear one yell down the hall that 'someone was inside with the queen' and the banging on the second entrance to began. She was still taking slow steps toward the closer door, and when he stepped forward she stepped back. Again and again. "Just, put the sword down Guinevère. Tell me what's wrong,"

"Silence!" She told him, not about to do anything this creature said. "If you take another step forward, I will have you shot the moment the door is opened!" How DARE they do this to her! Morgana of all people! She'd been her FRIEND! Now she was sending this Arthur-like man into her home and for WHAT? In hopes of gaining the crown?! How DARE she! Guinevère felt her emotions swelling--something that had not happened for years--and spoke again while trying to force them down. "I don't know who sent you, but we are going to find out. You will not escape this!" With that she turned and lunged for the door, not caring about her state of undress!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had meant for his words to ease the guards mind . . . yet they seemed to take it as more cause to enter the room! What the hell was going on here?! He was the king! Yet his own wife didn't recognize him, and was threatening him! Ordering to stay silent! He'd never quite heard her speak in that manner before . . . which only worried him more that she was speaking like that, to him. She was threatening to have him killed?! Something definitely wasn't right. Something was completely off. He wished he knew what! Who sent him? Each time she said something, his mind raced with more questions. He wanted to ask but was afraid she would run him through. Because, she really looked like she meant business. "Guinevère, wait!" He exclaimed, instinctively taking a step forward. Was she really going to open the door dressed like that? Was she really so desperate to get away from him?!

Either way, he was too late. The door was opened and the men on the other side entered. They froze when they saw him. It was as if they just saw a ghost! "What is the meaning of this?! I demand to know what is going on." Arthur's voice held strong authority to it. But his words meant nothing it seemed. For each man drew their sword and slowly stepped toward him, as if they were afraid of him. "I order you to lower your weapons!" But it did not make a difference. They just came nearer and Arthur reflexively took a step back with each step they took forward. His eyes went to Guinevère, as if pleading her to do something, to explain to him what was going on. Why was she doing this? Why were his men against him? Why was his own wife against him? What magic was this?!

[Guinevère]

She watched 'him' back up and the guards close in. Apart of her knew that Arthur could have handled such odd easily. That it's had been child's play to him. "I want him in chains if possible, dead if not. Just get him OUT of my bed chambers!" She ordered, her voice cold, loud and emotionless. Good. She didn't want anyone to know what looking at this form cost her. She wanted him out of her sight for a few moments.

"When it's in the cells below find whoever was in charge of the outer wall tonight and bring him to the council room." Letting someone get close to her was one thing but her children were just doors away! If someone had gotten close to them . . .

Panic filled her! She wanted to run and check on them but knew that until she made sure this . . . man . . . was in chains and somewhere he could not harm her babies. "Don't take him to the cells, take him to the throne room. Get Agravaine out of his bed. I want him there." With that she turned, sword in hand and walked toward her dress screen, watching over her shoulder to make sure that they did manage to take the man in chains.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Chains? DEAD?! No! This was not his Guinevère. She would never speak like this! She was the compassionate one. Never, had he heard her speak with such detachment. Especially to him. And it only reaffirmed his suspicions that magic was somehow involved in this. He knew Guinevère better than anyone. And he knew, that this was not like her. To be acting like this; speaking these words; talking in this tone. It was not his Guinevère. He kept looking at her, not planning to fight the guards. If she was willing to have him dead he knew that there was no point in fighting. That he would have some sort of trial, and meet with her later. Surely, he could endure a few hours in the cell. So he was going to submit. Or well, he was planning to . . . up until he heard a name that made his blood run cold. Agravaine. He was still here?! Surely he was behind this! The man that Arthur had trusted so much, and in the end, he had been the reason for his downfall. To think, that he was still around his family; his wife, his son! No. Arthur could not submit. He had to protect them, everyone from the traitor!

"Guinevère, listen to me!" He cried desperately as she walked away, but one of the guards advanced towards him. Arthur had no weapon on him, and just searched around his room. He grabbed a stool and used it as a shield, blocking the man's swings. He angled it so that the sword got trapped in between the legs of the stool and flew out of the guard's hands. Arthur chuckled the stool at him, and ran for the sword, picking it up just in time to block a swing at him from another one of the guards. Arthur obviously did not want to kill them, so he made sure to attack without intent to kill. "Guinevère, please! Just give me five minutes to explain!" But the guards did not seem willing to let him. They were taking her orders seriously, and he feared that she would not listen to him. No one would. Not even about Agravaine being the traitor. Arthur had to figure out what was going on for himself! He controlled the direction of the fight, letting it move slowly towards the door.

Another guard join in the battle and Arthur's sword went from left to right, left to right, blocking each swing effortlessly, until he finally needed to bring it to an end. After one block, he jutted his elbow out and slammed it into one guard's nose. The impact causing his eyes to water, compromising his vision, as he staggered to the side. Arthur then only had one more to deal with and he did so quickly, blocking a blow and then grabbing the man wrist to pull him towards him, before fisting his hand and striking him across the face. His punch was enough to knock him unconscious. Arthur wanted to stay here with Guinevère, to explain to her, but she would not listen, and he could not afford to have more guards come. So he kept hold of his sword, casting her one last pleading look as he ran out of the room and down the hall. He needed to check on his son, but that would be the next place they looked for him. So he had to make sure they were on the wrong trail, before he went to see Amaren. To make sure he too was safe.

[Guinevère]

'Arthur' had dispatched the men like it was child's play. The way HER Arthur would have. Guinevère also did not miss that he'd not killed the men but disarmed and beaten them, before looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she moved to lift her husband's sword before 'he' ran out of the room. . . .

It took her a few moments before she ran to the door, and watched him disappear the wrong way down the hall. Good, not toward her son and daughter. Just as he disappeared from sight, the knights came from the other end. "After him!" She yelled then looked at Kolby, who came to a pause near her. "I want ten men in each of my children's rooms." She told him softly before turning to her room. Pausing she looked behind her at the guards. "Put them in the same room, and put all twenty of them there." She changed her mind and only made it a few more steps before turning and looking at him again. "Get them out of their rooms. Whomever this is, this it's Arthur and I will not let him get close to the children."

"Tell them it's game, don't alarm them. Just get them safe."

Half an hour later she was changed into her dress for the day, and her crown on her head. She was marching down tot he throne room. Their were two guards on each side following her. Agravaine should be there by now, and she wanted a word with him before she did anything else. Not to seek out his advice, for his days as an adviser had long ended, but because this was his family that someone was imposter-ing as well. "-even the lower towns. If he's not in the castle and knows his plan wont work he might seek help out there to get out of the city. I wanted him found!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur knew the castle well, which was why he had managed to evade the guards for this long. He knew which corner to turn, which hallway to hide in . . . everything. He had made a full circle around the castle, using the most indirect route to see his son. By the time he had gotten to the same hall way, he was hiding at the end off it, behind the corner and peeked his head down the hall before quickly recoiling. It was empty. Completely empty. His son would not be in there. Or it was a trap. As different as this Guinevère was, he knew she would do anything to protect their child. So Amaren was not there. Arthur felt a strong disappointment, and an increasing desperate worry to find his son. First of all, he needed to try and get through to Guinevère. And his primary worry at the moment, was the fact that she had asked to see Agravaine. The traitor! He turned to take the servants hallways -- something she had familiarized him with -- and made his way down the stairs. Should would be in one of a few rooms. The throne room or the council chambers.

Hearing footsteps, he quickly hid in turn of the hall, and glanced down the hall way; seeing her walking with two escorts. They were going to the throne room. He just watched her for a moment as she stood outside the doors. He could be patient, as he tried to devise a plan to get to her, and get rid of those guards who walked next to her------That was when his plan completely changed. He saw Agravaine there, standing close to her. Talking to her. He felt his blood boil and the irrational protective rage over seeing someone so dangerous close to his wife, took him over. Without thinking twice he held up his sword and began to walk down the hallway, revealing himself after half an hour of creeping around. "Get the hell away from her!" He yelled. Agravaine's expression looked shocked and worried, but Arthur trusted nothing from him. The two guards pulled out their swords and advanced toward him. Arthur's eyes remained entirely focused on the man that he would never call his uncle again. But he fought off the two guards, with practically no effort at all.

Still making sure not to shed blood. He used the hilt of his sword to knock one out, and threw the other against the wall to render the second unconscious. It was slightly more aggressive than before, but he owed his uncle's presence to that. Before he could say or do anything else, three men came at him from behind, and Arthur's attention had been so fixated on his uncle, that he didn't even notice. Not until each man grabbed one of his arms, holding him back and forcing his only weapon to fall to the ground. "I swear if you lay a hand on her Agravaine!" He warned threateningly, as he tried to struggle free from the guard's hold. But it was no use. Especially when the third came to stand in front of him and push him back, now getting dragged back, away from his wife. "Do not trust him Guinevère! Get yourself and our son away from him!" Because, he was working with Morgana. Because, he had tried to ruin them one too many times. And he was not going to let that happen ever again.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère had not yet entered the throne room when her husband's uncle came up to her. 'They said there was an intruder?' He asked, clearly wondering why she felt the need to summon him. "Yes, it seems that someone wants us to think Arthur is back from the dead." She told him, and then she heard the scream . . . '

"Get the hell away from her!" Turning toward the sound, Guinevère made no other move. She stayed by Agravaine's side and watched as 'Arthur' took down her men one by one. That wasn't new. He had evaded the men by knowledge of the castle. That wasn't new. "I swear if you lay a hand on her Agravaine!" This was new. Guinevère looked up at Agravaine, and noticed he looked worried, and surprised. Why worried?

"Do not trust him Guinevère! Get yourself and our son away from him!" . . . Not their son and daughter? Did the imposter not even bother to learn the details before coming here?! "Drag him into the throne room." She ordered, "If he tried to run this time, shoot him." Like they should have done the first time! 'Perhaps I should make sure that the prince is safe.' Agravaine offered, "I have made sure everyone is out of his reach." She told him in a clipped tone, "You will join us."

Walking into the throne room, she walked toward the chair and sat down in it, taking her first good look at this 'Arthur'. They had taken him to the middle of the room and taken a few steps away, cross bows pointed at him. It was the first time her colder exterior slipped, and her face changed for a moment. GOODNESS! He looked just like Arthur! Forcing herself to be strong she spoke, "Who set you? Why are you here?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

She spoke with such cold detachment. Giving them orders to kill him if he ran. Who was this Guinevère? The one who gave such harsh orders . . . against her husband! But Arthur did not object. He only slightly struggled more when he heard Agravaine suggest that he checked on the prince. But thankfully, Guinevère dismissed that idea. Instead, she brought him into the throne room with him. He did not want Agravaine in there with him! He wanted him out of his sight! He should be sent to the dungeons for what he did to them! For having endangered the kingdom all those times! But again, he said nothing. Not until he was in the throne room, before the queen. His queen! His wife! And yet, the way she looked at him made him feel like they were strangers. He actually felt afraid to move. As if she would show no hesitation in giving the order to shoot him.

He felt as if he was walking on needles right now . . . with the way the crossbows were directed at him and with his uncle's untrustworthy eyes narrowed on him. "This is my home," he said in a confident voice, not even sure what was wrong with her! Or anyone really! Why were they acting as if he was some intruder?! "This is our home," he said, his voice slightly softening. He did not want to speak to her like this, with so many others around. He wanted to be alone with her, to explain to her, or try to have her explain to him what was going on. "No one sent me Guinevère. I came to be with you, with my family. Why do you look on me with such cold eyes?" That much he wanted to know. He didn't even care that others were standing there, listening. He was talking to his wife!

[Guinevère]

"This is my home," It wasn't! She wished he's stop saying such with her! "This is our home," Again! "No one sent me Guinevère. I came to be with you, with my family." Guinevère didn't believe him! Arthur was dead! If he wasn't he'd NOT have waited over five years to return to her, then crawl into her bed as if he'd not been gone a day! This . . .'man' . . was a summoning of magic! It had to be! WHY was Merlin out the with knights when she needed him here?

"Why do you look on me with such cold eyes?" That caused her to draw her shoulders back. Being called cold while it was Arthur's face and voice and eyes . . .

She'd had to become cold and distant! She'd broken at the news of his death! She didn't know how to even do anything! It had taken her almost a YEAR to find the detachment needed to keep moving though life! There were only two people in this world she was not withdrawn from, and they were her children. "I don't know who you are, but you will not speak to me thus. Arthur Pendragon is dead. You are not he." She stood up but did not take a step away from her throne. "You can take his face and his voice, but my husband dead over five years ago on the field of battle."

"Did Morgana send you?" She demand, "I have a court sorcerer who can be back here by tomorrow night and force the answers from you. It would be easier on you if you just told me what I wanted to know."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Arthur Pendragon is dead." He was . . . what? "You can take his face and his voice, but my husband dead over five years ago on the field of battle." . . . No. No No NO. What trickery was this?! She said it with such ease and certainty, that it left Arthur feel highly unsettled. Was she enchanted? Was she under some sort of spell? Was all of Camelot under some sort of spell?! His eyes widened at her words, unsure of what to say to them. How could . . . five years?! How could he have been gone for five years? That didn't make any sense! He looked at her, really looked at her . . . and that was when he began to notice. The differences in her face, in her shape. The way her hair differed. She was still his Guinevère, but she looked different than last he remembered. But . . . surely not five years. That meant that his son . . . Amaren . . . No. He couldn't have had missed five years of his son's life! Of his wife's life! The news was practically devastating, and Arthur felt as if he was going to collapse.

Wishing he had something to hold on to because . . . it was too much. Because, deep down -- as much as he didn't want to -- he believed her. But he would not give up. Not until he knew for sure that no one here was enchanted. He could still feel Agravaine's eyes on him, and knew that Guinevère would not believe him if he told her that he was a traitor. Not when she claimed that he was an impostor. Not that when she was questioning if Morgana sent him. It pained him. This whole thing made his head spin. And it got worse. "I have a court sorcerer." He didn't hear the rest. He could not get over that one fact. Magic. Was it permitted? How . . . five years. How much had happened in five years? He would not be able to get any answers, until she believed that he was her husband. That he was her Arthur. Not a man who had willingly abandoned her for so long. Not one who was pretending to be her husband. It was him. Truly him. He took a step towards her, not caring that the crossbows were aimed at him.

His eyes filled with pleading desperation. A look of vulnerability that he would never give anyone else. Though he was not sure if it was enough to make her believe it was him. That was not the reason such an expression was behind his eyes. It was because . . . he could never hide his feelings around her. She was the one person he did not have to keep a strong front in the presence of. "Please Guinevère. Look at me," he said. Not the way she was looking at him now . . . but really look at him. "It's me. Arthur. The man you once called an arrogant bully. The man that told you his wish to become a farmer. The man who loves you above all others. The man you loved and came to call husband." He did not like the fact that Agravaine was standing here, and the others. But he knew that it would not help her trust him if he asked her to dismiss everyone else. Not the way this Guinevère was. What had happened in five years that had changed her so much? It worried him. Devastated him, because . . . he missed five years of his family's life.

[Guinevère]

"Please Guinevère. Look at me," She didn't want too, but in truth she could not take her eyes off the form of her husband. Even if it was a lie, it was a good lie. It looked just like him. Sounded like him. Even looked at her like Arthur looked at her. "It's me. Arthur. The man you once called an arrogant bully." He was an arrogant bully. Years upon years ago. Everyone knew it. It would not have been hard to over hear a teasing comment that they had not tried to hide.

"The man that told you his wish to become a farmer." That gave her pause. For a moment she looked at him. REALLY looked at him, while the cold edges of her expression wavered. "The man who loves you above all others. The man you loved and came to call husband." How did they know the farmer part? Was nothing in her past safe?!

Slowly she sat down, not looking away from him. Agravaine took the moment to step up. 'My lady, I saw him fall my self. This is clearly a ploy to shaken and weaken your rule. Have this creature burnt at the stake, and show whoever sent it that you are not weak.' Yeah Guinevère did not respond, she only looked at this Arthur wondering what else they knew to hurt her with. How far they would go . . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Guinevère said nothing, and that worried Arthur. Did she not believe him? Had it really been so long? Could she not see it was him? Arthur opened his mouth to attempt to further convince her, but Agravaine spoke first. The softness in Arthur's face was gone as he shot a look to the man he'd once called his trusted adviser. "Do not speak!" He demanded angrily. It was no surprise that Agravaine was pushing for his death; to poison Guinevère with his lies, to poison every with his lies! Just as he had done to Arthur for nearly three years. He could not yet claim Agravaine to be the traitor though. No one would believe him. He was more desperate to have Guinevère believe that it was really him, rather than convince her of his uncle's criminal acts. One thing at a time. He turned to look back at Guinevère, seeing the way she was watching him. Did she want to believe him?

He could understand that from her point of view, all this seemed impossible. "What can I do to prove it to you?" He wanted to ask to be alone with her, but knew that with no one trusting it was really him . . . it would only make him look more suspicious in their eyes. "Keeps the guards here," he began. Not that he felt entirely comfortable with crossbows being aimed right at him, but more than anything, he needed his uncle out of here. So that he would not gain any more information from him, from them. "But dismiss my uncle." He hated referring to him as that, but he seldom called him Agravaine to anyone. To start now would make it less convincing it was him. "Then tell me what I can do." How he could prove it to her. He would do anything, if only to have her look at him the way she used to, with that familiarity . . . just once.

[Guinevère]

"Do not speak!"Guinevère's brows rose slightly at his out burst, "A rule you would do well to remember." She countered toward the imposter. Not liking her approval of how they spoke to Agravaine. While she did not like the man, he was Arthur's uncle. She did not see out his council, but allowed him to remain close in memory of her husband. "What can I do to prove it to you?" There was nothing to prove!

"Keeps the guards here," . . . "But dismiss my uncle." Her Arthur loved his Uncle, why would this one claim to hate him? 'My lady, humoring this imposter would do nothing-'"-nothing but tell us why he is here." She finished. "Step outside the door, Agravaine. I will allow you re-entrance in a moment."

'My lady, it's hardly a good idea-' "-to not to as your told!" She finished again. Turning to look at her husband's uncle she stood again, "Step out side, and I will summon you again in a moment." With that he bowed his head, turned and looked at 'Arthur' She wasn't sure what look he had on his face because his back was to her.

As he left, and the door was shut, Guinevère looked over to her left, at the pen servant door where a young man stood. A former kitchen boy, but he was no dresses in the clothing of a noble. After a long silent look he bowed his head and walked after Agravaine.

Guinevère had learned in her first few months that the servants she'd once called friends would be her greatest supporters. There were a few that were now more like her eyes and hears then her servants. Alex's job was keeping an eye on the uncle who took to disappearing too often when things grew tight.

Looking back at the imposter she tried to seal herself off. Keep the longing from her gaze. Oh Arthur, how she wished it was really him. "My husband a very good man. Whatever you are doing to his name right now, is not something he'd earned. He loved his uncle and would never seek to harm him."

"You claim to be him yet there are holes in your words. You are not Arthur Pendragon. I am going to ask you to be honest. I have already summoned his friends. The knights that he called brothers. You will not like the wrath they can bring upon you and I can promise you, that being honest now will spare you a great deal."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur silently walked the conversation between Guinevère and Agravaine. While he was thankful that in the end, Agravaine ended up being dismissed . . . there was something so different about Guinevère. Something that made him worry beyond belief. She was so, detached. There was that softness and warmth missing from her. It had been one of the many things he loved about her. How her presence could brighten any room, and how kindness and compassion practically emanated off of her, drawing in everyone around her. But now . . . she was different. Was it magic that could be blamed? He had no idea. Magic certainly played a hand in some way or another for what happened . . . but on who's behalf, he could not say. He just knew that the woman before him, was not the same as the woman he knew. But nor was she a completely different person. He still loved her, and knew it was still her. He just needed her to think the same of him. When Agravaine left, and another servant was dismissed, Arthur looked to Guinevère, as she spoke of him. Spoke of him in a past tense form. When he was standing right here! How could he convince her that it was him? "You're right. He did love his uncle. Just as he loved Morgana."

Because the two were comparable, and he hoped she understood what he meant by his words. But right now, he was not as desperate to convince her of his uncle's true motives . . . he was more desperate to convince her it was him. "Your husband stands before you Guinevère," he urged. Without even thinking, he took another small step forward. He was not used to such cold distance between them, and he hated it. He just wanted to hold her and kiss her and tell her how much he loved her . . . because she was his wife! "I could never lie to you," he continued, knowing that if she didn't believe him, then no one would. Because she knew him better than anyone else. Better than Merlin, better than the knights, even the ones he was closest to. "You know me better than anyone," he added, vocalizing his thoughts. "I was never able to pretend to be someone I am not. Never with you. Nor would I ever want to." He needed her to look at him. Just once. To see him. To see that it was really him, and not this impostor she assumed him to be.

[Guinevère]

"You're right. He did love his uncle. Just as he loved Morgana." How dare he! She might not like the man but Agravaine was Arthur's Uncle and he been his rock when Arthur needed him! "Do NOT compare the two!" She demand, trying her best to sound like Uther would have. Not that she wanted to be his father, but when she felt her self getting emotional she tried to find his sense of detachment. Still giving the kingdom everything he would not have given it, but not wanting to cry for her lost husband at the sight of this . . . . person!

"Your husband stands before you Guinevère," LIER! "I could never lie to you," ARTHUR would never lie to her! This man was not he! "You know me better than anyone," She knew ARTHUR better then most!

"I was never able to pretend to be someone I am not. Never with you. Nor would I ever want to." HE wasn't but someone could easily pretend to be him! "If you step forward again, I will have you in chains." She told him, knowing it would be easier to shoot him, but she honestly was beginning to doubt she could order the death of even the pretender. "Stop telling me you are he! You are not Arthur Pendragon!"

"My husband is dead. He died in the field of battle, over five years ago. Morgana, burned his body before his brothers could claim it. The only thing left was his sword. You coming here is not going to change the past, so whatever plans she has for sending you will notwork! As desperate as she has come, Emrys is stronger then her! When he arrives, he will show us your true form and prove you are nothing but a pretender, and lier!"

"My husband . . . HAD he survived would NEVER had waited FIVE years to come home. Next time perhaps Morgana should work on the timing of her plans. She's getting desperate and it's showing."

[Arthur Pendragon]

She still did not believe him. Instead, she was threatening him again. There was something so commanding in her voice that he didn't want to defy her. Not when she didn't believe that he was the Arthur that she knew and loved. Nor could he argue with her about his uncle. She did not seem to want to hear that he was Arthur, yet he could not stop convincing her. She spoke as if this was some sort of ploy and in a way . . . completely understood her skepticism. That did not mean it made him any less desperate to convince her. She went on to talk about how he had 'died', how Morgana had 'burned his body', how the others could not 'claim his corpse'. These were all untrue! For he was right here! Though, his inability to explain anything was not helping. It was not making his story believable. But that was something he could do nothing about.

She talked of a man named Emrys, and while Arthur had no idea who he was . . . he assumed it was the court sorcerer. He didn't even want to talk of views on magic in Camelot right now. All he needed was for her to believe him!However . . . "My husband . . . HAD he survived would NEVER had waited FIVE years to come home." These were the words that killed him. These were the ones that gave him so much grief. "I cannot explain where I have been," he admitted, needing her to understand that, though he knew it was not helping her case. He just had to convince her that he never would have consciously chosen to stay away from her for so long. "The battle feels as if it were yesterday." He had lost all concept of time, everything. And it devastated him. No longer did he care that he was in the presence of armed guards.

He could not fully conceal the emotion from his voice when he spoke of such things. "It pains me Guinevère, to know that I missed five years of a life with you. Five years that we could have been together. Five years to watch our son grow. To hear his first word. To see his first steps." He paused for a moment, praying that this was all some sort of enchantment, or horrid dream. "Nothing brings me greater sadness, than knowing I missed this time with you and Amaren." Five solid years. "For I have wanted nothing more than to live a life as your husband and as a proud father." And he had not been able to. He had missed out on so much, and the moments that had passed . . . he would never get back.