Some 'Sisterly' Advice [Arthur]

[Romily de Braose]

It was getting quite late, Romily was surprised that she'd actually managed to stay awake to such a time of the evening, even if it was still fairly early. Sewing by candlelight was becoming increasingly difficult. One of her dresses had managed to catch on something whilst out walking and had now produced a rather nice hole at the seam on the bottom of her skirt. She put the needle down and squinted slightly - it looked decent enough when there was barely any light, but she doubted that it would look any better in the morning.

Folding the skirt up, she rose from her chair with a small yawn. Yes, definatly time for bed. She unpinned her hair, watching outside as one by one, candles in the homes of the townspeople were slowly exstinguished into darkness. Camelot was peaceful and the only noise was...well, there was none. All was quiet, and all was well.

Romily turned away from the window and hurried to find her nightgown. She was grateful that she didn't have a servant this evening to fuss over the fastenings on her bodice, why wait for at least five minutes when she could unfasten it within a mere few moments (it had taken years of practice but was handy). Right, now where was that nightgown?

Tagged: Arthur Pendragon
Timeline: S4, EP 9
Setting: Guest chambers

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was in a fantastic mood! Everything was going perfectly and smoothly! Guinevère had said yes. The woman that he loved, had said yes. She had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. Though he and her had always spoken of it, it felt different now. Because it was official. Because she had a ring on her finger to symbolize it. She was going to be his wife, his queen . . . a great queen. One that Camelot had not have for over twenty years. And he, would be her husband. Arthur truly felt like the luckiest man alive. He would be stronger with her by his side. He would be happier. The day that they had been waiting for for years was finally upon them, and he couldn't be more ecstatic. Soon, they would be married. And soon -- God willing -- children would follow. In a few days, they would start their journey together as king and queen; husband and wife.

Even the words themselves brought a soft smile to his lips. With the news slowly spreading, and the preparation for the joust underway, there were specific people that Arthur wished to personally deliver the news to. Rather than just have them all present when it was formally announced at court. One such person, was Romily. Romily was a dear friend of his, one that he had met years ago under the most peculiar circumstances. She had saved his life -- and suffered under his weight, quite literally -- and now she was here in Camelot. Staying as a most honored guest in the palace, until she knew her next step. Never would he pressure her to leave, nor rush her to make a decision. He enjoyed having her here, even if he did not get to spend as much time as he liked with her. As a friend, he wished for more.

As a king, he knew it was impossible with all his duties and responsibilities. He was well aware of the hour, but he had not had time earlier in the day to see her. And he wanted to tell her the news before it was announced at court, first thing tomorrow morning. The news then would spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. He wanted Romily to hear it from him. He knocked on the door, awaiting a response just in case she was busy getting dressed or something or another. So he would wait patiently for her to grant him entrance before just waltzing into her bedroom. He'd already seen her in an awkward state of undress. Only this time, he would have no excuse of a wound. It would just be plain awkward and uncomfortable.

[Romily de Braose]

The knock on the door had caused Romily to jump abruptly. Who on earth had come to see her at this hour? She looked at the newly retreived nightgown and then at the door. "Come in!" she called, and put the nightgown on her pillow.

As she turned she was met with Arthur closing the door. A warm smile lit up her face - she had not seen Arthur for quite some time, so she wondered what was bringing him here. There had to be something, she was pretty sure he wasn't the type for mindless late evening chats.
Romily swept down into a small curtsey and stood back up again. "Arthur" she said warmly, "How are you? Come in! Come in!" she gestured for him to do so and quickly settled herself down in the chair by the fire, patting the one opposite for her friend to also do the same.

It was then she noted the expression on his face. Happy, joyful even. There was something up. Yes he looked content whenever she saw him most of the time, but today? Well that was different, he looked more alive than ever. Romily knew him well enough to know that.
"What is it Arthur?" she asked, giving him a suspicious smile. Whatever it was, it was bound to be some good news.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Come in!" When he heard these words of accepted entrance, Arthur opened the door and stepped in, smiling as soon as he saw her as he closed the door behind him. "Romily," he greeted in return. He had been worried about coming here unannounced and at this hour, but her warm smile and kind greeting put to rest these uncertainties. And he felt relieved that he had sought her out, rather than just assumed it was too late. He walked further into the room and as asked, sat in the chair next to her, in front of the warm fire. It felt so casual to sit with her, as if regardless of their awkward encounters in the past, there was no semblance of it now. How strange that one thing had gone to such heights of discomfort, to now, so casually sitting in front of the fire place with her. It was a wonderful change of course, but a highly unexpected one. Then again, Arthur knew first hand that some of the best things that happened in life, were the most unexpected ones. Guinevère being his biggest example.

He wanted to ask her how she was doing, how she was settling in, but her question inquiring him what it was, made him realize that she knew he had come with purpose. It was not a worried or concerned tone she used, but one of curiosity. He decided not to beat around the bush. To say what he had intended to, and what he came here for, and then question how she had been settling in this newly revisited lifestyle as a noblewoman. He smiled as he looked at her, not one to drag things out. "I have come to personally invite you to my wedding." Even saying the mere words caused his smile to widen a bit. Wedding. He was getting married to the woman he had been waiting to be with for so many years. And nothing, absolutely nothing could ruin the perfection of that day. True, most grand events in Camelot tended to be the perfect opportunity for their enemies to take charge. His coronation as prince, most recently his birthday -- just to name a few -- but this time, he refused to let anything get in the way. Nothing would spoil this wedding that he and Guinevère had been waiting so many years to have.

[Romily de Braose]

Romily watched Arthur take the seat and leant her head to the side, still giving him the look of curiousity, of course his next words were ones that allowed her expression to change into a broad grin. "You're getting married" she breathed, "Oh Arthur that's wonderful news!". Her hand placed itself on top of his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Of course I shall be there! I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Romily looked to him, "Go on, tell me about it - how you proposed, what her reaction was, did she cry? did you cry even?!" she chuckled. So many questions and so much excitement. Arthur finally would be able to make Guinevère his queen, and Romily couldn't think of anyone better suited.
It felt nice to just sit here with Arthur and talk, and not to feel awkward. He was very much like the only family she had left - except without sharing the same blood. Now she felt as though she could open up to him more than she had done before. He wouldn't judge her and neither she with him. "Guinevère will make a wonderful Queen, and no doubt a wonderful wife, you've chosen well" she told him, "I know how long you've both been waiting for this."

Romily rose from her chair and walked to the table where she poured them both a drink, offering one to Arthur as she sat back down again. "Have you decided on the wedding day then?" she asked.

[Arthur Pendragon]

His smile brightened when she began to express her genuine excitement for the wedding. Even more so when she took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He was so very relieved to hear that she would come! Because he knew that her excitement was completely sincere. He wanted his close friends there to join this very special occasion. And he considered Romily one such friend. A dear one. He wanted her and Guinevère to be able to spend more time together, for he knew that at feast and such she would need to be around the less, judgmental noblewoman. He knew that some of the women would not be entirely warm and accepting of her, of how she had gone from a servant pouring their drinks, to now the ultimate authority in Camelot. Romily was one of the noblewomen that Arthur knew would be positive company for Guinevère. "I am so glad to hear that," he said, expressing his happiness to hear that she would come. That she said it was wonderful news. She was asking the details of the proposal.

A legitimate question indeed, though Arthur was not a man who often spoke of his feelings, of what was in his heart. For emotions were a difficult thing to vocalize. He gave a short chuckle when she asked if Guinevère cried, if he cried. "I made a puddle on the floor," he claimed with obvious jest in his voice. He of course didn't cry, even though he felt overwhelming happiness in that moment. "Guinevère is a woman of many emotions. So a candle lit room and a direct question seemed enough to cause expression of it." A tear or two. He loved that. He loved that she was so emotional; that she was so open with him. It made him want to take care of her, want to always dry her tears, want to make sure he never gave reason for any tears that were not ones of joy to be in her eyes. Last night, they had been tears of happiness. And he felt his heart warm from the fact that she had been so overcome with euphoria. He truly did appreciate Romily's words. He believed it too, that Guinevère would make a wonderful queen. Even though she had her own doubts and insecurities, she was confident by his side. And he would do anything he could to ease this transition and make her feel as comfortable as possible.

"I do not think Camelot could ask for a better woman to rule as queen," he agreed, being so proud of Guinevère for so many reasons. He admired her; she had the strongest heart of anyone he knew. A beautiful person inside and out. And in a week, he could proudly stand by her side. Being the luckiest man in the world for her having chosen him. She had touched life and soul, and he knew he was a better man for having fallen in love with her. "It was indeed worth the wait. Every moment." Arthur was obviously not going to go into intimate details, but only agree to the truth that Romily's words held. He watched her get up to offer him a drink. "Thank you," he gratefully as she returned to her seat and asked the next question. "We do. The wedding will take place in a week's time. Her coronation will follow the next day," he added as he took a sip of the the drink she had poured for him. He was just so happy, he wondered if it would ever be possible for him to stop smiling. Not for many many years, that much was for certain.

[Romily de Braose]

Romily couldn't help but laugh at Arthur's sarcasm when it came round to the proposal. "How very manly of you" she smirked and took a sip of her drink, still with a smile upon her face. She was so glad that at last he would settle down into his roles as both husband and King. Guinevère would most certainly be a wonderful match for him, and Romily hoped all the best for them. "Guinevère is a woman of many emotions. So a candle lit room and a direct question seemed enough to cause expression of it."
Romily smiled and looked down at the floor - a typical Arthur gesture then. No matter how much of a front he put on, Romily knew he was the romantic type. She looked back up at him and grinned. "Now that sounds perfect, and it worked" a small laugh escaped her lips.

She raised her goblet. "Well then, i suppose we must drink a toast." she raised her own up in the air, "To you and Guinevère" she smiled contentedly, "and to many happy years that will come."

Romily settled herself down a little more in her chair. "A week? well then I must start finding a suitable outfit". There was always that playful tone when it came down to banter between them. She was so glad that now they could finally have a relaxed conversation with one another and without it being so awkward. There was one question that seemed to be nagging at her though. "What has your Uncle said about this?" she asked, knowing full well that Agravaine was all for tradition and lived by the book. She'd seen him, how he acted, how he stood and even down to the way he walked. She'd already been engaged in conversation with him once or twice. However much of a chivelrous front he could put on, there was something about him that made Romily think twice before speaking her mind.

At this, she got up and walked to her window - leaving Arthur seated. Toying with the now empty goblet in her hands, she gave a small sigh, "After you are married, perhaps it will be best if leave Camelot. I fear that should I carry on staying here, then I will only be a burden to you and Guinevère."

[Arthur Pendragon]

"How very manly of you." Arthur smiled at her teasing comment. He could not remember the last time he had cried from joy. Sadness, yes. Several times, only not in front of anyone. With the exception of Guinevère and sometimes Merlin. They had both seen him in his weakest moments, and while he hated showing such weakness, it was no coincidence that these two were the ones to witness him in such a state. For they were the closest people to him. If ever there was a time that he would cry from joy, it would most likely be related to Guinevère. While he was not planning on it, there was nothing that gave him more happiness than her. And now, he could spend the rest of his life in this constant happy state of being her husband. The thought alone made him unable to stop smiling. "Now that sounds perfect, and it worked." It most certainly did! Arthur recalled fearing that she was not say yes.

Not because she did not love him, but because he had been afraid that she would feel this was not the appropriate time. But, there was no such problem. She had accepted and in a week's time, they would be wed! When she began to propose a toast, Arthur's smile brightened as he raised his cup to honor her words. "Thank you Romily," he said with utmost sincerity as he took a sip from his drink. It meant a great deal to hear that she was supportive of this; not that he let those who were unsupportive stand in the way. Not anymore. Not since his minor lapse in judgment where he told her they could not be together. Now, they could. And he wanted to be with her every single day for the rest of their lives. He chuckled whens he spoke of finding a suitable outfit, knowing the small inside joke that lay in this statement. However her next question distracted him from making a witty retort. "What has your Uncle said about this?" The inquiry surprised him and yet did not.

He knew that his uncle made no secret of the importance that he placed on tradition. So Arthur supposed in that way, it was a valid question. But he would also never speak ill of another . . . especially someone who was his family. "He accepts if not supports the decisions I make," he told her truthfully. It was one or the other; he either supported Arthur's decisions, or if he did not, he at least accepted them. After all, he did not have much of a choice. "Marrying Guinevère is no exception." Arthur knew that he did not approve of his choice . . . but he would accept it all the same. Arthur only hoped his uncle would properly embrace her. Not just as a queen -- as that was technically law -- but as family. He wanted nothing more than for his uncle and his wife to get along with each other. He always prayed for the same thing when it had come to his father and Guinevère, but knew that was never possible. Now, he prayed for as such with Agravaine and Guinevère. Whatever damages were done on his family, he wished to repair them. He wished to unite them.

Arthur watched Romily as she rose and went over to the window, instantly noticing the change in her tone. Her words brought reason to this. "You are not a burden to us," he said, curious as to why she thought as such. "It is not as if Guinevère and I will ever expect to have the entire castle to ourselves," he said teasingly. Castles were not meant for two people. Or just family. It was always filled with servants, guards, knights, visitors, etc. Despite the crowd, Arthur had felt alone in it ever since his father's death. It was a house, but Guinevère was what made it a home. Even more so now that she would be his wife and they could start a family together. "You are more than welcome to stay for as long as you need be," he assured her, as he did when she first moved in. His marriage to Guinevère would not change any of those who remained in the castle.

[Romily de Braose]

Romily smiled, a little relieved at Arthur's answer at her question about his uncle. At least Agravaine was supporting his nephew. Had he not liked anything then he would have spoken out like he usually did on some subjects. Perhaps he wasn't as bad as Romily thought him to be after all. Then again she was not one to judge, but instead observe. Agravaine and his ways had taken her aback when she'd first met him, but within time she'd seen that he was living by the book, just like the other council members. "I am glad" she smiled, "At least I know that as well as myself, that you have your uncle's support."

"You are not a burden to us," Romily looked over her shoulder at the floor, but not to Arthur. She had felt like one from the start - despite Arthur kindness and many times in telling her that she could stay as long as she needed. "It is not as if Guinevère and I will ever expect to have the entire castle to ourselves," She smiled slightly at this. Arthur never had any peace now that he was King, especially with so much that had gone on within the space of time that she had stayed. "You are more than welcome to stay for as long as you need be," Romily nodded and turned back to the window.

"You are too kind to me Arthur" she spoke, a little sadness to her voice, "I know i've said it a thousand times before, but you are."

She crossed the room and sat down opposite him again. "Anyway...let us talk more - I barely see you except for celebratory functions" she smirked, "and even then i'm always engaged in some conversation between those Knights of yours." Another devious expression crossed her face.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He smiled when she spoke of how she was glad to have gained his uncle's support. He had not really left his uncle with much of a choice and only hoped that one day, he would embrace Guinevère as a niece, just as he embraced Arthur as a nephew. His uncle was a good man. Traditional, and he had his moments . . . but he was his mother's brother after all. And for that, Arthur respected him tremendously. "You are too kind to me Arthur." Arthur looked at her, his smile slightly softening. "I am merely happy to assist you in what way I can. It is the least I can do after all that you have done for me. Or, all I made you suffer I should say," he teased, attempting to lighten whatever had caused that small hint of sadness in his tone of voice. He was of course referring to what would always be a joke between them.

Their first meeting, their encounter in the woods . . . and him having caused her to nearly suffocate by falling unconscious on her. Literally. He was glad that she sat back down in comfort, speaking of how they had not conversed in a while -- which was indeed true. Then furthermore, her speaking of the knights. He wasn't sure if she was referring to all of them, or the select special ones that he was closest to: Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Elyan. "They are good men," he said, referring to all the knights, in case she meant them in a more general level. "I am glad you have found it easy to adapt here," he told her. Knowing, that she had her hesitations about revisiting court life, so was relieved to hear that she was settling well and find herself to -- hopefully -- be comfortable here in the court of Camelot.