How History Had It Wrong

[Guinevère]

Everyone waited while Arthur looked over the armor. The blacksmith watching Arthur the closest, as his king seemed to not only like but love the armor that was built and worked on and designed . . . . for him. Arthur asked how much he would sell it for and the blacksmith looked confused for a moment. 'It . . . . it has already been purchased, my king. Armor must be made to fit the man who wears it, and this was an order put in by a queen for her husband.'

Guinevère looked at Rosa, thanking her with a kiss on her cheek before walking up toward Arthur. This was her gift she had wanted to give him. Knowing how she had been so excited, Rosa and Galahad had brought the man and the armor here so she could still give it to Arthur. "For the champion." She said softly, so he would know this was the gift she spoke of. Armor fit for a king. Made to keep him safe, while displaying his new status.

The blacksmith pulled one of the cuffs up and held it out toward Arthur, as the seal of the Pendragon family was there in darker iron. 'I used the measurements of your current armor, sire, to make this one. All is needed is to make sure the fit is strong.'

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was a bit disappointed when the man said that the armor had already been purchased. Was he just here to promote his work then? If so, then it was definitely working for Arthur was already planning to give the man his business and make him create a set of armor for himself. However, he was pulled out of these thoughts when Guinevère stepped closer and told him it was for the champion. He kept his gaze on her, his mind mulling over her words. It was . . . for him? She had gotten him such a gift? It was yet another one that left Arthur speechless, and this time he did not care that he was in a room with Rosa, Galahad and a stranger. He could only look at his wife, and everything else ceased to exist in this moment. He wasn't sure how long he was just softly staring at her for, until he seemed to break out of the trance and a small but strongly sincere smile formed on his lips. Arthur extended his hand to take the metal cuff, looking at it as it held the Pendragon seal.

"This is the most magnificent gift I have ever received," he said, a compliment to mostly his queen, but also to the man he created. "Well, besides the pups," he said slightly jokingly, though with truth. In actuality, the greatest gift he had ever been given, was her affection; her kindness; her . . . everything that she had given him. "Thank you," he said softly, looking back at Guinevère. He was not used to this. Not used to people putting such care and consideration into his gifts. It was different with the knights and how they all celebrated certain occasions. "I will wear it with great pride, to honor the woman who gave it to me," he added, wanting to make her proud. Wanting to earn that right rather than just be given it though . . . with what she had told him in the past, he felt he somewhat already yet. Even still. He knew that he would never even be close to the man she deserved, for he had never known someone with a greater heart, than her.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled brightly, glad that Arthur seemed to truly enjoy the gift. He had joked about the pups and Guinevère had been surprised that she even laughed. "Then I shall leave you for the fitting, and await you for luncheon when you have finished." She knew it wise to not linger, so she gave a nod to the blacksmith before leaving with Rosa.

Once she returned to her chambers, Rosa helped her once again return to her casual and simple black dress. Guinevère took the time to clean up before returning before the fire to await her husband and speak worth Rosa a few moments in order to thank her, and encourage her to 'thank' a special knight as well.

Back in the room, the blacksmith lifted a cloth pouch to the king, 'A suggestion of my wife's. So your lady can wear your seal, my king.' in it was a broach make of the same metal, and on it was the Pendragon's dragon seal.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched her as she left, staring after her for a few moments before the man who had made the armor claimed his attention. Each piece fit perfectly, clearly made for Arthur's body. The metal felt light, yet so strong at the same time. It was incredibly easy to move in and he knew that such a metal was not cheap. It made Arthur all the more grateful to Guinevère for the wonderful gift and the sentiment behind it. Once the fitting was over, Arthur informed one of the servants to take the armor -- with extreme care and caution -- to his chambers. The man then offered a pouch, explaining that it was his wife's suggestion to give Guinevère a broach with the Pendragon seal. Arthur smiled, taking it gratefully and asking for the price. But the man said it was gift along with the armor. He thanked him once again, grateful for the work he had put into his magnificent armor.

Arthur escorted him out with Galahad, as the two men exchanged casual conversation on their way back into the hall. Galahad spoke in admiration of Arthur's recent gift and Arthur remained silent, for he was truly touched by Guinevère's consideration and generosity. Once they arrived at the queen's chambers, Galahad waited outside for a certain someone. Arthur knocked on the door, waiting for Rosa to open it just in case Guinevère was unable to see him at the moment. "Rosa," he greeted. Her eyes went to the king and then to Galahad standing next to him. "If the queen does not need you, perhaps you can take some time off. I will stay with Guinevère." Because Arthur wanted some time alone with his wife, and he knew that Galahad would be more than happy with some time with Rosa. Obviously somewhere public, but still.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère looked up when a knock came at the door, but smiled brightly when Arthur entered and Rosa left with a knowing smile. "Did it fit well?" She asked, "I had hoped it would but he wasn't sure if he could do it from just your old armor." Though she hoped that he could. She wanted Arthur to be able to wear it for at least official things if he wished. She would not ask him to wear it into fights or jousts until it had bee tested.

She at least knew that much, that one did not wear untested armor into any sort of area or fight were they armor would need to be used to keep you alive. It was pretty but she wasn't sure if it was really as strong as the blacksmith boasted. Rising to a stand, she waited to see where he would like to eat, and what he thought of the gift before trying to ask him anything else about armor or girls.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur waited until Rosa closed the door behind her as she left with her escort. Guinevère asked if it fit well, and spoke of how she hoped it had but didn't know it the size could be judged by the former armor. Instead of answering right away with words, he approached her and kissed her deeply in gratitude for the incredible gift. He wrapped his arms around her small waist, knowing that no kiss was strong enough to fully express how grateful he was. After many moments, he pulled away, smiling down at her as he brought a hand to her cheek. "Thank you for the gift," he said in a strongly sincere voice. Knowing that no amount of words -- just as no action -- could properly express himself either.

How he wished that he could show her tonight just how much he loved it. And how much he cared for her. Yet all he could do for the next few days was show it in other ways, apart from the intimately physical means of expression. "It was absolutely perfect," he continued, referring to the fitting, the size, the style . . . everything about the gift was utterly perfect. "I meant what I said. That I have never been given such a magnificient gift before." With the exception of Cabal and Bohrs, which he had already stated. "Truly, thank you." And all he could do was lean forward to kiss her again.

[Guinevère]

Arthur kissed her, twice! If a husband spending time with his wife when she was during this time was odd, kissing her should have shocked Guinevère--yet she found she had almost expected it. Not in a 'he better do this' sort of expected but in a casual more domestic way. She loved him, and she was coming to love him more and more. She wasn't sure if he would want to hear that this soon, but it was growing harder to hold it in.

Perhaps she would wait and tell him when she could give him news of a child. Breaking the kiss, Guinevère looked up at him. "You have no need to thank me. The crown owed a gift to the champion. It was only proper that I make sure the gift was befitting of a king." She said, dismissing the glowing thanks he gave her, but her face glowed with pride at his words. "Though I feel the need to warn you that nor every win will earn you such a gift. I fear I might have set the standard too high."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He had every need to thank her. She was so modest, so dismissive of any need for thanks. When surely any other woman who would made him speak such words repeatedly. He had however quickly learned that Guinevère was not like other woman . . . and that was what made his affections for her all the stronger. Because she was different, in the best way possible. She was not the typical conceited and spoiled princess. She was so far from him, that he couldn't even formulate words to describe it. He gave a slight chuckle when she said that she had set the standard too high for any future victories he may have. For he would not be given a gift each time. While the gift meant a great deal to him, he knew he didn't not need gifts to be happy.

"I have everything I could ever want and need," he told her, as he kissed the back of her hand, looking deep into her eyes so that she knew he was talking about her. He had not been sure how he felt about marriage -- for he knew not who he was marrying. Now, he knew he could be happy. He was happy. He never knew it possible to have this level of joy . . . but she had given him that. She made him feel cared for and filled him so many more emotions that no one else had or ever could fill him with.

[Guinevère]

"I have everything I could ever want and need," He told her as he lifted her hand and placed a kiss there, his eyes never looking for her's. Blushing, Guinevère hoped that his words were true. She wanted him to be as happy as she was finding herself in this marriage, and hoped that he would be. She wished again she was brave enough to tell him she loved him, but apart of her again held back. Soon. She would tell him soon.

Turning his palm in her hand, she lifted it to her lips so she could place a kiss there. "We should enjoy our lunch." She had more questions for him, "Would you rather eat at the table, or here?" Before the fire where they had been. It was a comfortable place to sit, but she had only rarely eaten anywhere but a table--and even then not with a man whom she wanted to impress in all things.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled when she kissed his hand and said that they should enjoy their lunch, then asking where he would rather eat. "Let's eat here," he decided. He liked the informality and wanted to be as casual as he could with his wife. While of course eating at the table was more proper -- and something she was most probably accustomed to having been raised as a princess -- he did not want to have such a formal lunch. With that, he went to get the tray of food, setting it down in front of them and waited for her to be seated before he did the same. He then picked up a plate, starting to put some meats, fruit, bread and vegetables in it for her and once complete, he passed her her lunch. "Oh, I almost forgot," he realized, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small pouch with the broach inside.

He had been so overwhelmed with gratitude and had immediately grown distracted as soon as he entered the room -- simply by one glance at her -- that he'd nearly forgotten to give her the gift. "This is a gift from the blacksmith and his wife," he explained, passing her the pouch. He knew he could not take credit for the well thought and sentimental gift. He was only its deliverer. He would have to think to give her something good, though he'd already been planning to give her something for the journey they would take in a few days time. If of course she was feeling well enough to travel.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère lowered herself down to the rug, and waited for her husband to return. Arthur reached in his pocket and handed her the gift. "That was kind of him," She said softly, opening it up and smiling. It was her first item with the seal of her new family on it. Women did not often wear their seals as knights and kings did, but she was pleased with the gift.

"I will have to thank him." She sat it beside her and look up at her husband. He was taller then her, and she was finding she truly liked that about him. While she never felt intimated, she did feel safe from his strength and having it near. After a few moments of just looking at him she spoke again, "You never did answer my question." Her tone was soft, and she was hoped he knew that she would not press for an answer. Had he ever found love before? Did he leave a girl behind in order to come here?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched her unwrap the gift, seeming happy with the pendragon seal. They would indeed need to thank him, but not right now. That could easily wait. He looked at her as she looked at him, a smile on his lips when she said that he did not answer her question. "And what question was that?" He asked, genuinely curious for he did not recall the specific topic they had been discussing prior to the interruption. And it was hard to think back on it, when his mind had been utterly distracted by the wonderful gift she asked him. It wasn't something of a . . . physically intimate nature, for they would not be able to be together in that way for the next few days. It was no action she wished to know more about, and they had been discussing their former lives . . . no. He really couldn't remember.

He popped a grape in his mouth as he looked at her, waiting for her to ask, hoping that she could tell from his tone that he was not teasing it out of her. It was strange how easy it was to be so playful and teasing. He knew that not all women were like that, and it was a clear reflection on how comfortable he felt in her presence. That, casual informal relationship that he thought could only come when two people fell in love prior to getting married. But he had found it quite easy to be so comfortable around her, shortly after their wedding. It was an incredible feeling and made him all the more grateful that she was his wife.

[Guinevère]

"And what question was that?" Her husband asked while he began enjoying the meal. She still wasn't hungry, but apart of that was not only due to her current physical parts, but also a bit of nerves. She had not planned to ask it out right again, in order to allow him to be free of the question if he truly wished to. Yet he seemed to have forgotten what she had asked.

"Did you leave anyone behind when you began a king? . . . Was there ever a girl whom you might have married instead?" She reached for something, anything to hold in her hands and a reason to keep her eyes from his face for a short moment. While the answer could let her know him better it also would make her mind wonder about this girl. Who she might have been. He did not seem broken hearted--for he had laughed with her and spoken of no other giving him thoughtful gifts like the dogs, and even spoken to her like he did in the tent . . . . but perhaps he was better at hiding things then she was.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When she asked the question, his mind instantly recalled it. He had evaded it the first time she'd asked, speaking of how he had brought his friends with him to be knights so that they were not broken hearted. But he knew that avoiding it twice would make it seem like he was hiding something. And he never wanted her to have any doubts about where his loyalties lay. He didn't want her to question his fidelity to her. And avoiding such questions would only raise suspicions. "No," he answered, his tone soft and sure. He had never been in love before, and there had never been another that claimed his heart. He knew that without being on the throne, he would have been free to choose who he wanted to marry -- someone he loved rather than someone that would be a strategic and political strength.

"Had there been, I would not have left her behind. I would not have been able to marry another." He knew it was a strange thing to admit . . . for as a king, there would have been certain expectations of him in terms of who he made his queen. But he also knew that the kind of king he wished to be was one who followed his heart; ruled with it. Had he been in love with another, he would not be able to betray that. So he hoped his words gave her some piece of mind, that there was never another, nor would be another in his life. And he rather liked it that way, for he was starting to feel things for his wife that he'd never felt for another woman.

[Guinevère]

He spoke of not being able to marry another if he had been in love, and Guinevère found her heart beating faster. She wished that one day she could be that for him. The girl he could not leave behind. -- Not that he could leave her behind, for she was his wife. But she wanted for him to see her in that place in his heart. Odd how quickly she was falling for him. How natural and easy it felt.

"You break so many rules," She said in a bit of awe at his words, "Had I heard of them before I met you I would have been . . . . I am unsure. I cannot even imagine how shocked I would have been yet . . . Seeing you, and getting to know you I find that I like the new rules you make, and the ones you break. I find instead of feeling as if you are taking everything everyone knows away from them, you're giving them new views and stronger lives . . . . The people see it that way too. You can see it, with how they look at you. How they are as in awe of you as--" She was.

"I find myself looking forward to seeing what changes you bring to everything."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"You break so many rules." Had her tone been any different, he would have thought she meant this as a bad thing. But instead . . . it sounded like a good thing. And her next words certainly re-enforced that. Her words flattered him beyond belief. To know that he had the support of his wife meant a great deal to him. He knew that Guinevère was not afraid to speak her mind, for she had practically scolded him for participating in the joust where as someone else may have just remained silent on the subject, even though they disagreed. "You think too highly of me Guinevère," he said teasingly, though meant his words of undeserving praise. "I simply want Camelot to be a place of justice and equality. Where people are not persecuted and feel like they are living in danger." A place where they were proud of their sovereign and not afraid . . . for he did not wish to rule by fear. Something that was unfamiliar in his family it seemed for both his father and half sister ruled with that method.

He reached over to take her hand in his, casually holding it as his thumb gently caressed the top of her hand. "To know that I have your support, means a great deal to me," he said, speaking aloud his previous thoughts of how honored he was to know that she seemed to approve of what he was trying to do. He knew that his actions were not without political repercussions . . . but he stood by all of them thus far. "And it is not just the changes I will bring. But the changes that we will bring to the kingdom." Because he wanted her to be a part of the decisions made. He wanted her to play an active role in governing Camelot. He trusted her and from all that he knew of her thus far, had no doubts that her being active in affairs of the kingdom, would only further strengthen it.

[Guinevère]

"You simply want Camelot to be a place of justice and equality." She teased with a smile, hinting that it was not as simple as he was claiming it to be. Though her smile mostly came from how he had claimed THEY would do this together. She was not even sure were they would begin. While he knew of ways to help change and shape the kingdom he wished to build she could only try to keep up with him. His ideals were so different from the world she had been raised in.

She had been told that she should take care of the lowerclass, but not be their friend. Arthur told her that she could do both. She had been told that only pure blood nobles had the honor in them to be knights and show loyalty. Arthur and his band of farmers had proven that wrong. She had been told she could not find joy in her husband's arms, and Arthur had shown her so very many things that proved that so very wrong. "I want to help you, but I fear I will not know how. I can only take in the befits of the rules you already changed."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when she teased him, realizing his words may made it have sounded far more simpler than it actually was. It would take time, and years before he could establish Camelot the way he believed it should be. He was just thankful that he wasn't alone. He had his knights, and a council and a supportive wife. All things were a great strength to a king . . . especially the latter. She then said she wanted to help, but did not know how. It was understandable for he had broken so many customs and traditions that he knew some people didn't even know how to react to it. "I would never want you to feel burdened with the pressures of being queen," he began to say, wanting her to know that her involvement with the ruling of the kingdom was optional -- meaning she could be as invested in the role as she wanted to be.

He had expected a queen who would just agree with his every word and not concern herself with political affairs. Yet, Guinevère was not such a woman. She was far better, for when she had an opinion, she vocalized it. "I just want the people to know their queen. I can tell they already love her," -- Especially compared to Morgana's tyrannical reign -- "And I want them to feel safe and secure." For women were more compassionate and nurturing by nature. "It is why I had wanted you to come along on the journey through the kingdom. So that the people can get to know you. And see the wonderful woman that I am lucky to call wife," he said with flirtatious teasing, though with the utmost truth.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was blushing slightly at his words, and praise of her. She hoped that he would never come to regret the words he so easily spoke now. She had asked him once, or rather told him, that he wasn't what she expected. He had then asked what she had expected, and thinking back of the same conversation now she knew that he was truly so far from what the rumors made of him.

She never would have believed them had they spoken true rather then made him seem like a brute. "Then I shall have to make sure everything goes perfectly for our journey." While he would make sure they were safe, she could make sure that they appeared like a king and queen should. Clothing, traveling, and the details he might be too busy to notice, or not have thought of yet. "And I shall count the day in excitement at being able to see the kingdom. The last time I travel though it, I fear I was too nervous to take in too much detail. Now I shall enjoy and embrace the journey."

[Arthur Pendragon]

He was so very glad that she was excited for this journey . . . and she didn't seem like someone who was going to constantly complain about the duration of it or of where they stopped. Had he thought she was like that, he never would have invited her. But she was not that kind of woman . . . far from it. The more he discovered about her, the more fond he grew of her. More so than he could have with any other wife. They spend the rest of the afternoon together, talking, getting to know each other . . . just enjoying one another's company. The subject of children was seldom brought up, for he knew it had upset her earlier and now, she seemed to be feeling much better -- from what he could see anyway. It felt so casual and just . . . naturally easy to be with her. As if there was no effort at all. As if they were not pretending to be people they weren't. It would take time for him to grow more comfortable discussing certain things but so far with how their relationship was growing, he firmly believed that the day would come where he wouldn't think twice about opening up to her about matters of his heart and emotions.

Unfortunately, the afternoon was drawing to a close, and Arthur had to return to his duties as king. Though he would much rather focus on his duties as a husband and companion to her. "You're sure you'll be alright?" He asked, just wanting to make sure. Rosa had informed him that the queen would not be able to see him for several days . . . and he didn't think he could bare that kind of absence from her. "If you like, I can come tonight. Just so you don't have to be alone." Because he wanted her to know that he was well aware they couldn't be intimate . . . but he also offered for another reason. Fidelity was extremely important to Arthur, and he wanted her to know that he would remain faithful to her. It was an awkward subject to discuss, and knew that it was not the kind of thing that was so easily believed. After all, how many men claimed that they would not betray their wife yet do so anyway by taking a mistress. He knew that they were still getting to know each other and over time, hoped he could prove that he would never take a mistress . . . no matter what.