The King Has Returned . . . [Arwen]

[Guinevère]

"But knights do comply with a lady's request do they not?" That gave Amaren pause, for he wasn't sure how to answer it. Yet the sight of his father--or at least a knight whom he'd seen fight so well--with Anna's little crown on and blowing over a small cup of nothing was enough to make him almost snort with laughter. He found his father very funny indeed.

And it was to this magical sound that Guinevère pushed open the door and found her family. Shutting it behind her she stared at Arthur, mouth open and smile surprised. Thinking back to some of the first moments she had seen him, and some of her earliest memories she could not help but to truly SEE just how far he had come. 'Would you like more, Papa?' Anna asked, not seeing that her mother entered behind her. 'You will need a bigger one! In time for my birthday!'

Guinevère found herself smiling because she knew that Arthur would be here for then. He was not here on limited time. He was here to stay!!! It gave her a euphoric sort of joy to know that. Made her wish to thank Merlin.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur's body stiffened for only a brief moment, as if he was ready to leap up toward his sword if need be . . . but when he saw who it was that entered, his body instantly relaxed and a smile replaced the cautious expression. "Guinevère," he greeted casually, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. When he was fully aware of how ridiculous he must look. "Come join us," he urged. He turned to look at Anna, continuing to encourage his little came of pretend. "I think I shall have some more, thank you," he said as he held his cup out for more 'tea' to be poured. "You are quite a wonderful host," he complimented, giving her such praise even under these circumstances. "You will need a bigger one! In time for my birthday!" These words immediately reminded Arthur of her upcoming birthday.

Before, he had been afraid that he wouldn't be there. Now, he feared that he wouldn't be there but for entirely different reasons. No. He was determined to return in time for it. He had missed her first four birthdays . . . he would not miss her fifth. "Oh that's right. Your birthday is coming up," he acknowledged. "What would you like to do on your birthday?" He asked her, already planning to have a feast to honor his daughter's fifth anniversary of her birth. It would be a good way to urge visiting allied royals to come . . . as well as a formal declaration of his return. But of course, that was not the purpose behind it. The true purpose, was for her to celebrate her birthday. Without all the other political benefits of such an occasion.

[Guinevère]

"Guinevère, come join us," She laughed softly, and shook her head no. 'Mama! You are back!' Anna greeted, but didn't seem to mind her mother not joining her. "I think the table is full enough. I will join Amaren." However she walked over to the bed and sat on it. Watching Arthur and Anna. It only took a few seconds for her to feel the bed move as her son had come running to join her.

Moving back so she was lieing over the covers but on the bed, she let him curl between her and her arm, as he rested his head on her shoulder. In a very low voice she spoke with her son. "You were very brave today, Amaren, on so many moments. I nearly fainted each time, but you stayed strong. Thank you." 'I didn't want them to hurt Anna.' "And you made sure that they did not. I did not want them to hurt you either. You are my boy, and I love you just as much as I do Anna." 'I know. Anna is just smaller.' "She needs her big brother, like I needed Elyan when I was young." 'But not now?' "Oh, I still need him. sisters never out grow their brothers." 'But she has Papa now?' Guinevère smiled softly, "You have Papa now too, it does not mean she needs you less." These were the moments they often had. Her thanking him for being strong like his father. Together they just watched Anna make her father look silly, laughing sometimes but mostly just watching. It wasn't long before Guinevère glanced down and noticed her son was sleeping.

"Oh that's right. Your birthday is coming up, what would you like to do on your birthday?" What would she like? 'Dancing!' She told him, 'And music, and pretty dresses that everyone wears!' She apused for a moment then kept telling him the next part as if he would not understand it with out her explaining. 'But not the boys! Just the girls in dresses. Will you dance with me Papa?'

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched as Amaren went to join his mother on the bed, seeing how he nestled near her. It caused Arthur to smile, not that this expression had been vacant from his face since the moment he saw his family was safe. "Dancing!" Arthur looked back at Anna, fully distracted from the conversation Guinevère and Amaren were having. "And music, and pretty dresses that everyone wears!" His smile only grew, finding himself looking forward to such an occasion. To see his little girl growing up so fast. Even though he had not been with her since the beginning. He would be with her for the rest of his days. "We will make sure you have the nicest dress," he told her, knowing that no matter what she wore, she would always look like the most beautiful girl.

"But not the boys! Just the girls in dresses. Will you dance with me Papa?" The thought of dancing with her . . . was something Arthur could not express in words. The emotions it filled him with were indescribable. Even more so for someone who was so terrible at vocalizing his feelings. "I will be expecting to have your first dance of the night, and your last dance of the night." At the very least. The more he could dance with his little girl, the better. He noticed that Amaren had stopped talking, assuming he fell asleep. Arthur went to sit next to Anna, gently picking her up so that she was sitting in his lap, nestle against him as he kissed the top of her head, cradling her in an upright position in his arms. It was late, and she needed to get some sleep since their rest had been disrupted twice now. Surely, she must be exhausted. "What else would you like to do on your special day?" He asked softly, wanting her to calm her mind, and eventually lull her to a deep sleep.

[Guinevère]

'Yes! A pink one! With flowers!' Anna exclaimed, excited about the idea of being pretty on a day that was all about her! "I will be expecting to have your first dance of the night, and your last dance of the night." 'More! I want more!' She told him, 'Amelia's Papa always dances with her all the time. I want more Papa dances!' Guinevère chuckled at that and made a mental note to explain Amelia and Anna to Arthur.

She watched as he picked her up and held her to him. Anna seemed to excited to let sleep take her quickly but she knew that if he got her to be still then she could go down fast. "What else would you like to do on your special day?" 'I want Merlin to be there. I am going to marry him!' She reminded him, and Guinevère knew that last week she was going to marry Percival and next week she would be back to Gwaine. 'And . . . . ' It was clear she was trying to think. 'I want to sing! I am good singer!'

'How do Papa's have birthdays?'

[Arthur Pendragon]

The flower department was all Guinevère. As was the getting her dressed up bit. Arthur obviously had no expertise in that field, so would leave it up to his wife. When she spoke of how she wanted more dances, Arthur smiled, having fully intended on dancing with her as much as possible. He was going to have to find out more about this Amelia person, since this was the second time he'd heard about her tonight. "Then we will have all the dances you would like," he assured her. "More than anyone else," he further added. Not that it was a competition or anything. He just felt guilty for her having to listen to other daughters rave about their fathers . . . when Anna had not had one for so many years. For all her life really. Until tonight.

"I want Merlin to be there. I am going to marry him!" Arthur refrained making a face at that. He knew better than to argue such a thing, for he knew it was a phase that she would soon grow out of -- hopefully. "All your friends will be there," he promised her. For he planned to make this a grand feast where she could be surrounded by loved ones. Not traitors and people who would endanger her life. Arthur's face went to one of exaggerated surprise. "You sing?!" He questioned, wishing he'd had the privilege of hearing her sing before . . . just as he wished he had been present for so many other things. "Will you sing me a song on your birthday?" He asked smiling, finding that he was learning more and more with each passing moment about his daughter.

"How do Papa's have birthdays?" Arthur paused for a moment, the question slightly catching him off guard since . . . his own birthday was not filled with fond memories. It not only marked the death of his mother, but also his father. And he had never planned to celebrate another anniversary of his birth, but rather use that day to mourn the anniversary of his parents death. "Papa's birthdays are boring," he answered obviously not about to give the grim details of why his birthdays were less celebrated. "Unlike yours, which will be fun and filled with dance, song, and presents of course," he added, knowing that this probably wasn't helping in getting her to sleep.

[Guinevère]

'Yes! I make them all up.' Because she had one learned one real song, she knew small parts of a few songs. Sometimes she just put them all together. 'Amaren likes me to sing lulobyes! He said I can't tell no one that I sing to him! So I don't tell anyone.' Clearly not counting this as telling. 'When he has nightmares about the dark lady, I sing to him! It makes brother feel better.' And Anna took care of her brother. 'Mama sings to him too, and me too.'

'On Papa's birthday we eat and play in the garden while Mama tells us stories about him! Mama says we do it so he sees us.' She looked up at her father and her face looked either worried or concerned, 'Did you see us Papa?' Guinevère's hand came up to cover her mouth as tears formed but didn't spill. She had told them that their father could see them and be proud of them. While she knew he did not remember anything about being dead, she did wonder if he had really seen them, like she hoped in those few moments. The ones were they were happier, in hopes he only saw the good.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur continued to smile with amusement when she spoke of how she sang to Amaren to help his nightmares. Something that he could understandably realize that Amaren did not want anyone else knowing. Yet something that he felt so very glad to hear . . . that just as Amaren cared and protected his sister, Anna did the same for her brother. "You do a wonderful job of taking care of your brother," he praised, speaking aloud his thoughts. "I don't doubt you have a beautiful voice." Because she was his little girl. Everything about her seemed absolutely perfect. "You get that from your Mama. A beautiful singing voice," he further added, knowing for sure that he didn't get it from him. And knowing from personal experience that there had been a night or two when sleep had evaded Arthur and she had gently hummed him to rest in a peaceful slumber. It was not until she spoke of what they did on his birthday, and her question that caused his smile to slowly slip.

"Did you see us Papa?" The question saddened him, because he wished with all his heart that he could have said yes. That he could tell her that he saw everything they did. But he didn't remember anything. The last thing he remembered was the battle, and he would give anything to replace those memories with visions of her. He glanced up at Guinevère for a moment, seeing her emotional reaction to the question, before looking back down at his daughter. His smile reappeared but it was more sad than anything else. How could he say yes, when he hadn't even known he had a daughter prior to tonight? . . . But how could he say no? He remained silent for several moments, not even sure how to respond to the question. "Know that I love you very much Anna. Never forget that. That I wish more than anything, that I could have been there with you." He found himself holding her closer to him, as if he was afraid to let go. "Do you want to sing a song for me now? Your favorite lullaby." Not so that he could sleep, but rather, so that it would lure her to sleep . . . hopefully.

[Guinevère]

'Do you need help falling asleep, Papa?' She asked when he wanted her to sing for him. 'I can sing if it will help you, but you need to lie down.' That was the rules. 'You wont fall asleep while you're up. Mama says so.' Pointing toward the bed, she meant for him to take her there.

Guinevère's hand dropped from her face and she patted the bed beside her, knowing that while her and Arthur might have too much on their minds to sleep, the memory of them all in bed for the first time, holding each other would be one she'd never let go. She hoped that Arthur would find some rest by lieing here, even while she knew he might not sleep. Just resting would help him keep up his energy. "Come," she whispered, "We can all be together." 'Then I will sing for Papa.' Anna whispered back.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He knew better that to defy the orders of a Pendragon lady. So he slowly rose to his feet, carrying Anna with him. He looked around for a moment, seeing a folded blanket on the side near the bed and went to pick it up so that they would not have to move Amaren to go under the covers. Holding Anna with one arm, and the blanket in his other hand, he gently lay her down next to her brother so that both children were in the middle of the bed. Following these actions, he spread the blanket over them so that they would be warm. Suddenly remembering that the crown was still on his head -- surprised that it had not fallen by now -- he took it off and put it on the side table so it would not get lost. With that, he proceeded to lie down next to his daughter, though with no intention of sleeping. Only to have her sleep soundly. And hopefully, there would be no more interruptions throughout the night.

This moment did indeed feel perfect. To have his whole family, all together. Knowing, that he was here to stay with them. That he did not have to miss any more birthdays and occasions. That he could see them every day for the rest of their lives. Or at least he prayed that that is how it happened. Who knows what could occur in such dangerous times. But he wasn't going to think on that right now. He was just going to focus on being with them, here and now. Rather than what tomorrow or the day after could bring to disrupt this seemingly perfect time together from happening again. "Would you like mama to sing to you, or would you like to sing for us?" He asked, smiling at Guinevère as he offered her to sing. Either way, he would be content. He just wanted his daughter -- and hopefully his wife -- to get some rest tonight. As it seemed that Amaren had already fallen into a rather deep sleep.

[Guinevère]

Anna waited for her father to lie down, before reaching over for his hand, and pulling it closer to her. Guinevère looked at the size difference alone and felt her heart jump. Arthur's hand spanned out slightly was wider then Anna's whole body. If he was to touch the side of her head, it could easily fit into his palm. Anna was so small, and she felt so much guilt for not being able to give her a proper chance. With out Merlin, she would not have this wonderful little girl in her life.

Looking up at Arthur, Guinevère spoke, "How about, Anna sings the first round and then I take over?" She offered so Arthur could hear Anna sing and she could help Anna sleep as well. Shifting to her side so that her and Arthur formed a warm box around them, Guinevère could not help but to watch his face.

'Land of bird and
Land of Dragon.
Land that gave us birth
And bessing,
Land that pull them
to greatness.
They will come home from across the mountains,
They will come home,
They will come ho-me,
They will come home.'

Anna messed up on a few words, but she knew the song well. It was one that Guinevère had started singing to Amaren when he was just born and Arthur would leave sometimes for political reasons, and war. The last time he had left, he had not come home, but the song still comforted her. She had not stopped singing about his return, and now it seemed like fate that he HAD come home.

Guinevère started singing with Anna softly now. Anna's own voice had not risen loudly, and was high enough in her young age that she could sing it how it was meant to be sung. Guinevère's voice was lower but still light as she sang too. At first together but slowly Anna stopped and just looked up at her father, blinking longer and longer. Amaren's eyes had opened when Anna had started singing, but he only turned so his back was pressed to his mother's and then closed them again, not minding the disturbance.

"They will come home singing our song,
They will come home across the mountains,
They will come home
Hear our singing, hear our longing,
They will come home across the mountains"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked at how small and fragile his daughter was . . . only able to imagine the terror that Guinevère had have gone through to see their daughter so tiny when she entered into this world. Even still, she was perfect in Arthur's eyes. He would not change a single thing about his princess. He listened to her begin to sing, knowing the song only because of Guinevère. He had never been sung to sleep as a child . . . and he was quite thankful that his children found comfort in it. That they were able to have those melodic words to help lull them to sleep, despite all the fear and danger that seemed to be in every corner of their lives. Arthur closed his own eyes, not to sleep, but just to allow the peace and solace of this moment to sink into him. To just breathe softly and let his mind relax from all the fear and anxiety everyone had been suffering all night. All the dramatics and violence.

He kept his eyes closed when Guinevère joined in, only adding a stronger soothness to the mood. Sleep was something that had found him more easily when he married Guinevère, and she lay next to him every single night. Now, he knew how easy it would be to succumb to it again. The only thing that was keeping him awake was the awareness that he had a lot to do tonight. A lot that needed to be done before tomorrow. He had come back for a purpose. It was to protect his family and the kingdom, and he would not let himself fully rest until he did what he had come back to do. With this knowledge, he opened his eyes, looking into Anna's bright baby blues. He could tell that she was getting drowsy, and softly smiled down at her. His hand began to gently stroke her forehead to further relax her in the moment. Though it was really more half his hand gently moving over her dark skin, as her forehead was so small.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère kept singing as she watched Arthur touch Anna's head and her look up at him. Her words almost faulted when Anna rolled closer and buried her head into Arthur's shirt. They did falter and end when Anna spoke, 'I love you, _Papa' Guinevère's hand came up to her face again as she as watched Anna's fist close around some of his shirt and then slowly relax as she fell asleep.

Anna was young enough that a father appearing out of no where was exciting and fun for her. She would grow up and most likely never remember a time without her father in it. That thought alone gave her hope for their lives. Amaren too was young enough that most of his life would be filled with a father in it, though he might remember his time without him. She hoped that with a few years, these memories of a time without Arthur would be fading for her children. "Arthur," She whispered very lowly and waited until he looked at her. Her eyes held tears that would not fall and she hoped that he could read how much she loved him and loved this memory of this moment. "I don't think I have said it yet but . . . welcome home." Then her face did smile and a few small happy tears slipped over her cheeks.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I love you, _Papa" These words almost made Arthur's eyes tear up again, but he didn't. He just looked down at his daughter, gently placing his lips on her head in a lingering kiss. He could tell from the way her body eased that she had fallen asleep. How had he lived for a year without her? For it seemed that he couldn't imagine a life without his little Anna in it. It was so strange, yet these sort of feelings were ones he wanted to embrace, rather than deny due to his inability to understand them. "Arthur." He looked up from Anna and toward Guinevère, who he noticed had tears in her eyes, though a serenity in her expression.

"I don't think I have said it yet but . . . welcome home." He softly smile, carefully reaching over his children to put his hand on her cheek and wipe away a few of her tears. "It's good to be home," he replied softly. Good, was a massive understatement. He could not describe how euphoric it felt to be home. How wonderful. How incredible! This was what brought him true happiness. This was what gave him the strength to rule the kingdom. Just to be with all of them. He eventually pulled back his hand from Guinevère cheek, and put it on Anna's shoulder. He had intended to move her back a bit so that she wasn't nestled against him, and thus he would be able to move. However, he found himself just resting his hand on her, looking down at her and with his other hand, tucked a loose strand of her curly hair behind her ear.

[Guinevère]

She raised her own hand to cover his as he put it on her cheek. After he wiped her tears away she turned her head to kiss his palm, needing him to to know quite how much she loved him. How glad she was that he was home. When he let her go she watched as he tucked Anna's hair back. "Arthur, I think I should warn you about Ameila." She whispered, knowing that Anna talked about her a lot and Arthur had not had the chance to meet her yet.

But she knew he would, for Anna loved Ameila, even if she always used her to get what she wanted. "She's Anna's friend. . . . But only a pretend friend. She's not real." An made up friend that she played with. "She makes up stories about her to help express what she wants, like with her wanting to dance with you." She explained, "Don't take Ameila to heart, when she talks about Ameila's father. Until tonight Ameila had no father, now she has one that dances all the dances with her and loves her . . . . She's telling you what she wants from you. . . . what you seem more then willing to give her."

"And as for her marrying Merlin . . . " Guinevère's faced changed as she knew that fathers often didn't like news of their daughter's crushes on men. "Last week she said she wanted to marry Percival because he lifted her high up to pick honey suckles. The week before it was Gwaine because he took her to steal fruit from the kitchens. This week it's Merlin because he used magic to---" Arthur didn't like magic, and with Merlin is had become so casual in their lives. " . . . He used magic to make butterflies appear. Next week it will be someone else."

She kept her voice low so not to wake the children.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When Guinevère began to explain about Amelia, Arthur had been planning to find out which family she came from. To see who it was that spoke to his daughter about not having a father. But Guinevère's words made Arthur feel relieved. Strongly relieved in fact. Though, he wasn't sure which was worse: someone actually saying those things to her, or her making them up because it was what she had been deprived of for so long. He knew children had imaginary friends, but from what he had heard about hers, it was based around a girl who had a father. Who danced with her father, and spoke of how good of a papa he was. Because, Anna could not say anything about him. Because he had not been here to give her that figure in her life. He knew he would make up for it now, but he also knew that he could not just magically pretend like the past five years of her life didn't exist. She may not be old enough to hold them against him, but they were still there. He would always know it.

"I would give her the world if she asked for it," he said in a soft voice, looking down at his daughter before meeting Guinevère's gaze. "I want to be the father that I could not be for the past five years." He wished to make that very clear. That despite the inevitable journeys he would have to take, he wanted to be in their children's lives as much as possible. On the subject of Merlin . . . Arthur was trying to avoid speaking about his magic. It was something he would have to grow used to, but he did not wish for his mood to dampen right now. He would have a conversation with Merlin when the time came. When he returned -- if Arthur was here. "I know that she is not marrying Merlin, or Percival or any of the knights." It was more his way of saying he was not going to let her marry them, or anyone really. He didn't even want to consider giving her away to another man. She would forever remain his little girl.

He slowly dropped his gaze from Guinevère, needing to ask her something, because it was one of his greatest fears right now. "I know Anna is young enough to adjust to having a father in her life but." He paused for a moment, his eyes resting on his sleeping son. He knew that tonight Anna was more willing to approach him as a father . . . and that he didn't know his son as well. He wanted to, so badly. But he also knew that it would take more adjustment. Guinevère had mentioned such to him earlier in the night. That he had his hesitations, which Arthur completely understood. That it could take weeks, months . . . perhaps years. But she knew Amaren more than he did, so he felt the need to ask. "Do you think Amaren will forgive me?" He asked. He did not want his son to resent him. He had asked him for a chance, and Amaren seemed willing to give it, but he also knew that he could hold it against him. Whether he was aware of it or not. And that in the years he grew older, he could feel that stain of his father's absence in his early years.

[Guinevère]

"I would give her the world if she asked for it," And Guienvere was willing to bet that Anna would try to get him to give her the world. Though lucky for Arthur, the world to Anna was flowers, dances and a doting father who loved her. "I want to be the father that I could not be for the past five years." "You will be, I can see it already. . . . no other man has ever sit with her at a tea. Even Merlin finds ways to distract her before she can make them sit down. You were the first to let her."

"I know that she is not marrying Merlin, or Percival or any of the knights." She laughed softly, keeping her voice down so not to wake the children. "She does not understand what a marriage is. To her it is more the idea of the word, one day she will understand the love that needs to go along with it." . . . "But not for many years." She made sure to slid in so he did not think on loosing the daughter he just gained.

"I know Anna is young enough to adjust to having a father in her life but . . . do you think Amaren will forgive me?" She looked at her for a moment, her smile fading. "Is that how you see it Arthur? That we blame you?" No! How could he even think that?! "Arthur, no one blames you! You died. We lost you. It's not something anyone can blame on you. Please, do not feel such! Guilt has no place in your homecoming. Only joy. Pride and love. There is nothing to feel guilty about."

But he had asked about his son, not his guilt. "Amaren's whole life was built on stories of you. Every day he learns something new about his father and he loves it. He just does not understand. Give him sometime, and he will be like Anna. He is so guarded. Even around the council and Merlin sometimes. I think he is afraid of loosing people, and that fault is mine. I should have not been so open with him about life. Protected his childhood more, but I feared that he trusted the wrong person it could cost him his life."

"Yet I have the feeling that the first time you hand him a sword, and teach him the way you used to talk about doing . . . remember? Right after he was born? I think in those moments, when has you alone and is doing something you both love . . . I think you might find him much more open and willing."

"We should do that tomorrow!" Yes! "We always spend the mornings in the gardens, and Amaren will train for a hour or so, and then we all brunch at a table we had sat up. We spend a few hours together as a family, every day there. Join us. Spend some time with him while Anna picks her flowers. Give him the chance to open to you."

[Arthur Pendragon]

In a strange way, Arthur felt rather . . . happy to know that no other man had sat with her for 'tea'. He had missed so many first moments in Anna's life, as well as Amaren. Most importantly, he had missed her birth. He had not been there to comfort Guinevère when they believed their daughter to be dying, nor had he been there to give Merlin his gratitude for saving her. So to know that at least, he was the first one who sat down with her for imaginary tea . . . made him feel like he could indeed share those first moments with her. Regardless of all that he missed. When it came to marriage, well Arthur did not even want to think about it. There was plenty of time for that. He was not going to betroth her to anyone. Not like he'd been since he was a child -- not even aware of it. He was going to let her grow, and then perhaps one day . . . . . . . no. Arthur didn't think on it right now. What he did know, was that no man would ever be good enough for his Anna. And for that reason alone, it would not be easy to find a husband. When she asked if that was how he saw it, the blame . . . Arthur remained silent.

In a way, he understood that he could not have prevented his death. On the other hand, he felt that it was such a difficult thing to explain to his son that he had ultimately been brought back from the dead. That he'd been resurrected so to speak. That he would never understand how and why his father had disappeared for five years, and then magically reappeared. He could however understand his son's reason for being so guarded. He knew that would soften, with the right people. For that was how Arthur had been at his age. Guarded and cautious. "I just feel it is such a difficult thing to explain to him. Why I was not there. How I reappeared." He was just thinking aloud, finding strong comfort in her assurance that Amaren would let himself grow close to Arthur. Though did not want her to place any sort of blame on herself and the way she raised him. "Do not blame yourself for anything Guinevère. Considering these dark times, you did the right thing." It was better to be safe than sorry.

"He has developed good instincts because of it," he reminded her, such as when he had stabbed the man in the leg. Or when he held up the sword to protect Anna. He may not have had the bravery to do so had she not taught him to be careful and wary of others who posed to be a threat. He gave a small smile when she spoke of what they could do tomorrow. "I did promise to train him," he told her, finding the image of him being out with his family to be a most ideal one. Though he knew that tomorrow may be the only day for the next few weeks. Which brought up another reminder for him to need to get the paperwork. Yet, found himself unable to move from this position. "I'd like that. Being with my family tomorrow. Spending as much time as I can with them." Because he loved them so. And had already missed so much time with them, only to miss more. "Which means I should probably get some work done tonight," he said, though still did not move from his current spot. How could he when his little girl as nestled so close to him.

[Guinevère]

"We have forever, Arthur." She reminded him, "Surely you can stay in bed for a few hours?" She wanted him to rest before he was faced with the mess she'd made of his kingdom. Part of her was afraid that as he was looking at everything he would grow to think her unable to able something like this. She knew she wasn't, but she didn't want think thinking it. Arthur would not have let things get this bad.

"Or at least if you feel you must work, sit with me before the fire and hold me while you do." She compromised, knowing that not knowing as much as he did was hard for him. "I am not ready to let you go yet. I still as if this nothing but a dream. That I will wake up alone in my bed with out you there." She was afraid, though growing more filled with hope by the moment.

[Arthur Pendragon]

It was true that in a way, they did have forever. But . . . not tomorrow night. Nor the weeks after. He knew that here and now was not the appropriate time to tell her. But he also did not want to keep anything from her. He would look through the documents before making any final decisions. But just based on what few details she had told him thus far, it seemed he would have to leave his family yet again. Only this time, hopefully less permanently. He doubted even someone as powerful as Merlin could bring him back from the dead twice. "I do believe I said that I would hold you all night," he said with a smile. He knew she needed to get rest, but at the same time, wanted to just hold her in his arms . . . a sensation that he had apparently been deprived of for so many years. "I would not want to break such a promise," he told her.

The thought alone was enough to motivate him to move, knowing that he would be shifting from holding one lady that he loved so much, to another that he loved so much. He slowly and very carefully moved Anna back, pausing to make sure she did not waken from his shift. She just turned and cuddled near her brother, causing Arthur to remain smiling as he breathed a small sigh of relief. He then slowly moved off the bed, also making sure that his sudden weight on it did not cause either child to stir. "I'll be right back," he informed Guinevère, wanting her to remain comfortable as he stood and quietly walked to where his cloak was, putting it over him. Guards would be up and about without a doubt and he may as well blend in as much as he could.