How History Had It Wrong

[Guinevère]

His offer humbled her, and made her feel excitement all at once. While his other gifts were wonderful this one meant so much for her. Looking up at him as he kissed her hand she felt herself smiling a bit more brightly. "I would enjoy that very, very much. Thank you so much." She felt excited to look there again, and speak with the gardener. While sh might not change much, she could be part of keeping it clean and planning seasonal things for there.

No one was in the hall and they had come to a stop when he kissed her hand, leaving her unhurried to take the first step toward the feast. She stared up at him for a long silent moment, before her hands moved to his upper arms and she raised up hesitantly to place a kiss on his lower cheek. "Thank you for everything." She told him, taking him arm once more

[Arthur Pendragon]

She once again seemed so grateful, even though these were just small things he could offer. But she was so appreciative, and this not a trait in most princesses or queens. They were less modest, more expectant. But Guinevère was neither. It was making him realize that she was not only pure in the physical sense, but in so many other ways; a pure and genuine person. He watched her as she put her hands on his upper arms and raised to kiss his cheek. He almost prepared for a kiss on her lips, but remained, not even turning his head. He did no wish to push her . . . for he had done enough of that last night.

"There is no need to thank me," he assured her. "I want you to have all that you desire." He had told her last night that he didn't ever want her to be unhappy . . . and such words would always be true. And all he cuold do was pray that he was not what was making her unhappy. With a few more moments of just gazing at her, and with her arm back around him, he continuing walking toward the grand hall for the feast tonight.

[Guinevère]

They started walking toward the feast and she did not reply to his words. He was proving them to be true, when most nobles said things they did not mean when it came to promises to their ladies or wives. Guinevère had not had many men court er for most knew she was promised--or not promises but everyone knew that her father had a matched planned fr her. Now she was wed to a king, and she was finding this man to be nothing like the men she had known or heard other girls speak of in courting.

Her hand stayed on his arm, as they walked int the feast, down the middle of the room and to the chairs. After she was seated, she waited for him to be seated and everything began. The foods were wonderful and the entertainment was superb. She found herself relaxing some and enjoying the events. After supper, everyone stayed for conversation and wine. Guinevère and Arthur circled the room together a few times but then he went to speak to his knights, and she spoke to her father for a while before moving to be greeted by some other ladies of the court.

[Arthur Pendragon]

The evening proceeded wonderfully. Guinevère seemed to be enjoying herself and that caused Arthur to be more at ease as well. He was glad that she seemed to be taking in everything, and not feeling as nervous or uncertain about anything. Of course it was different being in a public setting, but still. The awkwardness seemed to be momentarily gone between them . . . and they even managed to engage in a few casual conversations. When dinner and the entertainment drew to a close, the people began socializing among one another. Meeting and greeting all the guests that had still been visiting from the King's wedding to Leodegrance's daughter -- as most would be staying for the coronation as well. Eventually Arthur and Guinevère went their separate ways.

She went to meet a few ladies of court and Arthur went to spend time with his knights; the only ones that he could feel relaxed around. For while he would never admit it, this transition from noble to king was still immensely overwhelming. So being around his knights was casual and easy, for he had practically grown up with them and they were as brothers to him. They engaged in teasing conversation, them commenting on how beautiful Guinevère was, and while Arthur couldn't argue, he could cast them slightly warning looks to not push it too far -- though it was all in jest. For some comments were made just to get that rise out of Arthur. They teased him about his wedding night, but that was not something Arthur was going to remotely discuss. But the night went on in such a way, his attention being occasionally stolen to talk to other visiting nobles and royals.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère found herself laughing with the younger girls, whom where unwed and would tease her about how her husband was handsome. She would blush and laugh with them, and say slightly knowing comments that new or unwed ladies could scandalous. She looked around the room, her eyes seeking out her husband's but fell instead on Lancelot whom was watching her in return. She gave him an apologetic smile, knowing the adjustment would take much longer for him. He had gone from king's champion whom would marry the princess, to gifted to another king, and guarding the woman he would no longer wed.

She wished sh could help him make friends here. '--and he put his tongue there.' Guinevère's head turned to the ladies, realizing she had missed part of the conversation. ''OH! My goodness, how I miss when Sire Franklin was young and would do that!'' 'Was he ever that young?' The other lady teased, and Guinevère was assuming the other woman married an elder man. ''He was, back before he got his mistress! He would wrap his tongue around me there, and draw me into his mouth.' What!? Guinevère's face blushed and her eyes went wide. What part of her? ''Use to make me so wet, and he'd drink me up while there.'' That was good?! Wait! His face was there!!??

'My husband used to demand I be without my dress before he arrived. However, I've recently taken Sir Morrison to bed, and he undressed me, and used his youthful energy to spent an hour before taking me.' An hour?! Men liked this?! ''My dear, I think we are scandalizing the new queen.' They both looked at her and laughed, before kissing her cheeks and walking away, but not before one of them whispered something in her ear, suggesting with a shocking statement that she do as her lover had done and undress her husband tonight for him. Did she dare? Could she? Would he want that from her?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Just as the dinner, the rest of the evening went splendidly. Arthur's gaze kept searching the room looking for his wife, and noticing that she was never standing alone. It made sense. For most at court would want to meet their new queen, and all the visitors would want to congratulate her. He would look, and then turn away to focus back on whatever conversation he was engaged in. He would keep doing this until he took notice of the slowly dispersing crowd. Many were retiring to their chambers for the night. Until there were only a few left. It was now for the first time all evening that that initial unease of how she felt returned in his mind. What would happen tonight? Should he give her space?

Should he ask for her permission to let him make things up to her? One more chance to prove he wasn't that aggressive? He would have to figure out what to do soon, for he went to Guinevère, noticing that she was wrapping up a conversation with another noblewoman and waited for her to leave before Arthur fully approached Guinevère. "My Lady," he said offering his arm to her. "May I escort you back to your chambers?" He asked, knowing it was custom for him to do so, but still wanted to remain polite in asking if this was what she wanted. Or if she would rather have one of her ladies escort her back.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère heard Arthur's voice and turned her head to look at him before smiling brightly up at him. He offered to escort her to her chambers and she almost told him that then she would not be dressed and ready for him--however the words of the elder ladies came to her mind, and Guinevère found a blush on her cheeks.

"Yes, thank you." She told him, moving forward to take his arm once again, knowing that when they walked up to her chambers, that she could invite him in the room, and . . . did she really dare? Could she really do as they suggested? It was too bold! No, she didn't think she was ready for something so bold. Yet they seemed to like it--enough to think the others would be envious. Would he like it? Would SHE like it? She could see him. Like he had let her for a moment last night. Men were different from woman, and she was finding she wanted to know more.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled in return to seeing her own. She didn't seem worried or unsure . . . unless he was just blind to it. She was smiling brightly at him though so he took that as a good sign. With their arms linked, they finally left the room, and he focused on taking her to her chambers. He would not expect too much, knowing that it wasn't fair to her if he was already planning their night . . . when he still feared he'd traumatized her the night before. Not wanting to let these daunting thoughts cause a rift between them during their walk, he kept them to himself and attempted to focus on something else.

"Did you enjoy the feast?" He asked, wondering if she got along with most of the noblewomen. He didn't think she would have a problem as she seemed friendly and warm to most everyone. "The soon to be queen seemed to have dominated most of the conversations tonight," he said a teasingly. For the subject was the new queen of Camelot, or the coronation tomorrow to formalize this. Of course this was a good thing, for he was glad that everyone was admiring Guinevère, as she was was worthy of all such praise.

[Guinevère]

He teased her about holding most the conversations in the room and Guinevère found herself smiling, glad that he seemed pleased. A good hostess was important for a king to have. She was well aware of what made a good hostess, but she also knew there were more important things in life then a good party. She only hoped that he would allow her to do more.

Her father allowed her to go to him when he was alone and speak of things and he would see to them. She was not allowed to speak out or speak up when others were in the room. Elyan would let her speak her mind freely, but he was not the king, and they were both bound by his rules. "Everyone was very kind to me this evening. I look forward to making many new friends here." For this was her home now. "They speak very highly of you." Which make her feel proud of her husband.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He was glad to hear that. That she was getting along with everyone and that no one gave her any trouble. "I'm glad to hear that everyone was welcoming to you." For he knew it could not be easy to be away from her home, and would be even more difficult for her once her father left and she was here only with her ladies and the knight that her father had sent with her. "They speak very highly of you." Arthur gave a slight smile at her words. While she didn't think she was making that up, he also knew better. For compared to the last rulers of Camelot . . . anyone who wasn't a tyrant was a good ruler. They had no one good to compare him to. Only harsh rulers who had ruled through fear.

So while Arthur wasn't sure what kind of king he would be -- even still -- he certainly knew what kind of king he didn't want to be. "The people have just come out of a tyrannical rule. They will be grateful for a gracious queen to lead them and offer them hope and compassion." Qualities that his half sister had severely lacked. Arthur could not say he was proud of his family or the way they treated others. Which was why he wanted to build his family, and why he was so relieved that the more he learned about Guinevère . . . the more he liked her. And the more he believed she would be a good queen. For the history of the Pendragon reign, was no secret. So it was best to build a better future, rather than dwell on a dark past.

[Guinevère]

Arthur dismissed their emotions and said they would want a queen to give them hope rather then get it from them. "No, the hope is already there. Even I can see it. They are breathing easy, and look at you with pride. They speak of growth with hope and eagerness." She could see the people were not used to this type of rule, but she could see they were embracing it.

"It is there king whom has given them this. They know it too, for they are protective of you." No one let anyone speak badly of their king. "I think they already love you." Which was something they needed for you could not grow without love of the men, and en leading you. You would fight that change, and these people embraced it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked at her as she began to speak of how the people perceived him. She spoke of the hope that was already there, and how he was the one who had given it to him. He wasn't too sure about that, but what he was sure about was that she believed it. That she spoke with such strength . . . that Arthur couldn't help but feel drawn to that strength and faith that she seemed to hold. This was the most he'd ever heard her speak, and it was about him. About what she apparently noticed in the people. It left him speechless, for he wasn't sure how to express what her words meant to him. Whether they were true or not, it was how she said them. There was not only a tone of strength, but also an underlying tone of wisdom. Was this what she was truly like once she felt more at ease? If it was, then Arthur knew he could grow to care for her more than he thought he could a woman who he'd never known before his wedding day. "As I can tell that they already love their queen," he said, in reference to her last words. Because, he was unsure what to say about all the others.

They filled him with such deep honor that he wasn't sure how to express that. Unused to talk to anyone about what was in his heart, apart from his judgments and actions. This was different however. It felt different hearing it from her, because it did not seem like she was saying this because she felt she was obligated to; it felt she was saying this because she believed it. He had been so lost in his thoughts that it took him a moment to realize that they had arrived at her chamber doors . . . and all those questions and uncertainties about where they went from here resurfaced in his mind. He stood outside them, not yet pulling his arm from where it was joined with hers. So he just stood there, in silence . . . now not solely because he was honored, but because he was trying to determine what to do from here. "I'm glad you had an enjoyable evening." He hadn't meant for those words to come out and while they were true . . . it was just an attempt to lead the conversation toward whether she would want him to come to her, or if he was completely oversteppig, especially after last night.

[Guinevère]

She blushed at his words, "Time will tell, I think." On if they would love her for her rather then for whatever ideals they had of her. Looking up at him she noticed them coming to a slow and stop. Her chambers. This was the moment. Yet instead of entering he told her that he was glad she enjoyed her evening. That sounded like he was saying goodnight, and her heart skipped a beat.

For she had not planned on having to ask him to stay. Before she had to ask it of him however, the door opened and Rosa stood there holding it. Looking at her handmaiden she spoke softly, "You can retire for the night, and enjoy some time with your family if you wish." Meaning her husband would be the one to help her undress and ready for bed. THERE! She'd done it! Sort of. The ladies spoke of undressing, and now she was giving them both the chance to . . . undress. Looking back up at him for a moment, she smiled softly before walking into the room, hoping he would follow. Rosa left them quickly, leaving them alone.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur waited for her to respond to his words, about to take direction as to whether he should stay or go. But instead, the door opened and one of Guinevère's handmaidens stood there, speaking of how they could be alone. Arthur knew it would look horrible if he walked away from his wife in front of someone else. It was not that he wanted to do so, he just feared it was what she wanted. So because he did not want to humiliate her in any way, he followed her inside, closing the door behind him once Rosa was out. Arthur took a few steps into the room, though did not want to overstay his welcome if she did not want him here. But had also allowed him inside for the same reason he had come in: to avoid anyone from thinking something was wrong. For it would be -- and was -- his own fault.

"We don't have to . . . " He paused, trying to phrase things appropriately. "If you wish to rest tonight Guinevère, I understand." He hoped she would act how she wished, and not do something because she felt that obligation to him. He had told her last night to tell him to stop if she didn't want to go any further, yet even when he'd seen the pain on her face and the tears in her eyes . . . he'd not stopped. He just kept going, lost in the passion of the moment and desperate for her to achieve that same pleasure that she had given him.

[Guinevère]

Arthur spoke and Guinevère looked up at him, her face showing a bit of disappointment. "Oh," Did he not wish to stay? "If . . . If you wish to go, I can call Rosa back." She told him hesitantly, feeling uncertain and a bit rejected in the moment. He had asked with words of concern but she had just sent away her maid so they could be alone. How much more direct could she be? Was she thinking she was more direct then she was?

Was he tired, or not ready for her? "If . . . you wish to come back later, I can be ready for then." If he rather doing things proper. She wasn't sure anymore, she had thought she was being bold and welcoming but now she wasn't sure. She would need him or Rosa to help her from the dress, and with Rosa growing more out of reach with every step she knew she needed to stop her if she was going too.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When she spoke it took Arthur a minute to realize how his words sounded. Did she truly think he didn't want to be here? He didn't want to be anywhere but here. It was she that he was worried about; he feared that she was the one who did not want him present. Which was why he was trying to give her the space she needed . . . and certainly didn't want it to seem like he desired that space. "No," he said quickly, taking a few steps toward her, so that he was now standing directly in front of her. Perhaps too close if he was trying to keep his actions under control tonight.

"It's just . . . " He wondered if she knew just how much he wanted her; how much he wanted to be with her. How difficult it was to focus on anything else all day because his mind was constantly consumed with thoughts of her. "I wasn't sure how you were feeling, after last night." There. He had put it out there. Was she sore? Traumatized? Afraid? Upset? She could be so many things and Arthur had not asked yesterday. He was asking now however, so that he would know better for next time. Whether the next time was tonight, in a few days, or a few weeks. He would try to be more considerate of her . . . and not push her too far, not be too forceful.

[Guinevère]

Arthur assured her that he was only thinking of her and not seeking to leave. He had moved closer and she felt encased by his warmth. Nothing could touch her here, he made her feel safe. "I am well." She told him, not explaining that she had been sore until her hot bath, and that she'd ended up having two, one to ease her . . . . self . . . and one to make sure she would be ready for tonight.

Her hands reached for him, but paused and drew back twice before they reached up to where she cape was tired around him, and her fingers freed it so it fell to the floor. Her eyes looked to his to see if he would tell her to stop or not. Or that this was inappropriate. Reaching up as well, she used her hands to remove his crown, and turn to place it on the table behind her. Turning back to her husband her hands rested on her belly to keep them from shaking. She was nervous, but with that she'd heard today . . . she knew some enjoyed it and she wanted to be one of them. So her hands reached out, but drew back, before reaching for his sword belt.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I am well." Was she? Or was she just saying that. There was something in the way she spoke that assured him she was . . . and for that, he was s very relieved. He wanted to ask more, he wanted to apologize for his actions . . . but her next ones caught him completely off guard. She reached up and unclasped his cape, letting it fall to the ground. It was enough to cause him to freeze with surprise at what she was doing. She was . . . was she actually . . . there was no way to misinterpret these actions. She was helping him to get undressed. Because . . . she wanted to be with him tonight? Would she really give him that second chance he could only hope for? To prove to her that he could be more gentle, that he would not be so aggressive. That . . . he would never make her cry again. He didn't know what to say or do.

He only stood there dumbly, hardly even noticing the hesitancy for eventually, she not only removed the cape, but his crown too. And then, his sword belt. He felt mesmerized by her actions, just staring at her with so many different emotions. To know that she was trying; that she was nervous but doing it anyway. He felt more grateful than words could ever express. So where words failed him, perhaps actions could reveal part of how he felt. He began to lean toward her, raising her chin with his hand, until his lips rested on hers. Perhaps it would show her how much he wanted this, and give her the encouragement and confidence to continue. Feeling her lips on his own again was something he had longed for all day, and wasn't even sure he would have tonight. He kept it soft for a moment, before slowly deepening it, trying not to move too quickly, but not wanting it to be lacking passion. If there was anything she could bring out in hi, it was passion.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère pulled his sword belt from him and held his sword awkwardly in her hands for a moment before putting it next to his crown. When she turned to face him he lifted her chin and kissed her softly. Guinevère's hands moved to his chest and rested here without thought to her own actions. When he deepened the kiss she gasped softly, and tilted her head to let herself get closer to him.

"Last night was my first kiss," She told him when they broke apart for air. Then her hand came up to trace his jawline, and she smiled softly at him. Guinevère wasn't sure how to remove his armor however, and she looked over it before looking up questioning to him, hoping he would understand the question in her eyes so she didn't have to ask him how to free him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When the kiss broke, she revealed that last night was her first kiss. He opened his eyes to look at her . . . trying to see whether it was a good memory for her, or a bad one. But the soft smile on her lips, and her hand tracing his jawline . . . made him lean more toward the possibility that it was a positive memory for her. He gave a small smile in return, one hand going to her cheek to gently caress it. There was such a strong innocence about her, one that made him regret even more how he had lost his control last night. To know that no other man had ever kissed her, made him feel even more fiercely protective of her. For she was truly his, as he was fully hers. He noticed the questioning look in her eyes, and it took him a few moments to understand why there was that expression there: the armor.

It was a bit obscure to remove, which made it a good thing that they were still standing for he didn't want her to feel the strain of the weight. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, placing light kisses around her cheek during it. His own hands went to the back of the necklace, fiddling with the clasp so that he could start to get her undressed as well. "There is a clasp on the back of my neck that binds it together," he said in a whispered voice in between kisses. Once the necklace was loose, he pulled it off of her, focusing his lip's attentions to her neck now, as his feet stepped forward causing her to move back . . . closer toward the bed.