Post by kinguthersqueen on Dec 19, 2011 0:49:34 GMT -5
The anniversary was now a cold day, a heart wrenching parade of memories that refused to leave the broken king's mind. Once he had cherished him, but now they were simply a bitter reminder of how much he had lost, and yet still, he could not keep them away, seeing them as vivid now as the day they had taken place.
The castle was buzzing with activity, and Uther was feeling a mixture of emotions-impatience, nervousness, a bit of fear, and great joy. He was about to make official his pairing with Ygraine, and she would be crowned as his queen. Uther felt very lucky-had he been the oldest of the princes of Dumonia, his home kingdom, he would have had little say in who he was paired with, it would have been up to his father. But, Uther had done things for himself all along.
He had made his own way, his own name, conquering this kingdom and establishing a name and place for himself, even though he was never expected to be a king. And although it was important that he marry a woman of high status, a woman of royal birth, he had been able to escape the necessity of having a bride chosen for him and had been able to marry for love as well as the political allegiance the marriage would bring.
Of course, their courtship had not been without its challenges. Uther had been one of two suitors courting Ygraine, with the other having been his closest friend, Gorlois. Ygraine had liked both of them, but it was Uther she had fallen in love with. Of course, Gorlois had been suitably distracted when Vivian came along, and stole his heart. But, things had already been well on their way to working out before then, at least in Uther's mind.
Had it been anyone else, Uther would have suspected she was marrying him for the money and status, the fact that she would become queen. But, it was obvious to him that Ygraine was not like that, that she was marrying for love, not solely because her father thought it would make a good political alliance.
To Uther, it felt good to finally be settling down from the constant unknowns and difficulties of battle, to be starting the business of ruling and gaining the respect of the people he now governed. It was stressful and not always easy, but war was far more brutal business indeed. Camelot was at peace, finally, and the people were happy and no longer living in fear.
The final peace of business yet to be taken care of would occur after the wedding, and would be the most enjoyable, Uther hoped, giving Camelot an heir to secure its future. For now, however, Uther's mind was on the impending wedding ceremony as the servants scurried about getting him ready and the nobles were shown to their seats in the grand hall.
The castle was buzzing with activity, and Uther was feeling a mixture of emotions-impatience, nervousness, a bit of fear, and great joy. He was about to make official his pairing with Ygraine, and she would be crowned as his queen. Uther felt very lucky-had he been the oldest of the princes of Dumonia, his home kingdom, he would have had little say in who he was paired with, it would have been up to his father. But, Uther had done things for himself all along.
He had made his own way, his own name, conquering this kingdom and establishing a name and place for himself, even though he was never expected to be a king. And although it was important that he marry a woman of high status, a woman of royal birth, he had been able to escape the necessity of having a bride chosen for him and had been able to marry for love as well as the political allegiance the marriage would bring.
Of course, their courtship had not been without its challenges. Uther had been one of two suitors courting Ygraine, with the other having been his closest friend, Gorlois. Ygraine had liked both of them, but it was Uther she had fallen in love with. Of course, Gorlois had been suitably distracted when Vivian came along, and stole his heart. But, things had already been well on their way to working out before then, at least in Uther's mind.
Had it been anyone else, Uther would have suspected she was marrying him for the money and status, the fact that she would become queen. But, it was obvious to him that Ygraine was not like that, that she was marrying for love, not solely because her father thought it would make a good political alliance.
To Uther, it felt good to finally be settling down from the constant unknowns and difficulties of battle, to be starting the business of ruling and gaining the respect of the people he now governed. It was stressful and not always easy, but war was far more brutal business indeed. Camelot was at peace, finally, and the people were happy and no longer living in fear.
The final peace of business yet to be taken care of would occur after the wedding, and would be the most enjoyable, Uther hoped, giving Camelot an heir to secure its future. For now, however, Uther's mind was on the impending wedding ceremony as the servants scurried about getting him ready and the nobles were shown to their seats in the grand hall.
