How History Had It Wrong

[Guinevère]

Guinevère watched his face as he opened his eyes and how it seemed to take him a moment to realize what she had given him. She held her breath waiting to see if he would like them--and then he smiled brightly, making her smile even brighter. He liked them! She watched as he took a few moments to look and play with them, petting an ear and holding them up. "Thank you." He told her and she could tell he meant it. She wasn't sure how she knew it but she knew it.

She adjusted her dress so she might sit down with him, taking one of them into her arms, but made sure she was close enough that he could reach over without stretching to pet the puppy in her arms. "Every good knight or king needs a good pair of dogs. Either to hunt with, or just play with." She explained while kissing the puppies' head. "So when I saw these in the market, I knew I had to get you a pair."

Looking over at him she reached over to pet the one in his arms, "Now they can play with one another while you work, and can keep you from working too hard in the evenings." Nights it would be her job.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur felt all the happier when she came to sit next to him. Everything about this moment felt so . . . informal. And that was a feeling he never had expected to have. One that he loved, for it made everything feel more . . . real. More family like. Their marriage didn't just feel like a political alliance for she would do things like this and it just made him feel like she was his wife more than his queen. He looked at her as she spoke of the pups, explaining that she saw them in the market and felt compelled to get them for him. He had not been expecting anything, but this gift was so thoughtful of her, and he wasn't sure how to express his gratitude.

Though a permanent smile seemed to be on his face right now, one that felt as if it would never waver. "This is truly the most wonderful gift I have ever been given." And he meant every word. Because the present was gifted with care and sentiment. "I would however prefer to think of them as part of our family, rather than solely my hunting dogs." While he would of course teach them to hunt, he wanted to keep them domestic was well, so that they could play with their children one day. For right now, in this moment, and for the first time in Arthur's life . . . he felt like he was part of a family. His family. And that was all thanks to her.

[Guinevère]

"This is truly the most wonderful gift I have ever been given." Guinevère looked up at him surprised, for she had thought them cute and would help make things easier for a man whom was having his life changed so much (from noble to king to husband) --and now he spoke of it being the best gift he'd ever gotten. It surprised and humbled her completely. "I am pleased you like them." She said lamely, for he had just given her the best complement a man could give a woman.

"I would however prefer to think of them as part of our family, rather than solely my hunting dogs." He went on to say and she laughed softly, loving the idea of them as a family. "What shall we call our little children then?" She teased knowing that they were not children, but the idea was so charming. How odd. She knew nothing about him. His beliefs, his fears, his likes, or even his favorite food. She did not even know his mother's name.

Yet she was sitting with him, feeling more at ease then she had with almost anyone. Rosa and her brother might be the only two people she felt more at ease with.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"What shall we call our little children then?" Arthur couldn't help but slightly chuckle at the idea of them being their little children. One day, when they could have actual children, it would complete their family and make it perfect. This was what Arthur had craved his entire life. And he had not expected to achieve it until he had sons or daughters. But thanks to the way Guinevère was . . . it was already feeling that way just from having a wife. And now, two puppies. "When I was younger, I used to enjoy a story about two dogs by the name of Cabal and Bohrs." An obscure story, but one that he had read nearly every day, and since then . . . had always wanted a pet dog. This was also the first time he spoke anything about his childhood, for he kept majority of it private.

But with what she had given him, he wanted to at least open up a little to her. "It was a strange tale, about two adventurous dogs who traveled the ends of the earth." Arthur had liked it for the thrill, and excitement of feeling like he was going through adventures with them. It was one of the few possessions that he still had. "What do you think? Do those names suit them?" He asked, wanting to find names that she would like as well. Rather than just picking something random to him. He wanted her input and opinion, especially in the naming of their 'children'. As he asked the question, he looked down at the pup in his arms, who was wagging his tail and drooling from excitement.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère smiled when he asked about names, and for her answer she lifted the puppy in her arms up and looked at it's face. "Alright Cabal," She teased, "You cannot travel to the ends of the earth. I would miss you too much." Pulling him back down to her arms and looked over at Arthur, with a smile on her face. She liked that the names came from somewhere, and held meaning rather then just random names he picked. Made the pups seemed fated.

"Perhaps by the time we have a son, and he is old enough to have stories, he will read the one you did and wonder what his dogs did before he was born." She teased, thinking that a child would make this feel perfect. She felt untouchable. As if nothing would ever happen to them in this moment. Everything was just wonderful. "We should find a place for them to sleep." Because she wanted to enjoy what was left of tonight with her husband, and she could not do that on the floor with two puppies watching.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave another small chuckle when she spoke of how he could travel to the ends of the earth, for he would be far too missed. He was glad that she seemed to like the names. For the pups belonged to them, not just him. Just as the castle belonged to them now, as she was his wife and queen. The thought of reading the story to his child -- whether it be a son or daughter -- caused an even brighter smile on his face. The image associated with such words, making him eager for that to come true. though in the meantime, he would greatly enjoy the time he had with his wife. "Whether we have a son or daughter," -- Or both -- "They may have to endure me reading them the story, and perhaps we can train Cabal and Bohrs to act it out for visual aids," Arthur added jokingly, finding it so easy to joke with her.

The only others he could joke so easily with were his brothers of heart. He never thought he would have this kind of relationship with his wife, and was so very glad he was proved wrong. "We should find a place for them to sleep." Tonight? Did that mean she was not ready to go to sleep just yet? Arthur hope not for he wished to express just how grateful he was, more so in actions than words. "I will have an area of my room arranged for them to sleep in," he suggested, as he leaned toward one of the pups until his and Bohrs' noses touched. The pup seemed confused by it, but when Arthur did it again, Bohrs seemed to be playing along. And by the third time, instead of his wet nose touching Arthur's, it was Bohrs' tongue. It caused the king to let out another chuckle and the energetic canine.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère laughed when he said that their son or daughter might have to be read the stories, and she loved the idea that he would read an adventure story to a daughter as well. For most noble men did not have much to do with daughters until later when they could dance a dance with them, or marry them off. Her own father was rare for he had spent time with her a bit more often, though her mother had died in child birth and she had no other parent then him.

He had not however, read her adventure stories. "You can stay here and play with them, I will go and have a place readied for them . . . so we might be alone for a moment afterwards." A moment being the bulk of the night. With that she handed Arthur the pup in her arms before rising and opening the door to ask someone to have the place readied and a servant to remain there until Arthur joined them later--or tomorrow. Since the pups would need walking often. Then she went back to where her husband was, and joined him until the knock came to let them know that the place as ready for the pups. Guinevère bid them good night and then waited for her husband to do so as well.

[Arthur Pendragon]

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[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur slept even better tonight than he did the previous one -- and he hadn't even know that would be possible. They had stayed up a bit later, enjoying each others company and all the intimacies it provided them with. It had been a wonderful night and they had fallen asleep in each others arms, as he held her close to him for the night. The sun rose too quickly and he silently cursed it for he was far too relaxed to get up . . . but as Guinevère had to prepare for the day, as he did, he rose and regrettably went to his chambers, greeted by his pups. So instead of getting ready straight away, he spent some time bonding with his new canine companions before he realized he was getting late. Getting dressed, he went to meet with the council and then King Leodegrance as he prepared to return home. He shared words of farewell and promise, swearing to take care of his daughter and protect her.

He knew this was not easy for either Guinevère nor her father. So Arthur had cleared his schedule and appointments and set up a romantic lunch in the garden that she loved so much. He knew it was not much in terms of how she must already miss her father, but it was an attempt to help cheer her up and distract her from her father's absence. He wanted her to be happy, and would do all he could to help her settle in her new home. As he stood there, waiting for her to arrive, he saw that Lancelot was escorting her. Strange. For Arthur had sent a couple of his own men to bring her. Galahad's earlier words rung in his mind, but again, he did not dwell on them. For today was about Guinevère. And so, he smiled, approaching her and extending his hand for her to take so that he could lead her to where the picnic was set up for them.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère readied for the day and wrapped the gifts she would be sending with her father. After packing them, she had them sent down to be loaded into the wagons before Lancelot took her to meet Arthur and her father for the goodbye. She cried, of course, but she was also less afraid and saddened then before. Arthur was proving to be a good man and she looked forward to getting to know him better. "I love you, Father, have a safe trip!" She told him, and they he rode out of the kingdom that was now her home.

She would have been sad however, if her husband had not surprised her with lunch in the gardens! Walking there she hurried to greet him, and thank him for such a wonderful and thoughtful idea! These meant more to her then any jewel he might have gifted her with, for ti was his time he gave and that was something more valuable then riches. She knew Lancelot waited at the door, but she also assumed he was just being watchful, and that once he made friends things would be better. Perhaps later when they were out of ear shoot for sure, she would ask her husband to help him?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur smiled when he saw her and how she had seemed rather excited about this little shared meal they would be having. It was the first time that they were able to spend an afternoon together, alone. For all other days various things had demanded their attention, but today . . . he wanted to help her take her mind off her father's absence. That, and he just wanted to spend time with her. He wanted to build their relationship past the physical. When she came Arthur also brought out Cabal and Bohrs to join them. A blanket was set out for them to sit on, with an elaborate setting of food -- breads, fruit, cheese, meat -- and of course drink. He tried to find the most quiet and most beautiful area of the garden, though having given her the responsibility of its maintenance he didn't doubt that it would become far more beautiful under her care.

He also made sure to move away from anyone being able to see them, but not too far should danger just happen to arise. He glanced every now and then at where he could feel her father's champion staring, though this only lasted for a few moments during the beginning of their lunch. For he grew distracted with his wife's company and the hyper pups running around them, enjoying the outside garden area as this was their first time here, and Arthur doubted it would be their last.