How History Had It Wrong

[Guinevère]

Arthur went on to tease her how she should not leave his side, and she wondered if other woman came to him and made advances. She wondered how often and how beautiful they were. His next words however did not let her dwell on things. "I cannot escort you to the market for half an hour," Her smile slipped for a moment , but then she forced another there. She knew as a king he was busy and she was going to support him. Perhaps the day after then?

She was already making plans trying to see how best to give him the gift while opening her lips to reply. "Because I was hoping to spend the entire afternoon with my wife." Realizing she'd been 'had' Guinevère laughed softly and stopped walking to look up at him. "The whole afternoon?!" She asked, surprised and pleased. "What shall we do for a whole afternoon together?!" Though her tone was suggesting what she thought they COULD do, after spending a few hours with him the same way. "You could . . . " Pausing she stepped closer and her her voice whispered so no one could hear, "You could . . . teach me something new." He said he wished too, surely this would be a good chance.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled as she seemed to catch on after his playful tease, even enjoying the moment as she laughed a little at it. Then she asked what they would do the whole day and was actually about to answer . . . before she answered with her own, idea. One that caused Arthur to pause as he looked at her, even more intrigued than when she mentioned her present that was being readied for him. He loved seeing this bold and initiating side of her. It just truly showed how comfortable she was in his presence. Not that he doubted it any more, but it was nice to have that belief enforced. Finally, he got his wits again and decided to reply so that she wouldn't think he was opposed to the idea. Only that he was actually thinking about all they could do . . . for an entire afternoon . . . alone.

Stepping even closer to her, he lowered his head a bit so that they were only an inch or two apart. "Perhaps, we should just spend the entire afternoon in your chambers instead," he suggested. So that . . . well, his mind was just racing with possibilities. "So that I can teach you, many things." So that they could be alone and have no prying ears or eyes . . . no one to interrupt them. Just him and his wife, together. As the thought grew more enticing he leaned forward, kissing her deeply. Though it had only been hours since he'd last done so, he missed the way she felt and tasted.

[Guinevère]

Arthur moved closer to her with a few teasing words and Guinevère found herself blushing and looking down before she could force her eyes back up to him. "Not the whole afternoon, for the first half hour will be me showing you my gift!" She reminded him. "I have been assured that any knight would be proud to have this and I am rather excited to give it to you."

"So whatever you can teach me, will have to wait until after that." Because she would not back down from that, for she really wanted to give this to him. It had not been something she overly planned or worked on, but when she saw something similar she had asked about making something fit for a king! Taking his arm again she looked up at him, "Until then, I think you promised me a dance and if not then I request such a thing from you now." A promise from him of a dance.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Her excitement was contagious and even though he did feel bad that she had gotten him something, he would be lying if he said he wasn't excited and immensely curious to know what it was. "Then the first half hour will be dedicated to showing me what you have so graciously gotten for me. And the rest of the time will be dedicated to me expressing my gratitude to you for it." He had initially planned a walk in the garden, a full tour of the area -- perhaps with the pups -- but with what she had suggested, he was starting to change his mind. They would have to see what tomorrow brings. He just continued to smile when she reminded him that he had promised her a dance, and if not then she was requesting on. It was not something he would ever deny.

"It would be my immense honor to dance with you," he said slightly lowering his head in a bow as they made their way to the hall. When they entered, their names were announced and they walked down the aisle with people on either side of them, clapping in congratulations as well as acknowledgment of the king and queen. Once they reached the end the crowd joined together and everyone began socializing amongst one another. As a tray of wine passed by, Arthur took a goblet and handed one to his wife before taking one in his own hand.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère liked his suggestion, and knew that tomorrow would be a wonderful day even if only they got half the time he had promised her. As they walked into the hall--as expected--every head turned toward her, and her husband. She noticed that the woman seemed to linger on her husband, but she would not be jealous or speak on anything for as of yet Arthur had not given her a reason to think he was even looking toward the other women.

Seeing how many did indeed linger on her husband, and how little he seemed to notice them made her feel sort of special and honored to be near him. "Thank you," She said after he handed her a glass of wine. She wasn't used to wine but knew she could drink a cup with or before supper and be alright. More then that and she might make a fool of herself. "All eyes are on today's winner." She told him, knowing it to be true. " . . . . I do not think I ever said congratulations."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"All eyes are on today's winner." Arthur smiled at this as his eyes scanned the crowd in attempt to notice this. "Really?" He asked, an almost teasing in his tone. "Because it seems that their gaze is more rested on the ravishing woman on the champion's arm." Her. And how could they not be? Arthur had thought many times how she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he would forever stand by that statement. Because from the moment he saw her . . . he had been so very certain of that. He then gave a small chuckle when she pointed out that she had not said congratulations. No. She had done something far better; come to his tent and showed how worried she'd been for him, and let him show her how physically fit he was.

"You may not have said it, but you showed it," he said in an extremely low voice so no one else would hear, as a suggestive smile played on his lips, before taking a sip of his wine to prevent him from saying anything too revealing in front of this crowd. "Besides, I would much preferred having heard your honest opinion about it all." Which again, was what she had done, and he wanted to encourage her to always be honest with him. She had not said congratulations for she had not agreed with his actions, and that had come out first. Yet, in a way that had avoided arguing and led to something far more incredible. He never wanted her to feel like she couldn't be open and honest with him. And he knew that in return, he would do the same . . . or at least try to as it wasn't always easy to express what is truly in ones heart.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère blushed slightly at his reminder of his afternoon and sipped her wine in hopes to hide it a bit. "Besides, I would much preferred having heard your honest opinion about it all." That surprised her, for she could recall how her honestly had caused them to spend the night apart. She had spoken her mind and come to wish that she had not for she had missed him dearly that night--last night.

"You rather I tell you that I though you jousting while injured over pride was foolish rather then wishing you luck and not fighting?" She asked him, knowing that most noble men would claim to want a honest wife but be angered when she was--yet Arthur was nothing like other nobles and she was coming to see that very clearly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Well when she phrased it like that, it did sound a bit odd. But Arthur was not about to discourage her from speaking how she felt. "I would," he answered smiling, his voice without an ounce of reluctance in agreeing that that was what he meant. "Because I would rather build an honest and open relationship with my wife rather then have her agree with everything I say and do just to appease me." He had thought that that was the kind of relationship he was going to have with whomever he married . . . and in a way, he had dreaded it. Because he didn't want a woman like that. But he also knew how rare it was for women -- especially royals -- to speak their mind when they were raised to be timid and always in agreement to their king. "I had always feared that that was the kind of marriage I would be in," he admitted.

He wanted her to know that what he'd wanted -- without even knowing it -- was a woman just like her. "Yet meeting you and seeing how honest you were, how you spoke your mind . . . caused me to respect you." She had told him yesterday that she respected him, and he wanted her to know that the feeling was mutual. He took another sip of his wine, enjoying the casualness of this conversation. "We might not always agree Guinevère but at least I know that you are being honest. And I hope you continue to do so, never being afraid to tell me how you truly feel." He knew that a lot of decisions he made based on his judgment from his heart, rather than from his head -- which was how his father had ruled. He wanted his relationship with her to be the same thing: one of the heart, and not only of the mind.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled and stared up at him while he spoke, thinking about how rare and wonderful her marriage to him was turning out to be. "You might have had that fear, but I thought that would be my life. Even had I wed my father's champion it would have been expected of me to only be a hostess to his household and my fathers." Since her mother was gone from this world, she had been her father's hostess. Now whomever Elyan wed would be her.

She looked away for a moment then back at him, "My father used to allow me to do more then a hostess. Nothing political, but things like charities and and other things that let help his people." she explained, "Would you allow me to do things of that sort here?" She was beginning to feel as if she knew him, and hoped that if she was right he would not mind. Even still, she would not do it without permission for a king should know what was happening in his kingdom so he was never caught unaware.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could only imagine how difficult that must have been for her. He couldn't help but feel a bit of selfish pride in hearing that her marriage with Lancelot would have been a formal one, one where she would just be a hostess. He supposed it made sense, as Lancelot was a born and raised noble, most likely instilled with the values of one. But to know that she would have had such a life with another -- one that she expected but didn't sound like she wanted -- and she did not feel this way with Arthur, made him quite happy to hear. She then went on to speak about how her father used to allow her to do charities to directly help the people. His admiration for her grew immensely, and knew that it would only continue to grow. He smiled upon hearing this, and when she asked for his permission, he knew his answer immediately. "I would be honored if you bring your generosity and influence through charities to aid the people." As king of Camelot, it was his honor for her to wish to do something so wonderful to aid the people.

"I would never discourage you from doing such a thing, so please do not feel the need to ask my permission." For he wanted her to have the liberty to do what she wished. He did however want to be in the know, for political reasons as well as genuine interest. "I would however like you to tell me about it," he said encouragingly and with interest, focusing more on the latter reason for wanting to know . . . for he felt it was stronger than political reasons for knowing. "Not many queens or princesses would ever consider such a thing," he added. "So I thank you, for taking an active interest in the welfare of the people." He didn't know what kind of princess she had been -- apart from the rumors, however one could never fully trust rumors. But he was learning more and more about her each passing day, and each thing he learned . . . he came to admire her and feel more drawn to her. And now he learned about something they had in common: their love for the people.

[Guinevère]

He seemed more then willing to allow her to do this and Guinevère felt encouraged to help him. While she still planned to tell him what she would do before she did it, she liked that he seemed to think she did not need his permission to do these things. He wanted her to help his people, and did not ask her to only plan his next feast for his next victory.

"I had heard rumors and stories of . . . how things were with Morgana as their queen." She began knowing this could be something he did not wish to speak of, but she was only explaining what she wanted to do. "I thought trying to repair some of what she did would be a good place to start. It will take some time, but I do wish to help in any way I can." She might not be much help, but she would try!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Guinevère brought up Morgana and Arthur remained silent for a few moments. He had known Morgana growing up which was why her actions had been so . . . shocking. Both her and his father ruled by instilling fear in people and Arthur didn't want his rein to be like that. He wanted it to be an era of peace and prosperity and avoid violence and bloodshed. Contradictory, considering the way he had acquired the throne . . . but it was necessary. For the sake of Camelot. "It would be good for the people to see that their new week does care about their welfare." Which would be evident if she did as she suggested, charities and such. After their last queen -- Morgana -- and the king before -- Uther -- Arthur wanted him and Guinevère to represent a more hopeful future for them. He wanted to be someone that the people would be proud to call their sovereign, with earned loyalty and trust.

Not just say things to avoid a harsh penalty for treason. "What sort of charity do you have in mind?" He asked, wanting to divert the conversation away from the subject of his dysfunctional family. It was not a subject he could discuss with ease, and most of his men knew not to bring up Morgana or Uther's name. While he was not angered or offended by Guinevère doing so, he was not ready to talk about them with her. And was unsure if he would ever be. He only hoped that it wasn't a reflection of lacking trust for her . . . but rather, that some things were just too difficult to talk about.

[Guinevère]

"I think the people's hearts are already warmed by seeing their king care for them." She began, "Rosa tells me of how they speak of you in the castle and town. I have heard others speaking of you. You have given them hope, and people cannot grow with out hope. It's the strongest thing there is next to love." And she knew that for she loved him.

"They have suffered much, and I am not sure where to begin. Rosa and I will look into things and then I will be able to tell you more about what I would like to do." She had only not done so yet because she had wanted to wait before asking permission. Had he not been as kind to her as he was, then she would be waiting still. "Perhaps in a few days I will know more of how I can help." She would not just say 'give them coins' because that solved nothing. She wanted to find a way to help them and heal them.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened to her words, an undeniable sincerity in them. He still had many insecurities about being king and even though the people had not responded poorly to his rule . . . one never knew. The Pendragon name had been tainted by those who ruled before him, so he would rather come in the name of his mother, in the name of a Du Bois. Still. The fact that she said such things . . . filled him with a greater honor than ever before. The exact words could have been spoken by a councilman, or a knight, or anyone else . . . and he would never feel as flattered by them, as he did when she spoke them. He found himself just looking at her in awe by her wisdom and kind words, and not wanting to act too much like the fool, he quickly snapped out of whatever trance he'd entered. "Your words honor me," he told her honestly. "Yet I feel that it will still take time, to restore the faith people have in the Pendragon name." And he would hopefully be here to do whatever he could do earn the people's faith and trust.

When she spoke of wanting to help, and would try to find something in the next few days . . . Arthur paused in thought, needing only consider this for a few moments before he reached his decision. It was rather, uncommon for a queen to do this, but then again, it was uncommon for a king as well. "When Morgana was queen, she burned several crops and farmland," he began to explain. "In a few days time, I will be traveling to a few outlying villages to deliver packages of food, clothing, and other necessities that the people require while they rebuild their homes and wait for the next harvest." As was done every few weeks to all the outlying villages. And he felt the need to go, for those were his people as well. "If you are interested in coming, I would be honored to have to accompany me." For the people could meet their gracious queen, and Guinevère could meet the people of Camelot. Plus, it would be a nice tour of the kingdom -- one that they both now ruled. If it was any other woman, he would never even consider asking . . . but she was different, and seemed to have a genuine desire to want to help others.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled at his offer, "I would enjoy going with out to the villages with you." She told him, finding her respect for him swelling up for the sort of man and leader that he was showing himself to be. Not one that made the people come to him for help, but one who took the help to the people in need. It was a good and unheard of idea, and one she was glad to be part of.

"It would give me a chance to see the kingdom as well, for the most I have seen of it was on my trip here." Even then the curtains had been drawn closed for most of the ride here. "I am unfamiliar with the weather here, you will have to suggest what sort of clothing to wear. Thicker warmer dresses, or thinner cooler ones . . . " Dropping her tone and leaned in closer to him, "I do not suppose that I will need night gown, for thus far you had made the need for them minimal." Being she did not need them with him near. Her voice rose slightly as she kept speaking, no one using words that she did not wish over heard. "If it is simpler I can ride horse back rather then a carriage. I know how."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she accepted his offer, saying that she would enjoy going to the villages with him. He was looking forward to showing her the kingdom. In his years growing up, he'd had the liberty to explore the land and knew it rather well, so was quite looking forward to her seeing it in all its beauty. He would have said something along those very lines when she lowered his voice and whispered words of suggestion, that caused Arthur to slightly raise his eyebrow in intrigue and suddenly wish that the evening was coming to a close. "You assume correctly," he said, keeping his voice equally low. "After all, it would be less to pack, or more room to bring other garments." As if that was the justification. Really, he much liked the thought of himself keeping her warm, as oppose to her night gown. "You know how?" He asked, clearly impressed when she said she knew how to ride a horse . . . and probably well.

"I would not wish you to tire from the journey, so regardless, a carriage will be prepared for you." And if circumstances allowed him, perhaps he could sit with her for a portion of the journey . . . or at least be in her company if she wished to ride to see the scenery. "In terms of wardrobe, I would suggest something light, for the season is warm though also be sure to pack suitable clothing for rain." Since it tended to rain some around this time . . . he just hoped the weather would be kind to them for the duration of their journey. "We will be staying with various noble families along the way." At different estates that were within proximity of the villages they would be going to. He didn't want her to worry about having to sleep in the wilderness. When it was just him, that was different. But with the queen accompanying them, they could easily make other arrangements. Plus, it would give Arthur a chance to socialize with nobles as they too were citizens of Camelot.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère blushed at his words but chose not to keep speaking of her underthings in a room full of people whom she was still trying to make a good impression on. "I can ride a horse. Not at a mindless gallop, but I can ride." She had learned to enjoy rides but not been on them often. "Perhaps when I retire to the carriage you might join me for a few hours at a time?" Give them some time to talk and get to know each other.

"Will you bring the dog, or do you think they might be too young?" He had said they would stop at nobles homes and she made a mental note to request a list of who so she might find an appropriate gift to give them for acting as a host. Something simple like a case of wine, or special aid if needed from Morgana's 'care taking' of the kingdom. She also wanted to learn which nobles favored hunting and which would be bored by the topic.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled when she suggested that he ride in the carriage with her every so often. "We seem to be of the same mind, for I was thinking that as well," he told her truthfully. Though they have been married for over a week now, there was still much he wanted to learn of his wife. And such a journey would give them the chance to get to know each other, as their attention would not be too divided and they would not be needed elsewhere. "I fear the pups would be too young, and such a trip may overwhelm them." For it would be their first journey outside the city . . . and Arthur planned to start small, by perhaps bringing them along to a picnic with Guinevère in the woods sometime. "I will miss them greatly though," he admitted.

"Though I've had them for only a short while, I can not imagine what it would be like to not have them." It was as if he'd always had them, and that he could not imagine what it was like to not have them. "Will Rosa be coming?" He asked, quite aware of her handmaiden not only because of the fact that he wanted to know who was serving his wife -- though that was the primary reason. But also because of Galahad's ramblings. "You can ask your father's champion if he would like to come as well." Arthur tried to make his tone sound casual and nonchalant about it. She had asked him to give Lancelot a chance . . . to ask his men to bond with him. This would be the perfect opportunity for the knight to better acquaint himself with the other knights.

[Guinevère]

"We seem to be of the same mind, for I was thinking that as well," That pleased her, not that he would be joining her but that he was been thinking of joining her before she had even needed to ask! It seemed this 'forced' marriage was the best thing to happen to her in someways. While she missed her family and friends, Arthur was making her feel warmed and loved and . . . . home. He made this feel as if it was home.

"I fear the pups would be too young," As Arthur spoke of how he could not think of life without them her heart swelled. She had not thought he would enjoy the gift this much, but she was so very pleased he had. "It warms my heart to know they are loved."

"Will Rosa be coming?" Guinevère knew that she could not answer that right now. "I do not order Rosa to follow me around, I will ask her and if she wishes to come I will invite her and if she is travel weary then I will give her time off to enjoy herself." She looked around the room for that one special knight of his that had won Rosa over, "I have the feeling however the answer will be tired into the plans of you friend there."

"You can ask your father's champion if he would like to come as well." Her eyes turned to his in surprise but, Guinevère was a good enough hostess to know how to avoid awkward moments. "Perhaps, yet this might be a good chance for him to get to know your men. Either here or at their side on the rode. The choice will be yours as while he was my father's champion . . . he is a knight in your kingdom now." Guinevère would not make this choice for him, he needed to decide how things would be between the men now.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave a bit of a smirk as he took a sip from his goblet, his eyes glancing around the room for either Rosa or Galahad. "I would be lying if I said he doesn't have an invested interest in your handmaiden. In fact, its all he ever really talks about." Galahad talked quite a lot as it was . . . but now Arthur had to listen to him go on and on about women. Or, a woman. Arthur was not one to engage in gossip. "Perhaps you should have a talk with him. This seems like something more you forte than mine." Matchmaking. Advice about women. Or just calming him down for he acted like a giddy little boy with an infatuation most of the time. And it was becoming the subject of teasing among him and his close knights. "And probably best to talk to him before he asks me repeatedly if Rosa will be joining us." For once Galahad knew that the queen would be coming, Arthur was fairly certain that his next question -- or series of questions -- would be pertaining to Rosa.

Her answer to his comment about Lancelot made Arthur think of a moment. She had explained herself, and they'd moved past that entire . . . situation. For he knew where Guinevère's loyalties lay. "I would not wish to command that he come, for his allegiance is still to you and your father. I do however agree, and think it would be good for him to spend time with the other knights. And help familiarize himself with the kingdom." Besides, he would also be able to see that Arthur and his men were perfectly capable of protecting the queen . . . which was something that Lancelot seemed to doubt. "It would do him good to come," Arthur concluded, trying not to let his own bias against the man limit him in what he was and was not permitted to do in Camelot.