The Replacement Husband [An AU Plot Line] (Arwen)

[Guinevère]

Sawyer asked if he was going to make a grand appearance, and Guinevère gave a soft smile. "Not yet," she told him. Turning to Leon she gave him a nod. "See it done." He bowed before truing to walk quickly out of the room. She then turned to look at Sawyer, but seemed to notice Percival still there. Looking up at him, she saw his face and was grateful--he was worried about her. "Thank you," she whispered, "I'll be fine." He nodded his head, looked at Sawyer and then turned to walk out as well. Percival was more like her then the others. They were friends. She knew that he worried about how this would play out. He was a knight, but she often kept him close.

When he left she turned to look at Sawyer. "We are going to wait until tomorrow before that happens." She explained, walking over to the farmer. The farmer named Sawyer. Not the king named, Arthur. "Today, we will teach you to walk like him, and a few things you can say should a servant or another speak to you." She walked closer toward him. "I know it sound daunting, but Percival, Leon, or myself will be with you at all times. You wont have to speak much, but we want you seen a few times to make sure any spys see you."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Sawyer actually felt quite relieved when she told him that he wouldn't have to do it today. But then, it also meant another day passed without his daughter. It was a horrible mix of emotions and he wished he could just blurt out the truth. Instead, he nodded.

"I am relieved to hear that," he told her truthfully. That he wouldn't be alone; that he wouldn't have to talk much. He knew nothing of this world, and yet, he wasn't as intimidated as he initially thought he might be. Most likely due to his distracted mind. "I am ready to learn." Eager to get this over and done with. "How did the king speak . . . and walk?" Which sounded like odd questions, but he knew that royalty walked and talked differently from commoners. And he wanted to learn. He needed to learn.

[Guinevère]

Sawyer seemed very . . . willing to impersonate Arthur. It had taken her a few times to see it, but now that she saw it a little, she wondered how he felt about this. Guinevère watched him for a moment, trying to decide what in this moment felt a little off to her; yet as she couldn't see it, she stored it away for later. Perhaps it was her who was guarded. Sawyer the farmer, was just willing to help.

"We have time for that yet," She began, "For now please eat your fill." While she had ate earlier, she would let him finish. Guinevère didn't plan on eating with him, so instead she moved over to the window to watch the happenings. She knew that once the gates were closed, the talk would begin. While making the people worry something was wrong was regretful, if it rid them of Morgana then it would be worth it in the end.

She spoke while watching the gates close. "Have you ever been the best at something?" Arthur had been the best at almost everything. Sometimes she enjoyed his arrogance, and sometimes it would madden her. Yet that had been his youth, as a man he had learned to control his ego, and let his actions do the talking. "Did you hold it over your friends?" Arthur had only ever done it to Merlin, yet it was the best way for her to describe her husband.

"Arthur was the best swordsman, and jouster in the land. He knew it. He liked proving it, yet it wasn't his words that were boastful; it was just . . . . " How did one describe the way a king moved through a room, with both arrogance and humility, and grace and power? "Arthur was formal in public, with out being cold. He let himself be approachable, but still in command. I know these sound hard but walk confidently, and at ease." Her voice faded, clear that she was getting lost in thought.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Sawyer knew better than to politely decline an offer from the queen, so he walked towards the table. He just looked at the food. Food that was far too rich for him. He was used to eating just a few bites of this, and it had always been enough. Besides, he felt too guilty to be eating any of this at all, when his daughter could be starving. Did they feed her adequately? Did they give her water? She greatly enjoyed having a glass of milk before sleeping. Were they accommodating her needs? Trying to focus back on the present, he knew he had to pay very close attention to what the queen was saying. He took a grape and put it in his mouth.

"Have you ever been the best at something?" He had once thought he was a good husband and father but losing his wife and now daughter, proved he'd failed at both roles. Yet he could not think of anyone he held it over. He of course had friends back home, but he doubted he held any of the same skills that a raised knight and future king did. Swallowing the grape, he reluctantly took another, finding the taste to be bland in wake of thoughts of his daughter. He listened to her words while he swallowed his second bite and looked to the queen. "It does your Majesty," he admitted when she said she knew it sounded hard. Confidently. How did one walk confidently when he felt like a failure? How did one walk with ease when they felt their world was falling apart beneath them? Swallowing back these emotions he tried to straighten his posture, but by the time he made the third step, he couldn't do it.

He couldn't raise his head high or act as if he was anything remotely close to regal. "I'm sorry, your highness," he said trying not to sound as defeated as he felt. "I will practice and be worthy of this role you have entrusted me to undertake." Because . . . so much depended on it. And it seemed the queen didn't know of the circumstances that brought him here. "How did you learn to do it?" Everyone knew the tales of the servant turned to Queen. How had she transitioned to a world of a servant to a world of royalty. But, belatedly realizing that his words could be offensive, his eyes widened and he quickly lowered his head in a bow. "My apologies. I'm sorry. I did not mean to question such things or cause offence." He was failing in all aspects of this. And now he may offended the Queen of Camelot!

[Guinevère]

"There is no offense you need to apologize for." Guinevère told him, watching SAWYER try to walk like her husband. "I had years to to slowly change. I . . . . " She wasn't sure she could talk about this with him, but that didn't stop her eyes from drifting away and her voice from finishing. "I had fallen in love with prince, and it was forbidden. There is something about being love by someone. They become part of you. I didn't even notice when I grew more confidant. I never set out to learn, I just . . . slowly became so." His faith in her made her stronger.

Blinking and taking in a deep breath, Guinevère looked back at SAWYER and smiled softly to encourage him. Walking over she she stood beside him, she hesitated for a second before taking his arm, so they could walk together. "I remember the day I yelled at him, for the first time." She said, knowing he couldn't care about this, it was personal to her but for him it would mean nothing. Yet she just walked to make him think of something besides what he was doing, so he would become easier for his body to cope her pace and posture. "We were in Eldor, a small village outside of Camelot's boarder. He was a prince, and was struggling to adjust to the food there. I grew so angry that eventually I snapped at him," Her voice s bitter sweet but she managed to laugh at her memory softly. "And then he looked at me . . . and for the first time I had his full attention. And he . . . he seemed more human then title then for the first time to me." She had saw him as a man, not a prince. It had begun there. She hadn't fallen in love there, but slowly over time her feeling grew and grew.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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She told him he didn't have to apologize, but he felt like he did! He felt like he needed to time and time again for how utterly useless he was in this! But, when she came over to him, explaining how she did it . . . there was a sudden comfort. It wasn't just about having the queen's arm linked through it. It was . . . something else. Something about the woman behind the title. Hearing his story, sounded oddly familiar. Perhaps he had heard the tale in passing. He had no memory of his past so maybe someone had told him in his village.

But, was that a story so advertised? He shrugged off whatever chord of familiarity it struck within him and instead, just listened. Listened to her. Not even realizing, the way his body naturally straightened. The strength in which he walked. The . . . sudden upward tilt of his chin. "It sounds like a fond memory," he told her with a smile, walking alongside her as if it was suddenly the most natural thing in the world. Where . . . it wasn't. Not logically. How could it be? He was walking arm in arm with the queen! "Had he been angry that you yelled at him?" Sawyer wondered, curious as to what his reaction would have been. "If is very admirable, and brave of you to speak your mind." Especially in a position such as hers: a servant addressing royalty.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère kept walking with him, finding it hard to be casual with him. Her mind was feeling the heat from his arm, and the familiar size of it. Her body, seemingly not to know it wasn't her hand, picked up on how alike he was when she touched him and begged for him. SAWYER was going to be trouble for her heart if she wasn't careful. He reminded her too much of Arthur, and she didn't want her heart to miss him more when Sawyer went home.

Guinevère kept their pace even, and could see him not thinking about what he was doing so much. He walked without thiking about each step--and even his stride made her think of Arthur.

"Perhaps, but he valued things like that. I didn't see it then, but I could see it later. He wanted honesty. He didn't just pretend to want others to be honest with him, he wanted it. . . . most the time." She said with a smile, thinking of the time she told him he snored. He hadn't wanted it then. Her smile softened, the memories reminding her of how long ago it was. "He thanked me." She admitted, "He thanked me for my honesty, and listened to it. He listened to many things I had to say there." It was the first time she'd not been frightened of him in a way. She begin to see what sort of man he'd be as king. She hadn't known all that at the time, but now she saw it well.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Sawyer continued to listen, trying to take in every detail that she revealed about her late husband so that he could fulfil this role to the best of his abilities. He lightly smiled when she explained how he preferred honestly, that he had wanted that. Such wasn't always the case of royalty. So, it was interesting to hear how her relationship with the former king had started . . . and developed. A fascinating tale of a servant becoming a queen. "It sounds like you two had a very special connection." That was all he could say in this moment, for he was starting to wonder if all this talk about her husband was becoming difficult for her. He knew he needed to stop prying, and would just listen to whatever information she would offer.

The rest of the morning, she gave him tips of how to act. They seemed to have mastered the walk. Now came the talk. Politics. Sawyer fortunately didn't need to know a great deal. Just the basics. When enough time had passed, Percival returned and offered to start his training. Sawyer thanked the queen, bowing to her, and then went with the knights they called Percival and Leon. Sawyer stood in the secluded area, Leon holding a sword in front of him while Sawyer told him the same. He wanted to see what, if any, skills Sawyer had. Yet . . . what followed, surprised everyone. Including the former. Apparently, he could hold his own against a knight of Camelot!

He countered each move, as if it was natural instinct. Yet, Sawyer had no knowledge of combat. And yet, he managed to disarm Leon, sending the knight on his back. No sooner did he do that, that the farmer's eyes widened in shock. He profusely apologized, talking a couple steps back and lowering his head in apology. He noticed a look Percival and Leon exchanged yet Sawyer could not determine what expression was held behind their eyes. Only, that he too was surprised by whatever skill he drew upon. The only logical explanation: his desperation to save his daughter prompted such a display.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was reading to her daughter, curled up on a blanket in the garden's. She always tried to make sure that she spent time with her children, both one on one and together, each day. Family was important too her, and she valued this time. Which was why when she hear someone approaching she frowned. There was knights all around her so she knew she was mostly safe here--yet after Morgana's attack on her children before she took no risk.

"Agravaine," She greeted, but wasn't happy about seeing him. From there, her day was busy. Her uncle by marriage wanted the children out of the castle. He wanted to make a plan to secretly get them somewhere far away where only he, and Guinevère knew. He was even offering to take them himself! Guinevère agreed to consider it, but she didn't wish to do it. Something felt off, and she couldn't explain it.

Guinevère ended up in the council room that night, sitting at the table where her husband once stood. Arthur had prepared his whole life for this. She had not. She wanted to make the kingdom a better place, but she feared she didn't understand how. Not all the detailed ways he had. How much gain should be stored? Which lands were the ones to farm? Whom to trust? How did she protect her children? These things he would have known.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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The day was filled with learning how to be a royal. It was strange. Because it was both uncomfortable and yet, oddly . . . familiar. Sawyer wasn't even sure if that was the right word to use to describe it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Either way, he tried to learn as much as he could so that he was prepared for what followed. But that night, he needed to see her. He needed to see that Aliana was ok. Yet once again, he was denied. Agravaine assured him that she was fine, but Sawyer was getting desperate to see her. He asked if she had eaten, if she had drank and Agravaine refused to answer. It sent Sawyer into a panic and he was only reminded that he was here to do a job. That he would never see his daughter again if he failed. And suddenly . . . it all became too much.

He went to his chambers but paced for over an hour. What should he do?! The queen seemed kind enough, would she understand? Would she protect his daughter? Her words had suggested she had no idea about this arrangement and . . . Sawyer wondered if she would help him. He had two options: to put his trust of his daughter's well being into the man who kidnapped her . . . or to put his trust in a queen that had shown him nothing but kindness. Perhaps, she would be angry at him for lying. But it was a risk Sawyer needed to take. For Aliana's sake. Never being apart from her for her entire life and now suddenly these days without her . . . he couldn't bare it any longer.

He made his way to where he had heard she would be. the council chamber. Furthermore, he prayed that she was alone. If anyone caught wind that he was telling her about this, he feared what would happen to Aliana. Waiting for the guards to be on the other side of the hall, Arthur quickly sneaked into the council room, quietly closing the door behind him and briefly scanning the room, seeing that she was alone. He did not waste a moment. He made his way up to her, and immediately went to one knee, bowing before her.

"Your Majesty," he said, lowering his head, knowing he should not make eye contact with a royal . . . especially when he was about to admit something and then beg her for something else. "I fear I have not been truthful." That he had committed treason by lying to the queen! "And must beg for your understanding, as well as aid." Yes, he was ashamed, but what other choice did he have?! He was not too proud to beg in this moment, and whatever the consequences were for his actions, he would accept them. He need only beg for his daughter's freedom. She was entirely innocent in all this.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère did not hear him enter, only speak. Turning toward his voice, she stood quickly; her alarm coming from being surprised rather the fear--until he spoke more. Her eyes moved to the door, knowing that no one had announced him and therefor he had to have come in on his own. If he could move around the castle, then how many others were?

She stepped back when he stop of lies, and her eyes glanced on the table to where a knife was from the dinner hours ago. Narrowing her gaze back to him, she lifted her chin, refusing to show any weakness now. Whatever he was about tot ell her she could handle. "Speak plainly," she told him, her voice firm and demanding. What lies did he speak of? He was asking for her help, and she feared she already knew.

Morgana sent him. How else would Arthur's uncle have just 'happened' to find him. He was here to do something. Morgana was plotting again, and she'd let him into her home because of his face. What was he supposed to do? She was suddenly glad she'd kept him from the children. She would not make the mistake again.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Her voice, her words, her tone . . . it all sent a shiver down Sawyer's spine as she demanded him to speak plainly. He suddenly felt his throat dry; a lump forming in it as if he was choking on the words. His daughter's life was in the balance. Would it be a mistake to trust the queen? What if she too was only acting as if she did not know? What if this was a trap, to see if he would tell her about his daughter? He had to trust his instincts though . . . and his instincts told him that she held no knowledge of this. That she would help him, not for his sake . . . but for the sake of his daughter. "They--" His voice caught, his eyes closed, trying to steady his breathing as every beat of his heart was weighted with fear. Swallowing, taking a slow breath he opened his eyes but his gaze remained downcast. Out of shame. Out of recognition of the status between them. She was a queen after all!

"They took my daughter," he finally managed to get out. A statement that begged for of a response. Yet, he knew accusing someone of the court could cost him his head! This all, could cost him and his daughter their lives! "Lord Agravaine," he added, trying to keep the fear from his tone though he knew he was failing. "Has my daughter. He said that I must do what is asked of me, or she will . . . " Die. He couldn't say the word. Merely thinking it made his heart hurt. Made it feel as if it was already breaking. "I beg of you, your Majesty. I will take all responsibility for the lies. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will pay the price but . . . please, I am begging you to let her go." To release his daughter from this captivity. "She is innocent in all this," he added on, in further attempt to beg for the queen's understanding.

[Guinevère]

"They--" They? She watched him, and wondered who Morgana's aid was. "They took my daughter," Wait . . . . what?! "Lord Agravaine," Hearing the name of the man who was trying to take her own children made her body run cold. No! THis couldn't be true. She shifted her weight, and didn't look away from him. "Has my daughter. He said that I must do what is asked of me, or she will . . . " He didn't need to finish. She could fill in the blanks. "I beg of you, your Majesty. I will take all responsibility for the lies. I will do whatever you ask of me. I will pay the price but . . . please, I am begging you to let her go."

"She is innocent in all this,"

Agravaine. Had his daughter. And he was begging her to let the girl go. Anna. Her own daughter. Guinevère stepped back and stared down at him. Was it true? He looked like he believed it. Guinevère didn't know how to react, she could only stare at him and try to take this in. "You were forced here?" She asked, trying to fill in the parts of the story that he wasn't telling her. Her voice holding authority, and confusion; but not acceptance.

She had never thought that this almost-Arthur would have a child. One that he claimed her uncle by marriage was the villain. Guinevère began walking around the table tot he wall before she pulled the cord on the wall to summon the guard. "And she is where?" Guinevère wasn't going to believe him without proof; but she wasn't going to ignore it either. That was not a mistake she would make, after seeing Uther make it so often. She would find out for sure, and then if it was true, deal with it swiftly.

She had felt off around her husband's uncle. If he was doing this, then she needed to make sure she protected her children. . . . . and his.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Her question was the very one that he knew he had lied about. When she had asked him if he was willingly doing this, he had lied to protect his daughter. So all he could do was slowly nod his head, yet knew it begged for more of an explanation. "They came to our home. Took her from my arms." Ripped her from them, and that had been the last time he'd seen her. Days ago. Too long ago.

"I don't know," he answered in response to her latter question. He hadn't the faintest idea where she was. "They will not let me see her." They only told him of threats, horrors. He could only imagine how frightened she was. That was when Sawyer heard her footsteps, and opened his eyes to see what she was doing . . . she was summoning the guards. Sawyer immediately leapt to his feet. "Please! They said if I told you, they would . . . " Kill her. "I beg for your mercy, for the sake of my daughter." He didn't know what would happen when she summoned the guards, but he feared the repercussions of him revealing this news.

[Guinevère]

The guards came in, but Guinevère didn't look away. She looked into the eyes of the man she loved, and had to remind herself that this wasn't her husband. It was a man begging for his daughter, and he only looked like Arthur. "Escort him to the throne room, and stay there until I come." She told him, trying to figure out of she really believed him.

She watched him for another moment, before turning to walk swiftly out. Once she was in the hall she told another guard to send Percival and Leon to her. She had Leon go to her children, and stay there for their own protection. Percival she had to find the daughter of SAWYER. She was going to find Arthur's uncle. The guard found him in his room, and escorted him to the throne room as well.

She wanted to watch the two men alone together, without either of them knowing she was watching. Moving through the servant's hall she came into the room silently from the back, and watched Agravaine being led in. 'Don't touch me,' he demanded of the guard who stood close, before he glared at SAWYER. Agravaine stepped closer and hiss something at Sawyer, and she wondered if it was a threat. Her heart broke for her family, somehow knowing before Percival came that he would find the girl. That Sawyer was telling the truth.

Agravaine had done this. Was it to protect Camelot, or to weaken it? Either way, he could not be trusted.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Sawyer didn't know what to make of her reaction. She only told the guard to take him to the throne room, and he obviously had no choice but to comply. He waited there for what felt like ages . . . when Agravaine joined them. His eyes slightly widened as he locked gazes with the other male, before Sawyer's own swiftly fell. He could hear the man demanding to know why he was here but Sawyer said nothing. He could only feel his heart beat heavier in his chest. What if Agravaine had a way to order them to harm his daughter? What if they were hurting her right now?! What if . . . he had made the wrong decision?!

Sawyer had never been more scared in his entire life! Knowing, that the choice he make, could be what freed his daughter, or how she met her end. The extremes making him feel sick to his stomach. He could hear the man demand an answer and Sawyer finally looked up at him after having been forced to his knees out of 'respect'. "You lied to the queen." His words were a huge assumption, that she had no idea about all this. But the glare of death Agravaine gave him, seemed to prove Sawyer's assumption to be true. He had kept this from the queen. "So did I," he shamefully admitted. Treason. They both had seemed to commit it. But it was then, that Agravaine came closer to Sawyer, looking down at him, and making a final threat in a quiet voice. "Your daughter will pay the price."

[Guinevère]

"Speak up uncle," Guinevère called out in a strong voice as she entered the room from the side where Agravaine hadn't expected her to be. She watched as he quickly stiffened and spun to face her. "We'd all like to hear." He even looked guilty. Guinevère sighed deeply, shaking her head very softly at seeing more signs that he was guilty.

Guinevère watched the two men, and moved over to her throne before sitting in the seat that held Uther once, and Arthur once, and now her. And one day would hold her son. She recalled being on her knees before it once, and the demanding king that was there. How frightened she was then. Lifting her chin she looked at both men. "You will answer with only a yes or an no." There was lies in words, she wanted as little room for lies as he could give her. "Did you take his daughter?"

Agravaine began by smiling and stepping closer, to which the guards held out a hand to stop him. "My queen, I can assu--" "A yes or no, Agravaine." She demanded. He too lifted his chin. "No, my queen." Guinevère wanted to believe him. He was the only family Arthur had left other then his children. They needed to know someone to help them know their father. They didn't need to lose someone else. "There are limited places you have to hide a child in the castle, and even less in the city," SHE knew of places to hide, but Agravaine had limited places he could move. The men loyal to him would be found, questioned, and detained in a room. "I pray you are truthful." She said nothing else to him, turning instead to Ar--SAWYER!

"Tell me again, what you say happened." Her voice was softer, as if she had already decided she believed him. She wanted Agravaine to hear him say it. She wanted to watch his face as Sawyer said it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Sawyer watched and listened to the exchange between the queen and Agravaine. He still was not certain what was happening. Was something being done about his daughter?! The question foremost on his mind, especially when the queen told him to repeat what he had told her in private. Sawyer tensed. He wanted to ask of the whereabouts of his daughter. He wanted to know that she was safe. That no further harm would come to her. Yet, he was stuck here. In the midst of an already tense exchange. One that he had caused to occur, he knew that.

But . . . the suspense of Aliana's fate was too overwhelming. Too nerve wrecking, that he was having trouble focusing. However, she had told him to do something, and he had to reply. Especially, in the midst of Agravaine's blatantly lying about his daughter. "You came to my home," he said, looking directly at Agravaine. "You threatened the life of my daughter. You claimed that if I did not do this, harm would come to her." Saying the words made a chill run down his spine.

"I have done everything you all have asked of me!" This time, he was looking between Agravaine and the queen. His voice growing a bit louder, more desperate and yet . . . a strength in it that he had not yet spoken in. A strength, that he perhaps should be mindful of in the presence of royalty. But right now, he was acting as a father. "Now where is my daughter?" This time, there was a demand in his voice as he quickly moved to his feet, unable to bare the unknown any longer.